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    Alipay+ expands to serve 90 million global merchants in 2024 summer campaign

    Alipay+, the cross-border mobile payment and digitalization solutions operated by Ant International, continued its global summer campaign, which was kicked off by UEFA EURO 2024, in preparation for the travel industry’s full rebound by the end of 2024. 

    Alipay+ was the Official Payment Partner of the UEFA EURO 2024™ held from June 14 to July 14, and connected leading e-wallets and bank apps, including European partners, to 400,000 merchants across Europe.

    Alipay+ turns the heat up with global summer campaign

    This summer, tourists will be able to pay with their preferred payment apps via Alipay+ at more than 90 million global merchants in 66 markets as Alipay+ merchant coverage continues to grow, connecting them to users of more than 30 payment partners.

    With Europe expected to be one of the top destinations during summer, Alipay+ will continue its momentum from its UEFA EURO 2024 drive, with more joint campaigns with partners to promote usage of their home payment apps in Europe, and offering exclusive promotions at leading merchants, particularly in key destinations like the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. 

    Besides retailers, Alipay+ is also working with local partners to ensure more local businesses can benefit. For example, tourists can enjoy special deals at many small shops in Chinatown in Milan, with more small businesses across Europe to be progressively onboarded. Alipay+ is also adding more digital conveniences for tourists through its recent integration with the taxi app FREENOW, available in 7 European countries, and partnerships for digital tax refunds. The latter allows Chinese tourists to receive instant tax refunds on their Alipay app in-store.

    In Japan, where more than 2 million merchants accept Alipay+, tourists from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, the Philippines, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand can enjoy special discounts at 300,000 merchants across the country, including airport shops, department stores, premium shopping malls, convenience store chains, electronics and appliances retailers, and health and beauty shops. 

    Alipay
    Alipay+ is widely accepted at Universal Studios Japan

    In South Korea, Alipay+ is rolling out summer promotions with leading retailers, theme parks, traditional market and transportation providers, including duty-free stores and department stores operated by Hyundai, Shilla, Shinsegae, Lotte World, ZeroPay Jeju market and Olive Young, for users of AlipayHK, GCash, Touch ‘n Go eWallet and TrueMoney.

    Alipay+ expanded its acceptance for transportation in South Korea, making it easier for tourists to travel around. In Jeju, users of Alipay+ partners, including Alipay, AlipayHK, GCash, Touch ’n Go Wallet, and TrueMoney, can simply use their own payment apps to pay for bus rides. The convenience extends beyond local transportation. Chinese tourists can book train tickets to travel across the country through a dedicated mini-program operated by Korail within the Alipay app.

    Through its collaboration with ZeroPay, South Korea’s national QR standard, Alipay+ is accepted by more than 1.9 million merchants. 

    Alipay+ and its partners continue to make travel more seamless in the Chinese mainland, including the recent expansion of the International Consumer-Friendly Zone Program to Chengdu and Chongqing, as well as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Tourists visiting the Chinese mainland can pay across more than 80 million merchants by linking their international credit cards to the Alipay app or via 12 other Alipay+ partner payment methods.

    In Southeast Asia (SEA), where Alipay+ is widely accepted, users of AlipayHK, Touch ’n Go eWallet, GCash, and TrueMoney can purchase discounted travel packs for use at all Alipay+ merchants in the region. Through its partnership with national QRs in Singapore and Malaysia, Alipay+ merchants in the region include many micro and small merchants like hawker stalls in Singapore, that will allow tourists to truly ‘travel like a local’.

    With SEA being a popular destination for Chinese tourists, Alipay+ is introducing more innovation and campaigns via Alipay, one of its payment partners. These include exclusive campaigns with more than 30 of the most popular retailers, including Central Retail, The Mall Group, and King Power in Thailand, Pavilion and Sunway Velocity in Malaysia, and Jewel, Resorts World Sentosa, and Mandai in Singapore.

    Additionally, in Thailand, the top SEA destination for Chinese tourists, Alipay+ is enhancing its Alipay+ D-hub and Amazing Thailand e-card—a joint digital travel innovation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand—within the Alipay app to promote more cities, more merchants, and more discounts.

    Education in the Era of AI

    Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have taken over the tech world. When Open AI’s Chat-GPT opened public access in late 2022, it transformed the tech world for better and worse.

    AI has become a key feature for many new devices. Phones are leveraging AI power in photography and other features; special AI-powered laptops are being launched. Other AI-centric devices have started to hit the market this year.

    Since entering mainstream consciousness, generative AI has been divisive. The biggest battlefield for AI adoption has been education. While both sides agree that AI can have a place, to what extent is a subject of debate.

    How AI is changing education for the better

    AI has significantly altered how we interact with our devices, from camera processing and screen adjustment to battery and power management. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini are increasingly used in translation apps, code checks, and transcription, among other applications.

    In particular, Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLM) have seen a surge in education use as students utilize them for research and assignments. Some generative AI can produce graphics or create designs explicitly catering to their use case. LLMs, meanwhile, provide users with information or other text-based needs. Both have niche use cases and work hand-in-hand to expedite tasks or work.

    AI-based tools for lesson planning and material creation are also making teachers’ and educators’ work easier. AI tools are also being used to check exams, homework, and student papers. Other AI tools help teachers with administrative tasks such as organization and management.

    Another practical AI innovation is AI assessment. Educators can utilize AI to help assess students’ output. AI can predict how students will fare in certain situations or examinations based on their performance. Using this data, teachers can fine-tune their lessons to take extra time on specific topics or give certain students additional time and guidance for a lesson they’re struggling with.

    Finally, AI-based learning tools such as educational games or tutoring help students absorb the topic more easily. AI-based learning can fit every student as it learns what works and does not work the more it is used. It would provide students with the necessary tools to keep them engaged and ensure they can keep up with the lessons or topics. AI-based tutoring also helps them catch up with their lessons at their own pace.

    AI

    The challenges of AI in education

    AI has its pros and cons. One of the more obvious cons comes in the form of cheating and misinformation. Teachers and educators have expressed concerns about how AI, particularly generative AI, is being used to cheat.

    Students have been caught using LLMs to cheat on homework, exams, and papers. Language model AI has made it easy to create long-form papers and essays with outstanding results. For educators, particularly in basic education, this is a red flag.

    Assignments and work for young children are crafted to help their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Relying on AI to do their work could affect the development of children’s critical thinking skills. Additionally, it could lead to over-dependence on technology and underdevelopment of other crucial skills.

    Another major con of AI in education is its fallibility. AI is still a fallible technology; it’s still developing, and in the case of most LLMs, they’re constantly improving and gathering data. So, it’s no surprise that AIs can provide misinformation despite the large data set they are trained on.

    AIs are limited to what they are trained on. If the information provided during their training is wrong, then the AI will repeat that wrong information when asked. As AI learns and develops, the data may be overwritten with newer information, but until then, it’s important to double-check the work.

    Finally, educators have posited that complete reliance on AI to teach might lead to isolation. AI-based learning means that students would learn on their own. There would be no human interaction, causing students to be isolated from their peers. Fortunately, this con is still a remote possibility while the world tries to find a balance in fully adopting AI.

    Finding balance

    AI is here to stay, and like every new technology, we try to find a way to incorporate it and fully adapt it to form part of our systems. Utilizing AI in education is the same, as schools and universities try to find the necessary balance to fully incorporate AI in their teaching systems.

    In the Philippines, universities have recently released guidelines for using AI at work. The country’s state university, the University of the Philippines, through its Open University system and its Los Banos campus, released guidelines for how teachers and students can use AI for teaching and learning.

    The university has given teachers permission to set their own standards on how students may utilize AI for their classes. They’ve also permitted educators to determine to what extent they should use AI grading systems to assess their students’ work.

    Meanwhile, for students, the university has required students to declare if they have used AI for their output. Of course, they are reminded to check for plagiarism when they utilize AI. Finally, the guidelines want students to avoid using AI for harmful and illegal purposes.

    Another university, Far Eastern University, has also provided its students with guidelines on how to use generative AI for their school work, including recommended AI programs. The university warns that failure to adhere to the guidelines may lead to sanctions.

    Beyond universities, the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has also created guidance on how nations can develop regulations and guidelines to ensure that Generative AI becomes a tool that benefits all rather than risk academic and technological disparity.

    At the very heart of the UNESCO guidance is a human-centered approach. This means that AI and its subsequent regulations must follow the same human rights principles and protect human dignity. Generative AI still has many ethical concerns, such as copyright, deep fakes, and marginalization through biased data sets.

    A human-centered approach entails that nations take cognizance of the pitfalls of current Generative AI and create regulations that would protect individuals’ rights against them. This includes adopting stricter data protection laws to prevent companies from illegally collecting and processing data for AI training. The recommendation also seeks to revisit copyright laws and incorporate protections against the unauthorized use of intellectual properties as training data. Finally, the guidance wants nations to build a capacity for the proper use of AI in education and research.

    Utilizing AI in education and research is here to stay. While some cons still need work, there are also significant benefits, such as using AI to enhance the learning experience or to simplify tedious tasks. AI in education is still in its infancy, and as the technology develops, we should ensure that it is used to enhance and not to harm.   

    Maya teams up with Pinoy Big Brother for a new twist on reality TV

    Get ready for a game-changing season of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) as Maya, the Philippines’ leading digital bank, is teaming up with the nation’s favorite reality show to bring a fresh and exciting twist to the Big Brother house. This partnership isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about making finance fun and boosting financial smarts across the country. 

    A Fresh Spin on Reality TV and Money Management 

    PBB has always been a staple in Filipino entertainment, often referred to as “Ang Teleserye ng Totoong Buhay” and loved for its genuine portrayal of life and personal growth. With the launch of “PBB Gen 11” this season, the show focuses on empowering Gen Z and young millennial viewers, showcasing relatable stories of resilience and smart decision-making. 

    With Maya stepping into the Big Brother house, Housemates will get a real-life lesson in managing money. Through the Save or Spend Weekly Task by Maya, the Housemates have the power to decide how they’ll manage their weekly budget, making the twists inside the PBB house even more exciting. Additionally, they can watch their budget grow with Maya’s high-interest savings and learn the ropes of smart finance. It’s a perfect chance for viewers at home to pick up some tips too, as they watch their favorite Housemates make the most of their budget while tackling the usual PBB challenges. 

    Pinoy Big Brother

    Maya: Ang Bangko ng Housemates ni Kuya 

    As “Ang Bangko ng Housemates ni Kuya,” Maya is adding an extra layer of excitement to the PBB experience. Every time you save and spend with Maya, you could earn up to 15% p.a. interest on your savings. And here’s the fun part: you can choose to use those earnings to vote for your favorite Housemate.

    Maya is the official and exclusive for all your PBB votes, turning every vote cast into a step towards your own financial health. 

    Here’s how you can #SaveWithMaya this PBB Gen 11:

    1. Open the Maya app and tap the “PBB” button on the homepage. 

    2. Choose the housemate you want to support. 

    3. Select your preferred number of votes:

    10 votes = PHP 10
    50 votes = PHP 50                   
    110 votes = PHP 100

    *Each voter gets 15 chances to vote to save or evict per day 

    4. Purchase your votes before the voting window closes! 

    This unique partnership is transforming how fans engage with the show. By integrating financial empowerment with reality TV, Maya aims to help viewers begin their savings journey, achieve their financial goals, and support their favorite housemates all at once. 

    Don’t miss out on this thrilling season of PBB Gen 11, premiering on July 20, 2024! Save a Housemate and #SaveWithMaya! Download the Maya app now, tune in to the show, and start managing your finances in the most entertaining way possible with Maya – Ang Bangko ng Housemates ni Kuya.  

    GAC Motor Santa Rosa formally opens under Bermaz Auto Asia

    Astara-led GAC MOTOR Philippines continues with their strategic expansion campaign, this time launching the GAC MOTOR Santa Rosa outlet through a partnership with Bermaz Auto Asia. 

    The new and well-appointed 2,300sqm facility is situated at Auto Asia Building along Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Road, in Pulong Santa Cruz in Santa Rosa, Laguna. GAC MOTOR Santa Rosa is outfitted to meet GAC’s international showroom standards, ensuring a world-class, premium experience for everyone. It is a fully equipped 3S facility (sales, spare parts, and service) ready to provide a seamless experience for all its customers. 

    GAC Motor Santa Rosa
    The inauguration program of GAC Motor Santa Rosa was led by notable figures in attendance, including (from left to right) Calvin Cheng, country manager, GAC Motor International; Dato Ben Yeoh, executive chairman, Bermaz Auto Asia; Franz  Decloedt, brand head, GAC Motor Philippines; Dato Francis Lee, CEO, Bermaz Auto Asia; Dato Amer Hamzah, executive director, Bermaz Auto Asia; Tan Eng Hwa, 
    Treasurer, Bermaz Auto Asia.

    “GAC Motor Philippines aims to maintain our strong momentum for growth with consecutive dealer openings this year, expanding our reach to Santa Rosa, Laguna. Through our new partnership with Bermaz Auto Asia, we are confident that we can bring the cutting-edge mobility solutions of GAC MOTOR to even more Filipinos this 2024,” said Franz Decloedt, brand head of GAC Motor Philippines, Astara Philippines. 

    “We are excited to announce our arrival in Santa Rosa. With our commitment to excellent service, we are anticipating to empower our customers with the world-class vehicles of GAC Motor that complements and uplifts their lifestyles,” Bermaz Auto Asia CEO Dato Francis Lee stated. 

    GAC MOTOR Philippines has also recently welcomed the opening of new dealerships throughout key locations in the Philippines. GAC Motor Sta. Rosa is one of the 26 dealer outlets currently in operation, bringing the brand closer to its goal of 38 dealerships by the end of 2024. 

    All GAC Motor vehicles purchased come with an after-sales warranty for the first five (5) years or 150,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. 

    Customers are invited to visit their nearest GAC dealership or explore the official GAC MOTOR Philippines website at www.gacmotorph.com to discover more about its exceptional offerings. 

    ANC Group opens new Ford North Caloocan dealership

    Ford Philippines, in partnership with the ANC+ Group of Companies, has opened Ford North Caloocan, its 49th dealership in the country, further expanding its retail footprint to serve its growing customer base.

    Ford North Caloocan stands on a spacious 1,711-square meter property and is expected to bring Ford’s segment-leading vehicles and enhanced aftersales experience closer to customers in the Northern part of Metro Manila, Quezon City, and nearby provinces in Central Luzon. 

    The new Ford dealership boasts of a modern showroom where customers can explore the latest Ford vehicles. It is also equipped with seven service bays with provision for future expansion, ensuring delivery of top-notch aftersales and maintenance services.  

    Ford North Caloocan follows Ford’s current global dealership branding guidelines, showcasing a more globally aligned exterior and interior look and feel called Ford Signature to offer customers an enhanced dealership environment and experience. For the exterior, the dealership is retaining the global brand identity for consistency, as seen in the dealership facility’s brand wall, entrance tower, and Ford signage.

    Ford North Caloocan

    For its interior, Ford North Caloocan is providing customers with a more engaging, interactive, and inclusive environment. A welcome pod greets customers coming into the dealership, while the improved vehicle display space allows for optimal vehicle presentation. A purchase room is designed to encourage smooth interaction between customers and the sales staff. The refreshed interior also includes a customer lounge that allows customers to connect online or charge their gadgets, as well as an enhanced celebration bay and service reception area.

    New technological features enable the new dealership facility to offer faster and more customer-focused sales and after-sales delivery. It will also aim to connect the customer’s online purchasing journey with the on-ground, in-store environment, paving the way for a more connected, seamless, and best-in-class automotive retail experience.

    “The addition of a new Ford dealership to our dealer network in the country testifies to the growing preference towards the Ford brand in the country,” says Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines. “This is another major milestone that we share with our dealer group, the ANC+ Group of Companies, as we continue to widen our reach and serve customers with an enhanced Ford ownership experience.”

    Ford North Caloocan
    Leading the grand opening of Ford North Caloocan are Anthony Cheng, dealer principal, ANC+ Group of Companies (5th from left), Mike Breen, managing director, Ford Philippines (6th from left), and Mike Tan, dealer principal, ANC+ Group of Companies (7th from left) together with key officials from Ford Philippines and ANC+ Group of Companies.

    “We are thankful to Ford Philippines for the continued partnership that allowed us to expand our automotive dealership business with this new dealership facility,” shares Anthony Cheng, dealer principal, ANC+ Group of Companies. “We invite all customers to visit Ford North Caloocan to see and test drive Ford vehicles as well as talk to our trained sales and service experts for a world-class automotive retail experience.” Ford North Caloocan is the 8th Ford dealership of the ANC+ Group of Companies. 

    To celebrate the grand opening, Ford North Caloocan is offering customers exclusive offers, including special discounts on parts and labor and zero-downpayment deals for select Ford vehicles.

    Ford North Caloocan is located at Block 1 Lot 47 Quirino Highway, Brgy. 182 District 3, Caloocan City, and is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Customers can contact the dealership at 0998-9801527 (Customer Relations), 0947-9925818 (Sales), 0998-9602644 (Service), 0939-9068047 (Parts) or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/FordNorthCaloocanANCGroup

    Trend Micro to spotlight evolving technologies in DECODE 2024 cybersecurity conference

    This coming September 10, leading cybersecurity company Trend Micro Philippines is once again hosting its annual cybersecurity conference with the theme DECODE 2024: Fusion Forward.

    For this year’s DECODE conference, Trend Micro will highlight the pressing need to fuse together and integrate different technologies to produce holistic and multi-faceted solutions to cyberattacks and threats. Through the advanced and integrated use of cybersecurity fundamentals, there is greater potential for increased cyber protection against different types of threats.

    “With the continuous advancements in AI and its integration into more systems and devices we use everyday, we at Trend Micro recognize the need to consistently be one step ahead of trends and cyber threats. Through rigorous research and upskilling, as well as through efforts such as DECODE, we aim to further reinforce the need for robust and resilient security to our customers and partner organizations, as well as to fellow cybersecurity professionals in the country.” shared Alma Saturnino-Alvarez, threat hunting director of Trend Micro. 

    Given the various data breaches that have occurred in recent months as well as the rising use of Generative AI models, DECODE 2024 looks to equip attendees with the necessary skills and knowledge to better protect their respective organizations from vulnerabilities. Attendees can look forward to track sessions and panel discussions that focus on the fundamentals of cybersecurity, such as risk management, data privacy, and cybercrime, as well as a new session on automotive security. 

    Invited speakers from Trend Micro, Interpol, Canadian law enforcement, and local experts will be present to share insights and best practices on the latest facets of cybersecurity and risk management from both local and international perspectives. In the morning, a special session called Get It Girl will also highlight women in tech, as will a VicOne demonstration on vehicle data ecosystem security.

    Aside from the track sessions and panel discussions, DECODE 2024 will also feature activities such as a Capture the Flag and a Hands-on Lab that all attendees can join for a firsthand experience of Trend Micro’s training process. With all that DECODE 2024 has in store, attendees are sure to leave the conference with an abundance of new skills and insights from the day’s activities.

    Be part of Trend Micro’s mission to do good by participating in DECODE 2024: Fusion Forward on September 10, 2024, at the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel.

    To apply for a slot, visit www.decodeph.com and register an account. Previous attendees can also apply for a slot by signing in on the site.

    Rainy day escape: Agoda shares three Philippine getaways perfect for the monsoon season

    With its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, the Philippines may be best known as a tropical paradise perfect for relaxation. But as a nation with over 7,000 islands, there’s also a whole lot of adventure to be had in the Philippines — even during the monsoon season. Digital travel platform Agoda highlights Palawan, Bukidnon, and Bohol as destinations that can be enjoyed year-round. 

    With the rainy season typically active from June to November, peaking between July and October, travelers will be looking for destinations with a higher chance of sunshine during the wet months.  Some of the best options include Palawan in the MIMAROPA Region, Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao, and Bohol in the Central Visayas Region. These destinations often see relatively drier weather during the monsoon months, making them worth visiting during this time especially. 

    “The Philippines offers incredible experiences year-round, and Agoda is here to help travelers discover them, rain or shine,” says Michael Hwang, country director, Philippines at Agoda. “While summer might be the popular choice, destinations like Palawan, Bukidnon, and Bohol showcase the beauty and adventure the Philippines has to offer, even during the monsoon season. Agoda connects travelers with the best deals on accommodations, making it easier than ever to explore this diverse country for less, no matter the time of year.”

    To help travelers make the most of their monsoon holidays, Agoda shares a curated weather-flexible itinerary for Palawan, Bukidnon, and Bohol:

    Discover beyond the beaches of Palawan

    Palawan, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, offers a variety of unique experiences. For a taste of history and culture, embark on a half-day tour of Puerto Princesa City, visiting WWII landmarks like the Plaza Cuartel and the majestic Cathedral, bookable through Agoda. For another kind of immersive experience, visitors can embark on a Farm Tour at Coron Natural Farms to learn more about sustainable agriculture and enjoy the freshest farm-to-table meals.

    Agoda
monsoon
    Explore landmarks like the majestic Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Puerto Princesa (Photo by KG dela Pena)

    Additionally, visiting the Palawan Heritage Center — where exhibits and artifacts showcase the island’s history, indigenous culture, and biodiversity — and the KaLui Art Gallery, which features works from local artists, offers an enriching glimpse into Palawan’s vibrant cultural heritage.

    Embrace the tranquility of mountainous Bukidnon

    In the heart of Mindanao, Bukidnon offers a cool, verdant retreat. Known as the “Fruit and Vegetable Basket of Mindanao,” Bukidnon is celebrated for its agriculture and ecotourism. Beyond its famed fresh produce, vacationers can discover the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, a modern architectural marvel offering a peaceful respite.

    Embrace the tranquility of mountainous Bukidnon (Photo by Dane Adrian Gayon)

    For breathtaking views, holidaymakers can relax at the Del Monte Clubhouse in Manolo Fortich, or they can embark on a guided tour at the Talaandig Cultural Center in Sungco, Lantapan, where they can witness the Talaandig tribe’s traditional performances of music, dance, and storytelling. Further exploration of the region’s heritage awaits at the Kaamulan Folk Arts Museum, showcasing the vibrant traditions of indigenous peoples, or the Bukidnon State University Museum, offering historical insights into the region’s past development and cultural shifts through artifacts and exhibits.

    Savor the flavors of Bohol

    The Central Visayan island of Bohol has a unique blend of history and natural beauty that can’t be missed. Travelers can experience the grandeur of the historic Baclayon Church or explore the natural beauty of the Cambuhat River and Village, where community-based sustainable ecotourism offers mangrove tours and insights into local fishing practices.

    Savor the flavors of Bohol (Photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu)

    For a taste of local life, visitors can sign up for a hands-on cooking class featuring traditional Boholano cuisine, which can be booked through Agoda. To round up the trip, witness a traditional Mazurka Boholana folk dance performance at a local festival or community gathering—a vibrant expression of Bohol’s cultural heritage.

    With over 4.5 million properties worldwide, Agoda features hotels offering flexible booking options like ‘book now, pay later’ and free cancellations for easy rescheduling. Travelers can easily filter their search results on Agoda to specifically see accommodations that provide these options, giving them greater peace of mind when booking trips during potentially unpredictable weather. Whether drawn to Palawan, Bukidnon, or Bohol, visitors can adjust itineraries should forecasts shift by booking on agoda.com or using the Agoda app.

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak — game review

    Journeying through Zemuria has led us to meet The Bracer Guild of Liberl, Rean Schwarzer and the massive Class VII of Erebonia, and the Special Support Section of Crossbell. All their stories intertwined and concluded in Trails Into Reverie, and now, a new dawn begins in the Calvard Republic, an often-mentioned yet still unexplored area of Zemuria. Trails Through Daybreak has finally received an English translation, and a peace between Liberl, Erebonia, Crossbell, and the Calvard Republic has been formed for now—but what adventures await us in Calvard?

    Trails Through Daybreak

    Trails Through Daybreak takes place in Calvard in 1208, and has you playing as Van Arkride, a Spriggan working at the Arkride Solutions Office. Falcom has described a Spriggan as a cross between a bounty hunter and a private detective. Van’s latest client is Agnes Claudel, a girl who attends Aramis High School in Edith, the capital city of Calvard, and they search for a specific type of orbment that not only she wants, but criminal elements of the underworld who want to use it for their own ends. On top of this, geopolitical intrigue including the threat of an economic recession and anti-immigrant sentiment prepare to bring the dark elements of society into the light.

    An entire new set of characters joins the already-burgeoning Trails cast, as well as a few returning characters from previous Trails games. Van can choose to work with a variety of groups, while previous games focused on a more traditional “good guys vs. bad guys” sort of narrative which makes Trails Through Daybreak very flexible if you like to explore what happens when you align yourself with certain groups in the game.

    The cast is also a lot smaller than in previous games. The previous entry, Trails Into Reverie, had 50+ playable characters, reminding me way too much of Chrono Cross (an otherwise great game that is spoiled by the sheer number of playable characters). This allows the characters to develop better rather than being lost in the Zemurian sauce, and good character development can easily carry any JRPG into legendary status if done right.

    The battle system has changed significantly from previous entries. You can now switch between turn-based and realtime combat, which makes this game a lot more fun, and future JRPGs should take note of this. You can also freely move around a certain area before taking a turn, which annoyed me quite a bit in previous entries.

    One example of this is Van’s Stun Slash, which allows you to interrupt enemy spells, but can also do more damage if you flank the enemy. This can allow you to position your characters well since moving no longer takes up a turn. Gems also work differently from previous games, as putting gems in certain lines (Weapon, Shield, Drive, and EX) can do things like add elemental attacks, protect against status effects, or recover HP. You can mix and match to suit your play style, and the customization options for the characters can be endless, yet certain combinations will be vital if you’re playing on higher difficulties.

    Trails Through Daybreak

    Unique to Van are the Law, Gray, and Chaos stats, which allow you to make different choices during side quests similar to Persona‘s social stats. This also goes against the grain of traditional JRPG tropes of beating the bad guys, allowing for more flexibility and gives you a Choose Your Own Adventure-esque experience. Depending on your Law, Gray, or Chaos stats, you can also help various factions in the game that can make battles easier (or harder) in certain chapters and even adds to replayability as certain characters will have unique character interactions with each other.

    Trails Through Daybreak

    A new feature called Connections allows Van to casually hang out with his own party members, similar to Private Actions in Star Ocean: The Second Story R. This ties in beautifully with the already massive Trails worldbuilding and history, creating ties between the new cast and the old. Sadly, these new features also come at a price: the lack of minigames that could easily add hours onto a playthrough and reward rare and powerful items.

    Cooking, another fun aspect of previous Trails games, also has been reduced to a shell of its former self, as characters can no longer create superb or peculiar dishes, but rather just regular dishes. Fishing is also sadly absent. However, the great soundtrack is another home run for Falcom, and I expected no less from their amazing music team.

    Trails Through Daybreak gives up some gameplay aspects and introduces rather new and radical gameplay elements in their place that JRPG developers should take notice of. While you’ll have to play the series in order (starting from Trails in the Sky) if you want to fully understand the story up to this point, it doesn’t hurt to start here either as only a few returning characters from both the Liberl and Erebonia arcs are present in this game. Trails has been one of my favorite recent JRPG series, and this one is another must-play if you love JRPGs or even just deep stories and character development.

    Developer: Nihon Falcom
    Publisher(s): NIS America
    Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch

    Registrations for 2024 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup now open

    Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has announced the start of registrations for its premier sim racing competition, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Gran Turismo Cup (TGR GT Cup).

    The TGR GT Cup gathers sim racing enthusiasts from all over the Philippines to determine the best sim racers in the country. Cash prizes, original GR merchandise, Autocross seats and Asia Finals seats are all up for grabs for the winners!

    For its fifth season, the TGR GT Cup is introducing a new competition format. The Qualifiers will be a time-attack challenge, in which the 40 fastest players will advance to the Quarterfinals. This will take place from July 26 to August 3. 

    Registrants have the option to participate in their qualifier online or on-site at the Toyota Motor Philippines Marketing office in Makati City. 

    The Top 20 players from the Quarterfinals will then advance to the Semifinals, which will determine the Top 10 who will battle it out in the National Finals.

    The National Finals will be the final stage for the Top 3 winners, who will then represent the Philippines at the Asia Finals in Malaysia later this year. 

    The Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and National Finals will be an on-site event in Metro Manila on August 17-18. Participants will compete in a series of thrilling sprint races to determine their standing. 

    Interested participants can register through this link: https://tinyurl.com/GTCup2024Registration 

    To participate, a player must be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines, 14 years old or older at the time of registration, and have an active PlayStation Network (PSN) account and active PS PLUS subscription. 

    For other requirements and more information on the TGR GT Cup Philippines, visit https://toyota.com.ph/tgrphilippines/tgr-gtcup and follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing on Facebook and Instagram.

    The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing GT Cup Philippines is brought to you by Petron and GT Radial, and in cooperation with Seiko. This event is also supported by Toyota Financial Services Philippines, myTOYOTA Wallet, Denso, AVT, 3M, ROTA, Tuason Racing, OMP, and Kinto One.

    Stay updated with Toyota products, services, events and more by following Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, ToyotaMotorPH on X, and join the Viber community at Toyota PH.

    Palarong Pambansa 2024 powered by DITO next-gen technology

    Dedicated to championing Filipino talents and empowering youth athletes, DITO Telecommunity proudly supported this year’s Palarong Pambansa. As the main co-presenter in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), DITO provided technological support and seamless, high-speed connectivity for an enhanced experience for all athletes, delegates, and spectators in this premier sporting event.

    DITO’s next-generation technology played an essential role in powering 20 billeting quarters, 34 sporting venues, and all command centers. Such support benefited around 30,000 athletes and delegates, allowing them to access digital resources and stay connected with their families while being apart. It facilitated a sense of unity and support regardless of distance.

    Another standout feature of DITO’s support was the deployment of a cell site on wheels to provide stronger and more reliable network service. This technological boost ensured that all attendees, including athletes, delegates, and organizers, could enjoy seamless connectivity and hassle-free communication throughout the event duration. 

    Palarong Pambansa
    DITO deployed a cell site on wheels to boost network signal to ensure seamless experience for all athletes and delegates.

    “To further elevate the experience of our athletes this year, DITO powered the various headquarters and gaming venues with high-speed 5G connectivity, bringing greater capacity, wider coverage, and internet connection speeds that are 20 times faster than 4G. With this, participants could easily connect to DITO’s WiFi hubs to enjoy and experience the reliability of our technology” said Ret. Maj. Gen. Rodolfo “Genboy” Santiago, DITO chief technology officer. 

    During the opening ceremony on July 9, which commenced with a vibrant parade introducing each region of the Philippines, highlighting the unique cultures of each region, and emphasizing the diverse “Galing” of Filipinos across the country, DITO also ensured a seamless live stream on social media, giving Filipinos and spectators nationwide access to high-definition streaming experience of the largest sporting event in the country.

    The opening event was further amplified by a spectacular performance by rising P-pop boy group Alamat, ambassadors of GalingDITO. Their performance of the song “Ang Galing DITO” not only thrilled the audience but also inspired them with its powerful message of celebrating local talents and diversity. 

    Evelyn Jimenez, DITO chief revenue officer for consumer business highlighted, “Our campaign GalingDITO which perfectly aligns with Palarong Pambansa celebrates undiscovered talents, champions diversity, and empowers more Filipinos to showcase their galing in a diverse mix of passions, giving local artists a powerful platform to showcase their talents.” Jimenez also noted, “Palarong Pambansa 2024 is anticipated to be a true celebration of the galing ng Pilipino. This event is not just about competition; it is about coming together as a nation to honor and elevate the collective achievements and diverse talents of the Filipino people.” 

    Making DITO’s products more accessible to Cebuanos and delegates, DITO also set up activation booths in the Cebu City Sports Center, billeting quarters, and sporting venues where they had the chance to explore and learn more about  DITO’s value-for-money mobile and home products such as mobile prepaid’s Level-Up Socials, mobile postpaid’s most affordable FLEXPlan 388 SIM-Only, and DITO Home’s Unli 5G and Prepaid Home WiFi. The booths also provided exciting freebies to new subscribers.

    The Palarong Pambansa ended with a closing ceremony on July 16, recognizing the winners in various sports and acknowledging the participation and dedication of all young athletes in showcasing their true galing in their respective fields. 

    Palarong Pambansa
    Asia Paraase from Region 7 and the first gold medalist of Palarong Pambansa 2024 is one of the Most Inspiring Story awardees. 

    Through DITO’s innovative offerings and steadfast support to Palarong Pambansa, the young telco has empowered young athletes to reach new heights, reflecting the company’s dedication to nurturing Filipino talents nationwide.

    For more information and updates, check out @DITOphofficial on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok, or visit https://dito.ph/.  

    Mapua University secures Technical Innovation Award at Shell Eco-marathon

    Seven Filipino student teams showcased their Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) skills at the Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024 held recently at the Mandalika International Circuit, Lombok, Indonesia. Among the standout teams were Team Siklab from Jose Rizal University (JRU), Cardinal One from Mapua University, Eco Archers from De La Salle University (DLSU), UMindanao Wildcats from the University of Mindanao (UM), and Team Kalasag from Adamson University, all of which successfully passed the rigorous Technical Inspection and ran their vehicles on the track.

    Shell Eco-marathon
    The Cardinals from Mapua University accept their USD3,000 prize for the Technical Innovation Award at the Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024, celebrating their innovative approach to energy-efficient vehicle design.

    One of the highlights of the competition was Mapua University’s exceptional performance, earning them the prestigious Technical Innovation Award. This accolade recognizes the team’s ability to integrate advanced technologies into their vehicle design, illustrating their high level of technical proficiency and creative ingenuity.

    Despite not advancing to the final stages, XU Mekan-Eco from Xavier University and Hygears from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines were able to demonstrate their STEM skills. These teams embraced the invaluable opportunity to compete on the global stage, highlighting the importance of the learning process and embodying the spirit of collaboration and perseverance in STEM fields.

    The Prototype category saw remarkable achievements from various teams. Students participating in this category focused on designing ultra-efficient, lightweight vehicles, typically with three wheels, to optimize the efficiency of innovative energy sources. The energy sources included battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or internal combustion engine (gasoline, ethanol, and/or diesel).

    In addition to on-track performance, off-track awards recognized teams for their skills and achievements outside of their track performance. Categories included safety, carbon footprint reduction, and the Spirit of Shell Eco-marathon award, which celebrates students who use their skills to contribute to the greater good of others.

    Shell Eco-marathon
    The Cardinals from Mapua University proudly pose with their energy-efficient vehicle at the Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024, showcasing their STEM excellence and commitment to addressing future energy challenges and promoting smarter, more sustainable mobility.

    Norman Koch, global general manager of Shell Eco-marathon, commended the participants, stating, “It is truly impressive to see the high standards of performance and innovative ideas generated by these young thinkers, the changemakers of tomorrow. Despite facing various challenges throughout the competition, they remained resilient and achieved remarkable results in designing energy-efficient vehicles.”

    The Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2024 was a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of students from across the region, pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible in the realm of energy efficiency. The event will be hosted in Doha, Qatar, next year.

    To learn more about the Shell Eco-marathon and the incredible innovations from this year’s competition, visit https://www.shellecomarathon.com

    How a virtual mailing address can help you maintain privacy and security

    In today’s digital age, maintaining privacy and security can be challenging, especially when it comes to managing your personal or business mail. A virtual mailing address offers a practical solution to these concerns. Here’s how using one can enhance your privacy and security.

    Protect Your Identity

    Identity theft is a serious concern. A virtual mailing address can help protect your identity by ensuring that your home address remains confidential. To protect your identity, virtual mailboxes can keep your address confidential and prevent it from being exposed to potential threats. By redirecting mail through a virtual address, you limit the amount of personal information that could be intercepted or misused.

    Shield Your Address

    Using a virtual mailing address effectively shields your address from public exposure. Instead of listing your home address on business forms, websites, or promotional materials, you can use a virtual address, which keeps your real location private. This helps you avoid unwanted attention and reduces the risk of your address being accessible to anyone who might misuse it.

    Reduce Public Exposure

    When you use a virtual mailing address, your home address doesn’t appear on public records, websites, or business directories. This helps prevent your address from being easily accessible to anyone who might use it for spam, junk mail, or malicious purposes. Keeping your home address private is a crucial step in protecting your personal space and information.

    Avoid Unwanted Solicitations

    Using a virtual mailing address can significantly cut down on unsolicited marketing materials and spam. Since your home address is not shared, marketers and companies won’t have access to it, reducing the volume of junk mail you receive. This not only declutters your mailbox but also protects your privacy from aggressive marketing tactics.

    Prevent Identity Theft

    Identity theft often begins with obtaining personal information such as home addresses. By redirecting your mail through a virtual address, you limit the exposure of your home address and thus reduce the chances of identity theft. This added layer of security can help safeguard your personal and financial details from being compromised.

    Keep Personal and Professional Mail Separate

    For business owners and freelancers, a virtual mailing address helps maintain a clear distinction between personal and professional correspondence. This separation prevents the mixing of sensitive business information with personal mail, reducing the risk of accidental exposure or mishandling. It also streamlines mail management, making it easier to organize and prioritize your communications effectively.

    Secure Your Business Correspondence

    A virtual mailing address is crucial for securing your business correspondence. It keeps your business mail separate from your mail, ensuring sensitive documents are handled with care. This separation not only helps in managing correspondence more efficiently but also reduces the risk of important business information being lost or misdirected. By using a virtual address, you can maintain a clear boundary between personal and business matters, providing added security and ensuring that critical communications reach you safely and promptly.

    Prevent Mail Theft

    Mail theft is a growing concern, particularly in neighborhoods with heavy foot traffic or high crime rates. Using a virtual mailing address significantly reduces this risk. With a virtual address, your mail is sent to a secure facility where it’s processed and safeguarded until you retrieve it. This setup not only prevents your mail from being stolen but also ensures that sensitive information is kept out of reach from potential thieves. By handling your correspondence through a virtual address, you minimize the risk of your personal or business mail being intercepted or tampered with.

    Maintain Professionalism

    A virtual mailing address helps you maintain a polished and professional image, crucial for freelancers and small business owners. Instead of using your home address, which can appear informal and potentially unprofessional, a virtual address offers a prestigious business location. This not only enhances your credibility but also ensures that all client communications and business documents are associated with a reputable address.

    Establishes Trust with Clients

    A virtual mailing address located in a respected business district can create a sense of reliability and trustworthiness. Clients are more likely to feel confident working with you if you present a professional business address rather than a home address. This impression can be crucial in securing contracts and building long-term relationships.

    Enhances Your Brand Image

    Using a well-known business address for your correspondence helps in branding efforts. It adds an element of prestige and professionalism to your business that can positively impact how clients and partners perceive your brand. This can be especially beneficial if you are a new business trying to establish yourself in the market.

    Facilitates Separation of Personal and Professional Life

    By using a virtual mailing address for business, you keep personal and professional mail separate. This separation not only helps in maintaining a clear work-life balance but also reduces the risk of important business correspondence being overlooked or lost among personal mail. It ensures that all business communications are handled with the seriousness they deserve.

    Ensure Privacy for Remote Workers

    For remote workers, a virtual mailing address is a crucial tool for ensuring privacy and efficiency. It provides a centralized, secure location for receiving and managing mail, no matter where you are working from. This means you can keep your home address confidential while accessing and handling your correspondence online or through mail forwarding services. Whether you’re traveling frequently or working from a variety of locations, a virtual mailing address helps maintain your privacy and ensures that you don’t miss important documents or communications.

    Simplify Mail Management

    A virtual mailing address simplifies mail management by offering features like mail scanning, forwarding, and online access. With these services, you can view, organize, and manage your mail from anywhere, without needing to physically handle each piece. Mail is scanned and uploaded to a secure online portal, allowing you to read and respond to important documents promptly. Additionally, you can forward specific pieces of mail to your actual address or another location as needed, streamlining your mail-handling process and reducing the risk of misplaced or lost items.

    Comply with Legal Requirements

    Certain legal and regulatory requirements may necessitate the use of a physical address for business registration or correspondence. A virtual mailing address offers a practical solution to meet these obligations while keeping your address private. By using a virtual address, you ensure that you fulfill legal requirements for official documentation and business operations without exposing your home address.

    virtual mailing address

    A virtual mailing address is a valuable tool for maintaining privacy and security in a digital world. It protects your personal and business information, prevents mail theft, and adds a layer of professionalism to your communications. By opting for a virtual mailing address, you can keep your details confidential while managing your mail effectively and securely.

    Sun Life’s ‘Play for Life: A Game of Choices’ — game review

    How many times have you heard the saying “sometimes, life happens”? Everything’s going smoothly, and suddenly, you face challenges that turn your plans upside down. Vehicle breakdown, business emergencies, necessary home repairs, or a sudden health scare—when these “life happens” scenarios occur, you inevitably have to take a financial hit, take a step back, and take a few moments to reassess how to move forward.

    Being prepared is one of the best things you can do now to help avoid being overwhelmed by such unfortunate events in the future.

    But don’t go putting yourself in trouble just to gain practical experience! Just recently, Sun Life launched a new game called “Play for Life: A Game of Choices,” which allows you to test drive your financial journey and enhance your financial literacy in a fun, engaging, and risk-free manner.

    A new and relevant take on a familiar gameplay loop

    Play for Life

    Play for Life is a free single-player game designed to emulate financial decisions you encounter and resolve to live a brighter life. The goal of this game is to achieve the financial goals you set for yourself through strategic decision making, all while navigating the various ups and downs that life throws at you.

    You start the game by selecting your personal life goals and character. The currently available life goals include saving up for a vacation fund, business capital, automobile, retirement fund, education, or property—all of which are goals that everyone dreams of having. Each goal has a corresponding savings target along with a limited number of turns to get it done. As for the characters, you have the Specialist, Mechanic, BPO Employee, Gamer, Teacher, Medical Staff, Manager, and Executive. Each has its own corresponding income and expenses.

    Throughout the game, you are rolling the dice to move your pieces across a game board peppered with real-life scenarios. These include “Life Wins” that present opportunities to advance closer to winning; “Life Happens” that forces you to dig into your savings; and “Life Choices” that require you to weigh the potential benefits and consequences of an investment. There are also various other spaces which lead to either extra income or unforeseen expenses; and even random world events such as acts of mother nature and economic changes which further require you to carefully manage the flow of your money. There’s also a mental wellness meter which, when empty, leads to impulse spending just like in real life.

    Every decision you make echoes the complexity of actual financial planning. Do you hold off on investments to first build your savings in case of a string of bad luck? Do you purchase health insurance and take longer to reach your life goal to safeguard yourself against sudden medical emergencies? Do you invest in a hobby to keep your mental wellbeing up? In Play for Life, each event matters just like in real life. In fact, during one playthrough, I faced a health scare, utilities due for payment, property tax due, and because of these, I started running out of mental wellness stars which then led to impulse shopping. As a result, getting to the goal became a much longer affair. While I have not faced the exact situations in the exact same order, I had real-life moments where it was particularly tight between savings-extinguishing events and arrival of income. If I had my insurances and investments in place—both in-game and in real-life—the financial hit and anxiety would not have been as concerning.

    These elements come together to create a familiar experience. Think of the board game “Monopoly,” but one that is less about underhandedly getting the better of others. Rather, Play for Life allows you to have an introspective journey with the life challenges that may come your way a few months or years down the line.

    Victory is ultimately achieved when you have gained enough play money to reach your life goal. Whether you’re aiming to build a thriving business, buy a home, or go on a much-needed getaway, Play for Life offers a fun way to sharpen your financial acumen. With its gameplay combined with the simple controls and cute graphics, Play for Life is an entertaining financial learning experience for people of all ages.

    Play at home, on-the-go, and at a mall closest to you

    Sun Life’s Play for Life: A Game of Choices is available to play via https://playforlife.sunlife.com.ph/. If you want to try the tabletop board game version instead, just talk to a Sun Life financial advisor to learn how. Lastly, you can play the life-size version of Play for Life in select malls around the Philippines, including SM Lanang in Davao from August 24 to 25, 2024, and SM Iloilo from September 28 to 29, 2024.

    Learn how to make brighter choices with Play for Life!

    Play for Life

    What are you waiting for? Experience the thrill of mastering life’s financial decisions—minus the real-world consequences—with Play for Life: A Game of Choices and be better prepared to achieve your dreams! Join the countless players who have already discovered the excitement that Play for Life offers by going to https://playforlife.sunlife.com.ph/.

    Start playing today and embark on an adventure where every decision shapes your path to a brighter life!

    Unforgettable moments from vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge captured by V30 Pro

    The highly anticipated vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge made a spectacular comeback on July 21, 2024, kicking off its first leg at the SM City Fairview.

    The energy was extraordinary as mall goers, basketball enthusiasts, and supporters gathered to witness the thrilling matches that unfolded throughout the day.

    The event began with opening remarks from Glenn Chiu, the representative of vivo, who warmly welcomed everyone and expressed gratitude for their presence. Chiu announced that players can win the latest vivo smartphones and a cash prize of up to PHP30,000.

    The vivo V30 Pro with ZEISS Triple Main Camera, 12GB RAM, and 512GB storage was the perfect phone to capture the unforgettable moments of the event.

    Exciting games of 16 teams from the Men’s and Women’s Divisions

    The vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge featured fierce competition among 16 teams, evenly split between the men’s and women’s divisions. Each division was further divided into two pools, POOL A and POOL B, where teams competed in a single round-robin elimination round.

    The first four teams from the Women’s Division made their passion and determination evident during the opening, making the first games exhilarating to watch.

    The next four teams from the Men’s Division also showed their excitement with competitive games that attracted even more audiences from the crowd.

    As the competition heated up and followed by the next electrifying games, the audience was treated to a display of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship from all the participating teams.

    The team with the most wins in each pool advanced to the next round, with the ultimate goal of moving on to the Grand Finals that will happen in August.

    Exciting performances and raffles for the mall goers and game watchers

    The NU (National University) Dance Company added to the excitement by delivering two sensational dance performances that hyped the crowd and kept the energy levels high throughout the event.

    The dancers’ dynamic moves and vibrant energy captivated the audience, setting the perfect tone for the day as they left a lasting impression on everyone who watched them.

    Game watchers were encouraged by vivo to register at the front booth. Chosen winners from the raffle took home vivo tumblers, earbuds, and speakers.

    The raffle added a fun and interactive element to the event, ensuring that everyone, not just the basketball fans, had a memorable experience.

    Did you miss the first leg of the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge? Watch the replay of the live stream here: https://fb.watch/ttsYrmt3dy/

    Here are the following dates to take note of for the next stops:

    • July 28, 2024, Sunday – SM Dasmariñas, Cavite
    • August 11, 2024, Sunday – Ayala Malls Feliz, Pasig City

    The Grand Finals of the vivo 3×3 Basketball Challenge will take place at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia Arena on August 16 and 17, so make sure to follow vivo on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to be updated with their announcements and updates. Want to cherish your moments using the vivo V30 Pro? Get it now for only PHP34,999 via vivo concept stores and kiosks nationwide, or visit vivo website, Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok for online purchases.

    Micro-credentials: Bite-sized learning for a big world

    The daily grind can have an unexpected downside. It limits the opportunities to explore new skills and career paths. But what if you crave something different, such as pursuing hobbies or interests outside your field of expertise? Micro-credentials can bridge this gap. Designed for flexibility and accessibility, micro-credentials allow anyone to gain new skills without committing to a full degree program. They address the ever-changing job market by offering targeted training in specific areas. In simpler terms, they’re knowledge boosters that let anyone learn new things efficiently.

    The benefits of micro-credentials are multi-fold. They help the learners to acquire new skills, improve their resumes, and even transition to new careers. Plus, they play a significant role in the gig economy by equipping them with the specialized skills needed for freelance and contractual jobs. As the gig economy expands, the ability to quickly gain and demonstrate expertise becomes increasingly important. For instance, online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Grow with Google, and LinkedIn Learning offer micro-credential programs in areas such as digital marketing, data analytics, project management, and many more, enabling learners to stay current with industry trends and demands.

    micro-credentials

    Sidharth Oberoi, the vice president for international strategy at Instructure, stated, “Taking a myriad of skill-based certifications helps make individuals more employable, more certifiable, and more productive members of the workforce…” These certifications not only provide concrete evidence of one’s expertise but also demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. By bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to their roles, they can contribute to the overall growth and competitiveness of their organizations.

    A study by the Philippine Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) revealed that around 83% of the 4 million Filipino freelancers in the Philippines leverage free online courses to upskill themselves. This trend is driven by the twin forces of a rapidly changing job market and the accessibility of online learning. Free online courses offer an effective solution that allows freelancers to improve their job prospects and boost their earning potential. Plus, freelancing platforms expose them to a wider range of projects, demanding constant adaptation and skill enhancement. But this doesn’t happen only in the Philippines; freelancers globally are embracing similar strategies to thrive in the dynamic gig economy.

    Also, the pandemic fueled the popularity of micro-credentials globally. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, traditional education and training programs faced significant challenges, resulting in a transition to online learning to continue their education and professional development. This shift highlighted the importance and effectiveness of micro-credentials in providing targeted, flexible, and accessible learning opportunities. It also underscored the need for workers to adapt quickly to new challenges and changing market demands. It allows the freelancers to showcase their expertise in specific areas — a crucial advantage in the gig economy, where diverse and up-to-date skill sets are highly valued. With more companies using digital tools, they are starting to see the value of these micro-credentials as little badges of expertise.

    Micro-credentials are poised to be a game-changer, making learning more flexible and affordable for everyone. As industries shift and new skills are in high demand, micro-credentials will become a key to keeping your career on track. Imagine stacking these certifications to build your unique skillset tailored to land that dream job or stay ahead of the curve. Plus, with colleges and businesses jumping on board, micro-credentials will be seamlessly integrated with traditional education, giving you more control over your learning path. So, whether to master the latest tech or brush up on specific skills, micro-credentials empower learners to personalize their educational pathways and thrive in the ever-changing job market.