ASSIST Tackles Global Poverty Through Long-Term Self-Reliance

Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, social impact organization, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is calling for practical, market-driven programs that help families achieve long-term financial independence.

MANILA, Philippines – Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, social impact organization, Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is calling for a stronger focus on practical, market-driven programs that help families achieve long-term financial independence. 

Moving beyond short-term relief, ASSIST is driving long-term economic transformation across Asia by empowering vulnerable communities with the tools needed for lasting self-reliance. Through comprehensive vocational training, accessible education, and targeted small business support, the organization equips individuals with marketable skills and entrepreneurial resources. By creating sustainable avenues for reliable income and strengthening local economies, ASSIST is helping families break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and build a resilient, self-sufficient future.

While emergency relief provides immediate help during crises, breaking the poverty cycle long-term requires systemic changes. Rapid shifts across local economies, alongside growing skills gaps—leave millions of first-time jobseekers as well as skilled workers struggling to secure stable work. 

To address these challenges directly, ASSIST runs targeted programs across three key areas:

Workforce Upskilling & TVET Development: Aligning technical and vocational training with actual employers needs to help job seekers secure reliable incomes. Training and intervention programs include sustainABILITY, which addresses green skills shortages in vocational schools, and NextGen Workforce, which prepares young people for modern job markets.

Inclusive Education & Digital Access: Helping bridge generational poverty by bringing technology and fundamental learning resources directly into community centers. Through projects like Adopt-A-Madrasah, ASSIST integrates digital tools, basic literacy, and financial education into traditional madrasah communities.

Small Business Support & Ecosystem Research: While starting a small business can break the cycle of poverty, early-stage ventures often struggle against local market barriers. ASSIST is proud to support UNDP-led research initiatives, such as the Youth Co:Lab Ecosystem Diagnostics Study, which map the critical policy and market challenges confronting young Pinoy entrepreneurs. These actionable findings help guide mentorship and local support networks to help small business owners achieve lasting financial security.

At the heart of these initiatives is a conviction that long-term change comes from within the communities themselves. As Karthik Subburaman, Executive Director of ASSIST, emphasizes:

"A community's future is built on its economic self-reliance. When we equip workers, youth, and small business owners with market-relevant skills and resources, we do more than just help them earn a living—we restore agency and open up generational pathways out of poverty."

By focusing on this vision of sustainable empowerment, ASSIST continues to help families move beyond basic survival toward lasting independence, paving the way for resilient and self-sufficient local economies.

Over its 20-year history, ASSIST has impacted more than 6000 individuals employed, 46,252 workforce reached, and 1,469 muslim students upskilled. In commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the organization invites corporate partners, educators, and policymakers to invest in practical, skill-based economic programs.

Visit assistasia.org to learn more about our work or complete the Partnerships Form to collaborate on sustainable, community-driven development initiatives. Together, let’s transform economic vulnerability into long-term success.

About Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST)

ASSIST (Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation) is an Asian NGO with an established on-the-ground presence across the region. Operating as Partners for Progress, ASSIST collaborates with corporate and institutional funders to convert strategic investments into lasting local capacity—driven by programs it owns and partnerships it trusts.

Ajinomoto Philippines Supports Healthier Coastal Communities Through Dampalit Cleanup Drive

 

Joining the International Coastal Clean Up Day celebration, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) took action at the Dampalit Mega Dike in Malabon, through a coastal cleanup drive in partnership with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) and the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR).

Located along the coast of Barangay Dampalit, the 8.6-kilometer Dampalit Mega Dike serves as an important flood-control structure and habitat for coastal and marine biodiversity in the CAMANAVA area. This underscores the importance of keeping its coastal spaces clean and protected.

APC President Daizaburo Koga said, “Addressing plastic pollution in beaches, rivers and waterways is a huge challenge, but small actions can collectively create a wave of change. Every piece of waste we collect helps create a cleaner coast, protect marine life, and preserve our oceans for future generations.” With 40 volunteers on the ground, more than 500 kilograms of solid waste were collected during the activity.

ASSIST highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships in translating environmental goals into meaningful action. “We are happy to see the continued growth of Ajinomoto's partnership with ASSIST for marine conservation and waste reduction. ASSIST is proud to work alongside partners like Ajinomoto who remain consistently committed to driving real, lasting environmental change—and we hope to see even more organizations follow suit,” said Francis Macatulad - ASSIST Director for Business Development.

The coastal cleanup is part of APC’s dedicated efforts to translate its sustainability commitments into concrete initiatives.The company always finds ways to contribute to Ajinomoto Group’s global goal of extending the healthy life expectancy of one billion people and reducing its environmental impact by 50% by 2030.

About Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST)
ASSIST (Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation) is a self-sustaining pan-Asian NGO working at the intersection of social impact and sustainable transformation. True to its role as a Partner for Progress, ASSIST collaborates with corporate and institutional funders to deliver co-created initiatives as well as award-winning flagship programs that convert social investments into lasting local capacity. Explore our work and partner with us: www.assistasia.org

B1G2 Technologies Appointed KinoSec Distributor in the Philippines

B1G2 Technologies International Inc. has been appointed as the official distributor of KinoSec in the Philippines, bringing autonomous penetration testing technology to enterprises, managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), and IT service companies.

KinoSec is making waves in cybersecurity with its autonomous penetration testing platform, designed to identify and validate vulnerabilities across web applications, APIs, cloud environments, and networks.

The platform's capabilities include a standout benchmark result: KinoSec's Zeus engine achieved a 99.04% exploitation success rate across a 104-challenge black-box web benchmark, outperforming the published results of a five-person human pentesting team at 87.5%. KinoSec also reports that Zeus can pentest 1,000 companies in a single day, compared with the typical capacity of a human pentester handling 5–10 companies per month.

From AI Innovation to the DEF CON Competition Stage

KinoSec's momentum extends beyond product performance. At DEF CON 34 in August 2026, KinoSec won the Hack The Box Capture the Flag (HTB CTF) competition, solving all 37 of 37 challenges and finishing first against human teams working under the same time constraints. KinoSec was also named a Circle of Excellence awardee for Most Innovative Company of 2026 at the 17th Asia CEO Awards. KinoSec has also joined the NVIDIA Inception Program, which supports startups developing AI and data science technologies.

KinoSec reports a 99.04% success rate on the 104-challenge XBOW benchmark, successfully exploiting 103 challenges under fully autonomous, black-box testing conditions—with no source-code access.

The result highlights KinoSec’s ability to identify and validate exploitable vulnerabilities across web applications and digital attack surfaces, helping security teams move beyond basic vulnerability scanning toward more practical, attacker-focused testing.

Expanding Access to Autonomous Security in the Philippines

Through this partnership, B1G2 Technologies will help introduce KinoSec's technology to the Philippine market, complementing its existing cybersecurity solutions and services, including vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT).

The collaboration also creates opportunities for service providers to expand their offerings through white-label autonomous pentesting—enabling eligible partners to deliver security testing and branded reports under their own company names without having to build an entire pentesting operation from scratch.

“Organizations need to understand not just where vulnerabilities exist, but which weaknesses can actually be exploited. KinoSec gives us an exciting opportunity to help businesses and cybersecurity partners adopt a more proactive, scalable approach to security testing,” said Mr. Ciriaco Santos III, President of B1G2 Technologies International Inc.

New Growth Opportunities for Cybersecurity Service Providers

B1G2 Technologies is actively looking for MSPs, MSSPs, IT service providers, and cybersecurity partners interested in expanding their service portfolios with autonomous penetration testing. Partners can explore opportunities to offer recurring security testing, white-label reports, and scalable services to their customers.

Organizations interested in becoming a B1G2 Technologies partner or requesting a product demonstration may contact marketing@b1g2.io or visit https://b1g2.io

About B1G2 Technologies International Inc.

B1G2 Technologies International Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions and services to Philippine organizations, with a portfolio spanning endpoint security, cloud security, threat intelligence, cybersecurity awareness, and vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. B1G2 is the exclusive distributor of ESET in the Philippines.

Cebuana Lhuillier Aralan: Expanding Access to Education Through Community-Based Learning

  

Education does not begin and end in the classroom. To develop strong literacy skills, children also need books, places to read, and resources that encourage them to keep learning. Yet for many Filipino families, particularly those in underserved and hard-to-reach areas, these basic tools remain difficult to find.

The challenges facing Filipino learners highlight the need to strengthen access to learning resources. The latest PISA 2025 results show that only 31% of Filipino 15-year-olds reached at least Level 2 proficiency in reading, compared with 69% across OECD countries. Meanwhile, the World Bank reported in 2026 that 91% of 10-year-olds in the Philippines cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text, a condition it identifies as learning poverty. These figures underscore the continuing need to strengthen foundational literacy and bring learning resources closer to children, particularly those in underserved communities.

For Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, the idea for Cebuana Aralan took shape after he learned about the situation at Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School in Manila, where students lacked a library to support their reading and study needs. Seeing how the absence of a dedicated space could limit children’s opportunities to read, explore new ideas, and learn beyond their regular classes, Lhuillier saw an opportunity to address a practical need through the Cebuana Aralan Mini Library Project.

“We believe that every child deserves a fair chance to succeed and that opportunities should not be determined by circumstance. Cebuana Aralan reflects our commitment to helping create a stronger foundation for children and supporting them as they work toward their aspirations,” he said.

The need to bring learning resources closer to communities remains significant, particularly as the country continues to address gaps in reading and comprehension. The 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) found that 18.9 million Filipinos aged 10 to 64 were functionally illiterate, meaning they experienced difficulty with comprehension despite having basic reading and language skills. Recent learning assessments also show that while Filipino Grade 5 learners have made progress in reading, significant disparities remain, underscoring the importance of sustained support for foundational literacy and access to learning resources.

While strengthening the country’s education system remains a shared responsibility, initiatives outside the classroom can help address some of these gaps. Cebuana Aralan does this by providing books, digital materials, school supplies, and practical learning opportunities in communities where they are needed.

Implemented by the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), Cebuana Aralan has launched three community and school libraries, donated more than 2,500 books, and distributed 764 school supply packs. It has also introduced the C Learning eLibrary App and digital library tablets with ebooks, giving students additional ways to access learning materials.

CLFI’s experience with the project has also reinforced the importance of collaboration. Cebuana Aralan works with local governments, NGOs, community leaders, educators, volunteers, scholars, and other partners to identify areas that can benefit from the program and better understand students’ needs. The project also brings together CLFI’s Inclusive Education and Financial Inclusion programs, complementing literacy efforts with financial education and practical knowledge.

“Education initiatives are most meaningful when they respond to the realities of the communities they serve. By working with local partners and listening to what learners need, we can bring resources closer to them and create opportunities that can make a practical difference in their everyday learning,” said Jo-Ann Tacorda, First Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Cebuana Lhuillier and Executive Director of CLFI.

As CLFI looks to expand Cebuana Aralan to more remote barangays nationwide, its goal remains to ensure that a child’s location does not determine their opportunities to learn. By bringing educational resources closer to underserved communities, the program helps children strengthen their skills, build confidence, and see greater possibilities for their future.

Cebuana Lhuillier Puts Convenience at Customers’ Fingertips with Cash Accepting Machines

 

 Cebuana Lhuillier is expanding services across its nationwide branch network by introducing Cash Accepting Machines (CAMS), giving customers more ways to complete routine financial transactions in locations they already know and trust.

Developed in partnership with ECPay, CAMS enables customers to cash in, load mobile phones, pay bills, and top up, adding technology-enabled self-service options to the Cebuana Lhuillier branch experience.

“Our goal is to make every interaction with Cebuana Lhuillier as convenient and seamless as possible. CAMS gives our customers more choice in how they complete everyday transactions while allowing us to bring practical, technology-enabled services closer to the communities we serve. It is another step in making financial services more accessible, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our customers,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

The initiative builds on Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 3,500 branches nationwide, enabling the company to introduce additional services within a physical network that reaches millions of Filipinos. By bringing more capabilities into its branches, customers can meet more financial needs with more ease.

“This is how we see innovation working at the branch level, using technology to expand what customers can access while preserving the reach and familiarity of Cebuana Lhuillier. CAMS allows us to make our branches more responsive to how customers want to transact today,” said Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President, Philippe Andre Lhuillier.

CAMS complements the range of financial services already available through Cebuana Lhuillier’s branches, from remittance and pawning to bill payment and other everyday financial needs. Adding self-service capabilities gives customers another way to complete selected transactions while keeping branch assistance within reach.

The initiative reflects Cebuana Lhuillier’s broader approach to innovation: bringing practical technology into its extensive physical network to make financial services more accessible, relevant, and easier to use.

As customer needs continue to evolve, Cebuana Lhuillier is also evolving how Filipinos experience its branches, turning familiar locations into more versatile touchpoints for everyday financial needs.

GameX Sports Opens the NBA Season with Basketball Fans in Quezon City

 GameX Sports, the PAGCOR-licensed brand of Las Casas Gaming, Inc., hosted a free NBA Opening Day Watch Party at Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City on October 21, with Knicks vs 76ers and a surprise second game, Thunder vs Spurs. The event was open only to guests aged 21 and above, and GameX Sports will hold more fan viewing events this basketball season.

Basketball fans packed the 6th Floor of Victoria Sports Tower early Wednesday morning for the GameX Sports NBA Opening Day Watch Party. More than 200 guests came to watch the first games of the new season together, hosted by the PAGCOR-licensed sports entertainment brand of Las Casas Gaming, Inc.

Doors opened at 7:00 AM, just as the New York Knicks tipped off their season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.

At 9:00 AM the program began with a surprise the crowd hadn’t been told about: a second live game, the Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs. 

Between quarters and at halftime, guests took to the court for a free throw shootout, 15 seconds per shooter, and a half-court shot contest. Arcade games ran all morning, and registered guests were served breakfast while they watched.

Entry was free and open only to guests 21 years old and above. Staff checked IDs at the door, and each registered guest could bring up to three companions of legal age from 21 years old and above. Content creators Kyle Yves, Ivan from Dugout, Lawrence, Khristyn, Jerssey and Cindy  joined the crowd and shared the morning with their followers.

“Opening day is one of those mornings you’d rather not watch alone,” said Leo A. Barrosa, President of Las Casas Gaming Incorporated. “Filipinos grew up watching basketball together, in sari-sari stores and barangay courts. We wanted to give fans a room full of people who love the game as much as they do.”

For GameX Sports, the morning was also a thank-you to the fans who have stayed with the brand since Happy Ending launched in 2022.

“People ask us if we’re legit, and we get why,” Maria Cellerina S. Gallardo III, Vice President of Operations, Las Casas Gaming Incorporated said. “We’re licensed by PAGCOR, our company name is on everything we do, and today we checked every ID at the door. We’d rather show fans who we are in person, so this won’t be the last one.”

GameX Sports will hold more fan viewing events this basketball season. Dates and venues will be announced on the official GameX Sports Facebook page.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY In line with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice:

GameX Sports is for players aged 21 and above only. Persons restricted under PAGCOR regulations may not play.

Gaming is for entertainment only. It is not a source of income or a way out of financial problems.

Winning is never guaranteed. All outcomes are determined by chance.

Gaming can be addictive. Know when to stop.

For assistance, email ResponsibleGaming@pagcor.ph.

About Gamex Sports PH

GameX Sports is an online sports entertainment platform operated by Las Casas Gaming, Inc. and registered with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) at gamexsports.com.ph. Its games are built around basketball, starting with Happy Ending in 2022, and it has partnered with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) since 2024. The platform is open only to players aged 21 and above. Its newest basketball game is Otso Panalo. To learn more about how Otso Panalo works, visit the official GameX Sports Facebook page at facebook.com/officialgamexsports or gamexsports.com.ph.

Why Winter Is the Best Time to Fall in Love With Seoul

  

 Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) has opened bookings for its Winter 2026–2027 “Best of Seoul” tour package via Korean Air, featuring Elysian Ski Resort, the Gwanghwamun Lantern Festival, and Michelin-recognized dining. The package includes a guaranteed Korean E-Group visa, a free unlimited data eSIM per family, and a Korean Air full-service carrier upgrade at no extra cost. Pricing starts at USD 599 (Plus) and USD 688 (Premium), with departures running from December 2026 through February 2027.

Snow, Lantern Lights, and Samgyetang:Why Winter Is the Best Time to Fall in Love With Seoul

Picture this: you step off the gondola at Elysian Ski Resort, cheeks pink from the cold, snow crunching under your boots for maybe the first time in your life. By nightfall, you're wrapped in a blanket along the Cheonggyecheon stream, watching thousands of lanterns glow against the dark and in between, there's a steaming bowl of Samgyetang waiting to warm you back up.

That's the kind of trip Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) has built into its Winter 2026–2027 ‘Best of Seoul’ package, now open for booking through the Join Enjoy Korea platform, flying via Korean Air in partnership with the Seoul Tourism Organization and Go! Seoul. And this time, the trip comes with more than just a packed itinerary a guaranteed E-Group visa, a free unlimited eSIM for the whole family, and Michelin-recognized dining are all part of the package.

A Season That Only Comes Once a Year

Korea in winter isn't just cold it's a completely different country than the one you'd see in spring or summer. Snow blankets the mountains, the city lights feel warmer against the dark, and entire streets turn into open-air lantern displays. This is the trip for travelers who've always wanted to touch real snow, try skiing for the first time, or simply see Seoul wrapped in its most magical season.

What Four Days in Winter Seoul Actually Looks Like

The journey starts the moment you land: a short ferry ride to Nami Island, where snow-dusted tree-lined paths look straight out of a K-drama, followed by an afternoon at Elysian Ski Resort for travelers to ski, snowboard, or just play in the snow (equipment rental available; Soyangang Skywalk steps in as a scenic alternative if the slopes are closed).

Day two is where Seoul's winter magic really shows off from the Starfield Byeolmadang Library's soaring bookshelves to the 63 Sky Picnic rooftop observatory, before ending the night at the glowing Gwanghwamun Lantern Festival. For those who want to go further, an optional Han River cruise with DIY ramyeon at River Park adds a cozy, only-in-winter twist to the evening.

The final day is for soaking it all in one last time — Hongdae's street energy, the view from N Seoul Tower, and a hands-on DIY kimbap session before heading home.

Choose How You Want to Spend Day Three

Travelers who want a fuller itinerary can pick Best of Seoul Premium, which includes a guided Day 3 to Everland and Starfield Library. Those who'd rather sleep in, shop, or wander on their own can go with Best of Seoul Plus, which leaves Day 3 open with the same Everland, available as an optional add-on for groups of 10 or more (USD 100 per person).

What Makes This Package More Than Just a Tour?

Beyond the itinerary, this package bundles in a handful of perks that travelers would normally have to arrange or pay for on their own:

• Guaranteed Korean E-Group Visa approval secured as part of the group application, taking the uncertainty out of one of the most stressful parts of planning a Korea trip.

•  Free Unlimited Data eSIM per Family stay connected for maps, translation apps, and sharing the trip in real time, at no extra cost.

•  Michelin-Recognized Dining meals featuring a restaurant honored for 7 consecutive years by the Michelin Guide.

•  Korean Air flying on Korean Air's full-service carrier, at the same regular package price.

•  Superior Baggage Allowance 23kg checked plus 10kg hand-carry, more than enough room for winter layers and pasalubong.

•  Gourmet In-Flight Meals included on both legs of the Korean Air flight.

What Will It Cost You?

Rates depend on when you fly book earlier in the season for the lowest price:

Departure Dates:

Regular Travel: Dec 2–6, Dec 9–13, Jan 13–17, Jan 20–24, Feb 17–21, Feb 24–28

Plus USD 599 / Premium USD 688

Peak Season: Dec 16–20, Jan 6–10, Jan 27–31

Plus USD 699 / Premium USD 788

Super Peak Season: Dec 23–27, Dec 30–Jan 3, Feb 3–7, Feb 10–14

Plus USD 799 / Premium USD 888

Every package already covers round-trip Korean Air flights, hotel stays, daily meals, transfers, guided tours, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees in the itinerary, travel insurance (up to 75 years old), and daily bottled water so the only things to budget separately are the guide's tip (USD 5/pax/day), a single supplement if traveling solo (PHP 10,000), the visa fee (PHP 1,000), Philippine travel tax (PHP 1,620), and a fuel surcharge (USD 50, subject to change).

“Winter is one of our most requested seasons because it gives travelers something they simply can't get any other time of year real snow, skiing, and Seoul at its most beautiful,” said Hyok Choi, CEO of Island Resort Club. “We built this package so our guests could experience all of that without having to plan a single detail themselves.”

About Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.
Established in the Philippines in 2002, Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) is a premier MICE and destination management specialist with a proven track record in orchestrating high-level, bilateral governmental and corporate events adhering to rigorous state-level protocol standards. Notably, IRC spearheaded local operational management for the Korea-Philippines Business Forum, held on the occasion of the South Korean President’s state visit to the Philippines to commemorate the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

IRC is a fully accredited travel agency licensed in the Philippines, South Korea, and Cuba, and is officially designated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea to process Korean electronic visas (e-visas). Through its flagship platform, "Join Enjoy," IRC continues to lead bilateral cultural exchange, tourism, and business connectivity between the Philippines and South Korea.