As Filipino motorists increasingly consider making the switch to electric vehicles, the purchasing decision has moved well beyond car designs, infotainment screens, and all-around specs. For first-time EV buyers, questions around battery longevity, replacement costs, and the reliability of newer technologies can weigh just as heavily on the decision. A 2026 Deloitte study shows that 41% of Filipinos point to the eventual cost of battery replacement as a primary concern when considering an EV.
XPENG North EDSA brought its first group of VIP customers and invited guests to an exclusive test-drive experience at Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Batangas, giving them an early opportunity to experience the XPENG X9 and L03 ahead of the opening of the North EDSA flagship store this October.
The activity was held as part of XPENG’s first major test-drive program in the Philippines. Guests were able to learn more about the X9 and L03 through a product walkthrough and firsthand driving experience, allowing them to explore the vehicles’ technology, comfort, design and driving capabilities on the road.
After years in the corporate world and now building Eelos, Gian Yap believes modern life no longer fits neatly into fixed routines, and the products people rely on should move with them.
A day rarely stays exactly as planned. A morning might begin with training before work, continue through meetings and errands, and end with dinner with friends. Somewhere in between, traffic changes the schedule, a meeting runs longer than expected, or the weather suddenly turns. What begins as one kind of day often becomes something else entirely.
For Eelos founder Gian Yap, this reflects what it means to live a life in motion. It is less about constantly being busy and more about how different parts of people’s lives increasingly exist within the same day. Work, fitness, travel, relationships, interests, and personal pursuits no longer sit neatly in separate schedules. They overlap.
A brand-new car starts losing value the moment it leaves the dealership. How quickly that happens is harder to predict, and it can weigh on a buyer's mind when the time comes to choose between a familiar name and a newer one. The big question then is simple: what will a vehicle be worth when it is time to let it go?
As Metro Manila's fast-paced lifestyle increasingly compromises personal well-being, Gourdo’s is redefining urban rest by orchestrating a powerful synergy between three renowned sleep technology leaders: Sleepcare, Healthguard®, and A-Fontane®. Developed as Gourdo's signature line for holistic sleep wellness, Sleepcare focuses on precision ergonomic design and tailored contouring to relieve spinal strain and daily posture fatigue. Partnering with Sleepcare is Healthguard®, a global pioneer in advanced biocide and anti-dust mite treatments engineered to create permanent, medical-grade barriers against microscopic allergens, bacteria, and dust mites. Completing this sleep sanctuary ecosystem is A-Fontane®, an internationally acclaimed home textile pioneer with over five decades of fabric innovation. Known for its revolutionary, award-winning home solutions, A-Fontane brings its flagship StayClean technology—a self cleaning, stain-resistant, and liquid-repellent fabric barrier that keeps bedding hygienic, fresh, and effortlessly low-maintenance.
XPENG Inc. (“XPENG” or the “Company,” NYSE: XPEV; HKEX: 9868), a leading global Physical AI company, has officially commissioned its humanoid robot production lines, marking a significant step in the company’s move from research and development to scaled manufacturing.
The milestone was marked by the completion of the first next-generation XPENG IRON produced on the new lines. The advanced general-purpose humanoid robot autonomously walked off the production floor, demonstrating the transition from R&D prototyping to production and bringing XPENG closer to volume manufacturing.
According to the company, the facility operates the world’s first automated production lines for advanced humanoid robots. It applies automotive-grade quality systems developed for the smart electric vehicle industry to the precision manufacturing of humanoid machines.
Five-star Euro NCAP safety, spacious "Big Car Energy" comfort, and advanced EV tech starting at an introductory ₱998,000.
The GAC AION UT has earned a five-star honor from the European New Car Assessment Programme 2026 (Euro NCAP)1, emerging as one of the first mass-produced Chinese brand models to pass the latest rounds of safety tests.
The vehicle earned its top-tier rating by delivering balanced excellence across all four key assessment stages: Safe Driving (66%), Crash Avoidance (74%), Crash Protection (91%), and Post-Crash Safety (88%). Evaluating the hatchback against significantly stricter criteria, which place heavy emphasis on active safety, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and vulnerable road user protection, the AION UT proved its mettle on the global stage.
The model’s stellar performance is anchored by a robust "Dragon-Bone Embraced Body Structure," where high-strength steel accounts for 71% of the body. Key structural features include a one-piece hot-stamped dual-ring design, an extra-wide 180mm crash box, and a roof capable of withstanding up to 8 tons of load.
Inside its surprisingly spacious cabin, designed to deliver signature "Big Car Energy" despite its compact hatchback footprint, passenger protection is bolstered by an advanced 7-airbag system featuring a 2.1-meter V-side air curtain and a front far-side airbag to mitigate occupant-to-occupant impacts during side collisions. Furthermore, the vehicle incorporates comprehensive active safety layers, including an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that surpasses legislative requirements, cyclist dooring prevention, and child presence detection (CPD).
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"Earning the Euro NCAP Five-Star Safety Certification represents the ultimate endorsement from an authoritative international body for the AION UT’s uncompromised safety engineering," said Calvin Cheng, General Manager of GAC Philippines. "More than just an award, this milestone is a testament to our deep passion and commitment to empower and modernize mobility for Filipinos, bringing world-class safety and cutting-edge electric innovation right to local streets."
The GAC AION UT’s latest global accolade aligns seamlessly with GAC's core brand philosophy of consistently building around trust and innovation to deliver uncompromised safety and consumer protection, setting a benchmark for small pure-electric vehicles worldwide.
Pricing
Reservations for the GAC AION UT are now open at GAC dealerships nationwide. The introductory pricing of PHP 998,0002, is available until September 30, 2026.
Available in six distinct exterior finishes, including Champs-Elysees Beige, Emerald Green, Rococo White, Seine Silver, Twilight Lavender, and Two-Tone options for Rococo White and Emerald Green, the Aion UT is paired exclusively with sleek all-black interiors.
With manufacturing expertise shaped by over two decades of collaboration with Toyota and Honda, and growing strength in electrification and intelligent mobility, GAC brings together proven craftsmanship and next-generation technology—Where Craft Meets Technology.
GAC Philippines supports its owners through a nationwide network of 30 dealerships, a dedicated parts warehouse, two years of free roadside assistance, and tailored warranty coverage. ICE models (GS4, GS3 EMZOOM, EMKOO, GS8, EMPOW, M6 Pro, GN6, and M8) include a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty, whichever comes first. EV models (AION Y, Hyptec HT, AION UT, AION V, and AION ES) carry an 8-year or 160,000 km basic warranty, along with an 8-year or 200,000 km plan for the traction battery and electric drive, applicable up to the specified milestone. PHEV and HEV models (GS4 Max, E8, GN8, and GS8) offer a 5-year or 150,000 km basic warranty, complemented by an 8-year or 150,000 km policy covering the power battery, driving motor, and motor control unit.
Visit a GAC dealership near you or explore the new energy lineup of GAC Philippines gacgroup.com/en-ph/test-drive. For the latest news and updates, follow @gacmotorph on Facebook and Instagram.
1Refer to this website for more information about the Euro NCAP result for the GAC Aion UT: https://www.euroncap.com/assessments/1236/
Here is how to keep water out of your fuel tank during the rainy season:
Inspect your fuel cap for cracks or signs of wear and ensure it is securely closed after every refueling.
In a country known for its warm smiles, love for coffee, and sweet merienda traditions, usmile believes that healthier oral habits should be part of everyday Filipino life. Guided by its "Prevention Over Treatment" philosophy, the global professional oral care brand introduces its science-backed solutions designed for modern lifestyles.
"Oral care should be proactive. By combining science-backed innovation with user-friendly products, we hope to make preventive oral care a lasting habit for Filipinos," said Dr. Jitao Liu, usmile Chief R&D Scientist.
Here are usmile’s specialized solutions designed to meet different oral care needs and lifestyles:
Optical White 2.0 “Purple Corrector”: Instant Whitening
Real-world journeys across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao show how zero-emission, cost-effective electric mobility can work for Filipino drivers in real-world conditions.
There is no better way to test a vehicle’s long-range capabilities than through real-world driving. As the Philippines continues to expand its charging network, two Filipino EV owners put this to the test, demonstrating that long-distance, fully electric travel across the country is already a practical reality.
For GAC owners Romel Emperado and Rommel Laranjo, taking their AION V cars across highway stretches and ferry links showed how seamlessly electric mobility fits into local road trips.
“With OGAWA chairs, the massage aspect is just one aspect of the rest and recovery journey. The research findings are tangible proof that OGAWA’s massage chairs elevate a user’s overall wellness experience. Our products have so many unexpected features and benefits that redefine what a massage chair can do,” said Shey Agustin, Marketing Executive of OGAWA Philippines.
Neither rain nor disrupted schedules could stop jobseekers from pursuing their next opportunity.
FROM JOBSEEKER TO HIRED! Successful applicants proudly mark their new beginnings after being hired on the spot at the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026, where SM Job Fair and PMAP brought employment opportunities closer to Filipino communities.
The 2024 nationwide launch of SM Waste Free Future.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) received the Gold Award in the Transformation Category at the 2026 ESG Edge Impact Awards for its SM Waste Free Future initiative. The Transformation Category celebrates businesses and organizations that have significantly improved and evolved overall sustainability performance and operational models over time.
The continued pursuit of innovation and deep collaboration with its nationwide network of stakeholders remain at the heart of Midea’s mission to deliver happiness to every Filipino household through meaningful home appliance solutions.
This commitment was recently recognized at the recent 22nd Philippine Quill Awards, where Midea received three awards for its milestone dealer and installer technician engagement initiatives, namely “Together Future Ready: 2025 AC Specialist Convention” and “Midea Club.”
Pawgrounds at Parqal offers a dedicated space where pets and their humans can enjoy time outdoors, play, and create shared moments.
For many Filipino fur parents, pets are more than just companions – they are part of the family. From morning walks and weekend strolls to spontaneous café runs, more pet owners are looking for places where they can enjoy quality time with their four-legged friends.
This sentiment is reflected in TGM Research's 2026 Pet Ownership & Lifestyle Insights, with 57% of Filipinos identifying their pets as family members, and around 54% spending more on pet-related products and services than the previous year, pointing to the growing role pets play in everyday life.
The initiative with Rise Against Hunger Philippines aims to help address rising child malnutrition cases in the countryFedEx volunteers from Clark joined Rise Against Hunger Philippines to assemble 10,000 meal kits that will support public school students in Cebu.
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world's largest express transportation companies, partnered with Rise Against Hunger Philippines in Cebu to package 10,000 nutritious meals for underserved communities.
