GameX Sports Opens the NBA Season with Basketball Fans in Quezon City

 GameX Sports, the PAGCOR-licensed brand of Las Casas Gaming, Inc., hosted a free NBA Opening Day Watch Party at Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City on October 21, with Knicks vs 76ers and a surprise second game, Thunder vs Spurs. The event was open only to guests aged 21 and above, and GameX Sports will hold more fan viewing events this basketball season.

Basketball fans packed the 6th Floor of Victoria Sports Tower early Wednesday morning for the GameX Sports NBA Opening Day Watch Party. More than 200 guests came to watch the first games of the new season together, hosted by the PAGCOR-licensed sports entertainment brand of Las Casas Gaming, Inc.

Doors opened at 7:00 AM, just as the New York Knicks tipped off their season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.

At 9:00 AM the program began with a surprise the crowd hadn’t been told about: a second live game, the Oklahoma City Thunder against the San Antonio Spurs. 

Between quarters and at halftime, guests took to the court for a free throw shootout, 15 seconds per shooter, and a half-court shot contest. Arcade games ran all morning, and registered guests were served breakfast while they watched.

Entry was free and open only to guests 21 years old and above. Staff checked IDs at the door, and each registered guest could bring up to three companions of legal age from 21 years old and above. Content creators Kyle Yves, Ivan from Dugout, Lawrence, Khristyn, Jerssey and Cindy  joined the crowd and shared the morning with their followers.

“Opening day is one of those mornings you’d rather not watch alone,” said Leo A. Barrosa, President of Las Casas Gaming Incorporated. “Filipinos grew up watching basketball together, in sari-sari stores and barangay courts. We wanted to give fans a room full of people who love the game as much as they do.”

For GameX Sports, the morning was also a thank-you to the fans who have stayed with the brand since Happy Ending launched in 2022.

“People ask us if we’re legit, and we get why,” Maria Cellerina S. Gallardo III, Vice President of Operations, Las Casas Gaming Incorporated said. “We’re licensed by PAGCOR, our company name is on everything we do, and today we checked every ID at the door. We’d rather show fans who we are in person, so this won’t be the last one.”

GameX Sports will hold more fan viewing events this basketball season. Dates and venues will be announced on the official GameX Sports Facebook page.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY In line with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice:

GameX Sports is for players aged 21 and above only. Persons restricted under PAGCOR regulations may not play.

Gaming is for entertainment only. It is not a source of income or a way out of financial problems.

Winning is never guaranteed. All outcomes are determined by chance.

Gaming can be addictive. Know when to stop.

For assistance, email ResponsibleGaming@pagcor.ph.

About Gamex Sports PH

GameX Sports is an online sports entertainment platform operated by Las Casas Gaming, Inc. and registered with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) at gamexsports.com.ph. Its games are built around basketball, starting with Happy Ending in 2022, and it has partnered with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) since 2024. The platform is open only to players aged 21 and above. Its newest basketball game is Otso Panalo. To learn more about how Otso Panalo works, visit the official GameX Sports Facebook page at facebook.com/officialgamexsports or gamexsports.com.ph.

Why Winter Is the Best Time to Fall in Love With Seoul

 

 Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) has opened bookings for its Winter 2026–2027 “Best of Seoul” tour package via Korean Air, featuring Elysian Ski Resort, the Gwanghwamun Lantern Festival, and Michelin-recognized dining. The package includes a guaranteed Korean E-Group visa, a free unlimited data eSIM per family, and a Korean Air full-service carrier upgrade at no extra cost. Pricing starts at USD 599 (Plus) and USD 688 (Premium), with departures running from December 2026 through February 2027.

Snow, Lantern Lights, and Samgyetang:Why Winter Is the Best Time to Fall in Love With Seoul

Picture this: you step off the gondola at Elysian Ski Resort, cheeks pink from the cold, snow crunching under your boots for maybe the first time in your life. By nightfall, you're wrapped in a blanket along the Cheonggyecheon stream, watching thousands of lanterns glow against the dark and in between, there's a steaming bowl of Samgyetang waiting to warm you back up.

That's the kind of trip Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) has built into its Winter 2026–2027 ‘Best of Seoul’ package, now open for booking through the Join Enjoy Korea platform, flying via Korean Air in partnership with the Seoul Tourism Organization and Go! Seoul. And this time, the trip comes with more than just a packed itinerary a guaranteed E-Group visa, a free unlimited eSIM for the whole family, and Michelin-recognized dining are all part of the package.

A Season That Only Comes Once a Year

Korea in winter isn't just cold it's a completely different country than the one you'd see in spring or summer. Snow blankets the mountains, the city lights feel warmer against the dark, and entire streets turn into open-air lantern displays. This is the trip for travelers who've always wanted to touch real snow, try skiing for the first time, or simply see Seoul wrapped in its most magical season.

What Four Days in Winter Seoul Actually Looks Like

The journey starts the moment you land: a short ferry ride to Nami Island, where snow-dusted tree-lined paths look straight out of a K-drama, followed by an afternoon at Elysian Ski Resort for travelers to ski, snowboard, or just play in the snow (equipment rental available; Soyangang Skywalk steps in as a scenic alternative if the slopes are closed).

Day two is where Seoul's winter magic really shows off from the Starfield Byeolmadang Library's soaring bookshelves to the 63 Sky Picnic rooftop observatory, before ending the night at the glowing Gwanghwamun Lantern Festival. For those who want to go further, an optional Han River cruise with DIY ramyeon at River Park adds a cozy, only-in-winter twist to the evening.

The final day is for soaking it all in one last time — Hongdae's street energy, the view from N Seoul Tower, and a hands-on DIY kimbap session before heading home.

Choose How You Want to Spend Day Three

Travelers who want a fuller itinerary can pick Best of Seoul Premium, which includes a guided Day 3 to Everland and Starfield Library. Those who'd rather sleep in, shop, or wander on their own can go with Best of Seoul Plus, which leaves Day 3 open with the same Everland, available as an optional add-on for groups of 10 or more (USD 100 per person).

What Makes This Package More Than Just a Tour?

Beyond the itinerary, this package bundles in a handful of perks that travelers would normally have to arrange or pay for on their own:

• Guaranteed Korean E-Group Visa approval secured as part of the group application, taking the uncertainty out of one of the most stressful parts of planning a Korea trip.

•  Free Unlimited Data eSIM per Family stay connected for maps, translation apps, and sharing the trip in real time, at no extra cost.

•  Michelin-Recognized Dining meals featuring a restaurant honored for 7 consecutive years by the Michelin Guide.

•  Korean Air flying on Korean Air's full-service carrier, at the same regular package price.

•  Superior Baggage Allowance 23kg checked plus 10kg hand-carry, more than enough room for winter layers and pasalubong.

•  Gourmet In-Flight Meals included on both legs of the Korean Air flight.

What Will It Cost You?

Rates depend on when you fly book earlier in the season for the lowest price:

Departure Dates:

Regular Travel: Dec 2–6, Dec 9–13, Jan 13–17, Jan 20–24, Feb 17–21, Feb 24–28

Plus USD 599 / Premium USD 688

Peak Season: Dec 16–20, Jan 6–10, Jan 27–31

Plus USD 699 / Premium USD 788

Super Peak Season: Dec 23–27, Dec 30–Jan 3, Feb 3–7, Feb 10–14

Plus USD 799 / Premium USD 888

Every package already covers round-trip Korean Air flights, hotel stays, daily meals, transfers, guided tours, an English-speaking guide, entrance fees in the itinerary, travel insurance (up to 75 years old), and daily bottled water so the only things to budget separately are the guide's tip (USD 5/pax/day), a single supplement if traveling solo (PHP 10,000), the visa fee (PHP 1,000), Philippine travel tax (PHP 1,620), and a fuel surcharge (USD 50, subject to change).

“Winter is one of our most requested seasons because it gives travelers something they simply can't get any other time of year real snow, skiing, and Seoul at its most beautiful,” said Hyok Choi, CEO of Island Resort Club. “We built this package so our guests could experience all of that without having to plan a single detail themselves.”

About Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.
Established in the Philippines in 2002, Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) is a premier MICE and destination management specialist with a proven track record in orchestrating high-level, bilateral governmental and corporate events adhering to rigorous state-level protocol standards. Notably, IRC spearheaded local operational management for the Korea-Philippines Business Forum, held on the occasion of the South Korean President’s state visit to the Philippines to commemorate the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

IRC is a fully accredited travel agency licensed in the Philippines, South Korea, and Cuba, and is officially designated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea to process Korean electronic visas (e-visas). Through its flagship platform, "Join Enjoy," IRC continues to lead bilateral cultural exchange, tourism, and business connectivity between the Philippines and South Korea.

Father of K-Drama’ Chang-sik Park Headlines 2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum in Manila

The 2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the Ayala Museum in Makati City, co-hosted by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) — led by President Chang-sik Park, widely credited as the “Father of K-Drama” — and the ASEAN Foundation. The free event, open to the public with pre-registration, features masterclasses on transforming creative ideas into high-value intellectual property, along with Korean culinary experiences, curated art exhibitions, and K-pop giveaways.

‘Father of K-Drama’ Chang-sik Park and Global IP Visionaries Gather in Manila: Why You Cannot Afford to Miss the 2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Ayala Museum in Makati City will host an unprecedented gathering of the masterminds behind Asia’s most iconic cultural phenomena. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (MCST), the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), and the ASEAN Foundation, the “2026 ASEAN-Korea Innovative Culture Forum” offers an exclusive masterclass in transforming creative ideas into high-value intellectual property (IP).From high-level masterclasses with industry legends to authentic Korean culinary experiences, curated art exhibitions, and high-value tech and K-pop giveaways, here is why this is the premier cultural event of 2026 in Manila.

World-Class Keynotes & Sessions: Learn from True Creative PioneersAttendees will gain direct insights from an elite roster of regional leaders across four strategic sessions:• Opening Remarks by the ‘Father of K-Drama’: Mr. Chang-sik Park, President of KOFICE, who produced over 50 legendary Korean TV dramas including 'Eyes of Dawn' (1991), 'Sandglass' (1995, reaching a historic 64.5% viewership), and 'Yi San' (2007) will open the forum, sharing his blueprint on storytelling longevity and state-level cultural policy.• Keynote Address by Nexon’s Gaming Pioneer: Mr. Chang-seop Kim, General Director of NEXON’s MapleStory, will reveal the strategies behind MapleStory’s 20-year dominance in Southeast Asia (MapleStory SEA), detailing how a gaming IP successfully expanded into symphonic orchestra concerts, theme park attractions, and global consumer brands.

Session 1 (Policy): Building Governance for Cultural IP (11:00–12:10)  Moderated by Jonathan Tan Ghee Tiong (Head of Culture and Information Division, ASEAN Secretariat), featuring former IPOPHL Director General Josephine Santiago, Indonesian IP reform architect Ari Juliano Gema, and Dr. Ji Hoon Yang (Korea Culture & Tourism Institute)

Session 2 (Industry): Monetizing Imagination & Global Scaling (13:00–14:10)  Moderated by acclaimed Thai film director Panu Aree, featuring Jean Yeo (Creator of Singapore’s Emmy-recognized productions and local producer for tvN’s 'Little Women'), Le Quoc Vinh (CEO of Vietnam's Le Group), and Peter Yap (Executive Director of Mary K. Yap Foundation)

Session 3 (Cooperation): Connecting ASEAN-Korea Cultural IP (14:35–15:45)  Moderated by Tara Gujadhur (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, Laos), featuring Prof. Young Kyung Ko (author of 'ASEAN Super App Wars'), Zainol Haqim (CEO of Malaysia’s MyCreative Ventures), and Dirce Freitas Mendes (Timor-Leste National Tais Safeguarding Plan)

Session 4 (Youth): Co-Creating the IP Horizon (15:45–16:45)  Featuring Elijah Canlas (Gawad Urian Best Actor and star of the Philippine adaptation of 'Keys to the Heart'), alongside multinational youth creators presenting cross-border creative initiatives.

Beyond the Forum: Contemporary Art & Interactive CultureForum attendees receive exclusive access to the 7-day contemporary art exhibition “Gathering Point” (Nov 7–13), featuring prominent regional artists including the Philippines' Mark Justiniani, Leslie de Chavez, and Christina Quisumbing Ramilo, alongside Korea's Kim Joon and master artists from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Visitors can also enjoy an on-site artist talk and commemorative photo booths featuring custom ASEAN-Korea frames.

Exclusive Attendee Privileges: Authentic Korean Dining, Grand Raffle & Free eSIMEvery registered attendee will enjoy curated hospitality and incentives:• Authentic Korean Luncheon: A complimentary premium Korean lunch box and specialized coffee break with traditional Korean rice cakes and refreshments.• Free High-Speed 50GB Korea Data eSIM: Every applicant who registers via joinenjoy.com.ph will instantly receive a complimentary 50GB High-Speed Korea Data eSIM voucher (usable upon booking the 'Best of Seoul' package via Korean Air).• Grand Finale Raffle Draw (4:45 PM): Attendees who participate through the closing ceremony become eligible for prizes including Samsung Galaxy Buds 3, Galaxy Fit3 smart bands, Dancheong mechanical Bluetooth keyboards, official rare BTS LP vinyls and tour albums, SEVENTEEN photobooks, and premium Sulwhasoo K-Beauty cosmetic sets.

Due to the intimate, high-level nature of the Ayala Museum Function Room, registrations are processed on a strictly curated, first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is essential.

About Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc.

Established in the Philippines in 2002, Island Resort Club Tour Services, Inc. (IRC) is a premier MICE and destination management specialist with a proven track record in orchestrating high-level, bilateral governmental and corporate events adhering to rigorous state-level protocol standards. Notably, IRC spearheaded local operational management for the Korea-Philippines Business Forum, held on the occasion of the South Korean President’s state visit to the Philippines to commemorate the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
IRC is a fully accredited travel agency licensed in the Philippines, South Korea, and Cuba, and is officially designated by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea to process Korean electronic visas (e-visas). Through its flagship platform, "Join Enjoy," IRC continues to lead bilateral cultural exchange, tourism, and business connectivity between the Philippines and South Korea.

ESET launches new B2B features for the AI era

 

ESET is refining its B2B portfolio by adding a new AI Security module to the ESET PROTECT Platform.

ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, is refining its B2B portfolio by adding a new AI Security module to the ESET PROTECT Platform. By helping organizations protect against threats across the AI ecosystem, ESET enables businesses to adopt AI with greater confidence through the following capabilities:

· AI Agent Security: A dedicated security layer that protects organizations using autonomous AI agents from malicious AI components, expanding defenses into the AI agent ecosystem to maintain AI productivity without compromising security.

· AI Behavioral Monitoring: A continuous monitoring capability that tracks the behavior of autonomous AI agents. This will detect and flag suspicious actions to help reduce risk, strengthen oversight of AI agent operations, and prevent suspicious AI behavior from turning into a security incident.

The cybersecurity landscape is being reshaped by AI. As employees adopt AI tools, developers embrace coding assistants, and organizations integrate AI agents and AI-driven workflows, a new attack surface is emerging. ESET is already seeing this shift firsthand. Its researchers have previously uncovered AI-enabled threats such as PromptLockand PromptSpy, while detecting thousands of malicious agentic AI skills. As AI accelerates innovation, it is also accelerating risk, requiring a new approach to cyber resilience. 

“AI is transforming the way businesses operate, innovate and grow, but it is also reshaping the cybersecurity landscape at an extraordinary pace. Across APAC, organizations are increasingly looking for security that can keep pace with this change while giving them the confidence to embrace new technologies. For us, cybersecurity is not only about responding to threats; it is about enabling progress securely. ESET’s updated B2B portfolio, supported by an additional €40 million investment in AI in 2026, reflects our commitment to helping organizations strengthen their resilience, navigate emerging AI-driven risks and ensure that security remains a foundation for innovation,” said Parvinder Walia, President of the APAC Region, ESET.

ESET is also strengthening its core AI detection technologies, which have been decades in development, by investing in security-first AI foundations designed specifically for cybersecurity. These includeESET LiveCortex, a cross-perimeter correlation and response engine included in the ESET PROTECT Platform.

Similarly, ESET AI Advisor is being renamed to ESET LiveAI to better reflect its place in the company’s core product portfolio and its new capability to provide live incident remediation context.

 

Discover more about ESET PROTECT here.

Read the full ESET Enterprise Cybersecurity Report 2026 here.

About B1G2 Technologies International Inc.

B1G2 Technologies is the exclusive distributor of ESET products in the Philippines. With a focus on delivering world-class cybersecurity solutions, B1G2 Technologies offers cybersecurity solutions and services, local support, and partner enablement to help businesses secure their digital operations. Its portfolio includes SOC as a Service, Threat Sweeping, Governance and Risk Management, and Cybersecurity Posture Improvement programs—empowering businesses to secure their digital transformation journey. For more information, visit our website (https://b1g2.io) or follow our LinkedIn and Facebook page.