Author: Dawn Solano

Aputure introduced its STORM series and updated NOVA II lights, positioning the new fixtures as more accessible options for independent filmmakers and small production teams in the Philippines. Unveiled at the “The STORM Has Come” launch in Quezon City, November 17, the lights use Aputure’s new BLAIR and BLAIR-CG engines, which are both claimed to bring out higher output efficiency and improved color accuracy. Aputure said the upgrades offer “industry-standard performance” at a lower price point than legacy cinema lighting brands, which is a formula long appealed to students and indie creators. The company released local pricing following the launch.…

ManageEngine has expanded its Philippine presence with the formation of its first local team, a move aimed at strengthening support for more than 500 customers as the country accelerates its shift toward digital services. The IT management solutions provider, which now serves more than 500 Philippine customers, said the local expansion comes amid rising demand for integrated AI-driven IT operations across both the public and private sectors. “The idea is to work very closely with them, ensure they are trained, they are certified, very strong capabilities, not just on our products, but also at the IT management level,” said Arun Kumar, ManageEngine’s…

I knew what I was getting into when I decided to cut down on my laptop use for this review. For seven days, I let the REDMI Pad 2 Pro 5G take over almost everything I normally do on a 13-inch notebook, from writing articles and answering emails to preparing Sunday school lessons.  I gave myself only three “passes” to use my laptop if absolutely necessary, but the goal was to see whether a tablet could realistically support the way I work and commute. I wanted to see whether the device could keep up with the very unglamorous, real-world pace…

A Philippine fintech startup is turning artificial intelligence (AI) into a homebuying advantage, launching a new valuation engine that helps buyers and investors spot below-market properties. At Philippine Startup Week 2025 this November, Reelist8 launched its AI-powered applications, PropertyAuctions.ph and BuildIn.com.ph—both integrated into a single platform to streamline the buying, selling, and renovation of properties online. PropertyAuctions.ph allows users to search for below-market deals through auctions, while BuildIn.com.ph, a DOST-backed tool, helps designers and contractors create 2D- and 3D-based renovation plans complete with invoice pricing. “Reelist8 is our AI-enabled ecosystem. We have marketplaces that are connected to renovation software, as…

For decades, Fr. Benigno Beltran SVD, has worked where few would think technology could thrive, which was among the narrow streets and crowded homes of Tondo, Manila. In a community once defined by its mountains of waste, he has built something enduring: a place where faith meets innovation, and learning finds its second chance. The Sandiwaan Center for Learning, which he founded in Smokey Mountain, began as a small ministry to serve out-of-school youth. It started simply with informal classes and a handful of volunteer teachers who believed that education could transform even the harshest environments. Over time, the mission…

To understand Generation Z today, one must first recognize the rectangular appendage often clutched in their hands. This device, usually dismissed by older generations as a mere distraction, is in fact the physical manifestation of their identity. Gen Z is the first cohort to grow up with an “always-on” internet connection, making them consummate digital natives. If you want to know what heartbreak feels like to a Zoomer, you don’t ask them. You check their photo albums, their archived chats, or their deleted message drafts. You check their phone. For this generation, the line between the physical and digital is…

Two innovative apps that combine technology with community-driven solutions took top honors at a recent hackathon in Quezon City, signaling the growing role of AI-driven tools in addressing everyday challenges. The winning projects, BetterBee and EcoCycle, were announced during the event hosted at High Grounds Café on November 3 by the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) Hub Philippines. The hackathon centered around Caffeine AI, a platform that lets users build apps simply by chatting with artificial intelligence. This is what organizers call the “self-writing internet,” where app development does not run on traditional coding. BetterBee, developed by Team Ascent, transforms habit…

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. has launched the Think Big Leadership Series Philippines 2025, a new forum designed to spark dialogue among business leaders on how technology and collaboration can drive sustainable transformation. The event, held at the Ascott Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, on Monday, October 27, gathered executives and innovators from various industries to discuss how organizations can adapt to a fast-changing digital economy. The series reflects Canon’s move to go beyond imaging solutions and position itself as a partner in helping Filipino enterprises lead responsibly in the age of sustainability. “By creating a platform that brings together visionary leaders,…

Singapore’s biggest cybersecurity gathering opened not with fanfare, but with a sense of urgency. In the form of the recognition that dialogue may be the last defense left online. The event’s scale reflects how much the region’s priorities have shifted, Cyber Security Agency of Singapore chief executive David Koh said. “This conference is not just a regional conference. I think It’s globally number one or number two in the world,” Koh said during a breakfast interview with the media on the last day of the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW) 2025, October 23. Now in its tenth year, the SICW…

When Naoki Hama, President and CEO of Fujifilm Business Innovation Corporation (FBIC), visited the Philippines for the company’s 60th anniversary celebration, it was more than a ceremonial appearance. It was a return to one of its earliest milestones. Six decades ago, long before “digital transformation” became a business buzzword, the company took one of its first steps beyond Japan by entering the Philippine market in 1965.During his trip, he sat down with PhilSTAR Tech to reflect on the company’s six-decade journey in the country and on why the Philippines continues to play a vital role in FBIC’s vision for the…