Wednesday, 16 September 2026

TradingPRO Secures BAPPEBTI Regulatory Licence in Indonesia

 


 TradingPRO's Indonesian entity, PT Trading Pro Internasional Berjangka, has received its official regulatory licence from BAPPEBTI, Indonesia's Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency, marking a significant step in the broker's Southeast Asian expansion.

TradingPRO has announced that its Indonesian entity, PT Trading Pro Internasional Berjangka, has been granted a regulatory licence by Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi (BAPPEBTI) — the government agency responsible for supervising futures, forex, and commodity trading activity in Indonesia.

The licence confirms PT Trading Pro Internasional Berjangka's authorisation to operate in Indonesia's regulated financial market, in full compliance with Indonesian Law No. 32 of 1997 as amended by Law No. 10 of 2011 on Commodity Futures Trading.

BAPPEBTI operates under the Indonesian Ministry of Trade and is responsible for ensuring that market participants meet the country's standards for financial integrity, risk management, and client protection. For Indonesian traders, a BAPPEBTI licence provides the assurance that their chosen broker operates within a framework of formal regulatory oversight — including the separation of client funds and adherence to established conduct standards.

For TradingPRO, this licence represents a natural extension of the group's commitment to operating within regulated frameworks across every market it serves. The broker is already regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa under FSP No. 49624, and by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius under licence number GB23202513. The BAPPEBTI licence adds a third layer of regulated oversight, specifically for its Indonesian operations.

Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia's largest and fastest-growing retail trading markets, with a population exceeding 270 million and a growing base of active investors. PT Trading Pro Internasional Berjangka's licenced status positions TradingPRO to serve Indonesian clients with the same standard of regulated infrastructure it provides across its global operations.

Sign up here to start your account today!

TradingPRO extended its gratitude to BAPPEBTI and its legal team for their role in facilitating the licensing process.

For more information, visit here.

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About Trading PRO
TradingPRO is a globally recognized Forex broker regulated by the FSCA and FSC, committed to empowering traders with secure access to global markets, institutional-grade tools, and a client-first approach built on transparency and education. The company offers a wide range of instruments including Forex, metals, commodities, indices, and crypto CFDs, combined with ultra-tight spreads, rapid execution, and multilingual support across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

With platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, a mobile trading app, and API access for professionals, TradingPRO delivers an intuitive trading experience for both beginners and advanced traders. Its Telegram ecosystem provides real-time signals, education, and market updates, while value-added benefits like deposit bonuses and cashback programs support trader growth. Above all, TradingPRO prioritizes safety and compliance, ensuring a trusted and regulation-backed trading journey.

Meet Sparkles.PH: The Filipino Brand Making Gold Investing More Accessible

 

Jewelry isn’t just an accessory, it can also be an asset. Sparkles.PH wants to shift the mindset that real gold is something you only buy later in life, showing Filipinos that investing can start with something they can wear, enjoy, and keep for years.

For many Filipinos, owning real gold has always felt like something to achieve later in life.

Sparkles.PH is changing that by making authentic 18K gold more accessible and encouraging

people to see jewelry not just as something beautiful to wear, but as a wearable investment.

Founded by entrepreneur Ryza Razo, Sparkles.PH was built on the belief that everyone

deserves the opportunity to own genuine gold, no matter where they are in their financial

journey. “We want to make gold ownership more accessible to Filipinos and show that investing

can start with something you can actually wear and enjoy,” said Ryza Razo, Founder of

Sparkles.PH.

With pieces starting at just ₱810, Sparkles.PH makes it easier for more Filipinos to begin

owning real gold without needing a large upfront budget. It's a simple way to start building an

asset you can wear every day and keep for years to come.

Ryza saw an opportunity to combine style with financial wellness by offering jewelry that not

only looks good but also holds lasting value. This vision has resonated with thousands of

customers and has helped Sparkles.PH grow into one of the country's emerging jewelry

e-commerce brands.

A major milestone came when Cebuana Lhuillier invested in Sparkles.PH, recognizing the

company's potential to make authentic, pawnable 18K gold more accessible to Filipinos

nationwide. The partnership gives the brand additional resources and expertise to continue

expanding its mission.

Today, Sparkles.PH believes that investing doesn't always have to start with stocks, mutual

funds, or real estate. Sometimes, it starts with a single piece of real gold, something you can

wear, enjoy, and keep as part of your financial future.

As more Filipinos become intentional about spending and saving, Sparkles.PH hopes to inspire

a new mindset: jewelry isn't just an accessory, it can also be an asset.

After all, some of the best investments are the ones you get to wear every day.

Explore authentic 18K gold jewelry at www.sparkles.ph.  

 


Cebu Gains Ground as a BPO and Digital Services Hiring Hub Beyond Metro Manila


Cebu's growing BPO, customer service and digital services market is creating fresh opportunities for jobseekers as hiring activity expands outside the Philippine capital

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu is strengthening its position as one of the Philippines' most important employment centers outside Metro Manila, as business process outsourcing, customer service and digital services hiring continue to create opportunities across the province.

For years, Metro Manila has dominated large-scale corporate and BPO recruitment in the Philippines. But the country's hiring landscape is becoming increasingly distributed, with Cebu emerging as one of the most visible beneficiaries of that shift.

The trend is reflected not only in continued activity across Cebu's IT-BPM sector, but also in the volume and variety of job opportunities now being marketed to candidates in the region.

According to current platform data from MyGlit, a Philippines-focused jobs and recruitment technology platform, 950+ active jobs are associated with Cebu and Central Visayas, compared with 5,210 in Manila. The platform currently lists more than 12000 jobs nationwide.

While Metro Manila remains significantly larger in absolute job volume, Cebu's growing hiring activity points to a broader shift: Filipino jobseekers increasingly have access to substantial career opportunities without necessarily relocating to the capital.

Cebu's hiring market is becoming broader

Customer service remains a major source of employment, but Cebu's job market is no longer limited to one type of call-center role.

Recent Cebu opportunities listed on MyGlit include customer service, financial accounts, healthcare, travel, retail, technical support, sales, back-office and non-voice roles. Some positions are open to fresh graduates and career shifters, while others require previous BPO experience or specialist skills.

Compensation also varies depending on experience, role type and specialization. Current Cebu listings on MyGlit include customer service opportunities in the ₱15,000 to ₱30,000 monthly range, while some multi-location BPO campaigns advertise packages of up to ₱45,000 for qualified applicants.

This diversification matters for Cebu jobseekers because it creates more possible career paths within the same employment ecosystem.

Candidate activity shows strong interest in Cebu opportunities

The demand is not only coming from employers. Candidate activity also suggests strong interest in Cebu-based opportunities.

One Cebu Customer Service Associate vacancy on MyGlit recently recorded more than 2,500 views and 126 applications, showing the level of attention that individual Cebu job opportunities can generate online.

Other Cebu vacancies are also generating hundreds of views, although application levels vary depending on the role, qualifications, compensation, work setup and hiring requirements.

This creates a new challenge for recruitment platforms and employers. As the number of available opportunities increases, simply generating more applications may not be enough. Candidates also need to be connected to vacancies that better match their skills, experience and preferences.

Technology is changing how Cebu candidates can be matched to jobs

Traditional online recruitment has often followed a one-job, one-application model: a candidate finds a vacancy, applies, and either progresses or gets rejected.

Newer recruitment technology is beginning to challenge that model.

MyGlit has been developing AI-assisted candidate matching and rerouting technology that can help evaluate whether a candidate who is not an ideal match for one vacancy may be more suitable for another available opportunity.

That approach can be particularly relevant in a large and varied hiring market such as Cebu, where employers may recruit for multiple accounts requiring different combinations of communication skills, work experience, education, location preference and industry knowledge.

Rather than treating an unsuccessful application as the end of the candidate journey, recruitment platforms can help jobseekers discover another opening for which they may be better suited.

Cebu is becoming increasingly important to the Philippine hiring map

The growth of employment outside Metro Manila is part of a larger evolution in the Philippine outsourcing and digital services market.

Cebu already has an established technology and BPO ecosystem, a strong pool of English-speaking talent and a long history of serving international businesses. What is changing is the scale and diversity of opportunities available outside the capital.

For candidates, this can mean more opportunities to build careers closer to home. For employers, it means access to another deep Philippine talent market. For recruitment platforms, it increases the importance of making regional opportunities easier to discover, compare and match.

"The Philippine employment market is becoming much more distributed, and Cebu is one of the places where we can clearly see that change," said Akhil Ahluwalia, Founder of MyGlit. "For a long time, candidates naturally associated the largest volume of BPO opportunities with Metro Manila. Cebu is increasingly developing its own depth of opportunities. The next challenge is not simply posting more jobs, but using technology to help candidates identify which of those opportunities actually fits them best."

From more jobs to better matches

Cebu's evolution highlights a broader change taking place in online recruitment.

The next generation of job platforms may be judged not only by how many vacancies they publish, but also by how effectively they connect candidates with relevant opportunities.

For a jobseeker searching for BPO jobs in Cebu, call center jobs in Cebu, customer service jobs in Cebu, IT support jobs in Cebu or other Cebu job vacancies, the ability to discover multiple suitable opportunities from a single profile could become increasingly valuable.

As hiring continues to expand beyond Metro Manila, Cebu appears well positioned to remain one of the most important employment markets in the Philippines.

And as the number of available jobs grows, technology may increasingly determine how efficiently Cebu's candidates find the right ones.

About Gratitude Jobs Ahead Hr inc

MyGlit is a jobs and recruitment technology platform by Gratitude Inc operating in the Philippines. The platform allows jobseekers to discover and apply for employment opportunities while providing recruiters and employers with tools for candidate management, screening, communication and AI-assisted matching.

MyGlit currently lists more than 12,000 jobs across the Philippines, including more than 950 active opportunities associated with Cebu and Central Visayas.

Explore jobs on MyGlit Philippines: https://www.myglit.com

Carziqo Brings CM-EX Driverless Ride-Hailing Series to Houston

 

**The autonomous mobility company is expanding its US operations as it explores how intelligent fleet systems can respond to Houston’s complex transportation needs.**

**HOUSTON —** Autonomous mobility company Carziqo has introduced its CM-EX driverless ride-hailing series in Houston, expanding its presence in the United States and adding another major metropolitan area to its developing mobility network.

The launch places the CM-EX in one of the country’s largest and most geographically dispersed cities. Houston’s extensive highway network, busy commercial districts, residential communities, airports, medical centers, and suburban corridors present a demanding environment for any large-scale ride-hailing operation.

According to Carziqo, the CM-EX series will be deployed progressively, with vehicles assigned to selected routes and service areas based on passenger demand, trip distance, traffic conditions, and fleet availability.

Service coverage is expected to evolve as Carziqo collects operational data and evaluates demand across different parts of the city.

## Why Houston Matters

Houston presents both opportunities and challenges for autonomous ride-hailing providers.

Unlike cities where transportation demand is concentrated within a compact urban center, Houston’s travel patterns extend across a broad metropolitan area. Daily journeys frequently connect downtown offices, residential neighborhoods, airports, shopping districts, medical facilities, and suburban communities.

That scale makes vehicle allocation especially important. A fleet may have enough vehicles overall but still struggle to meet demand if those vehicles are positioned in the wrong locations.

Carziqo said its Houston operations will use demand analysis, intelligent dispatch, route coordination, and real-time fleet monitoring to determine where vehicles should operate. The system is intended to reduce unnecessary empty travel while improving the likelihood that vehicles are available in areas experiencing higher passenger demand.

The company’s approach reflects a wider trend within the autonomous mobility industry: greater attention is being placed on the systems surrounding the vehicle, rather than on self-driving technology alone.

## CM-EX Enters a Real-World Operating Environment

The CM-EX is positioned as an urban ride-hailing series within Carziqo’s broader vehicle portfolio. The company develops different vehicle series for different routes, operating environments, and mobility requirements.

In Houston, the CM-EX will be used to examine how an autonomous fleet can respond to varying journey lengths and changing demand throughout the day.

A vehicle serving a shorter urban route may face different operational requirements from one assigned to longer trips between residential and commercial districts. Instead of treating every journey in the same way, Carziqo plans to coordinate vehicle assignments according to route characteristics and service conditions.

This kind of fleet management will be central to the Houston rollout. The practical success of autonomous ride-hailing depends not only on whether a vehicle can navigate a route, but also on whether an operator can maintain availability, coordinate charging or servicing, monitor performance, and respond when travel conditions change.

## From Technology Demonstrations to Daily Operations

For years, much of the public discussion around autonomous vehicles has focused on technical milestones. The industry is now increasingly being measured by a more practical question: Can autonomous fleets provide consistent transportation services in real urban environments?

Operating a driverless ride-hailing network requires several interconnected systems. Vehicles must be monitored, routes must be assessed, passenger requests must be matched with available capacity, and operational teams must be prepared to manage unexpected conditions.

Carziqo’s Houston expansion suggests that the company is moving toward this operational phase, where fleet coordination and service performance become as important as the vehicles themselves.

The company said data gathered from the CM-EX rollout will be used to refine dispatch decisions, route planning, vehicle positioning, and future service coverage.

As with other emerging autonomous transportation services, expansion is expected to be gradual. Availability may vary by area and may be affected by vehicle deployment, route readiness, local conditions, and passenger demand.

## A Growing Market for Autonomous Transportation

Houston has attracted increasing interest from transportation and technology companies because of its population, economic activity, and dependence on road-based mobility.

The city’s size also provides an opportunity to evaluate whether autonomous ride-hailing can operate effectively across different types of communities rather than within a single, tightly controlled district.

For passengers, the potential benefits include additional transportation choices and improved service availability in areas where conventional ride-hailing supply may fluctuate. For operators, autonomous fleets may offer new ways to coordinate vehicles and respond to demand more consistently.

Those possibilities, however, depend on reliable operations and public confidence. Safety, service transparency, local compliance, vehicle maintenance, and passenger support will remain important as autonomous fleets become more visible on public roads.

Carziqo has described the CM-EX launch as part of a broader effort to build a connected autonomous mobility ecosystem combining vehicles, intelligent dispatch, fleet monitoring, and operational data.

Houston will provide a significant test of that model.

The city’s varied travel patterns will allow the company to observe how the CM-EX performs across different distances, service periods, and operating conditions. Those findings could influence how Carziqo develops its fleet strategy in Houston and other US markets.

The arrival of the CM-EX does not mean that autonomous transportation will transform Houston overnight. Instead, it represents another step in the gradual transition from limited autonomous vehicle projects toward structured, technology-supported mobility services.

As the rollout progresses, the key measure will be whether Carziqo can turn its autonomous driving and fleet-management systems into a service that is consistent, practical, and responsive to the transportation needs of the communities it intends to serve.


Tuesday, 15 September 2026

Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs Holds Joint Work Meeting with Ministries/Agencies to Accelerate Regional Economic Growth Toward 8 Percent Target

 

Jakarta, 10 September 2026 – The Indonesian Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) held a Coordination Meeting for the Preparation and Presentation of the Work Plan of the Monitoring Team for the Acceleration of Regional Economic Growth from September 4 to 6, 2026, at the Mercure Convention Center Ancol, North Jakarta.

This strategic agenda was conducted to monitor, safeguard, and accelerate regional economic growth in support of achieving the national economic growth target of 8%, as mandated in Presidential Regulation Number 12 of 2025 concerning the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029.

This cross-ministerial and agency work meeting opened with direct directions from the Secretary General of Kemendagri, Police Commissioner General Drs. Tomsi Tohir, M.Si., and featured key speakers and presenters:

- Police Commissioner General Drs. Tomsi Tohir, M.Si. – Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs

- Teni Widuriyanti – Secretary of the Ministry of National Development Planning / Principal Secretary of Bappenas

- Moh Edy Mahmud – Deputy for Balance Sheet and Statistical Analysis, Statistics Indonesia (BPS)

- Ir. Medrilzam, M.Prof.Rcon., Ph.D. – Deputy for Regional Development, Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas

Problem-Solving Approach and Regional Work Plan Formulation

The Secretary General of Kemendagri emphasized the importance of shifting from mere administrative monitoring (compliance-oriented) to a concrete problem-solving approach (problem-solving oriented). During the technical session, the Head of the Center for Regional Policy Strategy, Population, and Public Services of Kemendagri, Dr. T.R Fahsul Falah, S.Sos., M.Si., together with the Head of the Data and Information Systems Center, presented a technical explanation of activities and the division of work regions for the monitoring team. This forum thoroughly analyzed economic growth figures at the regency/city level and formulated concrete actions for local governments.

To ensure effective supervision across Indonesia, the work meeting divided discussions into provincial regional groups per island. All Echelon I Officials of Kemendagri were assigned as officials-in-charge to coordinate the formulation and presentation of the Work Plan for Each Province.

Concrete Actions and Strengthening Early Warning Indicators

During the panel discussion, Kemendagri together with Bappenas, BPS, and the Ministry of Investment/BKPM aligned evaluation indicators for regional economic growth:

- Use of Early Warning Indicators: Implementing a monthly early warning system from BPS to read regional economic dynamic signals in real time.

- Acceleration of Investment and Licensing: Resolving licensing bottlenecks in regions and optimizing investment potential to encourage ease of doing business.

- Nine Strategic Steps for Local Governments: Encouraging regions to accelerate regional budget (APBD) realization, infrastructure projects, staple food price control, job creation, and boosting industrial output as well as primary sectors.

The three-day series of activities concluded with a consolidation of meeting results and closing remarks by the Secretary General of Kemendagri on Sunday, September 6, 2026, ensuring that all provinces have measurable, timely, and result-oriented action plans (no issue without owner, no owner without deadline)

Filipino Child Singer Kara Lopez Performs Original Songs for Little Elara: The Butterfly Feeling


METRO MANILA, Philippines —  Young Filipino singer Kara Lopez is bringing her voice to Little Elara: The Butterfly Feeling, performing two original songs created specifically for the newest installment of the Little Elara series, a bedtime storytelling project created for mothers and their young daughters.

Recorded in Metro Manila, Lopez performs “How You Know” and “My Butterfly Feeling,” two original songs written by author and Little Elara creator Michael Evans as part of the project’s original musical soundtrack.

The story follows Little Elara through a magical world of butterflies, moonlit gardens and quiet choices. Beneath the fairytale setting is a simple lesson for young girls: feelings deserve to be heard, kindness can exist alongside boundaries, and a child can learn to pause, listen to herself and make choices she feels comfortable with.

For mothers, Evans said, the project was designed to make those conversations feel less like lessons and more like something a daughter can absorb naturally while curled up beside her mother at bedtime.

“I wanted to create something a mother could put on at night and know that, underneath the music, butterflies and bedtime story, her daughter is hearing messages that may stay with her long after childhood,” Evans said. “Little girls should grow up knowing that they can be loving and kind without leaving themselves behind.”

Kara’s performance is central to that experience. Rather than functioning simply as background music, the songs carry the story’s message through the voice of a child speaking to other children.

“I’m happy to be part of this project because I want my singing to inspire people and make them feel that they are not alone. I learned that it’s important to believe in yourself and use your voice to encourage others.” — Kara Lopez

That message closely reflects the heart of The Butterfly Feeling. Throughout the story, Little Elara begins to understand her own quiet inner signals through a butterfly metaphor. She learns to feel, pause, listen and choose, while discovering that she can care about the entire garden without having to “land” everywhere.

One of the story’s central lines captures that lesson: “You can love the whole garden, Little Elara… you just don’t have to land everywhere.”

A Filipino Voice in a Story Created for Mothers and Daughters

Kara’s participation also gives the project a meaningful connection to the Philippines, where her vocals were recorded. Her young voice provides an innocence that allows the songs to feel as though they belong naturally inside Little Elara’s world rather than being placed over it.

The visual story is followed by an extended 432 Hz sleep-music experience, accompanied by dim nighttime imagery designed to transition children gently from storytelling into a peaceful night of rest. The result combines a children’s story, original music, emotional learning and bedtime relaxation into one mother-and-daughter experience.

Evans created the broader Little Elara series around the idea that some of the most important lessons a girl carries into adulthood can begin quietly, years earlier, in moments when she feels secure enough to listen.

For Kara Lopez, The Butterfly Feeling marks an opportunity to use her emerging voice for something larger than a performance.

For the mothers who press play, the hope is even simpler: that their daughters fall asleep with a song in their hearts—and wake up a little more certain that their own voice matters.

Watch Little Elara: The Butterfly Feeling

Mothers and daughters can watch Little Elara: The Butterfly Feeling on YouTube.

Follow Kara Lopez on Instagram for more from the young Filipino singer.

MyGlit Introduces AI Rerouting to Help Jobseekers Find Better-Fit Roles Across Philippines Hiring

MANILA, Philippines — MyGlit, a recruitment operating system and job platform developed by Gratitude Jobs, has introduced AI Rerouting, a feature designed to help jobseekers be considered for better-fit vacancies when their original application does not fully match a specific role.

The feature is relevant for high-volume hiring across BPO, IT, shared services, customer support, healthcare, sales, back-office and multilingual roles, where applicants often apply for positions that seem suitable at first glance but may not meet the exact requirements after screening.

In many recruitment workflows, an applicant who does not fit one role may be rejected and forgotten, even if the same candidate could be suitable for another active vacancy. AI Rerouting is designed to reduce this gap by helping recruiters review whether a candidate may be a better match elsewhere.

Reducing candidate waste in high-volume recruitment

Across the Philippines, hiring teams often manage multiple vacancies across different clients, departments, locations and skill categories. A candidate may apply for a customer service role but be better suited for a non-voice process, healthcare account, IT support role, finance process, sales campaign or back-office opening.

Without a structured system, the candidate may be reviewed only once and then lost in the recruitment flow.

MyGlit’s AI Rerouting feature helps recruitment teams look beyond the first application and identify other active vacancies where the same candidate may be relevant.

“A good candidate should not be wasted simply because the first role was not the right match,” said a spokesperson for Gratitude Jobs. “AI Rerouting helps recruiters check whether another active vacancy may be more suitable, giving applicants more chances while helping employers make better use of the same candidate traffic.”

How AI Rerouting works

AI Rerouting reviews candidate information against active vacancies inside the MyGlit workflow. This can include application details, questionnaire responses, skills, experience, location preference, role requirements and recruiter notes.

When the system identifies a possible alternate match, the candidate can be surfaced for recruiter review instead of being treated as a closed application after one mismatch.

The feature does not replace recruiter judgment or employer screening. Instead, it supports recruitment teams by highlighting possible matches that may otherwise be missed in a manual process.

Helping applicants get more chances from one application journey

For jobseekers, the benefit is practical. Instead of being considered only for the first role they selected, applicants may receive visibility for other suitable opportunities within the same recruitment workflow, subject to role requirements and recruiter review.

This can be useful for first-time applicants, career shifters and candidates applying across different job categories. A candidate who initially applies for a voice account may be more suitable for a non-voice role. A candidate applying for IT support may also be relevant for a technical helpdesk or shared services process. Another applicant may not fit one location but may match a nearby opening.

By creating a second review path, AI Rerouting can help reduce the number of useful profiles that are lost after a single mismatch.

Supporting BPO, IT and shared services recruiters

MyGlit organizes recruitment work through Company Boards and Hiring Cards. Each vacancy can be managed as a Hiring Card, where job details, applicant activity, screening information and candidate status are kept together.

When a candidate is not ideal for one role, AI Rerouting can help recruiters check other active vacancies where the profile may fit better. This reduces dependence on spreadsheets, scattered communication and individual recruiter memory.

For recruitment teams handling BPO, IT, shared services, healthcare, sales and multilingual hiring, this structure can improve visibility across multiple roles and help teams create more joining opportunities from the same applicant pool.

Relevance for Manila, Cebu and other Philippines hiring hubs

The feature is relevant for both major city applicants and provincial jobseekers.

In Metro Manila, where applicants often apply across Makati, Quezon City, Bonifacio Global City, Pasig, Alabang and nearby areas, AI Rerouting can help recruiters identify alternate roles across multiple campaigns and employers.

In Cebu, where applicants may target openings in Cebu IT Park, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and nearby provinces, rerouting can help reduce wasted applications and improve visibility for candidates who may fit another active vacancy.

The same need also applies in other Philippine hiring hubs such as Clark, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao and Cagayan de Oro, where applicants may apply remotely or across multiple job categories before finding the right match.

Improving value from job traffic

Recruitment teams invest time and resources to attract applicants through job portals, social media, referrals, recruiter networks, email campaigns and direct sourcing. When a candidate is rejected once and forgotten, part of that sourcing effort is lost.

AI Rerouting is designed to help recruitment teams get more value from applicant traffic by turning a mismatch into another possible opportunity.

As hiring becomes more digital across the Philippines, features such as AI Rerouting may become increasingly important for both applicants and employers. For jobseekers, it can mean more chances from a single application journey. For recruiters, it can mean better use of available talent and cleaner candidate movement across open roles.

About Gratitude Jobs Ahead Hr inc

MyGlit is a recruitment operating system and applicant tracking platform developed by Gratitude Inc. The platform combines Company Boards, Hiring Cards, questionnaire-based screening, candidate tracking, job posting, recruiter collaboration and AI-assisted rerouting in one workflow. It is built for companies, recruitment consultancies and hiring teams that want to manage more vacancies, applicants and joining opportunities with less manual work. Website: https://www.myglit.com Book a demo: support@myglit.com

9th Hospitality Philippines Conference (HPC2026) Concludes with Resounding Success, Setting the Blueprint for the Future of Philippine Hospitality


 MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Hospitality Asia Event Series has successfully concluded the 9th Hospitality Philippines Conference (#HPC2026), held on September 9–10, 2026, at the Marriott Manila. As the region’s premier two-day leadership assembly, the landmark event brought together the nation’s foremost asset owners, operators, developers, investors, and tech visionaries to address a pivotal country theme: "What Comes After Growth: Hospitality’s Next Test in the Philippines."

Aligned with the overarching 2026 Hospitality Asia regional mandate, “Leading Hospitality Forward: Investing in Design, Driving Results,” HPC2026 delivered unparalleled insights, high-level networking, and actionable strategies aimed at navigating the evolving market landscape beyond rapid growth.

Unprecedented Engagement and High-Impact Attendance

The 2026 edition saw exceptional engagement across both days, cementing its position as the ultimate gathering for decision-makers in the Philippine hospitality ecosystem. The event convened 125 expert speakers and 54 leading event sponsors and partners showcasing cutting-edge solutions. Over the course of the two-day assembly, the conference welcomed 484 actual unique event attendees, comprising top-tier C-level executives, developers, hotel general managers, and government representatives. Daily participation remained consistently strong, with 306 attendees on Day 1 and 378 attendees on Day 2, reflecting sustained momentum throughout the conference.

Summit Highlights: Navigating Investment, Design, Revenue, and Travel 

DAY 1: Investment & Design

The Hotel Investment Summit featured industry leaders engaging in robust discussions on capital deployment, asset optimization, emerging destination markets across the archipelago, and sustainable long-term yields. Panelists highlighted the transition from rapid expansion to value creation and risk mitigation in a competitive landscape.

"This is a testament of the growth of the industry that we have in the Philippines. It’s no longer just Manila that’s discussed, but also in other parts of the Philippines who want to know how the hotel industry will be in the next five years. So this is a great learning platform for all different aspects of the hospitality industry, as well as how we can help each other in the growth."

— Christine Angela Sevilla, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group

Simultaneously, the Hotel Design Summit brought design pioneers and architects together to showcase master planning strategies that seamlessly blend modern luxury with authentic Filipino cultural heritage, emphasizing climate-resilient architecture, wellness-centric hospitality environments, and space optimization to drive operational efficiency.

"My session is on tropical intelligence and smart design in the most valuable areas in the Philippines. I want people to see that despite the presence of developments, development is not always bad as long as you're not just tapping into the environment, but you're improving the environment. A good development is able to enhance unique benefits, allowing people to experience things that they have never experienced before and through dialogues like here at HPC 2026, allows us to care more for tropical intelligence and the beautiful islands of the Philippines."

— German Paulo de Mesa, Partner, Director for Design and Innovations, Palafox

DAY 2: Revenue & Technology

The second day opened with an inspiring Cultural Performance sponsored by the Tourism Promotions Board, celebrating the rich heritage and warmth of Filipino hospitality. Following the opening, the Hotel Revenue Summit brought together revenue strategists and commercial leaders to delve into advanced dynamic pricing models, direct booking strategies, customer acquisition economics, and total revenue management to maximize profitability.

"My takeaway from the summit is how to build a strong brand, being able to offer experiences, things that make your brand and OTA reliance. It's time to take control of your guests and be able to bring back that human connection, that curated experience, and the perfect stay in the hospitality industry."

— Nicolas Jason Cotterman, Sales Development Representative, Profitroom

Concurrently, the Travel Byte Summit explored the intersection of artificial intelligence, guest personalization platforms, smart hotel technology, and digital transformation, linking technological adoption directly to operational excellence and inclusive tourism growth.

"This is a good opportunity to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and different types of operations. I wish that we can learn from each other, see how we can use the learnings in our operations and make sure that we consider that tourism is not just for me. It’s really for everyone else, making sure that we are able to share the rewards or incentives of tourism."

— Asec. Ma. Christina Aquino, Assistant Secretary, Tourism Regulation and Coordination (TRC), Department of Tourism

Exhibition, Networking, and Strategic Partnerships

Beyond the stage discussions, the bustling exhibition floor served as a focal point for collaboration. Attendees interacted with elite partners and sponsors showcasing state-of-the-art products, green tech solutions, and service innovations. Structured networking sessions and informal exchanges fostered critical business connections, paving the way for upcoming hotel developments and strategic alliances across the country.

"Well, I think many people don't really know about the Philippines. It's always nice to do this kind of event to bring awareness about the culture and about the people. I'm sure that with all those islands and all those places, the Philippines will be able to bring much more tourism. What is important in the hospitality industry is not only about selling a product; there are people behind it. So we have to know who the people behind it are because we are not only using a product, but the products operate with people as well. So it's a dynamic between the people who are creating the product and the technology."

— Philippe Raunet, VP Overseas Partnership, Tripla

Looking Ahead: Celebrating 10 Years in 2027

The event concluded on a high note of excitement as organizers officially announced the upcoming milestone 10th Anniversary of the Hospitality Philippines Conference in 2027 (#HPC2027). As the conference prepares to celebrate a decade of shaping the national hospitality landscape, organizers express their deepest gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, attendees, and partners for making HPC2026 a monumental success.

For detailed summit takeaways and early registration details for HPC2027, please visit Hospitality Asia Event Series

About Hospitality Asia
The Hospitality Asia Event Series is a leading platform for senior leaders across the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. It is known for bringing together key decision-makers and industry innovators while creating strong opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaboration.

The series features seven flagship events across Asia, including the Hospitality Indonesia Conference (HIC), the Hospitality Vietnam Conference (HVC), the Hospitality Thailand Conference (HTC), the Hospitality South Korea Conference (HSKC), the Hospitality Malaysia Conference (HMC), the Hospitality Philippines Conference (HPC) and the Hospitality Japan Conference (HJC). These events attract a high-level and diverse audience from across the region. Hospitality Asia is distinguished by its balanced engagement of both C-level executives and senior professionals such as Vice Presidents, General Managers and Directors who manage contracts, negotiations and daily operations.

Supported by regional advisors who provide real-time market insights, the content focuses on practical strategies that enable participants to drive business growth. The series is guided by four summits that represent the main drivers of industry success. These include the Hotel Investment Summit Asia #HISA, the Hotel Design Summit Asia #HDSA, the Hotel Revenue Summit Asia #HRSA and the Travel Byte Summit Asia #TBSA. Each summit is delivered with a localized approach to ensure relevance and meaningful engagement with the region’s most important opportunities.
To learn more about Hospitality Asia, please visit our website at www.hospitality-asia.com.

Monday, 14 September 2026

Ondo Finance and FLOQ Signed MoU Bringing Exposure to Tokenized U.S. Stocks and ETFs to Indonesia

Ondo Finance and FLOQ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring tokenized U.S. stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) exposure to eligible users in Indonesia, connecting Ondo Finance’s tokenized securities technology with FLOQ’s locally regulated digital asset platform and more than 1.8 million registered users. The agreement was signed during Indonesia Blockchain Week (IDBW) 2026 in Jakarta, following a panel discussion on the future of tokenized U.S. equities, ETFs and global market access. The MoU establishes a framework for both companies to assess potential product integration, local distribution, education, technical requirements and the regulatory pathway required before tokenized capital-market products could become available through FLOQ.

The collaboration comes as Indonesia’s digital asset ecosystem continues to grow. In June 2026, Indonesia recorded 22.69 million digital financial asset and crypto consumers, while crypto transaction value reached IDR28.58 trillion during the month, according to figures reported by Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority, OJK (Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority). For FLOQ and Ondo, the opportunity is not simply to introduce another category of digital assets. The partnership explores whether Indonesia’s established crypto infrastructure and user adoption can provide a pathway toward broader access to global public-market assets through tokenization.

Bringing Exposure to U.S. Stocks and ETFs Onchain

Ondo Finance has built one of the largest platforms for tokenizing public-market securities, connecting U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs with blockchain infrastructure. Through Ondo Stocks, eligible investors outside the United States can gain onchain economic exposure to hundreds of publicly traded U.S. stocks and ETFs via tokenized securities issued by Ondo Global Markets (BVI) Limited. Ondo Finance currently tokenizes more than 430 tokenized stocks and ETFs, with the underlying shares held through U.S.-registered broker-dealers. Ondo tokenized stocks are designed to be fully backed by the corresponding stocks or ETFs and to track the economic performance of the underlying assets. Ondo Stocks crossed US$1 billion in total value locked (TVL) in May 2026, less than eight months after launch.

The collaboration with FLOQ now explores how that infrastructure could potentially connect with Indonesian users through a regulated local platform.

Exploring Tokenized U.S. Stocks for Indonesia

Under the MoU, FLOQ and Ondo Finance will assess the potential availability of tokenized U.S. equities and ETFs through the FLOQ ecosystem. Potential assets could include tokenized exposure to globally recognized U.S.-listed companies such as Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Tesla, as well as major ETFs including SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Invesco QQQ. These assets are among those being considered within the broader collaboration; no specific product has yet been confirmed for launch in Indonesia.

Any future availability will remain subject to legal, compliance and technical review, applicable OJK (Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority) requirements, asset-listing or whitelisting processes and any other regulatory approvals required in Indonesia.

The companies will also evaluate appropriate product disclosures, education and user-protection requirements before any implementation. For FLOQ, the longer-term opportunity is to connect Indonesia’s established digital asset ecosystem with an increasingly broad universe of financial products being brought onchain globally.

For Ondo Finance, the collaboration provides an opportunity to explore how its tokenized public-market infrastructure can reach a major Southeast Asian digital economy through an established local platform.

Why Indonesia Matters

Indonesia’s scale provides an important backdrop to the partnership.

Digital asset participation has grown significantly in recent years, while the country continues to develop its regulatory framework for crypto assets and other digital financial assets. OJK (Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority) has also identified asset tokenization and stablecoins among the areas being considered as part of the development of Indonesia’s digital financial asset ecosystem. For global financial and Web3 companies, this creates an increasingly relevant market at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain-based infrastructure.

“Indonesia has a large and highly engaged digital asset community, making it an important market for the growth of tokenized securities. At Ondo, we’re building the infrastructure to bring stocks and ETFs onchain, and see a strong opportunity in a market where demand for high-quality financial assets is growing. FLOQ gives us a strong local partner to explore how tokenized public-market assets can responsibly reach eligible users in Indonesia.” Rania Rahardja, Senior Director for Asia Pacific at Ondo Finance.

From Crypto Markets to Global Public Markets

The MoU was signed following the IDBW 2026 panel discussion titled “Beyond Crypto: Tokenized U.S. Stocks, ETFs and the Future of Global Market Access.” The session brought together Rania Rahardja, Senior Director at Ondo Finance; Kalimasada, Indonesian crypto trader and educator; Marco Manoppo, General Partner at SharpByte Capital; and Yudhono Rawis, Founder and CEO of FLOQ.

The discussion explored how tokenization could change the infrastructure through which investors access traditional financial instruments, particularly as public-market securities increasingly move onto blockchain rails. It also highlighted an important distinction between direct ownership of a traditional security, economic exposure through a tokenized product, and ownership of an ecosystem token. Each structure may involve different rights, mechanics, and risk profiles.

For FLOQ, education around those distinctions will be an important component of any future implementation.

Yudhono Rawis, Founder and CEO of FLOQ, said the collaboration reflects FLOQ’s broader ambition to connect Indonesian users with developments taking place across global financial markets.

“Indonesia already has a substantial digital asset ecosystem. We believe the next stage is not simply about adding more assets, but about exploring how global financial products and new market infrastructure can become accessible to Indonesian users responsibly. Ondo Finance has built significant capability in bringing traditional securities onchain, while FLOQ brings regulated local distribution, community and a deep understanding of the Indonesian market. We believe that combination creates a meaningful opportunity to explore.”

Tokenization Without Losing Sight of the Underlying Asset

Ondo Finance’s tokenized-stock technology is designed to connect blockchain accessibility with the underlying liquidity and assets of traditional public markets.

Ondo Stocks are issued by Ondo Global Markets (BVI) Limited, a British Virgin Islands special purpose vehicle that is co-owned by Ondo Finance and the Ondo Foundation. Ondo Stocks are fully backed by corresponding U.S. stocks, ETFs and cash held with U.S.-registered broker-dealers. An independent verification agent reviews the backing, while the structure includes protections designed for token holders.

Rather than creating an entirely separate pool of liquidity onchain, Ondo’s model is designed to connect tokenized assets with liquidity in the underlying traditional markets.

This distinction is particularly important as tokenized securities move beyond crypto-native audiences and begin reaching investors more familiar with traditional equities and ETFs.

For Indonesian users, potential access through FLOQ would therefore represent exposure to familiar global public-market names through a fundamentally different technological infrastructure.

Education and Regulatory Readiness

As part of the collaboration, FLOQ and Ondo Finance also intend to explore joint educational initiatives for the FLOQ community. Potential programs would cover how tokenized stocks and ETFs work, the relationship between a tokenized product and its underlying asset, the difference between direct securities ownership and tokenized economic exposure, issuance and redemption mechanisms, and the market and product risks users should understand. The companies believe education will be particularly important as the boundary between traditional capital markets and blockchain-based financial infrastructure continues to evolve.

All product communication and any future commercial implementation will remain subject to applicable legal, compliance and regulatory requirements in Indonesia.

Building a Bridge Between Global Markets and Indonesia

For FLOQ, the collaboration represents part of a broader strategy to connect Indonesia’s digital asset ecosystem with products and infrastructure being developed globally. FLOQ has more than 1.8 million registered users, more than 2 million app downloads, over 250,000 followers across seven social media platforms, and more than 25,000 active community members.

For Ondo Finance, the partnership creates an opportunity to explore distribution of its tokenized public-market infrastructure within a large, digitally engaged market through an established Indonesian platform.

The potential significance of the collaboration therefore extends beyond individual stocks or ETFs.

It explores whether the infrastructure that has already brought hundreds of U.S. public-market securities onchain can be connected responsibly with one of Southeast Asia’s most significant digital asset communities.

About FLOQ

FLOQ is a digital asset trading platform committed to delivering a secure, transparent, and accessible investment experience. With a focus on innovation, education, and regulatory compliance, FLOQ aims to support the growth of Indonesia's digital asset ecosystem. 

FLOQ has an active community of more than 250,000 followers across seven social media platforms, supported by more than 25,000 active community members. FLOQ is also committed to improving digital asset literacy through FLOQ Academy, available free of charge to users and the general public. 

FLOQ has recorded more than 1.8 million registered users and over 2 million app downloads. The platform supports more than 100 digital assets and continues to focus on ecosystem development and strategic partnerships to deliver real value to users in the digital economy era.

 

Casino Plus Awards ₱122.4-M: The Biggest Jackpot in Philippine Slot Machine History

Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible digital entertainment platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), today made Philippine gaming history with the ceremonial handover of a ₱122,409,603.00 jackpot — the biggest verified jackpot in Philippine online slot machine history.

The landmark cheque presentation was held at LaVie Resort and Casino, Manila, on September 9, 2026, in the presence of PAGCOR, Casino Plus CEO Evan Spytma, and the verified winner, who attended with their identity protected for personal safety and security.

A record that rewrites Philippines online gaming history

The ₱122,409,603.00 payout represents a record-breaking jackpot in Philippine online slot machines. The win was achieved through Casino Plus’ certified online gaming platform, with the payout verified under the applicable PAGCOR regulatory framework.

The record-setting jackpot underscores the scale and technological capabilities of Casino Plus’ digital gaming platform, while highlighting the importance of regulated, secure, and transparent gaming experiences for Filipino players.

“This is not just a win for one player; it is a defining moment for responsible, enjoyable, competitive, and transparent digital gaming in the Philippines,” said Evan Spytma, CEO of Casino Plus. “We built this platform on the promise that every Filipino player deserves a fair, secure, and life-changing experience. Today, that promise is ₱122 million worth of proof.”

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

About IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.
Casino Plus is a PAGCOR-licensed online casino platform in the Philippines, providing secure, regulated, and responsible online gaming experiences for Filipino players. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.

 

TradingPRO Secures BAPPEBTI Regulatory Licence in Indonesia

   TradingPRO's Indonesian entity, PT Trading Pro Internasional Berjangka, has received its official regulatory licence from BAPPEBTI, I...