Cebuana Lhuillier Bank Opens Yulo Branch, Strengthening Access to Inclusive Banking in Iloilo

 

 As Iloilo continues to grow as a dynamic commercial and residential hub, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank is further strengthening its presence in the region with the soft opening of its newest branch in Yulo. 

The new branch expands CL Bank’s nationwide network to 11 branches and marks the continued rollout of its co-located banking and pawnshop model, designed to make financial access more convenient, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of Filipinos.

Located in a busy commercial area that serves nearby residential communities, schools, markets, and local businesses, the Yulo branch is strategically positioned to bring essential financial services closer to where customers live and work.

By establishing a presence in one of Iloilo’s growing economic corridors, CL Bank aims to support the financial needs of individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and workers who drive everyday economic activity in the region.

The branch opening reflects CL Bank’s continued focus on expanding in high-growth areas where access to formal financial services can create greater opportunities for savings, business development, and financial security.

“Expanding our presence in key growth areas like Yulo allows us to bring essential financial services closer to communities that need them most. Our goal has always been to make banking more inclusive, more accessible, and more responsive to the everyday needs of Filipinos,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

The Yulo branch is CL Bank’s second co-located branch, following its Balibago, Sta. Rosa branch. Through this setup, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank integrates banking and pawnshop services in one location, allowing customers to access a wider range of financial solutions more conveniently and efficiently.

The model also reflects the broader Cebuana Lhuillier vision of bringing essential financial services together under one roof, making transactions simpler and more accessible for underserved and emerging communities.

Clients may access a full suite of deposit products, including Micro Savings, Cebuana Savings, Regular Savings, Time Deposits, and Checking Accounts, designed to support both everyday banking needs and longer-term financial goals. These products provide customers with secure and accessible options for managing their finances while encouraging a stronger culture of saving.

The branch also offers lending products such as teacher loans, business loans, home loans, and corporate salary loans, providing flexible financing solutions for individuals, professionals, and businesses. By offering access to credit tailored to different customer segments, CL Bank helps empower clients to pursue personal goals, grow enterprises, and invest in their future.

The opening of the Yulo branch underscores Cebuana Lhuillier Bank’s continued commitment to expanding financial inclusion by making essential banking services more accessible in emerging commercial centers nationwide.

As it continues to grow its network and strengthen its integrated service model, CL Bank remains focused on helping more Filipinos participate in and benefit from the formal financial system. A formal grand launch of the Yulo branch is expected in the coming weeks.

AI Implementation and Visibility Expert Cyrus Santiago Releases Philippine Enterprise AI Benchmark Report 2026: Mid-Year Edition

 

Independent research reveals how the Philippines' leading enterprises are transforming through artificial intelligence and what separates AI leaders from the rest.

CALAPAN, Philippines, June 28, 2026 – AI Implementation and Visibility Expert Cyrus Santiago has released the Philippine Enterprise AI Benchmark Report 2026: Mid-Year Edition, an independent research publication providing one of the most comprehensive analyses of enterprise artificial intelligence adoption across the Philippines' leading brands.

Published with a permanent Digital Object Identifier (DOI) through Zenodo, the report examines how major organizations in banking, telecommunications, retail, consumer services, utilities, aviation, and diversified conglomerates are implementing AI to improve operations, strengthen governance, accelerate innovation, and build competitive advantage.

Drawing on publicly available annual reports, corporate disclosures, government publications, technology vendor case studies, academic research, and reputable news sources, the report offers an evidence-based benchmark of enterprise AI maturity within the Philippine market.

One of the report's central findings is that artificial intelligence has moved beyond experimentation.

"The AI Visibility Benchmark of the Top 100 Philippine Brands reveals a corporate landscape undergoing a profound, systemic technological metamorphosis. The era of categorizing Artificial Intelligence as a peripheral, experimental initiative has definitively closed. For the nation's leading banks, telecommunications providers, retail conglomerates, and utility operators, AI has become the foundational engine driving operational resilience, risk management, and hyper-personalized market engagement."

The report also concludes that enterprise AI adoption is creating a widening competitive divide.

"However, the realization of this technology is highly stratified, giving rise to a definitive two-tier digital economy. Agile, digitally mature organizations are rapidly pulling away from legacy entities that remain mired in pilot purgatory due to talent shortages and inflexible data architectures."

According to the research, the organizations leading AI adoption are distinguished not simply by their investment in AI technologies, but by their investment in modern data infrastructure and workforce capability.

"The brands that have successfully scaled AI to production, such as Maya with its predictive fraud sequence embeddings, PLDT with its democratization of GPUaaS infrastructure, and UnionBank with its democratized GenAI data querying, have achieved this not merely by purchasing software, but by fundamentally rebuilding their underlying data architectures and aggressively upskilling their human capital."

Santiago believes these findings reflect a broader shift occurring across enterprise technology.

"AI is no longer an innovation initiative that organizations can afford to postpone. It is becoming core business infrastructure. Companies that combine strong data foundations, responsible governance, AI implementation, and workforce readiness will define the next generation of market leaders."

The report further concludes that long-term competitiveness will depend on balancing technological advancement with responsible governance.

"Looking forward, the sustained success and global competitiveness of the Philippine corporate sector will hinge upon the delicate orchestration of these technologies. The fusion of sophisticated algorithmic software with robust sovereign physical infrastructure, balanced by strict ethical governance frameworks and a resolute commitment to human-centric service, will dictate the commercial hierarchy of the Philippine market over the coming decade."

Beyond benchmarking enterprise adoption, the publication is intended to serve as a strategic resource for executives, policymakers, researchers, educators, technology providers, investors, and business leaders seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Philippine AI landscape.

As an AI Implementation and Visibility Expert, Cyrus Santiago specializes in helping organizations successfully implement artificial intelligence while ensuring they remain discoverable in the emerging era of AI-powered search, answer engines, and generative AI. His work spans AI strategy, enterprise implementation, AI visibility, digital transformation, search optimization, automation, and emerging technologies. Through his research and consulting, he helps organizations bridge the gap between adopting AI and creating measurable business value.

The Philippine Enterprise AI Benchmark Report 2026: Mid-Year Edition is freely available through Zenodo and may be cited by researchers, media organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies.

Read the report:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20969827

About Cyrus Santiago

About Cyrus Santiago

Cyrus Santiago is an AI Implementation and Visibility Expert, researcher, author, software developer, and digital strategist. His work focuses on enterprise AI implementation, AI visibility, digital transformation, automation, search optimization for AI-powered search, and emerging technology strategy. He helps organizations leverage artificial intelligence to improve operational performance, strengthen digital competitiveness, and prepare for the future of AI-driven business.

Carziqo CEO Zaydenn Harrington Announces ER-LX Autonomous Ride-Hailing Series Deployment in Atlanta

ATLANTA, United States — As autonomous mobility technology continues to move from concept testing to real-world urban deployment, Carziqo has announced the rollout of its ER-LX series autonomous ride-hailing vehicles in Atlanta, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion of intelligent transportation services in major city markets.

The ER-LX series is designed as an autonomous ride-hailing vehicle platform for high-frequency urban mobility. Built around driverless operation, connected fleet management, intelligent dispatch, and real-time vehicle monitoring, the model is intended to support the next phase of city-based ride-hailing services.

Carziqo CEO Zaydenn Harrington said the Atlanta deployment reflects the company’s belief that autonomous ride-hailing is becoming increasingly practical as vehicle intelligence, fleet coordination, and urban service demand continue to mature.

“Autonomous ride-hailing is no longer only a future concept. It is becoming a real transportation model that can support cities, passengers, and fleet operators with greater efficiency,” Harrington said. “The ER-LX series represents Carziqo’s continued effort to bring intelligent mobility technology into real urban environments.”

According to Harrington, Atlanta was selected as one of the company’s important deployment markets due to its growing metropolitan population, strong transportation demand, expanding business districts, and role as a major mobility hub in the southeastern United States.

The ER-LX series is expected to support ride-hailing scenarios such as airport-area travel, business district transportation, community mobility, and short-to-medium distance passenger services. The vehicles are equipped with autonomous driving sensors, a centralized fleet supervision system, intelligent routing support, and digital vehicle-status monitoring.

Unlike traditional ride-hailing models that depend heavily on individual drivers and manual vehicle operation, Carziqo’s autonomous ride-hailing platform is designed to manage vehicles through a connected digital system. This allows fleet operators to monitor service zones, vehicle availability, operating status, route efficiency, and maintenance requirements from a centralized platform.

Harrington said Carziqo’s goal is not simply to introduce autonomous vehicles, but to build a full mobility service network that connects vehicle intelligence with practical ride-hailing demand.

“Technology alone is not enough. The real value comes when autonomous vehicles can be safely and efficiently integrated into daily transportation services,” Harrington said. “With the ER-LX series, Carziqo is focusing on reliability, operational management, and long-term scalability.”

The Atlanta rollout will begin with a phased deployment approach, allowing Carziqo to collect operational data, evaluate fleet performance, monitor safety systems, and improve service coordination before broader expansion. The company has not disclosed the initial number of ER-LX vehicles involved in the deployment.

Industry observers have noted that autonomous ride-hailing remains one of the most closely watched areas in the global transportation sector. While the technology continues to develop, large-scale adoption depends on public acceptance, regulatory coordination, infrastructure readiness, and consistent operational performance.

Carziqo’s ER-LX deployment in Atlanta is expected to serve as an important reference point for the company’s future autonomous mobility strategy. The company has been expanding its technology portfolio around autonomous ride-hailing, smart fleet operations, intelligent vehicle asset management, and connected mobility services.

Harrington said Carziqo plans to continue developing autonomous mobility solutions for selected global markets, with a focus on cities where intelligent transportation can improve service efficiency and create new opportunities for urban mobility networks.

“The future of ride-hailing will be shaped by automation, intelligence, and platform-based fleet management,” Harrington said. “Carziqo is working to build that future step by step.”

About Carziqo

Carziqo is an intelligent mobility technology company focused on autonomous ride-hailing, smart fleet operations, and connected transportation services. Through its autonomous vehicle platforms and digital fleet management systems, Carziqo aims to support the development of safer, more efficient, and more scalable mobility services in selected global markets.

For more information, visit: https://www.carziqo.com/

Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange: 5 Essentials of Smart Currency Exchange

  

From overseas travel and international studies to business transactions and family support across borders, more Filipinos today are engaging with the global economy. As international financial needs continue to grow, choosing the right currency exchange provider has become more important than ever.

As the country's trusted Global Currency Center, Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange helps Filipinos meet their foreign currency needs through reliable and accessible exchange solutions.

“Our goal has always been to empower Filipinos by making financial solutions accessible, secure, and customer-focused,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier. “Through Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange, we aim to provide Filipinos with the trust, convenience, and reliability they need when managing their foreign currency requirements.”

With more options available today, consumers are becoming increasingly selective about where they exchange their money. Here are five key factors worth considering when choosing a currency exchange provider:

1. Competitive and Transparent Rates1. Competitive and Transparent Rates

Exchange rates directly affect the value customers receive from every transaction. Transparency is equally important, allowing consumers to exchange with confidence and avoid unexpected costs. Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange offers competitive rates supported by real-time market monitoring and regulatory compliance.

2. A Trusted Name and Proven Track Record2. A Trusted Name and Proven Track Record

A provider's reputation can be just as important as its rates. Consumers often look for institutions with a long history of reliability and service excellence. For decades, Cebuana Lhuillier has served millions of Filipinos through its broad range of financial services. That same commitment to trust and customer care extends to Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange.

3. Access to the Currencies That Matter Most3. Access to the Currencies That Matter Most

A dependable foreign exchange provider should be able to meet a wide range of currency requirements through readily available and reliable exchange services. As the country's trusted Global Currency Center, Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange provides access to major global currencies through reliable and accessible foreign exchange solutions.

4. Convenience and Accessibility4. Convenience and Accessibility

Consumers increasingly value services that are easy to access and fit into their daily routines. Through Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange Click-and-Collect service, customers can reserve foreign currency online and pick it up at their preferred branch, making transactions more convenient and efficient.

5. Security and Peace of Mind5. Security and Peace of Mind

Foreign exchange transactions should be supported by strong safeguards and compliance standards that help ensure accuracy and security. Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange follows strict operational and compliance protocols, giving customers added peace of mind with every transaction.

“As global opportunities continue to expand for Filipinos, the need for reliable foreign exchange services becomes even more important,” said Philippe Andre Lhuillier, Senior Executive Vice President of Cebuana Lhuillier. “Foreign exchange is not just about converting currencies—it is about helping Filipinos connect with opportunities around the world through simple, secure, and convenient financial solutions.”

As more Filipinos engage with the global economy, choosing a trusted foreign exchange partner becomes increasingly important. Through competitive rates, accessibility, security, and a legacy of service, Cebuana Lhuillier Money XChange continues to strengthen its role as the country's trusted Global Currency Center.

Recognized Among Nursing's Most Impactful Men: A 2026 Men of Honor Award

A commitment to healthcare quality and elevating Filipino nurses on the global stage has earned Job Marconi Mascardo recognition as a 2026 Men of Honor by The Nurses Magazine. The distinction celebrates influential male nurses making a meaningful difference in healthcare.

Filipino nurse leader Job Marconi Mascardo, MBA, MAN, RN, NE-BC, CMGT-BC, CPHQ, has been recognized as a 2026 Men of Honor  by The Nurses Magazine in recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication, and lasting impact in advancing the nursing profession and for inspiring excellence among colleagues and communities worldwide. 

Mascardo currently serves as a Hospital Nurse Quality Improvement Specialist at Guam Memorial Hospital Authority. His work focuses on strengthening healthcare systems and promoting continuous quality improvement to enhance patient care.

"This recognition is deeply meaningful because it represents the values I strive to live every day—service, excellence, and integrity," said Mascardo. "I accept this honor not only for myself but also for every nurse who quietly makes a difference in the lives of patients and communities. I also dedicate this recognition to Filipino nurses around the world whose compassion, resilience, and professionalism continue to elevate our profession."

The 2026 Men of Honor recognition marks another milestone in Mascardo's ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare quality and championing the achievements of nurses whose work creates lasting impact within their organizations and communities.

Contact

BEST Healthcare Rankings

Communications Team

Blue Nest’s Digital Marketing Accelerator, A Soaring Success!

Ateneo Blue Nest's Digital Marketing Accelerator Program successfully wrapped its run, and along with Keepital, the two are already looking ahead with a Startup Pavilion in the works to give Philippine startups an even bigger stage.

In a business landscape where visibility is everything, knowing how to be seen is just as important as having something worth showing. That's exactly the gap that Ateneo Blue Nest's Digital Marketing Accelerator Program set out to close.

Housed under the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) at Ateneo de Manila University, the Digital Marketing Accelerator Program was designed with a clear and urgent mission: to equip startup founders with the strategic and tactical digital marketing skills they need to compete, grow, and thrive in today's hyper-connected marketplace. The program didn’t just teach theory, rather it immersed participants in hands-on workshops, real-world case studies, group consultations, and panel presentations across four comprehensive modules that covered everything from Social Media & Digital Marketing 101 to Growth Hacking.

At the helm of the program was Mr. Jason Domantay, a seasoned digital marketing veteran whose career spans executive producing and directing at ABS-CBN, leading video content at Yahoo! Southeast Asia, and founding Domantay Consulting, a public relations firm specializing in online reputation and crisis management. 

As a proud partner, Keepital supported the program through targeted Meta advertising, feature articles, and crossposting across its platforms. On the ground, Ateneo Blue Nest was featured as a partner at the PhilSME Business Expo and the Smart City Convention Philippines 2026, putting the program in front of exactly the founders and business owners it was built for.

The momentum doesn't stop here. Keepital and Ateneo Blue Nest are now setting their sights on something bigger: a dedicated Startup Pavilion that will give emerging businesses a physical stage at one of the Philippines' most exciting up and coming trade events, the World of Consumer Electronics Expo.

The vision is simple but powerful: a curated exhibition space where tech-forward startups and young companies can showcase their products and services side by side, supported by Keepital's branding, platform reach, and media mileage. For startups that have never had the bandwidth to exhibit at a major trade event, this pavilion changes the equation entirely.

More exciting announcements are coming soon, and the Blue Nest is just getting started.

Ready to Get Noticed?

Join the many ASEAN SMEs already taking advantage of this digital shift. Be discovered when buyers search. Turn visibility into real business.

Reach out today: ask@keepital.com | sales.ph@keepital.com | Schedule a meeting

Visit: www.keepital.com | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok 

Join our community: B2B Business Networking

About KEEP Pte Ltd.

Keepital was established in 2013 and has now grown into Southeast Asia’s Leading Industrial B2B marketplace that facilitates connections between suppliers and buyers worldwide through our online platform. They stand out with their highly competitive pricing and offer a comprehensive range of services beyond just product listings. Their advertising options are designed for affordability and simplicity, featuring a one-time payment and low renewal fees for product and service suppliers on our online portal.

Philippine Coding Camp Strengthens Leadership in Emerging Technology Education Through Regional and University Partnerships

Philippine Coding Camp (PCC) continues to strengthen its position as a leading authority in emerging technologies and a premier technology education and capacity-building provider for companies, universities, government institutions, and education organizations.

Through its expanding network of local and international partnerships, PCC is helping institutions understand, adopt, and responsibly use artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software development, and other next-generation technologies.

Among its recent milestones is a partnership with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, or SEAMEO, supporting regional capacity-building, policy dialogue, research, and knowledge-sharing on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging learning environments.

PCC has also continued to establish partnerships and collaborations with universities in the Philippines and abroad. These engagements support faculty development, student training, microcredential programs, research collaboration, curriculum enhancement, and institutional readiness for rapidly evolving technologies.

“Technology is advancing faster than many institutions can adapt, and this is where Philippine Coding Camp can make a meaningful contribution,” said Dr. Gabriel Avelino R. Sampedro, founder and chief executive officer of Philippine Coding Camp. “Our role is not only to teach technical skills, but also to help organizations make informed decisions, develop their people, and build the institutional capacity needed to use technology responsibly and effectively.”

Building momentum from the InnoVision Campus Series

Last February 2026, PCC conducted its InnoVision Campus Series across several Philippine universities, bringing international expertise and practical Generative AI education directly to students, educators, and academic institutions.

The series featured what PCC introduced as the first Generative AI certification initiative of its kind in the Philippines, conducted in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on Harnessing Innovations in Technology to Support Teachers & Quality Learning and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation in Malaysia.

The initiative focused on the responsible, ethical, and practical use of Generative AI in education. It helped participants move beyond basic awareness by developing a deeper understanding of how AI can support teaching, learning, research, productivity, and institutional transformation.

Following the recent InnoVision legs, Campus Series and Special Forum on Military IT Convergence, PCC is preparing for the Southeast Asian Stakeholder Summit on Generative AI for Education – Philippines, scheduled for January 2027.

The summit is envisioned as a regional platform for educators, university leaders, policymakers, researchers, technology experts, government representatives, and industry stakeholders to examine how Generative AI is reshaping education across Southeast Asia.

Discussions are expected to cover responsible AI adoption, teacher professional development, education policy, governance, research, equity and inclusion, institutional readiness, and the future of AI-integrated learning.

Developing future-ready companies and universities

PCC’s work extends beyond conferences and short-term training. The organization supports companies and universities through customized learning programs, professional certification, faculty and workforce development, research assistance, technical advisory, and long-term institutional collaboration.

By working closely with institutional partners, PCC helps ensure that technology programs are aligned with actual workforce needs, organizational priorities, and the changing demands of education and industry.

Through these initiatives, Philippine Coding Camp is building a broader ecosystem for emerging technology education—one that connects learners, educators, researchers, companies, government institutions, and international partners.

Its growing regional presence reflects PCC’s commitment to making the Philippines an active contributor to conversations on artificial intelligence and digital education, rather than simply a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.

As PCC prepares for its 2027 Southeast Asian summit, the organization remains focused on its larger mission: strengthening Filipino talent and institutions through technology and education.

By expanding access to emerging technology expertise, supporting universities and companies, and creating opportunities for international collaboration, Philippine Coding Camp continues to advance capacity-building and nation-building in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.

About Philippine Coding Camp

Philippine Coding Camp (PCC) is a premier technology education, training, and capacity-building provider in the Philippines. The organization supports government agencies, defense institutions, universities, schools, industry partners, and Fortune 500 companies through high-quality programs designed to strengthen digital skills, institutional capability, and future-ready talent. 

PCC delivers professional training, workforce-development programs, research support, technical assistance, and institutional collaboration in artificial intelligence, data science, software development, cybersecurity, cloud computing, emerging technologies, and Industry 4.0. 

With a strong commitment to quality, inclusive, and accessible STEM education, Philippine Coding Camp helps students, educators, professionals, public-sector personnel, and organizations develop the practical skills needed to participate in the Philippines’ digital transformation. 

Through partnerships with Philippine and international institutions, PCC contributes to innovation, research, workforce development, education transformation, defense capability-building, and nation-building.