Duolingo’s launches Player-vs-Player mode on Android, amplifying with the first Indonesia chess activation

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

King Duo arrives in Jakarta to challenge learners to real chess matches

Jakarta, 13 February 2026 — Duolingo, the world’s leading learning app, announced the launch of its Chess’s Player-vs-Player mode (PvP) on Android. Following the successful IOS debut in late 2025, the Android rollout of Duolingo chess course has given millions of learners access to beginner-friendly chess lessons designed to build critical thinking and strategic skills. The player-vs-player (PvP) mode allows learners to test their skills against real opponents in real time.

In a study involving Indonesian students, 75% of respondents said they felt more motivated and engaged when learning through gamified experiences, highlighting growing demand for playful, interactive education formats. 

Built on the Duolingo Method, which emphasizes learning by doing rather than memorization, the Chess course brings this gamified approach to one of the world’s most iconic strategy games, making it more accessible, especially for beginners. 

“We’ve seen strong early engagement from learners exploring Chess PvP mode on iOS, and bringing the experience to Android allows us to reach even more people, especially in mobile-first markets like Indonesia,” said Irene Tong, Regional Marketing Manager, Southeast Asia. “One product insight we’ve observed is that playing against another person can feel intimidating. Looking ahead, we’re working on a range of updates to make PvP feel more welcoming and enjoyable - especially for players who are just starting out. At its core, chess is about connecting with others and strengthening your critical thinking skills. We want to help make that experience more accessible and empowering for our learners.”

With the Duolingo Chess course, learners start with the basics, like how each piece moves, and build their skills by solving puzzles and playing mini matches guided by Oscar, Duolingo’s in-game chess coach. 

About 75% of the course is puzzle-based, giving learners hands-on practice with core tactics. The rest features mini and full games that help them apply what they’ve learned. With personalized practice and lessons that gradually become more challenging, learners progress from guided moves to solving checkmates on their own, all in fun, bite-sized lessons. 

To access PvP mode, learners can visit the Matches tab and tap “Play a Person” to be paired with an opponent of a similar skill level, applying what they’ve learned in a more social and competitive setting. “One thing we’re especially excited about is that bringing PvP mode to Android adds significant “liquidity” to PvP matches. In practice, that means shorter wait times globally—especially for higher ELO players.” - Tong said.

Duolingo is currently working on a number of meaningful updates to Chess designed to strengthen the overall learning experience. These include enabling play with friends, introducing game review features, expanding Chess to the web platform, and developing more advanced content. Together, these efforts aim to make Chess more accessible, engaging, and supportive for learners at different stages of their journey.

Bringing the experience beyond the screen to Indonesian learners, Duolingo has been hosting the first ever Chess pop up activation at Taman Literasi Blok M in Jakarta from 6 to 13 February. The area has been transformed into an interactive learning zone featuring a giant chessboard, where visitors can meet Duolingo’s mascot, King Duo, and take part in chess challenges inspired by the in-app course. Visitors can also enjoy live puzzles, mini lessons, and rewards. 

Duolingo’s Chess course is free to access on Android and is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. 

Consumers call for protection from high power rates in Energy Transition Bill

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Metro Manila (February 13) – Electricity consumers on Thursday urged the House Committee on Energy to ensure that their rights will be protected in the country’s transition to clean energy sources. 

During the Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on House Bill 4299 or the Energy Transition Bill, electricity consumer welfare group Kuryente.org strongly proposed that the bill's Declaration of Policy explicitly include the protection of consumers from any adverse effects of the transition, such as increases in electricity prices. 

“As we recall, ordinary consumers have no protection from market events that cause price hikes, such as foreign exchange fluctuations, wars, and other external factors,” says Kuryente.org National Coordinator Bas Umali. “Even before the just energy transition became  national discourse, consumers in our country had been suffering for decades from high electricity prices and the constant fear of supply shortages.”

The objective of the proposed law is to lay down policies for implementing the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources as well as to ensure that the process is just, meaning small sectors will have their interests protected. 

Umali says the protection of consumers from fluctuating prices is a must, since, despite the country already having one of the highest power rates in Southeast Asia, it continues to experience consistent increases in power bills. 

The latest price increase was announced for the month of February due to the cost of transmission and the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification. The Energy Regulatory Commission also allowed additional charges such as the Green Energy Auction allowance (GEA-ALL).

Kuryente.org requested the Committee and TWG members to craft specific provisions detailing exactly how consumers will be protected in relation to these issues.

The group also proposed that Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, be included as a reference in the bill, particularly in institutionalizing consumer participation in the development of plans and consultations.

“The government should begin with this data in crafting whatever legislation it intends to pass,” says Umali. “Although the measure is still at the TWG level, we hope that the consumers’ strategic interests will be accommodated.”

EcoWaste Coalition to Good Luck Seekers: Be Cautious of Toxic Charms

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

(Watchdog group finds cadmium in some lucky charm bracelets)

13 February 2026, Quezon City.  As many citizens go to Binondo, Manila, and other Chinatowns across the country to buy tikoy (glutinous rice cake) and other Chinese New Year favorites, the EcoWaste Coalition reminded consumers to watch out for lucky charm bracelets with toxic metallic components.

The watchdog group on waste and pollution issued the timely reminder as luck seekers look for items to activate good luck, health, and fortune to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse, which is associated with immense energy, passion, and burning drive for success.

To show the health risks of some luck activators, the group purchased 22 bracelets sold for P35 to P150 each from sellers in Binondo, Quiapo, and Santa Cruz districts, and screened them for heavy metals, cadmium in particular, using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. 

While no chemicals of concern were detected on the beads, the Pi Yao (aka Pi Xiu) and other metallic components,  including a unicorn (a mythical animal resembling a horse), of the bracelets were found laden with high levels of cadmium.

Of the 22 lucky charm bracelets purchased and analyzed, nine were found to contain Pi Yao and other auspicious symbols with cadmium levels exceeding 100 ppm, the European Union’s limit for cadmium in jewelry.

Of these nine bracelets, seven had metallic components with cadmium above 100,000 ppm.  The other two had cadmium levels of 2,170 ppm and 4,257 ppm.  

The presence of cadmium in the nine bracelets indicates that some jewelry manufacturers use this highly toxic metal to add mass and weight to the product and make a lustrous finish.  On the other hand, the absence of cadmium in the 13 bracelets shows that it can be replaced with non-toxic materials.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed cadmium among the 10 chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern.  It has recommended the “elimination of use of cadmium in products such as toys, jewelry, and plastics” as one of the interventions to reduce cadmium releases and occupational and environmental exposure.

According to the WHO, “cadmium exerts toxic effects on the kidneys as well as the skeletal and respiratory systems (and) is classified as a human carcinogen.”

While swallowing jewelry poses the highest risk of cadmium exposure, chronic exposure may occur through habitual oral contact. Children can absorb the metal by chewing, sucking, or mouthing these items. Because children under six frequently put objects (and their hands) in their mouths, they are at a higher risk.

To address this threat to public health, the EcoWaste Coalition called for a comprehensive review of existing regulations to fix the loopholes that allow high-cadmium jewelry to enter the local market.

Since ordinary consumers cannot visually distinguish safe metallic components from those containing cadmium, the group pushed for mandatory labeling that details chemical ingredients and potential health or ecological risks.

These actions, the EcoWaste Coalition said, will help advance the Filipino people's right to health, as guaranteed by the Constitution, as well as promote the Global Framework on Chemicals - For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste," which aims "to prevent or, where prevention is not feasible, minimize harm from chemicals and waste to protect the environment and human health, including that of vulnerable groups and workers."