Why the Intramuros Summer Festival is the Perfect Family Day Out This 2025

 

Looking for a new kind of summer adventure that’s fun, educational, and meaningful for the whole family? This April 26, 2025, Intramuros is giving moms, dads, and kids a reason to head outdoors (yes, even under the sun!) with its first-ever Intramuros Summer Festival—a day packed with culture, creativity, and surprise-filled exploration.

This isn’t your typical museum trip or Sunday stroll. The Walled City is pulling out all the stops to make sure even the youngest visitors are entertained, engaged, and maybe even a little inspired. If you’ve been searching for something different to do with the kids this summer—this is it.

A Summer Passport Adventure for Kids

One of the festival’s most exciting features for families is the launch of the Intramuros Passport—a special keepsake that turns the historical district into a giant, open-air treasure map.

For just ₱350, each passport gives you and your kids access to five heritage sites: Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, Baluarte de San Diego, Museo de Intramuros, and the Centro de Turismo. And here’s the best part—each site has its own unique stamp that kids can collect along the way.

It’s like a real-life game where the prize is knowledge—and yes, there are actual surprises waiting for those who complete the stamp collection! (We hear it might include exclusive goodies or discounts from partner stalls.) Just don’t forget to bring your own pen to write down your favorite part of each stop—those memories are worth keeping.

Nonstop Activities That Kids Will Love

The festival was clearly made with families in mind. Check out what’s in store:

Zumba at 7:30 a.m. led by fitness experts Jim and Toni Saret—kickstart the day with a fun, kid-friendly workout!

Colorful street parade from 8 to 9 a.m. featuring young performers in traditional and fantasy costumes (bring your cameras!)

Storytelling sessions at Centro de Turismo with Ate Posh of Ang Pinoy Storytellers—expect lots of giggles and wide-eyed wonder as she brings local legends to life

Living museum experience at Casa Manila with costumed reenactors—like walking straight into a storybook about the Spanish-era Philippines

And if your little one’s energy doesn’t run out (we know the feeling), there’s more: a pop-up market with native treats, handmade crafts, and even more interactive booths. It’s sensory play, Filipino-style!

Free Health Checks and Mom-Approved Conveniences

Worried about the heat or the hassle? The organizers thought of that too.

A medical mission will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 noon courtesy of UST, offering free health and dental check-ups—perfect for peace of mind before all the running around.

The festival is designed with walking paths, shaded areas, and accessible rest spots, making it stroller- and lola-friendly.

Tip: Bring a foldable fan, a water bottle, and maybe an extra shirt. There are plenty of spots to rest, eat, and recharge before heading off to the next stamp location!

End the Day with Music and Memories

Cap off your family field trip with the Sinag Concert at Plaza Moriones from 6 to 10 p.m. It’s a celebration of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) with artists like Itchyworms and Over October. The open-air concert has a relaxed, picnic vibe, and the best seats might just be on a blanket under the stars.

Why Moms Will Love This

Aside from being a budget-friendly bonding activity, the Intramuros Summer Festival is a chance to sneak in learning (and a little exercise!) without the kids even noticing. They’ll come home with full passports, fun facts, and maybe a new appreciation for Philippine history and culture.

And for moms? Well, it’s one of those rare moments where screen-free fun meets actual enrichment—and that’s always worth the trip.

So go ahead, plan that day out, pack your snacks, and get ready for a summer adventure that your kids will talk about long after their last stamp.

Visit www.intramuros.gov.ph or follow Intramuros Administration on Facebook and Instagram for full schedules and updates. See you inside the walls!

TECNO CAMON 40 Series Debuts with Sarah G and FlashSnap

Innovative AI-driven technology brand TECNO today launched the new CAMON 40 Series – its latest flagship imaging product and most advanced AI smartphone ever - with popstar royalty and FIlipino icon Sarah Geronimo as brand ambassador.

The three models (CAMON 40 Premier 5G, CAMON 40 Pro 5G, and CAMON 40) are equipped with cutting-edge AI imaging technology and practical AI features, delivering industry-leading performance and enhanced experiences in imaging, creativity, and efficiency for users worldwide. 

 

“Sarah Geronimo and TECNO CAMON 40 Series are a perfect match. Her star power, relatability and ability to inspire millions of Filipinos align with TECNO’s passion to bring innovative smartphones to Filipinos so they can embrace and capture life’s best moments. With the TECNO CAMON 40 Series, even hard to catch, motion filled moments can be captured with sharp focus and clarity,” said Nana Chen, TECNO Region Marketing Director.

 

“I love the TECNO CAMON 40 Series because I can now take tons of photos of my fur baby. We share fun times playing, running around and hugging. Sometimes everything is just a blur. I’m excited to take more photos of my dog using TECNO CAMON 40,” said Sarah.  “Our team also can’t wait to take FlashSnaps during my performance. We can share more photos with my followers. I can share more perfect moments with them,” Sarah added.

 

With TECNO and Sarah's partnership, the CAMON 40 Series will not just give perfect snaps, but also bring Filipinos closer with their loved ones and favorite popstar - perfect moments, captured.

 

AI One-Tap FlashSnap Enables Ultimate Snapshot Photography

 

The CAMON 40 Series redefines mobile snap photography with the power of AI. At its core, the AI-driven FlashSnap mode seamlessly integrates with a powerful camera and a handy One-Tap Button, allowing users to instantly capture life’s most vibrant moments. 

 

The series leverages AI to revolutionize mobile photography through FlashSnap technology. With FlashSnap, AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing reduces noise and enhances details for sharper images. Additionally, the BestMoment AI algorithm intelligently analyzes motion patterns, automatically identifying and selecting the best frames to ensure precise captures in dynamic scenarios, offering users an unprecedented imaging experience.

One-Tap FlashSnap revolutionizes snapshot photography 

 

The CAMON 40 Premier 5G and CAMON 40 Pro 5G push AI-driven imaging innovation to new heights. The CAMON 40 Premier 5G’s 50MP Sony LYT-701 Ultra Night Camera collects over 56.25% more light than competitors and produces crystal-clear shots. A super-tuned shutter captures over 2600 times faster than the speed of a human blink for rapid action. 

 

Beyond One-Tap FlashSnap, the CAMON 40 Series also comprehensively improves the overall imaging experience. The CAMON 40 Premier 5G features a new 50MP Ultra-wide Angle Camera, a 50MP Periscope Telephone Camera and a 50MP AF Front Camera and is capable of 4K 60fps Pre-ISP Ultra Night Video with independent imaging chip, while the whole series is equipped with all-new wide-angle cameras with 50MP eye-track selfie. 

 

The CAMON 40 Pro 5G stands out with an exceptional camera score of 138 from DXOMARK, ranking No.1 in DXOMARK’s Global Photography Ranking Under $600 and the first smartphone of 2025 to receive DXOMARK’s Smart Choice Label.

TECNO’s Most Advanced AI Smartphone Revolutionizes AI Experience

 

The CAMON 40 Series is TECNO’s most advanced AI smartphone to date, setting a new standard for AI-driven productivity, creativity, and efficiency. Through TECNO AI, the series introduces practical AI applications, offering smarter and more localized innovations for a seamless AI user interaction experience. Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity Ultimate Processor, the CAMON 40 Series solidifies its position as TECNO’s most intelligent and capable lineup to date. The CAMON 40 Premier 5G is the first to debut the premium MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate AI Processor, delivering an astounding 330% boost in AI performance.

 

TECNO AI makes life more creative, convenient and efficient for global users 

 

The CAMON 40 Series redefines AI-driven communication with the world’s first phone with AI-Powered 360° AI Call Assistant. This includes TECNO's pioneering Call Noise Cancellation, an exclusive industry-first innovation for enhanced clarity, along with Call Translation for real-time multi-language communication, Auto Answer to prevent users from missing important calls, and Call Summary for transcribing calls into text.

 

The CAMON 40 Series produces creative and professional imaging with outstanding AI Imaging Creation features based on local insights into global users’ imaging needs. It is the first to feature TECNO’s updated Universal Tone technology, letting users shoot portraits that capture diverse tones in even more true-to-life and inclusive representations. The AI Image Extender is also new for the CAMON 40 Series, letting users extend photos and restore details in complex scenes. For easier editing, the series also features upgraded AI Eraser 2.0, AIGC Portrait 2.0, AI Perfect Face and AI Sharpness Plus, further elevating the creativity and clarity of images.

 

Integrated with advanced AI capabilities, TECNO AI further enhances its ecosystem with smarter, more intuitive interactions. TECNO AI’s AI Efficiency tools enhance everyday productivity with features such as AI Writing for effortless content creation, Google-integrated Circle to Search for seamless online searching with just a swipe of a finger, and AI Translate, which offers the first real-time simultaneous translation with Bluetooth headphones on an Android device. The series also features the Ella AI Assistant with One-Tap Screen Query and Ask Ella, enabling users to make calls, create schedules, identify images and text, navigate, and perform various tasks, all while minimizing the need for manual input.

 

Durability and Craftsmanship: Engineered for Strength and Elegance

 

The CAMON 40 Series not only excels in intelligent features but also stands out with its robust and durable design, ensuring long-lasting reliability in any environment. 

 

With IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, the CAMON 40 Premier 5G, and CAMON 40 Pro 5G are built to withstand extreme conditions, including hot-water exposure. Meanwhile, the CAMON 40 is IP66 certified, offering reliable water-splash resistance for everyday protection. Equipped with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i, the CAMON 40 Series (Premier 5G/Pro 5G/Pro) offers outstanding protection against the elements, from dusty sandstorms to high humidity or snowfall. The whole series is SGS 5-Star Certified and features 360-degree Drop Resistance, providing superior protection against everyday impacts. The CAMON 40 Premier 5G and CAMON 40 Pro 5G also guarantee 72-month lag free performance with TÜV Rheinland certification.

The CAMON 40 Series features a strong yet stylish design 

 

As well as durability, the series also reimagines classic CAMON design in a sleek and stylish upgrade. Retaining the classic Side-axis design, the series now features an elegant Swan-neck Curve adding a unique and sensory touch. Offering users design choice, the CAMON 40 Premier 5G features a striking Space Ring camera with watch-grade 3D precision textures, emphasizing professional imaging capabilities. 

 

When it comes to multimedia entertainment, the CAMON 40 Series delivers an immersive experience with its Ultra Bright AMOLED screen, Stereo Dual Speakers, and Dolby Atmos, bringing movies, games, and music to life. And the fun never has to end for long, thanks to the CAMON 40 Series’ powerful, long-lasting battery with a 5-year durability and the huge storage of up to 256GB+12GB. The CAMON 40 Premier 5G stands out with its 5100mAh battery, supporting up to 70W Ultra Charge.

 

As TECNO’s most advanced AI-enhanced smartphone ever, the CAMON 40 Series represents a new generation of devices and a breakthrough in practical AI that genuinely improves technology and life experiences for users. As well as creative and productive TECNO AI functions, the new CAMON 40 Series’ groundbreaking combination of enhanced snapshot capabilities and powerful AI imaging algorithms solidifies the series position as a premium and flagship imaging device for photography enthusiasts now and into the future. 

 

Be among the first to own a CAMON 40 Series smartphone

 

Priced competitively from PhP9,999 to PhP21,999, the CAMON 40 Series will be available from April 24. CAMON 40, CAMON 40 Pro 5G, CAMON 40 Premier 5G will be available on TikTok, Shopee and Lazada. CAMON 40 and CAMON 40 Premier 5G will also be available in retail stores start from April 24, CAMON 40 Pro 5G will be available offline after May 10 .

 

CAMON 40 will be priced PhP9,999 while CAMON 40 Premier 5G will be on sale for PhP21,999 on all online platforms and retail shops.

 

Priced at PhP12,999, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G 8+256 will be on offer for only PhP10,999 during the exclusive first sale on TikTok from April 24 to 30. First sale buyers will likewise receive limited edition CAMON premium gift sets which include Bluetooth speaker & power bank worth PhP1,999 .

 

With a standard retail price of PhP14,999, the CAMON 40 Pro 5G 12+256 will only cost PhP12,999 on its first sale on Shopee from April 24 to 30. Buyers will also receive limited edition CAMON premium gift sets.

 

CAMON 40 is available in glacier white and galaxy black colors. CAMON 40 Pro 5G is available in glacier white, galaxy black and emerald lake green colors. CAMON 40 Premier 5G is available in galaxy black and emerald lake green colors in Philippines.

 

 

Offline Pre-order and get exclusive perks

 

Pre-order the CAMON 40 Pro 5G from April 24 to May 10 in all TECNO offline stores and receive exclusive discounts and a CAMON premium gift set. The claiming period is from May 11 to 25, 2025.

 

Pre-order the CAMON 40 Pro 5G 8+256 and get PhP1,000 off the price plus 2,000 Boosted T-Spot points. Enjoy a PhP1,500 discount, as well as a Boosted T-SPOT points to 2,500 when you pre-order the CAMON 40 Pro 5G 12+256. Check this website to pre-order: https://wap.tspot.tecno.com/webApp/OrderPrePH?channel=SCAN_CODE_ON_SHOP

 

Purchase offline from April 24-May 10, 2025 throughSpecified installment payment and receive extra 500php for the whole CAMON 40 Series; CAMON 40, CAMON 40 Pro 5G and CAMON 40 Premier 5G. Up to a 12-month loan term with 0% interest per month, pay as low as PhP27 per day! Combined with CAMON 40 Pro 5G offline pre-order policy, up to PhP2,000 in discounts for CAMON 40 Pro 5G customers can get!

 

 

Shopee Mall Surges Ahead in 2024 with Stronger Growth Than Overall Platform

 Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announced that Shopee Mall has expanded at twice the pace of the overall platform in 2024. This reinforces its position as a trusted destination for quality products and demonstrates the rising demand for authentic products and trusted brands in the Philippines.

 

Shopee Mall is a dedicated shopping space on Shopee that features authentic and high-quality products from renowned international and local brands. In 2024, Shopee Mall saw a 25% increase in high-value buyers, highlighting growing purchasing power and stronger brand engagement.

Moreover, the recent 3.3-3.15 Mega Shopping Sale saw Shopee Mall orders surge by 4.5 times compared to the average day, demonstrating consumers’ robust demand for these brands and the recognition of Shopee Mall's value proposition.

 

Rise of Intentional Shopping

As the Filipino middle class expands and household incomes rise, more consumers are turning to online platforms not just for convenience, but with a growing sense of purpose and discernment in their online purchases.

 

“We’re seeing a strong shift towards authentic products across all categories,” said Jack Ng, Head of Commercial, Shopee Philippines. “Filipino shoppers are making more thoughtful choices, with this reflected in their evolving lifestyle choices.”

 

In beauty and FMCG, demand is shifting toward holistic wellness, with essentials like sun care, skin care, and sports nutrition seeing significant growth. Notably, local beauty brands such as Shopee Mall Favorites awardees Happy Skin and BLK Cosmetics are outpacing the market by 30%, while premium personal care and makeup brands like MAC have doubled their contribution. This surge in demand was evident during the recent 3.3-3.15 Mega Shopping Sales, where skincare and makeup emerged as top-selling categories on both Shopee Mall and the overall platform.

 

Flexible payment options have been driving consumer demand for higher-value purchases. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services such as SPayLater give them more options to manage their cash flow, make more thoughtful purchases, and access higher-priced items like electronics through installments. This also benefits brands by expanding their reach and driving increases in average basket size.

 

Moreover, Filipino consumers are setting higher standards for their online shopping experiences. They increasingly value secure payment options, dependable delivery services, and product authenticity guarantees, which are now significant considerations when choosing online brands.

 

Helping Brands Attract Intentional Shoppers

To sustain this momentum, Shopee continues to strengthen its ecosystem by enhancing the buyer experience and facilitating success for brands. Key improvements to logistics infrastructure have resulted in 10% faster deliveries, while expanded warehouse coverage in Visayas and Mindanao has improved order fulfillment efficiency. At the same time, Shopee is also leveraging AI-powered innovations to elevate the user experience by streamlining buyer and seller communications, personalizing product discovery, and improving delivery accuracy, ensuring a seamless, intuitive shopping experience.

 

As a trusted destination for authentic products, Shopee Mall plays a vital role in helping brands scale in the digital era by providing seamless shopping experiences. Shopee remains committed to supporting brands in staying ahead of emerging consumer trends, driving growth, and building success.

A Greener Tomorrow: Watsons Offsets 4,000 Tons of CO2 Through Collective Action

 On Earth Day, Watsons, the flagship health and beauty brand of AS Watson, announces an expanded partnership with ClimatePartner to enhance its carbon compensation initiative. For every purchase of selected Watsons Sustainable Choice products, we aim to offset over 4,000 tons of CO2emissions. 

 

Inspiring Customers to Choose Wisely, Live Sustainably

To meet the growing customer demand for Sustainable Choices products, Watsons launched its carbon compensation initiative with ClimatePartner in 2023, initially featuring 7 product ranges. Now, this effort is expanding to include 30 product ranges, further advancing our unwavering commitment to sustainability. The initiative is launched at Watsons O+O (offline plus online) stores throughout Hong Kong, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey, and GCC markets.

 

Watsons is committed to offering more sustainable products while ensuring that every purchase makes a meaningful and impactful difference. In addition to ongoing reforestation efforts in Rimba Raya, Indonesia, Watsons is focusing on crucial afforestation in Dingxi, Mainland China — an area affected by desertification, droughts, and severe soil erosion. This initiative involves planting native tree species, selected for their resilience in semi-arid conditions, with the goal of transforming degraded farmland into thriving forests.    

 

Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative creates employment opportunities for local residents in tree planting and forest maintenance, with a significant portion of roles filled by women, promoting gender equity and empowering local communities.

Since its launch, the initiative has been well-received by customers and has garnered positive feedback. 

Laine Molina, a customer from the Philippines, shared, “ I love how Watsons makes recycling so easy and rewarding. Dropping off my empty bottles during my regular shopping trips has become a habit. It's great to know that my small actions contribute to a cleaner environment, and the shopping vouchers are a nice bonus!”

Nicole Espinase from the Philippines added, “Choosing Watsons’Sustainable Choices products just makes sense. It’s an easy way to be more mindful of what I buy without sacrificing quality. I like knowing that even small changes in my routine can make a difference, and it feels good to support brands that care about the environment too.”

In the Philippines, Watsons not only empowers customers but also supports the global sustainability campaign through its Go Green Living initiatives, which actively engage employees in hands-on environmental action. As part of these efforts, Watsons Philippines has planted over 5,800 trees during eco-tours and collected more than 30 sacks of trash and scrap wood during international coastal cleanups, helping prevent marine pollution and protect biodiversity. These local efforts demonstrate how Watsons also contributes to climate action through community-driven, employee-led programs that reflect the organization’s broader commitment to sustainability.

Inspiring customers to choose Sustainable Choices products is a vital step towards combating climate change and preserving the biodiversity that sustains us all. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, shaping a brighter, greener future for generations to come. This Earth Day marks another significant milestone in Watsons’ journey toward climate action, empowering customers to Look Good. Do Good. Feel Great.

 

DoubleVerify Expands TikTok Coverage with Enhanced AI Brand Safety Solutions

 Global brands can access automated pre-bid video exclusion lists to protect brand equity and maximize ad performance on TikTok

 

 DoubleVerify, a leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, today announced the launch of pre-bid video exclusion lists for TikTok—expanding the company’s footprint of trusted, independent brand suitability and media performance tools on the platform. This release will allow advertisers to proactively avoid content they deem objectionable before their ads are served, maximizing media quality, campaign performance and advertising ROI.

“We’re excited to launch DV’s pre-bid video controls on TikTok, empowering advertisers to enhance both the impact and quality of their campaigns,” said Mark Zagorski, CEO of DoubleVerify. “Powered by DV’s industry-leading, AI-driven classification technology, this solution helps advertisers ensure that ads appear in environments that align with their brand settings—driving stronger engagement, maximizing ad performance, and instilling greater confidence in their digital investments.”

 

With this release, advertisers will benefit from:

 

● Comprehensive Coverage: Combine DV’s pre-bid controls with post-bid reporting to ensure end-to-end campaign measurement and optimization.

● Operational Efficiency: Benefit from pre-bid activation that requires no manual upkeep and auto-refreshes in near real-time, ensuring seamless, always-on protection.

● Enhanced Performance: Ensure ads do not appear next to objectionable content, reducing media waste and maximizing advertising ROI.

 

DV’s solution is powered by its proprietary, AI-powered Universal Content Intelligence™ classification engine. DV analyzes video, image, audio, and text elements to deliver superior content classifications at scale. Its innovative key frame extraction method is a smarter and faster way to analyze video content. Instead of examining each video frame, which can be repetitive and time-consuming, key frame extraction focuses only on the most important moments where changes happen. This streamlined approach uses less computing power and reduces environmental impact––ensuring an efficient, quicker, and more accurate analysis of campaigns, without sacrificing quality or precision.

 

 

 

DV’s automated pre-bid video controls and reporting insights are activated through DV Pinnacle®, the company’s unified service and analytics reporting platform, enabling advertisers to monitor and optimize their TikTok ad campaigns.

 

Additionally, DV is enhancing its TikTok dashboard in DV Pinnacle®, equipping brands with greater transparency into ad delivery and deeper insights for campaign optimization. Launching in the coming months, these updates will introduce top-level pre-bid filtering, enabling brands to analyze reporting specifically for campaigns with pre-bid controls, along with content previews for flagged incidents—empowering advertisers with more actionable intelligence.

 

For more information about DoubleVerify, visit http://www.doubleverify.com.

 

AirAsia Philippines Launches Summer Food Adventure In-Flight

 As the summer season heats up, AirAsia Philippines is elevating guests' inflight travel experience with a variety of affordable summer menu options from Santan, the airline’s f&b service provider.

From light snacks to refreshing drinks, Santan has released its new season menu, where travelers can choose their favorite summer tastes while onboard with options including light snack combos paired with a choice of Santan beverages such as Hot or Iced Americano, Jasmine Tea, Hot Chocolate, or the crowd-favorite Coconut Latte for as low as Php 150.

Santan’s viral Halo-Halo Drink, once available only for pre-booking, is now available for onboard orders starting today for just PHP 150, alongside new beverages like Raspberry Lychee Jasmine Tea and Fizzy Raspberry Lychee.

“Gone are the days when inflight meals were ordered with hesitation because of its price. At AirAsia, we’re changing the game by making it more accessible through our Santan’s summer sips and bites to keep our guests cool and satisfied. Our brand promise of democratizing air travel goes beyond low air fares, it extends to every part of the journey, even 30,000 feet in the air,” said AirAsia Philippines Communications and Corporate Affairs Head, First Officer Steve Dailisan.

Santan’s viral Halo-Halo Drink, once available only for pre-booking, is now available for onboard orders starting today for just PHP 150, alongside new beverages like Raspberry Lychee Jasmine Tea and Fizzy Raspberry Lychee.

“Gone are the days when inflight meals were ordered with hesitation because of its price. At AirAsia, we’re changing the game by making it more accessible through our Santan’s summer sips and bites to keep our guests cool and satisfied. Our brand promise of democratizing air travel goes beyond low air fares, it extends to every part of the journey, even 30,000 feet in the air,” said AirAsia Philippines Communications and Corporate Affairs Head, First Officer Steve Dailisan.

Santan is also stepping up its sustainability efforts by replacing all inflight single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives made from renewable materials like corn and cassava. The eco-friendly switch is already underway in Malaysia and Thailand, with plans to roll out across the AirAsia Group. Santan is also stepping up its sustainability efforts by replacing all inflight single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives made from renewable materials like corn and cassava. The eco-friendly switch is already underway in Malaysia and Thailand, with plans to roll out across the AirAsia Group.

Discovery Boracay Named to Travel + Leisure’s 2025 T+L 500 List of the World’s Best Hotels

 Discovery Boracay is proud to be named to the 2025 T+L 500 list—a celebration of the best hotels in the world as chosen by the most important voices of all: the guests.

This prestigious list is featured in the May 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure, with highlights available attravelandleisure.com. The T+L 500 is based on the results of the 2024 World’s Best Awards, where travelers from around the globe vote for the places that made their journeys unforgettable. This year’s list honors the hotels and resorts that stood out for exceptional quality, thoughtful amenities, and heartfelt service—the very pillars that define Discovery Boracay.

For the team behind Discovery Boracay, this moment is incredibly meaningful. Guests remember more than just the beauty of Boracay’s white sands and turquoise waters; they remember how they felt. The team’s signature Service That’s All Heart lives in the small surprises, the personalized greetings, and the kind gestures that go beyond expectations—whether it’s a surprise treat for a honeymooning couple, a towel animal that delights a child, or a staff member remembering a returning guest by name.

“This recognition is close to our hearts because it came from the people we love to serve,” says Erwin Lopez, Hotel Manager of Discovery Boracay. “Every smile and every thoughtful detail adds up to something lasting—and that’s what we aim to create: memories our guests will carry home with them.”

Discovery Boracay was previously part of the T+L 500 from 2011 to 2014, and its return to the list in 2025 comes at a pivotal time. Following a successful rebranding, the resort embraced a refreshed identity while staying true to its soul. The new look is brighter, bolder, and more refined—but the heart behind every stay remains unchanged.

At the core of the reimagined Discovery Boracay are its people—fondly known as GEMs, or Guest Experience Makers—who are empowered to create moments of joy for every traveler who walks through the doors. Their passion and commitment shine through in every guest encounter and it's this consistency of care that sets the resort apart.

From beachfront celebrations to quiet moments of connection, Discovery Boracay continues to be a place where happiness lives, guests return time and time again, and the spirit of the island shines through every heartfelt stay.

Redefining Coverage: How Igloo Is Leading the Digital Shift in Southeast Asian Insurance

Southeast Asia’s insurance industry is at a crossroads. Despite rapid economic growth and rising demand for financial protection, insurance penetration remains low. In fact, in many countries like the Philippines, it remains at 1.78%, while countries like Vietnam are at 2.8% and Indonesia is at 1.4%.

 

One of the biggest barriers in the industry is its continued reliance on outdated legacy systems, which create inefficiencies in underwriting, claims processing, and customer management, driving up costs and making insurance inaccessible to many. The region’s fragmented market, made up of numerous small, independent insurers, further complicates digital transformation efforts, leaving the industry ill-equipped to meet evolving consumer expectations. 

“Unlike global insurance powerhouses that invest heavily in digital ecosystems, Southeast Asia’s insurance market remains highly fragmented. Many insurers operated independently, lacking the scale to afford large-scale technological upgrades,” said Raunak Mehta, Igloo’s Co-Founder and CEO. “As an insurtech that has been in the industry for almost a decade, Igloo has seen how shifting to digital is not an option anymore–it’s a necessity. Without it, the industry risks falling further behind and leaving millions of underserved individuals without access to affordable coverage. An accelerated digital transformation is the key to bridging this gap, enabling insurers to offer innovative products and improve accessibility for the growing middle class in Southeast Asia.”

 

Modernizing insurance processes end-to-end

Igloo, a regional insurtech leader with over 650 million policies facilitated and more than 75 partnerships, offers innovative embedded insurance solutions that seamlessly integrate insurance into core business products. This simplifies policy applications, purchases, and claims management, reducing friction for providers and distributors while streamlining underwriting and claims processing to make the system more efficient, user-friendly, and accessible to a broader audience.

 

Igloo partners with major online platforms like Lazada and Shopee, payment services such as GCash in the Philippines to develop customized insurance products that integrate into their digital ecosystems. It also collaborates with telecom companies like Smart, consumer finance platforms like Skyro and Salmon, and B2B MSME enabler Growsari in the Philippines to expand access to insurance across various sectors. This frictionless model simplifies the purchasing process, improving conversion rates and appealing to customers who may not have considered insurance otherwise. 

 

Meanwhile, Igloo’s Ignite platform streamlines the sales process for intermediaries, offering a user-friendly interface, a quick quote system, secure payment processing, and real-time referral fee tracking. With 42 products across nine categories, Ignite has expanded to Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, and was awarded Mobile App of the Year - Vietnam at the Insurance Asia Awards 2024.

 

The next step to digitalization? Leaving legacy systems behind

“But beyond this, we see immense value in helping insurers of all sizes fully embrace digital transformation by evolving their systems to become more agile and customer-centric,” said Mehta. 

 

Igloo is helping the industry move away from legacy systems by introducing modular, no-code platforms that enable businesses to scale efficiently, reduce operational complexities, and enhance customer experiences. This way, Igloo empowers insurers to digitally define their underwriting rules, set up sales and operational processes, and launch products through the appropriate distribution channels. They can then monitor performance and identify areas for improvement. From creating their insurance marketplaces to seamlessly embedding products with retail partners' platforms, and improving agent-driven insurance sales, Igloo is reshaping how insurance can be delivered in a modern, scalable way.

 

“At the end of the day, our role as an insurtech is not only to facilitate digitalization but also to enable insurers to thrive in this era of digitalization. By adopting scalable technologies, insurers can simplify operations, expand their reach, and provide value to customers in ways that traditional systems simply couldn’t,” Mehta added.

 

Learn more about Igloo’s products and solutions by visiting iglooinsure.com.