Author: Dawn Solano

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…

Building public awareness and education on artificial intelligence (AI) must come before regulation, a Singapore-based AI governance expert said, emphasizing that understanding the technology is key to ensuring it is used responsibly. In an exclusive interview during the Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW) 2025, Anthony Lim, Singapore’s Ambassador for the Global Council for Responsible AI (GCRAI), told PhilSTAR Tech that governments in Southeast Asia should prioritize educating citizens about the opportunities and risks of AI instead of rushing to draft policies that may not keep up with technological change. “Governance is not laws. Governance is where we start with awareness.…

SINGAPORE – The Singapore government is calling for sttronger international cooperation and political will are key to addressing increasingly “fractious” cyberspace as cyberattacks continue to target critical infrastructures around the world. Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and and Information and Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation Group, said cyberspace is “under stress and being challenged on multiple fronts,” citing the rise of state-sponsored attacks and ransomware incidents that have disrupted industries from defense to telecommunications. “These developments can potentially threaten our national security and our digital way of life,” Teo said during the summit dinner at the start…

SINGAPORE – A cybersecurity expert said that AI alone cannot keep pace with evolving cyber threats, emphasizing the need for resilience systems at the 2025 Singapore International Cyber Week (SICW). Sam Liew, the chief executive and Deputy CEO of NCS, shared his insights during a Govware session, noting that AI and cyber resilience must work together to effectively defend against increasingly sophisticated attacks. He said that without resilient systems in place, AI could not be fully relied upon. Conversely, resilience, without AI, may struggle to keep up with emerging threats.“To stay ahead of escalating threats, organizations must invade security at…

Portable gaming has often meant compromise. Smaller screens, devices that heat up quickly, and batteries that can’t last through long sessions are the usual trade-offs. With the new Lenovo Legion Tab (8.8”, 3), Lenovo aims to deliver a different balance: a lightweight tablet with flagship performance built specifically for gamers.   The Legion Tab features an 8.8-inch Lenovo PureSight display with a sharp 2.5K resolution, HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, and a refresh rate of up to 165Hz. That means smoother animations, sharper detail, and more responsive controls, key advantages in fast-paced titles where every frame counts. The screen also supports…