Scenic road trips that deserve to be on your bucket list

 

We don’t always take road trips to escape. Sometimes, we take them to feel more present, to discover hidden gems, and to make unforgettable memories. As writer Angela N. Blount once said, “Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.” 

Smart unveils best deals for Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is enabling more Filipinos to unfold their power and live ultra as it makes the Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series – Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and Z Flip7 FE – available for pre-order from July 9 until July 31.  

5 Awesome Things You Could Enjoy If You Had One Less Bill to Pay

Imagine getting your monthly internet bill (typically costing around P1,000 or more) completely covered. That’s right: free internet, and with it, a whole new world of possibilities.

Live out your K-Pop dreams in Hong Kong for this year’s 2025 MAMA AWARDS – all with your Metrobank Visa credit card, courtesy of Visa!

K-Pop fans: ever dreamt of being in the same space as your idols, feeling the energy of a live performance, and soaking in the global phenomenon that is the annual MAMA AWARDS? Well, get ready, because you can be among the stars this November – here’s how!

Back-to-School Without the Burnout: Smarter Money Moves Start with Maya

Every parent knows the drill: a new school year means a fresh wave of expenses—uniforms, tuition, supplies, baon, gadgets. And somehow, you’re expected to cover all of it without blowing the monthly budget.

5 real-life ‘Squid Game’ interactive experiences to add to your bucket list

There’s no denying it: Squid Game isn’t just a show—it’s a global phenomenon.

The Netflix mega-hit isn’t just a gripping Korean action drama, it’s a cultural juggernaut that blends suspense, sharp social commentary, and unforgettable visuals. The popular series hits all the right spots that made it take off as a viral phenomenon, to the point that its iconic games have been turned into real-world installations around the world. Now, you too can try your hand at some of the challenges the characters have gone through (without the deadly consequences, of course).

SM Cares Leads Inclusive Emergency Preparedness Forum

In celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month, SM Cares once again brought together communities, local government units, experts, and volunteers for the Emergency Preparedness Forum 2025, reaffirming its enduring commitment to making disaster preparedness inclusive and life-saving for all—especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Southstar Drug Marks 700 Stores in its 88th Year of Quietly Serving Filipino Communities

A modest herbal pharmacy in Naga, Bicol, first opened its doors eighty-eight years ago. With little fanfare and a strong sense of mission, Southstar Drug set out to improve community access to healthcare rather than control a market.

That same enthusiasm endures today as Southstar Drug launches a new location inside UP Diliman, marking its 700th store. The milestone is more of a subdued statement of the brand's core values—being where and when it matters to every Filipino—than it is a celebration of numbers.

Now, since joining Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Southstar Drug has continued to build on its long-standing legacy. Founded in 1937, it officially celebrates 88 years of service in 2025—making it the pioneer at the forefront of the entire industry, one of the earliest and most experienced players among Philippine drugstores.

“We’ve grown branch by branch, community by community,” said Thaddeus Sanchez, General Manager of Southstar Drug. “Each store tells a story, and every expansion reflects a promise to serve with compassion and consistency.”

From its roots in the Bicol region, Southstar Drug has steadily built a stronghold in South Luzon and Central Luzon, with key expansions in provinces like Pampanga, where its presence continues to grow. It has also made its mark in Metro Manila, adapting to the evolving needs of urban communities through innovations like drive-thru pharmacies currently available in Muntinlupa, Marikina, and even in Pampanga, as well.

Southstar Drug has stayed true to its mission: bringing quality healthcare closer to Filipino families. Its recent store openings in Masinloc, Zambales (2022), Lagonoy, Camarines Sur (2024), Cauayan, Masbate (2024), and now in UP Diliman, show a brand that goes where it’s needed—even when those areas are far from commercial centers.

Its e-commerce platform is also one of the most expansive in the country— and this ensures that access to medicine is just a few clicks away, even for those outside major cities.

The UP Diliman store symbolizes not just geographical expansion, but a natural and seamless integration into a vibrant academic community. Southstar Drug has supported the University Health Services through annual donations and currently sponsors the UP Track and Field Team, demonstrating how presence can be purposeful without being promotional.

“From the very start, every move we have made was with purpose and concern for our fellow Filipinos. In Lagonoy, residents used to travel nearly two hours just to buy basic medicine,” one Southstar team member shared. “Now, our pharmacy is just a part of their daily walk home. That’s the kind of difference we want to make with each store we open.”

As Southstar Drug continues its steady expansion into Metro Manila, more residents in the city will slowly experience the small-town warmth and care that has long defined its presence in the provinces. Whether it’s a neighborhood branch beside a Shopwise or tucked into a familiar corner near a Robinsons store, Southstar Drug remains a comforting presence bringing not just medicine, but a sense of community, wherever it opens.

With plans to reach 800 stores by 2026, Southstar Drug remains committed to its founding belief: that healthcare should not be a privilege, but a promise—delivered humbly, one Filipino at a time.

Stay connected with PLDT Home Always On

Today, a few seconds of WiFi downtime feels like forever. When the internet connection drops mid-rant or mid-episode or the screen freezes during an important meeting, it’s more than a tech issue -- it’s a disruption to your life.

 
Always On: A Smart Hybrid Modem to always keep you connected
 
When there’s unexpected downtime, PLDT Home’s Always On comes in as a groundbreaking solution. It’s a first-of-its-kind hybrid modem that combines fiber and LTE, with a built-in automatic switchover system.
 
Here’s how it works: if the fiber connection goes down, the modem switches to unlimited LTE – no manual setup, no phone tethering, and no annoying prompts. And once the fiber is restored, it seamlessly switches back, without the hassle of manually reconnecting your devices. It works as a backup connection but smarter, automatic, and always ready.
 
Even better, if your connection has been running on its backup LTE for 30 minutes straight, Always On automatically creates a fault ticket for you so you don’t need to call or wait in the queue at the customer service channels. PLDT resolves the connectivity issue while you carry on with your digital activities at home. 
 
Powered by WiFi 6 technology, the PLDT Home Always On modem delivers high-speed internet (up to 1 Gbps, depending on your plan) across multiple devices, ensuring everyone in the family can stay connected.  Whether you're working, streaming, or attending class online, you can count on a fast, stable connection that can keep up with your lifestyle. 
 
Internet outage? You can still be online. 
 
PLDT Home Always On can’t prevent outages – but it can help you get through them. When fiber is down, it automatically switches to backup LTE so you can stay connected and keep doing what you need to, while PLDT works on restoring your main fiber service. Fiber interruptions often happen for reasons beyond anyone’s control. Here are a few real-world examples and why having Always On makes a big difference. 
·       The weather isn’t always fiber-friendly
According to PAGASA, the Philippines faces around 20tropical cyclones a year. Strong winds, falling trees, and flooded lines regularly knock out fiber infrastructure. Undersea cable cuts are inevitable during these times. These major cable troubles take time to repair but with PLDT Home Always On, you still have internet access while waiting.
 
·       Cable theft is a real problem
Metro Manila accounts for over 60% of nationwide cable thefts in a year, according to a telco report. Stolen cables disrupt entire neighborhoods, bringing businesses, school, and remote work to a standstill. With Always On, you can stay online while fiber lines are being replaced.
 
·       Small creatures, big trouble
Sometimes, it’s not the weather or a thief – it’s a rodent or other tiny troublemaker lurking in the neighborhood. Have you heard of the local squirrels? They exist in villages and even in cities where they have been known to chew through fiber cables and cause outages that take time to detect and repair. LTE backup ensures your internet stays live in the meantime.
 
·       Roadworks can cut you off
Road constructions, drilling, and digging – especially in urban areas – can accidentally damage underground fiber cables. Often unintentional, these cuts can trigger sudden outages and take time to locate and fix. Always On gives you a connection while the repairs are underway.
 
The bottom line? PLDT Home Always On works more than an internet backup – it’s a smart, seamless solution for a world that can’t afford to pause. When the unexpected fiber outages happen, it’s good to know that your internet is always one step ahead. 
 
Learn about PLDT Home’s Always On here.

Metrobank Travel Fair Goes Online – Exclusive Deals Await!

If traveling is on your 2025 vision board, then start packing now. You’re just one step away with The Metrobank Travel Fair – Book Online, set to run from July 1 to July 15. This is your chance to turn those Instagram-worthy destinations into real-life experiences, with your Metrobank credit card as your ultimate companion.