'Overstimulated' Pinoys drive podcast listenership for emotional refuge - study

 Filipinos are turning to podcasts for emotional refuge amidst overstimulation from digital fatigue.

This is the key finding of “The Two Faces of the Overwhelmed,” a study conducted by The Pod Network, the country’s leading podcast network, in partnership with socio-cultural research firm The Fourth Wall, which looked at the consumption behavior of the podcast listenership in the Philippines.

The study, which surveyed hundreds of digital users early this year, reveals that more Filipinos are turning to podcasts as tools to cope with feeling emotionally overwhelmed or mentally saturated, a result of today's hyperconnected digital landscape.

According to the study, there are two faces of podcast listeners: the 'mindful navigators' and 'content grazers.' The 'mindful navigators' are categorized as those aged 25 and above, balancing work, life, and family responsibilities, who turn to podcasts for relief. Their overstimulation stems from doing too much, and they seek podcasts for genuine relief, not mere distraction. With a stimulation score of +2.06 and a higher reliance on podcasts (53% identifying it as a key source of relief), ‘Mindful navigators’ spend up to six hours daily listening to narrative, reflective, or calming shows, often during commutes, chores, or end-of-day wind-downs.

Meanwhile, 'content grazers' are those under 25 who are immersed in a multi-platform world, jumping between TikTok, Spotify, and YouTube. They show a lower stimulation score (-1.63) and lighter podcast reliance (47%), listening 1-4 hours per day, often while multitasking. Unlike 'mindful navigators,' their podcast use isn't emotionally anchored but more driven by boredom or habit.

The study also reveals that while podcasts emerged as tools for calm, the emotional value they bring to consumers extends beyond just meditation apps or self-help monologues. 'Mindful navigators' prefer clear, calm, conversational content, with ideal episode lengths of 30-45 minutes, especially during evening de-stressing periods (6:00–8:00 PM). Meanwhile, 'content grazers' are drawn to humor, energy, and cultural relevance in shorter, dynamic episodes.

John Brylle Bae, Research Director at The Fourth Wall, emphasizes the implications for creators, saying, "Today's digital landscape presents a generation overwhelmed by multitasking, digital noise, and attention fatigue. Hence, podcasts are increasingly becoming a reset button for silence and mindfulness. This key finding emphasizes that engagement is not just about time, but about purpose, opening new strategic ground for creators to better connect with their audience."

Alan Fontanilla, CEO of The Pod Network Entertainment, underscores the growth and opportunities within the industry. 

"This study not only provides insights into the listenership behaviors of Filipinos but, more importantly, offers a roadmap for action for creators and brands. Podcasts are increasingly becoming emotional infrastructure. Therefore, creators must understand the importance of designing podcast shows for emotional need, while brands need to realize that podcast ads aren’t interruptions but opportunities to build emotional trust."

The "Beyond the Headphones: The Portrait of a Podcast Listener as Filipino" report, released last year, indicated over 17 million weekly podcast listenership in the country, with comedy emerging as the top genre for Filipinos.

You may access the full report via https://thepodnetwork.com/tpn-insider or visit https://thepodnetwork.com/ for more information.

Smart Tech, Full Protection: Here’s Why Influencers Trust HUAWEI Care—And Why You Should Too!

HUAWEI is renowned for designing high-quality devices. Now, you can upgrade your premium experience with HUAWEI’s technology and safeguard your devices for life’s unexpected moments with HUAWEI Care. This offers comprehensive protection and expert repair services designed to keep your device running like new, no matter what comes your way.

With HUAWEI Care, your devices are protected by expert hands. This comprehensive care service is trusted by the HUAWEI user community, even your favorite influencers are raving about it.

Fold and Unfold Your HUAWEI Foldables without Fear

Anj Mejia’s TikTok Content: https://www.tiktok.com/@anjgaming_/video/7514646110044966152

If you’re like popular gaming streamer and content creator Anj Mejia, and you worry about accidental damage to your foldable device, HUAWEI Care has got you covered. Whether it’s the groundbreaking HUAWEI Mate X6 or the tri-fold marvel HUAWEI Mate XT, you get double the reassurance. Not only are these devices made with premium, high-quality materials, you also get care service unlike any other.

HUAWEI Care offers accidental damage protection along with 1-time screen repair coverage for the HUAWEI Mate XT and HUAWEI Mate X6. Pay a minimal maintenance fee of PHP 7,799 for HUAWEI Mate XT’s screen repair. Get your HUAWEI Mate X6’s main screen repaired for only PHP 3,999 and just PHP 2,699 for the phone’s external screen repair. So, you can keep gaming, streaming, and scrolling without the stress on your premium HUAWEI foldables.

Stay Covered with 100% Genuine Parts

HUAWEI Care uses only 100% genuine, manufacturer-approved spare parts to preserve your device’s performance, speed, and built-in safety features. So, you’re sure your HUAWEI device stays as powerful as the day you unboxed it. Plus, you can even score big savings on spare parts. In her TikTok post, Anj explained that HUAWEI offers exclusive discounts on genuine spare parts during the HUAWEI Service Carnival.

With 100% genuine parts, repairs done through HUAWEI Care won’t void your original warranty. You’ll enjoy full coverage with extra savings, just pay a minimal service fee. HUAWEI Care even offers a 1-year warranty extension for your HUAWEI devices on top of your standard warranty, so you can keep your devices protected for longer.

Keep the Music Going with HUAWEI Loss Care 

Anjhon Sorza’s TikTok Content: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatguyanjhooon/video/7515039058532338951 

Have you ever misplaced an earbud and dreaded the cost or hassle of buying an entirely new set to replace it? HUAWEI Loss Care is the stress-free solution you’ve been looking for. Digital content creator Anjhon Sorza said in his TikTok post that HUAWEI offers discounts on single earbud purchases for loss replacements under HUAWEI Loss Care. 

The HUAWEI Loss Care coverage on your HUAWEI audio devices is good for one-time use within one-year of your purchase date.

Save Big on Your Device Protection with HUAWEI Care

Like your favorite influencers, protect your premium devices with comprehensive protection and repair services from HUAWEI Care. For more information, contact the HUAWEI Service Hotline at 0923 099 0468 from Monday to Friday at 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, or visit the HUAWEI Customer Service Center in Greenhills, San Juan.

To learn more about HUAWEI Care, visit HUAWEI’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).

HUAWEI Partners with RUNRIO for Community Run Event to Take ‘Active Rings’ Movement to Manila

 HUAWEI forwards its global movement to inspire communities to live healthier lifestyles as it brings its ‘Active Rings’ initiative to the Philippines. This marks the next major stop in HUAWEI’s worldwide series of high-energy fitness events across the globe.

As part of its ‘Active Rings’ fitness campaign, HUAWEI is partnering with renowned running events organizer RUNRIO to host a community run event. Happening on June 28 at Block 20, SM Mall of Asia Complex, the event will serve as a celebration of movement, fitness, and joy powered by HUAWEI’s innovative technology.

Enjoy Every Movement and Every Moment with HUAWEI’s Active Rings

‘Active Rings,’ a fresh take on HUAWEI’s successful ‘Light Up Your Rings’ campaign, redefines how the community connects with their health. Centered around the ‘Enjoy Your Moment’ philosophy, the initiative helps communities to keep moving in an increasingly fitness-focused world. It invites people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels to stay active anywhere, anytime, and anyway, not for perfection, but for joy, consistency, and personal progress.

HUAWEI encourages users everywhere to participate in the global movement with city-specific workouts. Some cities that have participated in the movement included Berlin, Paris, Mexico City, Shenzhen, and Madrid. 

Run to Triumph with HUAWEI Wearables

The community run event will also spotlight HUAWEI wearable innovations, including the newly-released HUAWEI WATCH FIT 4 Series. HUAWEI’s wearable devices feature the smart activity rings, which are designed to motivate users to keep moving throughout the day in order to meet their fitness goals. The blue ring reflects users’ movement, the yellow ring tracks workouts or aerobic activities, while the red ring shows the calories users burned. Every completed ring is a mini victory. Together, they build a sustainable rhythm of movement, strength, and self-care. 

During the event, participants will get to put HUAWEI’s wearable devices to the test by wearing the smartwatches while running. Participants will be challenged to close out the activity rings during their run. More than a test of endurance, the community run event will showcase the unifying spirit of HUAWEI’s ‘Active Rings’ initiative. The event provides Filipinos a chance to be part of a movement that’s transforming how the world stays active.

To learn more about HUAWEI’s ‘Active Rings’ campaign and the community run event, visit HUAWEI’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).

INAX and Builderware bring Japanese bathroom technology to Visayas

Over the years, bathrooms have evolved from being mere functional spaces into oases of wellness and tranquility especially in hospitality and residential spaces. Japanese bathroom innovations have played a significant role in this transformation, allowing users to have an enjoyable and seamless bathroom experience, thanks to their one-of-a-kind toilet technologies. 

This was further highlighted during the recently concluded INAX Build Well with Builderware in Tagbilaran, Bohol. A collaborative event of INAX and Builderware, the momentous occasion gathered architects and contractors based in Bohol to discuss the latest trends in construction and design specifically in the hospitality and residential spaces. Present to show his support to this initiative was Reginald Ong, Builderware’s president. 

The event showcased INAX as a leading sanitary brand, giving emphasis to its long history in bathroom innovations that can now be offered in the Visayas region. For example, the Aquaceramic technology makes smooth, stain-repellant surfaces possible,  allowing stubborn dirt to be washed away by a simple flush. Meanwhile, the Plasmacluster effectively disinfects airborne and bacteria on the surface of the bowl and prevents odor, while its Foam cushion technology minimizes urine splashback and muffles water noise. To keep the bathroom smelling fresh all the time, INAX ‘s Air Shield deodorizer creates a barrier within the bowl to prevent odors from escaping into the atmosphere while powerfully removing odors, while the Room refresh function uses ions to refresh even the toilet surrounding at a preferred time each day. Finally, INAX also makes SATIS, the world's most compact tankless shower toilet, available to Bohol-based architects and contractors. These technologies were presented during the event, including the Satis G, SARAS, S400 series and the S100 series.

“This collaboration brings together INAX's legacy of Japanese craftsmanship and design with Builderware's all-in-one construction ecosystem—redefining how modern spaces are built and experienced,” noted Florlyn Matildo, leader of LIXIL Water Technology, INAX Brand Philippines.

For more updates on INAX, visit www.inax.com.ph and follow @INAXPhilippines on Facebook and @inax.philippines on Instagram.

EastWest Priority Wins Outstanding Client Experience Award at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2025

EastWest Priority, the affluent banking arm of EastWest, has been awarded Outstanding Client Experience in Wealth Management at the Global Private Banking Innovation Awards 2025. This honor affirms EastWest Priority’s focus on thoughtful, tailored service and wealth strategies that speak to the needs of affluent clients across the country.

Raffy S. Algarra Jr., EastWest Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management, receives the Best Discretionary and Advisory Services Offering award at the 2025 Global Private Banking Innovation Awards.

Launched in 2016 following EastWest’s acquisition of Standard Chartered’s retail banking and wealth portfolio, EastWest Priority has evolved into a trusted financial partner by helping clients grow, preserve, and maximize their wealth through a suite of tailored products and relationship-led service.

Where Personalized Care Meets Technology
In 2024, EastWest Priority demonstrated its leadership in client-centricity by expanding its footprint to 12 Priority Centers nationwide, bringing premium banking closer to clients in key cities across the Visayas and Mindanao. This hyperlocal strategy, a rare advantage among its peers, enabled the Bank to meet clients where they live, work, and invest.

Complementing its physical network, EastWest Priority offers a full spectrum of wealth solutions across deposits, investments, insurance, and lending, each matched to a client’s goals, risk appetite, and life stage. Supported by expert Relationship Managers, the segment’s bespoke experience includes:

• Exclusive asset swap and gold investment opportunities via EastWest Financial Markets and Wealth Management and through its referral program with J. Rotbart & Co.

• Preferred foreign exchange rates and banking fees

• Visa Infinite debit and credit cards with concierge access, waived ATM charges, and global travel protection

• Strategic global partnerships like Henley & Partners for citizenship and residency services

• Experience-driven client events

On the digital front, Priority-exclusive features on the EasyWay app include a dedicated interface and online foreign exchange capabilities by bringing added convenience to globally mobile clients.

“At EastWest, we believe banking should be both personal and powerful,” said Raffy S. Algarra Jr., EastWest Head of Financial Markets and Wealth Management. “EastWest Priority is about anticipating our clients’ aspirations and crafting solutions that go beyond transactions. This award is a testament to our people’s dedication and our long-term belief in customer intimacy, local relevance, and innovation.”

Richie Tamayo, Head of EastWest Wealth Management, added: “We understand that trust, expertise, and access are the currencies of wealth relationships. Our Priority team doesn’t just manage portfolios. They nurture ambition, with service that adapts to each client’s life stage, market conditions, and dreams.” All these can be enjoyed with a minimum total relationship balance of only P2.5Mn.

This distinctive value proposition, premium banking with inclusive thresholds, has helped position EastWest Priority as a rising leader in the Philippine affluent segment.

What’s Next
In 2025 and beyond, EastWest Priority is set to:

• Launch enhanced Priority Credit and Debit Cards with curated lifestyle offers

• Expand its footprint to new growth markets

• Broaden digital access to investment products

“Client experience is our compass,” Algarra concluded. “Winning this global recognition inspires us to elevate every solution and every interaction in our customers’ financial journey.”

Canon empowers students with affordable, reliable printing solutions

Students and media came together at the"Print YoYour Way To To A+" event to discoverCanon’s range of accessible, quality printingproducts fofor students.

Canon Marketing Philippines reaffirms its commitment to making student life simpler with reliable printing solutions that ensure productivity without breaking the budget. The company held a media event today at Marco Polo Ortigas to showcase how its MegaTank and PIXMA printers deliver convenient printing with low cost per print and easy maintenance.

As part of its "Print Your Way to A+" campaign and Campus Tour 2025, Canon introduced significant ink price reductions and an expanded rewards program to provide more opportunities for savings.

Students can now redeem Canon Rewards points at over 400 merchants nationwide through Giftaway e-gift certificates, adding value beyond printing supplies. During the event, Canon executives demonstrated how students can use the Canon App to track points and apply them toward everyday expenses.

Event attendees explored Canon's range ofaffffofordable, high-quality printers, all well-suitedfofor students preparing fofor the new schoolyear.Canon Director of Consumer Infoformation a

Media representatives and student leaders from various universities tested Canon PIXMA and MAXIFY MegaTank printers during hands-on demonstrations, exploring features particularly useful for academic work—wireless connectivity, two-sided printing to reduce paper use, and compact designs that fit in limited study spaces. The MAXIFY MegaTank printers' high-yield ink systems can also produce up to 21,000 color pages or 9,000 black pages in economy mode.

Canon Director of Consumer Infoformation andImaging Jian Liu expressed the company’sgoal to support students’ creative andacademic effffoforts by providing quality printingsolutions.

"We recognize that students face increasing academic demands while managing limited resources," said Anuj Aggarwal, CEO & President of Canon Marketing Philippines. "Through this back-to-school campaign, we engage directly with students and show them how our printers are made to meet their evolving needs—from document printing to creative projects."

Registered psychologist Riyan Portuguez,aka "YoYour Millennial Psychologist," sharedpractical techniques fofor students to improvetheir productivity and manage stress.

To make its products more accessible to students, Canon announced its Ink Bundle Promo, in which select PIXMA MegaTank printers, namely G2730, G3730, G4770, G3780, and G4780 come with one free set of GI-71s inks until September 30, 2025. Canon Marketing Philippines also dropped their ink bottle prices to make it more affordable and encourage more printing.

Registered psychologist Riyan Portuguez,aka "YoYour Millennial Psychologist," sharedpractical techniques fofor students to improvetheir productivity and manage stress.

The event also featured registered psychologist Riyan Portuguez, more popularly known as "Your Millennial Psychologist," who spoke about the importance of mental wellness in academic success. Her presence reinforced Canon's broader mission of supporting students holistically, recognizing that academic achievement involves more than just the right tools, but also mental resilience to navigate the pressures of student life.

Canon’s Campus Tour will make stops at several academic institutions over the next two months, starting with the recently concluded first leg at De La Salle University. The other campuses include:

    • July 3-4: Centro Escolar Integrated School

    • July 9-10: De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Taft Campus

    • July 23–24: FEU High School

    • Week of August 4: University of Santo Tomas

    • Week of August 11: Assumption College

    • Week of August 18: Ateneo de Manila University

    • Week of August 25: Miriam College & Lyceum of the Philippines University

At each campus stop, students can look forward to engaging activities and hands-on product demonstrations, including wireless printing and creative material production.

Stay tuned for the next stops of the Canon Campus Tour. For more information, visit the Canon Philippines Campus Tour 2025 official website and follow Canon Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

Your AI Phone HONOR 400 5G Now Available via Globe Postpaid Plans

 

Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines just introduced its newest viral phone HONOR 400 5G in the market and it has been now announced that the AI Phone will hit the Globe stores soon starting with GPlan 1799 with Php 2,300 cashout. The mobile plan comes with 13GB Data, Unli All-net Call and Texts, Exclusive Perks and a FREE Jisulife Handheld Pro 1S.

“HONOR 400 5G is, by far, the smartphone that we’re most proud of. It’s basically AI meeting top-of-the line specs and stunning design at a very affordable price point. This announcement makes our commitment to our HONOR fans true in providing them countless options to avail our products,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

HONOR 400 5G comes with AI-Powered Creativity

With advanced AI Editing tools, the HONOR 400 allows users to transform photos into dynamic videos using Google’s Veo 2 model on Google Cloud. The HD Moving Photo feature captures vivid, live moments, while the AI Eraser and AI Outpainting tools simplify editing for everyday users.

Built for Durability and Performance

The HONOR 400 is powered by a 6000mAh Silicon-carbon Battery, offering extended usage even in extreme conditions and maintaining over 80% health after four years of use. With 80W HONOR Wired SuperCharge, the device can charge up to 40% in just 15 minutes.

Available starting June 27, you can now visit Globe Online Shop (https://bit.ly/Globe_H400_PR) or head to participating stores to get your AI phone HONOR 400 5G starting with GPlan 1799 with Php 2,300 cashout. The mobile plan comes with 13GB Data, Unli All-net Call and Texts, Exclusive Perks and a FREE Jisulife Handheld Pro 1S.

For more information and exciting announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph

/retailers/.