Monday, March 2, 2026

Enchanted Kingdom's COO takes oath as president of Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.



Enchanted Kingdom, the Philippines' first and only world-class theme park, is now in its 30th year and remains a leading advocate for local industry development, with its Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Cynthia R. Mamon, Ph.D., recently elected president of the PCCI-Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

The newly elected LCCI officers were inducted on February 16 at Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosa, Laguna, led by Area Vice President Hoover Picar and Regional Governor Mary Ann Katigbak.

“We are committed to focus on Livelihood and labor concerns, Corporate sustainability, Community empowerment, and Innovation with integrity. These four principles support Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) South Luzon’s guiding principles as presented by AVP Hoover Picar, namely Volunteerism, Excellence, Service, and Integrity (VESI). Through these, we look forward to transforming the lives of the people working for our companies and the communities we serve.” ~Mrs. Cynthia R. Mamon, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer Enchanted Kingdom 


LCCI, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization made up of Laguna-based small, medium, and large businesses dedicated to fostering a stronger, more sustainable local economy as well as promoting growth, resilience, and competitiveness in the province's business communities.




Present during the induction ceremony were Department of Labor and Employment – National Conciliation and Mediation Board IV-A Director Cynthia Foncardas, Laguna Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (LEPIDO) Laguna Head Fatima Villaseñor, PCCI Los Baños President Grace Bondad Nicolas, PCCI Quezon City President Anne Marie Francisco, and PCCI Lipa City President Marites Jumarang. They were joined by past presidents of LCCI namely Atty. Rose Lynn Zara-Coloma, Marvin Adolfo, Virgilio Lorenzo, Richard Albert Osmond, and EK’s President and Chairman Mr. Cesar Mario O. Mamon.

An economic briefing by Prof. Ronilo Balbieran, economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific followed after the induction ceremony.

Even prior to this, EK has been a longstanding active member of LCCI, as Mr. Mamon also served as its president from 2006 to 2007.


Championing Tourism

Mrs. Mamon was also reelected as president of the Laguna Tourism Council (LTC), taking the oath of office among the other newly elected LTC officers on January 22 in Santa Cruz, Laguna, administered by Governor Sol Aragones.

LTC is a provincial multi-sectoral body made up of representatives from various government and business organizations, and it is one of the primary movers behind Laguna's development as a major tourism destination in the Philippines.

Since Dr. Mamon took over the role in 2023, LTC has collaborated closely with the Laguna provincial government, as well as other local offices and non-governmental organizations across the country, to promote tourism, culture, heritage, and the arts to both domestic and international audiences.




Aside from that, they help Laguna-based micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) by providing platforms for them to present their world-class products and crafts at LTC's many events and partnerships held both within and outside of the province.

For more information and updates regarding these and EK’s initiatives towards industry growth, sustainability, and tourism, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts on Facebook and TikTok, and on Instagram.

BPI launches new eco-friendly Debit Mastercard made of 100% recyclable materials

BPI launches its new Debit Mastercard made from 100% recycled, PVC free plastic—promoting more sustainable everyday banking.


In an effort to promote more environmentally friendly banking options, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has introduced a new Debit Mastercard made entirely of recycled, PVC-free plastic. 

Customers who create an account through a BPI branch and current customers whose cards are about to expire or need to be renewed can get the new Debit Mastercard for free. For a typical Php 200 replacement price, those who want to switch to the new recycled, PVC-free card outside of their renewal window may do so.

BPI is one of the country's major debit card issuers, having more than 8.2 million cardholders nationally. The debut of the new eco-friendly BPI Debit Mastercard marks another milestone in the bank's efforts to provide Filipinos with more responsible and future-ready financial products.

“Reimagining the BPI Debit Mastercard to become an eco-friendly card is a testament to BPI’s commitment to its values of sustainability and innovation. At BPI, we want to connect more with our eco-conscious clients while also encouraging others to practice sustainable habits. By using sustainable materials for our card, we hope to make sustainable behavior the default option for everyone. The BPI Debit Mastercard is still the same card that our clients rely on—stylish, secure, and now more sustainable. ~Jenny Lacerna, Head of Mass Retail, BPI

Clients can request a new card through the BPI app or online, then select their preferred branch for collection. All card requests made through these digital means will incur a cost of Php 200. Those replacing an existing card just need to block their current one in the BPI app to begin the replacement procedure. Cards are ready for pick-up at any BPI branch within two to six banking days, depending on location. Clients can also get assistance at any of our branches.

Beyond sustainability, the card has intelligent design innovations, such as a curved notch in the bottom left corner that allows users to identify and orient their card by touch, boosting accessibility and distinguishing it from other cards.

With the new card, BPI Debit Mastercard customers may continue to experience the trusted ease and security they rely on—secure payments online, in-store, and overseas; contactless transactions; simple access to cash via ATMs globally; and 24/7 account control via the BPI app.

BPI continues to advocate sustainability by introducing innovations such as the eco-friendly Debit Mastercard, while also providing Filipinos with practical, inclusive, and accessible financial options.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Samsung introduces the Galaxy S26 Series with the ‘Everyday with Galaxy AI’ Experience



Samsung set the tone for a high-tech lifestyle when it revealed the new Galaxy S26 Series and Galaxy Buds4 Series at the "Everyday with Galaxy AI" Mall Experience. The event, held in the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, allowed attendees to see firsthand how Galaxy AI integrates into a more polished and innovative daily routine.

From trying out new features in the experience zones to nostalgic live performances by OPM band Over October and #TeamGalaxy's Catriona Gray sharing her story on stage, this unique experience demonstrated how to inspire the type of wiser daily life you'll always want to pursue.

Catriona Gray, beauty queen, youth advocate, and TV personality #TeamGalaxy, joined the festivities and shared her excitement with how intuitive the Galaxy S26 Series feels. She highlighted the Galaxy AI features that make her daily life feel effortless and inspiring.









To finish off the night, Galaxy fans and die-hard supporters came to see OPM indie-pop band Over October, who created a casual, high-energy atmosphere with timeless hits like "Ikot" and "Dahan."




While enjoying their drinks at the Galaxy AI Café, the community found how Galaxy AI keeps life organized and secure, including Now Nudge, which provides more intuitive ways to get through your day, and the new Privacy Display, which guarantees sensitive information is only visible to you.

Everyone received a firsthand glimpse at the Creative Studio AI features, which enable users to develop a better eye for photography. Fans investigated how to improve their images using Generative Edit and Photo Assist, demonstrating how simple it is to smooth out any photo with a few taps. Aside from editing, the Nightography Experience Zone invited everyone to try the Nightography Video and Super Steady to capture cinematic video in dark environments with brilliant neon lights.

Visitors to the Life in Hi-Fi zone received their first hands-on experience with the Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro series, with many pleased by the premium design and how it feels both sleek and secure for all-day wear. Users that integrated Galaxy AI tried the Adaptive Controls, managing their music and calls with a single nod or headshake. With Live Translate and Ambient Sound, the Galaxy Buds4 Series proved to be the ideal companion for an immersive, uninterrupted audio experience.

At the Unbeatable Gaming Zone, gamers felt the sheer speed of the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Exynos 2600 on the Galaxy S26 and S26+, with smooth visuals and no lag, all while the improved thermal architecture kept the devices cool under duress.

The enthusiasm has reached the Pre-order Now zone. Those who went all-in on the Galaxy S26 Series received truly amazing rewards. Aside from exclusive on-site promotions and various payment options, the event culminated with the announcement of the grand raffle winners. One lucky winner received a brand-new BYD Seal 5 DM-i, while others acquired their tickets to the highly anticipated SEVENTEEN concert on March 21 by pre-ordering in certain retailers. It was the ideal "double win": an enhanced lifestyle combined with a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Samsung is also set to bring this experience to other locations soon! Visit the ‘Everyday with Galaxy AI’ in Pampanga from March 7 to 8 at SM City Clark and in Cebu from March 14 to 15 at SM Seaside Cebu for more exciting pre-order deals.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Series is available for pre-order until March 18 through samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, and MemoXpress Online.
Pre-order now to instantly double your storage, a value of up to ₱14,000. Take advantage of incredible savings up to 18% and enjoy 0% installment plans for up to 36 months with major bank partners like UnionBank, BDO, BPI, Metrobank, HSBC, and PNB. Plus, find up to 14% off with 0% installment up to 24 months through Eastwest, Security Bank, HSBC, and Chinabank at authorized stores. Online shoppers can also grab up to 18% savings on cash price offers at Samsung.com until March 8, Abenson.com, Lazada, and Shopee.**
No credit card? With Samsung Finance+, you can save up to ₱15,000 with 0% processing fee and 0% installment for up to 24 months,* or choose Home Credit for a 36-month plan at a super low 1% add-on rate per month. For ultimate peace of mind, Samsung Care+ is offering 25% off on 2-year unlimited repair coverage for accidental and liquid damage, and replacements worldwide.

To find out more about the Galaxy S26 Series and Buds4 Series, visit:

For more information, follow SamsungPH on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram, or visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/

Enchanted Kingdom's COO takes oath as president of Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

Enchanted Kingdom, the Philippines' first and only world-class theme park, is now in its 30th year and remains a leading advocate for lo...