Globe at Home tops Netflix’s internet speed index in the Philippines

Globe at Home, Globe’s broadband business topped the latest Netflix ISP Speed Index. Globe at Home scored 3.2 Mbps in the January 2021 Netflix ISP index.

In its recent disclosure, Globe said that 2020 was a banner year for its Home Broadband business, posting revenues of P26.8 billion, a 23% hike year-on-year from P21.7 billion in 2019. Total home broadband subscriber base now stands at 3.8 million, an 88% increase from 2019.

Globe said that it intends to rollout an additional 1 million fiber lines in 2021.  Globe earmarked an unprecedented Php 70 billion in CAPEX this year, 80% of which will be spent on data network builds.

Rakuten Viber, Globe myBusiness, and GCash partner to empower MSMEs and customers

The new partnership makes FoodPH transactions convenient and safer for merchants and customers

Rakuten Viber, one of the leading messaging apps in the world, has partnered with Globe myBusiness and GCash in providing micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their customers with a safe and efficient way to complete transactions through QR codes.

These QR codes have been first made available for merchants on FoodPH, Viber’s very own food directory. Through this partnership, FoodPH merchants can make online food orders more convenient for their buyers. To receive payments, they can simply send their GCash QR code to their customers, who can easily scan the code using the GCash app to pay for their orders. New FoodPH merchants can get their own GCash QR code upon signing up, while existing ones can do the same via a link that’s provided to them via the bot.

Autosweep & EasyTrip RFID loading quicker with GCash

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, now offers customers a more convenient way of loading their Autosweep & EasyTrip RFID accounts via the GCash app.

For a minimum amount of PHP 200, customers with GCash accounts can just go to the Pay Bills portion of the app, select Transportation, and choose either Autosweep or EasyTrip, and enter their account number and the amount they want to load. Topping up load using GCash eliminates the hassle of going to physical locations just to do the same, is evidently faster, and is contactless, keeping customers safe against the pandemic. 

Ben&Ben surprise listeners with Valentine’s-themed track “Inevitable”

Filipino folk-pop outfit Ben&Ben have officially dropped a soaring new single called “Inevitable” this Valentine’s Day via Sony Music.

Inspired by recent events surrounding the band’s lives, their latest song encourages listeners and music fans to live in the moment freely and truthfully without the need to succumb to expectations. 

Ushering into a reinvigorating sense of calm, the empowering track ascends to a place where love can be inevitably beautiful even in its simple, unassuming terms. It was written by Paolo Benjamin (lead vocals and acoustic guitars) during a random afternoon run by the beach near the place where Ben&Ben live—coming into fruition after a solitary moment spent with nature and the spiritual force above him. Paolo reflects, “Inevitable is a song that tries to describe the nature of fate, and how all our actions somehow lead us to some better place that is destined for us. It’s also a song about being real with someone, and that no matter how scary that may seem at times, there is freedom in bearing your truest nature with someone dear to you, even if that someone is yourself.” 

Your Business Made Better: Globe myBusiness Provides Digital Solutions to Empower Businesses in the Next Normal

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, businesses have suffered great losses and struggled to stay afloat. Traditionally run businesses without a digital presence were doubly challenged to remain present in a market overrun by competitors with an already established audience. Given these challenges, Globe myBusiness is helping businesses power through this next normal. Globe offers tried-and-tested digital solutions, an impressive, reliable network, and empowering learning events—all of which are aimed at helping build stronger and better businesses this 2021.

Digital solutions offered by Globe include a range of broadband and mobile plans. Businesses heavily relying on broadband internet can avail of Globe’s Unli Internet Plan priced at only Php 1899. Get unlimited data of up to 30Mbps, a free Konsulta MD license for 12 months, and a freebie choice of either a Microsoft 365 license or a Google Workspace license for one year. The installation fee for this plan is also waived.

Business owners with heavy data and call usage can also avail of Globe’s mobile plan Php 1499. This plan includes unlimited calls and SMS to all networks, up to 32Gb of mobile data, and a free Konsulta MD license for 12 months. Globe is also handing out a BPLO special offer where business owners can simply present their 2021 Business Permit up until February 28 to get up to Php 1000 Gcash Credit. 

Zack Tabudlo maps his music journey with new single “Iyong-Iyo”

The beginning of Zack Tabudlo’s Island Records journey saw the young singer-songwriter going full speed ahead. His song ‘Sigurado’ hit the Top Viral PH charts and stayed there for four weeks, following its feature in the online series Your Home. There’s also ‘Cruel,’ whose music video was released a few months ago and has racked up more than 70,000 views on YouTube and more than 240,000 streams on Spotify. 

Zack’s biggest single to date, the first one under Island Records Philippines, is the sultry ‘Nangangamba,' whose play count on Spotify clocks in at over a million streams.

Iyong-Iyo: a tender ballad about love and yearning

And Zack shows no signs of slowing down, as evidenced by his latest single ‘Iyong Iyo.’ Written by Tiny Corpuz and performed by Zack Tabudlo, ‘Iyong Iyo’ sees Zack putting it all on the line and giving everything—literal possession. “Kahit pa ba sa kabilang buhay, ‘di maglalaho,” he croons in the glimmering chorus, showcasing his lyrical penchant for themes like romance and longing. Gentle harmonies and mellow instrumentation make you feel like you’re floating, and allow Zack to flex the upper register of his vocal range, his high notes triumphant and sincere.

HBO'S Mare of Easttown Debuts April 19

Limited Series Stars Academy Award®, Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winner Kate Winslet

Starring Academy Award®, Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winner Kate Winslet (HBO’s “Mildred Pierce”), from creator and writer Brad Ingelsby (“The Way Back”), with all episodes directed by Craig Zobel (HBO’s “The Leftovers”), the seven-part limited series Mare Of Easttown debuts same time as the U.S. on Monday, 19 April at 10am exclusively on HBO GO and HBO, with a same day encore at 11pm on HBO. This limited series stars Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a small-town Pennsylvania detective who investigates a local murder as life crumbles around her. Mare Of Easttown is an exploration into the dark side of a close community and an authentic examination of how family and past tragedies can define our present.