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The state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation increased the price of 92-octane petrol to 434 Sri Lankan rupees a litre from 410 rupees, while auto diesel rose to 407 rupees from 392 rupees. The revision adds to household and transport costs at a time when the island’s recovery from its 2022 debt default remains exposed to global energy shocks, a weaker currency and pressure on public finances.

The adjustment follows the IMF executive board’s approval of fresh funding under Sri Lanka’s $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility, agreed in early 2023 after the country ran out of foreign exchange and suspended repayment on about $46 billion in external debt. The programme requires cost-reflective pricing for fuel and electricity, stronger revenue collection, improved governance and protection for vulnerable households as subsidies are gradually unwound.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has told the IMF that fuel subsidies will be phased out by September. The pledge marks a politically sensitive step for a government facing pressure from consumers, transport operators and small businesses that remain scarred by the shortages and inflationary spiral of 2022. Fuel pricing has become a central test of the administration’s ability to maintain reform commitments without provoking a deeper squeeze on living standards.

Sri Lanka imports all its petroleum requirements and also relies on imported coal for part of its electricity generation. That exposure has sharpened the impact of turmoil in the Middle East, where higher crude prices and disruption risks have increased the cost of energy imports. Petrol and diesel prices have climbed sharply since late February, while electricity tariffs have also been raised as part of the effort to prevent losses at state-owned utilities from spilling into the budget.

The price increase comes amid renewed inflation concerns. Headline inflation rose to 5.4 per cent in April from 2.2 per cent in March, reversing part of the disinflation that had helped stabilise the economy after the crisis. Fuel and transport costs are expected to feed into food distribution, public transport fares and logistics charges, with lower-income households likely to feel the effects first.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka responded to the pressure last week with an unexpected 100-basis-point increase in its benchmark policy rate, lifting the overnight policy rate to 8.75 per cent from 7.75 per cent. The move was designed to contain inflation expectations, limit rupee depreciation and support external stability, though it also raised concerns that tighter credit could slow investment and consumption.

Foreign reserves fell 3.8 per cent in April to $6.7 billion, reflecting higher import costs and currency pressure. The IMF disbursement is expected to help rebuild reserve buffers, but the broader challenge remains keeping the external account stable while meeting fuel, fertiliser, medicine and food import needs. A sustained rise in energy prices could widen the import bill and complicate the government’s debt-restructuring path.

Economic growth is projected to slow to about 3 per cent this year after expanding 5 per cent in 2025. Tourism, remittances and improved fiscal management have supported the rebound, but higher interest rates and energy costs could weigh on activity. Businesses that depend on transport and electricity are likely to pass on part of the cost increase, while exporters face mixed effects from a weaker rupee and higher domestic input prices.

The fuel adjustment also revives debate over the balance between reform and relief. Cost-recovery pricing is intended to stop Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the power sector from accumulating losses that would eventually require budget support. Critics argue that faster price transmission can deepen hardship unless social protection systems are strengthened and targeted cash transfers reach households most exposed to rising food, transport and utility bills.

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Oslo’s decision had moved beyond a procurement setback and raised wider questions about trust in global relations. He argued that rules and agreements lose credibility when advanced economies can withdraw from signed deals after payments, integration work and delivery schedules have already been set.

Kuala Lumpur is seeking more than RM1 billion in compensation after Norway revoked approvals linked to the Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace missile system intended for Royal Malaysian Navy littoral combat ships. Malaysia says it had paid about 95 per cent of the contract value before the reversal, which disrupted plans for weapons installation on ships already designed around the Norwegian system.

The dispute centres on the Naval Strike Missile, an anti-ship weapon produced by Kongsberg and selected under Malaysia’s long-delayed littoral combat ship programme. The original 2018 contract was valued at about €124 million and covered missiles for six vessels, while Malaysia has also referred to a second arrangement involving two additional naval platforms.

Norway has defended the decision as part of tightened export controls over sensitive defence technology. Its foreign ministry has said exports of some Norwegian-developed systems will be limited to allies and closest partners because of changes in the European and global security environment. Oslo has also said it values relations with Malaysia and wants continued dialogue, while Kongsberg has maintained that licensing decisions rest with Norwegian authorities.

Kuala Lumpur’s anger has deepened because the decision came after years of planning around the missile system. Officials say the financial claim includes direct payments and indirect costs, including work needed to remove or modify equipment already fitted to accommodate the system, integration of replacement weapons and retraining of personnel.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called Norway’s action unilateral and unacceptable, warning that signed contracts cannot be treated as disposable commitments. He has said the move could damage confidence in European defence suppliers if commercial and strategic agreements can be reversed without adequate safeguards for the buyer.

Khaled’s remarks have widened the argument from a bilateral dispute to a broader critique of defence procurement norms. He said smaller countries must ask whether powerful states can invoke shifting policy considerations after contracts have been finalised, leaving customers to absorb operational, financial and strategic consequences.

Malaysia’s immediate concern is the impact on the littoral combat ship programme, one of the country’s most politically sensitive defence projects. The programme began in 2011 with an initial plan for six vessels at RM6 billion but became mired in delays, cost escalation and allegations of mismanagement. The government later revived the project after a review, reducing the number of vessels to five.

The first ship, originally expected earlier, is now due for delivery in December 2026. The absence of the missile system adds another layer of difficulty to a programme already under scrutiny, though the defence ministry has said construction will continue while alternative missile options are assessed.

Replacing the Naval Strike Missile is not a simple procurement switch. Any substitute must be compatible with the combat management system, launch architecture, ship design, maintenance regime and training pipeline. Defence analysts have warned that retrofitting could raise costs and extend integration timelines, especially when warship systems have been configured around a specific weapon package.

Malaysia is also weighing the diplomatic cost of the dispute. Norway is not among Malaysia’s largest defence partners, but the controversy could influence how Kuala Lumpur assesses future purchases from Europe and NATO-aligned suppliers. Khaled has indicated that trust, technology transfer and support for Malaysia’s self-reliance goals will carry greater weight in future procurement decisions.

The episode comes as Southeast Asian states are modernising naval capabilities amid busier sea lanes, contested maritime zones and growing demand for precision strike systems. Malaysia has sought to strengthen its maritime posture while avoiding alignment with any major bloc, making reliability of suppliers a central issue in long-term planning.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 May 2026 – The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Final has drawn to a spectacular close in Budapest, with Paris Saint-Germain emerging victorious to lift the legendary trophy. As an official partner of the UEFA Champions League for four consecutive years, global technology brand OPPO joined the celebrations to mark the end of another action-packed season supporting football development and football culture worldwide with technology. With its advanced camera technology and Make Your Moment philosophy, OPPO has enabled millions of football fans worldwide to capture highlights and record life-defining moments both inside and outside the stadium this season, inspiring everyone to Take Your Shot with OPPO.

Telephoto Camera & AI Take Match Viewing to a New League

At the event in Budapest, OPPO showcased its latest telephoto camera technology and AI innovations in an immersive exhibition featuring the latest flagship Find X series—including the newly launched OPPO Find X9 Ultra—alongside the Find N foldable series and the Reno series. Equipped with a Hasselblad-powered 10x optical telephoto zoom, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra enables fans to capture detailed stadium moments with remarkable clarity, even from the upper tiers, while 8K ultra-clear video recording and advanced AI imaging capabilities make it easier than ever to capture decisive match moments, including game-winning shots, as if standing on the sidelines. Through the comprehensive end-to-end image ecosystem, OPPO Find X9 Ultra users can also share footages at near to original image quality across social platforms instantly. From high-resolution capture, smart editing, to lossless sharing, OPPO makes it effortless to Take Your Shot and Make Your Moment with exciting match moments preserved in vivid detail.

Empowering Global Football Development and Igniting Passion Worldwide

Beyond the pitch, OPPO continues to support football development through innovation and partnership programs, using its advanced smartphone imaging capabilities to help fans around the world capture iconic match moments and share the passion and emotion of the game. In collaboration with Discovery, OPPO has produced a UEFA Champions League short film that showcases the emotional power of football told through real fan stories, using OPPO imaging technology to bring the spirit of the game to audiences globally.

Over the past year, OPPO has also launched a range of football partnerships and community initiatives around the world. In Indonesia, OPPO became the official smartphone partner of the BRI Super League for the 2025–2027 season, supporting the continued development of football in the country. Meanwhile in Mexico, as the official sponsor of football club Gambeta FC, OPPO supported the club’s youth academy through equipment donations, scholarship programs, tournament organization, talent development initiatives, and professional coaching resources. Through these efforts, OPPO is helping players of different ages to develop their talent and chase their dreams of becoming professional football players while continuing to support and inspire a shared passion for football across communities worldwide.

In May 2026, OPPO Colombia announced football star Luis Díaz as its official brand ambassador. As part of the partnership, OPPO teamed up with the Luis Díaz Foundation to launch the “Lucho por Colombia (Fight for Colombia)” social responsibility initiative. The program provides smart connected devices and support for digital skills training centers across Colombia’s La Guajira region, helping expand access to digital education in local communities. Through collaborations with the football star, alongside other public welfare initiatives and continued product innovation, OPPO continues to strengthen its connection with local communities and further expands its presence across Latin America under its long-term commitment to the market.

Beyond these social and community welfare initiatives, OPPO has also launched a number of football-themed events that bring the brand and football fans closer together worldwide through a shared passion for football. On the eve of the UEFA Champions League final, OPPO invited football legends Theo Walcott and Claude Makélélé to join a 5v5 friendly match in Budapest, where the legends shared skills, career experiences, and discussed their perspectives on the game with fans. Key moments throughout the match were captured using OPPO’s latest flagship smartphone, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra, with every pass, shot, and interaction recorded in vivid detail through the device’s advanced imaging capabilities.

Inspiring Young Creators and Championing Football Culture

Ahead of the final, OPPO partnered with Discovery Channel to launch the Filmmaker Accelerator Program. With mentorship from Discovery, the initiative encourages aspiring creators to capture diverse stories using OPPO imaging technology, helping to support young creators globally. With football culture as one of the program’s core themes, OPPO is not only empowering the next generation of creators with a platform for expression but also enriching stories around football culture through these diverse perspectives, taking the spirit of football beyond borders to connect with broader audiences worldwide. As part of the program, a special documentary video exploring football culture is set to premiere worldwide at the end of June 2026.

As another sensational UEFA Champions League season comes to an end, OPPO looks forward to continuing to use its world-leading innovation to bring football fans around the world more powerful and user-friendly technology that enables everyone to Make Your Moment by capturing football highlights both on and off the pitch. In the meantime, OPPO will continue to deepen its long-term partnerships with global football institutions, promoting new ways of expressing and sharing football culture as it takes the game to the next level worldwide.

Hashtag: #OPPO

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The Mach33: Physical AI Fashion Show, held on 28 May at Galaxy Robot Park in Gangdong District, was presented as more than a novelty catwalk. Galaxy Corporation framed the event as an experiment in coexistence, asking how people and robots might share cultural spaces rather than treating humanoids only as factory tools, laboratory platforms or service machines.

Each model appeared with a shorter humanoid counterpart, often wearing matching or complementary outfits. A tasselled blue Texan-style look, complete with a robot-sized cowboy hat, stood alongside retro silver outerwear, silky dresses fitted to rigid frames and space-age black trousers reminiscent of David Bowie’s 1970s stage style. The styling made the mechanical bodies appear less like exposed prototypes and more like performers entering a commercial entertainment format.

Galaxy Corporation founder and chief executive Choi Yong-ho said the company had realised that robots “need to wear clothes” and argued that robots, like people, should have distinct identities. The company designed the outfits and intends to launch them under the MACH 33 name by the end of the year, positioning robot fashion as a potential extension of its entertainment-technology business.

The event followed the opening phase of Galaxy Robot Park, a 16,500-square-metre venue in eastern Seoul designed around robot concerts, interactive shows, robotic portrait drawing, boxing-style demonstrations and visitor experiences. The park is part of Galaxy Corporation’s effort to create a new live-entertainment category built around “physical AI”, a term used to describe artificial intelligence moving from screens and software into embodied machines operating in shared human spaces.

Galaxy Corporation, known for managing cultural figures including G-Dragon, Taemin and actor Song Kang-ho, has been seeking to merge K-pop spectacle with robotics. Its robot performances have included choreographed dance routines, synchronised stage movement and plans for several shows a day. The company has said it wants to stage more than 1,000 robot performances annually and ultimately take robot-led shows beyond South Korea.

The robot models appeared to be Unitree G1 humanoids, a relatively low-cost platform made by Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics. The G1 is widely used in demonstrations because of its compact size, balance control, range of motion and comparatively accessible pricing for developers and institutions. Its ability to walk, turn, gesture and respond to programmed choreography makes it suitable for controlled performances, though it remains far from a fully autonomous general-purpose worker.

The show also highlighted the gap between polished presentation and engineering reality. Humanoid robots are becoming more agile, but smooth movement in a runway setting still requires careful staging, reliable control systems and predictable conditions. Research into whole-body teleoperation, motion retargeting and autonomous loco-manipulation continues to point to unresolved challenges, including latency, balance recovery, hand dexterity, human-robot interaction and safe operation in crowded public spaces.

For South Korea’s entertainment sector, the Galaxy event fits a broader pattern of experimentation with virtual idols, AI-generated content, immersive fan platforms and digitally enhanced performances. K-pop’s visual emphasis makes it a natural testing ground for robotic spectacle, but the commercial test will be whether audiences view robot performers as compelling cultural products or as temporary curiosities.

Fashion offers Galaxy a softer route into that debate. Unlike industrial robotics, a runway show does not require humanoids to prove productivity. It asks whether machines can be styled, branded and given a visible role in popular culture. The clothes also conceal some of the awkwardness of exposed mechanical frames, making the robots appear less clinical and more theatrical.

The commercial stakes are growing. Forecasts for humanoid robotics vary widely, but major financial institutions and technology analysts expect the sector to expand sharply over the next two decades as costs fall and AI systems improve. Optimistic projections point to hundreds of millions, or even more than a billion, humanoids by 2050, though adoption is expected to move gradually as companies work through safety, reliability, regulation and public acceptance.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is working with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, state electricity company PLN and other agencies to identify land, grid links and storage systems needed for the programme. About 24,000 hectares on Java Island have been earmarked for verification, with the authorities seeking to match project sites with transmission lines, PLN substations and battery storage capacity.

Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Yuliot Tanjung said the government’s first priority is to push ahead with an initial 17 GW phase, supported by around 33 GW of battery energy storage systems. The early phase is expected to test the country’s ability to turn a national target into bankable projects at scale, particularly in areas where land acquisition, grid connection and tariff design have slowed renewable energy investment.

The wider 100 GW plan is designed to reduce Indonesia’s reliance on diesel and gas-fired generation, particularly in regions where imported fuel and high operating costs have weighed on the state budget. Officials have estimated that converting fossil fuel-based generation to solar power combined with battery storage could cut electricity generation costs by up to Rp73.9 trillion, or about $4.18 billion, a year once implemented at scale.

The programme also reflects Jakarta’s attempt to close the gap between Indonesia’s large solar potential and its modest installed capacity. The country has abundant sunshine across its islands, yet solar has remained a small part of the electricity mix compared with coal, gas, hydro and geothermal power. Rooftop and utility-scale solar deployment has been constrained by regulatory uncertainty, procurement delays, grid limitations and the financial position of PLN.

Indonesia’s latest electricity supply plan for 2025-2034 calls for 69.5 GW of new generation capacity, with renewable energy making up a large share of future additions. Solar is expected to play a central role in that expansion, with PLN’s planning framework pointing to 17.1 GW of new solar capacity by 2034 alongside hydro, geothermal, wind and storage projects. The 100 GW programme goes beyond that planning baseline and signals a more aggressive policy push from President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

A key feature of the solar strategy is its decentralised design. Earlier planning discussions have described a model that could combine large centralised solar plants with smaller village-level systems, many paired with batteries. Such an approach could help remote communities replace diesel generation, improve supply reliability and reduce exposure to fuel price volatility, while also creating demand for locally produced panels, batteries, inverters and grid equipment.

The proposed investment scale underlines the financing challenge. A $71.3 billion programme would require state support, PLN procurement commitments, private sector participation, concessional finance and possibly blended funding from climate-related investment platforms. Indonesia has already attracted international attention through its Just Energy Transition Partnership, but converting pledges into project-level funding has remained difficult, particularly because coal continues to dominate power generation and captive industrial power demand is rising.

Land availability will be another decisive issue. Java, the country’s most populous island and main electricity demand centre, offers stronger grid connectivity but also intense competition for land. The identification of 24,000 hectares is a first step rather than a final allocation, as each site must still pass verification covering ownership, spatial planning, environmental suitability and connection feasibility.

Grid readiness may prove equally important. Large volumes of intermittent solar power will require stronger transmission networks, flexible generation, storage systems and updated dispatch rules. Battery storage is central to the plan because solar output peaks during daylight hours while demand often rises in the evening. Without adequate storage and grid upgrades, high solar penetration could create curtailment risks and weaken project economics.

The programme could strengthen Indonesia’s industrial policy if it succeeds in building domestic solar manufacturing capacity. Officials have linked the plan to demand for locally produced panels, a move that could support factories, create jobs and reduce exposure to import barriers in global solar trade. The strategy comes as several countries seek to capture more of the clean energy supply chain, from polysilicon and wafers to modules and battery systems.

Indonesia’s energy transition remains complicated by its coal-heavy electricity system, long-term power purchase agreements and the need to provide affordable energy to households and industry. Coal plants still anchor baseload supply, while nickel processing and other industrial sectors have increased captive power demand. Those pressures make the solar programme both a climate policy instrument and an energy security strategy.

Work on floating solar projects, rooftop systems and village electrification schemes has already begun to build momentum. PLN’s Saguling floating solar project in West Java, scheduled for commercial operation in late 2026, is one of several projects intended to demonstrate technical and commercial viability. The larger 100 GW plan, however, will require faster procurement, clearer tariff rules and stronger coordination across ministries, PLN, regional governments and investors.

The agreements were signed at the Vietnam-Thailand Business Forum and the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum, held as part of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s official visits to the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Singapore, and the Republic of the Philippines from May 28 to June 1, 2026.

In Thailand, Vinpearl announced the expansion of its strategic partnerships with Agoda and AirAsia MOVE to strengthen the international presence of its integrated tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem.

Through Agoda, one of the world’s largest online travel platforms, Vinpearl aims to optimize business performance across its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment portfolio while expanding its reach in key markets including Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, Australia, and long-haul international traveler segments. The partnership also marks a new milestone for VinWonders, with its integrated leisure and hospitality products now being offered directly through Agoda’s global platform.

The partnership with AirAsia MOVE is designed to broaden international access to Vinpearl and VinWonders hospitality, leisure, and entertainment offerings in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang-Hoi An through one of the region’s leading digital travel platforms. Via AirAsia MOVE, travelers can conveniently book flights, accommodations, and attractions within a single itinerary, making it easier to choose integrated Vinpearl and VinWonders experiences when visiting Vietnam.

With access to a network of more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide, AirAsia MOVE is expected to further strengthen the visibility of the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem among international travelers, while also enhancing Vietnam’s appeal as a destination for visitors from ASEAN and other key global markets.

In Singapore, Vinpearl also signed partnership agreements with BeMyGuest and GlobalTix, two of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading technology and distribution platforms for travel experiences.

Supported by extensive partner networks and some of the region’s most diverse travel product portfolios, these collaborations are expected to strengthen the presence of the VinWonders brand across Southeast Asia, China, and India, while expanding international access to unique experience offerings in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang.

Through these agreements, the partners will leverage their respective strengths in technology, distribution, and customer ecosystems to progressively expand the international footprint of Vinpearl and VinWonders while enhancing the global appeal of Vietnamese tourism.

Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer, Vinpearl, said: “These partnerships not only expand Vinpearl’s network of strategic partners but also create a strong foundation for the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem to connect more deeply with global traveler segments through some of the region’s leading travel, aviation, and distribution platforms. This represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen international competitiveness and position Vinpearl destinations among the top choices for travelers across Asia.”

Mr. Krishna Rathi, Associate Vice President, Supply, Agoda, said: “With its extensive scale of operations, diverse portfolio, and ability to develop integrated destinations, Vinpearl is one of the most outstanding partners in Vietnam’s tourism industry today. We believe this partnership will help the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem engage more deeply with rapidly growing international traveler segments across Asia and global markets.”

Ms. Nadia Omer, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia MOVE, said: “We highly value the opportunity to partner with Vinpearl in unlocking strategic collaboration potential within one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and fast-growing tourism markets. As an OTA platform with a comprehensive travel ecosystem and extensive regional connectivity, AirAsia MOVE is committed to further enhancing travel connectivity and intra-regional tourism flows. Vietnam is emerging as one of the region’s brightest tourism destinations, and we believe the combination of Vinpearl’s leading hospitality and entertainment ecosystem with AirAsia MOVE’s distribution and connectivity capabilities will create significant growth opportunities for the tourism sector in the years ahead.”

The partnerships with Agoda, AirAsia MOVE, BeMyGuest, and GlobalTix mark another milestone in Vinpearl’s strategy to internationalize its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem while expanding the presence of Vinpearl and VinWonders accommodation, leisure, and experience offerings across global travel platforms.

Hashtag: #Vinpearl

https://vinpearl.com/en

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About Agoda

Agoda is a global online travel platform offering more than six million accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, apartments, and vacation villas, as well as flight bookings, travel activities, and related travel services. Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG). The platform operates in 39 languages, provides 24/7 customer support, and employs more than 7,500 people worldwide.

About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE (MOVE) is the digital travel platform of Capital A Group and has been recognized by the World Travel Tech Awards as Asia’s Best Travel Booking App for three consecutive years since 2023. Focused on building a comprehensive travel ecosystem, MOVE delivers affordable, seamless, and personalized travel experiences across Southeast Asia and international markets.

The platform currently connects travelers to more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide while offering a wide range of services including attraction tickets, airport transfers, travel insurance, and integrated travel products. AirAsia MOVE also enhances user experience through its loyalty program and AskBo, an AI-powered travel chatbot.

About BeMyGuest
BeMyGuest is a Singapore-based travel technology company founded in 2012, specializing in booking and distribution solutions for attractions, tours, and travel experiences across the Asia-Pacific region. Its ecosystem includes the Distribution Network and Xplore Booking System, which support sales management, multi-channel distribution, and digital operations for thousands of partners in the experience tourism industry. BeMyGuest is connected to numerous online travel platforms and international distribution partners while providing multilingual solutions and flexible pricing models for integrated systems.

About GlobalTix
GlobalTix is a global technology and distribution platform for attractions, tours, and travel experiences, headquartered in Singapore with operations across multiple Asia-Pacific markets. Founded in 2013, GlobalTix enables attractions and experience operators to connect with travel agencies, online travel platforms, and international distribution partners through a unified platform. Its partners include major brands such as Mount Faber Leisure Group, Taman Safari Indonesia, Mandai Wildlife Group, National Gallery Singapore, and Singapore Airlines.

About Vinpearl

Vinpearl is Vietnam’s leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand, currently operating 60 properties across 20 provinces and cities nationwide. Its ecosystem includes a network of five-star hotels and resorts with more than 17,500 rooms; 15 VinWonders theme parks featuring attractions for visitors of all ages; six world-class golf courses; and three VinPalace convention and performing arts centers. The portfolio also includes two semi-wildlife conservation and care parks, an equestrian academy, and million-dollar live-action performance shows in destinations such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, attracting millions of visitors each year.

15-year-old Filipino Crimson Arradaza achieves a historic 5.33 second One-Handed solve at the Inaugural Philippine National Speed Cubing Open

TAGAYTAY CITY, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2026 – Southeast Asia has made its mark on the global speed cubing stage.

In a moment that electrified the international speed cubing community, Filipino prodigy Crimson Arradaza shattered the 3x3x3 One-Handed World Record with a blistering 5.33-second solve at the inaugural Philippine National Speed Cubing Open, organised by the Asian Mind Sports Association (AMSA) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Held from 27–28 May at the Tagaytay City Combat Arena, the tournament was the first major nationally-backed speed cubing event under the Philippine Olympic movement — and immediately, it made history.

Arradaza’s stunning performance broke the previous 5.66-second record set by Switzerland’s Dhruva Sai Meruva in 2024. More significantly, it pushed the boundaries of what many believed possible in one-handed solving, placing the Philippines in the spotlight of global mind sports. It is an extraordinary achievement for the rising speed cubing powerhouse.

“I have been speed cubing for the past four years and this is the best birthday gift for myself,” said Arradaza, who turned 15 the day before.

The teenager from Baguio City travelled eight hours to compete in Tagaytay, accompanied by his parents — a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and support behind every young champion.

“This is not just a Philippine achievement. This is an Asian achievement,” said AMSA Director-General Jim Yu. “The future of mind sports belongs to the younger generation, and today the Philippines showed the world what Southeast Asian talent is capable of.”

POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Tagaytay City Mayor Ross Tolentino were also present to witness the historic achievement.

“Sports is not only about physical strength. It is also about mental sharpness, discipline, and focus,” said POC President Tolentino. “Filipinos are naturally talented in mind sports, and this world record proves we can compete with the very best globally.”

Beyond competition, the two-day event featured referee training programmes, operational workshops, and development dialogues aimed at strengthening the speed cubing ecosystem.

AMSA reaffirmed its commitment to developing mind sports across Asia through partnerships with National Olympic Committees, federations, and local organisers.

The organisation plans to continue growing regional competitions, talent pathways, livestream infrastructure, referee systems, youth engagement programmes, and international exchanges to elevate mind sports to unprecedented mainstream recognition across Asia.
Hashtag: #AMSA

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