PTFoMS conducts workshop to protect, empower women journalists in Cebu

 CEBU CITY – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) conducted a national workshop to empower and institutionalize gender-responsive media protection to some 25 women journalists in Cebu, May 21 at the Crown Regency Hotel, with the goal of find solutions to some of the nagging issues of safety and security of women journalists in the Philippines.

“The Presidential Task Force of Media Security was established in 2016 in response to the growing number of threats and attacks against journalists in the country.  Its primary mandate is actually to assist in the investigation and the prosecution of cases of media killings, and also to investigate and possibly prosecute attacks or threats against the media,” said PTFoMS undersecretary Jose Torres, Jr. in a side interview with Manila Standard.

Torres said that through the years the task force reviewed safety protocols and realized that the most vulnerable sector in the media when it comes to attacks are women, especially when it comes to online cyber security, and even through physical attacks and issues.

“So, we said that we might as well have focus training workshop for women journalists.  This is the second training workshop to ensure the safety and security of journalists. We had a workshop in Metro Manila for photojournalists and cameramen who are covering disasters, we also had workshops in Mindanao for journalists who are covering conflicts,” Torres added.

According to Torres, most of the attacks now are not about shooting and killings, most attacks are targeting the psyche, the minds, and it's more harmful because it hurts the individual. It would result in people not able to work properly because they are mentally distracted by all these threats, attacks, and even demeaning comments especially against women journalists.

“Empowering Women Journalists: A National Workshop To Institutionalize Gender-Responsive Media Protection”

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) ASEC for Executive and Institutional Affairs, Mariel Eduarte said that all the challenges that women journalists face in Cebu, in the provinces, in community media are real and they are very specific.

“These deserve specific solutions. We are deeply grateful to the European Union and the international media support for making this possible. The EU's commitment to press freedom is not just words, it is funded, it is sustained, and shows up in practical ways, in training, in protection frameworks, and the kind of institutional support that keeps journalists safer on the ground,” Eduarte added.

She noted that this workshop has the power to reshape how this industry protects its own.  Every protocol, every standard, every guardrail that gets built for women journalists in this country, it starts with conversations like the ones the training have today.

Louie Domingo, Head, Emergency Management Center presented insightful lecture, workshops, hands-on guide and practical tips on how to protect and empower women journalists through personal safety and wellness.

Shaira Eve Goc-ong of the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) gave the women journalists Workshop on Understanding Stress and Mental Health.   From Breaking News to Breathing Space and Journalist Survival Kit, a comprehensive guide to cope with stress in work as a journalist, specifically women journalist.  "afety and protection mechniYou can carry the story without losing your own story," Goc-ong said guiding the participants how stress management can be essential to cope with work-related stresses.

Towards the end of the training, PTFoMS team guided the participants to a workshop on the baseline safety standards for the protection for the women journalists by asking question like, “Is there a safe space in your Newsrooms and/or in your place of work?  As women journalists, what are the issues and concerns that you want to be addressed by the government and the media industry?

Seven groups brainstormed on these questions, raising issues on women journalists being harassed, abused while working, covering news events. Common answer to question 1 was that most newsrooms are not that safe for women journalists.

Common issues that needs government urgent attention included low wages for journalists; weak safety and security protocols when covering in conflict areas and during disasters and emergencies; lacking in protective measures against abuse and violence against women at the workplace; and there is no institutional system for grievance especially for women journalists’ who have experience abuse at the workplace and or during coverage. (Photos: MBCNewman)

SM Seaside Cebu Arena is set to open in June 2026

CEBU CITY -- SM Seaside Cebu Arena, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) second mega-arena and the first purpose-built, multipurpose indoor arena in Cebu Province, located at the South Coast City, SM Prime’s integrated estate in Cebu is set to open in June 2026.

“The enduring success of SM MOA Arena shows the strong demand for world-class entertainment venues, so we are bringing the same proven model to Cebu.  We believe Cebu is a key growth center, and this arena will help attract major events, support tourism and create more economic activity for the region,” SM Prime President, Jeffry Lim said.

By building a venue of this scale in Cebu, SM Prime is strengthening the Visayas as a destination for international events, domestic tourism, and long-term investment.  SM Prime is already in talks with concert promoters, sports federations, family entertainment producers, and corporate event organizers ahead of the opening, securing advance bookings since late last year.

A local band is set to be the first performer of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena, with BINI on July 11, IV of Spades on July 18, TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan on September 5 and LANY on November 6 and 12 already confirmed for this year and with talks ongoing with a global artist for the grand launch, Lim bared.

Located within the SM Seaside Complex, the arena benefits from direct access to retail, hospitality and transport infrastructure, creating a seamless ecosystem for visitors and event organizers.  Its proximity to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and surrounding lifestyle developments strengthens its appeal as a regional destination for international acts and large gatherings.

A glimpse of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena

The project is being developed directly under SM Prime Holdings Inc. as part of their South Coast City estate.  This is SM Prime’s bet that demand for world-class venues extends beyond Manila. It’s designed to be flexible for everything from Lady Gaga-scale concerts to basketball games and corporate events.

With seven storeys and a capacity of up to 25,000 people, with 16,000 fixed seats, making the SM Seaside Cebu Arena larger than the Mall of Asia Arena, which seats 20,000.  This will be one of the largest indoor arenas in the Philippines. Its flexible event bowl allows seamless configuration for both large-scale concerts and more intimate events, giving promoters greater versatility in staging productions.

The SM Seaside Cebu Arena features one of the most advanced center-hung displays in the country, supported by immersive LED ribbon boards that deliver a 360-degree viewing experience. These are complemented by high-capacity digital infrastructure, including 5G connectivity, high-capacity digital infrastructure for real-time engagement.

It has multi-level spectator areas, professional-grade sports and entertainment systems, Corporate suites, VIP lounges, food and beverage concepts, practice court, breakout rooms and Skybridge connecting directly to SMX Convention Center Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu for seamless visitor flow.

Why SM Prime built it? The goal is to make Cebu a hub for international events so people don’t have to fly to Manila for concerts and sports. SM Prime says Cebu’s accessibility to Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Japan, etc. makes it viable for regional and international shows. (Photos: SM Seaside Arena FB/Google Images)

 

 

 

 

 

Converge reaches 3M subscribers, gains ₱11.2B revenue 1st quarter 2026

CEBU CITY – Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (PSE: CNVRG) reached 3M subscribers in its prepaid fiber internet users, sustaining growth with P11.2 billion in revenues in the first quarter of 2026.

“We are focused on expanding our fiber footprint, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao, to serve more Filipinos with world-class connectivity.  Our enterprise customers will also get a boost with the completion of our national digital infrastructure that sets the stage for providing cloud and data heavy services,” said Converge Co-Founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy, in a zoom media briefing on May 14.

Uy bared that as of end-March 2026, the total Converge subscriber base reached 3.09 million, representing a 14% year-on-year (YoY) improvement. A key driver of this growth was the Surf2Sawa (S2S) prepaid fiber service, which saw its subscriber base skyrocket by 86.7% YoY to reach 674,000 customers.

The company’s Enterprise business has also sustained its growth trajectory, with revenues seeing a 16% growth during the quarter to reach P 2 billion.

For the first quarter of 2026, Converge registered P 3.02 billion in net income. Its EBITDA grew by 3.3% to P 6.9 billion with an EBITDA margin of 61.8 %, and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) standing at 15.6% by the end of the period.

 “Despite geopolitical turmoil affecting the local economy and its growth prospects, we are able to insulate much of our operations from these. Our financial performance in the first quarter remains steady and we assure our subscribers - now at 3 million - that we hear them, and we’re improving resolution of our network challenges,” said Converge President and Co-Founder Maria Grace Uy.

Converge Chief Finance Officer Robert Yu bared that total cash capex for the first quarter of 2026 amounted to P 2.9 billion and the company maintains its capex guidance range at P18 billion to P23 billion as reported at the start of the year.

The company’s capex would mainly be used for the continued expansion and reinforcement of the network to continuously deliver reliable services, and at the same time, to prepare the   company for future demand. “As we anticipate growth for both our consumer and enterprise segments, we want to keep our infrastructure resilient to support evolving customer needs and deliver more digital services,” said Yu.

Converge recently marked the completion of its future-ready national digital infrastructure designed to prop up its delivery of cutting-edge technologies and cement the Philippines’ position as a vital node in the global digital economy. The said architecture consists of its extensive fiber backbone and satellite network, international subsea cable systems, cable landing stations, and scalable data centers.

In April, Converge again took home the majority of the Ookla broadband performance awards, specifically the titles of Fastest Fixed Network, Best Fixed Network, Best Video Experience, and the Lowest Latency in the second half of 2025, marking its leadership in broadband in the country for three straight years.

“While challenges remain, we’re seeing steady improvement in outage frequency and repair speeds. The number of subscribers impacted by network trouble has also been coming down. Response and handling times of our customer support teams are likewise improving. We’re investing in network upgrades and proactive maintenance, so you can expect us to keep improving on these metrics,” noted Benjamin Azada, Converge Chief Operations Officer. (Photos: Converge)

 

UC-Medical Center introduces Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

CEBU CITY – The University of Cebu (UC)-Medical Center is expanding its wellness and healing with the introduction of its new Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) available at its Skin & Wellness Center. 

“HBOT helps the body heal more effectively by delivering a higher concentration of oxygen in a pressurized environment.  When tissues receive more oxygen, the body can repair itself faster, strengthen its immune response against bacteria, and support tissue regeneration. It enhances the body’s ability to recover from certain injuries and conditions while supporting overall wellness,” explained Jennifer Tan, chairman of the UCMed Skin and Wellness Center.

HBOT delivers oxygen in a pressurized environment to support healing and recovery. While often linked to skin health, doctors stress that its benefits run deeper, enhancing the body’s natural ability to repair itself.  The increased oxygen supply stimulates cell repair, promotes the formation of new blood vessels, and reduces inflammation, key processes in recovery, Tan added.

This makes the therapy beneficial for individuals healing from surgery or injury, as well as those managing conditions such as infections, diabetes, and respiratory or circulatory concerns.  HBOT sessions can enhance healing in muscular tissue rehabilitation, ulcer, dementia and neurosis, migraine, hypertension, angina and renal failure.

It can also be beneficial in beauty care, anti-aging, and skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, gangrene and burn.  Inside the hyperbaric chamber, patients sit comfortably as air pressure is gradually raised to up to twice normal atmospheric pressure. Here, the body absorbs more oxygen than usual, helping tissues recover faster and function more efficiently.

Each session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes, during which patients may simply relax, read, or rest while oxygen circulates through their system.  It is non-invasive Each session lasts about 60 to 90 minutes, allowing patients to rest as the body under-goes a quiet but active process of repair.

For Dr. Armando Tan, UCMed medical director, the addition of HBOT reflects a broader direction in healthcare, combining treatment with prevention.  “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has long been recognized for its role in improving healing and tissue recovery,” he said.

Tan said that by bringing this technology to UCMed, the hospital is expanding how it cares for patients, not just when they are ill, but as they work to stay well. UCMed’s facility can accommodate two persons, allowing the option of a companion for added comfort.

Designed with safety in mind, it includes a two-way communication system and clear viewing panels to help patients feel at ease throughout the session.  Non-invasive and medically supervised, the therapy offers a science-backed approach to supporting recovery and overall health.

Patients are advised to consult with a physician at the UCMed Skin & Wellness Center to determine if HBOT is appropriate for their needs. It is located on the second floor of the hospital building   As more people explore ways to care for their health proactively, therapies that work with the body, rather than against it, UCMed is gaining ground.

“Sometimes the most powerful medicine is simply helping the body heal the way it was designed to. Oxygen plays a vital role in that process.” Dr. Tan said. (Photos:UCMed/Courtesy of Cerwin Eviota)

PhilHealth expands primary health access via 4,278 YAKAP clinics nationwide

CEBU CITY – PhilHealth is expanding primary health access and benefits through the 4,287 Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) accredited clinics nationwide, now reaching 33.2M Filipinos, making quality healthcare accessible to every Filipino family.

This remarkable expansion reflects a 457-fold increase in primary care support compared to 2021 payouts. In Central Visayas, PhilHealth has further boosted YAKAP accessibility through 282 accredited YAKAP Clinics strategically located across the region. 

These include 82 clinics in Bohol, 145 in Cebu, 48 in Negros Oriental, and seven (7) in Siquijor, comprised of both government and private healthcare facilities dedicated to ensuring accessible primary care for all.

YAKAP enables PhilHealth members to maximize their contributions by registering with a preferred clinic, along with their legal dependents, and access a comprehensive package of benefits including free medical consultations, essential laboratory and diagnostic services, medicines worth up to ₱20,000 annually under the Guaranteed and Accessible Medication for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) benefit, and outpatient cancer screening for early disease detection.

By being empaneled with a YAKAP Clinic, members and dependents gain a consistent healthcare partner capable of monitoring their health, detecting conditions early, and providing timely interventions before illnesses become severe.

"Ang pagpili at pagpapa-empanel sa inyong YAKAP Clinic ay hindi lamang pagsunod sa proseso; ito ay ang pagtitiyak na may sandigan ang inyong pamilya bago pa man dumating ang sakit. Sa YAKAP, layon nating protektahan ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino upang hindi na humantong sa malubhang karamdaman na mas mahirap at mas mahal gamutin," said Dr. Edwin M. Mercardo, PhilHealth President and CEO.

PhilHealth has conducted over 191 empanelment drives nationwide through its Local Health Insurance Offices to connect more communities to their chosen clinics through outreach missions and settings-based registration campaigns.

Members who cannot attend on-site registration may select their YAKAP Clinic through the eGovPH Mobile App or the PhilHealth Member Portal. (Photos: PhilHealth)

 

Cebu-based AI infra company joins ASEAN+3 session in Cambodia

 CEBU CITY – A Cebu-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure company, OH MY GENIE! Inc. (OMG! Crazy-Fast) joined the high-level session and presented the company’s framework at the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Council’s 14^th Meeting on March 5-6, 2026 hosted by Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) at Siam Reap Province Kingdom of Cambodia.

(From Left: Karl Kesner, CEO CTO, Enrique San Juan, CMO,

and Ana Michelle Kesner COO, Co-Founders of OMG! Crazy Fast and ASEAN ARM OS 

The ASEAN+3-APTERR has now entered a new era of disaster preparedness where OH MY GENIE introduced the ASEAN Resilience Mesh Operating System (ARM-OS), an AI-orchestrated digital infrastructure designed to ensure that bulk rice reserves and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) meals reach affected populations immediately before, during, and after catastrophic events.

Karl Kesner, OMG! CEO and Co-Founder, Ana Michelle Kesner, COO and Enrique San Juan, CMO, led the presentation with distinguished regional leaders, including Dr. Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, General Manager of the APTERR Secretariat, and Dr. Pham Quang Minh of the ASEAN Secretariat in attendance.

The high-level session discussed the ASEAN Resilience Mesh Operating System (ARM-OS) Protocol that included the following topics:

Decentralized Orchestration: Unlike traditional centralized logistics, the system uses a distributed network of autonomous nodes to eliminate single points of failure.

Offline-First Capability: Engineered for resilience, the protocol functions even when power is out or internet connectivity is severed; Pre-Positioned Relief: The system focuses on placing resources directly inside communities to ensure an "always-ready" intelligent grid.

Immutable Chain of Custody: Ensures complete transparency and traceability from donor to recipient, providing a Common Operating Picture (COP) for governments and aid agencies. (Photos: Courtesy of OMG/Enrique San Juan)

 

Post-ASEAN Summit impact: What Cebu gained, what’s next for the ordinary Filipino

CEBU CITY -- When the last motorcade cleared Mactan’s palm-lined roads on May 8, the 48th ASEAN Summit left behind more than traffic advisories and shuttered resorts, it left Cebu with a test case: Can hosting ASEAN deliver real gains to the ordinary Filipino?

Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro highlighted the importance of collaboration and unity in achieving excellence and expressed her gratitude to the local organizing team, the volunteers, various government agencies, healthcare workers the police and the media for the support and cooperation in ensuring a safe and secure ASEAN summit.

“Cebu was at the spotlight in international news. We have shown the world that Cebu is always ready to host such important events, and the President was happy,” Baricutro said at the Post-ASEAN press briefing on May 12 at the Capitol.

P/COL Kim Moletas also highlighted the achievement of zero major incidents and the positive feedback from foreign leaders who felt safe and secure. The success is attributed to the collective effort and hard work of government agencies and the public.

“The important thing is learning from past events to improve future ones, ensuring no incidents occur before, during, or after hosting events. It extends beyond crime scene management to include disaster preparedness for both natural and man-made disasters. The focus is on international event readiness, not just on cooperation among agencies but also on comprehensive planning and response strategies,” Moletas added.

What Cebu gained from the 48th ASEAN Summit

On the economic scoreboard, the summit transformed Mactan into a MICE showcase overnight. With 3,000+ delegates, 1,000+ international media, and 11 heads of state concentrated in Lapu-Lapu City, hotels in Punta Engaño reported a 40% occupancy spike.  The intangible/social impact is its brand value with global media coverage positioned Cebu as “the Philippines’ tourism gateway” beyond Manila, DOT officials said.

Anthony Noel, president of the Lapu-Lapu Chamber of Commerce, called it a boost even if bookings were not as full-blown as expected after the summit was cut from five days to three days.  

“Cebu is increasingly positioning itself as a viable destination for international MICE events, infrastructure stress test for MCIA, Mactan World Museum IMC, Shangri-La Mactan all used at scale and the ASEAN hosting success makes Cebu more competitive for future ASEAN, APEC, ADB events,” Noel added.

For the MSMEs, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) positioned the event as a launchpad to ASEAN’s 600M consumer market.  GCash onboarded Cebuano micro-entrepreneurs at the summit, pushing cashless payments and digital inclusion. DTI- Usec Allan Gepty described Cebu as a “key hub for trade, tourism, and maritime connectivity.”

On cultural and tourism exchange, Cebu was on the ASEAN centerstage being chosen in part to highlight the country’s tourism appeal.  The BIMP-EAGA Summit at Shangri-La Mactan spotlighted East ASEAN connectivity, with President Marcos Jr. insisting development must be felt in their daily lives. 

First Lady Liza Marcos ran a “bare bones” spouses’ program dubbed the “Ilocano effect” — frugal but real Filipino hospitality in the little things done right, while the International Media Center (ICM) at Mactan World Museum hosted 400+ journalists, turning Cebu into ASEAN’s story hub for 72 hours.

What’s next for the ordinary Filipino?

What didn’t change and the limits-- No immediate GDP jump: Summit was “bare-bones” and shortened due to Middle East crisis.  Economic gains are short-term unless follow-on events materialize. Inequality in the hotel and MICE sector gained, but jeepney drivers and small vendors faced fare hikes and disruption without proportional benefit. 

Energy/food prices, Summit agreed on coordination, but actual impact on Cebuano household bills depends on ASEAN Power Grid and fuel reserve implementation later.  “The adverse effects of the Middle East crisis remind us that the world is interconnected, and no country can navigate external shocks alone,” DTI-Usec Allan Gepty said, adding that energy initiatives + renewables can help cushion the impact of global energy shocks.

For the Filipino families, the Summit aims to lower the inflation tax on Filipino families by fortifying regional food supplies and ensuring free flow of essential goods. The Summit also created temporary jobs for transport, events, and media support tied to delegate influx.

President Ferdinand Marcos on the other hand said, he will lead discussions on how the region can bolster regional preparedness, ensure stable energy supply and accelerate energy diversification.   

“I will push to strengthen food security, keeping the free flow of essential goods and building measures to support farmers and MSMEs.  Their safety is equally important, recognizing the contribution of overseas ASEAN nationals in our societies and our economies,” the President said.

“A disruption that begins in the Strait of Hormuz ripples through Singapore, the Strait of Malacca, and onward to Manila, Tokyo, Seoul, Jakarta within days. The Philippines is arguably the most dependent on oil from the Middle East,” the President added.

Atty. Rodel Batocabe, Cebu Chamber of Commerce opined that the summit is a gift and a curse for Cebu. “We’re seeing record bookings, but at what cost? If we don’t manage the environmental and social fallout, the long-term damage could outweigh the short-term gains,” he said.

Agreements at the Foreign Ministers and Leaders’ Meetings

The 48^th ASEAN Summit has forged agreements that touch daily life, including energy and food security which are considered the Summit’s core.  With the Strait of Hormuz blockade spiking oil prices, Marcos told leaders: “We must ensure regional energy security and resilience” and the Ministers pledged to accelerate cross-border electricity links + submarine cable framework for the ASEAN Power Grid.

On Petroleum sharing, the ministers agreed to fast-tract sharing of emergency fuel-sharing pact proposed by Sen. Imee Marcos, while food supply commitment is to keep “free flow of essential goods” and support farmers/MSMEs to “lower the inflation tax on Filipino families”.

On Maritime and safety.  ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Maritime Cooperation was to make ASEAN Coast Guard Forum a formal body + ASEAN Maritime Centre in PH and for OFWS, President Marcos pushed for safety of ASEAN nationals, citing their economic contributions.

Other agreements included the welcoming of Timor-Leste as 11th full ASEAN member; President Marcos brokered talks to advance Thailand-Cambodia fragile ceasefire.

As the days ended, the dust settled, the 48^th ASEAN Summit 2026 proved that ASEAN can move fast when crisis hits — it was shortened, refocused, and delivered 3 concrete declarations in 48 hours. For Cebu, it was a branding win and a MICE dry-run.

For the ordinary Filipino, the real impact hinges on whether the ASEAN Power Grid, food corridors, and maritime center turn from MOUs into megawatts, rice prices, and safer seas.

As one Cebuano vendor told local media: “Nindot ang ASEAN kung ang bugas ug kuryente mubarato. Kung dili, drawing ra na.”  (ASEAN is good if rice and electricity get cheaper. If not, it’s just a drawing.) (Photos: MBCNewman & Google Images)