As internet speeds improve, consistency is key in achieving #FirstWorldNetwork

Globe’s nationwide tower builds have resulted in a ‘sustained and consistent’ network with better connectivity experience for its customers.

The telco's continuous investments to upgrade its network, coupled with its aggressive site roll outs are adding new capacity and increasing data bandwidth available to customers. With improving internet speeds, Globe is also looking at consistency of network services across all areas where its services are available. 

Dark pop songstress Naomi G upholds feminist virtues on new song “Prey”

Singapore-based artist Naomi G has released her contemplative pop single “Prey” in an attempt to reclaim greater tenure as a woman knowing her worth in a relationship. The track, invocative of Banks’ chilling despair on some notes and The Weeknd’s midnight sentiments on others, resolves itself by criticizing structural behaviors that oppress women and upholding virtues that are necessary to curb patriarchal pressures. 

As Naomi G puts it, “I wanted to empower young people who are faced with unwanted or unhealthy sexual attention that causes them to psycho-socially feel like ‘Prey’. This song is an anthem of power to those who have been gaslighted, dominated, manipulated, harassed and controlled based on their gender and looks. This song is a movement about saying no quickly and firmly, whilst understanding all the microaggressions that be before getting into any kind of deception.”

Datu Puti gets the spotlight in new Guinness World Records™ Title

Datu Puti just kicked off 2021 by making history in setting a new Guinness World Records™ title for the most people dipping food into vinegar online simultaneously.

On January 24, the brand hosted a large-scale online meeting via Zoom, dubbed as the Datu Puti Mukhasim Nation World Record Day, where nearly 200 “Ka-Datus” joined the attempt to set a new Guinness World Records™ title. Hosted by Sam YG, the official title attempt was led by Datu Puti’s celebrity Sukambassadors Tita Krissy Achino, Eric “Eruption” Tai, and Maymay Entrata.

HADSAP and health brands fuel Novaliches frontliners

Several members of the Health and Dietary Supplement Association of the Philippines (HADSAP) turned over boxes of food, beverages, health supplements, personal care items, and monetary support to frontliners in Novaliches District Hospital. The group also donated supplements and assorted used clothing and toys to Caritas Manila in support of the latter’s Segunda Mana initiative.

“HADSAP wishes to support the health community, especially frontliners who are continuing to risk their lives and safety to help our fellow citizens,” says Shirley Te, head of the HADSAP CSR Committee. “Our donations were carefully selected in order for [the frontliners] to cope with the stress of battling against the spread of COVID-19.”

The association includes some of the top health brands in the country such as Amway Philippines, 4life, Bargn, Synnovate, Unicity, GNC, DXN, and Avail Beauty.

You Can Win Over ₱2M Worth of Prizes during Shopee’s 2.2 Shopee Milyonaryo TV Special

Tune in to GMA’s Tutok to Win this February 2 to win plenty of cash giveaways, score flash deals, and catch your favorite celebs!

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announces its 2.2 Shopee Milyonaryo TV Special on GMA’s Tutok to Win this February 2, 5:30-6:30 PM. Viewers can look forward to one hour full of non-stop giveaways such as up to ₱1,000,000 in cash, ₱10,000 ShopeePay credits, and other big cash prizes. Shoppers can also enjoy flash deals from top brands. 

Beauty queens Michele Gumabao and Ariella Arida are set to co-host alongside Tutok to Win’s Willie Revillame. There will also be performances by Wowowin’s official dancers.

Huawei Illuminates the New Year with “Light Up the Moments” Promotional Deals

In the wake of a truly challenging year, a brand-new one has opened up ahead, bringing glimmers of hope and optimism in all of us. These strong feelings capture Huawei’s Light Up the Moment promotions, serving as a showcase of the tech brand’s unique device ecosystem augmenting the way we live our lives.

Huawei’s Light Up the Moments promo features several of the brand’s best-selling gadgets on discounted prices, including the MateBook 14, MateBook D14, MateBook D15, MatePad, Y7a, Nova series, FreeBuds Pro, P40 Pro, and Watch Fit.Each product also includes a freebie item such as Bluetooth speakers (Nova series, MateBook series, MatePad), notebooks (Y7, Watch Fit) and other exclusive accessories during the promo period.

Huawei MateBook D14 - This AMD-powered laptop offers a sleek and slim build, Full HD FullView Display and 9.5 hours of 1080p video playback in addition to its powerful productivity features.

Enzo Morales: En Route to Singing Stardom?

Despite being born into a family of music lovers, his parents spotted potential in him–as he began singing at the age of six or seven. During family gatherings, his singer-father would prod him to sing. 

According to Enzo Morales, now 28, “Singing is our brand of bonding whenever there’s a gathering in the house. At first, my dad and my mom pushed me to sing. I have two older sisters who sing as well. They also made an impact to pursue this passion of mine.”

Morales describes himself as an in-denial artist. 

Despite his doubts about his singing talent, he was already a choir member in his primary school from grade three to six at Nagcarlan Montessori Center. He continued singing in the choir during his third and fourth years in high school at St Mary’s Academy of Nagcarlan.

“I am a very shy type and joining different contests is not my thing. Don’t get me wrong I love music, but I’m just really shy. I’m not the type who frequently joins (kontesero) singing competitions. 

RD Pawnshop marks 45th Anniversary and excites Filipinos with “Magandang Bukas” campaign

RD Pawnshop, Inc., one of the country's leading pawnshop brands, marks another milestone as it celebrates its 45th anniversary of providing high-quality services to Filipinos.  

Alma Pascual, the Business Unit Head of RD Pawnshop Inc., said that all its satisfied clientele could only expect more from the company as it stays true to its commitment to providing quality services to all Filipinos. 

Coinciding with its 45th-anniversary celebration, the company launched via a virtual press conference its "Magandang Bukas" campaign, which emphasized its promise of being a companion of all hardworking Filipinos, through and through, especially amid the current pandemic. Among the virtual event attendees were its brand ambassador Pokwang, an inspiring comedienne, actress, television host, and singer. 

REVIEW: Yellow Rose

It’s quite refreshing to see a Filipino-American film that is now showing in theaters commercially in the US. With the issue of immigration still a huge problem with many Filipino-Americans, it really has become a real life villain for many. Yellow Rose comes in as an interesting tale revolving around immigration and country music.


Written and directed by Diane Paragas, the movie premiered in the LAAPFF in 2019 and was supposed to be released commercially however was delayed due to the pandemic. However through partnership with KTX and Cinexpress, it will now be available for streaming in the country.

Digital Doc program: Send me your QR code

The next time you look to pay your doctor, you may want to ask for his or her QR code --     cashless transactions are safer for the patient and doctor alike.     

Through our Digital Doc program, we enable doctors and medical professionals to enjoy the benefits of digital payments via QR code.     

2 Public Schools Bag Youth Health Patrol Awards

Youth Health sessions on student health and lifestyle under quarantine

The Philippines is the 10th country in the world and the 1st in Southeast Asia to launch Kids and Diabetes in Schools (KiDS). Co-created by Sanofi and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and other partners, the program aims to raise awareness about diabetes management to schools and to educate and better promote healthy lifestyles among Filipino students. The program is operating in primary educational institutions across countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, India, Japan, Pakistan, Poland and the United Arab Emirates.

In the Philippines, over 500 schools, 3000 teachers and 2000 students participated in the KiDS webinars on student health under quarantine. The sessions were conducted by medical experts -- endocrinologist, Dr. Lizette Lopez and diabetologist, Dr. Myrissa Alip who expressed the need for a diabetes management and prevention guide for school children. 

LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Generation-4 trains

Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), has announced that the first of its Generation-4 (Gen-4) train sets arrived in the Philippines last 18 January 2021. It was formally launched to the public on 26 January 2021 at the Manila Harbor Center in an unveiling ceremony attended by distinguished guests from both the private and public sectors.

The state-of-the-art passenger train sets measure 106 meters in length and 2.59 meters in width, with maximum design speeds of up to 70 kph. Each train set consists of 4 light rail vehicles (LRVs) and can accommodate over 1,300 passengers per trip. The 4th Gen LRVs have destination signs to inform passengers if the trains heading north or south. Inside, the driver station features a modern design, and there is monitor that shows the temperature inside each LRV. The new train set is PWD-friendly with special areas for wheelchairs.

LRMC receives ISO recertification for Quality and Environmental Management System

Lead auditor of TUV Rheinland Philippines with the
 LRMC ISO team inspecting the LRT-1 Quirino Station
 during the onsite audit in November 2020

LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has received its recertification for ISO 9000:2015 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) after the successful audit conducted remotely last July 15-16, 2020 and onsite last November 18-19, 2020.

The new certificates will have a validity of three (3) years. LRMC first received its ISO certification in 2017. An ISO certification means that the company’s processes and systems meet international standards, ensuring both quality service for commuters and a first-rate work environment for employees.

Among the major positive observations commended in the audit include the management’s COVID-19 response (thermal scanning, UV C disinfection measure, contact tracing) on top of basic measures such as the use of minimum PPEs and physical distancing. Other safety measures that the audit team commended were the installation of additional beep card kiosks to improve queuing in all LRT-1 stations, installation of x-ray machines for additional security, encapsulation of asbestos roofing in the stations, and the implementation of specific controls to reduce risks on the tracks. The auditors also commended LRMC’s technology initiatives such as upgraded CCTVs, finger scan access control, electronic data management running on virtual server, and its enhanced Automated Train Operations Management System.

Filipino indie rock quartet Paper Satellites deals with childhood nostalgia on new single “Towns”

In a span of five years, Paper Satellites have been churning out tropical-infused indie rock songs that certainly had its rickety charms, most prominent of the bunch is “Golden Age”—a brash, unapologetic anthem that calls back to the days when Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not and Twin Door Cinema Club’s Tourist History were the jam.

Fast forward to 2021, the promising quartet from East Manila continues to ride the familiar train with a dancier, more groove-oriented approach. “Towns,” their latest single under Lilystars Records, balances pop’s pleasure principle with their penchant for guitar-driven hooks, synth-noodling pipes, and big, ecstatic choruses. “Sound-wise, we took inspiration from various guitar-based artists such as Bombay Bicycle Club, Two Door Cinema Club, and a bunch of other bands with ‘Club’ in their names,” says vocalist and guitarist Jyle Macalintal. “It was also inspired by the music one hears from small town festivals.”

New Year, New Me: Signs You’ve Embraced the Adult Life

Transitioning to adulthood is never easy. Even when you plan or think you’re ready for what’s to come, there will always be bumps along the way. That said, growing up can feel less overwhelming once you start achieving adulting milestones step-by-step. 

Think you’ve mastered the art of adulting? Here are signs to look out for:

You have a steady job. 

It’s natural to jump from one job to another at the beginning of your career, but as you grow older, you begin to understand what you want to do until you retire. You weigh in on the pros and cons before accepting a job offer because you know your value. You’re aware that there are other jobs out there that would better suit your skills and experience.

World Vision and its Partners continue in their legacy of changing the lives of the most vulnerable children

As the Philippines welcomed another year, most Filipinos are anxious to see what the future holds. With everything the country experienced last 2020, a lot of people are doing their best to make the coming year different. Some have decided to make resolutions and pursue new opportunities, but for others, it is to continue the legacy of changing lives.

World Vision, together with its partners, continues the mission of helping the most vulnerable children and their communities led by its vision of seeing thousands or even millions of kids reach fullness of life. 

Through its campaign “A New Year of Firsts”, World Vision invites their sponsors to empower a child by enabling him or her to experience powerful and life-changing moments of firsts such as, for the first time a family could eat until they were full, a village could have clean water, a child could have all she needs to continue going to school, and a child could feel safe and protected.

'Fastest, more advanced' Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi provides essential connectivity in new normal

The pandemic has changed the way we live and how we go about our daily activities, forcing a digital shift that will be the norm moving forward.

Even before the nationwide lockdowns, Globe ensured that a steady and reliable internet connection has been made more accessible through the Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi, now equipped with a faster and more advanced LTE modem.

Globe at Home’s LTE-Advanced modem is two times faster than other Globe Prepaid modems, and is equipped with boosters, enabled by carrier aggregation capabilities, for a more reliable, higher-speed internet connection that is easy to set up.

“Globe’s home prepaid WiFi sets the bar for broadband not only because of its larger capacity, but more importantly for its affordability and accessibility. It is a great choice for families because it is shareable, easy to load, and comes in a wide range of budget-friendly options,” said Darius Delgado, Vice President and Head of Broadband Business at Globe.

Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi is available in several promo offers packed with freebies depending on the subscriber’s budget.

“In order to sustain the productivity of every member of the family, Globe made sure that affordable HomeWATCH and HomeSURF offers come with a bigger data allocation that is more than sufficient for today’s demands,” Delgado added.

Customers can avail of or order Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi kits via www.shop.globe.com.ph, the nearest Globe store, or through various channels and promos using the Globe At Home, Gcash and Globe One apps.

Globe’s continuous efforts to improve its network performance every year have resulted in more affordable and faster internet services for its broadband customers. 

Since 2016, the prices per gigabyte (GB) of all Globe broadband services such as Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi, wired Globe At Home Postpaid, and Globe at Home Postpaid LTE have gone down by more than 60%.

Along with the decrease in prices is the improvement in average download speeds in the country. 

In December, the country’s average mobile download speed was higher at 22.5 Mbps compared to 18.49 Mbps in November 2020, with an upload speed of 6.03 Mbps and latency of 33 ms according to the Speedtest® Global Index by Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis.

In terms of fixed broadband, Ookla® data shows that the Philippine average rose to 31.44 Mbps in December from 28.68 Mbps in November 2020*. 

Globe is carrying out a three-pronged strategy for network upgrades and expansion, which includes aggressive cell site builds; upgrading its cell sites to 4G/LTE using many different frequencies; and fast-tracking the fiberization of Filipino homes nationwide.

The company strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

For more information, visit www.globe.com.ph.

*Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data comparing Q3 2020 to Q4 2020. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.

Philippines improves by 13 spots in global speedtest ranking

The Philippines' average speeds continue to improve, registering increases in December 2020 and besting 13 more countries at this time, according to the Speedtest® Global Index by Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis.

In December, the country’s average mobile download speed was higher at 22.5 Mbps compared to 18.49 Mbps in November 2020, with an upload speed of 6.03 Mbps and latency of 33 ms.

‘Hello Stranger: The Movie’ hits streaming platforms this Valentine’s season 2021

XavMi craze continues this Valentine’s season with ‘Hello Stranger: The Movie’

Coming from its huge success as digital BL (Boys’ Love) series in 2020, ‘Hello Stranger,’ top billed by Tony Labrusca and JC Alcantara, returns this February 12, 2021 as a full-length feature film.

Produced by ABS-CBN Films - Black Sheep, ‘Hello Stranger: The Movie’ is the first ever BL movie to be offered on a Valentine season by the Philippines’ biggest motion picture company.

In the film—this time helmed by Dwein Ruedas Baltazar--Xavier (Tony Labrusca) and Mico (JC Alcantara) or ‘XavMi’ take the virtual kilig into the real world, through a writing camp.

While they, along with extra push from their enabling friends, navigate their young and innocent love in a romantic beach resort, new characters will threaten their relationship with crazy shenanigans and quirky stunts. 

"Godzilla vs. Kong" Official Trailer Promises Battle for the Ages

Watch the long-awaited official trailer for “Godzilla vs. Kong,” coming soon to Philippine cinemas 2021.

Facebook:     https://fb.watch/3dqzUHl6il/

YouTube:     https://youtu.be/B0DLXCOoyA

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes the long-awaited face-off between two icons in the epic adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong,” directed by Adam Wingard.

Filipino-Australian artist Bryan Estepa kicks of the new year with Josh Pyke-produced 'Trick of the Light'

In 2020, Bryan Estepa released two new songs, continuing on from the success of his exceptional 2019 album Sometimes I Just Don’t Know. The second of those singles, ‘Admit Now, Pay Later’, received a video premiere on Rolling Stone Australia, was featured on NME Australia and had strong national radio airplay - including selection as one of the featured Singles of the Week on 2ser FM in Sydney. Now the Sydney-based Filipino songwriter reveals the second of his collaborative efforts with multi ARIA and APRA award-winning Australian songwriter Josh Pyke. 

Award-winning film YELLOW ROSE premieres in the Philippines this January 29

The world gets a chance to witness a timely story of pursuing one’s passion despite struggles as Star Cinema brings the film ‘Yellow Rose’ to various streaming platforms this January 29 following its festival route.

Starring Grammy®-winner and two-time Tony Award® nominee Eva Noblezada, award-winning country music artist Dale Watson, local icon Princess Punzalan and Tony Award®-winner and Grammy®-nominee Lea Salonga, the film revolves around a Filipina teen from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known.

Globe’s intensive builds yield positive results

Globe continues to scale up its network expansion as investments in its infrastructure are expected to increase further in 2021. The aggressive upgrades have already produced positive results for subscribers, with mobile and broadband internet speed and availability steadily improving across the country.

The company’s consistent service improvements each year, both in major cities and in underserved areas around the Philippines, have been validated by independent global analytics firms such as UK-based Opensignal and Ookla. Globe was in fact given the Global Rising Star Award for Most Improved Video Experience by Opensignal based on user data covering the first half of 2019 vs. the first half of 2020.

Batwoman S2 set to premiere in the Philippines exclusively on Warner TV this January 18

Gotham City – and Pinoy Arrowverse fans – will finally meet its new hero today, January 18 2021, Monday, at 9:50PM as the much-awaited second season of Batwoman premieres in the Philippines only on Warner TV, same day as the US every Monday. 

Ryan Wilder (JAVICIA LESLIE) takes the suit to use as armor and goes rogue in the streets of Gotham, taking out various members of a new gang called the False Face Society.  In this new season, the redesigned Batsuit was conceptualized by Batwoman costume designer Maya Mani and created by Ocean Drive Leather. The wig was created by Janice Workman and makeup styled by Cory Roberts. 

“Ryan’s journey starts from a place of ‘What can this Batsuit do for me?’ But it’s not long before she realizes the power of its symbol and what it can do for everyone else in Gotham City. As Ryan embraces everything that makes her special, she adjusts the suit to fit her physically and figuratively. This meant creating a new body design and new cowl that was undeniably a statement that screamed ‘powerful,’ said Batwoman executive producer Caroline Dries. 

Top Up and Transfer for a Chance to Win ₱10,000 at the ShopeePay Cashless Festival

ShopeePay users can also redeem exclusive rewards such as free shipping, coins cashback, and more this January 21-28, 2021

ShopeePay, an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services, launches its first-ever ShopeePay Cashless Festival this January 21-28, 2021. Shoppers who use ShopeePay can enjoy free shipping, coins cashback, a chance to win ₱10,000, and more exclusive rewards during the promo period.

Smart boosts your K-Life with weekly exclusive streaming of M COUNTDOWN

Legions of Filipino K-pop fans will now have something new to tune into every week as mobile services provider Smart is set to launch the exclusive streaming of M COUNTDOWN playing the hottest K-pop songs from their favorite groups live from South Korea!

M COUNTDOWN is an iconic K-POP chart show provided by Korea’s leading music channel Mnet. Smart subscribers will now find out, in real time, which songs rule the charts and how long these chart-toppers get to sit on the countdown throne as the M COUNTDOWN presents chart-topping K-pop music, as well as new singles and comebacks.

Golden Haven Memorial Lots Are Now the Most Lucrative, Hassle-Free Investments for OFWs

Golden Haven memorial lots currently range from Php 53,800 
for a single lawn lot to Php 10M for mausoleums.

In the wake of a turbulent year that upended jobs and threw people’s income opportunities in disarray, more Filipinos are now taking a hard look at investment options that could provide a safety net for the uncertain times. And one sector that is especially seen as potential investors is that of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). 

Hardworking OFWs all over the world are aptly regarded as “mga bagong bayani” for helping keep the Philippine economy afloat through the remittances they send home. Their immense contribution to our national coffers can’t be understated. The Philippine Statistics Association discloses that in 2020 alone, these Filipinos sent an average of $2.8 billion despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, recent surveys reveal that OFWs are utilizing their remittances for investments as preparation for their retirement.

NutriAsia and Papa team up with DepEd to teach students about proper nutrition



 
School children from Regions I, X, XI, and the Cordillera Administrative Region received DepEd workbooks and Papa products for a truly unique learning experience!

Proper diet and nutrition are crucial in young children’s formative years. These foster proper development for children, leading to good health, intelligence, and behavior, thus giving them better chances in succeeding later in life.

In light of this, NutriAsia and Papa forged a partnership with both Marylindbert International and the Department of Education (DepEd) for school year 2020-2021, the Pinggang Pinoy Pina-Sweet Sarap Comprehensive School Program. It is a special module that teaches the importance of having the right diet and nutrition. Powered by Papa Banana Catsup and Papa Spaghetti Pack, the program aims to educate Grade 1 and 2 Filipino students about how keeping a good diet with the right nutrition leads to proper and healthy development.

Make This a Year for Reinvention With Globe and Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and S21 Ultra 5G

Since the Samsung S Series was first launched in 2010, it has set the standard for devices that provide a groundbreaking experience for those who use their tech to creatively express themselves, enjoy entertainment on the go, and keep in touch with others. More than a decade later, smartphones have evolved beyond mere relevance into a truly indispensable part of our daily lives.

The new Samsung Galaxy S21 series has been designed for the way we live today while also being equipped for the innovations of tomorrow. All three models under the series, namely the S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra, are 5G-ready and packed with state-of-the-art features which when combined  with the 5G network of Globe are sure to open up a new world of possibilities for users.

5 things to remember as we begin again

As we welcome the new year—2021, it might do well for us to look back, to take stock of the positive lessons that we can extract from what was an unprecedented year. For sure, numerous take-aways can be gained as we move forward and anticipate a more “mobile” next normal—especially since vaccine trials by leading pharmaceutical companies have been yielding encouraging results.

With that, here are 5 lessons we should remember as we begin again:

Always wash your hands

Perhaps the most frequent reminder worth noting is how the power of proper handwashing has been in full display. It has been proven effective in killing 99.9% of germs and should always be considered a first line of defense against sicknesses and diseases.

Start the New Year Strong by Setting a New GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title with Datu Puti!

Be part of the #MukhasimNation and set a new world
 record on January 24, 2020. Register online now!
Ushering in a new year is always another chance for new beginnings and goals for the upcoming days. If you’re tired of the usual resolutions, why not add setting a world record on your 2021 to-do list?

To bring a high-spirited tone for the year ahead, Datu Puti is giving Filipinos something fun, lighthearted, and uplifting to kick off 2021. This year, the beloved vinegar brand will attempt to achieve a unique world record. In a virtual event that brings as many people as possible in a single virtual Zoom conference, Datu Puti hopes to set the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most people dipping food into vinegar online simultaneously and doing the iconic “Mukhasim” face.

“We’re hopeful that 2021 will be a better year for all of us,” shares Mario Mendoza, Marketing Director for Kitchen Fundamentals, “We want to welcome it together, as one Mukhasim Nation, with the positive vibes and energy of a fun attempt at a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Philippines.”

Win a share of P700,000 in prizes when you fuel up at Caltex via PayMaya QR

#ScanToPay with the best QR to get a chance to win as much as P100,000!   

Motorists can drive a safer and more rewarding experience with Caltex as PayMaya powers contactless payment options plus a chance to win as much as P100,000 in select Caltex stations nationwide. 

A total of P700,000 worth of prizes from PayMaya and Caltex are up for grabs for 150 winners who can get a chance to win P1,000 and P10,000 in prizes, plus one lucky winner who will take home the grand prize of P100,000!   

By utilizing contactless payment options like PayMaya QR, customers not only enjoy exciting rewards but also experience safer transactions as this lessens the risk of virus transmission often associated with cash handling. With PayMaya as the preferred payment option at their go-to Caltex stations, motorists can now drive around the metro worry-free and enjoy exciting rewards that give them the best value for their money.    

NPAW 2020 Highlights The Importance of Play Amidst the Time of Pandemic

In the face of global pandemic and natural disasters, our daily lives have been put to a standstill and many children have lost access to play. Because of this, a huge part of children’s activity, creativity and learning have come to a pause affecting their holistic development and overall wellbeing. Moreover, some have placed play within the limiting context of “laru-laro lang”. With this, play advocates continuously address the misleading notion and provide the right perspective that play should be given priority as it is considered one of the basic rights of children as stated in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

Be K-drama marathon-ready this year with a Samsung Smart TV

The New Year calls for new lists: resolutions, manifestations, and K-drama marathons! But this 2021, say goodbye to the neck-craning, eye-straining struggle of watching on a mobile phone when you switch to viewing on a TV. Samsung has partnered with Viu to give free Viu Premium subscription for a year, so you can watch the latest shows ad-free on a bigger screen. 

Kick off the New Year with Viu’s latest K-dramas on a smart TV:

True Beauty

This rom-com features a high school girl who rises to stardom with her expert makeup skills. No one has ever seen her bare face, and she prefers to keep it that way – until Lee Su Ho sees her without makeup. That is just the beginning of their love story. First on Viu, this highly anticipated webtoon turned drama stars Moon Ga Young, Astro’s Cha Eun Woo and Hwang In Yeop.

Mr. Queen

We love a period piece with a twist! The story revolves around Jang Bong Hwan, a chef at the President’s Blue House, and how his world turns upside down when his spirit somehow transcends into the body of a queen from the Joseon period. First on Viu, Mr. Queen is set to make your days even more interesting this year.

Cheat on Me, If You Can

Starring Go Joon and Parasite’s Cho Yeo Jeong, Cheat on Me, If You Can features an unconventional yet intense story about love, marriage, and the guilt one feels from making bad decisions. With a novelist wife obsessed with the idea of killing people further thickening the plot, the turnout of events will leave the viewer on the edge of their seats.

The Penthouse

Achieving high ratings in South Korea, The Penthouse is nail-biting story of an ambitious woman who is determined to do whatever it takes to both enter high society and a luxury penthouse in the Gangnam District. First on Viu, this drama is the highly anticipated reunion of writer Kim Soon Ok and PD Joo Dong Min, who worked together on the popular SBS drama The Last Empress.

Samsung Smart TVs are made for K-drama marathons. Not only do they come pre-installed with the Viu app, the Samsung Crystal UHD (2020) boasts an upscaling feature to enhance picture-quality to the next best resolution, and customized audio modes so you won’t miss out on the details on your favorite shows and have greater kilig moments.

K-drama fans, now is the best time to level up your viewing experience. Get a free one-year Viu Premium subscription with every purchase of select Samsung TVs, now with more models and sizes to choose from. The promo runs until March 31, 2021.

Visit www.samsung.com/ph for more details.

Mikey Bustos on navigating the challenges of being an online celebrity

Besides exercise and meditation, Mikey 
also explores other hobbies such as reading 
to help keep his creative mind in top shape.
“I don’t think anyone is prepared for the life that comes with going viral in the internet.”

It’s been 14 years since Mikey Bustos first posted a video on YouTube. It was a video of him performing as a front act for a Pussycat Dolls concert in Manila. And while initially renowned for his career as a singer and performer, it was really the relatable content he has been masterfully crafting and posting online that has captured the hearts and laughs of many.

“It’s been such a learning curve,” said Mikey about his career, despite years of creating countless viral videos such as “Adobo” - a parody of the song Let It Go from Frozen - and “Balikbayan Box” - a parody of the Miley Cyrus Hit “Wrecking Ball”. “You just have to navigate through,” he added.

While having to constantly think of new ideas is already a challenge in itself, having an audience that can directly interact with you via a comments section is another. “Having to deal with bashers is something you never get used to,” he remarked.

Other challenges Mikey mentioned that he has encountered in his career was having to fight through insecurities, second guessing himself, and managing his schedule.

There was even a time when Mikey was juggling multiple YouTube channels all while traveling, performing, and managing his ant business. And while it was a challenge for him to do all these simultaneously, all these “trades” brought about plenty of opportunities.

With these opportunities, however, come crucial choices he needed to make.

On taking risks

In the time of the pandemic, Mikey always makes sure to bring 
“trusty” items like face masks, face shields and Diatabs 
wherever he goes to help ensure “peace of mind”.
“For me, to be successful, you need to take calculated risks,” said Bustos who mentioned that one of the biggest risks he made in his life was moving to the Philippines from Canada.

But this was just one among many risks Mikey had to take in order for his career to flourish further.

“Signing contracts, teaming up with brands, expanding a team, collaborating with other content creators—these are all risks and choices you have to calculate and think about. You can’t just throw all your chips in and wish for the best” he stressed.

On the art of de-stressing

With all these decisions and challenges, not to mention having to sustain his career and business, there is no doubt that stress and risk of burnout frequent Mikey’s life.

To combat these, he turns to exercise and meditation.

“I always try to incorporate exercise into my routine. I go to the gym a few times a week, and now I’ve taken a love for running—making sure I go 10km every day. In terms of mentally staying in shape, I do a lot of meditation and prayer.”

To lessen the risk of burnout, Mikey also makes sure to explore his hobbies, which is sometimes a blurred line for him as his work involves making the most of his interests and sharing it online. He solves this dilemma by exploring his hobbies without feeling the need to bring a camera with him.

On the importance of trust

To combat the stress and risk of burnout that
comes with his successful career, Mikey makes
sure to incorporate exercise and meditation
to his daily routine.
Another way Mikey reduces the stress brought about by his career and ventures is working with people that he trusts, which for him, is crucial to success.

In the time of the pandemic, Mikey also shared that bringing “trusty” items with him wherever he goes is key to having an extra “peace of mind”.

“Lately, I always bring all sorts of protective gear—masks, alcohol, face shields, and the like. I also make sure to bring a lipbalm because ‘you never know when you’ll be on camera,’” he remarked.

“I also make sure that I bring Diatabs with me wherever I go, especially when I’m running. It helps because I’ve been having ‘banyo-phobia’—When I’m far from the house and I really have to go, it’s hard for me to go use the public toilet because of the fear of acquiring the coronavirus. That’s why it’s always good to have Diatabs around,” he shared.

Diatabs is a product of Unilab, a trusted anti-diarrheal brand in the country, that can easily take care of your upset stomach and give you the peace of mind you need when it comes to bowel trouble. It is available in leading drugstores and pharmacies nationwide. To learn more, visit https://www.unilab.com.ph/products/diatabs

ZAYN scores another No.1 album in the Philippines with ‘Nobody Is Listening’

ZAYN’s third studio release Nobody is Listening makes history once again as it debuts at No. 1 on iTunes Philippines Top 100 albums chart a few hours after its release. Co-written by ZAYN, the project highlights his R&B influences and showcases deeply personal lyrics. Nobody is Listening sees ZAYN in complete creative control, from designing the album cover art to his sound, he has created a moment in music that is all his own.

The album contains the previously released singles “Vibez” and “Better,” both of which were embraced by fans and critics alike, with Wonderland proclaiming ZAYN was here to “save 2021” with the release of “Vibez” and Billboard calling “Better” a “straightforward R&B track, expressing love in spite of disagreement and designed to showcase one of the most skilled voices in modern pop.”  The latter single has accrued over 105 million streams across all platforms, and upon release the video received a half a million views in the first 10 minutes.

Fintech apps that blew our minds (and helped our wallets) in 2020

2020 saw significant changes to the way we live, work and play. As people stayed in the safety of their homes for weeks and months on end, we needed to alter our daily routines and use technology more than ever. From Zoom meetings and food deliveries to online shopping and Netflix bingeing—and occasionally, doing all these things at the same time—our smartphones, laptops, and the almighty internet have become absolute musts in the new normal. 

So it comes as no surprise that technology has also become indispensable in helping us buy, finance or otherwise acquire all the delicious food, irresistible shopping deals, and other wonderful things and everyday necessities that have kept us alive and well in 2020. Now more than ever, people need fast, safe and secure ways to make payments, send or receive money from loved ones, and apply for loans or other financial tools—especially those who are using these tools for the very first time under extraordinary circumstances. 

10 Work from Home Essentials You Need for a More Productive 2021

No office? No problem. Work more efficiently with these must-haves from Shopee! 

We’re all finding it a little difficult to swing back into the rhythm at work after the holidays. After all, the current work-from-home setup makes it even trickier—you have to deal with distractions such as an inviting bed, loud neighbors, and clingy pets. 

Still struggling to maximize your efficiency at home, even with months of working remotely under your belt? This new year, use a few key products to make working from home a breeze! Check them out below. 

Acer Philippines opens first flagship store

The first Acer flagship store in the Philippines has finally opened its doors to consumers on January 15. It is the largest in the country to date and is located at the SM Megamall Cyberzone.

This new tech haven will house the best products from Acer and Predator brands, intricately displayed for an elevated shopping experience. It is interactive and much more customer-friendly. 

A sure eye-catcher for gamers and tech enthusiasts alike, the store is divided into two sections, dedicated for Acer and Predator products. Acer sticks to its minimalistic personality and is designed with light earthy tones with a long table and shelves where the products are displayed. On the other hand, the Predator comes in a striking sleek black interior all throughout. 

Globe site builds help Dagupan residents prepare for the future

Globe maintains its momentum in improving its network and upgrading its sites to build a #FirstWorldNetwork, with more sites up in rural areas where connectivity was once dire. Globe has been building new cell sites to fulfill the telco's commitment to have 4G LTE nationwide, in areas such as Brgy. Tambac, Dagupan.

Developments like access to the internet are more than crucial to residents in the area. For them, internet connectivity opens the door to more educational opportunities and economic possibilities for their barangay’s youth.

PH broadband now faster, more affordable and cheaper than global average

Globe’s continuous efforts to improve its network performance over the years have resulted in more affordable and faster internet services for its broadband customers.

Since 2016, the prices per gigabyte (GB) of all Globe broadband services such as Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi, wired Globe At Home Postpaid and Globe at Home Postpaid LTE have gone down by more than 60% in the last four years.

From as high as P26 per GB, Globe At Home Postpaid LTE price has gone down to P9 per GB over the last two years or a 65.38% price decrease. Likewise, for Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi, our most affordable and loadable internet for the masses, customers now pay P9 per GB only from as high as P23 in 2017; P15 in 2018; and P10 in 2019 or a decrease of 60.87% since 2017. 

World Vision alarmed by students selling sensual photos online to support their education

Child-focused agency World Vision raises its concern about reports published by the Philippine Online Student Tambayan (POST) about students selling sensual photos and videos online using specific hashtags. Reports also showed that students also held a “Christmas sale” of what appeared to be sexual exploitation materials encouraging buyers to “help” raise funds for their distance learning needs such as tuition, Internet connection and tech gadgets. 

Music Lane Okinawa Rescheduled to February 20-21, 2021

Following the recent declaration of State of Emergency for the central area in Tokyo, Japan, the Music Lane Festival Okinawa 2021 (Music Lane Okinawa) and Trans Asia Music Meeting 2021 has been rescheduled to February 20 and 21, 2021.

According to a statement released by organizers, the decision to postpone the festival follows the recent rising cases of the COVID-19 in different parts of Japan. “Although Okinawa is not included in the State of Emergency, there are many artists and audiences participating from Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures. In addition, the spread of infection in Okinawa Prefecture is becoming more prominent again… We felt that pushing the festival to be held in these circumstances could cause inconvenience and trouble to the participating artists, audiences, and all the staff members.”

Globe site builds prepare more regions for nationwide 4G LTE standards

New ways of working in urban areas demand for socially and physically-distanced meetings, conference calls, consultations, transactions and purchases.  On a lighter note but likewise heavy on the need for better internet is the obligatory catch-up on movies, podcasts, and TV series to unwind; as well as school lessons and necessary downloads to fulfill school and work requirements. In rural regions, livelihood and education are top priority for maximizing connectivity. Alongside new cell site builds, Globe’s fixed internet and mobile speeds in December 2020 show that its network’s continuous improvements are reshaping the internet experience especially using newer and more advanced technologies such as 4G LTE and 5G in both urban and rural communities.