As more and more Filipino families feel the weight of rising tuition fees, the Philippines’ #1 e-wallet app, GCash, offers several solutions to make paying for schooling-related fees more affordable and less stressful.
With the back-to-school season nearing, Philippine youth groups are questioning the impending tuition increase in select state universities, colleges, and private schools nationwide. This fee hike looms even while the country’s inflation rate remains high at 6.1%, as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported in June 2023.
“We understand that with the upcoming school year’s tuition hike paired in parallel with the country’s high inflation rates, Filipino families are starting to view back-to-school expenses as an added struggle. It is exactly why we continue to maintain our lending solutions to be as accessible as possible,” Zo Canaria, head of growth marketing at FUSE Lending Inc. underscored. “The more solutions we can offer to ease Filipinos of financial burden, the more lives we can help elevate.”
The Philippines has been accustomed to the stigma that comes with borrowing money. In fact, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2021 Financial Inclusion Report found that 50% of Filipino adults perceive borrowing from formal institutions to be “difficult” due to income and documentation requirements upon application.
GCash is working to change this belief by offering readily-available lending solutions for different financial needs, allowing users to view loans as an effective tool for achieving their goals while staying within their means.
As of the first quarter of 2023, 2.8 million Filipino users have loaned via GCash, 35% of which are business owners who use the loan to grow their businesses. Still, it remains to be a little-known fact that aspiring borrowers may also apply for a loan to fund their or their children’s education.
Here are some of the ways that GCash’s borrowing solutions, may be used for schooling-related purposes:
Affording tuition and school-related fees via GLoan
With the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) expecting a tuition hike average of 3-4% in some private schools this year, parents and sponsors might opt to secure a loan to continue funding their child’s education.
With GLoan, eligible borrowers may loan up to PHP125,000, instantly sent to their e-wallet within 24 hours. Canaria emphasized, “Education is essential, and people loan for it all the time — whether through friends and family, banks, or even academic offerings. What makes GLoan superior to all other options is its ease of access and flexibility upon application, while still leveraging on the credibility and the security of the GCash app.”
Embracing hybrid learning with the right tools via GGives
To keep up with the times, many schools have also transitioned to a more modern way of learning. In fact, the Department of Education, in a recent statement, said that they are in search of ways to promote the use of technology in education, suggesting the long-term implementation of digital or hybrid learning arrangements.
Through GGives, borrowers may acquire new laptops and tablets in over 110,000 merchants, and pay for it in installments. Canaria shared, “Materials that can effectively support students’ schooling experience have transformed. We understand that this is a costly shift for most Filipinos and funds for gadgets are hard to come by, and this is one of the reasons why GGives specifically allows partial payments of up to 24 months with zero down payments.”
Paying for supplies and day-to-day essentials via GCredit
Even as the inflation rate eased as reported by PSA, Filipinos are still experiencing the effects of the Philippine peso weakening at a concerning rate. This has made careful budgeting for school supplies, snacks, allowance, and daily commute fees more difficult.
GCredit, Powered by CIMB, has a readily available credit line built to support eligible users in times like these, enabling borrowers with a limit of up to PHP50,000 at a pro-rated interest rate. Canaria said, “Because of price hikes everywhere, the feeling of ‘being stuck in a tight spot’ is becoming more and more pronounced nowadays. With classes either back to face-to-face or transitioning to hybrid, GCredit can help users manage daily expenses more confidently. It has a wide range of merchants for every need, from lifestyle and food to transportation and groceries.”
“We at GCash have always believed that education is a right for all Filipinos, not just a privilege, and these lending solutions are our way of making this right more apparent for our fellow countrymen. As the leading e-wallet app in the market, providing easy access to extra funds and empowering users with resources that bolster their growth is our duty to the 70 million users we serve,” Canaria concluded.
To be eligible for GLoan, GGives, and GCredit, users must have a fully verified GCash profile and must continue using GCash and its services, such as maintaining a high wallet balance, regularly cashing in, and paying their dues early or on time.
Access GCredit through your GCash dashboard or find it under “Borrow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery! Kaya mo, i-GCash mo!
Bound by a shared commitment to increasing access to cleft care, Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, and Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI) have launched the country’s first Cleft Leadership Center (CLC). As Smile Train celebrates a milestone of supporting more than 75,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines, the launch of this premier cleft center reinforces the organization’s continued dedication to providing enhanced progressive treatment, especially for cleft-affected Filipinos in need.
“Smile Train celebrates its 75,000 cleft surgery milestone this year and as we recognize this significant accomplishment, we know there is still more work ahead of us. The launch of the CLC represents our commitment to continuously providing safe, high-quality, and timely care for the Philippine cleft community by building a stronger, comprehensive cleft care system,” shared Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train’s vice president for Southeast Asia.
The CLC also serves as a regional hub for cleft care and training, anchored on Smile Train’s comprehensive approach and sustainable model for cleft treatment. The presence of the CLC in the country bridges the gap between the Philippine cleft community and their access to quality cleft care.
High-Quality Cleft Care
The CLC is a multidisciplinary center that provides 100% free comprehensive cleft care from birth to adulthood, powered by a capable local network of medical professionals.
To reach more cleft-affected Filipinos in need, Smile Train strengthened its existing partnership with NCFPI, an organization thatleads the standard of multidisciplinary cleft care in the Philippines. Both organizations work together to provide free, quality cleft care to Filipinos who would otherwise not be able to afford the treatment they need.
“NCFPI is a long-time partner of Smile Train in bringing holistic cleft care to cleft-affected individuals in the Philippines. The CLC ensures that an individual’s treatment journey does not stop with cleft surgery but also requires other services necessary for them to live a full and healthier life,” said Dr. Bernard Tansipek, President of NCFPI.
Dental Room at the Cleft Leadership Center in Joshua Center, Taft, Manila
The CLC brings comprehensive cleft care closer to Filipinos as it houses different services necessary for holistic treatment and rehabilitation. All these can be found in NCFPI’s two sites: the Smile Train Craniofacial Center in Joshua Center, which has orthodontic and speech therapy services, and at the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Parañaque where surgeries, orthodontics and dental treatment, nutrition services, and counseling are held.
The CLC also serves as a training and educational hub for local medical practitioners. The skills and experience of the cleft teams and state-of-the-art technology in these centers help build local medical capacity in treating different types of clefts, ensuring that Filipinos do not have to travel far to get access to high-quality cleft care. Smile Train supports NCFPI with the needed resources and enables them to help those in need.
Going Beyond the 75k Smiles
The launch of the Philippines’ first CLC paves the way for more Filipinos to get the high-quality, safe, and free treatment they need. More than this, it also signals a more optimal outcome for every surgery through continuous innovation and development of care.
For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.
PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), along with its value mobile brand TNT, has registered 52.5 million subscribers or 80 percent of its 65.7 million subscriber base, which is the biggest percentage of registered subscribers among mobile operators in the Philippines as of July 30, the end of the five-day grace period for SIM Registration.
No other mobile operator came close to achieving this percentage of registered subscribers versus their subscriber base.
Moreover, Smart and TNT’s registered subscribers represent 99 percent of their active users, therefore securing nearly all the wireless revenues of the PLDT Group.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming response of our subscribers who heeded our call to register their SIM. We thank all our subscribers for their continued trust and loyalty, which we hope to reciprocate by consistently delivering the best customer experience possible powered by our fastest and best mobile network,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, president and CEO of PLDT and Smart.
“Through SIM Registration, we also support the government’s digitalization efforts by helping ensure that mobile and digital services are inclusive and accessible for all,” added Panlilio, who is also a founding member of the Digital Infrastructure group of the government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).
“Our high success rate would not have been possible without our strong collaboration with the National Telecommunications Commission, DICT, Department of Interior and Local Government, various local government units, organizations, and our many partners who made this happen,” said Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Business Group – Individual at Smart.
Smart and TNT started their SIM Registration for subscribers on Dec. 26 with an aggressive educational campaign and by rolling out assisted SIM Registration booths across the country, including far-flung areas. Smart also launched its ‘’Mag-SIM Reg para hindi SIM Dead’ campaign, which went viral and effectively convinced millions of subscribers to register.
Registered Smart and TNT subscribers can continue enjoying their mobile services powered by the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network, as recognized by global analytics firm Ookla for three consecutive reporting periods in Q1-Q2 2022, Q3-Q4 2022, and most recently in Q1-Q2 2023.
For more information about Smart SIM Registration, go to https://smart.com.ph/Pages/simreg-faqs or visit Smart’s social media accounts: @SmartCommunications on Facebook; @LiveSmart on Twitter and Instagram; @SmartNewsroom on Facebook and Twitter; and @SmartCommunities on Facebook and Instagram.
Joining HONOR’s critically acclaimed HONOR N Series, the HONOR 90 5G is confirmed to arrive in the Philippines on August 15, 2023! HONOR 90 5G will debut massive improvements across multiple key areas pertaining to the user experience, to deliver human-centric innovation that offers great value to consumers around the world.
“We are very excited to bring HONOR 90 5G here in the Philippines! This newest HONOR smartphone is a copilot that can streamline the content development process to enable creators to share their vibe online effortlessly,” said HONOR Philippines vice president Stephen Cheng.
Equipped with Flagship 200 MP Main Camera + 50 MP Selfie Camera
Further enhancing photography and videography capabilities, the HONOR 90 5G comes with a Flagship 200MP Main Camera with a large 1/1.4-inch Sensor, a 12MP Ultra Wide and Macro Camera, and a 2MP Depth Camera capturing incredible amounts of detail and recreating stylish bokeh effects. Revolutionizing shooting in Portrait mode, the HONOR 90 5G is also upgraded to support 2x zoom to generate portraits that are more homed in and make the key subject stand out more than ever before. You can also take better selfies with its 50 MP Front Camera.
World’s First Zero Flicker Display
Fusing aesthetics and technology, the HONOR 90 is equipped with a best-in-class 6.7-inch Quad-curved Floating Screen which supports HONOR’s industry-leading and TÜV Rheinland-certified eye protection technology. Supported with the industry’s highest Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Dimming frequency of 3840Hz, the device effectively minimizes the strain it puts on users’ eyes when it is set at low brightness. The display also supports a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and delivers up to 1.07 billion colors, bringing users stunning colors and visuals in vivid clarity.
Launching brand new AI technology for video capture, the HONOR 90 5G is equipped with AI Vlog Assistant and AI-powered noise reduction allowing for quick video production and the ability to capture clean voice recordings that are free of ambient background noises.
Leading global tech company Xiaomi unveils its latest innovation in the wearable tech space: the Redmi Watch 3 Active. Designed to revolutionize the fitness journey of health-conscious individuals, this cutting-edge smartwatch empowers users to easily take control of their well-being.
Wear Your Best Self
Tailored to meet the demands of fitness enthusiasts, sports-minded individuals, and young professionals on the move, this advanced smartwatch boasts an intuitive design and cutting-edge features.
Embrace a new level of fitness tracking with the Redmi Watch 3 Active’s comprehensive capabilities, providing accurate real-time monitoring of essential health metrics, including heart rate, step count, calories burned, and distance covered. Say goodbye to guesswork during workouts with the watch’s multiple sports modes, ensuring precision in tracking various exercises and workouts.
In addition to its impressive fitness tracking features, it also helps you stay healthy in general. Gain valuable insights into your sleep quality as the smartwatch delivers personalized recommendations for improved rest and recovery. Seamlessly integrated health reminders, including sedentary alerts and hydration reminders make maintaining optimal well-being effortless.
Stay easily connected throughout your busy day with the Redmi Watch 3 Active’s smart notifications for calls, messages, and app alerts, right at your fingertips. And with its long-lasting battery life, this smart companion ensures uninterrupted use, empowering you to wear your best self all day long.
The Redmi Watch 3 Active retails for PHP1,999.
Stay tuned for further announcements on Xiaomi’s official social media pages: TikTok shop @XiaomiPhilippines, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
RELEX Solutions, a leader in supply chain and retail optimization solutions, has developed a new AI tool, RELEX-GPT, leveraging the same AI models as ChatGPT, but in a secure enterprise setting, and with access to RELEX’s rich proprietary knowledge base. This initiative underscores RELEX Solutions’ commitment to harnessing innovation for efficiency.
RELEX-GPT serves as a knowledge hub streamlining access to information about RELEX products and facilitating more efficient workflows across teams. In addition to immediately retrieving and summarizing information, the tool clarifies concepts and answers complex questions. It is an invaluable asset for idea generation and research, catalyzing innovative problem-solving by aggregating relevant data.
“Our early adopters have witnessed increased productivity, a reduction in mundane tasks, and the ability to focus on more meaningful and strategic work,” says Tommi Vilkamo, director of RELEX Labs at RELEX Solutions. “We are committed to empowering not only RELEX employees but also our customers and partners with these new superpowers and greater job satisfaction through the adoption of RELEX-GPT.”
The initial impact of adopting AI tools such as ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and RELEX-GPT at RELEX has been profound. An internal survey predicts average productivity gains of 40%, reaching up to 100% for specific roles. The applications of these AI tools are wide-ranging: they contribute to software development by generating code, managing tests, and resolving errors; assists in document creation and editing; and enhances cross-cultural communication through translations and language refinement for emails and presentations.
RELEX Solutions recently released the tool to their online user community as an experimental beta. The tool will naturally enhance the online community’s offerings for solution users, allowing them to easily ask questions and immediately receive answers, and share and discuss best practices related to RELEX products. Looking ahead, as user community feedback becomes available, RELEX intends to seamlessly incorporate RELEX-GPT into the RELEX Solutions product ecosystem, further enhancing the user experience.
While many companies are hesitant to adopt AI technology within their organizations, RELEX Solutions stands out by embracing this cutting-edge technology and empowering their teams to become early adopters. By staying ahead of the curve, RELEX Solutions is driving innovation and enabling their workforce to leverage the transformative capabilities of RELEX-GPT and other AI tools.
Terhi Rekilä, senior legal counsel & governance and regulatory risk manager at RELEX Solutions, emphasizes the company’s commitment to risk mitigation and comprehensive evaluation of AI technologies.
“Whenever you look at opportunities and risks, you should look at the whole picture,” says Rekilä. “We aimed to establish controls and balances to mitigate the risks by evaluating each AI tool from security, privacy, and legal perspectives. This way, it’s possible to reap the benefits of AI, avoid the business risks such as getting left behind by early-adopters, and mitigate potential threats. It’s not risk-free to use AI, but no business is risk-free.”
Camillo Särs, CISO at RELEX Solutions, further elaborates on the company’s approach to AI risks. “AI tools present a big opportunity to increase productivity as we’ve already seen with our customers and now internally through the use of RELEX-GPT. We proactively considered different risks related to AI use and co-created an AI usage policy to help our AI pilot project along. This allows us to gain the benefits of AI without taking unnecessary risks.”
He adds, “We thoroughly analyzed all the risks together with our legal, privacy, and infosec teams. The conclusion was loud and clear: the benefits far outweigh the risks.”
Through RELEX-GPT, RELEX Solutions affirms its position at the forefront of innovation, catalyzing transformational changes in the retail and consumer goods industries and shaping the future of supply chain optimization solutions. RELEX has embraced AI and machine learning technologies in its product portfolio since its start in 2005. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, RELEX continues to shape the industry’s future, empowering its teams and customers to stay ahead in a constantly evolving marketplace.
Mocasa, a fintech company specializing in innovative credit payment services, is now authorized by the Credit Information Corporation (CIC) to access its credit database by successfully becoming an Accessing Entity (AE) of the CIC. Through this milestone, Mocasa aims to revolutionize the financial services industry by leveraging advanced technology and data analytics to offer enhanced credit and payment solutions to consumers.
This collaboration brings the expertise of an industry leader in financial technology together with the wealth of credit information in the sole public credit registry. Mocasa has been at the forefront of transforming the way people make credit payments, offering a seamless and secure platform that simplifies credit transactions. On the other hand, the CIC is renowned for its comprehensive and diverse credit database covering 41.8 million individuals, or almost half of the Philippine adult population, from across 829 financial institutions of various industries.
By being an AE of the CIC, Mocasa users will soon gain access to a wide range of financial services, including personalized credit reports, credit scores, and credit monitoring. The accessibility of borrowers’ credit data from the CIC within the Mocasa app will enable users to make informed financial decisions and manage their creditworthiness more effectively. Additionally, Mocasa will leverage CIC’s strong data capabilities to develop advanced risk assessment models, resulting in enhanced fraud detection and prevention measures.
“We are excited with this development as we would be able to harness the power of cutting-edge technology and comprehensive credit data,” said Robin Wong, chief executive officer of Mocasa. “This effort actually represents a great step towards our vision of empowering Filipinos with better financial solutions. By enabling our users to conveniently access their credit data from the CIC within our app, we aim to provide our users with actionable insights to help them better manage their credit responsibly and unlock new opportunities for financial growth.”
CIC senior vice president Valdimir Hubert H. dela Cruz also expressed CIC’s support to Mocasa, “By being an Accessing Entity of the CIC, Mocasa extends the reach of credit information services to consumers and fosters responsible borrowing. Furthermore, they can now use CIC data to formulate data-driven credit-decisioning, calibrate better risk management, improve their credit portfolio, and increase access to credit for Filipino borrowers.”
The successful registration of Mocasa as an AE of the CIC marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Philippine financial services landscape. By combining their strengths and expertise, the two entities are poised to revolutionize credit management and payment solutions, driving financial empowerment and inclusivity.
In a world where corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability are becoming increasingly critical, technology giant Lenovo has emerged as a trailblazer, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to creating a better and more sustainable planet. Its 17th annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report showcases its remarkable progress in various areas, from renewable energy adoption to empowering global communities and bridging the digital divide.
“As a global company, we have seen the impact of climate change on our stakeholders and feel the urgency to combat it together,” said Yuanqing Yang, Lenovo’s CEO and chairman. “In the last fiscal year, we were proud to affirm our commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 with net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and their first-of-its-kind Net-Zero Standard.”
Lenovo’s leadership in sustainability was bolstered this year when it became one of the first group of companies to have net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The company is on track to meet its near-term emissions reduction targets for 2030, including reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and Scope 3 emissions intensities by 66.5% from purchased goods and services, 35% from sold products, and 25% from upstream transportation and distribution. Lenovo is collaborating with suppliers to reduce its scope 3 (value chain) emissions, traditionally the largest category of emissions and the most difficult to track in a complex, global supply chain.
Lenovo is committed to sustainability through holistic innovations. In the fiscal year 2022/23, it accelerated its transition to a circular economy by increasing the number of products with ‘closed loop’ recycled content from end-of-life IT and electronics. Impressively, the global service provider incorporated recycled plastic into nearly 300 products, with the ThinkPad X1 laptops launched at CES 2023 being a prime example. These laptops boast up to 97% Post Consumer Content (PCC) plastic in the battery enclosure and up to 95% PCC plastic in the speaker enclosures and AC adapter.
Lenovo believes in collaborating across its entire value chain to make a sustainable impact. That’s why Lenovo created “Lenovo 360 Circle“, a sustainability community that supports and empowers Lenovo’s downstream ecosystem. By uniting people, programs, and tools, Lenovo 360 Circle unlocks the full breadth & depth of Lenovo’s sustainability strategy for channel partners. The community facilitates collaboration to tackle sustainability issues as a united front and accelerate decarbonization within the IT industry.
PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has once again teamed up with Eplayment Entertainment for the seventh season of Liga Adarna, the country’s biggest all-female esports league.
With the theme, “Ang Bagong Lipad,” the upcoming season of Liga Adarna aims to highlight the exceptional skills and gameplays of Filipina gamers from July 9 to December 17. The highly anticipated seventh season will cover six esports titles, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Call of Duty Mobile, League of Legends: WildRift, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile, and the latest addition, Valorant.
This upcoming season, Smart Omega Empress is set to defend their crown as the back-to-back MLBB champions of Liga Adarna Season 4 and 5.
Avid gamers and enthusiasts can watch the games live on the official Facebook pages of Liga Adarna and SMART Sports.
Additionally, Smart and Eplayment are also set to host two events later this year — a charity MLBB Tournament and Esports Awards, which will serve as the culminating event for Liga Adarna Season 7.
Empowering Filipina gamers to Live More Today
The latest season of Liga Adarna is in line with Smart’s long-standing support for Philippine esports to cultivate the passion, skill, and talent of local gamers.
This partnership, which began in 2019, also highlights the ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and inspire aspiration, particularly among the increasing number of Filipina gamers throughout the country.
Aside from organizing the country’s biggest esports events and backing Filipino esports athletes, Smart supports gamers with relevant data offers and services to level up their gameplay.
Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers can conveniently register to Power All 99, which comes with 8 GB for all sites and apps, Unli TikTok, and Unli Texts to All Networks valid for 7 days for only Php99. Subscribers may register to Power All 99 via the GigaLife App, which is available on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Huawei Mobile Services. Customers may also avail of Power All 99 by dialing *123#.
Power All 99 also comes with one ticket to Smart GIGA Arena that users can use in joining any ongoing tournaments. To join Smart GIGA Arena, subscribers can simply go to gigaarena.smart and create an account using their Smart or TNT mobile number.
Know more about how Smart enables subscribers to level up their gameplay by visiting http://gigaarena.smart.
Nowadays, people are becoming more conscious of their food choices. Some choose to go on a diet and others do rigorous preparation on their food. TCL, the leading consumer electronics brand and the world’s top two TV brand, gives you more reasons to make the big switch to having a better and healthier living with their newly launched TCL AAT+ Inverter Refrigerator.
Dubbed as TCL’s flagship smart fridge with health and energy-saving benefits, the TCL AAT Inverter+ Refrigerator is equipped with smart functions to keep your food properly stored before you prep your meal.
Freshness at its finest with energy-saving aspect
The TCL AAT Inverter+ Refrigerator has Automatic Anion-releasing Technology (AAT), a special mineral material that is added into the fridge cabinet inner with the following advantages such as bacteriostatic, purification, antioxidation, and dust proofing. It only means that your food is 99.99% free from bacteria.
The ref also delivers coolness faster with its Power Cool & Power Freeze function. With just a press of one button, the Power Cool increases the cooling rate to chill your drinks and food rapidly. Power Freeze also enhances the cooling effect to freeze your frozen food and ice.
The TCL’s AAT Inverter + also gives emphasis on taking good care of our planet with its Twin Eco Inverter that provides the perfect cooling environment for food, which not only enables long-lasting freshness but also saves energy and money. The Twin Eco Inverter also provides a steady temperature inside the refrigerator which inhibits the growth of ice, a process known as Total No Frost. Food remains frost-free, so there is no need for manual defrosting and no danger of food sticking to the walls of the refrigerator or being frozen when placed towards the back.
More spacious than ever
Take advantage of the big space inside the TCL AAT Inverter+ Refrigerator. You can store the daily food on demand. The fridge compartment can be customized according to food volume, allowing families to organize groceries inside the refrigerator, and pick up things quickly. What’s best about it is that you can stock up on your preferred food inside your refrigerator, making it convenient for you anytime you want to whip up a dish for your family.
Inside and outside durability
An elegant appearance is always essential when it comes to buying a fridge. Thus making the TCL AAT Inverter+ Refrigerator perfectly suited for your home with its stylish look. The high-end and elegant appearance color can still enhance the home interiors and atmosphere with any decoration style, while also bringing you a healthy and fresh life.
Get your own TCL AAT Inverter+ and experience a healthier lifestyle. Available at all authorized TCL Dealers. For more information about TCL’s range of refrigerators, go tohttps://www.tcl.com/ph/en.
Samsung recently announced its fifth generation of Galaxy foldables: Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5. The industry-leading form factors offer unique experiences for every user with sleek and compact designs, countless customization options, and powerful performance. The new Flex Hinge makes the foldable experience possible while offering an aesthetically balanced and solid design. These unrivaled foldable devices unlock extraordinary camera capabilities, such as FlexCam, to take photos from creative angles. With strong performance and an optimized battery powered by the latest processor, the Samsung Galaxy Z series transforms what is possible with a smartphone – open or closed.
“Samsung is revolutionizing the mobile industry with foldables by setting the standard and continually refining the experience,” said TM Roh, president and head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Every day, more people choose our foldables because they offer an experience people want that they can’t get on any other device. Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are the latest devices that prove our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers through innovative technology.”
Samsung’s heritage of innovation and dedication to the foldables category has created incredibly versatile devices available. With a strong belief in the potential of the foldable format, paired with world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities, Samsung has consistently refined and optimized the Galaxy Z series lineup. From content creation on Galaxy Z Flip5’s new Flex Window to seamless multitasking on Galaxy Z Fold5, this series of Galaxy foldables meets and exceeds the distinctive needs of today’s users.
Furthermore, both Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are carefully designed to meet durability expectations. The main screen is equipped with a shock dispersion layer and a redesigned back for a more solid display. Along with IPX8 support, Armor Aluminum frames, and Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®2 applied to both the Flex Window and back cover, Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 provide the protection consumers expect, enhanced further by Flex Hinge. This new integrated hinge module features a dual rail structure, diffusing external impacts.
Galaxy Z Flip5: The ultimate pocketable self-expression tool without compromise
The Galaxy Z Flip5 delivers a stylish, unique foldable experience from a pocket-sized device built for self-expression.
The new Flex Window, now 3.78 times larger than the previous generation, offers a wide range of existing and new capabilities. It provides more customization options, including informative and graphical clocks that can match the face design of a user’s Galaxy Watch6 series, as well as stylish frames. In addition, Galaxy Z Flip5’s new Flipsuit Case provides device protection with a changeable NFC card, so users can match their Flex Window design and case design for even more personalization options.
Closed, the Galaxy Z Flip5 offers more usability than ever before. From the Flex Window, quickly and effortlessly access useful information. With Widgets, users can check the weather, control music playback and listen to their favorite music with Media Controller, or catch up on the latest global stock market updates with the Google Finance widget. Simply view all Widgets at a glance and switch between them instantly with a pinch of the screen to activate Multi Widget View. Plus, easily check notifications and access Quick Settings for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Without ever opening the device, browse through call history to return missed calls and reply to texts on the go using Quick Reply with a full QWERTY keyboard and visibility of chat history.
With its unparalleled design and form factor, Galaxy Z Flip5 also offers the most versatile camera experience on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone. Take high-quality selfies with the rear camera thanks to the larger Flex Window. Users can capture stunning hands-free photos from creative angles with FlexCam. It’s quick and simple to view and edit shots in Flex Modetoo. Users can review, adjust the color tone, or delete images easily with the Quick View in the Flex Window. When taking a photo of a friend, Dual Preview lets them see themselves in the Flex Window so they can make adjustments in real-time for the perfect shot. Users can get a smooth shot on the go with camera-stabilizing Super Steady, while Auto Framing ensures that no one is left out.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 adds AI solution improvements to the powerful camera experience, bringing every photo to life. Get creative, even in low light, with improved Nightography capabilities that optimize photos and videos in ambient lighting conditions. The AI-powered image signal processing (ISP) algorithm corrects any visual noise that typically spoils low-light images while enhancing details and color tone. Even from a distance, photos are clearer with the digital 10X zoom.
Galaxy Z Fold5: The ultimate productivity powerhouse with a large screen
Offering an immersive, large screen and a long-lasting battery in the thinnest, lightest Fold yet, Galaxy Z Fold5 is easy to take anywhere while delivering the most powerful performance in the Galaxy Z series.
The Galaxy Z Fold has been a pioneer in transforming everyday productivity through a robust, big-screen experience, evolving from Multi Window and App Continuity to a wide range of features, including Taskbar, drag and drop, and optimization of third-party apps. S Pen Fold Edition, introduced in the third generation Fold in 2021, has also been fine-tuned to deliver a superior writing experience on Galaxy Z Fold5. These features and tools come together to deliver powerful productivity on a large screen and enable users to complete important tasks from anywhere.
The improved Taskbar enables dynamic productivity by allowing users to quickly switch between frequently used apps. Now up to four recent apps are at ready for more efficient working. Newly enhanced two-handed drag and drop can also ramp up productivity when moving content between apps and screens. Simply touch and hold an image in Samsung Gallery with one finger and use another finger to open the Samsung Notes app to drag and drop the image. With hidden pop-up, an app can continue running in the background, allowing users to watch video content on full screen and chat with friends in a floating pop-up on the side of the screen.
The new slimmer and more compact S Pen Fold Edition makes real-time annotating and ideation easy while being able to fit more comfortably in the pocket. The Slim S Pen Case is nearly the same thickness as a regular case for the Fold and is available in a variety of styles and colors so users can carry their S Pens in style.
Helping users do more on the go, the 7.6-inch Main Screen provides expansive and uninterrupted viewing so users can enjoy their favorite movie in portrait or landscape. Plus, peak brightness has increased by more than 30%, up to 1750 nits, for an optimal viewing experience outdoors even under bright sunlight.
Providing users with an immersive gaming experience on the largest Galaxy smartphone screen, the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy enhances graphics and uses AI to enable dynamic gaming and multi-game functionality. The Galaxy Z Fold5 can comfortably handle marathon gaming sessions with its advanced cooling system that dissipates heat more intelligently for less lag and no drop in performance.
Delivering a positive impact for the planet
Samsung continues to demonstrate progress toward the company’s environmental vision and accelerate actions that help achieve its goals, including reaching net zero carbon emissions by the end of 2030 for the Device eXperience Division.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5 feature a wider variety of recycled materials than their previous generations, including pre-consumer recycled glass and aluminum and post-consumer recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels, and PET bottles. Even the paper used for their packaging box is made using 100 percent recycled material.
These innovations have also been purposefully designed for optimized longevity. Each device comes with five years of security updates and four generations of OS upgrades, helping to extend the product lifecycle.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy Z Flip5 lets users express themselves with colors including Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender, as well as a range of accessories, including a Clear Gadget Case, Flap Eco-Leather Case, Flipsuit Case, and easy-to-carry Silicone Case with Ring to create a more personalized look. The Galaxy Z Flip5 retails for PHP64,990 for the 256GB variant and PHP71,990 for the 512GB variant.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold5 is available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream, along with a variety of cases that offer practicality and style, including a Slim S Pen Case, Clear Gadget Case, Eco-Leather Case, and a Standing Case with Strap. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is available at PHP98,990 for the 256GB variant, PHP105,990 for the 512GB variant, and PHP119,990 for the 1TB variant.
From July 26 until August 17, 2023, customers who pre-order the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 will enjoy discounts through samsung.com will enjoy discounts of up to PHP43,000, including a FREE double-up storage worth PHP7,000. With this offer, customers will instantly get the higher storage variant for the price of the lower variant within the same model lineup. On top of this, they will also get a FREE Original Samsung case, 30% off on the new Galaxy Watch6, PHP10,000 off on the new Galaxy Tab S9 Series, and 50% off on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro. In addition, Samsung is committed to giving customers peace of mind with Samsung Care+, a support service for accidental damage, repairs, and more. Customers can enjoy one year of Samsung Care+ for free during pre-order period.
As a samsung.com exclusive offer, the Galaxy Z Flip5 is also available in Gray, Blue, Green, and Yellow colors. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold5 in Gray and Blue colors are also up for pre-order exclusively on the site.
The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 are also available for pre-order through Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop, Abenson.com, and MXMemoXpress.com. Customers who pre-order through these channels from July 26 to August 17, 2023 will enjoy as much as PHP42,000 worth of discounts. This also includes the FREE double-up storage upgrade, up to 50% off on select Galaxy Wearables, along with additional savings for traded-in devices.
General availability for the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 starts August 18, 2023.
In line with its mission to champion the country’s digital transformation, Globe has launched a new product that aims to empower more Filipinos and show them that they can go beyond their limits: GFiber Prepaid – an unlimited prepaid fiber WiFi for Filipino homes.
In a world where connectivity has become a crucial life enabler, having access to a reliable internet connection is extremely important. Such a connection should seamlessly support various internet needs, be it for learning, earning, or leisure. But with rising costs of basic necessities, many may think hindi kaya ang fast and reliable connectivity and that they’ll just have to make the best of what they’ve got.
Globe At Home is poised to change that, as it delivers a game-changing innovation that will make Filipinos believe na “Kaya Mo Now.”
“Over the years, Filipinos have settled for regular internet services they can afford to meet their and their family’s internet needs without realizing that they are limiting their potential. With Globe at Home’s latest innovation na “Kaya Mo Now” – GFiber Prepaid – we can now tell them na kahit ano, kaya mo, kaya ng pamilya, kaya now,” said Raymond Policarpio, vice president of Globe At Home brand management.
At the GFiber Prepaid “Kaya Mo Now” launch at The Globe Tower in BGC, attendees were given the chance to witness and experience first-hand the power of fiber technology through a Fiber Lab Tour led by a group of experts, the Globe Home Squad. In the immersive session, attendees learned about how fiber optic technology works, experiencing its journey to the household.
Raymond Policarpio, vice president of Globe at Home Broadband Business; Ernest Cu, Globe Group president and ceo; and Danny Theseira, Senior Adviser of the Globe Broadband Business Group at the GFiber launch
Attendees were then brought inside an installation of a GFiber Prepaid-powered home where influencers showcased how this powerful yet affordable prepaid fiber connection can be used for their diskarte in life, among them online learning, live selling, and content creation.
Hosted by a madiskarteng Pinoy herself, Neri Miranda, the event also featured real-life experiences and stories of madiskarteng Pinoy like Imarie Yoshida, a former brand ambassador turned online seller, and Carmencita Bumanglag, a hustling sari-sari store owner. Both have a clear vision of how they want to progress in life but were limited by poor internet connectivity. Through having access to GFiber Prepaid, they found new possibilities, empowered to keep driving towards achieving their goals.
GFiber Prepaid offers fiber-speed home internet with various affordable loading options that consumers can tailor according to their budget. To ensure that no Filipino family is left behind, Globe at Home offers No Lock Up, Unlimited Pay-Per-Use promos, and a ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ option in partnership with GCash via GCredit and GGives, making it easier for customers to secure their fiber connection.
Beyond expanding its product offerings to cater to more Filipinos, Globe At Home, through GFiber Prepaid, is reshaping the digital landscape as the Philippines’ first fully digital prepaid fiber experience from application to consumption via the Globe One App. Customers can conveniently apply, schedule installation, track their order, and purchase their desired promos through the app. Through GFiber Prepaid, Globe takes a step closer to promoting digital inclusion and enablement, making the battlecry “Kaya Mo Now” come true for Filipinos.
Infinix has partnered with the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe to honor the spirit of innovation and pay homage to the pioneers of inventions. The partnership is another testament to Infinix’s unremitting innovation and visionary exploration of future technologies.
To celebrate this collaboration, Infinix will financially support the Tesla Science Center’s development and initiatives. The collaboration will also include a series of dialogues and campus events aimed at inspiring young futurists to follow in Nikola Tesla’s footsteps.
“Driven by his exceptional vision and intelligence, Nikola Tesla, one of the most brilliant minds in history, laid the bedrock for modern technologies and envisioned a future filled with promise for humanity,” said Lake Hu, CMO at Infinix. “We are honored to pay homage to the legacy of Nikola Tesla and his groundbreaking work and excited to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation with this collaboration. We hope to inspire young minds to pursue their passion for science and technology fearlessly.”
Throughout the course of his remarkable 86-year lifetime, Nikola Tesla amassed an awe-inspiring collection of hundreds of patents. His pioneering accomplishments, encompassing the development of the alternating current system and wireless power transmission, have left an indelible impact on modern technology, fundamentally altering the landscape of our daily lives in perpetuity. Despite facing relentless doubts and criticism, Tesla exhibited unwavering determination, upholding an undiminished enthusiasm and unwavering perseverance for scientific innovation.
Infinix has consistently been at the forefront of pioneering innovation, placing a special emphasis on advancing fast-charging technologies. In 2021, Infinix introduced the groundbreaking 160W fast charging technology, which was soon followed by the release of the remarkable ZERO series in 2022, featuring 180W fast charging capabilities. Earlier this year, Infinix further pushed the boundaries with the introduction of the 260W wired and 110W wireless All-Round FastCharge technologies, delivering a truly futuristic charging experience. Today, Infinix proudly joins hands with the Tesla Science Center, working together to preserve and promote the invaluable legacy and visionary ideas of Nikola Tesla.
“The collaboration with Infinix has been nothing short of fantastic,” said Marc Alessi, executive director of Tesla Science Center at Wadenclyffe. “We have witnessed the creative spirit of Tesla sparking innovation in this young and dynamic brand.”
With the newly launched NOTE 30 Series, Infinix embraces Tesla’s scientific audacity and ambitious vision. Infinix is the first to bring wireless fast charging to the segmentation through its iconic All-Round FastCharge solution, enabling more young people to connect and to rigorously explore life and the world. The All-Round FastCharge solution not only delivers speed but also ensures safety, intelligence, and flexibility. With this solution, users can take charge of their lives in all scenarios, 24/7.
Through this collaboration, Infinix and the Tesla Science Center aim to inspire the next generation of futurists with not only a well-curated experience on a Tesla-inspired device, but also a series of campus events, dialogues, and competitions. Infinix’s Xclub and campaigns will join the force to promote this collaboration and call for ideas and inventions that will shape the future of technology.
Infinix is committed to the shared mission to foster the advancement of new technologies and inspire young minds to engage in the betterment of humanity’s future.
Canva Philippines will hold Negosyantrends Expo 2023, its biggest face-to-face event geared for all entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, on August 5 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia. The event will feature one-on-one consultations with brand and design experts, interactive stations, and design activities to help entrepreneurs level up their businesses. Interested participants can sign-up for the expo by registering at canvaph.com/NegosyantrendsExpo-2023.
The expo will also feature success stories from select entrepreneurs and a panel discussion on innovation and design headlined by entrepreneurs Reese Fernandez Ruiz, president and co-founder of Rags2Riches; Andre Chanco, head of product and co-founder of Yardstick Coee; and Cara Paguio, senior creative for photography at Canva and owner of the local beachwear brand Guppy PH.
“We heard countless stories of Filipino entrepreneurs using Canva. Following the success of Negosyantrends 2022, Canva Philippines aims to continue uplifting the entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos through this event and we’re excited to interact with our community in person. We believe that through Negosyantrends Expo 2023, we’ll be able to help more negosyantes take their business to the next level with Canva,” Maisie Littaua, Canva Philippines’ head of growth said.
Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Design
Canva Philippines also held its education caravan through engaging online webinars with various partners such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Globe Business, Edukasyon.ph, and Bayan Academy.
The series kicked off with the Design & Diskarte Talks for Entrepreneurs with DTI, highlighting Canva’s brand management capabilities like Brand Kits, Brand Guidelines, and Brand Folders. These tools help businesses manage their brand assets in one place, maintain consistency, and allow teams to collaborate more easily.
As part of the series, Canva Philippines also partnered with Globe Business, Edukasyon.ph, and Bayan Academy for a session on building a digital brand.
In 2020, Canva Philippines launched Canva for Negosyo, which provides entrepreneurs with branding and graphics design resources for free, marketing toolkits, photo collections, and video tutorials, and has since established an engaged community of Filipino entrepreneurs. Now with over 60,000 members, its Canva for Negosyantes community on Facebook continues to be a platform for many business owners to share ideas, collaborate on designs, and provide insights to each other.
“As Pinoy entrepreneurs take their businesses online, we want to be right there with them,” Littaua said. “When it comes to design and branding, Canva for Negosyo is the Filipino business owner’s partner in creativity and productivity for their digital presence.”
For more updates on Canva Philippines’ efforts for entrepreneurs, follow @CanvaPhilippines on Facebook or join Canva for Negosyantes.
Globe’s corporate venture builder 917Ventures, the largest in the Philippines, once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship with the recent completion of Velocity 2023, its annual business-building program, and 12-week innovation bootcamp.
Velocity 2023 exemplifies the unwavering commitment of 917Ventures to nurturing and investing in innovative solutions that address societal problems. It featured nine pitches in the areas of fintech, B2B SaaS, agritech, and climate tech from seven business units within the Globe Group and the Ayala ecosystem: Asticom, BPI, Brave Connective, ECPay, Entrego, GCash, and Globe.
“As we aim to contribute to the Philippines’ digital economy, we continually develop programs that enhance Filipino talents while creating businesses that uplift the lives of our kababayans through digital means. Ever since we reached market leadership, it has always been the purpose of the Globe Group to truly make a difference in the country,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group president and CEO, during the Demo Day.
The mission of 917Ventures has been further reinforced through its second-year partnership with AC Ventures on Velocity, accelerating the development and launch of new businesses aimed at solving the country’s pressing issues.
“It’s been very encouraging to see this program come to life, underpinned by 917Ventures and AC Ventures’ shared mission of solving national pain points through game-changing digital solutions. Velocity has been an excellent program for us to spread this culture of constant innovation across the whole group,” said Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, head of business development and digital ventures of Ayala Corporation.
Team GCash received the Velocity 2023 top honors and a PHP100,000 prize for their idea called Quenta, a pioneering financial solution platform specifically designed for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The event also celebrated other outstanding ideas, with the second and third-place winners receiving PHP50,000 and PHP30,000, respectively. In addition, teams that won the Audience Choice and Social Impact awards each took home PHP20,000, emphasizing 917Ventures’ commitment to rewarding innovation and impact. Similar to previous winners, top ideas from Velocity have the opportunity to be provided seed funding.
“Obviously, there will be ideas that are exciting. Ideas that are very intriguing and also worth looking into. I think everyone contributed really well. We learned as much from you, because of your experience and the work that you do,” Glenn Estrella, 917Ventures head of ideation and acceleration, shared with the participants.
Since its inception in 2019, 917Ventures has vetted 500 ideas, launched 25 ventures, and built a robust portfolio of 15 companies, underscoring its drive to foster groundbreaking ideas that transform lives.
With a dedication to its employees, a focus on innovation, and a commitment to making a difference in the country, 917Ventures continues to position itself as a leader in the tech industry and an employer of choice for Filipino tech professionals.
