Get your passports ready and embark on an exciting journey with Chill Ikot 2023, now ready for boarding this coming September 4! The University of the Philippines Engineering Radio Guild brings an island-paradise-themed welcoming event for electrical, electronics, and computer engineering freshies, shiftees, and transferees. This includes webinars, review programs, and games that will help them as they cross a new horizon into their life in UP and EEE. And that’s not all – the physical campus tour is also making its return, promising an adventure like never before!
Prepare to defy inertia and soar to new heights of knowledge with a refresher of different physics concepts on the first day of the event. Follow it up the next day by surpassing your limits with a review on the concepts of mathematics. Dive deep into the rabbit hole of algorithms and crack the code to an infinite loop of problems on programming day. Then on circuits day, further establish your connection with EEEI with an electrifying refresher about circuits concepts and basics. Lastly, take your passport and get ready to explore the campus with the physical tour. See you from September 4-9 and together let’s ikot and chill!
About UP ERG: The University of the Philippines Engineering Radio Guild or UP ERG is an organization based in the UP Diliman Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute. Founded in 1935, UP ERG has hosted several academic and non-academic events such as Dagitab, SYNERGY, ERG Cup and Chill Ikot while also serving as an avenue for EEEI students to come together and share their experiences and talents.
HONOR, the leading global provider of smart devices, officially kicks off the sale day of the much-awaited HONOR 90 5G for only PHP24,990 in all HONOR Experience Stores and Partner Dealer Stores nationwide, available also in all online partners via Lazada, Shopee, and Tiktok Shop.
“From the viral phone, HONOR X9a 5G, that was launched last January, today marks another milestone for HONOR Philippines as we received double demand from our HONOR fans for HONOR 90 5G. Since we announced the availability of the HONOR 90 5G in the market, we have received a high volume of offline and online pre-orders from the public, and until today, a huge crowd of shoppers lined up at our stores to purchase their own HONOR 90 5G, and we are truly thankful for all the support,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines vice president.
HONOR 90 5G’s first day of selling was marked with excitement among the HONOR community and fans. Adding more fanfare to the event is the presence of HONOR Stars and GMA Sparkle celebrities Liezel Lopez, Bruce Roeland, and Jeff Moses. They got to meet and greet their fans and consumers who bought their brand new HONOR 90 5G.
For consumers who still haven’t purchased their own HONOR 90 5G, wait no longer, as it comes at a great and affordable price of PHP24,990. The powerful phone comes with a flagship triple camera system consisting of a 200MP Main Camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide and macro camera with a 112° field of view, and a 2MP Depth Camera.
The HONOR 90 5G is equipped with industry-leading eye comfort features. Receiving the TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification and achieving the risk-free dimming level, the HONOR 90 5G is perfect for today’s entertainment-hungry generation who spend long hours viewing and watching content on their smartphones.
Experience the HONOR 90 5G in three stunning colors, Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Diamond Silver via all HONOR Experience Stores and partner dealers nationwide and online partner stores via Lazada (https://bit.ly/3YAczVu), Shopee (https://bit.ly/45snjI6), and TikTok Shop (bit.ly/HONOR905G-TikTok).
HONOR Fans can also avail of the HONOR 90 5G via Home Credit for as low as PHP1,002 per month on a 0% interest installment payment.
Leading credit card providers BDO, BPI, Citibank, Eastwest, Metrobank, PNB, and Security Bank also offer 0% interest, payable up to 12 months.
For more updates and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
When we tested the vivo Y36 earlier this month, one of the things that stood out was its imaging capability. It served as a very viable shooter to use for moments when whipping out a big, bulky camera was too cumbersome. Whether you are a blogger or a vlogger, here are the reasons why the vivo Y36 is a worthy component in a content creator’s arsenal.
It has a 50MP main shooter with Super Night Algorithm technology and software-based video stabilization
The highlight of the vivo Y36’s shooting prowess is its 50MP f/1.8 main camera. In our testing, it performed quite nicely across most scenarios, from sunny outdoor environments to well-lit indoor locations. With HDR on, images can come out looking great and will not be out of place in a curated social media feed. Photos were sharp, with pleasingly saturated colors, and with reasonable dynamic range for the highlights and shadows. This equates to drool-inducing food shots, awe-inspiring landscape photos, and like-worthy fashion shoots. For less-than-ideal lighting situations, the vivo Y36 also comes with Super Night Algorithm technology, where it is able to let in more light than normal—as long as you are able to hold your phone steady for a few seconds.
If you are more inclined towards videos rather than photos, you will be glad to know that the vivo Y36’s main shooter comes with electronic image stabilization (EIS) for footage up to 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps. While it is not the highest recording resolution out there, it does work well enough for popular short-form video platforms and video-sharing services. The EIS also works decently without too much artifacting and jittering, even when walking haphazardly.
Audio quality is great as well, making the vivo Y36 quite ideal for handheld vlogging. Better still, there is a 2MP depth camera at the back to give you cinematic-looking shots with shallow depth of field, i.e. smoothly blurred foregrounds and backgrounds.
The 16MP front camera produces great selfies
The vivo Y36’s front shooter is a 16MP f.2.5 camera which takes decent shots under most lighting conditions. The camera software also comes with a whole suite of features which will make your selfies even more eye-catching, including various creative filters, beauty mode, and even Portrait mode for smooth-looking background blur. The beauty mode is on by default, so make sure to either turn it down or turn it off completely if you want the most natural-looking shots. For low-light and even lightless scenarios, the vivo Y36 has the Aura Screen Light feature to ensure well-lit and clear selfies in the dark.
Like the rear camera, the selfie videos of the vivo Y36 max out at 1080p at 30fps which should be plenty for vlogging purposes.
Highly efficient processor, huge battery, and fast charger means you can shoot on and on (and on and on)
What use is a great camera phone if it runs out of juice halfway through your shoot? Not only does the vivo Y36 come with a very power-efficient Snapdragon 680 taking care of the processing of your photos and videos, it is also kitted with a 5000mAh battery. In our testing, it was easily able to last around two days of intermittent photo and video taking, a runtime which is more than plenty for day in the life types of content. Trust us when we say you will run out of ideas on what you want to shoot before the vivo Y36 runs out of battery. It does not get too hot either even when you record really long videos, which is a plus for user comfort as well as overall battery health in the long run.
The vivo Y36 also ships with an included 44W fast charging power brick and USB Type C cable to make sure your downtimes are as short as possible. Branded with “Flash Charge” technology, the vivo Y36 took a mere 30 minutes to go up to 50% battery and just around an hour to top up all the way to 100%.
Eye-catching design
Finally, the vivo Y36 is one good-looking piece of hardware that is guaranteed to turn heads whenever it is whipped out. Available in Glitter Aqua and Meteor Black colorways, it features a svelte form factor with an easy-to-handle 2.5D curved design and fluorite anti-glare glass that gives it a truly unique look. The review unit we had came in the former and was particularly great to look at with its sandblasted back panel, which sparkles when it catches the light.
Given the above features plus an affordable price tag of just PHP 12,999, the vivo Y36 is a great device for both bloggers and vloggers, and both aspiring and seasoned content creators. It is available for purchase through vivo Concept stores and kiosks, phone retailers, and the official vivo website, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok online platforms.
CROOZ, in cooperation with Yield Guild Games (YGG) Philippines, will be giving away a total of PHP1-million in cash prizes to up to 500 players of its new Web3 PVP game PROJECT XENO.
PROJECT XENO, currently the number one blockchain game in Japan, combines GameFi and esports in a beginner-friendly tactical NFT game. It has the same play-to-earn features that give players rewards from victories in the arena, but it is a free-to-play web3 game that does not require buying NFTs to start playing.
The giveaway marks PROJECT XENO’s exciting launch in the Philippine market and introduction to the hardcore gaming community in the Philippines. The YGG Pilipinas Community expressed excitement to have more passionate and dedicated Filipino gamers play and get a chance to win some prizes in the process.
To join the giveaway, players simply need to download PROJECT XENO on the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play for Android devices and participate in battle arena mode until they reach level 3. Players then need to take a screenshot of their level 3 XENO account and submit the photo along with their contact information to https://bit.ly/xenoyggpromo.
Deadline of submissions is on September 22, 2023 while the raffle draw will be on September 29, 2023.
Depending on the number of participants, a higher number of total cash prizes and winners will be announced by September 30, 2023. If less than 15,000 players join the giveaway, 100 winners will be randomly chosen and awarded PHP1,000 each. If at least 15,000 people join the giveaway, the total number of winners will be increased to 250 and awarded PHP1,500 each. Finally, if over 50,000 people join, the total number of winners will be further increased to 500 and awarded PHP2,000 each.
PROJECT XENO’s giveaway will run from August 15 to September 22, 2023, per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-173741 Series of 2023. For more information on PROJECT XENO, visit project-xeno.com or follow @PROJECTXENO_GLB on Twitter for up-to-date information and updates.
NLEX Corporation has partnered with Chevrolet Philippines to promote the sights, sounds, and flavors of Pampanga, as well as the active and adventurous travel offerings of Zambales through its Lakbay Norte program.
Now in its 12th year, Lakbay Norte is a media familiarization tour that aims to spark travel interest to the north by creating a sensory experience of wonder and excitement.
In the recent Lakbay Norte attended by 18 members of the media and content creators, participants enjoyed Pampanga’s breathtaking landscapes and top gastronomic finds with Chevrolet’s crossover SUVs, the Trailblazer and Tracker. Known as one of the most popular destinations in Central Luzon, the province provides the best destinations and awe-inspiring activities for those who want to unwind and discover fun adventures that will surely liven up their senses. It also offers delectable and mouthwatering Kapampangan dishes for those who want to fill their tummies.
For the Zambales leg of NLEX Lakbay Norte, the featured crossover SUVs from Chevrolet took them to coastal and mountain range destinations with such ease and comfort. The group traveled to majestic mountainscapes, experienced thrilling nature activities, and enjoyed the captivating beach coves of the province. And there was no better way to cap off their fun-filled visit than to relax and chill at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone where restaurants and cafés offer the most delectable comfort food and refreshing coolers!
“We are happy and grateful for this partnership with Chevrolet Philippines – TCCCI as we share the same thrust of bringing the best and most meaningful journey experience for the motorists,” said NLEX president J. Luigi Bautista.
“Chevrolet Philippines is glad to be the official mobility partner of NLEX for this travel and tourism program.” Chevrolet Philippines – TCCCI EVP & director Lyn Buena said. “We’re excited to explore more local destinations, discover unique experiences, and find new roads that are worth traveling in the Lakbay Norte series.”
With this partnership, more discoveries are expected to boost tourism in the north and help local businesses in the area, all of which will contribute to the country’s economy as well.
Chevrolet Philippines has over 19 dealerships nationwide and has a variety of vehicle models to choose from, depending on your lifestyle and needs.
ArenaPlus, a 24/7 online sports betting platform in the Philippines and the official sports entertainment gateway of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) proudly announced that NBA star Jordan Clarkson is their newest official endorser.
The momentous deal follows the brand’s recent partnership pacts with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and GILAS Pilipinas.
ArenaPlus is also the official gaming partner of the Philippine Volleyball League (PVL) and the STL.
Total Gamezone Xtreme Inc. president Rafael Jasper Vicencio warmly welcomed Jordan Clarkson into the brand and said his endorsement shows ArenaPlus’ growing venture in providing excellent and top-tier sports entertainment, along with its commitment to bring more fun to the Filipino people. “With Jordan’s presence, the brand ensures a more accessible world class basketball entertainment, anytime and anywhere. ArenaPlus supports Jordan Clarkson as he joins the national basketball team in competing in the highly-anticipated FIBA tournament,” Mr. Vicencio said.
The signed partnership promises an exciting experience for basketball fans and enthusiasts in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The event will take place in the country from August 25 to September 10.
Support your favorite teams and keep yourself updated with the current scores and results of numerous games worldwide with ArenaPlus. The app can be downloaded via Google Play and the App Store.
TP-Link, the world-renowned networking and connectivity solutions provider, now has its first physical store in the country. As its first entry into the Philippines, this marks an exciting chapter for Filipino consumers and tech enthusiasts.
For 12 years straight, TP-Link has stayed a trusted leader in the industry. Located in SM North EDSA, the opening of the brand’s first store will not only mark a significant milestone for the company but also display TP-Link’s commitment of connecting the Filipino market through their wide range of available products. Bringing its world-class products and expertise to the fingertips of Filipinos, TP-Link’s extensive range of routers, switches, Wi-Fi systems, and smart home devices are designed to enhance connectivity, productivity, and convenience in homes and businesses across the country.
“We are thrilled to open our first branch in the country, as it gives us the opportunity to showcase our deep commitment to providing the Filipino public with a seamlessly connected experience through our products,” said Ben Chen, TP-Link’s country manager. “At TP-Link, we believe in delivering not just cutting-edge routers, mesh Wi-Fi systems, network cameras, switches, and smart home devices but also exceptional service to our valued customers. With our physical presence, we aim to better serve the Filipino community by providing direct access to our innovative networking solutions and personalized support.”
The grand opening of TP-Link’s first branch was greeted with enthusiasm and excitement from customers, media representatives, and tech enthusiasts as they participated in different activities, platform discussions, interviews, and demonstrations testing TP-Link’s unique and transformative power and capabilities.
The store is home to various TP-Link products suited for different needs and preferences. Visitors can also find products from TP-Link’s sub-brands, Tapo and VIGI, readily available for viewing and purchase in the store.
From routers to smart home devices, the TP-Link branch at SM North EDSA has something for everyone. TP-Link’s Deco X95 is a high-performance mesh system that delivers faster speeds, improved capacity, and reduced network congestion. The Archer AX11000 is a great example of a powerful Wi-Fi system offering fast and reliable performance to all parts of the home, perfect for personal and high-bandwidth users.
For those seeking enhanced property security, the Tapo 325WB offers HD video surveillance with 1080p resolution and advanced night vision capabilities, making it a versatile and feature-rich security system.
On the other hand, consumers may also elevate your business security with the VIGI C540-W powerful outdoor pan tilt network camera, providing 4MP full-color surveillance to cover every corner flexibly.
With the positive response from customers and media alike, TP-Link is thrilled and confident that its brand in the Filipino market holds endless potential! The overwhelming enthusiasm and support from Filipino consumers have ignited a spark of excitement within the company, propelling TP-Link to soar to new heights of success in the archipelago. While only the first store in the country, this is just the beginning for TP-Link, as it continues to deliver its promise of enriching the connectivity experience for Filipino customers through their premium products and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Filipinos looking forward to trying out the wide selection of TP-Link products can do so by visiting the brand’s store at the 3/F of The Annex at SM North EDSA. With TP-Link’s physical presence, don’t miss this chance to be part of the networking revolution.
For more information on TP-Link, its products, services, and news, please visit its official website, as well as their social media pages ( Facebook | Twitter | YouTube ).
SMC Infrastructure says it is ready to implement the government’s renewed push for a cashless toll collection and contactless payment system along expressways. This is in line with its commitment to provide seamless travel and enhance the experience for millions of motorists utilizing the road networks it operates.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through its Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will conduct a dry run starting Friday, Sept. 1 to test the readiness of concessionaires for a smooth and efficient reimplementation of the program.
“We support the DOTr’s and the TRB’s move to make toll collection purely cashless. We believe this move will significantly reduce traffic congestion and waiting times at toll plazas and contribute to a smoother and safer travel experience,” said SMC president and CEO Ramon S Ang.
The infrastructure unit of San Miguel Corporation, which operates several toll expressways in Luzon, said it has begun transitioning mixed lanes—or cash-accepting lanes—at select toll plazas and exits, to allow for only cashless toll transactions.
“Our teams are already installing and calibrating RFID scanners and related equipment. We will do everything necessary to ensure that the implementation will go smoothly. If, in the course of the dry run period, any adjustments have to be made, we will also be ready,” Ang continued.
Under the TRB-directed dry run, only vehicles with an active Autosweep RFID account will be allowed along SMC’s toll expressways, namely the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), Skyway at-grade and Skyways 1,2,3; the NAIA Expressway, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).
Motorists without an active RFID sticker will still be allowed to pass, but toll personnel will install an RFID sticker on their vehicle so they can exit at the electronic toll collection (ETC) lane toward their destination.
Toll personnel will only take a photo of the vehicle license plate and secure the motorist’s mobile phone number. Motorists will then need to complete the registration process by supplying other essential information at the Autosweep RFID website.
Ang meanwhile assured motorists that the Autosweep RFID remains a safe, secure, and efficient electronic toll collection system, and its customer service hotline is open daily to help address motorists’ concerns.
“Our motorists can always reach out to our customer service team to deal with any concern they have regarding their Autosweep accounts. We appeal to our motorists to report any problems they encounter to our help desk, immediately,” Ang said.
Loading an Autosweep RFID account has also been made easier, more convenient, and widely available. It is a registered vendor at major banks, such as Bank of Commerce, and their respective online and electronic banking facilities. E-wallets can also be used to reload the Autosweep RFID account, as well as the payment facilities of major convenience stores nationwide.
Replacement of malfunctioning RFID stickers will remain free of charge as part of Autosweep’s commitment to support the full cashless transaction program of the TRB, Ang added.
Meanwhile, motorists who will refuse the installation of RFID stickers on their vehicles will have their license plates recorded and tagged, and may be issued violation tickets for obstructing traffic.
DOTR’s Department Order 2020-012 issued in August 2020 mandated toll road concession holders to implement a cashless or contactless toll collection system to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus, and speed up traffic flow at the facilities, using as legal basis Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and RA No. 8792 or the Electronic Commerce Act, respectively.
A subsequent addendum to the order issued in January 2021 instituted a transition period to the full cashless transaction program, with cash-accepting lanes maintained at toll plazas and exits.
Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division and Fujitsu Limited recently announced the joint development of digital twin applications for predicting and mitigating natural disasters and traffic accidents. The solutions reflect the two companies’ ongoing efforts to realize resilient, disaster-resistant cities based on a business alliance formed in June 2022.
To support disaster mitigation, the two companies are developing a prediction model that calculates the extent and impact of flooding from precipitation data, visualizes the extent of flooding, and performs damage prediction analysis. Based on the analysis, cities can develop disaster response plans.
To support traffic safety, the companies have focused on an application that identifies areas where heavy traffic and road design heighten the risk of accidents and proposes measures for improvement. The application would allow city planners and road administrators to develop safer, more resilient transportation networks.
Going forward, Fujitsu and Hexagon will continue conducting field trials with customers in the administrative, municipal, and transportation sectors to support decision-making for urban environmental optimization, with an aim to develop solutions globally by the end of fiscal 2023 ending March 2024.
Use case 1: Protecting cities and regions from natural disasters
(Example) Visualization of disaster situations by advanced flood forecasting
(Example) Reporting the number of disaster-stricken facilities and people and proposing countermeasures
Coordinating and visualizing data across multiple areas, including medicine, transportation, energy, and the environment, is vital to protect people and social infrastructure from the various threats posed by natural disasters and other dangers in an increasingly unpredictable world. Leveraging Fujitsu’s Computing as a Service (CaaS) platform, which offers users a powerful suite of easy-to-use services based on Fujitsu’s advanced computing and software technologies, alongside Hexagon’s M.App Enterprise real-time geospatial application, the two companies will use ‘digital rehearsal’ technology (Note 1) to analyze and verify disaster threats and optimal disaster preparedness in advance on a digital twin that replicates real-world conditions with incredible detail.
The combined solution uses flood forecasting models and precipitation data to perform sophisticated calculations and visualize flooding, as well as to address challenges and use cases in the medical, financial, public, and distribution industries, such as infrastructure damage forecasting, formulation of disaster response plans and estimation of damage amounts. In addition, it aims to secure safe evacuation routes and support infrastructure protection in the event of abnormal weather and natural disasters by leveraging weather IoT sensors and weather forecast services that monitor temperature and rainfall.
Use case 2: Contributing to the reduction of traffic accidents
(Example)Visualization and analysis of traffic accident data
According to a 2022 study report compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO), 50 million people are seriously injured and 1.35 million die annually from traffic accidents. Many accidents are caused by excessive speed, improper road guidance, or the road environment. To reduce such accidents, it is important to visualize where accidents frequently occur, analyze the causes of accidents, and propose solutions.
Through a combination of Hexagon’s geospatial visualization tool M. App Enterprise and Fujitsu’s infrastructure services, the companies have developed an application that visualizes areas with high levels of traffic accidents; analyzes traffic volumes, road design, signs, and other factors; and provides recommendations for reducing traffic accidents in accordance with the Road Safety Toolkit (Note 2) of the International Road Assessment Program (iRAP).
For example, in a spot where traffic volume is low but accidents frequently occur, several improvement measures, such as speed control, installation of warning signs, and separation of traffic routes between pedestrians and vehicles by guardrails, are presented together for a cost-effective solution. These proposals for city planners, road administrators, local governments, and consulting services contribute to the reduction of traffic accidents and the creation of safe and secure communities.
Mladen Stojic, president of government, transportation, defense, and security for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division, said the partnership with Fujitsu continues to pay dividends for cities. “Hexagon is proud to work with Fujitsu to provide cities with tools to take control of their futures,” said Stojic. “By monitoring and mitigating factors that have negative impacts on society, from pollution to traffic congestion to flooding, our partnership is helping to make urban areas more sustainable and liveable.”
Yoshinami Takahashi, SEVP, head of Global Business Solutions of Fujitsu Limited said, “We are very pleased to report on the progress of our partnership with Hexagon, which represents a big step towards realizing Fujitsu’s Trusted Society for Fujitsu Uvance. This new global offering promotes “sustainability transformation,” combining the strengths of both companies to address many complex issues facing society that cannot be solved through existing means.”
FWD Life Insurance (FWD Philippines) recently launched its inaugural FWD Innovation Fest at Xylo at the Palace in Uptown, Taguig, on August 22, 2023.
The FWD Innovation Fest showcased FWD’s latest roster of innovative products, services, and initiatives designed to revolutionize the insurance industry while contributing to nation-building by creating a positive impact for Filipinos through financial inclusivity.
FWD president and CEO Antonio Manuel “Jumbing” De Rosas, highlighted how the event marks their upcoming 10th anniversary in the Philippines.
During his opening speech, FWD Philippines president & CEO Antonio Manuel “Jumbing” De Rosas, highlighted that the event marks the company’s upcoming 10th anniversary in the industry since its operations began in 2014.
“We see innovation as a tool in changing the way people feel about insurance. That is why we continue pushing the boundaries in developing products, services, and initiatives that champion customers’ evolving needs so more Filipinos can have financial protection,” shares De Rosas.
Innovation Culture at FWD
FWD Philippines chief information and transformation officer JC Principe added, “Innovation is in our DNA at FWD, and it fuels our unrelenting drive to set the benchmark as the insurer of the next generation. We continue to harness technology, data analytics, and consumer insight to offer inclusive and first-in-the-market products and services.”
Chief information and transformation officer JC Principe discussed FWD’s innovation culture.
During the event, Principe unveiled two services powered by the FWD AI engine to help customers plan their finances and long-term goals more effectively and be better equipped to decide the best insurance they should purchase based on their lifestyles and needs.
‘FWD AI Protection Score ’ will be available soon to current policyholders, suggesting relevant products to enhance their financial health coverage for added security, followed by an actual onboarding with a Financial Advisor. ‘People Like You’ is available for everyone through FWD’s AI Chatbot Fi, a first-in-the-market tool that allows customers to discover their protection gaps and benchmark their existing coverage against people with similar profiles.
Innovating Products and Services
According to insurance commissioner Reynaldo Regalado, insurance penetration in the Philippines remains very low at 1.75%, one of the lowest rates in Southeast Asia. FWD aims to close the protection gap by providing products that are easy to understand, buy, and claim. It is also important to help consumers to celebrate living by giving them apt coverage based on their lifestyles and needs.
To help with this goal, FWD Philippines also announced that everyone can now have better access to insurance through the fully enhanced FWD Online Shop. Gifting insurance policies to family and loved ones is now possible, SMEs and corporate business clients can also purchase premiums for their employees in bulk, and exclusive rewards are given to customers with direct online purchases.
Furthermore, FWD announced the sponsorship of the upcoming 12th season of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) as the official insurer. FWD’s The One for Gamers insurance policy was also announced and will be available on FWD’s Online Shop. An exclusive offer during MPL Season 12, The One for Gamers is an insurance plan that can be customized to include critical illness and accidental death benefits and uniquely comes with Mobile Legends in-game rewards.
FWD is also changing the way people feel about insurance with its latest 2-in-1 supercharged app, Omne. The easy-to-use app provides a suite of activities and content – including music, mini-games, sketching, health, wellbeing, and a vast array of engaging features – that are personalized to an individual’s preferences and interests, while also providing intuitive policy management.
Innovating Financial Literacy
FWD Philippines also showcased their newest online game show, Pinoy Money Master hosted by DJ/Content creator Show Suzuki
FWD Philippines also showcased its newest online game show, Pinoy Money Master, which brings together pop culture and financial literacy. Featuring personalities representing different generations, it seeks to educate and update viewers on financial skills worth having to succeed in today’s interconnected world. The first episode is available to stream, with more to come this September on FWD Philippines’ Facebook page.
Innovating Initiatives
To drive recruitment for its ever-growing network of financial advisors, FWD Philippines highlighted its enticing corporate framework and the exciting benefits it can offer.
FWD brandished its flexible career opportunities and employment benefits for aspiring bancassurance and agency financial advisors at the event. FWD employees are empowered to help promote and take into action FWD’s mission to enhance Filipinos’ financial literacy.
It is also revealed that FWD’s annual SpringboardX Student Challenge will commence on August 28. Since 2021, FWD SpringboardX Student Challenge challenges students across 10 markets in Asia to come up with innovative and impactful solutions for real-life business challenges. The program is completely free and open to students from all academic backgrounds.
“FWD is 10 years young, and we take great pride in our journey thus far. We are excited to share our latest first-in-the-market initiatives that redefine the possibilities of what an insurance company can achieve. Our goal is to empower more Filipinos to celebrate living”, concluded De Rosas.
Since May, Sophos X-Ops has observed CryptoRom fraudsters refining their techniques, including adding an AI chat tool, like ChatGPT, to their toolset. Scammers also expanded their coercion tactics by telling victims their crypto accounts were hacked and more upfront money is needed.
Sophos X-Ops additionally discovered that scammers were able to sneak seven new fake cryptocurrency investment apps into the official Apple App and Google Play stores, upping the potential for victims.
In 2022, investment fraud caused the highest losses of any scam reported by the public to the US’ FBI’s Internet Crimes Complaint Center (IC3), totaling USD3.31 billion in the US alone. Frauds involving cryptocurrency, including pig butchering, represented most of these scams, increasing 183% from 2021 to USD2.57 billion in reported losses last year.
Sophos X-Ops first learned of CryptoRom scammers using the AI chat tool—most likely ChatGPT— when a conned victim reached out to the team. After contacting the victim on Tandem, a language sharing app that has also been used as a dating app, the scammer convinced the victim to move their conversation to WhatsApp. The victim became suspicious after he received a lengthy message that was clearly partly written by an AI chat tool using a large language model (LLM).
A screenshot showing how the scammer used large language model-based AI in chat responses.
“Since OpenAI announced the release of ChatGPT, there has been broad speculation that cybercriminals may use the program for their own malicious activities. We can now say that, at least in the case of pig butchering scams, this is, in fact, happening. One of the main challenges for fraudsters with CryptoRom scams is carrying out convincing, sustained conversations of a romantic nature with targets; these conversations are mostly written by ‘keyboarders,’ who are primarily based out of Asia and have a language barrier. Using something like ChatGPT can be a more efficient and effective way to keep these conversations going, making the scams less labor intensive and more authentic. It also enables keyboarders to simultaneously engage with multiple victims at one time,” said Sean Gallagher, principal threat researcher, Sophos.
Sophos X-Ops also uncovered a new scammer tactic designed to extort additional money. Traditionally, when victims of CryptoRom scams attempt to cash in on their “profits,” fraudsters will tell them they need to pay a 20% tax on their funds before completing any withdrawals. However, a recent victim revealed that after paying the “tax” to withdraw money, the fraudsters said the funds had been “hacked” and they would need another 20% deposit before receiving the funds.
Upon further investigation, Sophos X-Ops found seven fake cryptocurrency investment apps in the official Google Play and Apple App stores. These apps have seemingly benign descriptions in the app stores (BerryX, for example, claims to be reading-related). However, as soon as users open the app, they are met with a fake crypto-trading interface.
To get past the Apple App Store review process, the app developers use the same technique Sophos first reported on in February 2023. They submit the app for approval using legitimate, run-of the-mill web content. Then, once the app has been approved and published, they modify the server hosting the app with code for the fraudulent interface.
Many of these seven new apps recycled the same templates and descriptions, suggesting the same one or two pig butchering rings are creating the scheme.
“Prior to being able to get their apps into the Apple Store, CryptoRom fraudsters had to use an awkward technical workaround to target iOS users, which could alert their victims that something was amiss. Now, it’s much easier for them to target iPhone users, expanding their victim pool. These apps are also easy to recycle and reuse. In fact, the BerryX app appears related to the fake apps we discovered and blocked earlier this year. While we’ve alerted Google and Apple to these latest apps, it’s likely more will pop up. These fraudsters are ruthless. Today, they’re telling victims their accounts have been hacked to extort more money, but in the future, they’re likely to think of new methods of initial and double extortion. The best defense against pig butchering is awareness of these campaigns. We encourage users who are suspicious or think they may have been a victim to reach out to us,” said Gallagher.
Canon announced the latest additions to the extensive lineup of A3 and A4 color and monochrome laser multi-function devices (MFD) — the imageRUNNER ADVANCE (iR-ADV) DX C3900i series, iR-ADV DX 8900i series, iR-ADV DX 4900i series, iR-ADV DX C359i, iR-ADV DX 619i, imageRUNNER (iR) 2900i series and iR C3326i.
Building upon its current imageRUNNER ADVANCE and imageRUNNER offerings, the new Canon multi-function devices are ideal for today’s diverse work environments, providing businesses with excellent functionality from productive workflows to preventative security measures.
“Canon continues to push forward innovative devices for an increasingly evolving work environment. The latest range of imageRUNNER ADVANCE and imageRUNNER devices integrate technologies that allow businesses to work more efficiently, safely, and securely,” said Kenichiro Kitamura, director of Office Imaging Products (OIP). “With Canon’s business solutions, we help simplify business complexities while enabling business agility and digital transformation.”
Safeguarding Business Data against External Threats
The iR-ADV and iR MFDs provide a range of preventative security measures that is increasingly important in the current digital workplace. Verify System at Startup and McAfee Embedded Control verifies the integrity of the system and checks for any tampering from startup to operation, preventing attacks from malware or unauthorized modifications.
Depending on the type of abnormality detected during startup, the device can automatically reboot to recover, minimizing downtime. Notably, the iR-ADV MFDs also support Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 to safely encrypt critical data stored on the MFDs, further protecting it against malware.
Boosting Workplace Productivity
Designed for optimal ease of use, the MFDs share similar features on the user interface (UI) across iR-ADV and iR devices, providing a consistent experience. Smart Timeline feature displays the history of the last 10 settings used, helping users save time spent on repetitive operations. The MFDs also provide users with the ability to customize preferences, offering personalization of initial display screen, display language and frequently used functions. Users can streamline repetitive operations, significantly improving productivity.
Managing Prints Usage
With businesses shifting to cloud-based solutions, the new MFDs lineup works seamlessly with Canon’s proprietary uniFLOW Online, a cloud-based print management solution that helps businesses manage their print environments. uniFLOW Online provides businesses with central control by tracking print, scan, and copy usage. Administrators can review the information within the uniFLOW Online Dashboard and identify potential areas for cost reduction. The solution also helps strengthen security by preventing unauthorized access with device authentication.
Availability
The MFDs are now available for ordering through authorized Canon distributors and dealers.
At a time when small business owners are eager to transition online but find it complex and costly, RUSH Technologies offers a lifeline. Recognizing challenges faced by entrepreneurs, RUSH introduces Spark Lite, an all-in-one eCommerce solution designed to speed up business growth without breaking the bank.
Spark Lite empowers entrepreneurs to launch and manage their own eCommerce website for only PHP500 per month. Starting with one branch, businesses can add more as they grow, and accept and manage an unlimited number of orders for maximum profits.
Subscribers to Spark Lite will also get free access to the Fast Track business acceleration program, a large-scale Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) empowerment initiative by RUSH. This program offers a holistic experience, starting with free participation in the Learning Tracks from August to October, and attendance to the culminating Pop-up Bazaar event in November, among many other benefits.
In the Learning Tracks, entrepreneurs will learn how to launch their RUSH eStore platforms, reach their target market, and stay in the lead. The training will be held physically, with business experts as trainers.
Participants in the training program will get the chance to win a spot in the Pop-up Bazaar, where they will have a dedicated selling space, access to large foot traffic, win awards and freebies, and get to offer a RUSH-powered seamless shopping experience.
The Fast Track program also supports the Hapag Movement, a Globe-led initiative aimed at addressing the problem of involuntary hunger and unemployment. Its support for small business owners is aligned with RUSH and The Hapag Movement’s thrust toward making sustainable livelihood accessible and achievable through technology. RUSH will provide Hapag Movement beneficiaries with training under the Learning Tracks program.
“RUSH is committed to handholding entrepreneurs through the process of starting their online platforms with the right tools, and using the platforms effectively with the right program,” said Jeferson Cruz, chief commercial officer of RUSH Technologies.
“With Spark Lite and the Fast Track program, we’re taking small business owners from being stuck to being fast-tracked towards success. It’s all about enabling them with our solutions to give them a comprehensive experience.”
Take the first step towards a thriving online business by subscribing to Spark Lite now. Book a free Spark Lite demo here and get more information about the whole Fast Track program here.
Ford Philippines entered into a partnership with Scholars for Sustenance (SOS), a global food rescue foundation, to support its food rescue operations with a donation of a Ford Transit van and a grant of USD30,000 through Ford Fund.
Ford Philippines turned over the Ford Transit during SOS’ Zero Summit Philippines 2023 held last August 8, 2023. With the theme “Zero to Hero”, the summit aimed at fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including the academe, business organizations, civil societies and government agencies to achieve the goal of zero food waste and zero hunger by 2030.
The food rescue program of SOS Philippines aims to reduce food wastage through collaboration with its donors in collection of surplus food, ensuring food safety in handling and delivery of the goods to partner communities. With the Ford Transit, SOS Philippines can proactively recover and transport non-perishable food items and subsequently transform the collected items into more nourishing meals to effectively address hunger within underserved communities while reducing food wastage.
“We are fully committed to supporting SOS Philippines and its advocacy of serving undernourished communities and curbing food wastage in the country. We trust that the Ford Transit will boost their mobility needs from various establishments to the communities who will benefit from this worthwhile endeavor,” shared Josie Gonzalez, director, government and corporate affairs, Ford Philippines.
This initiative is crucial to meeting SOS Philippines’ goal in curbing food wastage, considering that in the Philippines alone, one in every ten households experience issues of food insecurity and hunger while a substantial amount of food goes to waste from establishments.
“There is an abundance of food available, and our mission at SOS is to ensure it reaches those in need. Reducing food waste and alleviating hunger requires a multifaceted restructuring of the entire food system, from production and distribution to consumption,” shares James Leyson, SOS Managing Director for the Philippines and Thailand.
SOS is a global food rescue foundation that aims to address the long-standing food security problem in the most undernourished communities across Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines through various programs, including the Rescue Kitchen Program where unused food ingredients are collected from various establishments and Food Rescue Program where quality surplus food from establishments are collected and are transformed into nourishing meals.
With just PHP88, you can enjoy shareable connectivity with Globe At Home using its prepaid WiFi SIM offer.
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This data is shareable, valid for seven days, and guarantees uninterrupted and reliable connectivity for all household members.
“We want to make it hassle-free for customers to use their Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi for their connectivity needs. This offer makes fast, shareable data connectivity affordable and available to all, in line with our goal to bridge the digital divide,” said Raymond Policarpio, vice president of Globe at Home Brand Management.
“This product is designed with the Filipino family in mind. It fits the budget without compromising on quality or performance and acknowledges that each family member has unique internet requirements for their daily activities,” he added.
Customers can further enjoy the benefits of the offer by registering their Home Prepaid WiFi SIMs through the GlobeOne app. The ease of activation and use, coupled with the added advantage of exclusive discounts and rewards on the GlobeOne app makes the deal even sweeter.
As an ideal companion for the new prepaid WiFi SIM, Globe At Home is offering FamSURF199. This promo provides customers with an additional 30GB of data, inclusive of 23GB of shareable data na pwedeng i-share sa family members up to three devices plus a bonus 7GB for watch, chat, learn, and earn apps.
“This is not just about connectivity. We are empowering each Filipino household with an affordable, shareable, and fast internet experience that can transform their home into a hub for productivity, learning, earning, entertainment, and more,” said Policarpio.
To avail of this incredible offer, visit Globe’s online shop at glbe.co/prepaidwifisim or any Globe store nationwide. A whole new world of fast, reliable, and affordable connectivity is now at your fingertips with Globe At Home’s Prepaid WiFi SIM.
