Processor: Intel Core i7 6820HK with maximum overclock speed of 4.1 GHz
Memory: 32 GB DDR4 RAM at 2667 MHz
Graphics: 8 GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
Disk space: Up to 3 TB (1TB PCIe boot drive, 1 TB PCIe SSD and 1TB 7200RPM SATA)
Dell recently came out with their new flagship model the Alienware 17, a 17-inch beast with a ton of power inside, at the PAX West gaming festival in Seattle last week. At max specifications, it can house a K-series Intel Core i7 processor overclocking at a maximum of 4.1 GHz, 32 GB of RAM, and a GTX 1080: easily within the requirements of VR. Storage shouldn’t be a problem with up to three terabytes of disk space available. It features Windows Hello using the Tobii eye-tracking platform allowing users to turn on the laptop from sleep mode just by gazing into the Alienware logo.
Processor: Up to an Intel Core i7 7th Generation processor
Memory: up to 32 GB DDR4
Storage: up to 1 TB HDD or up to 256 GB SSD; Optional dual drive HDD plus SSD
Others: Optional fingerprint reader with Windows Hello; hardware protection; storage for encryption keys with hardware TPM 2.0
Dimensions: 18.5 mm thin; 1.59 kg
Colors: Era gray and jingle gold
Price: Starts at PHP 45,000
Dell Vostro 14 3000 Series Quick Specs
Display: 14 inches
Processor: Up to an Intel Core i5 7th Generation processor
Memory: up to 8 GB DDR4
Storage: up to 1 TB HDD or up to 128 GB SSD
I/O: HDMI and VGA
Others: Optional fingerprint reader with Windows Hello; hardware TPM 2.0
Colors: Midnight blue, black, and sparkling white
Price: Starts at PHP 35,000
Dell’s newly launched Vostro 14 5000 and Vostro 14 3000 series laptops were designed for the needs of the country’s small businesses and enterprises. Not only do they strut innards that beckon productivity, they also come with superb build quality, security features, and are backed by the brand’s award-winning support service, ProSupport Plus.
“Small business owners want affordable solutions that help their employees be more productive,” said Christopher Papa, country manager of Dell Philippines. “Our Vostro line continues to deliver and receive tremendous feedback from our small business professionals as the go-to devices to efficiently run and perform critical, everyday tasks. With these new devices, we’re delivering affordability, design, and support to enable the next level of productivity.”
ProSupport Plus combines 24/7 priority access to expert support, accidental damage repair, and proactive, predictive monitoring for automatic issue resolution and prevention. It should prove to be a boon for SMEs with no dedicated IT department.
The Vostro notebooks strut up to an Intel Core i7 7th Generation processor, up to 32 GB of memory, up to 1 TB of platter storage or up to 256 GB of solid state storage, optional dual drive HDD plus SSD, optional hardware TPM 2.0, and optional fingerprint reader with Windows Hello.
The 5000 series starts retailing at PHP 45,000, while the 3000 series sell at a starting price of PHP 35,000. Both will be available by the end of September.
In a survey involving 1,394 Filipino netizens, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab deduced that 50 percent of the respondents were not able to identify the cyberthreats they encountered, making them vulnerable to all kinds of malware and phishing attempts.
The Filipino respondents scored 97 overall, placing them within the risk group based on Kaspersky Lab’s experience in dealing with cyberthreats. A score of 137 and above meant users are the safest; 113 to 137 meant they are generally secure but may make online mistakes; and 75 to 113 are those averagely at risk. Respondents who scored below 75 are those who are most vulnerable.
The survey revealed that 49.4 percent of Filipinos do not delete applications that they don’t use, well above the global average of 37 percent. Anthony Chua, territory channel manager for the Philippines and Singapore at Kaspersky Lab Southeast Asia, explained “Keeping unused applications on their devices is a common mistake for Filipinos. It is a dire error to leave apps with old software stocked on your devices because these applications have outdated programs which may become a widely open door that cybercriminals can exploit easily. These old apps can be used to turn your beloved devices against you.”
Meanwhile, 16 percent of respondents are more likely to open phishing and ransomware emails from arresting sources such as the tax office. These often have accompanying attachments with names such as “information about your unpaid fines” that infects the system with malware when opened.
Additionally, only 11 percent of those surveyed can identify a safe web page. Kaspersky Lab also pitted four Facebook page screenshots—three of which are from known phishing sites—and found out that 72 percent of Filipinos cannot identify the genuine one.
“Filipinos are known as one of the most active social media users. There are currently over 47 million active Facebook accounts from the Philippines and cybercriminals are very aware of this. While Facebook has its own perks, simple attacks like phishing happen as it essentially plays on an Internet user’s carelessness. If Filipinos continue to be unmindful when using social media platforms, then it shouldn’t be surprising if more cases of scams and identity theft arise,” warned Chua.
How then can you protect yourself from falling victim to cyberthreats? Kaspersky Lab recommends the following:
Check the link for spelling issues. If any are present and you know that it’s a reputable sire (for example, “reddit” turned to “raddit”), then the link you have is likely fraudulent.
Https prefixes before the site URL means it’s secure and you can safely enter your credentials.
Be cautious when receiving messages from your friends as they may be hacked.
The same rule applies to emails from institutions such as banks, tax agencies, online shops, travel agencies, airlines, your own office, and the like. It’s not difficult to create a genuine-looking message.
Check hyperlinks before clicking on them as they may take you to a different website than what is advertised.
Immediately report any phishing campaigns that you see so the security holes can quickly be patched.
When connecting to public Wi-Fi, keep in mind to stray away from services such as online banking as it’s easy to phish information from them. Fraudsters can also easily create public Wi-Fi access and steal your data.
Install reliable security software and follow its recommendations
The Suzuki Raiders Club (SRC) in partnership with Suzuki Philippines launched the first ever SRC National Convention held Saturday September 3 in General Santos City.
More than 300 delegates of different SRC chapters from different parts of Visayas and Mindanao rode their Suzuki Raider R150s to the city in celebration of a decade of the club’s existence and the underbone motorcycle that united them.
The celebration started at the General Santos City Airport, with SRC riders greeting Suzuki Philippines president Hiroshi Suzuki upon his arrival and then escorted by the riders in a motorcade to Robinsons Place in the city proper.
After the opening speeches from Hiroshi Suzuki and the club’s chairman, Suzuki’s safety riding specialist Sherwin Florendo gave a lesson on motorcycle safety, encouraging the riders to wear helmets and proper attire, and to follow traffic rules.
The day-long celebration proceeded to the Barangay Lagao Auditorium where a sports festival was initiated to instill a sense of fellowship among members of the SRC. The festival featured games and prizes from Suzuki as well as basketball games between different chapters.
Throughout the event at Barangay Lagao, Suzuki offered on-site servicing for Raider R150s through the Work on Wheels mobile service.
As day turned into night, different riders showed off their customization skills with a bike show that awarded the three best looking modified Raider R150s.
The event was capped off with the much awaited raffling off of a brand new Raider R150.
Hiroshi Suzuki, president of Suzuki Philippines is welcomed to General Santos City by the SRC
A motorcade of Raiders escorted the Suzuki Philippines president to Robinsons Place
Hiroshi Suzuki takes pictures with SRC delegates
Suzuki motorcycle safety specialist Sherwin Florendo gives the delegates a lesson on traffic rules and riding safety
Club members participated in games and were given prizes in the SRC National Convention sportsfest
Suzuki also offered servicing for Raider R150s through the Work on Wheels service mobile
Market leader Petron Corporation today launched its partnership with the world’s leading ridesharing application, Uber, to give thousands of Uber Partner-Drivers in Metro Manila special bonus points, discounts and other privileges when using the Uber x Petron Value Card (PVC) at participating Petron service stations.
An exclusive privilege for Uber Partner-Drivers, special bonus points can be earned on top of the regular 1-peso point for every PHP 250-worth of fuel purchase when using the Uber x PVC. The special bonus points are 25-peso points and 50-peso points when they load up with PHP 500 to below PHP 1,000, and PHP 1,000 to PHP 2,000 worth of Petron Blaze 100, Petron XCS, and Petron Xtra Advance, respectively. For Petron Turbo Diesel and Petron Diesel Max, the special bonus points are 10-peso points for purchases worth PHP 500 to below PHP 1,000, and 20-peso points for purchases between PHP 1,000 to PHP 2,000.
The special bonus points can be availed of only by Uber Partner-Drivers and can give them savings of about 5% when they avail of the rebate/cash back benefit.
On top of these exciting rewards, Uber x PVC holders can also avail of free 24/7 towing assistance, personal accident insurance coverage, and other privileges and benefits such as discounts at partner establishments.
“Our partnership shows the strength of two innovators. Petron has always been the Philippines’ leader in fuels and product innovations, while Uber as we all know changed and more importantly improved the transport service in the country,” Petron VP for national sales division Archie B. Gupalor said.
“At Uber, we work non-stop to ensure that we provide our Partner-Drivers with offerings to help them earn more. That’s why we are excited to work with Petron on providing our Partner-Drivers with special perks and discounts through the Uber x Petron Value Card,” Laurence Cua, Uber Philippines general manager said.
“Thousands of Uber Partner-Drivers are plying the roads of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu as more and more Filipino drivers are finding flexible earnings opportunities through Uber. Petron is the perfect partner for Uber Partner-Drivers since we have the widest retail network in the industry,” Gupalor added.
As of launch date, Uber had already released 5,000 Uber x Petron Value Cards to its Partner-Drivers. For those interested to avail, Uber will send an email communication to all active partners to invite them to sign-up for an exclusive Uber x Petron Value Card. Petron and Uber will also launch the same program for Uber Partner-Drivers in Cebu later this year.
Launched in 2011, PVC is a one-of-a-kind rewards program that allows its users to save on cash by paying through reward points. Apart from earned points, PVC also gives its cardholders discounts on products such as Gasul and reward points on Petron lubricants. PVC cardholders now total four million.
Being in a tropical country, humidity is more often than not at an all-time high. This condition is the perfect setup for germs to breed, causing outbreaks of flu and other diseases. Thankfully, we have our best line of defense in the UV Care Sterilizers.
What is UV Care?
Locally distributed in the country by Intech Innovations Group Inc., UV Care offers germicidal solutions in various shapes and sizes. These products utilize UV-C through fluorescent lamps. All products are guaranteed to use UV-C light without harmful ozone (O3) gas and can be used at the owner’s disposal. UV-C is tested and proven to kill 99.9-percent of bacteria and viruses (including Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Meningitis, Measles, Pneumonia, H1N1, E. Coli, MRSA and HIV) as well as mold, dust mites, fleas, bed bugs and their eggs. Built in UV Care products, every surface exposed to the short-wave UV-C (100 to 280 nm) are purged of harmful microbes. The exposure to UV-C breaks down the DNA of these microbes, so that reproduction becomes impossible and eventually entirely killing them.
UV Care products have undergone third party laboratory tests to ensure its quality and effectiveness. They are tested and certified by Intertek Philippines and the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center Manila to be safe and effective.
Products and services
UV Care offers various germ-busting UV-C products for personal, home, school, business, travel, and other uses. The flagship product of UV Care is the heavy-duty Room Sterilizer. This machinery rids rooms of pathogens in the air and surfaces including hard-to-reach crevices and ceilings through UV-C exposure. UV Care technicians will train new users on how to operate the sterilizers to ensure optimal safety.
UV Care also offers much affordable options such as the following:
Portable Germ Zapper – a miniature version of the room sterilizer that can sterilize an effective range of 15 sqm.
Portable sterilizers (Pocket Sterilizers to Ultra and Deluxe Germ Terminator) – travel-friendly germ-killers.
Multi-Purpose Sterilizer – perfect for household sterilizing needs. Can be used on baby bottles, bottle nipples, breast pumps, pacifiers, toys and other children’s items. It is also capable of disinfecting other household items like utensils, cutlery, plates and even electronic devices like mobile phones and remote controls.
Family Toothbrush Sterilizers and Personal Travel Toothbrush Sterilizer – rids your mouth cleaners of germs.
Look out for the full feature of UV Care in Gadgets Magazine’s October issue. To learn more about UV Care products, visit uvcare.net and like UV Care on Facebook. To purchase a product or for inquiries on how to be distributor or retailer, you may contact +63 977 822-8556 or +(632) 904-0366, email [email protected], or visit the UV Care booth at the Powerplant Mall, Rockwell.
A recent Kaspesky Lab research shows that employees are 26-percent more productive without their smartphones.
The Universities of Würzburg and Nottingham Trent, commissioned by Kaspersky Lab conduction a psychological experiment which revealed a correlation between productivity levels and the distance between participants and their smartphone. When their smartphone was taken away, participant performance improved by 26 percent.
The experiment tested the behavior of 95 persons between 19 and 56 years of age in laboratories at the universities of Würzburg and Nottingham-Trent. Care was taken to balance experimental conditions and gender across laboratory sites.
Researchers asked participants to perform a concentration test under four different circumstances: with their smartphone in their pocket, at their desk, locked in a drawer, and removed from the room completely.
The test results were lowest when the smartphone was on the desk, but with every additional layer of distance between participants and their smartphones, test performance increased. Overall, test results were 26% higher when phones were removed from the room.
Contrary to expectations, the absence of the smartphone didn’t make participants nervous. Anxiety levels were consistent across all experiments. However, in general, women were more anxious than their male counterparts, leading researchers to conclude that anxiety levels at work are not affected by smartphones (or the absence of smartphones), but can be impacted by gender.
The results of the experiment correlate with the findings of an earlier survey – named “Digital Amnesia at Work.” In this survey, Kaspersky Lab demonstrated that digital devices can have a negative impact on concentration levels. It showed, for example, that typing notes into digital devices during meetings lowers the level of understanding of what is actually happening in the meeting.
While banning digital devices from the workplace is not really an option, these findings – combined with those of “Digital Amnesia at Work” – give businesses an insight on how to improve their productivity.
“Instead of expecting permanent access to their smartphones, employee productivity might be boosted if they have dedicated ‘smartphone-free’ time. One way of doing this is to enforce ‘meeting rules’ – such as no phones, and no computers – in the normal work environment,” said Sylvia Ng, general manager at Kaspersky Lab Southeast Asia.
“Businesses should also be aware that in today’s connected business landscape, lower concentration levels can be a security issue. Advanced targeted attacks, for example, can only be discovered if employees are alert and on the look-out for unexpected and unusual email content. It is therefore vital that businesses develop security processes, including training sessions, to increase employee alertness, whether employees are using their smartphones at work, or not,” Ng added.
Kaspersky Lab has been researching the social effects of digitalization, and how digitalization makes people more vulnerable to cybercrime, for the last two years. An overview of the findings is available at amnesia.kaspersky.com.
PLDT wireless unitSmart Communications has invested PHP 400-million in cell broadcast service (CBS) technology that will strengthen the nationwide alert system of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) during emergencies and calamities.
CBS technology enables the delivery of messages on a broadcast so that one message can be sent to a large number of devices quickly and broadcast to all cell-broadcast enabled handsets within a designated target area. It enables location-specific emergency alerts without the need to register or track devices. It also has the capability to deliver messages and alerts from NDRRMC or PHIVOLCS to visitors coming from abroad who’s in the perimeter of the selected broadcast area where an emergency is imminent.
“This is a major investment for Smart as we support the government in its call to further improve emergency communications systems amid the rising threat of disasters. In times of emergencies and disasters, delivering quick and timely alerts to high-risk communities can help save lives. This technology will allow us to rapidly send out alert messages without using up network resources,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of public affairs at PLDT and Smart.
“Unlike SMS or text services, CBS has its own dedicated broadcast channel, ensuring sustained broadcast alerts even when the network receives heavy traffic from all the calls and messages made during disasters which makes it a viable platform solution for a mobile-based alert system,” Isberto concluded.
Smart’s CBS technology will be tested initially in September in the Metro Manila area and will be fully operational nationwide by December this year. The first area to benefit from this is the densely populated Metro Manila followed by major identified areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Republic Act 10639 or the “The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act” mandatesall telecommunication services providers to send free mobile alerts in the event of natural and man-made disasters and calamities. Working with the government and other partners, Smart has helped build capacities of high-risk communities to prepare for, manage the impact, and bounce back from disasters using technologies appropriate to the community. It has embraced disaster preparedness not only within its ranks but also in engaging various partners as part of its #SafePH campaign.
Lenovo, over the years, has put out solid smartphones one after the other, securing them a spot on the smartphone leaderboard. The company takes pride in its mid- and budget-phones, which are superior than many competing smartphones within its class. This month, we take a look at Lenovo’s wallet friendly yet impressive smartphone, the Vibe K5 Plus.
Design (4/5)
The Vibe K5 Plus is a 5-inch smartphone that may not have bells and whistles that’ll make you go wow, but does look great. It flaunts a nifty form-factor that feels light in the hand and is just right for single-handed use thanks to its reasonable size. The back panel of the K5 Plus is a metal slat surrounded by plastic that is coated with gold paint. If you need to access its removable battery, micro-SIM and –SD card slots, the rear cover comes off easily. Note that it’s a bit flimsy, so you would have to handle it with a bit of care. The back of the device also houses the main camera along with the LED flash on its upper part and Dolby-Atmos equipped twin speakers on its bottom part. A volume rocker and power/lock button are positioned on one side, meanwhile atop are its audio jack and micro-USB port.
On the front of the K5 Plus is a stunning Full-HD IPS display. For a device tagged as budget-friendly, the resolution and performance its display offers is beyond impressive: color reproduction is quite commendable, images are sharp, and viewing angles are good. All these elements make for a device not just for communication but also for satisfying entertainment needs.
Hardware (3.5/5)
At the K5 Plus’ heart is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor with 8 cores that is paired with 2GB of RAM. These two work together to handle the device’s functions, and get the job done without much difficulties. You shouldn’t expect this phone to carry on heavy tasks on top of several running in the background, though. It should be capable of chugging along not so graphic intensive games, internet surfing, and video streaming just fine.
Among the underscored features of this device is its Dolby Sound-infused speakers, which promises enhanced audio able of blowing the competition out of the water. In use, audio output does sound great and is clear and crisp, just like you’d expect it. The battery is a 2750 mAh Li-Ion pack that powers through the day with moderate use.
User Experience (3.5/5)
For me, first impression sets the tone for the rest of the review. I wasn’t expecting much from the phone initially, but it’s true what they say, never judge a phone by its appearance. The K5 Plus did a 180-degree turn from meh to nice in just a day.
The device sports the usual Vibe UI but there’s an option to switch to Vanilla Android, which I did since I’m a minimalist. I used the review unit as a secondary phone and it handled the tasks I threw at it without a hitch. It ships with Lenovo-native apps which unfortunately can’t be uninstalled. There are also pre-installed apps such as Skype, Twitter, and WeChat among others which you can choose to remove to free up space.
The 13 MP rear camera renders fine-detailed images in well-lit conditions, low-light shots are also quite decent and can be improved with editing. Also, brownie points to Lenovo for the camera’s quick focus on subjects. On the other hand, the front camera is quite lacking for what it promises. Shots are grainy and zoomed in, but that isn’t much of a problem if you’re not into taking selfies.
Lenovo has been focused in pushing virtual reality in their devices of late. With this, the K5 Plus comes bundled with Lenovo’s own VR headset and TheatherMax Bluetooth controller for immersive content viewing.
Value (4/5)
The Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus isn’t astounding but it delivers on its promises rather remarkably. This budget friendly smartphone, available for only PHP 8,999, flaunts a very nice HD display, good main camera, and premium build that hits the right spot.
Specifications:
Display: 5-inch IPS capacitive, 1080 x 1920 resolution
Dimensions: 142 x 71 x 8 mm
Weight: 142 g
Operating System: Android 5.1 Lollipop
Processor: octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616
Memory: 16 GB, expandable up to 32 GB
RAM: 2 GB
Cameras: 13 MP rear, 5 MP front
Connectivity: Dual-SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, microUSB, USB OTG compatible
The 6th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) to be held from 14 to 18 September 2016, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, promises to be a one-of-a-kind motoring experience, with a showcase of the latest automotive technologies as well as exciting activities for motoring enthusiasts of all ages.
Here’s a run-down of what’s in store at the 6th PIMS:
CAMPI Brand Heritage Display
Seventeen of the country’s top automotive manufacturers and distributors will showcase their latest vehicles and automotive technologies in the brand heritage display. Participating brands include: (1) BAIC, (2) BMW, (3) Daewoo Bus, (4) Foton, (5) Honda, (6) Isuzu, (7) Jeep, (8) KIA, (9) Lexus, (10) Mazda, (11) Mercedes-Benz, (12) Mitsubishi Motors, (13) Nissan, (14) Peugeot, (15) Suzuki, (16) Toyota, and (17) Volkswagen.
Latest Automotive Technologies
A number of new models and the latest technology will be exhibited at the 6th PIMS. Here’s a preview:
The BAIC M20 combines outstanding value and versatility; a multi-tasking vehicle for your personal and professional needs.
The all-new BMW 7 SERIES, dubbed as the most innovative vehicle in its segment, combines ground-breaking features in design, functionality, EfficientDynamics, and comfort that define contemporary automotive luxury.
The DAEWOO BUS BS120SN EURO5, proudly made in the Philippines.
The brand’s first SUV, the FOTON TOPLANDER 4×4.
The MCLAREN-HONDA MP4-30 will highlight the racing heritage in Honda’s Corporate DNA and its vaunted engine technology that excels in performance and fuel efficiency.
The 2017 ISUZU D-MAX – Tough Enough for Anything.
The JEEP RENEGADE takes on the world of the small SUV in the Philippines in a big, new way with authentic design, earning it the right to wear the legendary Jeep brand badge.
The unmistakable silhouette of the all-new KIA SOUL 1.6L EX Dual Clutch 7-seater is complemented by a 7-speed DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) that can handle higher torque outputs that also facilitates faster gear changes.
The LEXUS GS F performance sedan is the latest addition to the “F” marquee. It has a track-ready performance that will help you realize handling, stability, and ride comfort in a higher dimension.
The MAZDA CX-3 breaks the mold of the subcompact SUV genre to deliver elevated levels of style, class, comfort, safety and performance through emotive and functional design.
W213, Katalog, 2016-03
The new MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS, an extremely elegant automobile armed with the best in driving features and adorned with top-of-the-line accessories for optimum comfort and drive.
The MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV, a new SUV, flaunts an incomparable power and refinement to fully embody the best qualities of a premium SUV.
The legendary NISSAN GT-R supercar delivers exhilarating experiences for anyone, at anytime and anywhere.
The multi-awarded PEUGEOT 308, one of the brand’s best-selling vehicles globally.
Elegant, sporty, sophisticated and efficient, the SUZUKI CIAZ redefines the concept of subcompact sedans and is designed for greatness.
The all-new TOYOTA PRIUS is set to power the future with its new striking design, proving itself to be a hybrid drive that consumers will love with innovations that make a difference and efficiency that remains unrivalled.
The VOLKSWAGEN CC is a four-door comfort coupé with 2.0-liter TDI (Turbo Direct Injection) diesel engine that combines the luxurious styling of an executive sedan with the sleek design of a sports coupé.
After-Sales Pavilion
The After-Sales Pavilion will showcase packages on vehicle upgrades, repair services, and quality genuine parts for different vehicle models, old and new, to allow customers to have the best possible ownership experience.
Test Drives and Off Road Demonstrations
Outside the venue will be a test drive area for participating car manufacturers, making sure that car shoppers get a chance to test different vehicle types and brands in one location.
Car Club Meets
Affiliated organizations of participating car brands will hold club meets to promote camaraderie among car enthusiasts.
Entertaining Activities from PIMS partners
All attendees are welcome to join and have fun in the TopGear Drift Box Challenge, C! Challenge and Kiddie Day Care activities, and Karcher Car Wash activity, which will happen in various locations in and around World Trade Center Metro Manila.
Automotive Seminars and Workshops
Witness CAMPI car brands showcase their service technician skills during demonstration events. Get to know the know-how of auto servicing as these technicians address your vehicle concerns.
Coffee House Sessions
Chill and hang out in the coffee house with music and entertainment as your take a break from visually feasting in the showcase throughout the venue.
The 6th PIMS is co-presented by Total Philippines. Its official auto loan partner is BPI Family Savings Bank. For more information, visit the CAMPI website at www.campiauto.org and CAMPI Facebook www.facebook.com/6thPIMS or contact the CAMPI office at (02) 632-9733.
Seeing your cute babies or little siblings after a long day takes all your exhaustion away. Although playing with them challenges your patience, we’re all guilty to the fact that we love to spoil them. It may be a difficulty where to bring your kids or little siblings outside of your home. No need to worry because we came up with a list of kid-friendly restaurants, where the kids (and also kids at heart) can enjoy.
Slappy Cakes
This restaurant with a one-of-a-kind dining experience in a fun and interactive setting originated from Portland, Oregon, in the United States, and was brought to Manila by the Mother of Spice company; the same name behind Mango Tree Bistro, Genki Sushi, and a few other restos. The name “Slappy Cakes” is derived from “slap” and “cakes,” or the manner of cooking the pancakes, and the kind of dish in question. Customers can go wild and create other shapes, characters or design that strikes their fancy. There are numerous toppings available with which to design and upgrade your pancakes, ranging from fruits, all the way to savory treats like bacon. For kids who want to celebrate their party here, Slappy Cakes offers party packages custom-tailored depending on the celebrant’s preference.
Type of kid: Adventurous, creative, and has a huge appetite
Kid-o-meter: Do-it-yourself pancake making and decorating.
Experience: We visited the SM North EDSA branch. The staff was very accommodating and hospitable, so it’s no surprise families flock here with their kids. The place’s interior is stylish, clean, and inviting to any age group.
Before starting off with the pancake making, we were introduced to the different batters that they offer: buttermilk, chocolate, peanut butter, and red velvet. If you wish to enhance the flavor of your pancakes, they also offer fixins in sweet and savory flavors: chocolate chips, mangoes, bananas, bacon bits, chorizo, and cheddar cheese. They also offer additional toppings in the form of creamy peanut butter, and lemon curd, apple sauce, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, hazelnut spread, and cream cheese frosting.
To get started, you need to use the bottle to draw your preferred pancake shape, then while it is being cooked, put your chosen fixins, and wait for the pancake to form bubbles. Check the sides of the pancake, and once they no longer stick, flip the pancake over. You can now put some toppings and devour your creation. I had fun while creating my pancakes because you can literally create any shape you want.
For their regular menu, we were first offered with the dish called Elvis Sandwich. It’s a beast of a sandwich, with peanut butter, bacon, banana, and honey inside. Though it may sound odd to combine sweet and savory, I must say, it works! I loved every bit of it. The sweetness of peanut butter complements the salty taste of bacon, and who doesn’t love bacon?
Next is their Classic Burger, made with beef, lettuce, tomato, and with a side of fried potato chunks. The beef is tender and fresh, and you can really tell that the patty is made up of pure beef without any extenders. I love anything with cheese, so this is a winner for me. As an appetizer, we were offered the Smoked Salmon and Avocado Toast. The dish offered generous portions of smoked salmon, which I absolutely loved! The sourness of the egg salad goes really well with the salmon, and the avocado puree was surprisingly refreshing.
The main course was the D-I-Y Skillet, which lets you choose your meat, sauce and side. We chose roasted beef belly with mashed potatoes. Of all the dishes that they served us, this was the best, by a mile! The beef belly was so savory, and the meat was also tender and had a great mouthfeel. Carnivores should definitely try this dish. They then served us the Carbonara Roll-up, which is the most requested dish by kids. Upon tasting it, I understood why. The cheesy goodness of this dish, paired with a fried egg and huge bits of bacon is enough to satisfy anyone’s dairy cravings. Although the dish was served with generous amounts of cheese, the dish was not salty at all. It had the perfect balance.
Another kid’s favorite, Chicken Poppers—bits of deep fried chicken, with chili-honey and mushroom cream—was also served. This is the dish that you won’t be able to stop munching on.
For dessert, we tasted Sticky Toffee and Walnut Rolls, and Shake ‘Ur Shakes Chocolate D-I-Y. I have a sweet tooth so I enjoyed these dishes a lot. The ice cream on top of the cinnamon rolls was the perfect touch. Another unique experience that I encountered here was the “Shake ‘Ur Shakes milkshake, wherein the staff will create your milkshake in front of you. This milkshake looks deceiving because although it is full of chocolate, it had the right amount of sweetness.
Writer’s tip: Prepare your imagination as you go wild and creative in creating your own masterpiece that you can eat!
Price: PHP 300 and above for pancake making, Php 200 to Php 450 for ala carte items
To further push the country’s independent film scene into the limelight, Globe, via the Globe Studios film production arm, yesterday launched the Globe Independent Film Festival (GIFF). It seeks to cultivate and promote the country’s aspiring filmmakers by providing them an online platform through which they can showcase their works to a broader audience.
GIFF is open to all amateur filmmakers with various categories to be followed: narrative, documentary, animated, experimental, music video, and webisode. Film submissions will be critiqued by a panel of judges composed of film director Antoinette Jadaone, TV personality Bianca Gonzales, film critic Philbert Dy, and commercial director Sid Maderazo. The public will be able to view the shortlisted films through Globe Studios, Globe’s YouTube channel, the Globe Iconic store, and select theaters.
Interested participants can head on over to GlobeStudios.ph to learn more about the mechanics. Winners per category will receive up to PHP 200,000.
Additionally, Globe tapped some of the country’s most notable directors, namely Quark Henares, Paul Soriano, Dan Villegas, Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, and Joyce Bernal to create short films available on Globe’s YouTube channel and the Globe Studios web page in order to kickstart the festival.
“The launch of Globe Studios gave us a whole new way of bringing wonderful entertainment to our customers. With GIFF, our vision for Globe Studios is realized—to be able to advocate local talent and eventually collaborate with them for content. GIFF allows us to fuel creativity among filmmakers and we look forward to the entries and bring these films closer to every Filipino,” said Globe senior advisor for consumer business Dan Horan.
Additionally, GIFF will be having the “Globe 5-Minute Video Challenge.” Held in partnership with the Singtel Group and its telco associates Singtel, Optus, AIS, Airtel, and Telkomsel, the five minute challenge is part of the group’s efforts to drive content innovation across its markets. Themed “connecting lives,” entries will be judged on criteria such as originality, storytelling, and cinematography. The top two video entries from the Philippines will receive PHP 350,000 each and will automatically qualify for the regional competition.
The 5-Minute Video Challenge grand finals will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 21, 2016 with cash prizes of USD 30,000 and USD 15,000 for the grand winner and runner-up, respectively. To know more, visit www.the5minvideo.com.
Thousands of Filipino gamers, cosplayers, and fans flocked to the World Trade Center in Pasay City as Bacchus Energy Drink and game publisher Garena hosted the Rampage League of Legends 2016 tournament last July 23.
Bacchus’ Korean brand ambassadors were on hand to share samples of the drink’s newest carbonated variant, as well as to give away special gaming souvenir items to the Bacchus booth visitors.
“The crowd turnout is much larger than I have expected. We are greatly inspired by this success. Just like in Korea, we have been actively supporting similar events and activities for young people. This is part of the company’s commitment to cater and reach out to our target customers. The carbonated canned Bacchus, for instance, is a new and unique product, a first of its kind, which flavor is exclusively customized to fit the needs of our Filipino consumers,” said Dong-A Korea vice president Lee Dong-hoon.
“The Philippines is a very active country, people are always busy and very diligent. These make them fit for the Bacchus image. Together with Dong-A Philippines., we are committed in coming up with more exciting endeavors and product innovations,” added Lee.
“We see the trend and we see eSports as a main thrust for the brand. The Philippines has become home to a constantly growing community of gamers, with LOL rising as the No. 1 multiplayer online game of today. Currently, talks are underway as we look into the possibility of sponsoring our own Bacchus Team,” said Dong-A Philippines president and CEO Amen Say.
The one-day event saw Manila’s Imperium Pro Team (IPT) taking on Iloilo’s Acclaim EmpireX (AEX) in the best-of-five finals. Team AEX emerged as the grand winner with a 3-1 score, taking home trophies as well as the PHP 150,000 prize pool.
Bacchus Energy Drink is available in all major drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.
Huawei put their flagship P9 dual-lens Leica-co-engineered camera through its paces with a three-leg photography workshop series that went through Cebu, Davao, and Manila. Held in partnership with Leica Club Manila, the workshops focused on the phone’s RGB and monochrome sensors and how people could use them to take professional-quality photos. Headlining the workshops were veteran lens men Billy Mondonedo and Dr. Benjo Campomanes.
“The P9 is a real game changer in the world of smartphone photography. It has been creating ripples globally and we want to ensure that our Filipino consumers experience what the Huawei P9 offers beyond the usual camera phone,” said Mark De Joya, Huawei Philippines marketing director for CBG. “Many may claim that they have the best camera phone, but once you get your hands on the P9, you will see the clear difference. The P9 blurs the line between smartphones and professional cameras.”
“The arrival of the Huawei P9 line in the Philippines signifies a shift in the standard of phone photography. Now, the game has changed and we are confident to stand out from the norm,” added Corinne Bacani, Huawei Philippines senior marketing manager for CBG. “Much like how a Leica photograph stands out from others, P9 users set themselves apart from other smartphone users with the perfect tool for creativity and self-expression.”
The Huawei P9 and P9 Plus retail for PHP 23,990 and PHP 29,990 respectively. The P9 Lite is also available for PHP 12,490; however, it doesn’t have the dual-lens Leica camera. All the above models are also available via Globe and Smart postpaid plans.
Additionally, Metrobank credit card holders can get the P9 for PHP 999 and the P9 Plus for PHP 1,299 per month for 24 months. Every purchase comes bundled with a 13000 mAh power bank, with the P9 plus receiving a bonus Gouache bag. This promo is available at Blulite in SM Mall of Asia and SM Fairview; Villman in SM Megamall; Intogadgets of Market Market and Trinoma; and MemoXpress in SM BF Paranaque and SMDC Light. It runs until October 31, 2016.
Isuzu revealed the all new D-Max pick-up truck at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay September 1 together with the vehicle’s new ambassador.
The pick-up, which comes in 4×4 and 4×2 variants in either manual or automatic transmission now all running on Isuzu’s 4JJ1-TC 4-cylinder 3.0 liter VGS turbo engine that was introduced as options to both the D-Max and the MU-X last year.
The powerful engine is capable of achieving a torque of up to 380 Nm at a low RPM of between 1,800 and 2,200.
The updated pick-up truck features Electronic Stability Control, an Anti-Lock Braking System, and Hill Start Assist which help drivers achieve better control over the vehicle.
Isuzu also gave the look of the car a touch up, changing a few details, and adding 18-inch alloy wheels and projector headlamps with LED daytime running lamps.
Inside, the vehicle has leather seats, automatic climate control, a multi-information display, a push button start/stop system. The entertainment/navigation system was also improved upon and given a screen size boost to seven inches across.
In the event, Isuzu also presented D-Max’s new ambassador, Derek Ramsay.
Present in the event was Derek Ramsay, who was named as the vehicle’s new ambassador
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