His Dad Needed a Treadmill Repair. This 11-Year-Old Started No DIY.

  

A difficult search for a treadmill technician inspired Julian Markus Villaflores, 11, to start No DIY in Cebu. Built with student developers and supported by his family, the home and repair services marketplace is inviting service professionals to register ahead of its customer rollout.

A broken treadmill at home gave 11-year-old Julian Markus Villaflores the idea for No DIY, a marketplace that aims to help households find skilled workers and service professionals. The Cebu-based platform is now inviting professionals to register ahead of its customer rollout.

It started with one repair

Julian Markus watched his father ask around, search online and call for help, yet finding a treadmill technician still took time. A household needed a repair, but reaching the right person was difficult. No DIY aims to give families another place to look and professionals another way to reach customers beyond their existing contacts.

"I saw my dad try so hard just to find one person who could fix it," Julian Markus said. "There are so many good technicians out there. They just can't find each other. I wanted to make that easy."

Built with student teams

Julian Markus brought the idea to ASV Business Solution, the Cebu software company led by his mother, April Villaflores. The company, which develops Cirquolus, runs an internship program for Computer Science and IT students from universities across the Philippines.

Students from La Salle University in Ozamiz City laid the initial foundation. A team from Cebu Technological University-Ginatilan Extension conducted social surveys and market-fit analysis. Interns from Northwest Samar State University continued development and completed the app. As each batch finished its required hours, the work passed to the next team.

"Every batch knew they might not be the ones to finish it, and they gave it their best anyway," said April Villaflores, managing owner of ASV Business Solution. "Julian learned what it means to lead. The students learned what it means to build something real people will use."

Learning within Cebu's startup community

Alongside his work on No DIY, Julian is actively involved in Cebu City's startup community. He participates in Sugod Bahay gatherings and a startup development program through StellarPH and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). These activities give him opportunities to learn alongside other entrepreneurs, with support from his family and the student developers who helped build the platform.

Service professionals invited to register

No DIY is welcoming technicians, electricians, plumbers, aircon and appliance repair specialists, carpenters and other service professionals to create profiles ahead of its customer rollout. A profile gives professionals a place to explain what they offer and helps potential customers find services that match their needs.

Professionals can register at https://no-diy.com/auth/register

About No DIY Technologies

No DIY is a Philippine marketplace founded by Julian Markus Villaflores in Cebu to connect households with skilled workers and service professionals. It is currently accepting professional registrations ahead of its customer rollout. Website: https://no-diy.com/

ASV Business Solution is a software company based at UPinIT, Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City. It develops Cirquolus ERP and runs an internship program for Computer Science and IT students. Student teams in the program contributed to the development of No DIY.

GASA, Gogolook and Meta Bring Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia to Bangkok for the First Time

 Co-hosted with Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Summit will bring regional leaders together to address cross-border scam networks, victim protection and AI-driven threats BANGKOK, THAILAND, October 26, 2026 — The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), Gogolook, the developer of Whoscall, and Meta will bring the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia to Bangkok for the first time on November 10–11, 2026. Held at Pullman Bangkok King Power, the two-day Summit will bring together government officials, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, technology companies, researchers and civil society organisations to strengthen the region’s collective response to scams.

Co-hosted by GASA, Royal Thai Police (RTP), and Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), the Summit is supported by organisations including Gogolook, Meta, Google, Trend Micro, CUBE AI, and Outseer. H.E. Chaichanok Chidchob, Thailand’s Minister of Digital Economy and Society, is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote on Thailand’s leadership in building a safer digital future.

“Scam networks operate across borders and digital channels, so our response must connect the organisations that can prevent harm, support victims and disrupt criminal operations,” said Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA. “As a major regional hub, Thailand faces the challenges posed by transnational scam networks. Its policies and actions can play a pivotal role in strengthening safety across Southeast Asia. Bringing the Summit to Bangkok gives leaders from across the region an opportunity to turn shared insights into practical cooperation.”

The Summit will present findings from the State of Scams in Asia 2026 report and unveil the State of Scams in Thailand 2026 report, offering both a regional perspective and a closer look at the challenges facing Thailand. The findings will provide a starting point for discussions on how governments and industries can identify emerging threats and coordinate their responses.

The programme will examine the human and operational impact of scam compounds, including survivor experiences and cross-border responses to trafficking. Sessions will also address the financial infrastructure behind scams, national anti-scam systems, AI-enabled threats, safer digital services, and the role of telecommunications providers in tackling fraudulent calls and messages. On the second day, GASA working groups will bring participants together to advance cooperation in research, enforcement, intelligence sharing, prevention and consumer education.

“Scams rarely stay within one platform, industry or country. Protecting people requires us to identify risks earlier and share the intelligence needed to act across the entire scam journey,” said Jeff Kuo, Co-founder and CEO of Gogolook. “Our participation in previous Asia Summits, from Taipei to Singapore, has shown us the value of bringing different sectors together. We look forward to building on those connections in Bangkok and working with partners across the region to strengthen practical defences against scams.”

The Summit will also host the Scam Fighter Awards, recognising initiatives that have made a measurable contribution to scam prevention, detection, disruption and enforcement.

Registration for the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2026 is now open. Government agencies, businesses, researchers and other organisations working on digital safety are invited to join the discussions, learn from the latest anti-scam research and connect with partners from across the region. For the programme and registration details, visit the Summit website.

About Global Anti-Scam Alliance

About the Global Anti-Scam Alliance The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) is a nonprofit organization bringing together policymakers, law enforcement, consumer authorities, NGOs, the financial sector, telecommunications operators, internet platforms, cybersecurity organizations and other stakeholders to share knowledge and develop solutions to protect consumers from scams. GASA Website: https://gasa.org/

Planet Ocean Underwater Hotels Invites all Philippines Resorts to Evaluate Movable Underwater Hotel Partnership

Planet Ocean Underwater Hotels, LLC invites all the resorts in the Philippines to explore partnerships offering guests an extraordinary Inner Space Eco-Tourism experience aboard patented, 26-room movable underwater hotels without requiring resorts to purchase them. Developed over 16 years, the zero-discharge concept combines underwater hospitality with a commitment of 16.5% of net profits to coral-reef restoration, while creating opportunities for international fabrication, Philippines maritime veteran co-ownership employment, local workforce training, marine-science education, and sustainable economic development.

KEY WEST, Fla. USA – October 21, 2026 – Planet Ocean Underwater Hotels, LLC, today invited resorts and relevant authorities in the Philippines to begin a technical evaluation of a partnership built around its patented movable underwater hotels.

The design, protected by U.S. Design Patent D-736,947, places 26 guestrooms about 30 feet below the surface at normal atmospheric pressure, accessible by four glass traction elevators inside two steel casings. The zero-discharge underwater hotel vessel stands on four retractable steel legs instead of permanent foundations or anchors, allowing it to be relocated for improved marine-life viewing or to avoid storms.

Participating Philippines resorts are not asked to purchase the movable underwater hotel vessel. Under the proposed host-resort arrangement, a resort would use a movable underwater hotel for an initial five-year term. Planet Ocean’s global funding structure, developed over 16 years, uses escrow accounts established by participating resorts under agreed terms.

Planet Ocean has committed 16.5 percent of its net profits to Philippines's coral-reef restoration and marine conservation, with independent audits and public reporting. Philippines Scientists, universities, and conservation specialists would guide how those funds are used, including coral nurseries, reef monitoring, and, where scientifically appropriate, Biorock restoration.

The initiative traces back to December 2015, when a Maldivian diplomat approached founder Tony Webb after COP21 to ask how the design might help the island nation. Planet Ocean recently held discussions in Malé with the Maldives Minister of Tourism and Environment and an official from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources. The Minister said “yes” to the concept and, like the resorts that would offer guests a safe Inner Space Eco-Tourism experience, now wants to see the first movable underwater hotel built.

For 16 years, Tony Webb had never received a “yes.” Now, Planet Ocean is extending the same invitation to the Philippines's 7,641 island nation.

Planet Ocean’s fabrication network spans five countries. Houma and Morgan City, Louisiana, serve as the U.S. fabrication base. The Philippines is envisioned as the new corporate world headquarters, fabrication and assembly, and the training center for Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Partners in China, South Korea, and Japan are expected to supply specialized steel and acrylic components and assist with the installation of triple-redundancy systems. Mass fabrication of 50 movable underwater hotels, in less than one year.

The program also aims to create pathways for qualified local Philippines maritime Coast Guard and Special Forces veterans co-ownerships. The young islanders, from school marine-science programs through technical training and university research now have new opportunities that never existed before.

“The Maldives asked in 2015. Today, we invite the Maldives and the Philippines,” said Tony Webb, Founder and Managing Director and a U.S. Navy veteran. “Restore the coral reefs. Train the people. Measure the results. We are ready for serious technical evaluation.”

Interested resorts and Philippines organizations can submit a licensing inquiry at:

www.planetoceanunderwaterhotel.com/global-licensing-opportunities.php

This is a true gift of new prosperities for the Philippines's future.

About Planet Ocean Underwater Hotels, LLC

About Planet Ocean Underwater Hotels, LLC

Based in Florida, USA Planet Ocean Underwater Hotels is a self-funded company built on the principles of “Pay It Forward” and “People Helping People.” The company designed the world’s first movable underwater hotel, featuring one-atmosphere, zero-discharge underwater accommodations focused on Inner Space Eco-tourism, coral restoration, marine science, education, Philippine veteran co-ownerships, and employment.

More information is available at www.PlanetOceanUnderwaterHotel.com

3rd Space Studios has officially opened in Pioneer, Mandaluyong City, offering an Intimate Setting for Creative Collaborations, Corporate Events, Private Bookings, and Co-Creating Sessions

 

 3rd Space Studios today opened its doors, introducing a thoughtfully designed, multi-purpose studio where intimate groups can learn, create and connect. Located at Unit LG07, Pioneer Highlands, Tower 1 in the heart of the Pioneer–Greenfield–Ortigas corridor, the space offers private bookings for corporate offsites, workshops, masterclasses, media shoots and celebrations, alongside flexible hourly and daily co-creating access for professionals, students and remote workers.

Metro Manila's workforce is changing how it meets. Hybrid teams no longer need a full-time office, but they still need somewhere private and professional to plan, pitch and celebrate together. At the same time, demand is rising for "third spaces": places outside home and the office for focused work, continuous learning and community. 3rd Space Studios was built for both needs under one roof.

"Teams told us the same thing again and again: hotel function rooms feel too formal, cafés are too noisy, and production studios are too expensive for a half-day session," said Pauline Yu of 3rd Space Studios. "We built a space that sits right in between. It's warm enough for a creative workshop, private enough for a leadership offsite, and ready to go the moment you walk in. Come in as you are. Walk out with new skills and real work done."

One studio, three ways to use it

Private and corporate bookings. Exclusive use of the studio for offsite strategy sessions, client meetings, product launches, roundtables, trainings and private celebrations. Bookings start at three hours and include presentation tools, with add-ons available for styling and media setups.

Co-Creating Space (coworking). Flexible hourly and day passes for focused work, study and small-team collaboration, with fast Wi-Fi, ergonomic seating and a calm atmosphere. Co-creating runs whenever no private booking is scheduled.

Co-Lab Network (collaboration). A partnership program for workshop facilitators, masterclass hosts and creators. 3rd Space Studios helps market, co-execute and ticket each session, so hosts can focus on teaching while the studio handles the setup.

Built for the corridor

The studio's location lets it serve three very different neighbors. Residents of Pioneer's high-rise towers get a quiet place to focus close to home and a venue for after-work classes. Weekend visitors to the Greenfield lifestyle district can join community talks, creator pop-ups and hands-on workshops. Corporate teams and agencies in Ortigas gain an offsite venue minutes from the office, without the formality or cost of a hotel ballroom.

The space is designed to suit the growing number of AI upskilling sessions, podcast recordings, content shoots and professional development workshops that companies and creators now run each month. Operations follow a low-waste approach, and the studio welcomes eco-conscious brand partners for pop-ups and activations.

"Most venues make you choose between a meeting room and a creative space," added Pauline. "At 3rd Space, a sales team can hold its quarterly planning in the morning, and a podcast crew can record in the same room that afternoon. That flexibility is what modern teams and creators are looking for."

Availability

3rd Space Studios is now accepting corporate event bookings, private reservations, co-creating walk-ins and facilitator partnership applications. To book a site visit or reserve a date, visit 3rdspacestudios.ph, email 3rdspacestudioscollab@gmail.com or call 09175148899. Follow @3rd_space_studios on Instagram and Facebook for the latest workshop schedule.

About 3rd Space Studios

3rd Space Studios is a multi-purpose studio in Mandaluyong City, serving the Pioneer, Greenfield and Ortigas business and lifestyle corridor. Designed for intimate groups to learn, create and connect, it offers private and corporate event bookings, flexible coworking through its Co-Creating Space, and revenue-sharing partnerships with workshop facilitators and creators through its Co-Lab Network. Learn more at 3rdspacestudios.ph.