PLDT Enterprise, Nabstract Partner to Combat OTP Fraud Through SmartSafe SilentAccess

PLDT Enterprise and Nabstract seal their partnership to deliver smarter, intent-based network API solutions that empower businesses across industries. From left to right: Mark Dommel Geronimo, Head of Wireless Product Development at PLDT Enterprise; Mickey Ruiz, Senior Manager and Head of Enterprise Innovations and Product Development, PLDT Enterprise; John Gonzales, First Vice President & Head, Enterprise Consulting & Strategic Business Development, PLDT Enterprise; Vaibhav Mehta, Founder & Director, Nabstract; Nico Alcoseba, First Vice President and Head of Product Management, PLDT Enterprise; Amet Zalameda, Head of Network Transformation Strategy Office, Smart Communications Inc.; Noemi Santos, Assistant Vice President and Head of Enterprise Wireless Platforms, PLDT Enterprise; Maria Elizabeth Soriano, Product Manager, PLDT Enterprise

As part of its commitment to strengthening digital security, PLDT’s corporate arm, PLDT Enterprise, has partnered with Nabstract, a global technology company that helps telecom providers and cloud platforms deliver safer digital services, and a certified Open Gateway Channel Partner, to deliver a safer and more secure alternative to one-time passwords (OTP) through SmartSafe SilentAccess.

SilentAccess, the flagship solution in the upcoming SmartSafe fraud management API suite, enables real-time, direct user authentication through Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) allowing seamless logins and transactions without the need for OTPs sent via text message, which are often targets of phishing and other scams.

By leveraging Nabstract’s expertise in network exposure capabilities, PLDT Enterprise offers real-time fraud detection that empowers businesses in banking, e-commerce, and even SMEs to protect their customers from cyber-attacks, reduce financial losses, and build stronger digital trust.

“Our collaboration with Nabstract reinforces PLDT Enterprise’s mission to drive innovation and security in the digital space, for institutions across industries. With our GSMA Open Gateway API Certification, we are taking bold steps toward future-proofing businesses with seamless, fraud-resistant solutions – enabling them to serve their customers with confidence,” said Nico Alcoseba, First Vice President and Head of Product Management, PLDT Enterprise.

Future-Proofing Network Security with Open Gateway APIs

Nabstract brings its expertise in secure network connections and API-based tools to help enterprises easily integrate anti-fraud systems, network performance management, and quality control solutions. This partnership provides businesses with access to next-generation network intelligence that enhances security and user experience.

Through the Service Exposure Platform (SEP) built into Smart’s network infrastructure, this partnership gives businesses access to next-generation security tools. Whether it’s banks preventing unauthorized access, e-commerce platforms reducing cart abandonment by removing OTP friction, or SMEs ensuring secure customer logins, these API-based innovations are helping build a stronger and more secure digital economy for the Philippines.

Strengthening Cybersecurity and Digital Trust

With the GSMA Open Gateway API Certification, PLDT Enterprise continues to lead in developing new ways to protect digital transactions, ensuring businesses can proactively defend against digital fraud while optimizing network performance.

“We trust PLDT Enterprise as a key player in delivering secure and innovative digital solutions. Through this partnership, we aim to empower businesses with scalable, efficient, and highly secure network API integrations,” said Vaibhav Mehta, Founder and Director, Nabstract.

This milestone builds on PLDT Enterprise’s ongoing efforts to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enabling businesses to thrive in a digitally safe and inclusive economy.

For more information about SmartSafe SilentAccess, visit https://bit.ly/pldtenterpise-nabstract-partnership-pr

Rex Education Honored with Two Major Wins at the 47th CMMA Awards

PHOTOS CAPTION: REX proudly receives two awards at the 47th CMMA Awards: *Best Children’s Magazine* for The Bread Basket and *Best Editorial Cartoon* for the Sinag/The Catalyst piece “Mass Deportation of Undocumented Filipinos in the US.” Photo credit to Catholic Mass Media Award

Rex Education achieved another significant milestone with two major recognitions at the 47th Catholic Mass Media Awards held on November 19, 2025 at the Citystate Hotel Tower in Ermita, Manila. The awards highlight the organization’s ongoing commitment to producing educational content that informs, inspires, and nurtures the mind and the heart of every Filipino learner.

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REX received the Best Children’s Magazine award for The Bread Basket and Best Editorial Cartoon award for the piece published in Sinag/The Catalyst titled “Mass Deportation of Undocumented Filipinos in the US.” These honors emphasize the importance of educational materials that blend academic relevance with creative and responsible storytelling and meaningful social reflection.

In the field of education, values-driven and thoughtfully crafted media remain essential in helping learners understand themselves, their communities, and the world around them. Publications such as The Bread Basket support children in developing empathy and curiosity through stories that speak to their experiences. Editorial works like the award-winning cartoon in Sinag/The Catalyst encourage students to think critically about current issues in ways that are clear and accessible. These contributions uplift, guide, and help build character of young readers toward becoming informed and responsible citizens.

These recognitions serve as a quiet but powerful affirmation of the work that happens every day within REX’s creative and editorial teams. Behind each publication are authors, editors, illustrators, and partners who approach their craft with purpose and a deep understanding of the role education plays in shaping learners and communities. Their passion allows REX to produce content that inspires curiosity, encourages reflection, and fosters conversations that lead to growth.

The Catholic Mass Media Awards have long recognized media that uplifts, guides, and forms values, and to be counted among its honorees reinforces REX's commitment to continually raise the standard of learning materials in the Philippines and to contribute to the development of content that strengthens values formation.

REX extends its heartfelt thanks to the Catholic Mass Media Awards for this recognition and to the entire REX community whose dedication makes achievements like these possible. As the organization continues to grow, it remains steadfast in its mission to empower Filipino learners and help shape a future rooted in truth, compassion, and lifelong learning.

Haier and Automatic Centre Showcase Smarter Cooling Solutions at Market! Market!

Haier Philippines President and CEO Sun Liangjun during the Automatic Center Air Conditioner Product Launch held on October 3, 2025.

Haier Philippines executives and partners lead the unveiling of the new Haier UV Cool AI Voice Air Conditioner during the Automatic Center Product Launch

From Left to Right:

Haier AC Product Manager - Mr. Wang Kangning

Haier Vice President - Mr. Xuhong Yan

Haier President & CEO - Mr. Sun Liangjun

Automatic Merchandising Head - Ms. Cheng Del Mundo

Automatic Centre Senior Marketing Manager - Ms. Pearl Perlada

Mr. Herrick Soneja - Automatic Centre District Manager

From Left to Right:

KOL - Ms. Valerie Tan

Haier Senior Marketing Manager - Ms. Angeli Patricio

Haier AC Product Manager - Mr. Wang Kangning

Haier Vice President - Mr. Xuhong Yan

Haier President & CEO - Mr. Sun Liangjun

Automatic Merchandising Head - Ms. Cheng Del Mundo

Automatic Centre Senior Marketing Manager - Ms. Pearl Perlada

Mr. Herrick Soneja - Automatic Centre District Manager

Haier Strategic Channel Sales Director - Mr. Eric Pabustan

Haier Product Manager - Mr. John Torres

Display of Haier’s latest air conditioner lineup featuring the UV Cool AI Voice series at Automatic Center.

Haier Key Opinion Leader Valerie Tan poses with event models during the Automatic Center Air Conditioner Product Launch held on October 3, 2025.

Haier Philippines and Automatic Centre teams together with event models during the Haier Air Conditioner Product Launch at Automatic Centre.

Shoppers at Market! Market! enjoyed a refreshing showcase as Haier Philippines, in partnership with Automatic Centre, introduced its latest line of air conditioners through a Mini Launch Event. The program gathered partners, guests, and media for a closer look at Haier’s newest cooling innovations designed for smarter living.

At the spotlight of the showcase was the Haier UV Cool AI Voice, a hands-free, voice-controlled air conditioner that allows homeowners to adjust comfort levels through simple voice commands—without Wi-Fi or external devices. It also features AI Eco technology for smart airflow management and UVC sterilization that helps keep indoor air fresh and safe.

 

Also introduced was the Haier Clean Cool Pro series, designed for families seeking reliable performance and easy maintenance. With its Self-Clean technology, the unit automatically reduces bacterial buildup in the evaporator, ensuring consistently clean air. Its Hyper PCB and anti-corrosion design help extend the unit’s lifespan, offering durable cooling solutions for Filipino households.

 

The event not only showed Haier’s new products but also emphasized the strength of its collaboration with Automatic Centre, the country’s oldest appliance store and a heritage brand trusted by generations. Known as a go-to destination for quality appliances, Automatic Centre has built its legacy on dependable products, after-sales service, and knowledgeable specialists who guide families in finding the right fit for their homes.

 

Automatic Centre continues to make appliance shopping more convenient with 0% installment plans, Shop Now Pay Later programs, exclusive bank offers, and partnerships with financing providers such as Home Credit, Skyro, and Salmon. With this customer-focused approach, the store remains a reliable partner for Filipino households—past, present, and future.

The Market! Market! mini launch served as an intimate preview, with Haier and Automatic Centre extending the experience through an in-store exhibit running from October to December 2025, giving mall-goers the opportunity to explore the new models firsthand.

Together, Haier and Automatic Centre continue their shared mission of bringing smarter, cleaner, and longer-lasting cooling solutions to Filipino homes, backed by a tradition of trust and innovation.

Visit: https://www.haier.com/ph/air-conditioners/

Haier Announces New Partnerships with Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain

Haier, a home appliance brand, has announced new multi-year global partnerships with Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain. The announcement was made at IFA Berlin, where Haier unveiled its new brand strategy. The agreements unite Haier with two of the most followed football clubs in the world.

These collaborations are part of Haier’s “Home of the Champions” initiative, which aims to align the brand with top-tier clubs and athletes. The partnerships are intended to inspire, connect, and create richer, smarter experiences for fans and consumers worldwide. Haier's values of innovation, precision, and excellence are said to align with the spirit of both clubs, reinforcing a shared commitment to performance and global reach.

 

As part of the partnerships, Haier will engage with fans across stadium, digital, and retail touchpoints. The brand will also deliver exclusive fan experiences and explore the creation of co-branded smart home products designed to bring the energy of a matchday into daily life.

The partnership with Liverpool FC also revives a historic connection. Candy, a brand that is now part of Haier Europe, was the club’s main sponsor in the late 1980s and early 1990s, an era that remains one of the most iconic chapters in the club's history.

Haier's Expanded Sports Portfolio

 

In addition to the new football partnerships, Haier has renewed its strategic partnership with the ATP Tour through 2028. This renewal expands Haier's role as an ATP Gold Partner, now covering both Home Entertainment & TV and Home Appliances categories. This extension will provide Haier with on-court brand visibility, premium hospitality experiences, and on-site product integration at select ATP Tour events. The brand will also benefit from exposure across the ATP’s digital channels, which reach an online audience of more than one billion.

Haier's sports sponsorships also include LALIGA, Liga Portugal, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Roland-Garros, and the Mutua Madrid Open. This broad and strategic connection with sports reflects a multisport identity. Haier’s partnerships are built on the belief that sport is a powerful platform to inspire, connect, and create shared value.

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The partnerships aim to turn passion on the pitch and on the court into smarter, more connected living at home.

 

The Struggle of a Solo Mother Supporting Students

The alarm clock rings at 4:30 AM, piercing through the darkness like a cruel reminder that rest is a luxury Maria cannot afford. She rises quietly, careful not to wake her two children still sleeping in the next room. As a solo mother working multiple jobs to support her students through school, her days begin before dawn and end long after midnight. This is not just her story—it is the reality of millions of single mothers worldwide who carry the weight of parenthood, provider, and protector entirely on their own shoulders.

The Financial Tightrope

For solo mothers with students to support, financial strain is not merely a challenge—it is a constant companion that shadows every decision. The mathematics of single-income households are unforgiving. Rent or mortgage payments consume nearly half of monthly earnings, leaving a shrinking pool of resources for everything else: tuition fees, school supplies, uniforms, transportation, food, utilities, and healthcare. When one income must stretch to cover what traditionally required two, something always falls short.

Many solo mothers find themselves trapped in lower-paying jobs because they lack the flexibility to pursue better opportunities. Higher-paying positions often demand longer hours, unpredictable schedules, or the ability to travel—luxuries impossible when you are the only parent available for school pickups, doctor's appointments, and sick days. The career ladder becomes impossibly steep when you are climbing it alone while carrying the full weight of family responsibilities.

The Time Poverty Paradox

Beyond financial poverty exists another, equally debilitating struggle: time poverty. Solo mothers face an impossible equation where twenty-four hours must somehow accommodate forty-eight hours worth of responsibilities. There are no shifts to split, no partner to tag in when exhaustion overwhelms, no one to pick up the slack when illness strikes or emergencies arise.

A typical day involves waking before dawn, preparing breakfast and school lunches, getting children ready and transported to school, working a full shift, rushing to pick up children, helping with homework, preparing dinner, managing household chores, ensuring baths and bedtime routines, and then often working a second job or finishing work brought home. Somewhere in these relentless hours, solo mothers must also find time for parent-teacher conferences, medical appointments, extracurricular activities, and the thousand small but essential tasks that keep a household functioning.

The absence of personal time is profound. Self-care becomes an abstract concept rather than a reality. Exercise, hobbies, friendships, rest—these fall away like excess cargo thrown overboard from a sinking ship. Many solo mothers cannot remember the last time they read a book for pleasure, watched a movie uninterrupted, or slept a full eight hours. The person they were before single motherhood becomes a distant memory, replaced entirely by the role of caregiver and provider.

The Emotional Burden

The psychological weight of solo motherhood is perhaps the heaviest load of all. Constant worry about whether you are doing enough, being enough, providing enough creates an undercurrent of anxiety that never fully subsides. Every setback—a child's poor test grade, a behavioral issue at school, an illness—triggers guilt and self-doubt. Could you have prevented this if you had more time? If you could afford better resources? If you were not so perpetually exhausted?

Solo mothers often describe feeling invisible, their struggles unacknowledged by a society that still operates on the assumption of two-parent households as the default. School events scheduled during work hours, parent volunteer requirements, homework assignments that assume parental involvement and resources—all these highlight the gap between institutional expectations and solo mothers' reality.

The emotional labor extends beyond worrying about immediate needs. Solo mothers carry the weight of their children's futures entirely on their shoulders. They dream of their children attending college, pursuing careers, breaking cycles of poverty—but the pathway seems impossibly distant when you are struggling to afford this month's groceries. The fear of failing your children, of not being able to give them the opportunities they deserve, is a constant ache.

The Support Systems That Fail

Many solo mothers find that the support systems theoretically available to them are inadequate or inaccessible. Government assistance programs, while helpful, rarely provide enough to truly lift families out of poverty. The bureaucracy involved in accessing help is itself a part-time job, requiring documentation, appointments during work hours, and navigation of complex systems.

Family support, when available, can be invaluable—but not all solo mothers have this resource. Some are geographically distant from relatives. Others come from dysfunctional family situations or face judgment rather than support. Friends, while well-meaning, often cannot comprehend the relentlessness of solo parenting until they experience it themselves.

Childcare, essential for working mothers, is prohibitively expensive or unavailable during non-traditional work hours. After-school programs fill quickly and rarely extend late enough for mothers working evening shifts. The informal networks that traditional families rely on—neighbors, friends, community—are difficult to build and maintain when you have no time or energy for social connection.

The Quiet Strength

Yet despite these overwhelming challenges, solo mothers persist with remarkable resilience. They develop skills in budgeting that rival professional accountants, stretching every dollar through careful planning and sacrifice. They become masters of time management, choreographing complex schedules with military precision. They learn to fix broken appliances, help with advanced mathematics homework, nurse sick children, and handle crises with steady competence—all while maintaining the facade of having everything under control.

Their children often become their greatest motivation and their deepest source of strength. The desire to provide better futures for their students drives solo mothers to endure what seems unendurable. Every sacrifice, every exhausting day, every moment of going without is reframed as an investment in their children's possibilities.

The Need for Change

Society must recognize that solo mothers supporting students are not an aberration but a significant demographic deserving of structural support. This means workplace flexibility, affordable childcare, living wages, accessible education funding, and community resources designed around their actual needs rather than idealized family structures.

Until then, solo mothers will continue their daily battles, fighting to give their children stable, loving homes and educational opportunities despite facing odds stacked impossibly against them. Their struggle is not a personal failing but a systematic failure—one that demands acknowledgment, respect, and meaningful action.

In the quiet hours before dawn, as alarm clocks ring and solo mothers rise to face another impossible day, they carry forward with a courage that deserves far more than our admiration. They deserve our support, our advocacy, and our commitment to building a society where no parent must choose between providing for their children and being present in their lives.

Rex Education Celebrates Atty. Hector M. De Leon Jr., Atty. Nilo T. Divina, and Atty. Tranquil A. Salvador as Asia Business Law Journal’s Philippines Top Lawyers 2025 A-List

Rex Education proudly congratulates three of its distinguished authors—Atty. Hector M. De Leon Jr., Managing Partner of SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan; Atty. Nilo T. Divina, Managing Partner of Divina Law, and Atty. Tranquil A. Salvador, Partner at Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De Los Angeles—for their recognition in the Asia Business Law Journal’s Philippines Top Lawyers 2025 A-List.

According to Asia Business Law Journal, A-List lawyers are “lawyers who are currently the star performers of the Philippines’ legal profession; the lawyers who are personally undertaking the country’s top legal work, crafting the most cutting-edge legal solutions to complex problems, and setting the highest standards in terms of quality, innovation and the ability to handle complex matters.”

The journal also defines Legal Icons as “lawyers who are the luminaries of the Philippines’ legal profession; the titans who command the respect of clients and juniors alike; the mentors who lead the Philippines’ most admired law firms and/or legal teams, and who are the country’s most prolific rainmakers.” Among those honored with this distinction are Atty. Hector M. De Leon Jr. and Atty. Nilo T. Divina, who, aside from being part of the prestigious list, are also recognized as Icons.

Champions of Legal Practice and Education

Atty. Hector M. De Leon Jr. is celebrated nationwide for his dual expertise as a leading practitioner and one of the country’s most prolific and trusted legal authors. His textbooks on Obligations and Contracts, Business Law, and Commercial Law remain indispensable in business programs and law schools. His works on the Philippine Constitution, Criminal Law, and related subjects continue to shape the legal literacy of countless law students and professionals.

Atty. Nilo T. Divina is equally admired as a premier corporate and litigation strategist and the transformative leader of Divina Law. His authoritative texts on Commercial and Corporation Law are essential references for law students, bar reviewees, and practitioners seeking clarity on complex commercial issues.

Atty. Tranquil A. Salvador, a recognized leader in litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), is also an esteemed law professor and author whose works advance the study of Remedial Law. Beyond his practice areas—which include aviation, insurance, mining, and ADR—he has made a profound impact on legal education through his widely respected textbooks and bar reviewer materials such as Footnotes Vol. I: Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure.

“Being recognized as part of the prestigious list and called icons of Philippine law underscores the enduring impact of Atty. De Leon, Atty. Divina, and Atty. Salvador—not only in their respective practice areas, but also in their invaluable contributions to Philippine legal education through their published works,” said Rex Education CEO, Don Timothy I. Buhain. “Their scholarship and leadership align with our aspirations: to nurture minds and transform communities through education.”

Rex Education takes immense pride in being the publishing partner of these exceptional legal minds and joins the legal and academic communities in celebrating their well-deserved recognition in Philippine Law and Legal Education.

Congratulations, Atty. Hector M. De Leon Jr., Atty. Nilo T. Divina, and Atty. Tranquil A. Salvador—whose work continues to shape the future of Philippine law.

What is DIABETES?

 

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Normally, digestion breaks down food into glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream. The pancreas responds by producing insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter cells to be used for energy.

 

In people with diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or can't effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to high blood glucose levels, which can cause damage to organs and tissues over time.'

 

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1, where the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells, and Type 2, where the body becomes resistant to insulin. Symptoms include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow healing of cuts and wounds.

 

It occurs when your body either doesn't produce enough insulin or can't effectively use the insulin it produces, leading to high blood sugar levels.

Types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune disease where your body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to survive.
Type 2 Diabetes: A condition where your body's cells become resistant to insulin, making it harder for glucose to enter the cells. This type is more common in adults, but can also occur in children and teens.
Gestational Diabetes: Develops during pregnancy, typically going away after the baby is born. However, women who have had gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Prediabetes: A stage before Type 2 diabetes where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.

Causes and Risk Factors:

Genetics
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Unhealthy diet
Hormonal imbalances
Certain medications
Pancreatic damage

Symptoms:

Increased thirst and urination
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss
Slow-healing sores
Frequent infections

Complications:

Heart disease
Nerve damage (neuropathy)
Kidney damage (nephropathy)
Eye problems (retinopathy)
Foot damage

Management and Treatment:

Medications (oral or injectable)
Insulin therapy
Healthy diet and meal planning
Regular physical activity
Blood sugar monitoring (using glucometers or continuous glucose monitors)
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Prevention:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Eating a balanced diet
Engaging in regular physical activity
Managing stress
Limiting alcohol intake
Getting adequate sleep

 

If left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to serious complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage. However, with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, people with diabetes can manage their condition and live healthy lives.

Management typically involves a combination of medication, diet, exercise, and regular blood glucose monitoring. By understanding diabetes and taking proactive steps, individuals can reduce their risk of complications and improve their overall well-being.