Alsons Power's Sarangani Plant Remains Fully Operational Despite Another Strong Mindanao Earthquake

 Alsons Power's Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) continues to operate at full capacity despite the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 26, demonstrating the resilience of its facilities and the effectiveness of the restoration work completed following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake earlier this month.

The June 26 earthquake was felt across parts of Mindanao, including Sarangani Province, where SEC's 237-megawatt coal-fired power plant is located. Despite this, both of the plant's 118.5-megawatt generating units remained fully operational and continued supplying reliable power to the Mindanao grid.

After the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit the Mindanao last June 8, Alsons Power restored Unit 1 of SEC on June 11 followed by the successful synchronization of Unit 2 on June 14, less than a week after the calamity. As engineering evaluations progressed amid continuing aftershocks, the company temporarily took Unit 1 offline on June 14 for additional restoration work and assessments before safely synchronizing it with the grid on June 23.

"Given the power supply conditions, it was with a sincere sense of urgency that we brought SEC back online as soon as possible. While we moved quickly to restore operations, we never compromised safety. Every decision we made was guided by our responsibility to protect our people and stakeholders, ensure the integrity of our facilities, and deliver reliable power to the communities and industries we serve," said Antonio Miguel B. Alcantara, Chief Executive Officer of Alsons Power.

After completing critical testing and evaluations, SEC confirmed that both generating units were fully and safely synchronized with the grid.

"The safe and swift restoration of SEC is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and resilience of our teams who worked tirelessly following the earthquake," Alcantara said.

While the plant is fully operational, proactive assessments of any additional restoration works and preventive maintenance remain scheduled to ensure long-term integrity and reliability of its operations.

Simultaneous with its operational recovery activities, Alsons Power mobilized relief operations for employees and earthquake-affected communities across Sarangani Province and General Santos City, providing food packs, drinking water, hot meals, and other essential assistance through the collective efforts of the Alcantara Group.

Casino Plus Records Over ₱1 Billion in Validated Q2 Jackpot Payouts, Underscoring Platform Credibility

 

In June alone, payouts reached P263 million, reflecting sustained player confidence in the platform’s withdrawal process.

The milestone reinforces Casino Plus’ commitment to transparent, secure, and seamless withdrawals, with all reported figures representing cleared payout distributions and strictly excluding pending balances.

Validated Q2 jackpot payouts include major wins from Color Game, Jin Ji Bao Xi Gold, Duo Fu Duo Cai, and Pula Puti, including the ₱271.4-million jackpot won by “Angel” in April 2026 through Color Game, one of the largest payouts in the platform’s history.

To further strengthen transparency and regulatory compliance, representatives from both Casino Plus and PAGCOR are physically present during high-value awarding ceremonies, ensuring that major jackpot payouts are properly validated and documented.

“At Casino Plus, player safety is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and secure digital gaming environment where players can enjoy responsible entertainment with confidence and experience the ease of withdrawing their winnings,” said Casino Plus CEO Evan Spytma, who was recently honored with the prestigious Hall of Game distinction at SiGMA Asia.

Casino Plus’ payout milestone is anchored on its People-Led, Responsible Gaming Philosophy, which places player protection, regulatory compliance, and responsible entertainment at the center of its operations.

The updated hotline information is now displayed within the Casino Plus Help Center and website footer and mobile app.

The updated hotline information is now displayed within the Casino Plus Help Center and website footer and mobile app.

As part of this commitment, Casino Plus has integrated PAGCOR’s new 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline, (02) 8248-9568, and self-exclusion resources into its Help Center website. In partnership with Seagulls Flock Organization, Inc., the initiative helps ensure that counseling and support resources are easily accessible to players and families who may need assistance.

Through validated payouts, strengthened withdrawal processes, and responsible gaming safeguards, Casino Plus continues to build trust as a secure and responsible digital entertainment platform in the Philippines.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results, including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.

About IGO Digital High Technology, Inc.

Casino Plus is a trusted online casino platform in the Philippines, duly licensed and regulated by the PAGCOR. The company is committed to providing a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience, guided by the principles of responsible gaming and player protection. With its continuous expansion, Casino Plus is now regarded as one of the country’s leading online casino platforms, combining entertainment excellence with meaningful corporate social responsibility initiatives.

TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 Concludes Record-Breaking Approx. 80,000 Visitors Enthralled Over Nine Dazzling Days as Tokyo’s Premier Festival of Light Came to a Close

The Tokyo International Projection Mapping Award Executive Committee is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of TOKYO LIGHTS 2026, a festival of light illuminating Tokyo’s nights, held over nine days from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, Citizens’ Plaza, and across the Nishi-Shinjuku area. During the event period, approximately 80,000 visitors from Japan and abroad attended, showcasing to the world the potential of Tokyo as a new nighttime tourism destination.

On Saturday, May 30, the awards ceremony for the 1minute Projection Mapping Competition, one of the world’s largest international projection mapping competitions, was also held, where the top prize-winning work among entries gathered from around the world was announced.

In addition, at the Grand Finale held on the final day, Sunday, May 31, official ambassador actor, Tao Tsuchiya appeared on stage alongside special supporters Honoka Tsuchiya and Shimba Tsuchiya. Their talk session, reflecting on the appeal of TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 and the excitement generated throughout the event period, further energized the audience.

At the 1minute Projection Mapping Competition, which transformed the vast facade of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building into the world’s ultimate canvas, the awards ceremony was held on Saturday, May 30, and the GRAND PRIZE (Tokyo Governor PRIZE) was selected from a record-breaking 412 entries submitted from 65 countries and regions around the world.

Symbolizing this year’s theme, “Dialogue” the works presented brought together moving image, sound, and the architectural beauty of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building into a powerful artistic experience that captivated audiences.

Appearing at the awards ceremony, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike commented:

“This was the first time the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building itself served as the screen for this international projection mapping competition, and a remarkable lineup of high-caliber works from around the world gathered here in Tokyo. I hope this event will give rise to creators who will go on to spread their wings from Tokyo to the world.”

Governor Koike also noted that:

“Tokyo ranked second in the Global Power City Index, and one of the reasons cited was the richness of its nightlife tourism. The projection mapping presented nightly on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has also been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest permanent architectural projection mapping display, and has already welcomed approximately 1.4 million visitors.”

She concluded by expressing her appreciation to the participating creators and visitors alike and offered words of encouragement for their continued success.

Signal Bleed (Brazil), winner of the GRAND PRIZE (Tokyo Governor PRIZE), said in his acceptance speech:

“It is a tremendous honor to be here among such wonderful artists. I would also like to thank my partners in Brazil and all the people who have worked alongside me here. I am overwhelmed in a way that words cannot fully express. Thank you very much.

Award Results

GRAND PRIZE (Tokyo Governor PRIZE): Touch Talk / Signal Bleed (Brazil)

SECOND PRIZE: Aporia / VPM (Spain)

THIRD PRIZE: The Beauty of Collision / Bigcool (Thailand)

Tokyo Tokyo PRIZE: 1Pulse / Anionavision (Romania)

Audience PRIZE: Infinite Dialogue / Taro Narahara (Japan)

At the Grand Finale held on the final day, Sunday, May 31, official ambassador, actor, Tao Tsuchiya was joined on stage by her sister Honoka Tsuchiya and brother Shimba Tsuchiya as special supporters. The three, all long-time admirers of TOKYO LIGHTS, appeared together publicly in a special collaboration unique to this event.

The talk stage featured the Tsuchiya siblings, together with Michiyuki Ishita and Kenji Kohashi, producers of TOKYO LIGHTS 2026. They each spoke from their own perspectives about the appeal of the event and the impact of art created through light and moving image, creating a warm and lively atmosphere at the venue.

Talk Stage Highlights

Tao Tsuchiya reflected:

“It was my brother Shimba who first recommended that I go, telling me that I should make time for it no matter how busy I was. That was how I first came to know TOKYO LIGHTS, when it was held at Meijijingu Gaien. Projection mapping made me feel as though I myself were spinning and leaping inside it, allowing me to experience something beyond myself.”

Speaking about Light Art Park, she added:

“My whole family was deeply moved by how the artworks blended into everyday life—something you could visit on the way home from the office or while out for a walk.”

She also commented on GAIA:

“My ‘small family members’ ran around beneath it, while the adults lay back and looked up at it. It felt like a work that gave us the opportunity to reflect once again on the Earth we live on now.”

Honoka Tsuchiya commented on the projection mapping staged in the urban setting of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building:

“Within the seemingly inorganic cityscape, I felt the warmth of nature and the vitality of life.”

She said she was deeply impressed by the messages embedded in each work. Regarding Light Art Park, she named Embrace as her favorite, recalling:

“It was a special experience where the colors changed as people held hands, allowing us to feel a sense of connection with those around us.”

Shimba Tsuchiya remarked:

“When I first experienced TOKYO LIGHTS, I was so moved that I told my family all about it, so being able to appear here together as a family today feels both surreal and very joyful.”

Speaking about the projection mapping, he said:

“It was so powerful and immersive that it felt as if the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building itself might come crashing down.”

He also shared his thoughts on the Light Art Park work Fractal Forest:

“Seeing my own image projected and becoming part of the artwork, and then watching visitors begin to respond to one another through their own poses, made me feel the potential of light art to communicate beyond words.”

The two producers, Mr. Ishita and Mr. Kohashi, also spoke about the ideas behind this year’s TOKYO LIGHTS concept, “Visible TOKYO” as well as the appeal of art that can be enjoyed in public space—an idea with which Tao, Honoka, and Shimba all strongly resonated.

Speakers

Tao Tsuchiya (Official Ambassador)

Honoka Tsuchiya (Special Supporter)

Shimba Tsuchiya (Special Supporter)

Michiyuki Ishita (Executive Producer, 1minute Projection Mapping Competition)

Kenji Kohashi (Artistic Director, Light Art Park)

Moderator: Nahomi Inoue

Light Art Park: 12 Works Transform a City Park into a Museum of Light at Night

At Shinjuku Chuo Park, Light Art Park unfolded under the artistic direction of Kenji Kohashi, featuring 12 light art installations throughout the park.

Among them, Yoichi Ochiai’s new work, the four-meter pillar of light titled Liquid Universe: Sōbō Chūfu — An Unclassifiable Entomologia of the Luminous Swarm, drew many visitors eager to capture its dreamlike landscape, where the lights of nature and the city intersect, in photographs.

Also drawing significant attention on social media was GAIA by Luke Jerram, making its Japan debut as a monumental Earth installation appearing to float above the lawn area.

In addition, INTER-WORLD/Cocooner: Apparent motion of celestial bodies by Akihito Okunaka, an experiential artwork that visitors could actually step inside, attracted interest from a broad audience ranging from children to adults, leaving many with a memorable and immersive experience.

A Highly Successful Close Through the Final Day

Held for the first time in the Nishi-Shinjuku area, TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 also generated major buzz on social media. Throughout the event period, large numbers of visitors—including families and inbound travelers—visited Shinjuku Chuo Park, home to Light Art Park, where they could sit on the lawn or benches to appreciate the works, as well as see, touch, and experience them in their own ways.

The venue was filled with smiles and lively energy until the very end, becoming a space where people could discover new dimensions of urban appeal through light and art.

Event Overview: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 – A Festival of Light Illuminating Tokyo's Nights

Event Title: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026

Dates:　Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 31, 2026

1minute Projection Mapping Competition

Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No.1, Tokyo Citizens’ Plaza

Screenings: Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, 2026 / 7:20 p.m.–8:10 p.m. and 8:50 p.m.–9:40 p.m.Screenings / Awards Ceremony: Saturday, May 30, 2026 / 7:15 p.m.–8:50 p.m.Grand Finale (Award-Winning Works Screening & Stage Program): Sunday, May 31, 2026 / 7:20 p.m.–8:10 p.m.

Light Art Park

Venue: Shinjuku Chuo Park

Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 31, 2026 / Daily from 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.

Organizer: Tokyo International Projection Mapping Award Executive Committee

Co-host: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Supported by: Shinjuku City

Official Website: https://tokyolights.jp

Social Media: 

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/tokyolights_jp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyolights_jp/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokyolights.jp

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tokyolightsjp

Inquiries Regarding Event Details

TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 Secretariat

E-mail: tokyolights_2026@jtbcom.co.jp

(Weekdays only, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding weekends and public holidays)

 

Carziqo Introduces a New Model for Intelligent Mobility Platforms

  

As transportation systems around the world move toward automation, electrification, and platform-based services, Carziqo is positioning itself as a new intelligent mobility company seeking to redefine how future transportation networks are operated, managed, and accessed.

Carziqo Chief Executive Officer Zaydenn Harrington said the company is developing an intelligent mobility model that brings together autonomous driving technology, smart fleet operations, driverless ride-hailing concepts, and connected transportation services into one digital ecosystem.

Unlike conventional ride-hailing platforms that mainly depend on human drivers and manual dispatching, Carziqo’s proposed model places technology at the center of mobility operations. Through smart scheduling, vehicle monitoring, data-based deployment, and platform-led coordination, the company aims to build a more scalable and transparent framework for future transportation services.

Harrington said Carziqo’s long-term vision is to create a mobility system where autonomous vehicles, digital users, fleet operators, and service networks can work together through intelligent coordination.

“Mobility is no longer only about moving people from one place to another,” Harrington said. “The next stage of transportation will be built on intelligent systems, connected vehicles, and platform-based operations that make mobility more efficient, accessible, and sustainable.”

The company’s approach reflects a broader global shift in the transportation industry. Vehicles are increasingly being viewed not only as transport tools, but as connected operating assets supported by software, data, automation, and real-time management systems.

For emerging markets such as the Philippines, intelligent mobility platforms may open new possibilities in public transportation, ride-hailing, delivery services, and urban logistics. While large-scale autonomous vehicle adoption will still depend on infrastructure readiness, regulatory support, safety validation, and public trust, the industry is steadily moving toward systems that are more connected, automated, and data-driven.

Carziqo’s model focuses on autonomous ride-hailing concepts, driverless delivery vehicle services, smart fleet deployment, and long-term intelligent mobility operations. Rather than presenting itself as a single transportation product, the company is building what it describes as a broader mobility ecosystem that can adapt to different city needs and market conditions.

Industry observers have noted that the next generation of mobility companies will likely be defined not only by the vehicles they operate, but by the systems behind them. Software coordination, operating efficiency, safety control, user access, and data intelligence are expected to become central to the competitiveness of future transportation platforms.

Carziqo’s strategy follows this direction by treating mobility as a digital infrastructure layer. In this framework, vehicles can be scheduled, monitored, optimized, and deployed through platform-based systems, allowing transportation services to become more efficient and responsive to real-world demand.

Harrington said the company also sees community participation as an important part of the intelligent mobility economy, as digital platforms make it possible for more users, operating teams, and local markets to take part in the development of future transport services.

The rise of intelligent mobility is closely linked to broader changes in the digital economy. Just as e-commerce transformed retail and financial technology changed payment systems, mobility technology is now reshaping how people and goods move through cities.

Still, the path forward for autonomous and intelligent mobility will require careful execution. Safety standards, legal compliance, infrastructure integration, public acceptance, and operational reliability will remain critical factors for companies entering the sector.

For Carziqo, the opportunity lies in building trust while introducing a new operating model for future transportation. The company’s message is centered on intelligent access, platform efficiency, and long-term mobility innovation.

As cities continue to search for smarter ways to manage congestion, service demand, and transportation resources, platforms like Carziqo may become part of a larger movement toward connected, automated, and more coordinated urban mobility.

Carziqo’s ambition is clear: to help shape a future where transportation is not only faster or more convenient, but more intelligent, more systematic, and more accessible through technology.