GLoan with Benefits: Handle Today’s Needs, Protect Tomorrow’s Plans

More than just extra cash—GLoan now includes FREE health and loan insurance with every approved loan

No matter how carefully we plan our budget, there are times when expenses catch us off guard. A sudden repair at home, a restock that costs more than expected, or a school expense that can’t wait. These things happen, and when they do, having quick access to funds can make all the difference.

That’s where GLoan on GCash comes in. Every approved GLoan of at least ₱500 now comes with an added layer of reassurance: FREE health and loan insurance, so you’re covered not just today, but for whatever comes next.

Covering Today’s Needs, Protecting Tomorrow

At home, breadwinners handling an urgent repair or an unexpected bill need a quick solution. GLoan makes it easier to cover immediate household needs, while the free health and loan insurance provides extra protection for the family. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about feeling secure while doing it.

For small business owners restocking a sari-sari store, cash on hand may not always cover essentials. Instead of cutting back or delaying, GLoan helps fill the gap straight to the GCash wallet. Knowing that free health insurance is included brings extra peace of mind, especially when missing a day of work due to illness could affect income.

On renovating at home, expenses rarely come one at a time. Materials, tools, and unexpected costs can quickly add up. GLoan provides instant cash when it’s needed most, while GLoan Protect insurance quietly works in the background. If an accident or hospitalization occurs, there’s one less financial worry to manage.

Extra Support for Life’s Unexpected Moments

When expenses pile up, quick access to funds makes things easier to manage. Eligible GCash users can borrow up to ₱150,000, with money sent instantly to their wallet. The funds can cover urgent household needs, school expenses, or be split across multiple necessities, with flexible repayment terms of up to 24 months and interest rates starting at 1.59%.

What makes it even more reassuring is that every approved GLoan comes with FREE health and loan insurance through GLoan Protect, no extra requirements, no added cost.

When you apply for a minimum loan amount of ₱500 through the GCash app, the insurance is automatically included. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open the GCash app and tap on "Borrow", then select "GLoan."
2. Enter your desired loan amount.
3. On the installment plan, you'll see that your loan comes with free GLoan Protect insurance.
4. Tick the box to agree to the terms and conditions.
5. Once approved and disbursed, your loan to be sent to your GCash wallet, and your insurance policy will appear in your “My GInsure” page within the next 24 hours.

Insurance coverage starts immediately upon loan approval and remains active until the end of your loan period, even if you pay early.

To qualify for GLoan Protect, you must be:

1. 21-65 years old, a Filipino citizen, a fully verified GCash user
2. Your GLoan must have:
1. A minimum loan amount of PHP 500
2. A minimum loan tenor of 1 month, and has been approved and disbursed

At the end of the day, unexpected expenses are just part of life. What matters is having a way to handle them without added stress. With GLoan on GCash, you’re not only getting fast access to funds–you’re also getting the reassurance of free health and loan insurance, giving you a little extra security when unexpected health expenses or emergencies arise. Whether it’s for work or home, it’s comforting to know  that when the unexpected happens, you don’t have to face it alone. Free health and loan insurance is available for every approved GLoan from January 16, 2026, to March 31, 2026, so you can stay covered while taking care of what matters most.

To learn more, visit the MyGInsure portal on the GInsure dashboard in the GCash app, or check out the GLoan article on the GCash Help Center. You can also go to new.gcash.com for more details.

Access GLoan through your GCash dashboard or find it under “Borrow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery.

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Discover What’s New for your next Gala at SM City San Mateo

A fresh lineup of newly-opened shops has arrived at SM City San Mateo, giving mallgoers even more reasons to drop by, dine out, and enjoy their everyday gala. From comforting Filipino favorites to satisfying ramen bowls, quick coffee breaks, freshly baked treats, and wellness essentials, these new mall finds bring variety, flavor, and convenience for families, friends, and solo mall explorers alike.

SM City San Mateo welcomes a fresh mix of dining spots that satisfy both comfort cravings and quick bites. Japanese and Korean food lovers can enjoy rich, slurp-worthy bowls at Saiko Restaurant’s ramen bar, while Sisig Hooray serves its signature sizzling sisig—savory, filling, and perfect for lunch or dinner. For those needing a quick pick-me-up, Block Coffee offers quality coffee and refreshing drinks ideal for on-the-go mall breaks.

Saiko is the newest hip and fun spot at SM City San Mateo featuring a mix-your-own ramen bar and stacked up seating interiors.

No errands day at the malls is complete without a caffeine fix, and Block Coffee at SM City San Mateo delivers just that.

The well-loved Sisig Hooray for the trusty Pinoy sisig craving

Completing the experience are everyday essentials that add convenience to every visit. Bulawan Panaderya fills the mall with the inviting aroma of freshly baked breads and classic Filipino pastries, perfect for take-home treats. Katinko rounds out the lineup with trusted wellness and pain-relief products, making self-care easy and accessible right inside the mall.

The tastiest variety of breads and pastries at Bulawan Panaderya at the 3rd level of SM City San maeto

Located on the 2nd level, Katinko is your go-to spot for quick relief from everyday body aches.

With these new shops, SM City San Mateo continues to be a one-stop destination where dining, daily needs, and comfort come together. From satisfying food trips to quick coffee stops and wellness must-haves, it’s all here—ready for you to gala to the max and enjoy truly all-out experiences every time you visit.

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FEU Center for the Arts presents "Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey"

FREE ADMISSION on January 21, 2026

The Far Eastern University Center for the Arts (FCA) invites music lovers to an inspiring and educational evening as it presents an informational piano concert by internationally acclaimed pianist Dr. Raffi Kasparian, D.M.A., returning to the FEU Auditorium on January 21, 2026.

Titled Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey, the free concert offers audiences a guided journey through the evolution of Western classical music. Through performance and narration, Dr. Kasparian will bring to life key musical periods—from the Baroque and Classical eras to the Romantic, Impressionistic, and 20th Century traditions—making the concert both engaging and enriching for listeners of all backgrounds.

Produced by the FEU Center for the Arts with the support of the Silaw Foundation and DZFE 98.7 FM, the event forms part of Dr. Kasparian’s 2026 Philippine concert tour. His tour includes performances in Paoay, Holy Angel University, the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, and the Manila Pianos Showroom.

Registration is free but required: https://forms.office.com/r/wS8B3qpyQp

Dr. Kasparian has performed extensively across the United States, Canada, and the Philippines as both a soloist and collaborative artist. His repertoire spans classical masterworks, original compositions, and inventive arrangements of popular and sacred music. Audiences and critics alike admire his ability to combine technical brilliance with thoughtful storytelling, transforming concerts into memorable learning experiences. His recordings and performances are available on his YouTube channel, Quantime Classics.

For 24 years, Dr. Kasparian served as pianist of The United States Army Chorus, the vocal counterpart of The United States Army Band Pershing’s Own. In this role, he performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the United States, including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Kennedy Center.

His musical relationship with the Philippines began in 1996 with performances at the University of the Philippines College of Music and Fort Ilocandia. He later helped inspire the creation of the SILAW Foundation, which supports cultural outreach through piano concerts. Over the years, his Philippine performances have included collaborations with his son Roman and landmark concerts with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, notably at Paoay Church and at Far Eastern University, itself a UNESCO Heritage site for its Art Deco campus.

Dr. Kasparian holds a Bachelor of Music degree from California State University Northridge, a Master’s degree from Peabody Conservatory, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. He also pursued advanced studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Beyond music, Dr. Kasparian enjoyed a parallel career as a software engineer, driven by a lifelong passion for mathematics. He co-authored the book Java for Artists and has presented mathematical research at international conferences—an extraordinary testament to the harmony between music, math, and creative thinking that defines his life and work.

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Manila Symphony Orchestra announces Centennial Concert Schedule for 2026

The Manila Symphony Orchestra beams with pride this 2026 as it celebrates its Centennial year bringing together music, legacy, collaboration, and learning through concerts, conversations, and community programs.

In Pursuit of Excellence: The Manila Symphony Orchestra at 100

A Celebration (1926-2026)
Presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance

Concert I – Centennial Opening: The Sleeping Beauty
March 13 -15, 2026, Aliw Theater
Featuring Ballet Manila with Alexander Vikulov, conductor

The Manila Symphony Orchestra ushers in its Centennial Season with the timeless Tchaikovsky masterpiece, The Sleeping Beauty. This grand production brings to life the fairy-tale magic of Princess Aurora’s awakening. With lush orchestration, exquisite choreography, and visual splendor, this performance marks a truly magnificent opening to MSO’s 100th year celebration.

Ballet Manila is one of the Philippines’ foremost ballet companies, known for its high artistic standards, strong educational mission, and dedication to presenting classical and contemporary ballet to local and international audiences.

Alexander Vikulov is a Russian conductor of international distinction, trained at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, whose eminent career spans opera, symphonic, and ballet repertoire, with collaborations at leading institutions including the Mariinsky Theatre, Vienna State Opera, and Teatro Regio di Torino, and Ballet Manila.

Concert II – Rising Stars of the Philippines
May 30, 2026, Proscenium Theatre, Rockwell, Makati
Featuring: Jeanne Marquez (violin), Damodar Das Castillo (cello), and Joshua Dos Santos (conductor)

The future of Philippine music takes center stage as Jeanne Rafaella Marquez and Damodar Das Castillo join Joshua Dos Santos from Venezuela and the MSO for a showcase of youthful brilliance. The concert features Brahms’ Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 10 and other symphonic gems, celebrating both tradition and the promise of new artistic horizons. Supported by Standard Insurance, this evening shines a spotlight on the next century of Filipino talent.

Jeanne Rafaella Marquez is a Standard Insurance scholar, studying at The Juilliard School in New York. A Golden Medalist of the Vienna International Music Competition and recipient of the Philippine Ani ng Dangal Award, she has earned top prizes at major international competitions in New York, Singapore, and Manila.

Damodar Das Castillo is an MSJO-Standard Insurance scholar and a Mozarteum Alumnus in Salzburg, Austria. He is a top prize winner of five international music competitions, including Musica Goritiensis (Italy) and the International Anton Rubinstein Competition (Germany), and is the winner of the German Musical Instrument Prize 2012.

Joshua Dos Santos is recognized as one of the most accomplished young conductors to emerge from Venezuela’s National System of Youth Orchestras. He began conducting at the age of fifteen, and has conducted the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, maintaining close ties with the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth.

Concert III – Symphony of a Nation: 100 Years of Music, 80 Years of FilAm Friendship
July 4, 2026, Manila Metropolitan Theater
Featuring Emanuel John Villarin (violin) and Thanos Adamopoulos (conductor)

The MSO celebrates a century of Filipino creativity with a concert devoted to the nation’s most stirring orchestral works. The evening traces the evolution of Philippine symphonic expression, from its roots in tradition to its bold, contemporary voice. A musical portrait of a people, told through a hundred years of sound.

Emanuel John Villarin is an MSJO-Standard Insurance scholar and Hanns Eisler Scholar in Berlin, Germany. He is a first prize winner of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (2020) and the National New York Young Performers Prize (2021). Thanos Adamopoulos is a Parisian conductor active across Europe, the United States, and Asia. He began his musical studies in Israel and, at the age of nineteen, and is the music director of the Chapelle de Larranie in Brussels and maintains a long standing artistic relationship with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra, and the Asian Youth Orchestra.

Concert IV – Legacies in Song: MSO’s 100 Years and the Voice of Conching Rosal
August 29, 2026, FEU Auditorium
Featuring: Rachelle Gerodias – Park (soprano), Michelle Mariposa (mezzo-soprano), Byeong In Park (baritone), and Marlon Chen (conductor)

Celebrating the timeless union of voice and orchestra, the program includes Bizet’s Carmen excerpts and other operatic treasures, tracing the MSO’s legacy in vocal music over the past century. A lush evening of passion, drama, and melody that honors the orchestra’s lyrical heritage.

Rachelle Gerodias - Park is a winner of “The Outstanding Young Men” and “The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service” awards. She is also the first “Aliw Awards Hall of Fame” awardee for Best Female Classical Performer, thereby cementing what many have long known: that Ms. Gerodias is currently the country’s brightest gem in the field of opera and classical vocal performances.

Michelle Mariposa is a Filipino-Chinese mezzo-soprano, a Grand Finals Winner of the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition, and Winner of the 2023 Sullivan Foundation Award. Michelle completed her Master's degree in Voice and Opera Performance at Northwestern University, and her Bachelor’s degree in Voice and Psychology at the University of the Philippines, both summa cum laude.

Byeong In Park is an international Korean baritone who studied under acclaimed tenor Francisco Araiza at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany. Since his studies in Germany, he has been actively performing in opera productions and concerts around Europe and Asia.

Marlon Chen is the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra since 2019 who is acclaimed for his dynamic versatility across opera, ballet, symphonic, and chamber repertoire. He has guest-conducted leading orchestras worldwide, including Orchestre de Paris, MDR Leipzig, and the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, while holding key positions in the US and Mexico.

Concert V – Philippine Master Composers, Past, Present, and Future
October 24, 2026, Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University
Featuring New works by Ryan Cayabyab, Marlon Chen (conductor)

The grand finale of the Centennial Season is a sweeping tribute to the genius of Filipino composers across generations. The MSO presents the world premiere of a new work by Ryan Cayabyab, alongside masterpieces by other national icons. This historic gala concert brings together the country’s musical past and its bright creative future in one resounding celebration of national artistry.

Concert VI – MSO 100 Centennial Finale
January 2027, Venue: TBA
Featuring: Camille Thomas (cello), and Marlon Chen (conductor)

Bringing the Centennial Season to a resounding close, this grand finale celebrates a century of the MSO’s artistry and impact through a program of luminous orchestral works that reflect both gratitude for the past and hope for the future. Presented in partnership with UNICEF, the concert embodies the orchestra’s enduring mission to uplift, inspire, and give back through the universal language of music.

Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas has been performing since the age of four and is acclaimed for her deeply expressive artistry, distinguished by exceptional technical refinement and emotional immediacy, qualities that have established her as one of the most compelling artists of her generation.

*program, artists, date, and venue subject to change

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Check out our social media accounts to get up to 50% off on all MSO100 VIP Season Concert Tickets!

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People v. Dela Cruz Takes Online Behavior to Court at The Corner Studio

After the successful maiden run of Pilato, The Corner Studio returns with a timely and thought-provoking new production titled People v. Dela Cruz, a one-act satirical play that puts modern online behavior on trial. Opening on January 16, 2026, the production will be staged at The Corner Studio’s intimate creative space, continuing the company’s commitment to original, socially relevant Filipino storytelling.

Framed as the Philippines’ first-ever jury case onstage, People v. Dela Cruz examines how everyday Filipinos engage with morality, judgment, and accountability in the digital age. Through humor and incisive social commentary, the play explores the impact of online participation—from call-outs and cancellations to silence and performative virtue—asking where responsibility truly lies when opinions are amplified by screens and algorithms.

The story unfolds inside a mock courtroom where the accused, Dela Cruz, represents the “everyday Filipino” suddenly thrust into public scrutiny. Surrounding the case is a jury made up of distinct personalities that mirror familiar online archetypes: the rule-follower who trusts systems without question, the boundary-pusher who thrives on disruption, the moral enforcer quick to condemn, the advocate torn between empathy and principle, the believer anchored in faith, and the viral poster whose single action ignites the entire controversy. Together, they form a chaotic yet uncomfortably familiar reflection of today’s digital public square.

In a message from the creative team, the director shares that after Pilato, the company felt compelled to continue examining contemporary Filipino behavior through satire. People v. Dela Cruz was conceived as a response to how easily judgment is passed online, and how rarely people pause to reflect on their role in shaping narratives that affect real lives. By staging the play in an intimate venue, the production invites audiences to feel like active participants rather than passive observers.

Running as a one-act play, People v. Dela Cruz promises a fast-paced, character-driven experience that balances comedy with critique. It challenges viewers not only to laugh, but to question how they engage in digital conversations—and whether they, too, belong in the jury box.

People v. Dela Cruz begins its run on January 16, 2026 at The Corner Studio. Tickets are available at tcs.helixpay.ph.

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Holiday Giving Through SM Besties of Joy and ChriSMiles

The happiest kids of San Mateo Day Care Center at their ChriSMiles activity with employee volunteers.

SM Supermalls brought the spirit of the holidays to life as shoppers and employees came together to share joy with children through SM Besties of Joy and ChriSMiles, transforming holiday generosity into meaningful community impact through SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, and SM City San Mateo.

The pupils under the care of Marikina City Social Welfare and Development happily show off their own SM Besties of Joy

For SM City Masinag, SM Besties of Joy benefited children of Barangay Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal, while SM employee volunteers celebrated the season with children from Precious Heritage Children’s Home for ChriSMiles. For SM City Marikina, SM Besties of Joy reached children under the care of the City Social Welfare and Development of Marikina City. Meanwhile, employee volunteers spent a meaningful day with children from Marikina Kids Town, sharing gifts, snacks, and holiday activities. For SM City San Mateo, both SM Besties of Joy and ChriSMiles were dedicated to children from the San Mateo Day Care Center, where SM employees led a cheerful program filled with gift-giving, games, and shared moments of joy at SM City San Mateo’s activity area.

Employee Volunteers of SM City Marikina prepares the SM Besties of Joy before distribution during ChriSMiles activity at Marikina Kids Town

An employee volunteer of SM City San Mateo distributes SM Besties of Joy to the kids of San Mateo Day Care Center

These initiatives reflect SM Supermalls’ commitment to uplifting communities and nurturing a culture of compassion and volunteerism. From the generosity of shoppers to the dedication of employee volunteers, each contribution helped make the holidays brighter for children across East Metro.

SM Supermalls in the East Metro extends its heartfelt gratitude to all shoppers who shared a little extra and donated through SM Besties of Joy, helping spread smiles, hope, and joy this Christmas season.

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Galleria Duemila marks 50 Years with a landmark Masters Collection

AVANTI, SEMPRE AVANTI / FORWARD, ALWAYS FORWARD, celebrating 50 Years of Philippine Modern Art from 1975 to 2025, opens on January 13, 2026 and runs until March 14, 2026 at Galleria Duemila, located at 210 Loring Street, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Founded on December 5, 1975, Galleria Duemila commemorates its golden anniversary as the longest-running art gallery in the Philippines. The milestone exhibition brings together works by 37 distinguished artists whose creative journeys are closely intertwined with the gallery’s founder, Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz. Many of these relationships grew beyond professional collaboration into lifelong friendships, formed through a shared commitment to shaping and advancing the Philippine contemporary art scene. Alongside hundreds of artists supported over the decades, these masters helped define the gallery’s enduring legacy.

The two-month celebration presents a compelling selection of paintings, mixed media works, works on paper, and sculptures, many of which have rarely or never been seen by younger generations of artists, collectors, students, educators, and art enthusiasts. Created between 1957 and 2018, the featured pieces were intuitively selected from Galleria Duemila’s extensive archive and collection. Together, they reflect the gallery’s founding philosophy of championing art not for fame or market value, but for its ability to surprise, challenge, bewilder, and spark curiosity. The exhibition invites viewers into an art world shaped by Ancellotti-Diaz’s unwavering passion for Philippine modern art and her instinctive eye for works that resonate deeply and endure.

In conjunction with the exhibition, public walk-throughs and panel discussions with writers and artists will be held from January to March 2026, offering audiences deeper insight into the works on view and the evolving narrative of Philippine modern art.

The exhibition features works by Pacita Abad, Leopoldo “Lee” Aguinaldo II, Ray Albano, Augusto “Gus” Albor, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Nunelucio Alvarado, Agnes Arellano, May Baddour, Santiago Bose, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Eduardo Castrillo, Roberto “Bobby” Chabet, Charlie Co, Ramon Manuel “R.M.” de Leon, Duddley Diaz, Isabel Diaz, Lamberto Hechanova, Jose Joya, Lao Lianben, Raul Lebajo, Cesar Legaspi, Julie Lluch, Arturo Luz, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, Justin Nuyda, Hernando Ruiz “H.R.” Ocampo, Manuel Ocampo, Romulo Olazo, Onib Olmedo, Imelda “Impy” Pilapil, Juvenal Sanso, Mauro “Malang” Santos, Solomon Saprid, Nestor Vinluan, Betsy Westendorp, Luis “Junyee” Yee Jr., and Phyllis Zaballero.

Since its establishment in 1975, Galleria Duemila has remained dedicated to the promotion of Philippine modern and contemporary art. The gallery holds an extensive collection of paintings, prints, and sculptures, and offers services such as conservation and restoration of artworks ranging from the 16th century to contemporary pieces, as well as consultation, commissions, and installations. Founded by Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz, Italian by heart and Filipino by art, the gallery was envisioned as a platform to introduce Filipino artists locally and within the ASEAN region. It is also known for handling rare works by early 20th-century modern masters including Fernando Amorsolo, Fernando Zóbel, H.R. Ocampo, Vicente Manansala, Jose Joya, and Cesar Legaspi, while continuing to showcase both local and international artists of the current generation.

For inquiries and updates, Galleria Duemila may be reached via email at gduemila@gmail.com and through its official Facebook and Instagram pages.

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