Women YouTube content creators break barriers online and beyond

In YouTube’s Breaking Barriers Online and Beyond event, women content creators from several walks of life shared their inspiring stories on rising above challenges and how YouTube has helped them make a difference.

Hosted by Miss Trans Global 2020, actress, writer, and content creator Mela Habijan, the intimate gathering delved into the different stories of YouTube creators Lyqa Maravilla, Candy Pangilinan, Chezka Carandang, Jozelle Tech, as well as Habijan and Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario themselves.

Helping the elderly spot misinformation through the ASEAN Digital Literacy Program supported by Google.org

In an increasingly digital world, information transfers faster than ever. And while this is a good thing, the challenge now comes in sifting through a myriad of information and identifying what is credible.

For 73-year-old  Nerio Salaveria,  learning how to spot misinformation is a powerful skill that helps him and his community make informed decisions.

“I used to have such a hard time understanding what is mis/disinformation. With so much information available on social media, it's hard to decipher what's true and what's not, especially for people my age who are used to just taking information as is. Even the elderly in my community get confused by consuming news on the internet–they believe everything just because it's on social media,” Mr. Salaveria said.

Google, Ben&Ben release Mag-ingat music video to promote internet safety

Google, together with Filipino folk pop band Ben&Ben launches a new song to promote internet safety and digital responsibility. Entitled “Mag-Ingat” (Be Safe Online), the song is part of Google’s commitment to helping Filipinos use the internet safely and responsibly. 

The two-and-a-half minute Filipino song addresses online threats today including scams, misinformation, and catfishing, and the importance of critical thinking and verifying information using trusted sources to protect oneself and others. It also reminds netizens to be wary of bad actors who lurk in the online space, just like in the real world. 

This newest single from the young band ends strongly with a bridge conveying that online safety is a shared responsibility–people are all stewards of the digital world. It’s all in the hands of netizens to use the internet right and care for the online safety of one another. 

Google launches Cebuano on Word Lens and indigenous scripts on Gboard

Google concludes the celebration of Buwan ng Wika
 with the exciting addition of Cebuano on Translate
and four new native scripts on Gboard. Photo shows
(from left) Google Philippines Marketing Head Gabby Roxas,
Baybayin advocate and calligraphist Taipan Lucero,
and Google Philippines Communications
and Public Affairs Lead Mervin Wenke

In line with the concluding celebration of the National Language Month or Buwan ng Wika, Google honors the Filipino language with exciting updates for Translate and Gboard.

Cebuano, one of the country’s major languages, is now available on Word Lens, a feature within Google Translate app that gives an instant camera translation. Word Lens works by simply letting users hold their phone in front of a sign or menu in a foreign language, and then the translation instantly overlays on the screen. The newly expanded 88 source languages including Cebuano can now be instantly translated into more than 100 languages.

This update is helpful for tourists to communicate with the locals better and understand Cebu’s culture more. Users who are already familiar with Cebuano can still use the tool to learn other languages as well.

Levi’s, Google Team Up For Wearable Technology

Levi's is the first official partner of Google for Project Jacquard, which will apply the search engine giant’s technology to the brand's iconic Commuter jacket. This is the jacket everyone will want to wear in 2017, when it will be available in Levi’s stores worldwide.

What makes the jacket so different?  There is a sensor at the wearer’s left cuff, which you can take off and charge with a USB plugin that is linked to the special yarns in the jacket’s fabric. The sensor is touch sensitive, allowing wearers to answer or decline calls, skip songs and adjust the volume on their playlists and even access turn-by-turn directions with simple gestures like swipes and taps.

Going to YouTube Fan Fest Manila?

Here are some reminders to get the most out of the experience!

* Have a good breakfast. Food and drinks (soda, juice, and water) are available in the venue. Alcohol is a big no-no.

* Keep your bags small. Big bags won’t be allowed inside so just bring items you need the most for a hassle-free night. All you need is yourself and an extra sparkle of fun!

* Dress comfortably. Wear clothes that will let you jump, dance, and groove along your favorite YouTube creators! Get ready to stand for long hours too so don your cutest pair of sneakers or flats!

* Arrive early. Queues may get long so make sure to pack some ounce of patience too. You may bring a big handkerchief or a small towel that will fit in a small bag to sit on whenever you get tired.

LAKBAYAN: Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu Tops Hot New Destinations List in 2013, According to Google, CNN

New Filipino-owned Swiss Hotel is Second Most Googled Destination in the Philippines

Filipino-owned Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu is the second most Googled destination in the Philippines, according to Google’s 2013 year-in-review search list. As first reported on CNN, the Zeitgeist is Google’s year-ender report and lists the hottest travel destinations by country.

The annual Google report captures the trends and interests of people all over the world, including new favorites among Filipinos.

Sky Ranch in Tagaytay and Tubbataha Reef in Puerto Princesa were ranked the first and the third respectively. Pico de Loro, Tugawe Cove Resort, Potipot Island, Amana Waterpark, Misibis Bay, Nuvali and Laiya resorts rounded up the ten spots that Filipinos were most interested in learning more about.