Upgrading your laptop, replacing an old washing machine, or finally bringing home that new TV doesn't have to mean paying everything upfront.

From August 1 to October 31, 2026, Maya, the country's leading digital financial services platform, is offering cardholders the opportunity to convert eligible electronics and home appliance purchases made with the Maya Black Credit Card or Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card into a  3-month Mini Payment plan with an effective 0% interest. To make the offer even sweeter, processing fees are waived for Mini Payments created until September 30, 2026.

• Make a single straight purchase worth at least ₱10,000 using your Maya Black Credit Card or Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card.
• Wait for the transaction to be posted in your Maya app.
• Select the transaction and tap Convert to Mini Payments.
• Choose the 3-month Mini Payment plan to enjoy the promo.

Note: Mini Payments are initially billed with the standard monthly interest, but Maya automatically credits back the applicable interest every first week of the following month once the Mini Payment plan is posted in the credit statement, giving eligible purchases an effective 0% interest.

Whether you're replacing essential appliances or finally upgrading your favorite gadgets, Maya Mini Payments makes it easier to bring home what you need today while paying over time.

To see which merchants are eligible for the promo and view the complete mechanics, visit maya.ph/minipaymentpromo before making your purchase.

Follow @makeyourmoneymaya on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Approval and offer are subject to credit evaluation. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. www.bsp.gov.ph. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788.

In the mountainous municipality of Kapangan, Benguet, every storm once carried uncertainty. Now, it carries proof of what preparedness can do.

Nestled among rugged terrain and terraced farms, Kapangan is no stranger to risk. Landslides triggered by heavy rains, frequent earthquakes, and sudden road blockages have long threatened to isolate entire barangays, cutting off access to aid, services, and life-saving information. For years, reaching remote communities—especially those in signal “dead spots”—meant physically traveling just to deliver warnings. Critical time was often lost when it mattered most.

“Consistent na nag-zero casualty or zero dead sa amin,” Abangley shared. “Kasi at least mayroon kami yung Ligtas Kit, malaking tulong na yan para ma-meet natin yung zero casualty [rate] sa aming bayan.”

The PLDT and Smart Ligtas Kit is an all-in-one emergency communications solution designed to provide reliable connectivity in times of disaster. The Kapangan local DRRMO used the mobile phone included in the Ligtas Kit as their dedicated hotline, megaphones, crank radio, whistles, flashlights, portable power station, and solar panel. It enabled responders to coordinate quickly, issue timely warnings, and sustain operations even during power outages or infrastructure disruptions. The Ligtas Kit, together with its bundled emergency communications training module for beneficiaries, are part of PLDT and Smart’s broader #KonnektedforResilience advocacy that promotes a culture of preparedness and resilience, before, during and after disasters.

To date, 75 Ligtas Kits have been deployed nationwide—from Batanes to Pag-asa Island to Jolo—giving communities the tools and the training they need to stay prepared and resilient.

For Kapangan, the shift began with something simple yet transformative: connection.

“Yung unang-una po kasi wala po kami ng hotline noon. Kaya noong nakita namin at least nabigyan kami ng hotline,” Abangley explained. “Yun ang mostly ginagamit namin for reporting, data gathering, and coordination with the barangays.”

With the Ligtas Kit supporting the municipality’s Emergency Operations Center, communication has become faster, more organized, and more reliable. Warnings and advisories reach barangays sooner, enabling quicker coordination and response. For communities once isolated by terrain and signal gaps, this has made a critical difference.

“Number one yung communication namin, coordination with the barangays, implementing our preemptive enforced evacuation, at yung mga megaphone for giving warnings sa community,” Abangley said.

The kit’s reliable power sources also ensure operations continue during outages, while its communication tools help guarantee that no community is left behind.

“Bago dumating yung bagyo, dapat tayo ay nakapaghanda na. Alamin natin kung saan yung mga hazard or risk areas,” he said.

This collective effort has transformed Kapangan from a high-risk municipality into one that consistently protects its people—proving that disaster outcomes can be changed with the right systems in place.

Across the country, PLDT and Smart continue to support local governments in strengthening disaster preparedness beyond connectivity.

“Through solutions like the Ligtas Kit, we empower communities with critical communication capabilities that enable faster response and better coordination in times of crisis. We remain committed to supporting efforts that help build a safer and more resilient Philippines,” said Roby Alampay, FVP and Head, Public Engagement Group at PLDT and Smart.

Kapangan’s story is a quiet but powerful reminder that resilience is built not only through infrastructure or technology, but through people working together—prepared, informed, and ready to act.

PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:TEL) and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI). PLDT has one of the largest market capitalizations among Philippine — listed companies.

Further information can be obtained by visiting www.pldt.com

McDonald’s Philippines’ Crispy Chicken Fillet is the country’s best-tasting chicken fillet according to a 2026 study by market research firm FastForward. Building on the recognition, McDonald’s is giving customers even more ways to enjoy the fan favorite through its McSavers Sulit-Busog Meals, with a choice of Extra Rice or Extra Ulam meals starting at just P99

First introduced to Filipino customers in 2004, McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Fillet helped pioneer the quick-service restaurant (QSR) chicken fillet category. More than 20 years later, it continues to set the standard not only as a longtime favorite, but now as the Philippines’ best-tasting chicken fillet.

McDonald’s Chicken Fillet is known for its tender chicken and signature crunchy coating, golden and juicy in every bite. Paired with steaming rice and rich sauces like gravy, Ala King or Golden Curry, it has become a favorite for those looking for a delicious and satisfying meal.

In a 2026 study by market research firm FastForward, 81% of the 1,136 respondents chose McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Fillet as the best-tasting chicken fillet paired with rice over comparable offerings from other leading QSR brands. The research was conducted between November 2025 to January 2026.

“Being recognized by Filipinos as having the best-tasting chicken fillet inspires us at McDonald’s Philippines to go extra and continue raising the standard not only in taste but also in value.

Through McSavers Sulit-Busog Meals, we’re making it easier for Filipinos to enjoy a meal that’s not only extra delicious, but also extra satisfying and extra in value,” said Ada Almendras-Lazaro, McDonald’s Philippines’ Chief Marketing Officer.

Customers can enjoy McDonald’s pinakamasarap na chicken fillet in two Sulit-Busog ways, depending on what satisfies them most. The Extra Rice option, available for Crispy Chicken Fillet, Crispy Chicken Fillet Ala King, and Golden Curry Fillet, is only P99 and comes with Regular Coke. Extra Ulam, which doubles the chicken fillet, is available as an option for Crispy Chicken Fillet for only P129, as well as for Crispy Chicken Fillet Ala King and Golden Curry Fillet for only P139. Extra Ulam options come with a Small Coke.

“Every Filipino has a different definition of ‘busog.’ At McDonald’s, we want to empower them to choose the meal that will satisfy them, whether with extra rice, or extra ulam. Whatever Sulit-Busog meal they choose, we make sure it's affordable,” added Almendras-Lazaro.

McSavers Sulit-Busog Meals are now available for Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru, McDelivery, and via major food delivery apps nationwide, giving Filipinos even more ways to enjoy the country’s best-tasting chicken fillet.

For more information about McDonald’s Philippines, visit www.mcdonalds.com.ph, McDo.ph on Facebook, @mcdo_ph on Instagram, and @McDo_PH on X.

Some of the best things come in small packages, and the new TechLife Pad Mini is proof. With Mini Made for More at its core, the device brings together the portability of a compact tablet and the performance to keep up with everyday routines. Small enough to slip into an everyday bag yet powerful enough for work, entertainment, creativity, and everything in between, it empowers users to do more without carrying more.

For people who are always on the move, the TechLife Pad Mini features an 8-inch LCD Display that’s perfect for catching up on their favorite series during the morning commute, getting work done at a coffee shop, reading an e-book at the airport, or unwinding with a few chapters before bed. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 Processor, with up to 8GB Dynamic RAM and 64GB Storage, it keeps everyday tasks running smoothly, making multitasking easier wherever the day takes them.

Staying connected is just as easy. With 4G LTE Connectivity, users can browse, stream, reply to messages, and join online meetings even when Wi-Fi isn’t available. A 6300mAh Large Battery keeps up with long days, while 10W Charging makes it easy to power up whenever needed. It also supports 5W Reverse Charging, allowing users to charge compatible accessories on the go. Dual Stereo Speakers and Google Gemini AI Assistant round out the experience, bringing even more to every day.

Available in Misty Blue, Fairy Pink, and Champagne Gold, the TechLife Pad Mini pairs a clean minimalist look with everyday functionality that complements any lifestyle. Compact enough for everyday carry and capable enough for whatever the day has in store, it’s ready to keep up with every plan. Small in size. Big on possibilities. That’s Mini Made for More.

More Value for You

The TechLife Pad Mini is available at an SRP of ₱9,999 and comes with exclusive launch offers available for a limited time across online and offline channels.

From August 5 to 20, customers can enjoy special launch offers on TikTok for as low as ₱7,699, on Shopee for as low as ₱8,399, and on Lazada for as low as ₱8,999. Online customers will also receive a free Pad Handle Case worth ₱999 with every purchase, available until supplies last.

For those who prefer to shop in person, the TechLife Pad Mini is also available at TechLife Concept Stores, where every purchase also includes a free Pad Handle Case.

Residents and visitors in Central Luzon can now access faster emergency assistance with the launch of the Unified 911 Region 3 Satellite Command Center. Staffed by emergency telecommunicators who speak Kapampangan, Ilokano, Pangasinense, English, and Filipino, the new facility enables quicker, more accurate emergency response across the region.

Flooding, vehicular accidents, typhoons, and heat-related medical emergencies are among the most common incidents in Central Luzon. Previously, emergency calls from Region III were routed to the National Command Center or other Unified 911 facilities. They are now handled locally, allowing responders to gather critical information faster and dispatch the nearest emergency units without delay.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the new facility brings emergency services closer to communities and strengthens the government's ability to respond when lives are at risk.

"This is part of the Marcos administration's commitment to strengthen local emergency response capabilities and ensure every Filipino has access to a reliable and responsive public safety system," he said.

Located at the former Bureau of Fire Protection Regional Office III in San Fernando, Pampanga, the satellite command center is part of the nationwide expansion of the Unified 911 system, which integrates police, fire, medical, and rescue services into a single toll-free, 24/7 emergency network.

Connected to the National Command Center in Metro Manila, the Regional Hub in Cebu, and other satellite command centers nationwide, the facility enhances emergency response in one of the country's most populous regions.

"Call takers at our command center receive accurate details right away, allowing us to deploy the nearest response team without confusion. Faster, clearer information means help reaches those in need much sooner," said Fire Senior Inspector Glory Cajucom, chief of the Region 3 Satellite Command Center.

Powered by NGA 911 technology and PLDT communications infrastructure, the platform supports voice calls, text messages, photos, and live video, enabling responders to assess emergencies more accurately and coordinate more effectively.

Because telecommunicators are familiar with the region's communities, landmarks, and local dialects, callers can describe emergencies more clearly and without language barriers.

"This helps avoid misunderstandings about the location or type of emergency while building immediate trust. When callers feel understood, they provide complete information that enables us to respond appropriately," Cajucom said.

The facility is fully integrated with the National Command Center and neighboring regional centers for seamless coordination during major disasters and is equipped with computer-aided dispatch systems, dedicated communication lines, and backup power to ensure uninterrupted operations.