Village Connect Magazine

21/08/2025

Turning Ghost Month into a Season of Financial Clarity

Often seen as a period of caution, Ghost Month can also be an opportunity to pause, reflect, and strengthen one’s financial foundation.

Instead of making big purchases or major investments, families can use this time to review budgets, organize financial documents, build emergency funds, and study future investment options.

By reframing the season as a moment for clarity and planning, Filipinos can turn superstition into strategy—ensuring that when activity resumes, they are better prepared for lasting financial stability and growth.



FULL STORY:

In many Filipino households, Ghost Month—or the seventh lunar month—comes with a sense of caution. Rooted in centuries-old Chinese traditions, it is believed to be the period when spirits roam freely on Earth, prompting families to honor their ancestors while avoiding major life decisions. For m...

21/08/2025

Bicol Emerges as Top Investment Hub in Q2 2025

Defying a nationwide slowdown in foreign pledges, the Bicol Region secured PhP 32.21 billion—or nearly half of all approved foreign investments in the second quarter of 2025—driven largely by major energy projects in electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply.

Expected to generate more than 38,000 jobs, these investments not only strengthen Bicol’s role in powering local economies but also highlight its growing appeal as a strategic hub for global investors seeking opportunities beyond traditional urban centers, positioning the region as a key frontier for inclusive economic growth.




FULL STORY:

The Bicol Region has taken center stage in the country’s investment landscape after securing PhP 32.21 billion in foreign investment pledges during the second quarter of 2025—accounting for nearly half (47.8%) of all commitments nationwide. While total approved foreign investments across the Phi...

21/08/2025

Haraya: Camella at 48, A Journey of Dreams and Homecomings

Marking 48 years of shaping Filipino homeownership, Camella celebrated its anniversary with Haraya: A Legacy of Fulfilled Dreams, a two-week campaign that blended tradition and innovation through events such as the Home Hacks and Techs webinar on smart living, the childhood-themed Takbong Haraya fun run, and Bahay Haraya, an exhibit tracing nearly five decades of milestones.

From open house tours and financing talks that guided aspiring homeowners, to market insights for business partners and a heartfelt gesture for employees, the celebration highlighted Camella’s enduring legacy of building not just houses but thriving communities where dreams take root—proving that hope, heritage, and home will always belong together.




FULL STORY:

https://www.villageconnect.com.ph/haraya-camella-at-48-a-journey-of-dreams-and-homecomings/29375

20/08/2025

Brewing Partnerships: Monaco Hotel Welcomes Figaro Coffee

Monaco Hotel has officially partnered with Figaro Coffee as its new in-house café, sealing the deal through a contract signing led by top executives from both sides.

The collaboration brings Figaro’s signature blends, pastries, and warm café experience into the hotel, enhancing its vision of becoming a complete lifestyle destination where guests can enjoy not just comfort and leisure, but also a true taste of Filipino coffee culture.



FULL STORY:

Monaco Hotel is taking its hospitality experience to a richer, more flavorful level with the entry of Figaro Coffee as its official café. The two brands recently sealed the partnership through a formal contract signing led by Monaco Hotel President & CEO Engr. Reynaldo A. Carpio, together with key ...

20/08/2025

POVA 7 Ultra 5G Powers Up PH Esports at Gaming Fiesta

TECNO Philippines electrified SM Fairview with its POVA Gaming Fiesta, drawing over 5,000 fans to the launch of the POVA 7 Ultra 5G—the country’s first triple-crown official gaming phone, endorsed by PMCL, SIBOL, and the upcoming PKL. Featuring 120FPS gameplay, a Dimensity 8350 chipset, and a futuristic light-strip design, the device was unveiled alongside the industry-first TECNO x DITO x PUBG Mobile Prepaid Gaming SIM, giving players lag-free, unlimited PUBG access.

Cosplay-gamer icon Myrtle Sarrosa, returning as POVA’s Chief Gaming Officer, embodied the phone’s fusion of power and style, while exclusive preorder promos added excitement. With its esports validation, telco partnership, and cultural influence, the POVA 7 Ultra 5G has cemented itself as both a gamer’s weapon of choice and a symbol of the Philippines’ growing esports dominance.





FULL STORY:

https://www.villageconnect.com.ph/pova-7-ultra-5g-powers-up-ph-esports-at-gaming-fiesta/29364

20/08/2025

Sumakses na! Ninong Ry, Suzzysaur, and Maki Show How Big Dreams Start at Home

PLDT Home Fiber Prepaid’s Hall of Fame campaign celebrates how passion, creativity, and a strong internet connection can turn simple beginnings into big successes, featuring Ninong Ry, Suzzysaur, and Maki—proof that with consistency, courage, and the right tools, dreams can truly start and grow at home.






FULL STORY:

https://www.villageconnect.com.ph/sumakses-na-ninong-ry-suzzysaur-and-maki-show-how-big-dreams-start-at-home/29352

20/08/2025

Celebrating 130 years of Sun Life Philippines! 🌟 We're excited to make this year brighter for every Filipino. Join us and our trusted Sun Life Advisors as we work together to build the brighter future you deserve!

19/08/2025

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) is set to expand its portfolio with the ₱1.5-billion Park Inn by Radisson Sta. Rosa, slated to open in early 2029.

The 201-room hotel, designed by H1 Architecture, will feature dining outlets, a pool, gym, and event spaces, while directly linking to an SM mall and the upcoming SMX Sta. Rosa Trade Hall.

Positioned within SM Prime’s integrated estate along the Sta. Rosa–Tagaytay Road, the development reflects confidence in Sta. Rosa’s rise as Calabarzon’s business and industrial hub, where demand for accommodations is climbing alongside rapid economic growth.



FULL STORY:

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) is making a bold push into Southern Luzon’s booming corridor with the upcoming Park Inn by Radisson Sta. Rosa, a ₱1.5-billion development set to open by early 2029. The project reflects SM Prime Holdings’ strategy of weaving hospitality into its in...

19/08/2025

A regional survey revealed that more Filipinos now feel confident managing daily finances, with 66% saying they feel financially secure, up from 45% previously, and 69% confident in handling monthly budgets; however, long-term preparedness is slipping, with only 64% believing they can meet future goals, down from 72%, and one in three admitting they could not sustain themselves beyond three months if faced with illness or job loss—pressures largely driven by inflation that has pushed many to prioritize short-term needs like budgeting and emergency funds over retirement and home ownership, even as financial literacy and saving habits show encouraging growth.

19/08/2025

During National Disability Rights Week, Globe hosted the Philippine Business and Disability Network’s 4th Networking Meeting with Project Inclusion Network, uniting 36 companies to tackle disability inclusion as a design challenge rather than a compliance issue, with leaders like Globe CEO Carl Cruz, innovator Ryan Gersava, and strategist Denise Haak emphasizing inclusive hiring, accessible technology, and co-created systems—showing that real equity in the workplace means reimagining structures to work better for everyone.



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In a week dedicated to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, the Philippine Business and Disability Network (PBDN) gathered leaders, advocates, and changemakers for its 4th Networking Meeting—an event that put disability inclusion at the center of business innovation. Hosted by Globe ...

19/08/2025

A regional survey revealed that more Filipinos now feel confident managing daily finances, with 66% saying they feel financially secure, up from 45% previously, and 69% confident in handling monthly budgets; however, long-term preparedness is slipping, with only 64% believing they can meet future goals, down from 72%, and one in three admitting they could not sustain themselves beyond three months if faced with illness or job loss—pressures largely driven by inflation that has pushed many to prioritize short-term needs like budgeting and emergency funds over retirement and home ownership, even as financial literacy and saving habits show encouraging growth.



FULL STORY:

A new regional survey has found that while more Filipinos now feel financially secure in managing their day-to-day needs, many remain unprepared for long-term challenges such as retirement and unexpected income loss. The Sun Life Asia Financial Resilience Index 2025, which surveyed 1,000 respondents...