Innovation often begins with a simple realization: What we have today could be better.

That idea took center stage at Technovation Manila, where industry leaders, scientists, and policy experts gathered to discuss the future of an established industry and the role of science and technology in transforming it.

Organized by PMFTC, the November 10 event explored the development of smoke-free alternatives and how different markets are approaching the transition. Throughout the discussions, one message remained consistent: innovation requires an open mind, a willingness to explore, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Innovation starts with questioning what exists

During the opening discussions, speakers emphasized that the human brain is naturally designed to innovate. People look for better solutions when existing ones no longer meet their needs.

For Philip Morris International (PMI), this thinking drives its ambition to move beyond traditional cigarettes.

Tommaso Di Giovanni, PMI’s Vice President of Communications and Engagement, discussed how science, innovation, and policy reforms could contribute to a smoke-free future. This was followed by a leadership conversation with Vassilis Gkatzelis, President of PMI’s East and Southeast Asia, Pacific, and Global Travel Retail Region.

The company’s transformation is not limited to developing alternative products. It also involves understanding how people behave, how markets evolve, and how different societies respond to change.

Different markets require different approaches

A product might be developed in one country, but its success elsewhere depends on understanding the people who will use it.

This is particularly relevant in Japan and Italy, which PMI identified as its initial IQOS test markets. Its push for the product began in 2016, followed by its Philippine launch in 2020. The company subsequently introduced ZYN in the Philippines in 2024.

The event highlighted how different cultural values can influence consumer behavior. Some societies tend to prioritize individual needs, while others place greater emphasis on collective interests.

These differences matter when introducing new products and technologies. What works in one country might not necessarily translate to another.

This is particularly relevant in Asia, which PMI sees as a region with the scale and opportunity to accelerate its smoke-free ambitions.

The Philippines also has a role to play beyond being a consumer market. PMI described the country as an important hub for supply chains and services supporting its global operations.

The company’s message was clear: transitioning away from traditional cigarettes requires an approach that considers each market’s local context.

Putting science at the center

Science and evidence formed another major part of the event, particularly during the panel discussion titled Science at the Center: Understanding Tobacco Harm Reduction.

The discussion brought together experts from different medical and public health backgrounds.

Participants included Dr. Brad Rodu, Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of Louisville; Dr. Rogelio Varela Jr., urologist and Chair of Surgery at Healthway QualiMed Hospital; Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, retired Professor of Public Health at the National University of Malaysia; and Dr. Tomohiro Shirasaka, a Japanese psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine.

Moderated by Yvonne Khoo, PhD, PMI’s Senior Manager of Scientific Engagement, the panel explored how scientific research, product innovation, and evidence-based regulation can contribute to tobacco harm reduction.

The underlying proposition presented throughout the event was that smoke-free alternatives are fundamentally different from traditional cigarettes because they eliminate the process of burning tobacco.

However, this distinction does not make these products risk-free. Nicotine remains addictive, and the health risks vary depending on the product.

That distinction was important to the event’s messaging. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that people who do not smoke should not start, while those who can quit should do so. For adults who cannot or will not quit, PMI advocates considering alternatives to continued cigarette smoking.

This is the company’s harm-reduction position, although the relative risks and long-term health implications of individual products require continued scientific scrutiny.

A transformation beyond products

PMI’s ambitions extend beyond individual product launches.

During the event, the company highlighted the growing contribution of its smoke-free business, with IQOS reportedly generating more revenue than Marlboro. It also reiterated its goal of eventually phasing out traditional cigarettes.

These developments form part of a broader transformation that involves product development, manufacturing, consumer engagement, and regional operations.

For the Philippines, the opportunity extends to participating in the supply chain and providing services that support PMI’s operations around the world.

The company’s regional leadership also emphasized Asia’s potential to accelerate this transition, with local market conditions playing an important role in determining how it progresses.

Keeping an open mind

Across the different sessions, speakers approached the subject from their respective fields but returned to a common proposition: smoke-free alternatives are intended to offer a different option for adults who would otherwise continue smoking.

This was accompanied by a recurring reminder that avoiding smoking remains the best course of action, and quitting is preferable to continuing the habit.

The distinction deserves continued examination, particularly as scientific evidence and regulatory frameworks evolve. Being open to innovation should also mean remaining open to questions about its effectiveness, risks, and long-term outcomes.

Whether this transformation ultimately delivers on its ambitions will depend on continued scientific scrutiny, responsible regulation, and the ability to demonstrate meaningful outcomes across different markets.

Meaningful innovation isn’t simply about introducing something new. It’s about questioning what already exists and finding ways to do better.

Another Esports calendar in the Philippines wrapped up nicely this past weekend, only from the other side of the MMORPGs. At the Samsung Hall in SM Aura last November 9, the fourth installment of the Honor of Kings official Philippine league came to its exciting conclusion as four teams entered with rich prizes up for grabs. Here’s what went down on the final day of the Philippines Kings League Fall 2026:

Early in the afternoon, the third split of the Kings Campus Series crowned a new champion hailing all the way down from Cebu. In a thriller of a five-game series, the University of Cebu Webmasters took down the University of Sto. Tomas Teletigers Helios, 3-2, and took home the grand prize of Php 140,000. From start to finish, both teams exchanged heart-stopping plays and showed excellent flashes of teamwork that brought the series to a decider. 

In the evening, the culmination of the PKL for 2026 took place with the Fall 2026 Grand Finals between the reigning champions in BOOM Esports against JGames Esports. Last November 8, JGames earned a place in their first ever Grand Finals after besting TNT Tropang Alab in a full best-of-seven series. However, even with all the momentum coming from their run in the Lower Bracket, JGames would only settle for 2nd as Boom Esports dominated the matchup, 4-1 and became the first back-to-back champions of the PKL.

The night capped off with a showcase of the three Philippine representatives to the Honor of Kings International Championships in Jakarta this December.

Nintendo Switch owners in the Philippines can finally access Nintendo’s digital storefront and online subscription service.

Nintendo Singapore and Nintendo Co., Ltd. announced the Philippine launch of Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online on November 10, 2026.

Nintendo eShop lets players purchase digital games and additional content directly from their Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles. Players can also download free demos of selected titles.

Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch Online unlocks online multiplayer, classic games, cloud save backups, and other membership benefits.

Nintendo eShop makes digital purchases easier

Nintendo eShop is an online storefront accessible directly from Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch consoles.

Players can browse major releases, indie games, and digital-only titles. They can purchase games and download them straight to their consoles.

The storefront also offers free demos of selected games. Players can try these titles before deciding to buy them.

Nintendo Switch Online brings multiplayer gaming to the Philippines

Nintendo Switch Online lets members play compatible games with friends and family over the internet. Players can also connect with others around the world.

Supported titles include Mario Kart World, Nintendo Switch Sports, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A.

Membership also unlocks several additional features:

• Nintendo Classics: Play over 200 classic games from the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy libraries. Selected titles support online and local multiplayer through the Play while Sharing feature. Players can also use Suspend Points and Rewind.
• GameChat: Nintendo Switch 2 owners can talk with friends and share their gameplay screens through GameChat.
• Nintendo Music: Listen to music from Nintendo games anytime, anywhere.
• Save Data Cloud: Automatically back up save data from supported games online. This helps players recover their progress if something happens to their console.

Expansion Pack unlocks more classic games

Players who want more retro games can subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

This membership adds classic games from the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 libraries. Nintendo Switch 2 owners also gain access to Nintendo GameCube games.

Nintendo Switch Online membership plans and pricing

Nintendo offers Individual and Family memberships for both subscription tiers.

A Family membership supports up to eight Nintendo Account holders under one plan. Members can share access to online play, Nintendo Classics, and other services.

Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is available through a 12-month membership.

For the complete list of Philippine membership plans and pricing, visit the official Nintendo Philippines website.