Jollibee has once again claimed the top spot as the No. 1 Best Fast Food Fried Chicken in the U.S. in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, securing the honor for the third year in a row. This milestone reinforces Chickenjoy’s standing as a consistent favorite in one of the world’s most competitive quick-service restaurant markets.
Voted on by readers nationwide, the latest award reaffirms Chickenjoy’s signature appeal: a perfectly crispy exterior and tender, juicy meat that keeps customers coming back. The three-year winning streak proves this excellence is no passing trend, but a standard Jollibee upholds with every serving.
“Receiving this recognition for the third year running is especially meaningful because it reflects the consistent quality, taste, and experience we strive to deliver with every order of Chickenjoy,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Global President and Chief Executive Officer of Jollibee Group. “It strengthens our confidence in building deeper trust and affection for the brand in more markets, as we share the same products and experiences that have made Jollibee a source of joy for millions of families.”
A Track Record of Acclaimed Taste
Chickenjoy has earned praise from leading food publications for its exceptional flavor and quality. Previous honors include:
- Best Fast-Food Fried Chicken – Eater.com (2022)
- Best Chain Fried Chicken in America – Thrillist (2021)
Jollibee now operates nearly 100 stores across North America and over 1,800 locations worldwide, making it one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands globally. Its signature offerings and warm, joyful brand experience continue to resonate with customers across cultures.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to every USA TODAY reader who voted for us, and to our loyal customers everywhere who love and share our brand,” said Maribeth dela Cruz, President of Jollibee Philippine Brands North America. “This award also belongs to our dedicated teams who prepare and serve Chickenjoy daily, ensuring every visit is satisfying and memorable. It inspires us to keep bringing the Jollibee experience to more communities across North America and beyond.”
The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlight top destinations, experiences, and businesses across the United States. Nominees are selected by industry experts, with final rankings determined entirely by public vote.
View the full list of USA TODAY’s 10Best Fast Food Fried Chicken rankings here.
The girls of Baclayan Mangyan School, guided by Stairway coordinators and volunteers, spent an afternoon learning basic coding skills to power up their robot kits.
"Our goal is to bring technology to where it is needed most," said Frei Sangil, President and Founder of LAYERTech Labs. "We strive to develop solutions that do not deepen existing social inequalities."
Community-Led Empowerment
The #TechForGood program achieves lasting impact through its grassroots approach, which ensures local leaders have the skills and knowledge to sustain educational efforts long after workshops conclude.
The young boys under the care of Stairway Foundation and those enrolled in Puerto Galera Academy learned to manipulate their robots through an app downloaded on their mobile phones. The robots are equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities.
The recent robotics workshop was structured in three progressive phases:
- Train the Trainers: The initiative opened with a facilitator development session for Stairway Foundation officers and community coordinators from Baclayan. By assembling and coding robots themselves, these local leaders gained firsthand experience to guide participating students moving forward.
- Build from Scratch: On the second and third days, students completed intensive, collaborative work. Over several hours, they constructed robots entirely from basic components.
- Bring Creations to Life: Once assembly was complete, students connected their robot circuits to computers and applied fundamental coding logic to make their designs functional.
"This partnership falls under Stairway’s ICT Program, where I and our ICT volunteers here in Baclayan teach children basic computer literacy," explained Jonalyn Onde, Baclayan Development Officer at Stairway Foundation. She emphasized that these learning opportunities are critical to helping students prepare for high school and compete on equal footing with peers from more resourced schools.
Prior to teaching the children, LAYERTech first guided the community coordinators on robot assembly and software programming.
Growing Alliance for Child Welfare
The Oriental Mindoro robotics workshop marks the latest milestone in the expanding partnership between Converge ICT Solutions and Stairway Foundation.
Working together since 2023, the collaboration began by delivering connectivity and digital tools—including donated tablets and computers—alongside active measures to protect children from Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC). Over time, the alliance has broadened to cover additional digital priorities: data privacy education, online fraud prevention, and now, closing gaps in tech education through robotics training.
LAYERTech Labs offer a whole suite of models for different learning groups but make sure to make these accessible to low-income sectors.
Investing in young minds today demonstrates that building a truly digital nation requires more than laying fiber-optic infrastructure—it means coding a brighter, more equitable future for the next generation.
Progress in accessibility, governance, and responsible AI reinforces commitment to a better life for all
LG Electronics has released its 2025–2026 Sustainability Report, confirming that Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions fell below its 2030 target level in 2025. The company also achieved a 97.3 percent waste recycling rate. LG maintained its position as a global ESG leader, ranking in S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) Top 1 percent for the third consecutive year and earning recognition from other leading assessors. Additional highlights include expanded product accessibility through solutions such as the LG Comfort Kit, accessible kiosks, and LG Easy TV, plus strengthened Responsible AI governance detailed in a new dedicated report section.
LG Electronics (LG), a global leader in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management, has published its 2025–2026 Sustainability Report, outlining key efforts to advance its vision of a better life for all.
The report confirms LG has already exceeded targets set for 2030 in two critical areas: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and waste recycling.
Early Progress on Emissions Goals
In 2025, combined Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions across all domestic and global operations reached 842,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂eq). This is well below the 2030 target of 878,000 tCO₂eq, and puts LG on track to cut total emissions by 54.6 percent from 2017 levels. Results reflect organization-wide action including the adoption of high-efficiency equipment and a shift to renewable electricity.
LG also surpassed its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated goal for product-use emissions intensity. For seven major product categories, per-unit carbon emissions during use fell by 22.5 percent in 2025 compared to 2020. This exceeds the 20 percent reduction target set for 2030. LG is the first South Korean home appliance manufacturer to receive SBTi validation for this type of target.
Advancing Circularity
LG achieved a 97.3 percent waste recycling rate across all domestic and overseas sites in 2025, passing its 2030 goal of 95 percent. All five domestic production sites retain Platinum level Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) certification, the highest possible rating. The company collected 640,000 tons of used electronics in 2025 across 91 locations in 56 countries, bringing total e-waste recovered since 2006 to more than 5.65 million tons.
Expanding Accessibility
The report details new steps to make products and services more inclusive. Key offerings include the LG Comfort Kit, designed for easier use regardless of age, gender, or ability; braille and tactile guides added to more products; service kiosks with sign-language avatars; and LG Easy TV, built specifically for senior users. LG also provides sign-language consultations for people with hearing impairments and dedicated support for older customers.
Stronger Governance and Responsible AI
To boost independence and transparency, LG has formally separated the roles of CEO and board chairperson, and appointed an independent director as board chair earlier this year. A new section on Responsible AI is included in the report, outlining LG’s AI Ethics Principles and governance structure. The company will continue updating this framework to ensure accountability and transparency across all AI development and deployment.
Global ESG Recognition
LG has retained its standing among the world’s most sustainable businesses. It has been named to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index for 14 consecutive years, placed in the top 1 percent of S&P Global’s CSA for three years running, earned an “AA” rating from MSCI, up from “A” in the previous year, and secured a second straight Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing it in the top 1 percent of its industry.
LG has published an annual sustainability report since 2006. The full 2025–2026 report is available on the company website.
Note: Emissions intensity refers to greenhouse gas emissions generated over a product’s average lifetime, calculated on a per-unit basis.
Championing the next generation of Filipino visionaries. The 9th Ortigas Art Festival unfolds as a free multidisciplinary showcase at GH Mall from July 16 to 31, 2026 — marking the launch of the first-ever Ortigas Art Grant for emerging artists.
(Photo caption: Ortigas Art Grant participants pictured with, center from left to right: Monique Castañeda, Ortigas Malls AVP and Head of Marketing; Renato Habulan, Ortigas Art Festival Lead Curator and Consultant; San Juan City Vice Mayor Jose Angelo Rafael Agcaoili; and Arch. Renee Bacani, Ortigas Malls Vice President)
From July 17 to 30, 2026, GH Mall transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity for the 9th Ortigas Art Festival. Visitors can explore contemporary art galleries set throughout the mall, attend independent film screenings, enjoy live performances, and build new skills through hands-on interactive workshops — all open to the public at no cost.
This year’s theme, “Elevate,” reflects the festival’s remarkable growth from a modest painting exhibition into one of Metro Manila’s most accessible, award-winning celebrations of Filipino creativity. Rooted in its longstanding “Art For All” advocacy, the festival now advances creative expression through an immersive, multi-sensory experience: striking visual artworks, thought-provoking installations, and compelling storytelling through film and live performance.
The 2026 edition also honors two of the country’s most revered cultural icons. In partnership with the University of the Philippines Press, it features the works of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario. A separate exhibition, organized with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), celebrates the legacy of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal.
“The theme ‘Elevate’ is both a reflection and a call to action,” shares Renato “Ato” Habulan, Lead Curator of the Ortigas Art Festival. “It honors how far this festival has come in nine years, while challenging artists and audiences alike to rise higher, think deeper, and experience art in new ways — right here in their neighborhood mall.”
Beyond gallery walls, creativity takes center stage in motion. The opening ceremony featured live performances by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Quartet and dynamic dance showcases, setting a spirited tone for the weeks ahead.
Celebrating Icons and Emerging Voices
This year’s featured artist is environmental sculptor Junyee, widely recognized as the “Father of Philippine Installation Art.” He is celebrated for repurposing natural materials into monumental works that blur the boundaries between art and the natural landscape — embodying the spirit of innovation the festival seeks to amplify.
Participating galleries and collectives include Agos Studio (marking the 50th anniversary of Kaisahan), Eskinita Art Gallery, Linangan Art Residency, Thombayan Art Space, Art Circle Gallery, Historia Art Gallery, Nami Art Gallery, the Collective Artists of Angono, the Mindoro Artists Group, Pasig Art Club, and the Ortigas Foundation, alongside several independent artist-run groups. Born in Film also presents a special photography exhibit blending nostalgic and modern perspectives from across the Philippines.
Multidisciplinary Experiences: Film, Performance, and Hands-On Creation
Cinema takes a central role this year, developed in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and the CCP. The lineup spans full-length features and award-winning short films from emerging and established Filipino filmmakers. Highlights include nightly screenings of Cinemartrys and Alipato at Muog, plus selections from CCP’s Lakbay Sine, Gawad Alternatibo, and Cinemalaya programs. Featured works also include Paul Morales’ documentary That We May See (tracing Kaisahan’s 50-year journey), and films by acclaimed director Sari Dalena, alongside Elian Idoma’s I’m The Best Left Inside My Head (2025) and Andrei Francis “Franky” C. Arrocena’s Pastil: Parehas Ra Ta’g Kan-on’g Ginakaon (2025), among others.
Visitors are invited to create as well as observe. Free workshops cover acrylic pouring, block printing, textured plaster art, paper cutting, sketching, and storytelling, plus copyright masterclasses led by Born in Film. All sessions welcome beginners and seasoned creators alike, encouraging everyone to try their hand at artistic expression.
A major milestone this year is the launch of the inaugural Ortigas Art Grant, an initiative designed to support artists beyond the exhibition. Shortlisted creators will present new works in 2027, while the selected grantee will receive special recognition during the festival’s 10th anniversary, plus an international development opportunity tied to Art Basel Hong Kong 2027.
Accessibility remains the festival’s core strength. It has grown into an inclusive space: a family browsing the mall, a student discovering independent cinema, an aspiring photographer, or a seasoned collector — all will find work that resonates. After nine years, “Art For All” is more than a slogan. It is an invitation to look closer, stay curious, and discover that art is not limited to gallery spaces — sometimes, it is just around the corner, waiting to be found.
For updates on workshops, featured artists, and announcements, follow the Ortigas Art Festival on Facebook. For the latest from Ortigas Malls, join their Viber Community and follow GH Mall on Facebook.
A journey from almost giving up to making it happen. One dream, unwavering grit, and the right support at the right time.
Lourdes Batac (Head of Communications Strategy), Atty. Sheila Gomez, Neil Trinidad (MYNT Inc. Chief Marketing Officer), Tony Isidro (FUSE Chief Executive Officer), Baby Aquino (FUSE Chief Product Officer)
Not every dream follows a straight path. Sometimes it demands endless perseverance. Sometimes it takes courage to start over. Often, moving forward means knowing when to reach out for help.
This spirit of second chances takes center stage in the sixth installment of #GCashStories, the flagship campaign from the Philippines’ number one Finance Super App and largest cashless ecosystem. Titled “Kasama Mo Mangarap,” this new chapter shares the inspiring real-life story of Atty. Sheila Gomez. A former legal aide, she turned her lifelong goal of becoming a lawyer into reality through hard work, wise choices, and timely support from GLoan.
“GCash Stories reminds us that the most powerful stories are real ones,” said Neil Trinidad, Chief Marketing Officer of Mynt. “Progress happens when people get the right support at the right moment. At GCash, we do more than offer financial tools. We empower Filipinos to keep chasing what matters. Every Filipino deserves to dream and deserves a second chance to make that dream come true. Sheila’s journey proves that inclusive finance does not just solve temporary problems. It turns obstacles into lasting opportunities and dreams achieved.”
More Than Stories: A Movement of Filipino Progress
For three years, #GCashStories has celebrated everyday Filipinos whose courage, hope, and resilience show what real progress looks like. It has grown into a nationwide movement that highlights the struggles and wins of communities across the country and how GCash helps turn dreams into reality.
Atty. Sheila now joins a remarkable line-up of storytellers who have shared their breakthroughs:
- Cocoy, a laid-off bartender who built a successful business with GLoan
- Alma, a university employee who rebuilt her home after Typhoon Ulysses with help from GCash Send Money
- Turing, a drag queen and breadwinner who supported her family through the pandemic using GCash QR tipping
- Adz, a champion para-athlete who raised funds for the next generation through GCash Send Money
- Rhea Inayan, known as Bacolod’s “Barangay Hero,” who brought essential financial services closer to her community via her GCash Pera Outlet
“Every GCash Story is a story of financial progress,” said Lourdes Batac, GCash Head for Communication Strategy. “Our story is not just about what we have built. It is about how our products have changed lives. We are deeply grateful to Cocoy, Alma, Turing, Adz, Rhea, and Sheila for sharing their journeys. They show millions of Filipinos that their own goals are within reach.”
Sheila’s Story: Sacrifice, Support, and Success
For Sheila Gomez, becoming a lawyer meant years of hard work. While working full-time as a legal aide, she balanced long hours at the office with late nights studying for law school.
As tuition and daily costs grew, she faced the same struggle many working Filipinos know too well. Financial pressure kept her up at night. Every enrollment period and exam season brought fear of falling short. Instead of letting her dream fade, she chose GLoan as her reliable partner to move forward.
The flexible funding covered her school expenses so she could focus on her studies without worry. Today, she is a licensed lawyer and continues to use GCredit and GGives as she builds her career.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned is that perseverance does not mean doing everything alone,” Atty. Sheila shared. “Many Filipinos see loans as something to avoid. But when used responsibly and with clear purpose, they become a powerful investment in your future. I am thankful GLoan gave me that chance.”
Fair Lending That Respects Every Filipino
Sheila’s journey also highlights a vital need. Amid rising costs and tough economic times, many Filipinos still face unfair lending practices or rigid systems that leave them with fewer options.
As Fuse Financing Inc. marks its 10th year as GCash’s lending arm, it works to change this view. It leads the way in fair, transparent, and respectful lending. Its goal is to show that responsible borrowing empowers people, protects their dignity, and opens doors instead of creating cycles of debt.
“Our mission has stayed the same since day one: fair loans that make every day better for every Filipino,” said Tony Isidro, President and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc. “We stand by three commitments. We offer fast loans with no collateral needed. We provide a safe and secure experience. And most of all, we let Filipinos borrow with dignity. With discipline and grit, responsible borrowing becomes your next step toward progress.”
Finance for Every Dream
Sheila’s win belongs to millions of Filipinos who use GLoan to finish school, grow their livelihoods, support their families, or get through hard times.
These stories bring GCash’s vision of Finance for All to life. It meets people where they are and upholds the truth that every person has the right to dream and succeed no matter their background.
Ready to take your next step? Access GLoan through the GCash dashboard or under the “Borrow” tab. Download GCash on the App Store or Google Play Store today.
The Philippines’ top fast food chain Jollibee teams up with the country’s biggest P-pop girl group BINI to launch the much-awaited JolliBINI Bundles. Available for a limited time only, this special promotion pairs Jollibee’s most loved meals with exclusive BINI-themed collectibles made just for fans.
The offer runs from July 15 to August 31, 2026. Every purchase comes with limited-edition items featuring all eight members of BINI. Customers will receive random collectibles, while a lucky few may also get the rare Special Group Photocard.
“At Jollibee, we always look for ways to make every meal more joyful and memorable for our customers,” said Dorothy Ching, Vice President for Marketing at Jollibee Philippines. “With the JolliBINI Bundles, fans get to enjoy their favorite Jollibee treats while collecting exclusive BINI merchandise. Every visit becomes a chance to find a new item, cheer for your favorite member, and share fun moments with fellow BLOOMs. We hope this campaign brings even more happiness as fans collect, trade, and complete their JolliBINI sets together.”
Fans can choose from two bundle options:
JolliBINI Bundle A – Starts at ₱269. Includes one Original or Special Cheesy Yumburger, one-piece Chickenjoy with rice, a regular drink, and one random JolliBINI Collectible Set with a bag charm and photocard.
JolliBINI Bundle B – Starts at ₱399. Includes one Original or Special Double Cheesy Yumburger, one-piece Chickenjoy with rice, a large drink, and two random JolliBINI Collectible Sets.
This collaboration turns every meal into an exciting unboxing experience. It is set to spark even more excitement across social media, as BLOOMs share unboxing clips, collection reveals, trades, and styling ideas while working to complete their full set and find the coveted Special Group Photocard.
JolliBINI Bundles are available at all Jollibee stores nationwide from July 15 to August 31 for dine-in and takeout.
For more updates and to order, visit www.jollibee.com.ph or go to https://order.jollibee.com. Follow Jollibee on social media for more joyful surprises!
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Century Tuna Superbods enters a transformative new chapter that builds on two decades of inspiring healthier lifestyles among Filipinos. The country’s most prestigious fitness competition has returned with a fresh perspective that will surprise long-time followers. During the much-awaited Final Callback, one message stood clear. Superbods has evolved, and the "Superbod Era" is officially here.
From hundreds of applicants across the Philippines, selected semi-finalists took the stage to redefine what modern fitness truly means. This year marks a significant shift in the brand’s vision. There is far more to being a Superbod than what meets the eye. The Callback event offered audiences and judges alike a deeper look at holistic wellness. It highlighted genuine personal journeys, unwavering resilience, and diverse life experiences that left everyone present inspired. Hosted by 2018 Century Tuna Superbod Grand Winner Maureen Montagne and broadcaster KC Montero, the program showcased each candidate’s strength both on and off the stage.
In this new era, physical health is recognized not as an end goal alone. It is seen as the visible reflection of mental fortitude, consistent discipline, and commitment to a purposeful life rooted in wellness and self-identity.
This evolution is anchored on Century Tuna’s enduring mission to encourage every Filipino to become their best self. In a major step toward greater inclusivity, the competition now welcomes participants of all body types and backgrounds. This vision came to life during the Callback through stories that reflect the changing face of fitness in the country.
The stage featured returning contenders making their second, third, or even fourth attempt to earn the title. Their presence proved that dedication truly pays off. It also highlighted Supermoms from all walks of life, including corporate professionals, former models restarting their journeys, and mothers rediscovering themselves through wellness. Hands-on fathers also took part, redefining what modern parenting and health look like.
Some families embraced the journey together, showing how generations can inspire one another. These included a father and daughter pair, as well as a mother competing alongside her two sons. The lineup also included established personalities and fitness coaches stepping beyond their usual spaces to inspire a wider audience.
This historic batch further breaks barriers. It features transgender men joining the competition for the first time, alongside "ageless" contenders who show that vitality has no limit. This diverse group proves that the Superbod lifestyle is open to everyone.
"Every edition of Superbods brings new growth, though our core mission remains the same. We aim to inspire Filipinos to pursue their healthiest, most vibrant selves," said Mr. Carlo Endaya, Vice President, General Manager, and Group Business Head of Century Pacific Food Inc. "As we welcome the Superbod Era, we celebrate health as a powerful life stage defined by passion, commitment, and holistic well-being. The energy and stories we witnessed at the Callback show that modern Filipinos are ready to embrace this new era. We look forward to seeing our finalists inspire the whole nation."
Contenders were evaluated by a distinguished panel. This included Century Pacific Food Inc. executives, actress and wellness advocate Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and past Superbods Grand Winners Jules Aquino (2018) and Christelle Abello (2022). Candidates were assessed through a high-energy walk-off and question-and-answer segment that highlighted their physique, confidence, stage presence, and personal advocacy for wellness.
The event concluded with the official announcement of finalists advancing to the grand finals:
Top 20 Male Finalists
Aaron Maniego, Ameer Ahid, Herschel Verne Sanchez, MJ Ordillano, Arvin Corpuz, Jay Gonzaga, Austin Dizon Cabatana, Nunoy van den Burgh, Jaco Benin, Paul John Galang, Christopher Ian El Jouni, Joselito Florendo, Prince De Guzman, Rafael Cruz Tan, Ken Batino, Dominic Camozzi, Kim Panique, RC Kashyap, Ricardo De Jesus, and Lorenzo Isip.
Top 20 Female Finalists
Alana Maris Montemayor, Janica Reloxe, Maan Marquez, Aleiah Torres, Jarly Verceles, Jasmine Rovelle Paguio, Anna Valencia Lakrini, Ashley Cayuca, Chucel Njigha, Ronalyn Lalimo, Jilliane Robillos, Rovin Mizuse, Diane Querrer, Donnabelle Erno, Kristen Bea H. Chua, Thalia Joaquin, Vienne Luna, Gee Canlas, Lou Yanong, and Gia Gonzales.
What began as a premier fitness challenge has grown into a meaningful cultural movement. By redefining healthy living and honoring everyday heroes, Century Tuna Superbods continues to set new standards and inspire the nation toward wellness, self-acceptance, and active living. The countdown to the grand finals begins now.
For more updates, visit https://centurytuna.ph/ or follow Century Tuna on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna.
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