Filipinos can securely open a trading account, transfer crypto from other wallets or exchanges, and trade up to 55 cryptocurrencies with zero cash-in fees directly in the GCash app.

Finance super app GCash has made exploring and managing digital assets more secure and accessible through GCrypto, powered by Philippine Digital Asset Exchange (PDAX). Found in GCash, the platform allows Filipinos to set up a crypto account in as fast as 30 seconds, seamlessly receive and transfer crypto holdings from other wallets and exchanges, securely trade digital assets on the market, and fund their portfolio with zero cash-in fees directly through their mobile phones..

By streamlining the onboarding process, supporting crypto transfers, and providing direct fiat-to-crypto conversion, GCrypto simplifies traditional barriers associated with digital asset platforms. Users can participate in global market movements without relying on complex peer-to-peer (P2P) workarounds or encountering funding delays, all on a platform they use everyday to manage their finances.

Across the country, digital platforms like GCrypto continue to democratize access to diverse asset classes, providing Filipinos with convenient, mobile-first ways to diversify their portfolios. 

Simplified Onboarding and Convenient Transfers

Getting started on GCrypto is convenient. Users can complete verification, top up instantly from their GCash wallet, and trade 24/7 through their mobile phones without tedious paperwork submission.

In addition to in-app trading, GCrypto supports seamless send-and-receive functionality, helping users to easily move digital assets to and from external crypto wallets and exchanges, without needing to sell or liquidate their holdings. For example, transferring Bitcoin from another wallet to GCrypto is straightforward:

1. Tap Bitcoin on your GCrypto dashboard and select Receive.
2. Copy your receiving address or display the QR code.
3. Paste the address into your external wallet, confirm the transaction details match, and hit send.

Once confirmed on-chain, the funds appear in your GCrypto wallet, ready to hold or trade.

To register on GCrypto, fully verified eligible GCash users 18 years old and above need to open the app, select the GCrypto in the Invest tab, and complete the application process to receive instant approval. After registration, users can top up their trading wallet with no transfer fees and in real time from their GCash balance. 

By integrating digital asset trading into a digital financial ecosystem already familiar to millions of Filipinos, GCash continues to fulfill its commitment of making financial tools safer, more accessible, and more inclusive for all. For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

MANILA, Philippines—Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading international financial services provider Manulife, and iCare HMO, one of the country’s top health maintenance organizations, have entered into a strategic partnership to help companies offer employees more integrated health and financial protection. 

Through this partnership, Manulife’s group life insurance benefit will be available to select iCare HMO group customers. The annually renewable coverage sits alongside employees’ existing healthcare benefits, giving corporate clients another option for building a more holistic employee benefits package that addresses both medical needs and financial protection. 

The partnership builds on insights from Manulife’s Asia Care Survey, which found that consumers across the region are placing greater emphasis on holistic well-being. In the Philippines, people are increasingly proactive about their health, prioritizing preventive care and healthier lifestyles. The survey also revealed that 88% of respondents view independence and financial freedom as the legacy they want to leave their loved ones, highlighting demand for solutions that support both healthier and more financially secure futures. 

“Filipinos are increasingly looking for practical ways to protect their health while strengthening their financial resilience,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “Through this partnership, we can complement iCare HMO’s healthcare solutions with life insurance protection for group clients, while exploring new ways to make relevant solutions more accessible. This supports our commitment to help more Filipinos live better for longer.” 

“Employers and individuals benefit when healthcare and financial protection work together,” said Geronimo V. Francisco, President and Chief Executive Officer, iCare. “Our partnership with Manulife allows us to expand the range of protection options available to our group clients and explore convenient new channels for broader protection. We look forward to developing solutions that respond to the evolving needs of Filipino employees and families.”

Manulife and iCare HMO are co-developing integrated employee benefits solutions that bring their products into complementary offerings, including embedding group life insurance into iCare HMO’s prepaid cards starting November 2026. A two-way distribution framework will also enable each organization to reach customers through the other’s authorized channels and corporate relationships, while longer-term plans will explore coordinated group life, group medical, and broader employee benefits propositions for businesses in the Philippines. 

As customers’ needs evolve, Manulife Philippines and iCare remain committed to building solutions that help more Filipinos take charge of their health and live more financially secure lives.

Manila Water is assuring its customers across the East Zone of Metro Manila and Rizal of reliable, round-the-clock water service throughout the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, as families troop to cemeteries, spend time with loved ones, and gather to remember those who have passed.

The company has prepared its water supply and distribution system for the long weekend, with operations and maintenance teams ready to monitor facilities, manage network conditions, and respond to service concerns.

Beyond the Undas observance, Manila Water continues to strengthen its water supply system in anticipation of a strong El Niño that may extend into the first half of 2027. Its preparations include maximizing existing facilities, harnessing additional raw water sources, maintaining low system losses, and closely monitoring water supply and demand across its service area.

To help maintain reliable water service during El Niño, Manila Water is maximizing its Cardona, East Bay Phase 1, and Calawis water treatment plants while advancing the East Bay Phase 2 and Kaysakat projects. These facilities provide additional raw water sources, helping strengthen the East Zone’s supply during prolonged dry periods.

Manila Water’s El Niño readiness also extends to the efficient management of water already within its system. The company continues to keep non-revenue water, or water lost through leaks, pipe breaks, illegal connections, meter inaccuracies, and other causes, below 15 percent.

As of August 2026, Manila Water maintained its non-revenue water at 14.65 percent, with its year-to-date level at 14.29 percent. Every percentage-point reduction in NRW allows an additional 15 to 16 million liters of water per day to reach customers, helping the company sustain reliable service during the Undas long weekend and as it prepares for El Niño.

This performance is supported by continuous network monitoring, preventive maintenance, leak detection, pipe replacement, and rapid response to leaks and pipe failures. During the first half of 2026, Manila Water repaired 221 disruptive mainline pipe failures within 24 hours, helping prevent further water losses and minimize interruptions to customers.

“Our teams are prepared to help ensure reliable water service throughout the Undas long weekend, when most families will be visiting their deceased loved ones, or simply pay their 

respects at home or may travel within our service area. More importantly, our preparations go beyond the holidays. We continue to strengthen and diversify our water sources, reduce system losses, and improve our network so our customers can rely on our service even as we prepare for the anticipated effects of El Niño,” Manila Water Communication Affairs Department Head Dittie Galang said.

Customers are also encouraged to help protect available water supply by using water responsibly and immediately reporting leaks or unattended flowing water along roads and other thoroughfares. Prompt reports enable Manila Water’s field teams to locate and address water losses before these affect a wider area.

For updates and service concerns, customers may contact Manila Water through its official customer service channels, website, social media pages, and hotline 1627.

Samsung Electronics has unveiled the new Galaxy A18 and Galaxy A08, bringing more capable performance, long-term reliability and core AI experiences to users. Designed around the moments that matter – from streaming content and capturing memories to getting things done – the new Galaxy A series combines meaningful upgrades with the dependable Galaxy experience.

“With the launch of Galaxy A18 and Galaxy A08, we are making meaningful mobile experiences more accessible by focusing on what users value most – smooth performance, durability, and essential mobile AI experiences,” said Kristine Go, Head of Mobile Experience for Samsung Electronics Philippines. “The Galaxy A18 focuses on everyday essentials with well-rounded features, while the Galaxy A08 offers reliability with long-lasting battery life to help users stay connected, entertained and productive throughout the day.”

Galaxy A18: Elevated Performance and Versatile Experiences

The Galaxy A18 delivers an elevated smartphone experience with its 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and Helio G99+ processor, delivering rich visuals and fluid scrolling for streaming, social media and gaming.

Powered by an upgraded LPDDR5 memory, it offers faster data transfer speeds, supporting more responsive multitasking and more efficient processing for AI-powered tasks. Equipped with RAM Plus, which uses available storage as virtual memory, the device is designed to keep apps running smoothly in the background and enable seamless switching between apps and tasks. RAM Plus can also be enabled for an extra boost during activities such as gaming, or switch off to preserve storage for photos and videos.

The device also features a true versatile triple-camera system comprising a 50MP wide camera, 5MP ultra-wide camera and 2MP macro camera, giving users greater creative freedom to capture different perspectives. From expansive landscapes and group photos to detailed close-ups, the Galaxy A18 makes it easy to frame every scene just the way you want. 

Galaxy A08: Reliable Performance That Lasts 

A large 6,000mAh battery gives the Galaxy A08 the power to go further throughout the day, whether users are streaming videos, browsing social media, or staying connected with friends and family. With a dependable foundation, users can spend more time enjoying their favorite content and less time worrying about running out of battery.

The Galaxy A08 is also powered by the Helio G99+ processor and upgraded LPDDR5 memory, supporting smooth, everyday use while helping to manage power consumption. RAM Plus provides additional flexibility when more memory is needed, while users can switch it off to preserve storage for photos and videos.

For capturing everyday moments, the Galaxy A08 features a 50MP autofocus main camera, 2MP depth camera and 8MP front camera, providing the essentials for taking and sharing photos with ease.

Core AI Experiences for Easier Tasks

Galaxy A18 and Galaxy A08 introduce more intuitive ways to search, discover and get things done. With enhanced Circle to Search, users can circle or tap content on their screen to search for information without typing or switching between apps. A new Find the Look feature allows users to search for an entire outfit or identify music playing nearby. 

Both smartphones now come with multiple AI agents that help users move more seamlessly between supported Galaxy native apps, Google apps and selected third-party applications. Through voice commands or a long press, users can ask Gemini or Perplexity to activate supported apps, helping them complete tasks more intuitively across different services. 

Built For Long-Term Reliability

Both Galaxy A Series smartphones feature enhanced durability with IP64-rated protection against dust and water splashes. The Galaxy A18 incorporates a glass-fibre-reinforced polymer back cover that is thinner and stronger, providing greater strength while maintaining a slim profile. 

Both devices are supported by up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates, helping users enjoy a more secure and dependable mobile experience over time. Equipped with Samsung Knox, the Galaxy A18 and Galaxy A08 also feature Knox Vault for hardware-based protection of sensitive information. This dedicated security environment helps safeguard private data, giving users added confidence as they manage more of their lives through their smartphones.

Design and Availability 

The Galaxy A18 and Galaxy A08 offer a simple yet refined look, with colors designed to suit different preferences. The Galaxy A18 will be available in Black, Silver, and Light Blue, while the Galaxy A08 will be available in Dark Blue, Silver, and Green.

The Galaxy A08 is available now at https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a08-dark-blue-128gb-sm-a085fdbgphl/buy/, and starts at ₱11,190 for the 4GB+64GB variant and ₱13,090 for the 4GB+128GB model. Get yours now until November 30 to enjoy up to ₱1,200 in savings—bringing the price down to as low as ₱9,990 and ₱11,990, respectively—when you purchase via cash at Authorized Samsung Stores nationwide.

The Galaxy A18 will be available in the Philippines by December 2026. 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.