Global technology brand HONOR today unveiled its newest and thinnest foldable smartphone HONOR Magic V3 with AI-enabled hardware capabilities and a collaborative AI privacy protection architecture, showcasing the brand’s commitment to innovative empowerment in an AI-driven world.

“It feels like just yesterday when we launched the HONOR Magic V2 and now, we are ecstatic to introduce HONOR’s newest and thinnest foldable smartphone, the HONOR Magic V3. AI is slowly but surely reshaping our industry, enriching and creating new experiences that improves creativity and productivity for consumers all around the world, every day, and right now, it’s our priority to make comfort and technology accessible to more Filipinos” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

The World’s Thinnest Foldable with Robust Performance

Continuing to push the boundaries of foldable devices, HONOR introduced the all-new HONOR Magic V3, the world's thinnest inward foldable phone with enhanced durability, battery, display and AI experience, to global consumers.

With a sleek folded thickness of 9.2mm and featherlight body weighing just 226g, the HONOR Magic V3 rivals the slimness and weight of a flagship bar phone, ensuring utmost portability for users. This feat is accomplished through the meticulous application of 19 innovative materials and 114 microstructures, propelling foldable devices into a new era of precision and slimness. Featuring a dome-shaped octagonal camera module, the HONOR Magic V3 seamlessly combines the architectural beauty of dome structures with technological innovations. This camera module showcases a diamond cut, adding an element of elegance and sleekness to the device's overall appearance.

Adding to its durability, the HONOR Magic V3 incorporates a Special Fiber into its body material, enhancing impact resistance by 40 times compared to other flagship bar phones while reducing the back cover's thickness by over 30%. Moreover, featuring the proprietary HONOR Super Steel Hinge, the device can withstand up to 500,000 folding cycles and has attained the prestigious SGS Durability Certification. Fortified with the HONOR Super Armored Inner Screen and HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield, the HONOR Magic V3 is crafted to endure the rigors of daily use.

Equipped with a 6.43-inch external display and a 7.92-inch internal foldable screen, the HONOR Magic V3 delivers an immersive dual-use experience, offering an enjoyable visual journey to users. Dedicated to prioritizing user well-being and comfort, this device incorporates a range of innovative eye-comfort features, such as the world’s first AI Defocus Display technology, 4320Hz Risk-free PWM Dimming, Dynamic Dimming, Circadian Night Display and Natural Tone Display.

HONOR Magic V3 offers a host of intelligent features. These include Magic Portal on Foldable, along with on-device AI enabled photography features like HONOR AI Motion Sensing for Lightning-fast shots, and the HONOR AI Portrait Engine for portrait enhancement. Collaborating with Google Cloud, HONOR enriches a range of productivity features supported by Google’s AI models and Cloud technologies to empower users to improve overall efficiency, including HONOR AI Eraser, Face to Face Translation, and Translation tools in HONOR Notes. These deliver on HONOR’s promise of a new era of AI-enabled versatility and productivity, catering to the evolving demands of business and professional users.

HONOR Magic V3 is now available in PH!

Inspired by the wonders of natural landscape, the HONOR Magic V3 comes in two stunning colorways Green and Black for only Php 89,999, now available via Gl@be Postpaid Plans starting at GPlan Plus 1799 with a FREE HONOR Pad X9 worth Php 9,999!

In the rolling farmlands of Pulong Yantok, Bulacan, a quiet revolution in farming is taking root, literally. What started as a small backyard hobby born from a family's search for healing has blossomed into Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot, now the world’s largest source of hybrid dragon fruit varieties. With its remarkable collection of over 200 unique dragon fruit cultivars, this family-run enterprise is spearheading the movement toward sustainable, innovative farming in the Philippines.

“We’ve turned even the smallest backyards into productive dragon fruit farms,” says Kevin Eliscupides, co-owner of the depot. “The trellis method allows us and other farmers to maximize land use, saving both space and resources. It’s a game-changer for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture.”

While Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot’s success has flourished locally, their influence has gone global. In fact, they have shipped their planting materials to over 80 countries across the globe -- from South Africa to Greece and the United States. The depot’s commitment to cultivating rare, high-quality varieties has placed the Philippines on the map as a leading dragon fruit producer. But the journey to international markets was not without challenges.

"Exporting hybrid dragon fruits requires not only knowledge of cultivation but also logistical precision," says Kevin. "That’s where FedEx came in. From the very start, they’ve made the process seamless. Their global network and reliable freight service enabled us to send our dragon fruit cuttings quickly and efficiently, even to distant locations."

Through FedEx extensive network and tailored freight solutions for perishables, Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot can maintain the quality and freshness of their temperature-sensitive planting materials as they journey across borders. “FedEx has made things so much easier for us,” Kevin explains. “They pick up the materials from our farm, handle all the complex logistics needs such as delivery and customs clearance, and within a week, our products are in our customers’ hands safely and in mint condition.” The ease of working with FedEx gives Kevin a peace of mind, enabling him to focus on other areas of the business while knowing that shipping is well taken care of.

Empowering the Next Generation of Farmers

At the heart of Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot’s mission is a desire to uplift others. Not content with keeping their success to themselves, the depot actively shares its knowledge with aspiring farmers. They provide free training and seminars, teaching innovative farming techniques and promoting the benefits of hybrid dragon fruits. By partnering with institutions like the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the depot ensures that the next generation of Filipino farmers is equipped to succeed.

“We don’t see ourselves as competitors but rather as allies,” says Kevin. “Our goal is to help other farmers thrive and succeed so that hybrid dragon fruits can reach more people. We’re committed to making a positive change to the community, and through that, we’re raising the standard for agriculture across the country.”

With the soaring demand for hybrid dragon fruits, Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot is constantly ahead of their game. In addition to their training programs, they are now expanding the capacity of their farm to increase supply of their dragon fruits to both local and international markets. They hope to one day meet the high demand for dragon fruits in markets that are currently untapped, as well as further boost the Philippines' reputation as a leader in sustainable agriculture.

For Bulacan Dragon Fruit Depot, the key to their success lies in a combination of innovation, community, and reliability. And with FedEx by their side, they’re not just growing fruit -- they’re cultivating a future where the Philippines is recognized as a global agricultural powerhouse.

Discover more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs across Asia Pacific and how FedEx supports SMEs at FedEx Business Insights.

Reaffirming its dedication to promoting digital citizenship and online safety, Globe held a school tour as part of the annual G DAY celebration, bringing its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) to five schools nationwide.

The training workshops were held at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, STI Caloocan, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Bintawan National High School in Nueva Vizcaya, and the University of Southern Mindanao, which brought together over 1,000 students.

The need for such programs is urgent. The Philippines faces significant challenges with online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Exacerbated by high internet usage, poverty rates, and advanced digital technologies, the country ranked second globally in cyber tip reports on child sexual abuse, with nearly 2.8 million incidents recorded by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in 2022. The International Justice Mission estimates that one in 100 Filipino children has been trafficked for online exploitation.

Globe’s DTP initiative empowers students, teachers, and parents to proactively protect themselves and their communities from online risks, aligning with Globe’s mission to create a safer and more inclusive digital space. In 2023, Globe blocked over 404,730 malicious sites and links associated with child exploitation, illegal gambling, and online piracy — a 45% increase from the previous year — demonstrating its continued commitment to online safety.

In light of the increasing relevance of artificial intelligence (AI), Globe has expanded DTP to include discussions on AI ethics. The LinkedIn and Microsoft 2024 Annual Work Trend Index (WTI) study revealed that 71% of employers prefer candidates with AI skills, highlighting the need for students to understand and navigate AI responsibly.

At the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, 50 students from the College of Criminology participated in a session designed to provide them with skills to safeguard their communities from online dangers. This training supports their future roles in public safety, especially in combating cybercrime.

Students found the DTP Learning Hour helpful for raising awareness about online security. Key takeaways included avoiding scams by verifying emails, texts, and links, being cautious with public Wi-Fi, and thinking before clicking. They valued learning how to protect personal information and stay safe online.

Similarly, STI Caloocan welcomed 50 IT students, who, as part of their Foundation Day celebrations, learned about the importance of digital responsibility in their tech-driven careers.

Meanwhile, at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 365 students from the College of Information Systems and Technology Management gained valuable insights about AI, helping them navigate the digital world and lead with integrity.

“Educating students on digital safety is essential as they prepare for a future where technology is deeply intertwined with everyday life,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

“Through our Digital Thumbprint Program, we aim to empower the youth to use technology responsibly and ethically, ensuring they are equipped for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

As part of its broader efforts, Globe also participated in the University of Southern Mindanao's Pasiklaban 2024, enhancing festivities with a special #GDayEveryday celebration. Informative sessions on Telco 101, WiFi 101, and the DTP helped students gain practical knowledge about the digital world.

In another G Day highlight, Globe visited Bintawan National High School, nestled in the mountains of Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya, as a gesture of appreciation for the students' commitment to education. The visit reinforced Globe's belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and dream big.

To further engage students, Globe added an exciting raffle during the DTP sessions, offering winners GFiber Prepaid plans. These plans provide fiber-fast connectivity without a lock-up period, immediately installed at the winners' homes to support their academic and digital activities.

For more information on Globe’s Digital Thumbprint Program and its advocacy for digital safety, visit the DTP page on the Globe website.

At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), Ant International, a digital payment and financial technology leader, announced the launch of AquaViva, its new global programme for marine conservation, which aims to support healthy marine ecosystems through the company’s digital innovations and open collaborative partnerships. Ant International will focus on marine conservation as a key aspect of its environmental sustainability efforts.

Ant International leverages innovation and partnerships to drive positive change

Ant International aims to leverage its expertise in tech innovation and reach via digital platforms to mobilise the global community that its businesses serve or intersect with, towards adopting a sustainability mindset and supporting eco-friendly initiatives that benefit marine ecosystems. Taking an open collaborative approach, Ant International will work with partners across public and private sectors to drive collective impact and aims to make more progress towards climate sustainability, MSME inclusion and digital enablement ahead of COP30.

With an ecosystem comprising over 90 million merchants, of which many are MSMEs, and 1.6 billion digital users, Ant International will leverage these extensive digital channels to reach global users to motivate them to take sustainable and meaningful actions towards marine conservation.

For example, Ant International has supported its ecosystem partner, GCash in the Philippines, with its GForest initiative, to encourage its users with eco-friendly activities and support tree planting.

Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ant International, said: “Digital innovation can play such a substantive role in sustainability awareness and action, as we have seen from the very successful forest initiative by our partner GCash. Ant International decided to focus on marine conservation and biodiversity due to the huge impact that the ocean has, not just to the climate but to so many local communities and livelihoods, particularly here in Asia Pacific, where many communities are impacted by coastal changes. By leveraging our digital ecosystem and partners, we can effectively reach millions of users, and together with our knowledge partners, drive large-scale information sharing and incentivise users to take action and track their progress.”

AquaViva partners with Conservation International for whale shark conservation

Conservation International, a global organisation with over 25 years of experience in Asia Pacific (APAC) conservation, joins as AquaViva’s first key partner, contributing their deep expertise to protect oceans and enhance ecosystem health. Ant International and Conservation International will join hands to drive marine conservation efforts from Singapore, where both organisations have established presence, to the APAC region.

The inaugural joint project will focus on whale shark conservation in Indonesia. Led by Conservation International's main implementing partner Konservasi Indonesia, the project will engage with Indonesian authorities and communities to develop and implement ecotourism policies and practices that support whale shark-friendly, sustainable tourism around key habitats in Saleh Bay, Sumbawa; Gorontalo, Sulawesi; and Kaimana, West Papua.

Dr Richard Jeo, Senior Vice-President, Asia-Pacific Field Division, Conservation International, commented: "Oceans are the lifeline of our planet's survival, yet their immense importance is often overlooked. Over 600 million people rely on the ocean for food and livelihoods, and it plays a critical role in regulating and stabilizing Earth’s climate. Protecting our oceans is essential for human survival. Initiatives like AquaViva are crucial in raising awareness about the ocean’s often-overlooked role in climate regulation, food security, and the emerging blue economy.”

The two parties will also further explore partnerships where Conservation International can enhance its research capacity on furthering their marine conservation work, leveraging Ant International’s digital solutions to draw more insights from the research data they collect.

AquaViva will leverage Ant International’s digital capabilities to raise awareness, educate communities, and foster a global mindset toward marine sustainability. This includes leveraging data analytics and outreach platforms to support Conservation International’s research and deepen insights into conservation efforts. Through these advanced digital tools, the partnership aims to inspire a broad audience, bringing together governments, corporations, and individuals to drive eco-friendly practices that benefit marine life.

AirAsia Philippines has expressed its strong commitment to supporting the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) in its efforts to enhance customer experience at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the peak travel period this holiday season.

Weeks leading to the anticipated Christmas rush, AirAsia assures sufficient manpower at check-in counters, efficient on-time performance, optimized and timely baggage handling to improve overall productivity.

As an airline that is guest obsessed, we stand with NNIC and San Miguel Group Chairman Ramon Ang in realizing a shared vision of providing an enhanced guest experience at NAIA. We assure our stakeholders that all check-in counters will be manned appropriately to support the busy , and through our strong partnership with NNIC, we will identify customer chokepoints and improve the processes as necessary. While we adequately prepare for the holiday rush, we’re already seeing an early surge in passenger traffic. Based on passenger booking trends, we expect a further increase in bookings for immediate travels”, said AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.

As of mid-November, more than half a million seats have already been sold for travel dates from December 1 to January 31, 2025. AirAsia is also encouraging guests to plan their travels ahead and secure affordable flights through the AirAsia MOVE app. 

Safety is very important to AirAsia. Alongside this line, our team of highly skilled engineers and technicians reiterate our commitment to the highest standards of aircraft servicing and maintenance during the busiest time of the year among Filipinos. Our guests can fly with confidence and peace of mind because we deeply value what’s important to them---safe, reliable and convenient travels", added Isla.