Emirates is giving travelers more reasons to visit Dubai this summer, rolling out a range of offers that include complimentary hotel stays, special discounts, and added flexibility for passengers flying to or through the city.

Whether as a final destination or a stopover, Dubai continues to offer a wide mix of attractions for families, adventure seekers, shoppers, and leisure travelers. From iconic landmarks and theme parks to museums, galleries, and indoor attractions, visitors can easily fill a few days—or an entire vacation—with activities suited to their interests.

“Whether visitors are seeking relaxation, adventure, entertainment or a combination of all three, Dubai is the ideal start to any summer vacation,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. “We’re inviting passengers to enjoy even more of the city with a complimentary hotel stay and take advantage of the shopping, dining, entertainment, and family-friendly experiences available throughout the season.”

 

 

Complimentary Stay at JW Marriott Marquis

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As part of the promotion, Emirates is offering eligible passengers a complimentary stay at the five-star JW Marriott Marquis Dubai.

Located in the heart of the city, the hotel features a range of dining options, wellness facilities, a fully equipped fitness center, and an outdoor swimming pool overlooking Dubai’s skyline.

Passengers who purchase return tickets in First Class or Business Class between June 22 and July 12 can receive a complimentary two-night stay, while those flying in Premium Economy or Economy Class are eligible for a one-night stay.

The offer applies to return flights to Dubai or stopovers lasting more than 24 hours, for travel between June 25 and September 30.

 

 

Planning a Stopover

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Travelers looking to make the most of a short stay can use Emirates’ Dubai Experience platform, which offers suggested itineraries for 24-hour and 48-hour visits. The service allows passengers to build personalized plans based on their interests and schedule.

 

 

Discounts Across the City

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Emirates is also bringing back its My Emirates Pass program for Summer 2026.

Available to all Emirates passengers, the program provides access to more than 600 offers across Dubai. Travelers can enjoy discounts at participating restaurants, retail stores, attractions, spas, and entertainment venues simply by presenting their boarding pass and a valid ID.

 

 

Dubai Summer Surprises Returns

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Visitors arriving during the season can also catch Dubai Summer Surprises, which runs from July 2 to August 30.

The annual citywide festival features live entertainment, concerts, cultural activities, fitness events, and major retail promotions, along with limited-time experiences across Dubai’s shopping and lifestyle destinations.

 

 

Connecting the Philippines to the World

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Emirates currently operates 32 weekly flights from Manila, Cebu, and Clark, linking Philippine travelers to more than 138 destinations worldwide, including Paris, London, New York City, and Madrid.

The airline has also maintained flexible booking options for travelers. Tickets booked after April 2, 2026, come with one complimentary date change across all cabin classes, while the Hold My Fare feature allows customers to reserve a fare while finalizing their travel plans.

As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, globally awarded communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises expanded the reach of its advocacy arm, Citizen COMCO, through the launch of Camp COMCO Kids at Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas, Inc., welcoming its first group of young participants.

Citizen COMCO leads COMCO Mundo’s advocacy initiatives focused on youth and education, wildlife and environmental protection, heritage and culture, social enterprise, and cross-border collaboration. The introduction of Camp COMCO Kids further strengthens its commitment to youth development by creating a learning space designed specifically for children.

Developed in partnership with the Camp COMCO Mentorship Program under the COMCO School of Communications, the initiative adapts the organization’s mentorship and values-based learning approach for younger audiences. While the original Camp COMCO focuses on aspiring communicators and young professionals, Camp COMCO Kids introduces children to creativity, storytelling, teamwork, and social awareness through interactive and age-appropriate activities.

The program follows a three-part structure. Camp COMCO Kids Special focuses on community-based learning engagements, Camp COMCO Kids Prime offers a more immersive workshop experience where participants can become “COMCOys for a day,” and Camp COMCO Kids Edutainment Content produces educational and entertaining materials tailored for children.

The first Camp COMCO Kids Special was held at Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas, Inc. in Paco, Manila, a community extension facility that provides care and support for abandoned, neglected, and vulnerable children. The organization currently serves children aged two to fourteen through feeding programs, outreach activities, apostolate work, and community celebrations.

Throughout the day, participants took part in activities designed to encourage creativity, communication, collaboration, and community values. Inspired by the original Camp COMCO structure, children were grouped into four houses: House Bearcat, House Flying Fox, House Whale Shark, and House Hawksbill.

Each house was represented by its own character reflecting different interests and personalities. Bobby the Bearcat represented sports and outdoor activities, Farrah the Flying Fox highlighted music, theater, and dance, Howie the Hawksbill focused on technology, games, and crafts, while Wilma the Whale Shark encouraged creative writing and visual arts.

Supported by members of the Camp COMCO Alumni Society and the COMCO Squadron, the organizers created an engaging environment where children could learn through games, storytelling, and group activities centered on Filipino values and social responsibility.

One of the main activities involved role-playing exercises, where children practiced basic acting skills while presenting scenarios inspired by Filipino values. Guided by house stewards, assistant stewards, and guest stewards from the Camp COMCO Alumni Society, participants brought the lessons to life with enthusiasm and creativity.

The program also featured interactive games, including the calamansi relay and the traditional Filipino game tumbang preso, adding excitement and energy throughout the event. Participants and winners received prizes as part of the celebration.

“I would like to thank everyone for being part of Camp COMCO Kids,” said COMCO Mundo Interregional President and Group Chief Executive Ferdinand Bondoy. “This is our first Camp COMCO Kids, and you are our very first batch. We’re excited to see how you grow and hope to see you become storytellers like us in COMCO Mundo one day.”

Citizen COMCO has long supported various advocacy initiatives focused on education, community support, and social impact. Through projects such as COMCOlidays with Kids, the organization has provided outreach programs and holiday activities for underserved communities, while also extending assistance to families affected by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the years, Citizen COMCO has partnered with organizations including Called to Rescue, Make-A-Wish, Philippine Eagle Foundation, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, World Vision, and WWF.

The organization also promotes Filipino identity, language, and culture through Baybayin HARIYANAS, its multimedia platform dedicated to Philippine heritage and history. This year, Citizen COMCO continues its advocacy efforts through the launch of For Tribe to Thrive, a social impact initiative aimed at supporting indigenous communities across the Philippines.

As COMCO Mundo marks its 10th year, the organization continues to expand its community and advocacy programs with a focus on creating opportunities for future generations.

Camp COMCO Kids marks the beginning of that next chapter.

 

In the world of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Smart Omega has built more than a competitive esports team—it has built a community.

Beyond the matches, highlights, and tournament runs, one of Smart Omega’s biggest achievements continues to happen outside the arena through Barangay Smart Omega, the fan community that has grown alongside the organization over the years.

For the Smart Communications-backed team, every game represents the people supporting them from the sidelines, online streams, and packed venues. That connection with fans continues to shape the organization’s grassroots efforts aimed at developing esports communities from the local level upward.

“Sobrang halaga ng cheers lalo na pag nasa venue, at kahit wala sa venue, nakaka-boost ng confidence, parang gusto ko pa lalo itodo,” said Smart Omega Jungler Dean “Raizen” Sumagui.

Among the team’s initiatives is Community Wars, a post-MPL PH platform that gives aspiring MLBB players an opportunity to compete in organized matches. Over time, the program has also become a pathway for amateur teams looking to break into the professional scene.

Teams such as Maru Esports, now known as Dewa United PH, and Code Unknown Quantum Minds, now CU X Godz Quantum Minds, previously competed through Community Wars before advancing to MDL PH, considered an important stepping stone toward professional esports.

The same community-driven approach also powers Smart Omega’s Community Watch Parties, which continue to expand across Quezon City districts. Instead of watching matches alone, fans gather in their own neighborhoods to support the team together, turning every game into a shared experience.

“Thank you sa suporta n’yo, kasi sa hirap at ginhawa, nandyan pa rin kayo para sa amin. Hindi kami sumusuko. Hintayin n’yo lang, malay ninyo, dumating yung panahon na mapapasaamin naman momentum ng MPL, eh di pare-parehas tayong masaya,” said Smart Omega Gold Laner Kenneth “Netskie” Barro.

Fan participation extends beyond watch parties. Through initiatives like Quest for the Vest, supporters can earn rewards and exclusive experiences by attending events, collecting badges, and participating in activities such as bootcamp raids.

Online, fans continue to contribute to the growing identity of Barangay Smart Omega by sharing reactions, highlights, and personal experiences through SuperFan content across digital platforms.

For supporters who want to compete instead of just spectate, Fansiklaban gives players the chance to represent Smart Omega through MLBB tournaments and rankings. Barangay Smart Omega participants are currently among the Top 4 teams on the leaderboard.

Supporting these initiatives are Smart and TNT, long-time backers of Philippine esports and gaming communities.

“Our continued support for Smart Omega and its community is a commitment to our fans and to the sustained growth of the esports ecosystem in the Philippines,” said Lloyd Manaloto, Smart co-OIC.

Smart recently introduced its All-New Postpaid Plans+ with Unli Apps, including the Play Bundle designed for gamers who rely on uninterrupted access to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and other online games.

The enhanced plans are supported by Smart’s mobile network, which was recently recognized by Ookla® for Best Mobile Video Experience and Best Mobile Latency. These awards reflect improvements in gaming responsiveness, streaming quality, and overall mobile connectivity for subscribers.

“Through our expansive 5G network, value-for-money products, and reliable services, we help enable gamers and the esports community to connect, compete, and thrive,” Manaloto added.

From smaller gatherings to packed esports venues, Smart Omega’s community continues to grow season after season. For Barangay Smart Omega, success goes beyond tournament results—it’s about building a community that stays connected through every win and loss.

➤ SEE: PLDT INNOLAB

What does the technology behind the country’s digital connectivity actually look like in action? At PLDT Innolab, students saw more than concepts and presentations—they saw the systems that keep millions of Filipinos connected every day.

Students from Siena College of Taytay (SCT) in Rizal and Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) in South Cotabato recently visited the innovation hub of PLDT and Smart, where they explored the technologies driving communication, digital transactions, and connectivity across the country.

“Opening our doors to students is about more than showcasing technology—it’s about helping them see the opportunities ahead,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart. “Through programs like SWEEP and learning experiences at PLDT Innolab, we aim to connect classroom learning with industry realities and encourage young innovators to help shape a more connected Philippines.”

The visit formed part of the schools’ participation in the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), which brings together students from Computer Science, Information Technology, and various engineering fields, including Computer, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, and Electronics Engineering. Now in its fifth phase, the program continues to evolve alongside the industry by incorporating AI, automation, and intelligent systems into engineering education.

During the tour, students learned how PLDT and Smart’s fixed and wireless technologies support reliable and secure connectivity for homes, businesses, and communities nationwide. They also gained insight into how these systems are built to handle large-scale demand while maintaining resilience and seamless user experiences.

“I’ve joined hackathons before, but seeing these technologies up close made me realize how advanced things already are, especially with AI becoming more integrated,” said Joever Rafael, an Electronics and Communications Engineering student from NDMU. “It motivates me even more to contribute to future network technologies, possibly even 6G.”

Students were also introduced to the AIRA Command Center developed by AIRA Labs, a local startup backed by PLDT Enterprise. The platform uses artificial intelligence to process large volumes of data from sources such as CCTV cameras and sensors, helping organizations detect risks, identify patterns, and respond more quickly through real-time insights.

“I didn’t fully realize how extensive these systems were until the tour,” said Aicel Cegueña, an Information Technology student from SCT. “The potential for improving government services, especially public safety, is significant because AI can help process information from CCTV systems much faster.”

Another featured technology was SmartSafe Silent Access, PLDT Enterprise’s authentication solution that verifies mobile users securely without requiring one-time passwords (OTPs). The platform aims to make digital transactions faster and more secure as more services move online.

“It was eye-opening to see how these innovations address real-world concerns like scams,” said Jed Tomarong, an Electrical Engineering student at NDMU. “Solutions like SmartSafe reflect how security technologies are evolving, especially with the growing role of AI.”

PLDT and Smart also used the opportunity to strengthen cybersecurity awareness among students by discussing common scam tactics and how users can better protect personal information online.

“Being cybersmart plays a big role in protecting ourselves online,” said Keegan de Peralta, a Computer Science student from SCT. “Learning about different kinds of scams made me more careful about sharing personal information.”

By welcoming students into PLDT Innolab, PLDT and Smart continue to support the development of future engineers, innovators, and technopreneurs through exposure to real-world technologies and industry applications.

Beyond showcasing emerging technologies, the visit underscored a broader objective: preparing students not only to understand these systems, but also to help build and improve them in the years ahead.

Aligned with the PLDT Group’s commitment to inclusive learning, SWEEP and related initiatives at PLDT Innolab support STEM education and contribute to the country’s efforts toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education.

 

➤ SEE: PLDT SMART WORKSHOP FOR BLIND STUDENTS

Planning a mid-year getaway? Trip.com is rolling out its much-awaited 5.5 Mid-Year Sale, making it easier to travel without overspending. With big discounts across flights, hotels, and activities, this is a great chance to turn your travel plans into reality—without stretching your budget.

Whether you’re dreaming of white-sand beaches in Boracay or city adventures in Hong Kong and Sydney, there’s something for every kind of traveler. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to book, this might be it.

From May 5 to 10, Trip.com is offering a lineup of limited-time deals, including flash sales, discount coupons, and price drops on flights, hotels, and attractions. You can even start browsing and planning as early as May 3–4 before the main sale kicks off.

Your next trip might be closer—and cheaper—than you think.