Slated to open in end-Q3 2025, the property marks the brand’s debut in the Philippines following a strategic conversion deal.

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott International Inc. and CG Hospitality recently announced a signed agreement to convert The Farm at San Benito, the well-renowned Philippines wellness retreat, to an Autograph Collection resort, the first in the nation which is expected to welcome guests in end-Q3 2025. With a brand promise of “Exactly Like Nothing Else”, the Autograph Collection brand is home to a curated selection of individual boutique hotels, each chosen for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, offering rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint.

“We’re excited to collaborate with CG Hospitality on the debut of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection brand in the Philippines — a milestone that expands our footprint in this vibrant market.” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “With wellness emerging as a key driver of travel decisions, this is a timely and strategic entry for us. The Philippines, with its rich natural beauty and growing reputation as a rejuvenating destination, offers the ideal setting for the Autograph Collection and underscores our continued commitment to bringing differentiated experiences to new markets across the region.

“At CG Hospitality, we have always believed in nurturing destinations that leave a lasting impact, and The Farm at San Benito has long been a jewel in our portfolio — a sanctuary where nature, wellness, and heartfelt hospitality come together. Our strategic partnership with Marriott International to bring The Farm at San Benito into the Autograph Collection family reflects our commitment to creating experiences that are both timeless and transformative. By joining hands, we are taking this vision global, introducing the Philippines’ first Autograph Collection property, and setting a new benchmark for wellness hospitality in the region,” said Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global.

Spanning 52 hectares of lush greenery, The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection is a wellness destination rooted in transformation and personal growth. The property’s philosophy centres on nurturing personal growth through a holistic care – where nutrition, movement, integrated medicine and mindful living intersect to support each guest’s evolving journey towards long-term wellbeing.

Nestled in Lipa City, Batangas, a 90-minute drive from Metro Manila – the 70-key property is expected to feature one-bedroom villas and exclusive two- and four-bedroom private pool villas.

The resort is also expected to feature a swimming pool with a pool bar, a fully equipped fitness centre, a tranquil spa, and a medical wellness centre — setting a benchmark for next-generation wellness hospitality in the region. Guests can look forward to a bespoke culinary journey across five dining venues, a lobby lounge, and two additional bars.

The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection’s strategic location offers convenient access for both leisure seekers and corporate guests — meeting the rising demand for restorative escapes from Manila and beyond. The resort will also cater to business and social gatherings anticipated to feature 321 sqm of flexible meeting and event space, complete with natural light.

Nearby cultural and recreational attractions include the “Little Rome of the Philippines,” known for its historic churches, monasteries, and religious landmarks, Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club, and Casa de Segunda, a beautifully preserved 19th-century heritage home, offering a glimpse into the Filipino lifestyle.

Marriott International currently has 12 properties across six brands in the Philippines with five more in the pipeline. Slated to be Marriott’s 13th property in the nation, The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection will also be part of Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International.

ABOUT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL  

Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of over 9,300 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 144 countries and territories. Marriott operates, franchises, and licenses hotel, residential, timeshare, and other lodging properties all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy^®, its highly awarded travel platform. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram. 

ABOUT CG CORP GLOBAL

CG Corp Global, the Global face of Nepal’s first and only Multi – Billion Dollar Multinational Conglomerate with an exceptional legacy of 140 years across 4 generations. CG Corp Global has 261+ brands, 202+ companies, over 20,000 employees and spread across 32 countries with industry leading foray into Fast – Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Banking, Power, Hospitality, Real – Estate, Telecom, Cement, and education amongst others.

CG Hospitality Global, a hospitality arm of CG Corp Global has a diversified portfolio of more than 193 Hotels & Resorts across 12 countries and 127 destinations with over 12,000 keys.

CG Hospitality’s successful joint ventures include partnership with globally renowned hospitality brands such as IHCL (A Tata Enterprise) through its Taj, Taj Safari and Vivanta brands, Jetwing, Radisson, Hilton, and Fairmont brands. CG Hospitality owns The Zinc, The Fern, and The Farm brands. By 2028, this portfolio is expected to grow to over 600 hotels and 30,000 keys.

CG Hospitality’s diverse portfolio features some of the most iconic properties and destinations across the globe. This includes Taj Exotica Resort & Spa (Maldives), Jetwing Vil Uyana & Taj Samudra (Sri Lanka), The Farm at San Benito (Philippines), Meghauli Serai – A Taj Safaris Lodge (Nepal), Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers (Dubai, UAE) and Fairmont The Norfolk & Fairmont Mara Safari Club (Kenya), Double Tree by Hilton JFK Airport in New York amongst others.

CG Hospitality also owns one of the largest management company in India through Concept Hospitality (CHPL)/Fern Hotels, which manages over 120 Mid – Market to luxury hotels through its own brands under Fern, Zinc and Beacon. This portfolio is set to grow to 500 hotels by 2028.

ABOUT AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION ®  HOTELS  

Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 330 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 50 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual and special: Exactly LikeNothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore on social via Instagram, X, and Facebook to be inspired by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Marriott International:

Kiran Hans
Sr. Manager, Communications
Marriott International, Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC)
kiran.hans@marriott.com 

The Farm at San Benito:

Kathy Solis
Director of Marketing & PR
The Farm at San Benito
kathy.solis@thefarm.com.ph 

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gamete donation has accelerated around the world in the past decade driven in part by the emergence of commercial sperm and egg banks and a growing recognition of the validity of this form of family building among single women in some countries.

However, lack of regulation on donor conception in many countries is exposing those seeking to build families in this way to potential medical, legal and psychosocial ramifications.

Associate Professor Sonja Goedeke, a New Zealand-based clinical psychologist specialising in psychosocial and ethical implications of infertility, has called on policy makers to help those seeking donor conception to make safer choices for themselves, their donors and their potential offspring and families.

Speaking at the 2025 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Singapore, Associate Professor Goedeke said legislation, policies and practices regarding donor conception vary significantly across jurisdictions and anonymous donation remains possible in some countries, including across the Asia Pacific.

“Anonymity can prevent donor conceived people from accessing vital health information and deny them knowledge of their genetic origins,” she said. “It may also increase the risk of half-siblings unknowingly forming relationships with each other. 

“Internationally, many donor conceived people have emphasised their desire for and right to access information about the donor.”

Associate Professor Goedeke said limited local access to egg, sperm and embryo donors may be one of the key drivers in so-called cross-border reproduction. “However, this may present significant risks including unspecified donor limits leading to potentially large numbers of siblings,” she explained.

“Unified legislation is required to set up central donor registries for each country and enforce limits around the number of donor-conceived people born from one donor to reduce the risk of consanguineous relationships and the psychological impact of discovering an unlimited number of potential siblings.

“Proper record keeping would allow central donor registries to share information with each other and ensure those seeking and providing donor conception can operate in a more regulated, safer environment.”

Associate Professor Goedeke is from the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the Auckland University of Technology, and she is the Co-Chair of the ASPIRE Special Interest Group on Psychology and Counselling.

She said unregulated donor conception raised potential legal issues surrounding parentage, access rights to offspring and responsibilities for financial child support.

“Significant advances in science that have allowed families to be created using donated gametes have also advanced the growing availability of direct-to-consumer DNA testing,” Associate Professor Goedeke explained. “This, coupled with a growing recognition of the rights and needs of donor-conceived people has driven a shift toward greater openness.

“DNA testing has become commonplace among people who suspect they were donor conceived and so true donor anonymity is no longer guaranteed. DNA samples may allow the tracing of anonymous donors and donor conceived people and access to medical and genetic data.

“Donor conceived people have the right to develop and conserve mutually agreeable relationships with biological, social and gestational families regardless of when or where they were born.

“But DNA testing for biological links can also have its downsides. In an unsupported environment, it can be challenging to negotiate outreach to individuals who may be previously unknown genetic relatives. Individuals to whom they outreach may not be anticipating contact, or genetic siblings may not be aware of their own donor conception, so responses may become psychologically confronting.

“Donor conception is a growing trend that is becoming more complex, so guidance is needed to help the recipients/parents, donors and donor conceived people to navigate the rapidly changing landscape in assisted reproduction. Donor conception is not just a treatment to help individuals conceive. It is a form of family building with long-term implications for all involved.”

Associate Professor Goedeke said donor registries, donor limits, support for parents to disclose and access to properly recorded information were required to ensure ethical donor conception. This includes an understanding of complex cultural and religious contexts.

“Policy makers and health care professionals have a duty to ensure that adequate support provisions are in place to promote the health and well-being of all parties affected by donor conception,” she said. “Qualified counsellors in clinical settings can provide psychosocial and decision-making support, education and advocacy and, if sought, help manage linking between donors, parents, children and siblings.”

More than 2,000 experts in fertility health are attending the ASPIRE Congress at the Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore. For more information, go to www.aspire2025.com

Interview: Associate Professor Sonja Goedeke is available for interview.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, is pleased to announce the launch of a new T-shirt design in UNIQLO’s PEACE FOR ALL collection, UNIQLO’s charity T-shirt project. After an incredible response to UNIQLO’s charity T-shirt project, UNIQLO was inspired to team up with Akamai again—this time for a brand-new design. The second T-shirt in the collection drops globally on Friday, June 20.

Design message
More than 25 years ago, Akamai helped make the internet we know today possible. This shirt’s design is a callback to those early days of life online. The light tan color is a reference to the “beige box” plastic casings that housed the early internet computers, and the heart on the front represents how the internet has been used for good all over the world. On the back of the T-shirt is real code. It’s a reference to Linux, the open-source language of the internet. This common language unites Akamai with the world’s top brands and the people they serve, as we work together toward a vision of a safer and more connected world.

“We’re honored to once again be part of the PEACE FOR ALL project,” said Kim Salem-Jackson, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Akamai. “Our mission to power and protect life online inspires us to help create a safer, more connected world—and we’re truly grateful for the continued partnership that supports this vision. Through this project, we’re proud to share a message of peace, expressed through the universal language of fashion.”

About UNIQLO’s PEACE FOR ALL project
UNIQLO’s PEACE FOR ALL project, launched in June 2022, features graphic T-shirts with designs that express a wish for peace, which are provided voluntarily by contributors who have close ties to UNIQLO and support the aim of “taking action with a desire for world peace.” All profits from sales of PEACE FOR ALL T-shirts are donated to international humanitarian organizations, including UNHCR (the UN refugee agency), Plan International, and Save the Children. More than 6.6 million shirts have been sold globally, raising more than US$12.8 million in donations as of January 2025. The funds raised are provided to partner organizations for emergency humanitarian assistance, to protect the lives of displaced people around the world, and to support children who are facing difficult circumstances due to conflict or other issues.

About Akamai
Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.

Media Contact 
Akamai PR
akamaiPR@akamai.com

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Just months after announcing its dynamic partnership with world-renowned patient experience expert Shareef Mahdavi and the PX Ninety program, VISTA Eye Specialist is thrilled to mark a major milestone: the story of its PX Ninety and Ikigai WowX transformation has been published in the prestigious April edition of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today (CRST), a leading U.S. medical journal.

This global spotlight not only cements VISTA’s role as a pioneer in purpose-driven, innovative eye care—but also puts Malaysia proudly on the international stage.

“Being featured in CRST is not just a win for VISTA—it’s a win for every patient who believes in our vision of care with heart and purpose,” said Boon Siong Lim, Founder of VISTA Eye Specialist.

From Vision to Reality: PX Ninety Rollout and Results

Since kicking off the collaboration in November 2024, VISTA has rolled out game-changing initiatives across all 18 centers:

• Rolled out PX Ninety’s 12-workout transformation journey to all centers
• Trained a full force of Experience Champions to deliver emotionally intelligent, deeply personalized care
• Introduced patient-centric tools like the Ikigai Journey Box, transforming milestones into unforgettable moments
• Reengineered workflows to boost communication, shorten wait times, and raise transparency clinic-wide

The Impact: Tangible Wins for Patients and Teams

This cultural and operational leap has driven remarkable results:

• Over 500 new 5-star reviews on Google and Facebook
• Skyrocketing patient referrals and satisfaction scores
• Energized team spirit and stronger staff engagement
• Named one of Newsweek Asia’s Top Private Hospitals 2025
  

Why This Matters to Patients

“Being published in CRST means our patient experience isn’t just good by local standards—it’s recognized and celebrated by international experts,” said Carol Heng, Chief WowX Officer and Chief Experience Designer for PX Ninety.
 “Our patients are getting world-class care—with soul.”

The article showcases how VISTA fuses behavioral science and the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai to create a journey that’s not only medically sound—but emotionally rich. Every step—from first consult to post-op—has been thoughtfully reimagined and internationally validated.

“Imagine getting LASIK and walking away not just with clearer vision, but with an Ikigai Box—a personal time capsule that marks the day your life changed,” Carol added. “That’s what care with soul looks like.”

Real Patient Stories, Real WowX Moments

Nothing says success like the voices of our patients:

“After extensive research, I chose VISTA for my cataract surgery… The entire team made me feel at ease. The clinic was immaculate, the technology was top-notch—and after surgery, my vision became noticeably sharper. Watching TV now feels like HD!”

“The Doctor explained everything so clearly and made my daughter feel completely at ease—she even fell asleep during the exam! As parents, we felt truly reassured. Thank you for such a comfortable and heartwarming experience.”

A Global Benchmark in Modern Eye Care

“Getting published in CRST is a big deal,” said Shareef Mahdavi, author of Beyond Bedside Manner and creator of PX Ninety. “VISTA is showing the world what patient-first healthcare should truly look like.”

A Movement Gaining Momentum

VISTA’s transformation is just beginning. Upcoming initiatives include:

• Empowering staff with deeper personal growth tools
• Launching community-based WowX outreach programs
• Expanding PX Ninety into new service areas across Malaysia

Regional Interest in VISTA’s WowX Model

VISTA’s success story is also turning heads across the region. In recent months, healthcare delegations from Medical Saigon Group (Vietnam), Bangkok Eye Hospital (Thailand), and EyeLink Group of Eye Care Centers (Indonesia) have visited VISTA to explore how they can implement similar wowX service principles and innovations in their own practices.

“It’s exciting to see other countries looking to VISTA as a model,” said Mr. Lim. “It validates the impact we’re making—not just locally, but regionally.”

About VISTA Eye Specialist

With 18 centers across Malaysia, VISTA Eye Specialist is a trusted leader in cataract, refractive, and myopia care. Renowned for clinical excellence, advanced technology, and a bold new approach to patient experience, VISTA is setting the standard for modern eye care.

We are a multiple award-winning and B Corp Certified organization—recognized not just for medical outcomes, but also for business innovation, customer service, and HR excellence.

Our awards include:

• SOBA 2020 & 2021 – Best in Customer Service (Silver)
• Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands – Gold/Platinum for five consecutive years
• Newsweek Asia’s Top Private Hospitals 2025
  

These honors are a testament to VISTA’s unwavering commitment to delivering care that’s not only effective—but exceptional.

About PX Ninety and Shareef Mahdavi

PX Ninety is a behaviorally grounded program created by Shareef Mahdavi, focused on transforming healthcare through empathy, personalization, and structured change. Learn more at www.pxmovement.com.

SINGAPORE, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia and TAIPEI, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KC Global Media is excited to announce its LIVE broadcast partnership with LIV Golf, bringing the thrilling action of this season’s tournaments to sports fans in more than 94 million homes on its vast network of channels across Asia.

The world’s first truly global golf league, LIV Golf has gained international acclaim for its unique format, elite roster of world-class golfers, and high-energy tournaments. After the premiere broadcast of LIV Golf Singapore in March, followed by the League’s Miami and Mexico City tournaments, the excitement continues this week in Asia with LIV Golf Korea presented by Coupang Play, taking place 2-4 May at the historic Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon. All remaining LIV Golf events this season will be carried live on AXN Asia, giving viewers across the continent access to all the action as LIV Golf takes center stage with a new legion of fans.

LIV Golf has launched on AXN Sports, a premium programming block dedicated to sports content across KC Global Media’s expansive network in countries and regions including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, India, and more. As the first LIVE sports property to air under this initiative, LIV Golf, followed by TPBL, represents a significant milestone in the organization’s strategy to bring more premium sports content to the region.

George Chien, Co-founder, CEO, and President of KC Global Media expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are honored to bring LIV Golf to sports fans in over 19 countries and 94 million homes across Asia through KC Global Media’s extensive network, starting with its debut on AXN Asia and extending to other platforms. This partnership aligns perfectly with the KC Global Media brand, which has always been known for premium, high-quality content. As one of the most talked-about leagues in global sport,  LIV Golf is a premium property that fits seamlessly into our content strategy. At KC Global Media, we are constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries to bring our audiences the best possible content, and the launch of AXN Sports as a dedicated programming block for more LIVE sports content marks a significant milestone for us.”

 “We’re thrilled to partner with KC Global Media to bring LIV Golf to their extensive network,” said Ron Wechsler,LIV Golf Senior Vice President, Broadcast Partnerships and Programming Strategy.” As the largest regional broadcast partner in Asia, KC Global Media has a deep understanding of local audiences and a proven track record of delivering premium content to millions of homes across Asia. Working in partnership with KC Global Media enables us to instantly expand our reach and showcase many of golf’s biggest stars to 19 Asian countries covering over 94 million households. I would like to thank the KC Global Media team for sharing our vision for the future of golf and helping us redefine how the sport is experienced through their expertise in entertainment. This is LIV Golf’s biggest season yet, we’re confident that this partnership will engage and excite golf fans throughout Asia.”

For more information on the airing details of LIV Golf, please visit AXN Facebook or Instagram page. Media may CLICK HERE to view and download images, footage and more from 2025 LIV Golf League events for editorial use. 

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About AXN Asia
AXN features exclusive top-rated drama series, blockbuster features, reality programs and ground-breaking original productions. The channel appeals to a discerning audience seeking content that is smart, intriguing and unexpected, and all delivered close to U.S telecasts. From CSI: Vegas, FBI franchise, The Rookie, NCIS: Hawai’i and The Amazing Race, AXN is defined not by a genre, but by an attitude that truly redefines action. In Asia, AXN reaches more than 18.6 million households in 18 territories.

Website: AXN-Asia.com  |  Facebook: @AXNAsia  |  Instagram: @AXNAsia  |
YouTube: AXN Asia  |  TikTok: @AXNAsia  |  X: @AXNAsia

About LIV Golf
The LIV Golf League is the world’s only global golf league featuring 13 teams, a 14-tournament schedule, and many of the world’s best golfers. Launched in 2022, the League was designed to expand the sport on a global level and create new value within the golfing ecosystem while enhancing the game’s societal impact. A landmark investment by LIV Golf also launched The International Series, a set of 10 enhanced events sanctioned by the Asian Tour, with elevated prize funds in world-class destinations, offering a pathway for leading professional and amateur golfers from around the world into the LIV Golf League. Only three years into operations and with tournaments across North and Latin Americas, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe, LIV Golf remains committed to developing the sport at every level and exposing more people to the positive virtues of the game through its unique blend of intense competition and entertainment.

LIV Golf is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments whose vision and mission are centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential. For more information, visit livgolf.com. 

About KC Global Media
KC Global Media Entertainment LLC is a global multi-media company based in the United States. The brainchild of former Sony executives Andy Kaplan and George Chien, KC Global Media Asia (KCGM Asia) is Asia’s leading entertainment hub through the production, distribution and programming of quality, ground-breaking content. Backed by more than two decades of industry experience, KCGM Asia boasts an impressive portfolio of premium pay-TV channels in Asia, including English-language general entertainment network AXN, Japanese anime content channel Animax, South Korea’s ONE, Japanese entertainment channel, GEM, our first English language general entertainment FAST (Fast Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel, KCM, and AXN Sports block which features LIVE broadcast of LIV Golf and TPBL. By combining award-winning and well-loved entertainment formats with extensive knowledge and insight of the Asia Pacific market, KCGM Asia is paving the way for a new standard of entertainment in Asia and beyond.

Website: https://kcglobalmedia.com/  |  Facebook: @KCGlobalMedia  |
Instagram: @KCGlobalMediaAsia  |  LinkedIn: @KCGlobalMediaAsia