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Close to 14,000 Move It motorcycle taxi riders are at risk of losing their jobs following an order from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to drastically reduce the company’s operational fleet just days before Labor Day.

Under the directive, Move It’s rider cap in the National Capital Region will be reduced from over 14,000 to 6,836. The LTFRB directive also required Move It to cease operations in Cebu and Cagayan De Oro, which will affect an additional six thousand riders.

The company and its rider-leaders said the move would render unemployed thousands of drivers who have already undergone safety training and are currently serving commuters.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Move It rider-leaders appealed to the government and the Motorcycle Taxi Technical Working Group (TWG) to maintain the status quo.

Move It General Manager Wayne Jacinto questioned the timing of the order, and said that aside from ordering the layoffs on the eve of Labor Day, the move was ill-timed given the public transportation problems in Metro Manila.

“Gusto namin makapagbigay ng tapat na hanapbuhay sa bawa’t rider, at ang rider namin gusto magbigay ng magandang serbisyo sa mga mananakay,” said Jacinto.

“Alam natin kung gaano kahirap sumakay ng transportasyon na pampubliko; ngayon pa natin itataon na magtatanggal tayo ng riders?”

Rider leader Jerry Cruz lamented that “kung kailan darating ang Araw ng Manggagawa, saka pa natin babawasan… tatanggalan mo ng hanapbuhay yung libu-libong riders na considered as manggagawa.”

Concerns were raised about the impact of the layoffs on their families. Jacinto explained 14,000 unemployed riders would hit 14,000 families, and as a consequence would affect as many as 50,000 individuals, assuming each family had four members each.

United Motorcycle Taxi Community representative Andy Delos Santos tearfully relayed the fears of his fellow Move It riders following the LTFRB order.

“Maraming nag message sa akin mga rider… nangangamba, baka mawalan ng trabaho,” said Delos Santos.

“Nanahimik kami, nagtatrabaho kami… tapos bigla kaming tatanggalan ng trabaho… 14,000 na rider, 14,000 na pamilya ang pinag-uusapan dito,” he pointed out.

Because of the stakes involved, he said that riders would go out to the streets to inform the government about their sentiments regarding the LTFRB order.

“Kaya kung kinakailangan namin lumabas, lalabas kami sa kalsada para marinig kami ng pamahalaan natin.”

Jacinto said that Move It would submit a motion of reconsideration to the LTFRB.

“Magsusubmit kami ng MR today. Hiling po namin maging patas po sana, wag sana mawalan ng hanapbuhay ang mga rider—at sana pakinggan kami ng kinauukulan ng sa ganun, wag naman po sana ma-displace sila; kawawa naman po sila.”

MANILA, 25 April 2025 – YouTube, in partnership with Shopee, launches YouTube Shopping in the Philippines. With this launch, the YouTube Shopping affiliate program is now available in six countries across Southeast Asia, further fueling the burgeoning video commerce in the region. YouTube Shopping seeks to elevate the purchase experience and create more opportunities for viewers, content creators, and even advertisers.

Viewers can now seamlessly find and buy the things they love while watching content from their favorite creators. The YouTube Shopping affiliate program transforms video e-commerce from links in the description box to actual and direct product tagging – no more extra clicking, endless searching, or switching between websites. All they have to do is check out!

The launch of the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program in the Philippines offers exciting opportunities for both Shopee sellers and content creators. Shopee sellers can now expand their reach by collaborating with an even broader network of content creators through this partnership, giving them the opportunity to tap into a highly engaged, incremental audience and drive sales like never before. This seamless connection between creators and sellers accelerates product discovery, amplifies brand reach, and ultimately enhances conversion rates.

For eligible local creators, this partnership unlocks new business opportunities, enabling them to monetize their influence by promoting products to an audience they have already built connections with. As consumers in the Philippines increasingly seek engaging, content-driven shopping experiences, this collaboration meets their evolving expectations.

Tapping on the rise of video commerce and creator economy in the Philippines

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets, with video commerce having surged to 20% of the region’s e-commerce gross merchandise value in 2024–a fourfold increase since 2022^[1]. At the same time the Philippine creator economy is thriving, with over 450 channels with more than one million subscribers, and over 6,000 channels with more than 100,000 subscribers^[2].

Driving this growth is a shift from traditional discovery to a video-first shopping experience, with consumers looking to online content with creators they trust for information and entertainment. On YouTube, creators are more than just entrepreneurs and cultural influencers – they are trusted advisors on behalf of brands. A global study reveals that online users are 98% more likely to trust recommendations from YouTube creators compared to other social platforms. This trust translates directly into purchase confidence. In fact, YouTube drives 3.8 times greater purchase intent than other social platforms on averages^[3].

This underscores viewers’ trust in creators’ recommendations and their desire for authentic product reviews and demonstrations ultimately leading to conversion. Consumers are looking to search- and video-led entertainment to enrich their shopping experience, and this deep engagement with trusted creators on YouTube underscores the platform’s unique position to power this.

According to a Kantar study on shopping behaviors among Southeast Asian Gen Zs, eight in ten Gen Z respondents desire entertaining shopping experiences reinforcing the importance of content in their shopping journey. Furthermore, despite exploring alternative channels for product discovery, 63% of Filipino Gen Z respondents still prefer to complete their purchases on e-commerce platforms, making this partnership between YouTube and Shopee highly synergistic in creating an integrated, seamless shopping experience.

Sapna Chadha, Vice President for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier said, “Southeast Asia is shaping the future of shopping with its powerful combination of a deeply engaged video-first audience, a profitable digital economy, and a vibrant creator community. We’re thrilled to bring YouTube Shopping to the Philippines—making Southeast Asia home to six out of nine countries globally that have it. Just seven months since our regional debut, we’re seeing strong traction across creators, sellers, and advertisers already. Building on this early momentum, YouTube Shopping will continue to grow, unlocking new opportunities for viewers, creators, brands, and partners across this dynamic region.”

Vincent Lee, Head of Shopee Philippines shared, ”At Shopee, we are committed to delivering engaging shopping experiences that integrate content, community, and commerce. Our partnership with YouTube Shopping is a significant milestone for our brands and sellers, allowing them to connect with creators and harness their influence to drive sales effectively. This collaboration also opens up exciting opportunities for the growing number of Filipino content creators to monetize their creativity while promoting products that resonate with their audiences. As the digital economy continues to expand, our commitment is to support sellers and creators alike, helping them thrive in this evolving landscape.”

Earn more with YouTube Shopping affiliate program for creators

With the YouTube Shopping affiliate program, creators can tag products in existing and new videos, as well as pin them during live streams. The full list of tagged products and information about each product is made available at a glance in the description section and ‘Product’ section of the video. Clicking on a product will lead viewers directly to an external sales page on Shopee, for a seamless purchase.

The YouTube Shopping affiliate program complements existing monetization options that empower Filipino creators to engage their audience and build deeper connections beyond immediate sales. These include tools such as Ads Revenue, YouTube Premium Revenue, Channel Memberships, Super Thanks, Super Chat and Super Stickers.

In just seven months since YouTube launched the YouTube Shopping affiliate program in Southeast Asia, the program has delivered impressive results and fantastic momentum.

For example, Mai Trinh Hồ, a beauty and fashion creator known for her honest reviews, joined the YouTube Shopping affiliate program in the last quarter of 2024 and has already seen her revenue increase by almost five times. Another case is that of Jagat Review, a tech creator from Indonesia, shared that his earnings from the YouTube Shopping affiliate program made up a whopping 50% of his channel’s total earnings between July and October of last year.

Now that YouTube Shopping is launched in the Philippines, creators like Camille Co are excited – she is already sharing her favorite makeup products by tagging them on her videos.

“I always get asked where I got this and that makeup or clothing or home stuff on my vlogs and for a long time, it’s been challenging to share them all.” Co said. “Now with YouTube Shopping, it’s so much easier to share these products that I love and truly believe in. A huge plus also for me because I get to earn on the side while doing so!”

Mond Salem of Hardware Voyage, a Filipino tech channel, is also optimistic about the feature. “I’m so excited about YouTube Shopping finally being in the Philippines! I’m looking forward to me and my fellow creators earning more with featured product sale commissions,” he said.

Reach and engagement opportunities for brands and advertisers

For advertisers, YouTube Shopping opens new doors to reach and engage more consumers, driving better business outcomes.

By enabling advertisers to directly connect partnership ads with relevant creator content, it will shorten the customer journey from discovery to sale. Brands can also use creator videos both long and short with product feeds in campaigns to expand reach to new customers across YouTube. For example, L’Oréal Thailand combined its campaign with the YouTube Shopping affiliate programme and achieved 10X more high-intent views,

with a cost-per-visit twice as efficient as previous campaigns.

Since launching the YouTube Shopping affiliate program across the region, YouTube and Shopee have witnessed active usage and purchase across different categories such as Beauty, Mobile & Gadgets, and Home & Living. This shows the diverse product range and significant potential for creators to influence consumer purchasing decisions. As YouTube Shopping continues to gain momentum in Southeast Asia, it strengthens its position as a transformative force in the video commerce and creator economies.

To learn more about enabling YouTube Shopping on your channel, click here.

In a world where stress is constant and quality time often gets lost in the daily grind, families need places where they can truly unwind, reconnect, and make lasting memories. One such place stands out in Southern Luzon — Splash Island, a destination that has long brought smiles, laughter, and unforgettable moments to countless Filipino families.

Nestled in Biñan, Laguna, Splash Island offers more than just a refreshing break from the heat. It’s a well-loved water adventure park that blends thrill and relaxation in just the right mix. From adrenaline-pumping slides to calm, family-friendly pools, it caters to every age and energy level. Whether it’s the sound of children giggling through splashy rides or parents basking under the sun, every visit becomes a cherished memory.

What makes Splash Island truly remarkable is the genuine hospitality that defines the Filipino way. The staff are warm, attentive, and focused on safety and cleanliness — ensuring guests not only have fun but also feel cared for. That kind of personal touch transforms a day trip into something deeper: an experience filled with connection and joy.

Beyond the laughter and leisure, Splash Island also plays a meaningful role in supporting local tourism and the economy. It provides steady employment to residents, boosts nearby businesses, and draws tourists who help sustain the vibrant energy of Biñan. It’s a powerful example of how recreation can fuel real progress and community growth.

In times when people seek healing from stress and disconnection, parks like Splash Island serve as much-needed sanctuaries. They remind us that happiness doesn’t always mean going far — sometimes, it’s found just around the corner, in the company of loved ones, and in the thrill of water splashing around us.

As more families look for safe and enjoyable ways to spend time together, Splash Island stands out as a top-tier destination. It’s proudly local, proudly Filipino, and proudly built on the value of bringing people closer together.

Let’s continue to celebrate and support homegrown gems like Splash Island — places that not only offer fun but also foster unity, joy, and pride in what we have right here in our own backyard.

Pinakita ng Uratex sa kanilang mga media partners at content creators ang kanilang pinakamalaking at pinakamahusay na pasilidad sa Plaridel, Bulacan. Inilibot ang mga bisita sa lahat ng major zone ng planta kung saan makikita ang state-of-the-art foaming technology at automated mattress assembly lines.

Mula sa paghahalo ng mga raw materials, curings at cutting stations sa ilalim ng mahigpit na quality assurance protocols hanggang sa packaging ng mahigit sa 14,000 quality mattress kada araw.

Ang planta ay fully-operational simula pa noong 2000, na may lawak na 450,000 square meters at may mahigit sa limangdaang empleyado sa production, warehousing, at logistics upang maserbisyuhan ang mga customer mula Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao.

Kinumpirma ng pamunuan ng Uratex na patuloy ang kanilang expansion plans, kasama na ang distribution center upang mapalawak at mapahusay ang kanilang delivery services.