Capturing Memories: Why Professional Family Portraits Matter for Filipinos

As technology continues to shape the way we capture memories, the tradition of professional family portraits remains a steadfast pillar of Filipino culture

In today's digital age, where snapping photos with smartphones has become the norm, there remains a timeless allure to capturing the essence of family love and connection in a professional studio setting. While smartphone snapshots are perfect for everyday moments, there's something special about preparing for a portrait shoot with your family. It's an opportunity to step into an environment where every detail is carefully crafted to immortalize the bonds you share.

For Filipinos, family is at the core of their culture, and preserving memories through professionally captured portraits holds significant importance. Great Image, a renowned name in the photography industry, delves into why it's still crucial for Filipinos to have their family portraits professionally taken and the enduring benefits it brings.

Through its new partnerships with consumer finance platforms, Igloo extends access to insurance to the underbanked

Regional insurtech furthers financial inclusion with tailored protection for products purchased through digital loan platforms

As part of its commitment to advancing financial inclusion and providing insurance for all, regional insurtech Igloo has partnered with consumer finance platforms in the Philippines to offer gadget protection products to shoppers. Igloo aims to extend access to insurance products and streamline the process of protecting items purchased through digital loans or alternative financing, whether online or in-store, providing consumers with a more accessible and convenient means to secure their purchases effectively.

“While the Philippines has made notable strides in financial inclusion, a considerable portion of the population remains unbanked. This translates to the inability to establish a credit history, which is essential for accessing financial products such as credit cards and loans,” said Roberto Vea, Commercial Lead at Igloo Philippines. “This is why the consumer lending industry has risen by leaps and bounds–it caters to the needs of the unbanked population by providing alternative financial solutions such as digital loans that do not rely on traditional banking infrastructure."

Teleperformance in the Philippines earns back-to-back ISO certifications

Present in the ceremony to receive the ISO certifications were Rahul Jolly, Chief Executive Officer of Teleperformance Philippines; Cresenciano Maramot, Managing Director of SGS Philippines and Guam; Daniel Julien, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Teleperformance Group; and Agustin Grisanti, Global Chief Operations Officer of Teleperformance Group. The certifications underscore Teleperformance’s commitment to employee well-being and environmentally sustainable business practices 

Teleperformance in the Philippines, part of global digital business services company Teleperformance, proudly announces its continued certification for ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management System and ISO 14001: Environmental Management System.

The certifications are awarded by the globally recognized certifying body, Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), for Teleperformance’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its employees while championing eco-conscious practices throughout its operations. 

"As a leading digital business services company in the Philippines, we also recognize our responsibility to conduct business in a manner that prioritizes environmental sustainability—the ISO 14001 certification underscores our commitment to this cause. We are constantly working to drive positive change within our organization and in the communities we serve,” said Rahul Jolly, Chief Executive Officer of Teleperformance in the Philippines. 

Globe offers free Roaming services to Filipinos in Taiwan following powerful quake

Globe is offering free connectivity support, including roaming call, text and data services, to Filipinos in Taiwan following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Wednesday morning.

To help them get in touch with loved ones or make emergency calls, Globe postpaid and prepaid customers and TM users currently using roaming services in Taiwan will get free 15 minutes of incoming and outgoing calls, 15 texts to all networks, and 1GB data (whichever service is currently available) good for 7 days at no extra cost.

Summer Heat is On! HONOR drops 4.4 Sale with up to 60% Discount on Your Dream Gadgets!

HONOR wows fans nationwide with a whopping 60% discount on select HONOR devices this 4.4 Summer Sale!

Leading global provider of smart devices HONOR Philippines just dropped its biggest 4.4 Summer deals on Shopee (https://bit.ly/HONOR_Shop44Sale_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/HONOR_Laz44Sale_PR), and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/HONOR_TikTok44Sale_PR)! Up to 60% discount on select HONOR devices await HONOR fans from April 1 to 8, 2024!

“This is the chance for all our HONOR fans to treat themselves. A whopping 60% discount on top of vouchers is up for grabs! Start the summer season right with your dream device on your hand,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

Score Big Discounts on Logitech’s 4.4 “Mas Mura Sale” on Shopee

Get up to 44% off + vouchers + Sodexo GC + many more

Looking to upgrade your PC experience this April? Well, we’ve got a special assortment of products tailored just for you.

This April 4, Logitech offers its prestigious products once more at a discounted price exclusively on Shopee’s 4.4 “Mas Mura Sale”.

Build your dream setup or upgrade your current one with premium tech to upscale your productivity and gaming sessions. Enjoy discounts of up to 44% on Shopee Logitech Official stores and up to 37% off on the Shopee Logi G Store, plus enjoy Sodexo gift certificates, special bundles, and many more on selected products.

Hot Deals, Cool Savings: Score realme devices for as low as P444 at the Lazada 4.4 Saya sa SuliTipid Sale

realme treats the Squad to the hottest summer with amazing discounts this 4.4 sale

realme joins the Lazada 4.4 Saya sa SuliTipid Sale on April 4-8 to offer irresistible deals for the Squad to enjoy this summertime. On top of the discounts, vouchers, and free shipping, the Squad can also expect big savings during the sale.

Don’t miss out on realme’s exclusive Lazada 4.4 Sale promos

Each day from April 4-6 only, the crowd-favorite realme smartphones can be scored for as low as P444. This amazing peso deal will only be available in limited quantities, so add to cart and set alarms at midnight to checkout.

EastWest Ageas Bags Two Global Award for Tech Transformation

EastWest Ageas scored global recognition from two prestigious award-giving organizations for best practices of technology usage in areas critical to success for insurance. The company has been recognized by Celent as a winner of a 2024 Model Insurer award for the Legacy and Ecosystem Transformation category. And it also received recognition from the World’s Digital Insurance Awards as a finalist in the Insurer Transformation category.

“We are honored to receive these global recognitions from these award-giving bodies in the insurance industry,” says EastWest Ageas President and CEO Sjoerd Smeets. “These awards demonstrate that we are on the right track in maximizing technology to best serve our clients. We’re very proud of our team’s hard work to make this possible.”

All Hail the Camera King! HONOR Magic6 Pro Ranks number 1 in Camera Global Rankings

 DxOMark says HONOR Magic 6 Pro bested Huawei Mate 60 Pro+, iPhone 15 Pro Max, OPPO Find X7 Ultra, Google Pixel 8 Pro, and others in Global Rankings for Camera, Battery, Display, and Selfie

The leading global provider of smart devices, HONOR, claimed the top spot as the best camera smartphone in the recent DxOMark ranking test, dethroning its competitors, with a high-ranking score of 158.

DxOMark, an independent camera testing organization that provides comprehensive evaluation of camera performances, has awarded HONOR Magic6 Pro as the top contender in terms of global camera, battery, display and selfie features, as of this writing.

Earn the highest interest rate on your savings up to 15% p.a. with CIMB PH’s Sunk15sed Promo

Get ready for an unforgettable summer as CIMB Bank Philippines, Forbes’ Best Bank in the Philippines, brings a new sizzling-hot offer! From March 1 to 31 2024, you can earn up to 15% per annum (p.a.) interest on your savings with CIMB’s Sunk15sed Promo.

To be eligible for this offer, existing GSave or UpSave customers as of January 31, 2024 may earn up to 15% p.a. This automatically qualifies you to earn 4% p.a. interest across all your balances for the month of March, no cap, simply by maintaining your account. This is inclusive of other promos and the regular base rate of 2.5% p.a. for UpSave and 2.6% p.a. for GSave.

Huawei Perfects The Art of Display: HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition Changes the Game

In today's fast-paced digital world, the demand for user-centric technology solutions is at an all-time high. For students and young professionals alike, finding the perfect balance between efficiency and comfort is paramount. Enter the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition – the ultimate non-glare companion designed with a PaperMatte screen to revolutionize the way we work, learn, and create.

Featuring a groundbreaking PaperMatte screen with anti-reflection, anti-glare, and anti-fingerprint technology, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition eliminates distractions, and enhances visual comfort.

Perhaps you are spending long hours in the library studying for upcoming exams, or writing a 100-slide presentation, with the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition, you can do both for long periods without straining your eyes. Its anti-glare and anti-reflection technology ensure that even under the library's bright lights, you can focus entirely on work or study without any distractions.

Red Bull Half Court Cebu Qualifiers Conclude With USJR, EVSU Ormoc, and DGFAM Teams Headed To The National Final!

Photo Provided by Svyn Saenz

In a thrilling display of talent and determination, the Red Bull Half Court Cebu Qualifiers concluded with University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) emerging as champions for the 3-on-3 men’s division and Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Ormoc  for the women’s division.

The event, set in Sisters of Mary in Talisay City, Cebu, witnessed rustic yet electrifying plays, clutch buzzer-beaters, and jaw-dropping crossovers, captivating spectators with the raw talent displayed amidst the simplicity of the school grounds.

The competition was fierce, with teams giving their all on the court, demonstrating skill, agility, and passion for the game. Amidst the intense battles, USJR, EVSU Ormoc, and Daily Grind Family (DGFAM) stood out, displaying exceptional teamwork and skill earning them a spot in the National Final next month.

Flex Your New Phone and Enjoy up to 100% cashback with DITO FLEXPlans

Aiming to provide equal access to everyone to reach their digital aspirations, DITO Telecommunity, the country's fastest-growing telecommunications provider, continues to make waves in the postpaid scene as it introduces its latest groundbreaking postpaid offering that allows customers to enjoy a total of up to 100% cashback with DITO Handset FLEXPlans.

Available via select Rulls stores nationwide, customers can now choose from a wide variety of handsets and own the phone of their choice through DITO Handset FLEXPlans; at the same time, enjoy a monthly cashback deal with a total value of up to 100% of the handset price.

"Through our partnership with Rulls, we are now the telco that ‘gives’ back. This cashback offer represents our commitment to providing wider opportunities for people to own a phone and enjoy our value-added services- ultimately enabling more Filipinos to reach their digital aspirations," said DITO Chief Revenue Officer- Consumer, Evelyn Jimenez.

Be The Portrait Master with realme’s Flagship Periscope

The launch of the realme 12 Pro+ 5G marked a significant milestone in realme's flagship photography journey. The latest smartphone carries a cutting-edge periscope telephoto technology that packs both a dedicated telephoto lens and a flagship-level sensor in one smartphone device.

This leap in camera technology from its predecessor was strongly driven by the needs of realme’s fans and community. Through this innovation, realme has made advanced photography more accessible for fans to explore and capture movie-like shots beyond the horizon.

The realme 12 Pro+ 5G guarantees helpful features for a true Portrait Expert to push the boundaries of portrait photography.

Globe Group celebrates Women's Month with spotlight on new generation of female leaders

As the Philippines observes National Women's Month, the Globe Group celebrates the remarkable rise of female leaders within its ranks, emphasizing a commitment to gender equality and leadership diversity.

The Globe Group continues to be recognized as a hub of excellence for women, with female employees making up 44% of its workforce and holding 53% of executive positions within the organization.

This achievement is particularly significant given the 2022 Global Gender Gap report, which recognized the country as the leader in female representation in the boardroom in the Asia-Pacific region with a 41% rate.

Ena Mori drops “Heartache Generation,” her first single after 2022 album release

The much-awaited song comes with a one-take video shot entirely using smart glasses

Filipino-Japanese artist Ena Mori continues to break new ground with the release of her new single “Heartache Generation,” out on Friday, March 15, 2024, via Offshore Music and Sony Music Entertainment.

The eclectic track chronicles the singer-songwriter’s bouts with existential crisis as she approaches her birthday, fearing the inability to capture the same sense of purpose and wonder amidst the noise reverberating inside her head.

 “Heartache Generation is written by me, and it’s about being afraid of getting older and feeling overwhelmed with life that changes so quickly—an existential crisis that comes with anxiety and pressure,” Ena shares. “This is the first single after the album has been released and an introduction to what kind of direction I'm going for the next big release.”

Santé Bags Innovative Health and Fitness Solutions Award at The Living Laurels 2024

The prestigious award reflects Sante’s commitment to revolutionizing health, wellness industry in PH

Santé, one of the fastest-growing distribution and direct-selling companies globally dedicated to helping people live better lives, wins the Innovative Health and Fitness Solutions at the inaugural The Living Laurels 2024 awards, an award-giving body organized by Malaya Business Insight.

The Living Laurels 2024 aims to honor individuals and companies that have risen above challenges to improve the quality of others' lives while advancing their industries. The category, which Santé won, recognizes health and fitness innovations, as well as industry leaders, who have adapted to customers' evolving requirements and preferences.

Santé COO Mike Sibayan, took center stage in accepting the prestigious award while highlighting Santé’s commitment to being the global provider of premium and high-quality health and wellness products and services.

Filipino comedy group The KoolPals celebrate five years of awesomeness with a comedy and music fest

Dilaw, Johnoy Danao, Kween Yasmin and more will be joining the festive fun this summer

Everyone gather 'round and prepare yourselves for the most gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, and ESOPHAGUS-tickling show of the year!

Save the date for The KoolPals Block Party: a Stand-Up Comedy + Music Special, celebrating The Koolpals’ fab five years in podcasting.

Happening on May 11, 2024, from 3 PM onwards, these kings of comedy are taking over 123 Block in Mandaluyong City for the ultimate comedy extravaganza.

KodeGo bridges digital skills gap among Filipinos, prepares future-proof workforce

●       71% of Filipino employees^[1] consider digital skills as a must-have to become competitive in the increasingly digital landscape;

●       This highlights the importance of digital upskilling programs are easily available and accessible for all employees;

●       As one of the largest venture builders in Southeast Asia, 917Ventures recognizes this imperative, which led them to create KodeGo to help upskill Filipinos

The Philippines is on track towards becoming a US$35 billion economy by 2025.^[2] But even with the promising outlook, the country’s workforce remains challenged by a digital skills gap that hampers its transformation into a truly digital nation.

According to the 2023 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the Philippines ranked 59th out of 64 countries in overall digital competitiveness^[2], showing low rankings on knowledge and talent (63rd), technology (51st), and future readiness (59th). This underscores an urgent need to prioritize digital skills development to ensure the country's digital competitiveness and sustainable growth.

From local to global: Globe's 5G expansion empowers Filipinos everywhere

Globe has significantly expanded its 5G footprint across the Philippines and globally with 894 new sites as of the end of last year, a major step towards enhancing digital connectivity and empowering Filipinos worldwide.

In 2023, Globe achieved 97.90% outdoor coverage in the National Capital Region and 92.36% in key cities across Visayas and Mindanao. This progress resulted in Globe logging over 5.8 million devices connected to its 5G network in December 2023 alone.

Globe has strategically moderated its spending on new 5G sites, considering current market conditions and the search for viable use cases that fully harness the potential of 5G technology. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to not only advance technology but also ensure its sustainable and strategic deployment.

First UT Collaboration with K-POP Boy Group TREASURE

Six songs, including the group’s debut single, expressed in original UT designs available from May 24

UNIQLO today announces the launch of “Find Your TREASURE UT”, the UNIQLO graphic T-shirt brand’s first collaboration with the popular K-pop idol group TREASURE. The T-shirt collection features designs for each of the group’s most well-known songs, making it feel like a greatest hits collection. The simple styles allow wearers to fully enjoy the worldview of TREASURE songs, with a lineup that will appeal not only to fans but a wide range of music lovers. These special designs have been created exclusively for UT.

A collection to fully enjoy the worldview of the music

This graphic T-shirt collection features designs inspired by the characters and music videos of six representative TREASURE songs, "BOY," "I LOVE YOU," "JIKJIN," "DARARI," "HELLO" and " BONA BONA" The body silhouette has unisex-friendly oversized proportions developed especially for Find Your TREASURE UT. Fans will be keen to see which pattern their favorite member is wearing.

ZTE reports net profit of RMB 9.33 billion in 2023, up 15.4% YoY

●       ZTE's 2023 net profit reached RMB 9.33 billion, showcasing a dual-drive strategy focusing on connectivity and computing power

●       The company demonstrated resilience amidst challenges, with a strengthened focus on R&D investment, covering 20.4% of the operating revenue

ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, reported a full-year operating revenue of RMB 124.25 billion in 2023.

According to ZTE's results announcement, in 2023, the company's gross profit margin was 41.5%. The net profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares of the listed company reached RMB 9.33 billion, up 15.4% year-over-year. The net profit after extraordinary items attributable to holders of ordinary shares of the listed company for 2023 amounted to RMB 7.40 billion, representing a 20.0% year-on-year rise.

Tara, Laro: MLBB Philippines kicks off ALLSTAR campaign with a caravan

Here are the MLBB ALLSTAR-themed events to not miss!

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Philippines launches "Tara, Laro," a localized campaign to celebrate the annual ALLSTAR campaign in the country starting today until April 2024. Through a caravan, MLBB Philippines will visit Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (CALABARZON) to gather MLBB gamers and bring fun MLBB-themed events that aim to promote camaraderie and teamwork and foster friendships.

"For many of us, MLBB has been an instrument to make memories with friends, bond with family, or relax with work colleagues. Despite the game bringing out our competitive nature, it still serves as a platform that connects us with our loved ones and also provides entertainment to burn off stresses," says Bella Zhang, MOONTON Games Campaign Manager for ALLSTARS PH.

Stylishly stand out from the crowd with realme 12 Pro+ 5G

real talk: the realme 12 Pro+ 5G is a stylish piece that can up one’s fashion game

Authenticity, individuality, and inspiring others to find their identity are core to some Gen Z and Millennials. These traits are especially true for their 'fits, as they believe in making a bold statement and a positive impact. Their style deserves to be showcased on social media, and the realme 12 Pro+ 5G is the stylish new tool to bring fashion-forward ideas to life and share these with the world.

Here are some ways to stand out online and in the world:

Justin Timberlake releases sixth studio album, Everything I Thought I Was

“No Angels” official music video out soon

Multi-award-winning artist Justin Timberlake has released his new sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was via RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment. In addition, Justin Timberlake will be dropping the official music video for his new track off the album, “No Angels” soon. The music video was directed by Ti West. 

Everything I Thought It Was Tracklist

1. Memphis
2. F**kin’ Up The Disco
3. No Angels
4. Play
5. Technicolor
6. Drown
7. Liar (ft. Fireboy DML)
8. Infinity Sex
9. Love & War
10. Sanctified (ft. Tobe Nwigwe)
11. My Favorite Drug 
12. Flame
13. Imagination
14. What Lovers Do
15. Selfish
16. Alone
17. Paradise (ft. *NSYNC)
18. Conditions

Up to Php 10,000 worth of discounts on your favorite HONOR devices this Lazada Sulit Sweldo Sale!

Check out HONOR devices from your carts from March 13 to 17 and get exclusive freebies plus huge discount vouchers from Lazada!

Don’t miss out on these amazing deals and discounts from the leading global smart devices provider, HONOR Philippines! Lazada Sulit Sweldo Sale will run from March 13 to 17, 2024, so hurry and check them out now!

“Make sure to not miss these offers from Lazada, HONOR fans! Take advantage of these deals and get your hands on our wide range of products that are tailored fit to every consumer’s needs,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

The TechLife Notebook Series are designed to boost your productivity in school and at work

Get up to P1,500 OFF this Mid Month Payday Sale on TikTok and Lazada

Nowadays, laptops have become a necessity for everyday individuals wanting to be productive at home, work, and school. The best option for casual users are laptops made for productivity, especially if they’re not after the heavy-duty specs meant for gaming, business, or editing.

Cue the TechLife Notebook Series - the TechLife Notebook and TechLife Notebook S are specially designed for students and young adults looking for a trustworthy laptop that can handle multitasking activities for everyday use.

Aside from the fact that it’s lightweight and easy to carry thanks to its 15.6mm slim design, the TechLife Notebook Series gives users the best value for money in terms of specs.

New UK Visa Application Centre launched in Manila

●  UK visa customers can visit the new and upgraded centre from Monday to Friday, between 7AM to 4PM to apply for all categories of UK visas.

●  Customers get a range of optional services to choose from including Premium Lounge, Prime Time Appointments, Keep My Passport, and SMS Alerts among others.

●  Customers can also apply for their UK visa from a location of their choice through our optional On Demand Mobile Visa (ODMV) service.

To offer an enhanced visa application submission experience to UK visa customers in Manila, Philippines, Mr. Alistair White, British Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines, inaugurated the new and upgraded UK Visa Application Centre in Manila on 08 March 2024, in the presence of Mr. Julian Salisbury, Assurance and Integrity Manager for Asia Pacific, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Head-Australasia, VFS Global.

The new UK Visa Application Centre in Manila located on the 6th Floor of the Makati Circuit Corporate Tower Two will offer customers a more comfortable and relaxed visa application submission experience. This spacious facility, equipped with modern amenities and services, will have the capacity to process a higher volume of visa applications per day, and enhance the customer experience by making the customer journey even more smooth and seamless.

realme achieves highest sales during 3.3 on TikTok, Lazada, and Shopee

realme concludes 3.3 sale with impressive selling performance and announces temporary price drop on realme C53 starting March 11

realme Philippines maintains its strong industry presence after achieving another milestone in the e-commerce scene. The smartphone brand concluded the recent 3.3 sale on a high note, hailed as one of the top-performing brands in the Mobile category on TikTok, Lazada, and Shopee.

The realme Note 50 proved to be a crowd favorite as more and more Filipinos got their very own Long-lasting Value Companion. Since its launch in January, the first release under realme’s Note Series instantly became the most sought-after product, which was evident during the whole duration of the realme 3.3 sale. In fact, realme clinched rank 1 in Mobile on TikTok Shop from February 27 until March 3 with sales mostly driven by realme Note 50 in both storage variants and the realme 11.

Korean Variety Show "The Zone: Survival Mission" returens for a Third Season in 2024 Exclusively on Disney+

 

Stars Yu Jaeseok and Kwon Yuri Return Alongside New Hosts Dex and Former UFC Fighter Kim Donghyun

Audiences are invited to dive back into a world of hijinks and shenanigans when The Zone: Survival Mission returns for season three, exclusively on Disney+ later this year.

In the eagerly awaited third installment of this hit variety show, Kwon Yuri and Yu Jaeseok return alongside Single’s Inferno star Dex and former UFC fighter Kim Donghyun, as the four hosts find themselves fighting to survive in a series of progressively hilarious challenges. Previously pitted against zombies, a haunted hospital, glue traps, puzzles and more, tune in to find out what other laugh-out-loud challenges await the hosts.

Samsung Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G: Awesome Innovations and Security Engineered for Everyone

With upgraded security features and a more vivid viewing experience, the new Galaxy A series devices democratize mobile experiences for all 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G, two smartphones that demonstrate Samsung’s ongoing commitment to making the best of mobile innovations available to everyone. Both devices come with extensive security features such as Knox Vault, as well as new photography capabilities inspired by Galaxy’s flagship camera innovations and a stunning display that adjusts to users’ surroundings with Vision Booster.

“With the Galaxy A series, we are expanding our latest technologies to a wider audience so that more people can benefit from them,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited to open up even more possibilities on the Galaxy A series this year, including offering Samsung Knox Vault for the first time on this lineup. We’re proud to enable Galaxy A series users to safely and reliably enjoy outstanding mobile experiences.”