Shopee Brings Together Businesses and Government to Promote IP Protection for Brand Rights Holders

 

Brand rights holders attended a brand protection bootcamp that aims to strengthen IP protection in e-commerce, organized by Shopee Philippines. The e-commerce platform also hosted a panel discussion joined by (second from left) Atty. Kristian Nico Acosta, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Cosmic Technologies, Inc., Atty. Christine Pangilinan-Canlapan, Supervising Director of IPOPHL - IP Rights Enforcement Office, and Shopee’s Head of Commercial Jack Ng

As the Philippine digital economy continues to grow, protecting intellectual property (IP) has become increasingly important to sustaining business confidence. Valued at P2.74 trillion and contributing nearly 10 percent of the national GDP, the digital economy continues to create new opportunities for businesses, with e-commerce accounting for over 32 percent of the sector and supporting over 75 percent of digital economy jobs.

 

Against this backdrop, Shopee Philippines recently held its Brand Protection Bootcamp, bringing together representatives from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), brand owners, and industry partners to share practical approaches to protecting IP in today’s digital marketplace.

 

The bootcamp combined practical demonstrations with discussions on emerging IP challenges in e-commerce. Participants received a walkthrough of Shopee's Brand Portal, a self-service platform that enables rights holders to report suspected IP infringements through a structured process, and joined a panel discussion on how businesses, platforms, and government each contribute to strengthening trust across the e-commerce environment.

 

In a keynote speech, IPOPHL Deputy Director General for Policy, Legal Affairs and External Relations Nathaniel Arevalo emphasized that effective IP protection and enforcement must move from a whole-of-government to a whole-of-society approach. “When businesses know their brands and innovations can be protected, they are more willing to invest, expand, and bring new ideas to market. This requires both a strong government policy framework for IP protection and rights holders who actively use available mechanisms to safeguard their IP, strengthen consumer trust, and protect their competitive edge,” explained Arevalo.

 

Meanwhile, for many brand owners, protecting intellectual property extends beyond addressing suspected counterfeit listings. It is about safeguarding the years of investment, innovation, and trust they have built with customers. 

 

“Building a brand takes years of hard work, investment, and constant improvement. Seeing someone copy your products is frustrating because they're benefiting from work they never had to do,” said Atty. Kristian Nico C. Acosta, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Cosmic Technologies, Inc. (CTI) Group, which operates the Pure Living brand. “Every product and every customer matters. Having practical tools to help protect our brand gives us peace of mind and allows us to focus on improving our products and serving our customers,” he added.

 

The bootcamp reflects Shopee’s broader efforts to strengthen trust within the e-commerce landscape by equipping rights holders with practical tools while reinforcing platform safeguards. Alongside resources such as the Brand Portal, Shopee continues to enhance proactive detection capabilities, strengthen seller accountability measures, and work closely with brands, industry partners, and government agencies to address IP infringement. 

 

These efforts build on Shopee's longstanding collaboration with IPOPHL through the E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which Shopee joined as one of the original signatories in 2021. Since then, Shopee has participated in annual reviews, shared best practices with fellow signatories, and worked alongside government agencies and brand owners to strengthen online IP protection and support the MOU's implementation.

 

“E-commerce is no longer just a sales channel. It is where brands are discovered, customer relationships are built, and business reputations are earned,” said Jack Ng, Head of Commercial, Shopee Philippines. “As more businesses establish an online presence, protecting their IP becomes increasingly important. Through initiatives like the Brand Protection Bootcamp and our continued collaboration with our government partners, we want to equip businesses with practical knowledge and tools to better protect what they have worked hard to build.”

 

Shopee will continue working with IPOPHL, brand owners, and industry partners to strengthen IP protection and foster a trusted digital marketplace where legitimate businesses of all sizes can continue to grow.

Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban 2026 is looking for the Next OPM Legend

 

Simulan ang bagong laban. Fresh off a blazing run in 2025 that saw hundreds of local

talents vie for the coveted title, Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban is gearing up

for a brand-new season.

Red Horse Beer, the world's No. 1 extra strong beer, is once again calling on bands from

every corner of the country to stake their claim to the championship. This year, bands

nationwide are once again invited to compete through a gauntlet of screenings and

eliminations, all the way to the finals showdown, to see if they have what it takes to bag

the 2026 Pambansang Muziklaban crown.

Open to all Filipino bands with members aged 21 to 45 years old, Red Horse Beer

Pambansang Muziklaban welcomes all rock music genres including metal rock,

alternative rock, punk rock, reggae, and everything in between. Winners can expect all

the glory that has defined the competition for years, with only one standing on top at the

end. The Grand Champion will be crowned and will receive a cash prize of

Php1,000,000.00 and, more importantly, a lasting spot in Muziklaban's roster of

champions.For over two decades, the country's longest-running battle-of-the-bands competition has

served as a launchpad for aspiring Filipino musicians. Since 1999, the competition has

produced champions like IBARRA (formerly Hardboiledeggz) (2006), EVEN (2008),

HATANKARU (2009), LIGHT OF LUNA (2010), and the 2004 Red Horse Beer

Pambansang Muziklaban Grand Champion MAYONNAISE.

Last season's Grand Finals saw TAMAD SI JUAN from Davao beat out finalists VDS,

BAGUIO GOLD MUSIC, HILO, and THEMATA to take home the top honors.

Performances from some of the country's top bands, including GREYHOUNDZ,

WILABALIW, URBANDUB, MAYONNAISE, KJWAN, RAZORBACK, TYPECAST,

CHOCOLATE FACTORY, and SETSUNA, rounded out a night capturing the essence of

Muziklaban — the best of the best sharing the stage for an all-out music fest.

Registration for the Red Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban is now ongoing. 

Start tightening your sets now and visit the Red Horse Beer Muziklaban Facebook page

(www.facebook.com/redhorsebeermuziklaban) for updates. Sino ang susunod na Red

Horse Beer Pambansang Muziklaban champion? Rak on! #RedHorseMuziklaban

Camella: Where Lifelong Homeownership Anchors Filipino Family Legacy

A Camella home becomes more than a residence—it serves as a lasting legacy where families create memories, celebrate milestones, and build a future across generations.

A home is not merely a structure for Filipinos: it is the visible result of love, labor, and lifelong aspiration. It is where parents turn years of hard work into something tangible, where children grow with confidence, where grandparents remain close for care and companionship, and where milestones are marked across many stages of family life.

This cultural attachment to homeownership continues to define the Filipino dream. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2022, three in every five families, or 62.1 percent, owned the house and lot they occupied. For many, a home represents more than financial progress; it is a promise of forever, a place to begin, belong, and passed on with pride.

Multigenerational living allows grandparents, parents, and children to remain connected, fostering stronger relationships, shared support, and a deeper sense of belonging.

Family as foundation, generations growing together
The family has always been central to the way Filipino homes are lived in and left for those who come after. Close ties often extend beyond the nuclear household to include grandparents, cousins, relatives, and friends treated as kin. Respect for elders and care for the clan remain part of Filipino community life.
A house and lot is often the product of perseverance: of remittances received, businesses built, and salaries saved to create something lasting. It is planned for the present household and for seniors and next of kin. It may be where a young couple begins married life, where children spend their formative years, where aging grandparents can settle safely, and where grandchildren may one day return for Sunday meals, special occasions, and homecomings.

This is the measure of multigenerational living: secure shelter, steady support, and seasons spent together.

Camella communities provide families with homes that endure over time: houses and lots that foster convenience, cooperation, and continuity while allowing every generation the peace and privacy they need. From a real estate investment, a Camella home becomes a reassuring inheritance not only by what it provides in the present, but by what it preserves for the future.

As the Philippines' most trusted and preferred housing brand, Camella helps families turn homeownership into a lasting investment that can be passed on with pride to future generations.

From one home to one community
As families expand, multigenerational living can extend from one household to one community. Children may create families of their own while remaining near parents and grandparents, while siblings may settle within the same neighborhood. Relatives may live in separate homes, yet stay connected by the same streets and shared spaces.

In this regard, a residential development becomes a broader expression of a forever home: a place where generations gain their own living space without losing their sense of belonging.
Camella community planning remains mindful of modern Filipino life. With communities across 49 provinces and 147 key cities and municipalities, Camella brings families closer to the places, people, and possibilities that shape their routines. Accessible locations support working parents, nearby schools strengthen students' focus, and lifestyle destinations and essential establishments make everyday living more complete for the household.

With secure surroundings and family-friendly amenities such as parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities, Camella offers spaces where residents can live, play, and thrive together.

Safe, social, and supported spaces
As multigenerational families settle into a Camella community, safety becomes the first condition of comfort. Gated entry points and round-the-clock security help provide the peace of mind families need to grow. These features support everyday stability for grandparents, parents, and children, making the home not only a private residence but also a protected refuge.

Lifestyle amenities further enrich family life. A clubhouse to host birthdays, reunions, and weekend gatherings. A playground can become a child’s first circle of friendship. A swimming pool and basketball court can bring residents together. Landscaped open spaces, pocket parks, and jogging trails give families room to breathe and build memories close to home.

As the Philippines' most trusted and preferred housing brand, Camella helps families turn homeownership into a lasting investment that can be passed on with pride to future generations.

A continuing commitment

The legacy of Camella is measured not only by the homes it has built, but by the lives it has helped raise and remain within them. Its communities have become common ground where families find a sense of belonging.

Lifelong homeownership becomes more than an aspiration; it becomes attainable. It becomes a safeguard for stability and a starting point for succeeding generations. Each address carries the weight of work fulfilled, moments made memorable, and futures formed with greater certainty.

Through Camella, this commitment continues—rooted in every family, reinforced by every foundation, and renewed by every generation that finds its future at home.

Learn more about Camella communities nationwide. Visit www.camella.com.ph and follow @CamellaOfficial.

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown Supports Fur the Love of Aiah Run for Animal Welfare

Days after their BINI Signals Concert in Cebu, Bini Aiah leads the pet run at tTe Mactan Newtown

 Hundreds of pet lovers, families, and fitness enthusiasts came together for the Fur the Love of Aiah Run at The Mactan Newtown on July 14, 2026.  More than just a celebration of fitness, the Fur the Love of Aiah Run brought together advocates for a meaningful cause as participants took to the streets in support of the Island Rescue Organization (IRO).

 

As an official event partner, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown joined the initiative in line with its commitment to promoting pet-friendly hospitality and supporting community-driven advocacies.

One lucky Bloom wins the raffle prize for Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown

The event featured 1-kilometer, 3-kilometer, and 5-kilometer race categories, welcoming runners of all ages, including those accompanied by their beloved pets. Proceeds from the run will help fund IRO's ongoing rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming efforts for abandoned and neglected animals across Cebu.

 

Known as one of Cebu's pet-friendly hotels, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown continues to champion experiences where guests can travel comfortably with their furry companions. The partnership reflects the hotel's belief that hospitality extends beyond its walls by creating opportunities to give back to the community and support causes that make a lasting impact.

Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown General Manager Josef Victor Chiongbian with Bini member Maraiah Queen Arceta at the Mactan Newtown Beach after the run

 

"As a pet-friendly hotel, we are honored to be part of an initiative that not only promotes wellness but also raises awareness and support for animal welfare,” shared General Manager Josef Victor Chiongbian. 

 

The event was made even more special through the involvement of BINI Aiah, whose advocacy for animal welfare has inspired countless supporters to rally behind organizations dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals. Her influence helped encourage greater participation and shine a spotlight on the importance of responsible pet ownership and adoption.

As participants crossed the finish line, they celebrated more than completing a race—they became part of a collective effort to improve the lives of rescued animals through the work of the Island Rescue Organization.

 

Through partnerships like this, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and inclusive hospitality, creating meaningful experiences for guests, their pets, and the communities they serve.

Beyond Hospitality: Parklane Touches Lives Through Community Medical Mission

Service has always been at the heart of Cebu Parklane International Hotel. Beyond welcoming

guests, the hotel continues to embrace its responsibility of giving back to the community through

meaningful initiatives that create lasting impact.

On July 4, Cebu Parklane International Hotel, through Parklane Cares, successfully conducted

a Community Medical Mission at Barrio Luz Elementary School, providing free healthcare

and essential services to more than 500 beneficiaries from its partner community, Barangay

Luz.

The medical mission was made possible through the proceeds of the recently concluded 13th

edition of Hunat Sugbu, the hotel's annual charity fun run inspired by the legacy of its late

patriarch, Manuel Ting. For over a decade, Hunat Sugbu has united runners, partners,

sponsors, and volunteers with one shared purpose—to transform every step taken during the

race into meaningful support for communities in need.

This year's beneficiaries received a wide range of free services, including:

● General Consultation

● Dental Checkup and Simple Tooth Extraction

● Minor Surgery (Tuli and Cyst Removal)

● Blood Typing

● Blood Sugar Testing

● Eye Checkup

● Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

● Chiropractic Services

● Legal Consultation

● Haircut Services

● Pharmacy Services

● Mental Health Awareness and Counseling

The initiative brought together volunteer doctors, dentists, therapists, legal professionals,

pharmacists, dedicated volunteers from partner organizations, government agencies, and civic

groups who generously shared their expertise and time to serve the community.

More than providing free medical assistance, the activity reflected Cebu Parklane's enduring

belief that hospitality extends beyond the walls of the hotel. It is about caring for people, uplifting

lives, and strengthening the communities that have become part of the hotel's journey.

As Cebu Parklane International Hotel celebrates its 20th year in the hospitality industry, the

medical mission stands as another testament to its commitment to making a difference—not

only by creating memorable guest experiences but also by building healthier, stronger, and more

compassionate communities.

Every stride from Hunat Sugbu has become a step toward hope. Every act of kindness has

become a reminder that when a community comes together with a shared purpose, lives are

changed for the better.

Through Parklane Cares, Cebu Parklane International Hotel remains committed to serving

others—continuing its promise of Distinctly Local hospitality, where genuine care reaches far

beyond every stay.

Photos by MOTUS Photo

Andok’s makes long-awaited return to foodpanda, bringing Cebu’s favorite comfort meals back online

For many Cebuanos, deciding what to eat is often as simple as opening a food delivery app. As busy schedules become the norm, more people are relying on online platforms for quick, convenient meals - whether it’s for office lunches, family dinners, or spontaneous get-togethers at home.

Recognizing this growing demand, foodpanda has officially welcomed back Andok’s after an eight-year absence from the platform. The return reunites customers with one of the country’s most iconic food brands, making its well-loved litson manok, liempo, and other crowd favorites available for delivery once again.

The comeback is one that many customers have been anticipating. Even during the years that Andok’s was unavailable, it consistently ranked among the most searched restaurant brands on foodpanda in Cebu and nationwide, highlighting the strong loyalty and affection Filipinos have for the brand.

“At foodpanda, we continuously listen to what our customers are asking for,” said Patricia Jacinto, Marketing and Growth Director of foodpanda Philippines. “Andok’s has always been one of the brands people wanted to see back on the platform, so we’re excited to finally make that happen and give customers easier access to a brand they genuinely love.”

To celebrate the relaunch, foodpanda has onboarded an initial 50 Andok’s branches across the Visayas, with more locations expected to become available in the coming months. The expansion is expected to make the brand more accessible to customers across the region.

For Andok’s, the partnership reflects how dining habits have evolved over the years, with more Filipinos embracing the convenience of online ordering without giving up the familiar flavors they’ve grown up with.

“Our goal has always been to serve great food that brings people together,” said Maverick Leonardo T. Javier, President of Andok’s Litson Corporation. “Through foodpanda, we’re able to reach even more customers and make it easier for them to enjoy Andok’s whenever the craving strikes.”

The partnership comes as Cebu continues to embrace digital convenience alongside its vibrant food culture. In cities such as Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, food delivery has become part of everyday living, allowing families and busy professionals to enjoy trusted local favorites without leaving home.

With Andok’s officially back on foodpanda, Cebuanos can once again enjoy one of the country’s most beloved comfort food brands—delivered fresh, fast, and right to their doorstep.