Casino Plus brings an elevated entertainment and leisure experience at the Second Baccarat Tournament Grand Finals

by Info @Brand Zone | January 29, 2026

P30M Champion Prize, Exciting Perks, and a Special Appearance of Maris Racal Exclusively for Qualified VIP Players

Manila, Philippines — Reinforcing its commitment to premium, player-first engaging experiences, Casino Plus elevates entertainment and leisure for its online users with the live Second Baccarat Tournament Grand Finals on 31 January 2026, exclusively for its qualified VIP players at the Newport World Resorts.

Unparalleled Entertainment Experience

This year’s tournament features a prize pool of up to ₱52 million, with the Champion set to take home ₱30 million. Compared to the ₱5 million champion prize previously seen in publicly announced tournaments in the Philippines. This year’s top prize is approximately six times higher, setting a new benchmark for local baccarat tournament payouts. 

"Our priority has always been to craft player-first experiences built around trust, fairness, and responsible gaming.” said Evan Spytma, The BEST ONLINE CASINO in the Philippines CEO of Casino Plus. “The Second Baccarat Tournament Grand Finals is our way of giving back to the players who are at the heart of Casino Plus. We endeavor to deliver entertainment that is not only thrilling, but thoughtfully designed and rewarding, elevating every touchpoint of the Casino Plus ecosystem." 

"What makes this tournament special is how it seamlessly bridges the online excitement our players love with an elevated in-person championship experience. It’s a dynamic evolution of our platform, bringing digital energy into real life in a premium, unforgettable way. From luxurious accommodations to exclusive entertainment and multi-million prizes, we designed the Grand Finals to honor our online users with the kind of hospitality and excitement they won’t find anywhere else," Spytma shared.

A Distinctive and Luxurious Hospitality, Leisure, and Dining Experience for Participants

This year’s edition introduces key upgrades from the inaugural tournament. Qualified face-to-face participants will have the ultimate pampering experience, comprised of a complimentary two-night luxurious five-star accommodation, lavish and refined dining options, and round-trip airfare or land transfers. This curated leisure journey sets the tone, helping participants reset and gear up for the thrills of competition.

The championship finals will mark the event’s most thrilling peak. Casino Plus will welcome its ambassador, Maris Racal, as a special guest performer on-site, giving audiences an up-close live performance from the popular actress, singer, and songwriter. On finals day, spectators will witness the crowning moment and immerse themselves in the full championship atmosphere, making the day not only a competitive highlight but also a memorable entertainment experience. Casino Plus hereby formally invites fans and members of the public aged twenty-one (21) years old and above to join us on-site on January 31 to witness the championship moment live.

Championship Rewards

The championship finals will mark the event’s most thrilling peak. Casino Plus will welcome its ambassador, Maris Racal, as a special guest to present the awards, giving audiences an up-close experience with the popular actress, singer, and songwriter. On finals day, spectators will witness the crowning moment and immerse themselves in the full championship atmosphere, making the day not only a competitive highlight but also a memorable entertainment experience. Casino Plus hereby formally invites fans and members of the public aged twenty-one (21) years old and above to join us on-site on January 31 to witness the championship moment live.

Qualifiers in the Online Matches 

The Casino Plus Baccarat Tournament officially kicked off online in September 2025. From September to November, the tournament advanced through monthly rounds, with the top five finishers each month earning direct qualification for the Grand Finals. In addition to the monthly qualifiers, the tournament also featured a Wild Card route that opened on December 1 and culminated in a final showdown on December 20. The top 20 Wild Card performers, together with invited VIP entrants, completed the Grand Finals roster to compete for the ultimate championship.

The on-site Grand Finals at Newport will be played across multiple baccarat rounds, with fixed hands and time limits, and enhanced by elements such as secret betting cards to raise the competitive intensity. All participants must pass eligibility checks and compete in person; proxy participation or substitute play is strictly prohibited to safeguard fairness and tournament order. Qualified finalists will face off head-to-head on the main stage for the tournament’s highest honors.

The tournament is open to Casino Plus–registered users aged 21 and above, subject to full KYC verification supported by a valid government-issued ID.

For more information, visit casinoplus.com.ph or follow https://www.facebook.com/CasinoPlusPH

#2ndBaccaratTournament #LiveBaccarat #CasinoPlusPH

PhilHealth implements one-time interest waiver to help employers and members settle contributions

by Info @Brand Zone | January 9, 2026

PR No. 2026-01 - January 6, 2026

PhilHealth welcomes the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to implement a one-time waiver program for incurred interests from missed premium payments. This is a concrete measure to help employers, self-employed individuals, and other covered members settle long standing contribution obligations and restore good standing with the National Health Insurance Program. 

The waiver policy underscores the administration's commitment to fairness, economic recovery, and sustained access to healthcare by addressing the accumulated burden of interest arising from missed premium payments. 

To provide clarity, the one-time waiver applies strictly to interest charges, and does not cover unpaid premium contributions. The policy is designed to assist employers and self-employed individuals whose arrears have ballooned primarily because of compounded interest, while ensuring continuous delivery of benefits of employees and members of PhilHealth.  

To further ease the financial burden on covered entities, PhilHealth is providing a one-year settlement window from the effectivity of the Circular, during which outstanding premium contributions may be paid. Employers who settle earlier within the prescribed period may qualify for greater reductions in interest, including partial or full waiver, depending on the length of the payment term. 

For the employed sector, the guidelines for availing waiver will be published soon. Meanwhile, the detailed implementing mechanics for the self-employed sector are being finalized and will be issued separately to ensure proper guidance and orderly implementation. 

As part of the program safeguards, employers availing of the one-time waiver are required to register their employees under the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and ensure completion of the First Patient Encounter (FPE), in line with PhilHealth policy. This requirement reinforces the intent of the waiver—not only to recover missed contributions, but also to connect workers and their families to accessible primary care services.

PhilHealth encourages all eligible employers and members to take advantage of this limited, one-time opportunity, and advises the public to await official announcements for further details on implementation timelines and payment arrangement options, particularly for the self-employed sector. 

For more information, employers may contact PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at (02) 866-225-88 or at mobile numbers (Smart) 0998-857-2957, 0968-865-4670, (Globe) 0917-1275987 or 0917-1109812.

Elevating Bulacan’s eco-sports tourism... Filipino cyclists from PH, abroad conquer DRT's mountainous trails in Lakbike Festival Teban 7

by Info @Brand Zone | December 11, 2025

CITY OF MALOLOS — Nearly 300 racers across the country and from abroad convened for another adrenaline-fueled installment of Lakbike Turismo: Lakbike Festival Teban 7 - Enduro Race, a premier downhill competition held last Sunday, December 7, on the rugged trails of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, sealing the town’s reputation as one of the adventure and eco-sports destination in Luzon. 

Organized by the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) through the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO) along with the Bulacan Gravity Crew, the event was participated by cyclists from La Union, Tuguegarao, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Metro Manila, Laguna, Baguio, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cagayan De Oro, Bicol, Mindanao, Guam, London, Australia, Chicago, and Singapore.

This year’s race introduced a diverse roster of categories to provide the participants a competitive and inclusive sporting experience ranging from Open Men and Women, E-MTB, Executive, Men Age 50 and Above, Men Age 40-49, Men Age 30-39, Men Age 20-29, Men Age 15-19, Men Age 14 and below, and Hardtail categories. 

Steven Adler Paulino of the Bulacan Gravity Crew expressed his gratitude to the participants for pushing through the competition despite the forecasted high chance of rainfall a day before the event.

“Let’s do the 100% pa rin, gawin pa rin nating 100%. Lahat ng supplies ipasok natin para lahat ng darating masaya. [Kaya] sa mga nandito, maraming salamat po,” Paulino said. 

The seventh edition of the racing tilt also featured four special stages that highlighted the natural landscapes and sceneries of the town, starting at the Candle Monument in Brgy. Camachin and concluding at the Teban Trail Parking in Brgy. Talbak. 

On the other hand, OIC Department Head of PHACTO May Arlene DG. Torres shared in her message how the PGB consistently promotes sports and eco-tourism in the province, highlighting Doña Remedios Trinidad’s potential as an emerging tourist destination in the country. 

“Ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan po ay itinataguyod ang sports tourism tulad po nito, at gano’n din po ang eco-tourism. Ito pong DRT ay emerging na tourist destination, kaya sana po sa mga darating na taon ay mas mapasyalan niyo pa po ang iba’t ibang bahagi ng DRT at ng Bulacan. At sana ay sa inyong palaging pagpunta sa Bulacan, mahalin n’yo po ang [aming lalawigan],” she said. 

Meanwhile, a tree-planting activity was also conducted in certain parts of the town prior to the competition participated by selected racers, stressing Bulacan’s continued advocacy for ecotourism, environmental stewardship, and responsible outdoor recreation.