MANILA, Philippines, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Ayala Group, one of the Philippines’ top business groups, once again made it to the prestigious FTSE4Good Index Series, affirming its sound Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices while strengthening the reputation of its business units among global investors.  

The FTSE4Good Index Series is reviewed semi-annually by FTSE Russell, a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange Group that periodically distributes stock market indices.

Ayala Corporation and core businesses ACEN, Ayala Land Inc., BPI, and Globe remain on the list this year. These Ayala businesses have been consistently on the index over several years: Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, and BPI have been included since 2015, Globe since 2016, and ACEN since 2023.

“Our inclusion in the index reflects the commitment of our whole group to sustainability.  For a developing country like ours, sustainability means investing in a future where every Filipino can thrive. We want to be part of that future,” said Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar P. Consing. 

The Ayala Group’s sound sustainability practices and ESG-favorable portfolio have drawn sustainable financing from global investors. As of the end of 2024, the conglomerate’s total sustainable finance transactions have reached $6.2 billion.  

Created by the global index and data provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The FTSE4Good indexes are used by a wide variety of market participants to create and assess responsible investment funds and other products.  

FTSE Russell evaluations are based on performance in areas such as Corporate Governance, Health & Safety, Anti-Corruption and Climate Change. Businesses included in the FTSE4Good Index Series meet a variety of environmental, social and governance criteria.  

To learn more about Ayala’s ESG practices, please visit ayala.com.    

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About Ayala Corporation

For 191 years, Ayala Corporation has been building businesses that enable people to thrive.

Ayala, currently one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines, has meaningful presence in real estate, banking, telecommunications, and renewable energy. It likewise has a growing presence in healthcare, mobility, and logistics as well as investments in industrial technologies, education, and other ventures. Ayala manages its corporate social responsibility initiatives through Ayala Foundation.

Visit our website at https://ayala.com and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about the company. 

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The prestigious exhibition in lifestyle sector,  Indonesia International Gifts and Housewares Expo, is set to return on August 6–8, 2025 at JIExpo. As a one-stop platform, IGHE is committed to becoming a premier stage that brings together thousands of business players and industry professionals from both Indonesia and abroad.

IGHE showcases a wide range of home décor, kitchenware, dining and party supplies, home textiles, and the latest lifestyle products. It serves as a hub of innovation, presenting the latest designs and technologies.

IGHE 2025 will be even more vibrant with the participation of 500 renowned brands from both domestic and international markets. Among the featured exhibitors at IGHE 2025 are ROBAM, D.KADI, X&W, CHANGJIANG, HUABAOCHENG and Homeco Living, who are set to showcase a wide range of innovative and premium products. The presence of the leading industry players reinforces IGHE’s position as a strategic platform for building business partnerships and expanding networks in both regional and global markets.

The Launch of IHA – Indonesia Housewares Association becomes highlight

In line with the spirit of industry transformation, IGHE 2025 marks a historic moment with the official formation of IHA – Indonesia Housewares Association. This strategic initiative aims to unite, empower, and strengthen the housewares industry ecosystem across Indonesia.

IHA is expected to serve as a central hub for cross-industry collaboration and a driving force for enhancing the global competitiveness of Indonesia’s housewares sector. The official inauguration of IHA will take place at IGHE 2025 on August 6. Will be attended by the founding board and members to mark a significant milestone in the advancement of the national industry toward the international stage.

The launch of IHA is a historic step forward for Indonesia’s housewares industry, paving the way for greater global recognition.

Seminars & Workshops Led by Experts

As part of its strong commitment to industry development, IGHE 2025 will feature a series of exclusive seminars and workshops organized in collaboration with partners including HIPMI-Indonesian Young Entrepreneur Association, ITC Group, Blibli.com, Tiktok by Tokopedia, etc. These programs will provide participants with in-depth insights, knowledge, and strategies to enhance business competitiveness.

IGHE 2025 is expected to welcome over 15,000 visitors and exhibitors from across the globe. More than just a product showcase, the exhibition promotes industry synergy and long-term growth for the industry.

Register to join the B2B exhibition!

Chaoyu Expo, expo@chaoyu-expo.com 

PHU QUOC, Vietnam, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, successfully unveils its next-generation residential energy storage system (ESS) at 2025 Southeast Asia Distribution Summit. Featuring the upgraded MG Series inverters, this new solution covers power ranges from 5 kW to 10 kW. With industry-leading features like full-power operation at 45 °C, active PID recovery, and seamless backup power switching within 4ms, this new solution ensures households stay powered even in extreme climates or unstable grid conditions, designed to meet the rising demand for household energy independence across the region.

MG5/6RL inverters are already available and compatible with over 50 third-party energy storage batteries*. MG8/10RL models and the matching MGL060 battery will be released in Q4 2025.

One System, Endless Lifestyles

• Start Small, Dream Big: The system scales effortlessly from 5kW to 80kW with support for up to eight units in parallel—making it ideal for everything from compact apartments to spacious villas or future expansions. It’s also compatible with mainstream third-party batteries, offering the flexibility to meet a wide range of application scenarios.
• Power Your Home, Your Way: Whether starting with solar today or planning for backup power tomorrow, the system adapts as your needs evolve—from PV-only setups to fully off-grid solutions. It also supports versatile configurations, including “Battery Ready” (install the inverter now and add batteries later) and “Backup Only” (a hybrid system without PV panels, offering reliable power during outages).
• One Port, Triple Functionality: Simplify your energy management with one port designed for three smart applications: Graded Load Management, Diesel Generator Coordination, and PV Expansion. Flexible and efficient, it brings intelligent control to any energy scenario.

Robust Backup for Uninterrupted Power

• Seamless Transition, Continuous Comfort: In the event of a grid outage, the hybrid inverter automatically switches to off-grid mode within just 4 milliseconds—ensuring uninterrupted power without light flicker or appliance shutdown. Your daily life stays smooth, even when the grid doesn’t.
• Compact Size, Exceptional Power: Despite its small footprint, the system delivers up to 200% overload output for 10 seconds. For example, the MG6RL model can supply 12kW to instantly support high-power appliances like air conditioners, laundry machine during blackouts—making it both reliable and powerful.
• Whisper-Quiet Operation: With noise levels as low as 35 dB—quieter than a library—Sungrow’s Immersive Silence technology ensures a peaceful home environment.

Robust Power Generation for Unstoppable Performance

• Double the Punch, Zero Compromise: With up to 200% DC input and 160% maximum output capacity, the system delivers outstanding performance. For example, a 6kW inverter can simultaneously provide 6kW of rated AC output while charging the battery with 3.6kW of DC power—ensuring maximum energy utilization without compromise.
• Compatible with diverse PV Panel: Engineered to support up to 20A input current, the system is compatible with virtually all PV modules on the market. No DC energy goes to waste—enabling greater efficiency and seamless integration with your existing or future solar setup.
• Heat-Defying Performance: Built for extreme conditions, the system maintains full power output even at 45 °C ambient temperature. It ensures stable generation during peak heat hours, boosts self-consumption, and conserves battery power for when it’s truly needed—delivering reliability when it matters most.
• Grid-Connected PID Repair, 25 Years of Peak Performance: Featuring Sungrow’s patented PID ZERO® technology, the system is the industry’s first to actively recover from PID effects without disconnecting from the grid. It counteracts long-term power loss caused by heat and humidity—ensuring your PV modules stay efficient for 25 years, no extra hardware or rewiring required.

Smarter Energy, Seamless Control

• Touch & Monitor at Your Finger: The intuitive 4.3-inch full-color touchscreen offers real-time monitoring and complete local control. Commissioning takes less than 30 seconds—no internet required, as easy as making tea. Dual LED indicators allow quick system checks at a glance: the left shows system status, while the right displays battery state of charge (SOC).
• Storm-Ready in One Tap: Prepare for extreme weather or scheduled outages with a single click—activate fast battery charging from the grid and go from 30% to 100% SOC in just one hour (based on a 6kW/6kWh system), giving you peace of mind when it matters most.
• AI Smart Energy Management: Later integration with Sungrow’s iHomeManager (the forecast-based energy management system) will use AI to tailor energy strategies based on usage patterns, weather forecasts, dynamic electricity tariff, and extreme weather alerts, optimizing energy dispatch and boosting household green energy benefits by more than 12%*.

Coming Soon: Longer Lasting, Safer, More Flexible Batteries

Launching in Q4, the new MGL060 battery features large-capacity 314 Ah LFP cells with 8000 cycles (EOL 60%), delivering triple the lifespan of average industry offerings. Its pack-level DC/DC energy optimization works like a dedicated optimizer for each cell group, ensuring each operates independently and efficiently, even when new and old batteries are mixed.

*Notes: Data based on households configured with PV–ESS–EV charging system and heat pumps; actual benefits may vary depending on load types and capacity.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world’s No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the world’s most bankable energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com

Media Contact: 
Tianjiao Rong
rongtianjiao@sungrowpower.com 

From 7 to 31 August, over 20 films will be screened for free
Tickets are now available on the official AFF website

HONG KONG, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation (HKAF) is delighted to announce the third edition of the ASEAN Film Festival (AFF), featuring over 20 acclaimed films from various countries, running from 7 to 31 August. As ASEAN is a vital partner in the Belt and Road Initiative, this year’s festival will also showcase outstanding works from four Belt and Road countries — Egypt, Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Türkiye — for the first time. In addition to bringing together the ten ASEAN member countries, the festival aims to foster cross-cultural connections and people-to-people exchanges. Filmmakers and directors from around ten highlighted films will engage in special sharing sessions with local youth and ASEAN students in Hong Kong, enriching the viewing experience and enhancing their understanding of different countries.

Broaden cultural horizons through a month-long cinematic journey

This year’s selection provides Hong Kong audiences with a vibrant mix of genres and storytelling traditions, ranging from heartwarming comedies and inspiring dramas to thrilling mysteries and intense action. The 24 selected films showcase the soft power of filmmakers from diverse regions and highlight their significant contributions to the international film and creative cultural industry. Through the festival, the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation hopes to encourage Hong Kong audiences — especially the younger generation — to appreciate the rich and diverse cinematic works from ASEAN and Belt and Road countries, while exploring the profound and vibrant cultural heritage of these nations.

‘Films serve as a cultural medium that transcends geographical boundaries, conveying diverse stories with a shared emotional bond. This year, we are truly honoured to continue presenting exciting films from the ten ASEAN countries to our audiences in Hong Kong, and for the first time, to feature works from four Belt and Road countries. Their participation enriches the festival, sparking new exchanges and creative connections across borders. This further highlights Hong Kong’s unique charm as a cultural hub, and reinforces the city’s vital role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” between Mainland China and the international community,’ says Mr Daryl Ng, Chairman of Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation. ‘We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the consuls-general for their invaluable support in selecting representative films, as well as to the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, M+, the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, and other esteemed partners, for their support and insights. Through these collective efforts, we hope to provide Hong Kong audiences with a richer array of film arts, enhancing our cultural perspectives and allowing the younger generation to appreciate the essence of cultures from ASEAN and Belt and Road countries.’

AFF 2025 is a collaborative endeavour involving the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, the Consulates -General of the 14 countries in Hong Kong, and various partners across multiple sectors. Co-presenters include the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, M+ and Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Supporting organisations comprise the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Financial Services Development Council, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, InvestHK, Our Hong Kong Foundation, and various chambers and associations.

Showcasing Cultural Diversity and Enhancing Regional Connectivity

In recent years, the HKSAR Government has introduced various initiatives to promote economic and cultural cooperation between Hong Kong and ASEAN. Against this backdrop of strong collaboration, the AFF enters its third edition, now featuring films from an additional four Belt and Road countries, supported by the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau. The event aims to use film as a bridge to foster cross-cultural connections, broaden humanistic perspectives, and strengthen regional connectivity and mutual understanding, contributing to the development of cultural, tourism, and film industries across regions. AFF 2025 will offer a month of free screenings at multiple venues across Hong Kong, along with post-screening discussions featuring filmmakers who will share their creative visions and behind-the-scenes stories. Some sessions will also include local film industry professionals, in collaboration with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, encouraging meaningful cross-regional dialogue and creative exchange.

Many of the featured directors and actors from ASEAN and Belt and Road countries have garnered international recognition for their creativity and unique storytelling techniques. Among the curated highlights are award-winning blockbusters such as ‘Ah Boys to Men 3: Frogmen’ (Singapore), which set a record for Singapore’s opening week box office, and the 4K restored version of Thailand’s classic box office hit ‘My Girl’ (Thailand). Audiences will be moved by emotional stories like ‘Falling in Love Like in Movies’ (Indonesia), ‘Nuansang: The Heart of Teacher’ (Laos), and ‘If My Lover Were a Flower’ (Myanmar). The festival also presents a powerful autobiographical story, ‘Champion’ (Türkiye), an epic tale of love, sacrifice, betrayal, and redemption, ‘Samsara’ (Indonesia), and a stirring tale of female leadership and courage, ‘Tomiris’ (Kazakhstan). Notably, AFF 2025 features two cross-country collaborations — ‘Out of the Nest’ (Thailand and Mainland China) and ‘Our Blossom’ (Hungary and Vietnam) — highlighting the creative synergy between regions with distinct yet interconnected cultural identities and celebrating the universal language of film.

Starting today, the public is invited to visit the official AFF 2025 website to register for free entry tickets, available on a first-come, first-served basis. For full details on the featured films and screening schedule, please refer to the appendix or explore the AFF 2025 website: https://aseanfilmfest.org/.

Introductory video of AFF 2025: https://youtu.be/eZ79PG474cI?si=CasUZdyU3gUtcRaO

Images

High-resolution images can be downloaded here –
Link: https://gallery.sinclaircomms.com/gallery/ASEAN-Film-Festival-2025  
Password: talkofthetown

Sharing from AFF 2025 Partners: