The art of space

What today's best event venues must get right

An event held at The Grand Atrium.

There is a reason some events linger in memory long after the program ends. It is not always the keynote speaker, the menu, or the entertainment. More often, it is a feeling that everything unfolded exactly as it should.

Behind that effortless experience is something guests rarely think about but event professionals understand intimately: the venue. A well-chosen venue shapes the rhythm of an event. It influences how guests arrive, how they move through a program, how they interact with one another, and ultimately, how they remember the occasion. 

As the calendar turns toward the holiday season, when corporate gatherings, appreciation events, and year-end celebrations fill social diaries, choosing the right venue becomes less about capacity and more about memorability.

As Local Businesses Grow, Digital Tools Help Stay Flexible Amid Changing Customer Behavior

For many small and medium-sized businesses today, growth no longer follows a single path. Some expand through new branches, while others build their customer base by moving between pop-ups and bazaars. As they grow, they’re also finding ways to ensure they meet the evolving habits and preferences of consumers – including the way they pay.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 2025 showed that QR Ph person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions grew by 246.9% in volume, reaching 183.3M transactions from 52.8M only in 2024. Transaction value also grew by 211.3%, reaching ₱926.1 billion from ₱297.5 billion the previous year. 

As digital payments become increasingly embedded in everyday transactions, SMEs are quickly discovering that growth also means needing to adapt their operations to keep pace with how customers want to transact and ensuring payments don’t become a barrier to their growth. 

Sun Life teams up with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to empower entrepreneurs in Bataan

For many entrepreneurs, growing a business means making tough decisions every day amid changing market conditions, evolving customer needs, and unexpected challenges. To help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) navigate these realities with confidence, Sun Life Philippines teamed up with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Bataan to host Coffee & Play: Power Up Your Business Game Plan.

Centered on the theme, "Resilience in Volatility," the event brought together Bataan-based business owners for an afternoon of learning, networking, and hands-on financial education. Participants gained practical insights on strengthening their businesses while exploring how sound financial planning can help safeguard both their enterprises and personal goals.

Security Bank CFO JD Yap named co-chair of SME Finance Forum East Asia and Pacific chapter

Recognition reflects Security Bank's commitment to entrepreneurs and MSME

Security Bank Chief Financial Officer JD Yap has been named one of four co-chairs of the newly launched East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Regional Chapter of the SME Finance Forum, a global network established by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

The appointment recognizes Yap's extensive experience in SME banking and reinforces Security Bank's commitment to helping entrepreneurs and growing businesses thrive. It also gives the Philippines a voice in regional discussions on expanding access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across East Asia and the Pacific.

Prior to his current role as CFO, he led Security Bank's Business Banking Segment, where he deepened the Bank's focus on MSMEs and strengthened support for Filipino entrepreneurs at every stage of growth.

Through tailored financing, cash management, and digital banking solutions, Security Bank helps businesses start, grow, and scale their businesses, contributing to economic growth and job creation.

InLife Benefits Partners with PhilHealth to Bring YAKAP Preventive Care Program to the Private Sector Workforce

(From left, counter clockwise): Dr. Charlotte Reyes - Chief Group Operations Officer, InLife Benefits; Noemi Azura - CEO and President, InLife Benefits; Dra. Bernadette Lico Vice President - PhilHealth Regional Office, NCR and Rizal; Raymond Acoba - Head of the Public Affairs Unit, PhilHealth Regional Office, NCR and Rizal; Atty. April Aceron - PhilHealth Legal Office; Dra. Isabel Umali - Deputy Medical Director, InLife Benefits; and Dr. Charlotte Reyes - Chief Group Operations Officer, InLife Benefits. 

InLife Benefits and PhilHealth recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bring the PhilHealth YAKAP Program closer to employees in the private sector, marking the first partnership of its kind between PhilHealth and a private healthcare benefits provider. The collaboration aims to raise awareness of preventive healthcare services, encourage early disease screening, and help more Filipinos maximize the health benefits available to them.

EastWest rewards Horizons Club members with lifestyle and travel prizes

Rewarding smart financial habits with wellness, travel, and lifestyle experiences

Saving and growing one's finances can now lead to rewarding experiences, from wellness and fitness perks to memorable travel adventures.

As consumers increasingly prioritize wellness, travel, and meaningful experiences, EastWest Horizons—the Bank’s preferential banking program for emerging affluent customers—continues to look for ways to deliver value beyond traditional banking, helping customers make the most of both their financial journey and their lifestyle aspirations.

Sun Life Grepa Wins Dual Honors for Social Impact and Employer Branding Excellence

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the country's leading life insurance providers, has earned two prestigious industry recognitions that underscore its commitment to creating meaningful impact both within and beyond the workplace.

The company was recently awarded the Gold Award for Excellence in Employer Branding at the HR Excellence Awards 2026, recognizing its success in cultivating a workplace culture where employees are empowered to thrive, grow and make a meaningful impact.

The accolade highlights Sun Life Grepa's people-first approach to building an organization where collaboration, inclusivity, and purpose-driven work are at the heart of the employee experience. Through initiatives focused on professional development, employee well-being, engagement, and career growth, the company continues to foster an environment that enables employees to unleash their brightest selves.