Author: PhilSTAR Tech Team

By Maan D’Asis Pamaran A Philippine Statistics Authority survey says that in March 2026, the labor force participation rate (LFPR) was recorded at 63.3 percent or 51.65 million Filipinos aged 15 years and over who were in the labor force. The study also found that the number of unemployed persons was estimated at 2.58 million in March 2026. These numbers will be further impacted by AI and other tech disruptions, in which the Coursera Micro Credentials Report 2026 finds that 38% of key skills in the Philippines will change in the next five years, and that 12.7 Filipino jobs are…

For many Filipino mothers, balancing work and family is a daily challenge, with six in 10 working moms saying they struggle to manage both responsibilities. Despite the pressure, many continue working to support their families. For Sheena Mallari, that challenge became the push she needed to start something of her own. Mallari, owner of JakeSheen Homemade Spreads and a Diskarteng Angat (Start-Up) winner of the 4th Gawad Madiskarte, turned a difficult season in her life into a small home business that now supports her family. The business began during the pandemic, when Mallari was a first-time mother with no income…

For the fourth straight year, BingoPlus celebrated its victories as the number one and most trusted Filipino online entertainment platform with the uber-glitzy BingoPlus Night 2026: Step into the Next PLUS, on May 19 at a luxury Pasay City ballroom. Smack dab in the middle of the spotlights and splendor, however, was a dedicated avenue to the celebration that truly matters: the lives improved by the DigiPlus Foundation through its key projects this year, the last, and beyond. Top DigiPlus executives raised their wine glasses with pride as the Foundation, together with BingoPlus, announced a massive P1 billion commitment to…

Appliance brand TCL teamed up with retailer Abenson to hold the third TCL Cooltura Summer Fest, combining entertainment and smart home technology in a large-scale consumer event at Market! Market! in Taguig City. The event featured product showcases, interactive games, live music, and appearances by celebrity ambassador Kathryn Bernardo and OPM band The Juans, drawing shoppers and fans to experience TCL’s latest home appliances firsthand. TCL displayed a range of products, including large-screen TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines designed for Filipino households looking for connected and energy-efficient home appliances. Visitors also joined interactive activities such as a photobooth,…

As digital financial services become essential to daily life, GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance superapp, continues to strengthen its commitment to user security by streamlining its support channels To help users navigate concerns such as unauthorized transactions, account takeovers, scams, and “wrong send” errors, GCash provides clear and accessible reporting tools designed to enable faster resolution. By knowing exactly where to seek help, users can better protect their accounts and minimize financial risks in an increasingly cashless ecosystem. Built-in support channels and security safeguards GCash provides a range of official help channels designed to address different types of concerns. Inside…

Xiaomi has introduced the REDMI A7 Pro in the Philippines, the first “Pro” smartphone under the REDMI A Series lineup, designed for users who want a larger screen, longer battery life, and smoother performance without spending too much. The REDMI A7 Pro features a 6.9-inch display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling, streaming, and casual gaming feel smoother compared to standard 60Hz displays. Xiaomi said the screen can reach up to 800 nits brightness for better visibility outdoors. The smartphone also comes with Wet Touch Technology 2.0, allowing the screen to remain responsive even when fingers are wet…

Smart energy brand HopeTrek has entered the Philippine market with a pitch centered on energy reliability, home security and power efficiency as Filipino households continue to grapple with rising electricity costs and unstable power supply. The company, which operates under global AIoT firm Uniview, formally launched its “Smart & Safe Home” ecosystem during an event in Manila on May 19. HopeTrek said its system integrates solar power, energy storage, EV charging and smart home technologies into a single platform aimed at both residential and business users. The company said the product is a practical response to recurring power interruptions and…

ASUS has partnered with esports organization T1 to release limited-edition GeForce RTX 5070 and RTX 5060 Ti graphics cards inspired by the League of Legends world champions. The collaboration combines gaming hardware with esports branding, turning the graphics cards into collector’s items aimed at fans of competitive gaming. “We have joined forces with industry leader ASUS to fuse elite competitive spirit with cutting-edge performance,” said Josh Ahn, chief operating officer of T1. “This collaboration is the kind that our fans have always wanted to see.” The RTX 5070 model uses a black-and-white design with red accents inspired by T1’s team…

Acer Philippines is offering discounts, extended warranties, and installment plans as part of its “Bag of Deals” back-to-school campaign for students who are preparing for the new academic year. The promo, which runs until July 19, 2026, covers selected Acer laptops and desktops designed for schoolwork, content creation, and gaming. Buyers can receive up to ₱10,000 worth of eGift vouchers, while Home Credit users can avail themselves of 0% interest installment plans for up to 18 months plus an additional ₱1,000 discount. Acer is also extending warranty coverage on participating products to three years, to help families get more value…

DITO Telecommunity is expanding its prepaid offerings with the launch of StreamZone, a new mobile package that combines data, streaming access, and entertainment perks for Filipinos who regularly watch content on their smartphones. StreamZone199 is a ₱199 prepaid pack that gives users 30-day access to Prime Video, iWant, and BLAST TV, along with 11GB of streaming data and 11GB of all-access data. The package also includes unlimited calls and texts to all networks and supports access to other streaming services such as Netflix, VivaMax, Viva One, DashFlix, and iQIYI. The company said the offer is designed for Filipinos who increasingly…