Tips to protect yourself and your family from dengue

Rainy season is here and with it comes a higher risk of being infected with dengue, which is mainly transmitted by a mosquito called Aedesaegypti and is common in many tropical countries like the Philippines. In 2019, the Department of Health (DOH) declared a national dengue epidemic when the recorded cases from January to July 2019 reached 146,062. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dengue is a viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and sometimes even a potentially lethal complication. This complication may cause plasma leaking that may lead to shock or respiratory distress from fluid accumulation, severe bleeding, and even severe organ impairment and death. 

Here are some tips on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from getting infected with dengue, according to the Department of Health:

AirAsia Philippines backs LGU’s call to scrap RT-PCR tests for fully vaccinated guests

AirAsia Philippines is strongly backing the calls of local government units to scrap the use of negative RT-PCR tests as travel requirements for incoming visitors who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Majority of the Local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) still requires the submission of a negative RT-PCR test result before entry to their provinces as part of the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

However, during a dialogue with Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, other local government units such as Palawan, Aklan and Cebu pushed for lesser restrictions and a more simplified entry requirement for fully vaccinated travelers. The provincial government of Bohol meanwhile said vaccine cards must be fully authenticated to allow mobility of vaccinated tourists.

Logitech’s Back To School Bundle Packs Are Exactly What Every Teacher and Student Needs

Another virtual school year is here, and Logitech wants to make teaching and learning even better with its Back To School Bundle Pack Promo! These fantastic deals for educators and students will be available beginning September 27, 2021, until supplies last, at these Logitech partner stores: Thinking Tools, Unipace, Datablitz, Itech, Gamextreme, Dynaquest, Techwarez, Gameline, Silicon Valley, PC Express, Office Warehouse, and Electroworld.

Find the best Back To School Bundle Pack to Suit Your Needs

Logitech’s E-DUCATOR PACK is perfect for online teachers. Each box is priced at only Php 1,929, and contains one unit of Logitech MK270r, one unit of Logitech H151 Stereo Headset, and one free Headset Pouch. This bundle pack is available in black only.

Amaia Steps Pasig to introduce ‘Clara’, its fourth mid-rise building

Known primarily as an industrial town before the ’70s, Pasig is now a flourishing cosmopolitan city that is home to huge shopping malls, world-class hotels and restaurants, prominent schools, and the bustling business district called the Ortigas Center.

It is no surprise, then, that Pasig, which was tagged as one of the most livable cities in the world in 2013, sees a continuous influx of corporate denizens and entrepreneurs looking to settle down near their work or business places.

One residential project that has readily stepped up to the plate is Amaia Steps Pasig, a 4.5-hectare development of mid-rise condominiums located on Eusebio Street, Barangay San Miguel, Pasig City. Amaia Steps Pasig, which currently has three nine-story buildings—Aria, Blanca, and Esperanza—is set to launch its fourth mid-rise building, Clara, to accommodate even more potential homebuyers, mostly young professionals and growing families.

Sun Life Grepa Expands its health partners to over 1,000 medical providers nationwide

 

Richard S. Lim, Sun Life Grepa President

In an effort to improve its group members’ access to healthcare insurance and medical providers, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa) through its Group Healthcare unit, continues to strengthen its access to hospitals and clinics, reaching 1000 partner providers across the country as of August 2021.

The expansion includes partners located in far-flung and rural areas providing clients with medical service options of reimbursements or cashless access to fulfill their health insurance coverage and address their specific needs. In less than 4 years, Sun Life Grepa has grown its provider access to over 400 accredited partners in NCR and Luzon and close to 200 in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

“Sun Life Grepa has always been committed in helping Filipinos live healthier lives, not only by providing relevant life and health insurance products but also making sure that our clients will have easy access to quality healthcare when they need it most. Our Sun Life Grepa Healthcare unit remains dedicated in expanding our partnership to strategically located medical providers nationwide who can serve our clients and meet their various medical needs as part of their group insurance coverage,” says Richard S. Lim, Sun Life Grepa President. “As healthcare spending increases and the industry continues to evolve, accessibility to proper healthcare for our clients is a key priority for Sun Life Grepa. With this expansion, clients can now readily and conveniently avail of the proper healthcare services and group medical benefits with our suite of Health Insurance products,” he added.

Lazada launches Start It Up, Laz It Up, an easy three-step seller registration sign-up

Lazada, Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platform, unveiled Start It Up, Laz It Up, a refreshed easy three-step registration sign-up process for all aspiring entrepreneurs, social sellers, and existing brick-and-mortar business owners looking to launch an online business.

Over the first six months of 2021, Lazada saw new seller sign-ups increase over two times across Southeast Asia, compared to the year before. In addition, the first-ever bi-annual Digital Confidence Index released by Lazada in August 2021 found 70% of Southeast Asia’s online sellers are optimistic and confident about their future growth and prospects for the third quarter of 2021.

To encourage new and existing retail business owners to digitalize and join eCommerce, Start It Up, Laz It Up will reward one lucky recipient US$10,000 worth of prizes to help jumpstart their Lazada store in preparation of Lazada’s biggest mega shopping festival 11.11. To qualify, new sellers need to sign up and launch their Lazada marketplace stores in active selling mode during the period of 27 September (00:00 AM) to 30 October (11:59 PM).

Lenovo Unveils the Yoga Slim 7 Pro with OLED Display and Lenovo Go Accessories

Working from home requires top of the line equipment to get the job done. Recently, connectivity and smarter technology has become more prevalent than ever in our daily lives, and multitasking has increasingly become the norm. With innovations driven by direct customer feedback, Lenovo continues to push boundaries and build a smarter future.

Designed to deliver an enhanced user experience with the latest in bold innovation, refined craftsmanship, smarter technology and to empower users in a new hybrid working world, Lenovo unveils the new Yoga Slim 7 Pro with OLED Display—the first laptop to bring you the powerful next-gen Windows 11 operating system (OS) which makes creativity and productivity easier. Lenovo Go Accessories, a new sub-brand uniting a range of purpose-built PC accessories are also launched to help improve efficiency and overall workspace experience..

Red Bull Mobile Esports Open Is Finally Coming To The Philippines For Its Fourth Season with a PUBG Mobile Tournament

The Red Bull Mobile Esports Open (MEO) returns for its fourth season in 30 countries, including the Philippines, featuring popular battle royale shooter game PlayersUnknown Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile.

Red Bull M.E.O Season 4 is open to all Filipino mobile players who will get the chance to showcase their skills on a global stage. Players from the Philippines will participate in the 2-day National Qualifiers from October 9 to 10. The top 16 teams that qualify will then move on to the National Finals to determine the final 4 teams that will compete on November 20 and 21 at the Regional Finals. The competing teams in the tournament will battle it all out for an opportunity to win up to €10,000 in prizes.

Nokia launches fifth generation routing silicon, sets new benchmarks for IP network security and energy efficiency

 

• Nokia FP5 network processing silicon delivers a generational leap in IP network capacity and power efficiency while introducing new capabilities for protecting network traffic from security threats
• FP5 is the industry’s first high performance routing silicon delivering integrated line rate encryption for L2, L2.5 and L3 network services at speeds up to 1.6Tbps
• Nokia’s fully programmable network processor is the first to bring 800GE routing interfaces for service provider applications to market while retaining the agility to adapt to new applications
• FP5 sets a new benchmark for sustainability in IP routing with a 75% reduction in power consumption over previous generations

Nokia today announced the launch of FP5, its fifth generation of high-performance IP routing silicon. As the new heart of Nokia’s IP service routing platforms, FP5 will enable service providers to address today’s unrelenting requirements to efficiently scale network capacity, enable new higher speed IP services, and provide unmatched protection against escalating network security threats. Building upon four generations of industry-leading network processors, Nokia is raising the bar by adding support for high density 800GE routing interfaces, a 75% reduction in power consumption and new embedded line rate, flow-based encryption capabilities.

Huawei hosts an Energy Summit — Digital Energy, Powering the Low Carbon Era

Huawei hosted the Energy Summit online, which was held within the framework of HUAWEI CONNECT 2021 and themed “Digital Energy, Powering the Low Carbon Era”. During the summit, customers and partners discussed best practices in using new technologies to transition the energy industry toward carbon neutrality. Huawei also released the Global Energy Transition and Zero Carbon Development White Paper and shared its Energy Trans-Cube Strategy.

Energy Trans-Cube, Creating New Value for the Industry

After signing the Paris Agreement in 2015, more countries than ever before are committed to carbon neutrality and are taking positive actions to address climate change. Each one follows a different path, suitable to its resource profile, energy, and environment. “Despite the strong will to go carbon neutral, we need to take into account three challenges: green and low carbon development, economic development, as well as the security and continuity of energy supply. The convergence of energy transformation and digital transformation will pave the digital way for carbon neutrality,” said David Sun, Vice President of Huawei Enterprise BG and President of the Global Energy Business Unit. He added, “Huawei has developed a Trans-Cube methodology. It suggests that to get closer to a net-zero carbon intelligent energy system and achieve global zero-carbon development, we should build three core capabilities — net-zero carbon transformation, energy transformation, and digital transformation.”

World Vision and DepEd launch mobile library to give children in slum areas access to learning materials

Child-focused organization World Vision partners with the Department of Education (DepEd) to launch a mobile library in Mandaue City. The library named as Learn and Play Hub is officially launched to the community at the DepEd Mandaue City Division Office.

Under the organization’s Urban Development Project, with the funding from the World Vision Singapore office, the hub aims to cater children on the streets and those who are living in the slums and give them access to learning resources, opportunities for play and life skills development.

“World Vision is grateful and excited to embark in its first Mobile Learn and Play Hub with DepEd Mandaue City Division. We are expectant that this intervention will bring more value in helping and reaching kids in the communities even during this pandemic,” shares Faith Richelle Sy, Program Manager of the World Vision Urban Development Project.

Beeinfotech PH bullish on data center growth as hyperscalers arrive in country

Data center services provider Beeinfotech PH (Bee Information Technology PH Inc.) is confident that the Philippine data center market is ready to cater to the needs of global hyperscale companies. This is due to a variety of factors, including the growth of enterprise cloud and data center adoption in the country, rising Internet use, and the recent improvements in the nation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capabilities.

Recent forecasts have revealed that developments in the Asia Pacific make the region a prime destination for hyperscalers. According to Frost & Sullivan, APAC will lead all the other regions as the top data center market in the world by 2025. The firm also noted that the Philippines is expected to boom in data center growth, with an average increase of 24% in data center supply within the next three to five years. This was highlighted by the Department of Trade and Industry in a recent online event announcing the arrival of hyperscale companies in the country.

Tech Lovers’ Gift Guide: The Do’s and Don’ts When Buying Gifts this Holiday Season

Are you the type of person who loves giving gifts but hates the holiday rush? It’s always a struggle to look for the perfect gift for every single one of our treasured loved ones but if they are tech-savvy or people who love to stay updated and equipped with the latest technology then you came to the right place.

What seems to look like another pandemic holiday made gift hunting harder for everyone. Due to the pandemic, we have a very limited time and even budget to shop for our holiday gifts. But don’t let this stop you from giving the perfect gifts because we will teach you the Do’s and Dont’s when buying gifts for your tech-savvy loved ones this Holiday season.

Discover what kind of Spotify listener you are on PayMaya

Whether it's an inspiring podcast to kickstart your week or a playlist of your favorite tracks for your run, nothing perks up anyone's mood like good audio content. Good news! PayMaya has teamed up with Spotify to offer the ability to directly purchase Premium and Premium Mini plans on the PayMaya mobile app. With Spotify’s recent launch of Premium Mini in the Philippines, PayMaya users can now conveniently access their everyday e-wallet to purchase its weekly and daily subscriptions for as low as PHP7/day and PHP26/week.  

And hello to listening to downloaded music while on the go! Spotify Premium Mini gives listeners a subset of their favorite Premium features, and the ability to pay for it by the day or by the week, paying for only when they need it.  

Looking to upgrade your listening experience? Find out what kind of listener you are and check out the best Spotify Premium Mini plan suited for your lifestyle:  

Jose Mari Chan Shares Tips for Finding the Perfect Christmas Gift and Avoiding Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

 

As we settle into the -ber months, it’s time to start thinking of your Christmas list. If you’re at a loss as to how to spread joy to your loved ones during the holidays amidst a pandemic, who better to ask for advice than one of the Philippines’ Christmas icons, Jose Mari Chan? 

The musician, who has been Shopee’s Christmas ambassador since 2018, shares that the important thing is to imbue the true spirit of Christmas. “This pandemic may have completely changed our shopping habits, but one thing remains the same—every chance you get to show kindness, do so. Whatever you give doesn't have to be a big amount.”

Begin your holiday shopping at Shopee’s Sep 30 Payday Sale and keep these other tips from Jose Mari Chan in mind: 

Eco-friendly Millennial Resorts Pave the Way to Sustainability in Batangas

Inspired by Batangas’ coastal surroundings, the eco-friendly beach properties of Millennial Resorts feature designs focused on sustainability and provide guests with unconventional experiences and warmth of heartfelt Filipino hospitality.

For its resource efficiency design, this hospitality group which is a sister company of Landco Pacific Corp., is registered for the prestigious EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification. 

“Ingrained in Landco’s DNA is our commitment to long-term social, economic and environmental sustainability in premium property developments for more than 30 years across the country. We do it, first and foremost, because it is the right thing to do.  This is evident in our latest Leisure Tourism Estates in Batangas – 15-hectare CaSoBē and 24-hectare Club Laiya, both of which are LEED Registered, and the management of Millennial Resorts which provide the leisure and hotel operations in these properties,” stated Erickson Y. Manzano, President and CEO, Landco. 

Creating a brighter outlook for your workforce amidst COVID-19

The pandemic has forced organizations to be flexible and caused HR professionals to rethink their approach in sustaining the workplace amid the crisis. Now, more than ever, the role that HR plays in implementing the transition is crucial. From emphasizing new values in the company culture to leveraging the digital tools at their disposal, there are many ways businesses can emerge stronger from the pandemic. 

This challenge was addressed in a recent webinar entitled “The Bright Outlook: New Ways of Working in the New Normal” hosted by Sun Life Asia Service Centre-Philippines (ASCP), where Sun Life key opinion leaders gathered to discuss the different ways to create a brighter outlook for your workforce amidst COVID-19. 

Prime C&I APAC boosts exports of Philippine Halal products, services

• Prime’s accreditation as the Philippines’ first Halal Certification Body will augment the country’s Halal industry, contributing significantly to the trade of locally-made Halal products and services in the international arena
• The Department of Trade and Industry’s accreditation of Prime ensures that food, beverages, and supplements certified as Halal are truly Halal
• Prime’s certification process helps businesses comply not only with the Philippine National Halal Standards but also with the international regulations

Prime Certification and Inspection Asia Pacific Inc. (Prime) was officially awarded as the first local Halal Certification Body (HCB) accredited by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB), in a virtual ceremony held recently. 

With the accreditation, Prime is able to strengthen the country’s Halal industry and allow Philippine companies to tap into the lucrative global Halal economy estimated to reach PHP158.98 trillion (USD3.2 trillion) by 2024. This enables Philippine homegrown businesses producing and developing Halal products as well as services to competitively penetrate the international market. 

AirAsia Philippines makes travel seamless with the Health Travel Icon on the airasia Super App

In its continuing commitment to make air travel better and even safer in the new normal, AirAsia Philippines’ guests will soon experience seamless verification of vaccine information through airasia Super App in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The Travel Health Icon will soon be made available to all passengers through the AirAsia Super App, and the airasia website for desktop users. Under the new integrated system, verified vaccination information of guests will be uploaded on the airasia Super App through the Department of Health’s (DOH) VaxCertPH.

The DICT recently developed VaxCertPH for the DOH to help verify legitimacy and certify a passenger’s vaccination status. This is also in compliance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines on the issuance of digital vaccine certificates.

Cebu Pacific all set for domestic travel recovery in Q4

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) will increase its flights in October to tourism havens Siargao, Boracay, and Bohol as the country’s leading airline push for domestic travel recovery, following the easing of quarantine restrictions.

In October, the airline will expand its flights to Siargao from five times to six times weekly; raise its frequencies to Boracay from four to five times daily; and bump up flights to Bohol from nine to 10 times weekly.

“We believe reopening domestic travel and the promotion of responsible travel is critical to rebuilding the trust and travel confidence in the industry,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience at Cebu Pacific.

Pasig City moves one step forward to a safer Tomorrow

The rainy days are here. For motorists, this only means paying more attention while driving since inclement weather conditions increase the chances of accidents. Aside from making the roads slippery, heavy downpours also cause flooding, heavy traffic, and low visibility.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.3 million people worldwide die due to road traffic crashes every year. Between 20 to 50 million more suffer non-fatal injuries.

This is also true for the Philippines. In the country’s main metropolitan area alone, the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) recorded 65,032 accidents last year, resulting in the death of 337 people. When these numbers are broken down, Metro Manila averaged 178 road-crash incidents per day, with 50,230 cases causing property damages and 14,465 resulting in non-fatal injury.

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation steps up efforts to promote herd immunity against COVID-19

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation (CLFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Cebuana Lhuillier, partners with GoNegosyo on a campaign to actively support the humanitarian efforts provided by various private sectors. Their main objective is to help curb the impact of COVID-19 and ensure the health and safety of both community members and private sector employees.

“Our participation in this campaign is in line with the national government’s efforts to address COVID-19. We believe that for us to combat this pandemic and keep everyone safe, tests and vaccinations shall be made available to the public, much more to our employees,” President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

In the early stages of the pandemic, CLFI purchased 20,000 rapid kits that were donated to 30 organizations, including national government agencies, public hospitals, various LGU’s, and other non-profit organizations. This joint effort paved the way for the community members in far-flung areas to be tested and checked for COVID-19.

Why using genuine HP Inks are better in the longer run

If you’re, say, a purchasing officer at a small and medium enterprise, or the head of the household, you might actually think that you’re getting more for your money by purchasing unbranded, compatible ink cartridges compared to original ones.

While the initial, up-front cost may appear lower, there are hidden costs that ultimately add up in the long run – not to mention potential risks to your equipment, your health, and the environment.

This is precisely why HP has long been advocating the use of only original inks in its printers—not just for quality printing and to prolong the life of the printer, but to protect against potential hazards.

Level up your stay-at-home life with OPPO Wearable Devices

Our gadgets have been our companion throughout daily pandemic life. Other than our smartphones, smart wearable devices continuously leveled up and became must-haves to accompany us with our current lifestyle. Whether it’s a fitness band that conveniently tracks our fitness goals or good Bluetooth earbuds that can keep up while you’re working out, we can’t deny that it makes our life a lot easier.

If you’re looking for a perfect companion for your smartphone that can keep up with your activities, here’s our top recommendations for you!

Contactless transactions made easier using Cash Connect ATMs and Pay&Go self-payment kiosks

 

For more than a year and half now, the pandemic has caused a seemingly permanent shift to the mindset of people. The fear of contacting the dreaded virus gripping the whole world has fast-tracked the full digitalization of services in the country. No longer are people physically going to a bank or a payment center, just to settle their bills.

Practically everything is done digitally or virtually, nowadays

However, there are instances when one is required to go out, especially when withdrawing money or when paying digitally using a smart phone, is not possible. In these cases, financial technology companies like BTI Payments Inc. answers this pressing need by providing contactless payment services at many convenient locations nationwide.

Providing access ‘where they’re at’

Even before the pandemic hit, BTI Payments Inc., a member of the Banktech Group and a subsidiary of Banktech, a leader in specialized payment and technology solutions in Australia and across the South Asian region, saw that one of the reasons why a huge chunk of the Philippine population remains unbanked, is mainly due to a lack of accessibility. There are still quite a number of locations in the country where banks are inadequately numbered to sufficiently provide the needs of its residents.

Alfamart Powers Through the Pandemic with 1000-Store Milestone

 

To say that 2020 was a trying year for everyone would be an understatement. While businesses, particularly retail establishments, were either closing or downsizing, super minimart Alfamart had one thing on their mind: expansion to reach more communities.

Alfamart prides itself in being a one-stop hop providing daily essentials accessibly to households. Its stores are a tricycle ride away from the communities they serve, underscoring its goal of making grocery shopping convenient for everyone.

Last year, the minimart opened its 1000th store in Barangay Santiago, General Trias, Cavite. A total of 267* stores were opened in 2020 alone.

Infinix unveils new Zero X Pro with super zoom moonshot camera, breaks through the laptop market with lightweight INBook X1 this October

Infinix is taking mobile photography to a whole new level as it brings Zero X Pro smartphone with a periscope moonshot camera to the Philippines. The company is also rolling out its first lightweight laptop INBook X1 Pro in the market.

Zero X Pro, which is Infinix’s flagship smartphone and the standout variant of the Zero X series, features a 108MP primary camera, an 8MP periscope moonshot lens, 60x zoom power, and a 120° field of view (FOV) 8MP ultra-wide & macro lens – putting high-resolution moon photography at arm’s reach.

The smartphone is powered by the groundbreaking Galileo Algorithm Engine, a top-notch software that ensures that the moon’s beauty is captured in crisp and clear detail through lunar exposure and focus locking systems. With such a powerful feature, users can shoot spectacular night sky views with ease.

PSBank makes banking safer with new online account opening via its Mobile App

Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) made banking simpler and safer with its new digital offering — allowing Filipinos to open a PSBank peso savings account via its Mobile App. With just one (1) valid ID, a selfie, and with literally just a few taps, tapos agad!

What used to require at least a visit to the bank is now replaced by an online account opening service through one’s smartphone and the PSBank Mobile App.

The app allows customers to enjoy hassle-free, safe banking and easily and conveniently do tasks such as bills payment, fund transfers, mobile check deposits, time deposit placements, toll RFID and telco reload, loan application, and now account opening in the comfort of their homes.

RCBC is AsiaMoney’s back-to-back ‘Best Digital Bank’ in PH

 

“Digital prowess to do good.”

This is what captured the attention of the 2021 AsiaMoney Best Bank Awards for hailing the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) as its back-to-back Best Digital Bank in the Philippines for two consecutive years.

The prestigious award-giving body specifically lauded RCBC’s recent efforts in using the bank’s digital finance solutions and platforms, particularly the financial inclusion super app DiskarTech and ATM Go, to facilitate and accelerate the government’s work in disbursing financial aid nationwide as part of its social protection program at the height of the pandemic.

Aside from disbursing social benefits during the pandemic, DiskarTech also facilitated the digitalized crediting of the SSS loan proceeds and other benefits directly to the members’ DiskarTech accounts registering a 110-percent growth month-on-month.

PLDT Enterprise provides free connectivity to Lanao del Norte vaccination site

PLDT Enterprise extended the free connectivity service it provided to the municipality of Linamon, Lanao del Norte in aid of its COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The B2B arm of the country’s largest fully integrated telecommunications provider, PLDT, has installed fixed and broadband lines that would enable communication and data management for the Municipal Civic Auditorium vaccination site in Linamon for free.

“This free internet access you have provided to us helps a lot in our government operation especially in this time of pandemic. Our frontliners and officers can transmit real-time data to oversight government agencies on COVID-19 monitoring and assist our LGU in disseminating information on containment and mitigation measures to flatten the peak of COVID-10 in our municipality and vaccination program to Linamon citizens,” said Municipal Mayor Randy J. Macapil.

Power your home life with the new Globe Streamwatch 2-in-1 Entertainment Box Powered By Android TV

Now that families are spending more time at home than ever before, Globe At Home launches the new Globe Streamwatch 2-in-1 Entertainment Box Powered by Android TV to fuel their lives with enriching content that quenches their thirst for entertainment, learning, work productivity, fitness and gaming while staying at home.

“With screen time going upward since the lockdown began, we want to encourage turning individual screen time to family screen time through streamwatching via the new Globe Streamwatch 2-in-1 Entertainment Box Powered by Android TV,” said Barbie Dapul, Vice President for Marketing of Globe At Home. “It has always been our mission to deliver innovative products and devices that elevate the digital lifestyle at home. With this latest addition to our portfolio, we hope to bring families together and turn shared moments at home into life enriching opportunities for each other.”

Things to love about Globe Streamwatch 2-in-1 Box for the ultimate streamwatching experience

AirAsia Philippines ready to fly guests to leisure destinations!

AirAsia Philippines welcomes non-essential travelers from Metro Manila to some of the most popular leisure destinations, as the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) against COVID-19 downgrades quarantine restrictions to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) Alert Level 4.

As specified in the IATF Memorandum No. 136-A, interzonal travel will be allowed for guests who are above 18 and under 65 years of age, subject to quarantine restrictions imposed by the Local Government Unit (LGU) including their intended destination.

Leisure travelers from Metro Manila may now fly with AirAsia to Caticlan (Boracay), Davao, Zamboanga, Tacloban and Tagbilaran in Bohol as the respective local restrictions accept guests to these locations under Alert Level 4.

ePLDT Recognized as Value-Added Reseller for FY 2022 by MuleSoft

 

ePLDT, the ICT arm of PLDT Enterprise, today announced that it has been awarded as Value-Added Reseller for the current fiscal year 2022 (FY22) by MuleSoft, provider of the world’s #1 integration and API platform, for reaching a milestone in accelerating the digital transformation of its customers.

Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups, said that the company is honored to have been recognized for its efforts to help the partnership grow through its core services that play a vital role in the digital transformation journey of enterprises.

“This recognition fortifies our commitment and dedication to investing more in our technologies, training, and certifications so that we can advance our expertise and help more enterprises across industries reach greater heights,” Hernandez said.

The award reflects ePLDT’s thrust to offer technological solutions that ensure efficiency and competitiveness among businesses in different industries.

MuleSoft’s Regional Sales Leader David Heyman lauded ePLDT’s commitment to the partnership by reaching beyond its goals and continuously enhancing its core services.

Discover the Best TECNO Mobile Smartphones for Online Learning

All of these mobile devices are super affordable, priced below Php 10,000 each!

Now that classes are being held online, easy access to high-quality, affordable smartphones makes access to education much easier, too. Understanding the needs of its consumers, premium smartphone brand, TECNO Mobile, sees the importance of making reliable smartphones for online classes available to Filipino learners across all levels, at prices that are well within their budget. 

Anyone in search of a smartphone that is capable of meeting the demands of online schooling can certainly find one among TECNO Mobile’s offerings. These smartphones are powered by fast processors, and are equipped with large memory and storage capacities. With clear, big-screens, they are great for viewing online lectures, and their large-capacity batteries allow students to learn and work longer, in between charging. 

Keep Up with the Latest TikTok and Fashion Trends for Less with #ShopeeFinds

These days, trends constantly change, and it can be difficult to keep up. If you’re unsure about which home decor trend to take inspiration from, or which sartorial trend to try, we’ve got a quick, easy solution for you⁠—Shopee Finds, your one-stop shop for trending items! 

To check it out, just type #ShopeeFinds using Shopee’s search bar. Aside from in-demand items at the best prices across different categories, you can score free shipping and cashback vouchers on the page. For the TikTok-obsessed, don’t miss out on all the amazing finds on the TikTok Made Me Buy It section on the page. You can also check out the Takeover Calendar to discover upcoming trends across different categories.

From September 23 to October 6, discover a fresh roundup of trendy finds you shouldn’t miss out on:

GCash advances cashless ecosystem and financial literacy in the BPO sector

GCash, the country's leading mobile wallet app, is working toward building a cashless ecosystem for the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, considered the biggest private employer in the country, by introducing a suite of products and services to fit the needs of BPO companies and employees. The company has partnered with several top BPO companies which are now using GCash’s digital finance solutions, while promoting financial literacy among thousands of BPO employees.

In a webinar organized by GCash called, "GShift: Advancing Digital Financial Solutions for BPOs,” Martha Sazon, GCash president and chief executive officer, said, “Our purpose is to 'Make Filipinos' Everyday Lives Better.' To accomplish this, we provide safe and seamless solutions to various companies like BPOs, while striving to help even more BPOs through a cashless ecosystem and financial literacy.”

BPO companies, like Ibex Philippines Global, are reaping the benefits of their partnership with GCash. According to Potski Alvarez, Ibex Global Philippines' country manager, "One of the things that I was very happy with was how we were able to pay incentives, spiffs, and rewards to our employees in real time. Instead of having to go through payroll and wait 15 days, you get your money within the day, and that has been one of the more practical digital solutions of our partnership with GCash."

RCBC bags multiple accolades on 61st year

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), the financial services flagship of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), has garnered  a total of 28 local and international awards as of September – the highest since 2012 – to coincide with the bank’s 61 years of operations in the country this year. The awards recognize the bank’s innovative digital solutions, sustainability efforts and financial inclusion programs on the heels of the pandemic.

RCBC’s digital transformation accelerated in 2019 with enterprise wide efforts. It centered on achieving the best customer experience including transforming channels and products, reengineering business processes, building stronger payment ecosystems and improving workforce productivity. These efforts started gaining traction in 2020 when the pandemic struck and is now getting the nod from some of the most prestigious institutions in the global financial and banking industry such as Global Banking and Finance Review, Asian Banking and Finance, The Asset, International Business Magazine, Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability, AsiaMoney among others.

The bank bagged several awards for this year’s Best Digital bank, recognizing innovations rolled out at the height of the lockdown which proved to be helpful not only to its clients but to the entire nation. These include the roll out of the bank’s handheld ATMs called the ATM Go which helped in the distribution of the social amelioration funds to far flung areas, the launch of the country’s first financial inclusion super app, the Diskartech, and the major enhancements made in the RCBC Online Banking platform which has made it one of the most comprehensive banking apps in the industry, to name a few.

Hya, Alfa Join Alessandra de Rossi-helmed AWOOO Records, Which Launches Today

Fresh from the success of her directorial debut My Amanda in July, Alessandra de Rossi is now setting her sights on different waters. This time around it’s music, which she’s revisited more vigorously as of late: adopting the functional moniker ADR, reissuing her 2012 debut Adrift via Lilystars Records, even penning songs for her films. 

The difference is it’s other people’s music now. And no, De Rossi isn’t simply pimping playlists or fawning over new discoveries on her socials. She’s taking things a notch higher, putting up her own label AWOOO Records, which she’s formally unveiling to the public today (September 24) after making an under-the-radar announcement earlier in the month.

To the character-actress-turned-indie-darling, it’s not so much about scratching a visionary itch but passing deserving talents the mic. “I think [Filipinos] really stand a chance in changing how the world looks and sounds,” she says, confident that local music can enjoy the same attention other art forms like cinema are getting. “All we need is to offer something pure, peculiar, and distinct. I think we can make it, too!”

AXA helps raise global investing literacy with new video series

AXA Philippines has collaborated with Wealth Arki for a five-part YouTube webisode series on global investing.

The pandemic has resulted in volatile market conditions, and it's during these times when diversification of investments is especially important. Investing globally is one of the best ways to diversify because it spreads out one's investment to other markets, thus lowering risks while also capitalizing on growth in other countries.

So why are many Filipinos still reluctant to invest globally? It's possible that some still find the idea abstract, or may not be familiar with available options, while others may just want to stick with what feels comfortable. However, if we don't overcome these barriers, we lose the opportunity to take advantage of the growth that global investing offers.

In its bid to equip more Filipinos with the knowledge and the confidence to venture into global investing, AXA Philippines, one of the country's leading insurance providers, has collaborated with Wealth Arki for a new five-part YouTube webisode series on global investing. Wealth Arki is a Philippine-based company which aims to help people achieve wealth through proper financial planning and money management.

GCash honors OFWs with new financial solutions

 

“Mga bagong bayani.”

Around 10 million Filipinos live and work overseas– seafarers, nurses, caregivers, hotel staff, construction workers, oil field personnel and many more– help drive the Philippine economy through remittances they send back home. Considered the world’s fourth largest recipient of remittances next to India, China and Mexico, OFW remittances account for about 9% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

However, given the ongoing pandemic, our modern day heroes find themselves stricken by employment challenges. This is why financial literacy is crucial to secure their future and retirement.

GCash, the country’s number one mobile wallet in the Philippines, seeks to impart knowledge on responsible remittance spending, and income management through the Globe GoLearn Program. GCash has lined up lessons on financial literacy to assist OFWs in goal planning and guide them in their journey towards financial stability.

“We, at GCash, want to thank you for everything you’ve done for the country and how you contribute to the economy. But beyond these, we recognize how much each of you has sacrificed to provide better lives for your families and how you help them achieve their dreams. To honor the everyday sacrifices that you make, we want to let you know how GCash can make your lives a bit easier in return,” said Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO, during the Alagang GCash webinar with OFWs and their dependents held on 10 September 2021.

Ready to hear #YourSoundNothingElse? Sony’s newest WF-1000XM4 TWS is now available!

 

Calling all music lovers and audiophiles because this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Sony’s newest WF-1000XM4 is now available in all Sony Centres and Authorized Dealers nationwide.

The WF-1000XM4 guarantees to bring your listening experience to the next level, better than ever without any distractions! It is packed with impressive and premium features that is worthy of your investment.

Filipino-Australian artist Bryan Estepa sparkles with newfound exuberance on 6-track EP, Back To The Middle

Two years on from the release of his sixth studio album, Sometimes I Just Don’t Know in 2019, Filipino-Australian artist Bryan Estepa returns with another exciting set of soulful and melodic guitar pop. Released under Lilystars Records, Estepa’s new EP, Back To The Middle grows closer to home with its penchant for warm, inviting hooks and sunburst instrumentation.  

Lyrically speaking, there is no set thematic agenda when the acclaimed singer-songwriter conceptualized and penned Back To The Middle. In an authentic troubadour fashion, Estepa lets the song take him to where it wants to go most of the time. “But by the end I did notice a leaning towards the idea of letting go and acceptance,” Estepa shares in a statement. “Life throws us curveballs that we may not want or see coming, but then we ask ourselves how do we deal with them? There’s always a slither of light ahead.”

While his previous record, Sometimes I Just Don’t Know exhibited a more melancholic, brooding treatment, Estepa’s six-song EP essentially gravitates on a balance between light and shade, with songs whose bright sparks pop up. Expanding his sonic palette with power pop choruses and irresistible exuberance, Back To The Middle sounds brighter and jumpier than he’s never sounded before, and is buoyed with a renewed sense of energy.

Gen Z and Millennial Airbnb Hosts in the Philippines leading the way for inclusive tourism recovery

As the Philippines begins to relax domestic travel restrictions, Airbnb continues to steadily navigate the Covid-19 pandemic with hundreds of new local Hosts joining the platform in the first six months of 2021. 

The company announced today that Filipino Gen Zs and millennials are the driving force behind Airbnb’s growing community of Hosts in the Philippines, with over 68% of new Airbnb Hosts in H1 2021 comprising Gen Zs and millennials aged between 18 and 40*. 

Despite hosting during small windows of opportunities due to the start-stop order of travel restrictions between January to June, new Filipino Hosts have collectively earned over PHP 21 million welcoming guests on Airbnb. Metro Manila, Tagaytay, and Metro Cebu also emerged as the top cities where new Airbnb Hosts are hosting*.

FedEx Express Teams Up With Leading E-commerce Platforms To Empower SMEs In Asia Pacific

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, unveiled a series of new integrations with leading e-commerce technology platforms  across the Asia Pacific region which will substantially benefit e-tailers or e-commerce sellers. This development comes at a time when small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are seeing significant demand for e-commerce services  and day-definite international express delivery services, especially with the upcoming year-end peak season. . 

Changing consumer behavior resulting from the pandemic is spurring online transactions and e-commerce growth like never before. The Asia Pacific region is generating nearly two-thirds (64%) of global e-commerce spending. Just as shoppers have switched to purchasing online, so have businesses.  More retailers are increasing their investment and engagement in online channels to capture consumer demand , resulting in increased demand for logistics support. According to McKinsey, the Asia e-commerce logistics market will account for 57% of total market growth from 2020 to 2025. 

FedEx is responding to the increasing needs from e-commerce businesses through the company’s innovative Compatible and Alliances programs. These two programs enable e-tailers to gain instant access to enhanced and affordable shipping solutions, allowing them to sell effortlessly on e-commerce platforms.  

Let’s talk about Gender: Teleperformance shares views on creating a gender-neutral workplace

Teleperformance Philippines continues its advocacy of promoting inclusive workplaces through its recent participation in the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) Department of Communication Research and International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines’ webinar “Let’s Talk About Gender.” 

Marilyn Romero-Ventenilla, Senior Director for Communication and Marketing of Teleperformance Philippines, joined various experts from the communication industry and academe and gave a talk on Genderlect, or different ways of communicating between men and women, as well as on Teleperformance Philippines’ commitment of being a Great Place to Work® for all, and tips on how to create and foster a gender-smart working environment. 

Developing Young Tech Talents is Crucial to Support the Growth of E-Commerce

Shopee equips individuals with industry knowledge essential in the digital landscape

E-commerce continues to play a significantly important role in the Philippine market and is estimated to be worth US$12 billion by 2025.  As more consumers turn to e-commerce, and as more businesses capitalize on the potential of the emerging digital economy,  there is also a rising demand for qualified tech talents. According to Linkedin, tech roles make up the majority of “emerging jobs” in the region, with robotics engineer, cyber security specialist, and javascript developer roles making the job trend list. 

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, prepares and nurtures students and professionals for the digital landscape through its various talent development initiatives. One of these is the Shopee Apprentice Program which is an internship program designed to develop young tech talents into leaders through high-impact projects, specialized learning and development training, and mentorships led by Shopee leaders. 

Zack Tabudlo expresses the joy of unconditional love on new song “Habang Buhay”

 

Listen here: https://ZackTabudlo.lnk.to/HabangBuhay

Filipino singer-songwriter/producer Zack Tabudlo transports the joy of long, lasting real love on his new single “Habang Buhay”—out today on all streaming platforms via Island Records Philippines and MCA Music Inc.

Expressing security in the promises of unconditional romance, Zack Tabudlo allows himself to bask in the golden feeling of being swept away by love, while looking forward to more affectionate years with that special someone.

“Habang Buhay has its own life with the happiness itself of the song alone,” says Zack Tabudlo in a statement. “I haven't written any song with such a happy and positive meaning before, so this is definitely something different.”

Filipino social enterprise recognized as a “Best For The World™” B Corp for performance excellence beyond just profit

Generation Hope, Inc. (HOPE), the pioneering social enterprise and makers of the bottled water brand Hope in a Bottle, and the first Certified B Corp in the Philippines, was recently honored as a Best for the World™ B Corp. This recognition is administered by B Lab, the global nonprofit organization that certifies and mobilizes Certified B Corps, and awarded to organizations in the top 5% of B Corps in its size group worldwide for their sustainable business practices. 

Certified B Corps are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. HOPE became the first Filipino company to be recognized as a Certified B Corp in 2017 and continues to put social impact in the forefront. 100% of profits generated from selling HOPE's products go to building public school classrooms, mostly in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas in the Philippines. The company also provides agriculture interventions and creates carbon sequestration projects for smallholder farmers in Mindanao. 

A House Fit for Disney’s Winnie the Pooh in the Original Hundred Acre Wood bookable on Airbnb

●    Disney-appointed Winnie the Pooh illustrator curated the home in celebration of Pooh’s 95^th Anniversary

●   Situated in Ashdown Forest, the inspiration for A.A. Milne's Hundred Acre Wood, the house opens for a limited number of family stays next weekend for a “hunny” infused staycation 

Animated films and TV shows are a big part of Filipino childhood. It is every child's dream to set foot in these cartoon characters’ worlds — full of colors, adventures, and joy —  just like The Hundred Acre Wood where Winnie the Pooh and his friends live.

Airbnb’s latest listing now allows adults and children alike to turn their dreams into reality and live in the home of the world’s most famous bear! A Winnie the Pooh-inspired house in the Hundred Acre Wood is available to book on Airbnb as part of Disney’s 95^th Anniversary celebrations of the loveable children’s character.

The Bearbnb is situated in Ashdown Forest just south of London, and is inspired by A.A. Milne’s original tales in the Hundred Acre Wood. With two separate stays available, the Bearbnb sleeps up to four guests at a time, giving Winnie the Pooh fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the iconic world of Pooh and Friends.