realme grabs PH top 1 smartphone brand slot in just 2 years

Multiple reports by Canalys, Counterpoint Research, and IDC show the two-year-old brand’s dominance in Q3 2020

realme Philippines claims the number 1 spot in the country’s smartphone market, recording triple-digit growth in Q3 2020 -- a feat the brand achieved in just two years. International market research firms Canalys, IDC and Counterpoint Research all confirm the two-year-old brand’s local market lead in their Q3 reports.

Global market intelligence firm IDC reported realme Philippines achieved staggering 962.5 percent annual growth and captured 25.4 percent local market share this third quarter.

GCash raises P20.8M for Typhoon Ulysses relief ops

GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, has raised a total amount of P20,825,695.23 in donations from its #UlyssesPHAid and #TulongCagayan campaigns aimed at helping victims of Typhoon Ulysses that pummeled many parts of the country in the recent weeks. 

Leveraging its mobile-first technology, GCash led the digital relief efforts, launching two donation drives to send help to those who were affected by Typhoon Ulysses.

A third of the total P20.8-million donation amount came from the #TulongCagayan campaign, and the rest were from #UlyssesPHAid.

All proceeds from the donation drives go to typhoon relief programs of GCash for Good partner NGOs, namely Unicef, Philippine Red Cross, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Save the Children, World Vision, and Gawad Kalinga. 

UE Jam Sessions pay it forward with a music video of Gloc-9 and Jenny Legaspi’s inspirational anthem

UE Jam Sessions has finally debuted the music video of “Lalaban Tayo” (The Renewal of Honors), featuring one of the most prominent Filipino rap icons, Gloc-9. Initially premiered on Apple Music, Spotify, and Deezer, the video has been making rounds on YouTube since last night, November 22 at exactly 7pm. 

Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences during the pandemic, UE-student dancers appeared throughout the music video with their unique interpretation on the material. 

Taking the lead: MVP Group sharpens focus on environment and sustainability projects in pandemic

While the global COVID-19 pandemic has forced most businesses to deprioritize non-essential sectors, the MVP Group of Companies has maintained its thrust for social responsibility, particularly with efforts related to environmental protection and sustainability.

MVP Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan says that despite the urgency of addressing concerns related to COVID-19, environmental protection must never take a back seat as climate change and other environmental concerns pose even greater dangers to human life.

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has already been facing daunting challenges on how to protect our environment and promote more equitable social development. If we don’t act now or even pause what we have already started, we might reach a point where we are no longer able to protect ourselves from the irreversible effects of environmental destruction. As a conglomerate that champions innovation and social responsibility in all our fields of business, we recognize the significance of our role in making a positive impact and contribute to the sustainable development of our country, people, and planet,” Pangilinan said.

We Got delves into the unconscious with reggae anthem “Cindy”

Eight-piece reggae collective We Got serves another sun-dappled jam in the form of new single “Cindy”—out today on all digital platforms worldwide.

Delving into the unconscious with tropical instrumentation and laid-back horn arrangement, We Got gives us a taste of Jamaica on this swinging love anthem about an imaginary character that exists in the minds of those who choose to dream about her. 

In a statement shared by the band’s vocalist Mack Dela Cruz, “Cindy” was described as a song about people who daydream, and whose dream felt like an endless loop. “There are sequences that happen over and over. This song is dedicated to those who want to have something that could give them ‘inspiration’ even though they know their dreams haven't been realized yet.”

Transformative power of 5G seen to impact PH education, health and entertainment sectors

Globe Telecom believes that making 5G technology available and accessible to more customers all over the Philippines will spur further the evolution of the Filipino digital lifestyle especially in the areas of education, health and entertainment sectors.

Even before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential benefits of 5G technology have been expected to change how people communicate, conduct  business and transform lifestyles, including delivery of services from e-business to e-government.  

Nine months into the global pandemic has pushed people to adopt and even trust  technology today as an enabler of life choices. 5G is expected to revolutionize distance learning by having more interactive ways of teaching, and in future, using artificial intelligence for continuous learning.  With 5G, education is expected to take another turn in the new normal with more than 27 million students and  teachers facing the challenges of online learning for the first time in the country’s history.

Bangkok Music City, reimagined for virus-ridden 2020, announces ace fest lineup

There’s no stopping the Bangkok Music City train. With cautious (but no less adventurous) tack, the Thailand-based festival-conference is refashioning what it does best for a COVID-19 year. The same elements that have endeared BMC to its supporters are still very much around, but in lieu of its signature staging at creative district Chareonkrung, it will be livestreamed on November 28-29, 2020—for Thailand-based showcase talents at least—from co-working hub Glowfish Sathorn. “I think that the COVID-19 pandemic has paved the way for virtual music events, whether conferences, concerts, gigs or festivals,” says festival co-founder Piyapong ‘Py’ Muenprasertdee. “Even though physical is still the best way to experience live music, virtual solutions help make things more cost-effective and efficient,” he adds.