Unlocked Is the World’s First Series about Gay Relationships under Quarantine

As many other places around the world, Manila has been under quarantine since March due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and with it most film productions came to a complete halt. This did not stop director Adolfo Alix Jr. (Donsol, Adela, Manila, Death March) to conceptualize and help produce Unlocked, the world’s first series about gay relationships under lockdown

Unlocked is a 6-episode anthology series originally scheduled to be released on June, in order to commemorate Pride Month, but due to an extremely difficult production process postponed to July 9th.  Each episode focuses in a different kind of loving relationship put to test under lockdown, “I wanted to develop stories where the circumstances of the pandemic are a catalyst for a deeper examination of relationships. It acts as a purgation of sorts - be it the physical distance or the paranoia of the situation,” explained Adolfo. The six stories are as follow: a heartbroken man hires a prostitute to help him cope with loneliness, a long-term gay couple need to reevaluate their relationship after being forced to be together 24/7, a single mother is trying to connect with her lover who is a nurse in the US, an elder professor reflects on his life after his young neighbor knocks on the door, a teenage boy comes of age and realizes about his real self during lockdown, a man alone in his apartment experiences a breakdown.

UNIQLO Sets to Open its Online Store with an Online Event on July 16

Japanese global apparel retailer, UNIQLO, announces today that its online store will officially launch on July 16, 2020.  The online store will be available both in the UNIQLO website and in its mobile application.

The launch will be accompanied by an online live event through UNIQLO’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UNIQLO.PH/) on the said date. “We are excited to finally launch our online store in the Philippines. Our online store enables us to convey our brand’s commitment to improve the lives of our customers through our LifeWear and service. We’re inviting everyone to check out our digital live event on July 16 to see our online store’s offerings and features,” says Masayoshi Nakamura, COO, UNIQLO Philippines.

Multi-sectoral group comes together to help entrepreneurs weather pandemic-caused recession

Public encouraged to ‘buy local’ to support small biz owners

The considerable resources of the Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Go Negosyo, SM Foundation, Security Bank, and Union Bank are being brought to bear in efforts to jumpstart a languid economy stalled by the effects of the three-month long coronavirus lockdown.

Caring for customer service agents amidst the pandemic

“Working during the pandemic is so risky.  But it’s worse if we just stay at home and there’s no food to eat.  My house is so far from my work.  There’s no jeep so I have to walk.  Thankfully, during the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), the company offered to house us so we can still work and have a salary.  And the company provided us allowances and hazard pay and free meals.  I am content but worried,” narrated Fatima Perido, an employee of a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) unit in Cebu City who works as a Globe customer service representative.

Fatima, like many call center agents, continues to brave the threat of the virus in order to survive and feed her family.  But despite her difficult circumstances, other call center agents have it worse.  The challenges that COVID-19 brought has prompted some of Globe’s BPO partners to close or limit their operations, drastically cutting down to less than 40% the manpower supporting Globe’s customer operations for both its hotline and social media channels.

GCash makes it easier for Green Heroes to digitally plant trees

What started out in June of 2019 as a special in-app feature in GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, is now a widespread campaign to help save the environment.

GCash Forest, which allows users to plant virtual trees with real life counterparts, has made it easier and more convenient for its users to plant trees through their mobile phones. Now, GCash Forest users, known as Green Heroes, may collect their Green Energy (GE) in App, which are used to plant the virtual trees, within three days instead of the previous 24 hours. This also allows users to collect from your friends if they have not yet.

The amount of GE necessary refers to how much carbon emissions the specific tree species can absorb after a year of growth. Likewise, GCash Forest now includes new tree species to provide a diverse set of trees in the Ipo Watershed within the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

“Despite a year of massive success for GCash Forest, we still want to make sure user experience remains topnotch to maintain or increase momentum when it comes to the number of trees planted. At the end of the day, our goal is to encourage more people to take part in this campaign to save our environment,” GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon said.

Xiaomi launches in The Philippines its latest entry-level champion smartphone: Redmi 9

Starting at PHP 6,990, Redmi 9 reinvents the entry-level smartphone experience with versatile camera capabilities and exceptional performance

Xiaomi announces today the sales of Redmi 9 starts in The Philippines. 

The brand-new entry-level smartphone touts major upgrades from its predecessor, including an all-purpose AI quad-camera set up, 6.53’’ FHD+ Dot Drop display, powerful chipset and edgy design. 

Priced from PHP 6,990, Redmi 9 will be available for purchasing offline starting from July 3, 2020 and online from July 7, 2020. 

We Got brims with tropical nostalgia on Raymund Marasigan-produced single “Ligaya”

Following the success of their debut single “Lihim Na Pagtingin,” eight-piece collective We Got returns with a follow-up that takes their reggae-infused sound to exciting new places.

Their second single “Ligaya,” a cover of The Eraserheads’ inescapable hit, captures the essence of the original, while redressing its vibe with fuller, brighter elements and a tropical makeover.