Maribelle M. Alba
Ren Alcantara
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Managing Editor
#GIRLBOSS
Être fort pour être utile
@bellealba
@hisnameisren
PRESY ALBA
MIA CARISSE BARRIENTOS
EDITOR-AT-LARGE I don’t travel light, I lug too many gadgets, I can walk for miles exploring and I never say no to the local fare.
If you ask me a Kpop-related question, I’ll respond with an essay
@presy1121
@miaissocoollike
ASSOCIATE Editor
ART DIRECTOR
STAFF WRITER
Jewel Sta. Ana
Garmonbozia.
Nope, I don’t have a pawnshop
@theresaeloriaga
@monsterjewfloat
THERESA ELORIAGA
JAEL MENDOZA
GRAPHIC Artist
She holds a sketchpad on one hand, and a music sheet on the other hand @jaellaura_m
@sailorapollo11
PR & MARKETING STAFF DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER
Paula Candoy Jerico Lutrania
Legal Counsel
Consultant, Mobility Section
ROBBY VAFLOR
GERRY GAVIOLA
CONTRIBUTOR
Cineaste. Audiophile. Gadget addict. @gerry.g626
“Biiiimb!” @afterhourscritic
MARLET SALAZAR
Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo
Marketing guru. Automotive industry veteran. Road safety advocate.
@josealvarez
CONTRIBUTOR
Accounting manager Accounting Staff
Carol Agabin
Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano Clifford Dela Paz
Jose loves football, video games, computers, and history, but not necessarily in any order.
Blessed be the froot
Marisa Consuelo
HR & ADMIN MANAGER Administration Staff
CONTRIBUTOR
GRAPHIC Artist
Maribelle Alba
Sales AND ADVERTISING MANAGER Account executive
ARNEL DORIA
JOSE ALVAREZ
RONEL BAUTISTA
President & CEO
PAULA CANDOY
CONTRIBUTOR Marlet is a book-lover, and can forego lunch to buy a book.
CONTRIBUTOR
@marletds
@polacandoy
Ur island girl.
Alba Law Office
GADGETS Magazine is published monthly by Great Minds Media Inc. Address all correspondence to Unit 801-802, The One Executive Office Bldg., #5 West Ave., 1104 Quezon City. Our telephone number is: 288-8588 Our website is: www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
All unsolicited manuscripts, illustrations and photos submitted must be accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope if they are to be returned. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Every care is taken to ensure that the content of Gadgets is fully accurate; however, the publisher and printer assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. Gadgets Magazine is a registered trademark of Great Minds Media Inc.
Daniel Ringon
CONTRIBUTOR
Self-proclaimed marketer. Pop culture fan. Sleeper, er, sleeping agent. @hefedanyel
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CONTENTS
OCTOBER 2018 | Volume 19 No. 3
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Parade Hide your wallets!
PhotoFeature The good-looking Vivo V11 next to the gorgeous Elisse Joson.
The lab results are out. Diagnosis? Piping hot!
Mobility Where the rubber meets the road.
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Subtle terror.
Have a peek at Alvin Fortuna’s massive figures collection.
Horror is Atmosphere
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Gadgets Lab
OCTOBER 2018
Passionate for Toys
Gear Up! In the market for a new PC, smartphone, camera, or home appliance? We’ve got something for you!
ABS-CBN Studio XP Experience what it’s like to be a Kapamilya.
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Standards for a Classy Holiday Playlist You can now retire your Jose Mari Chan playlist.
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Gaming No hacks required.
Japan: In and Around Tokyo The land of the rising sun in 1000 words or less.
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Enterprise Suit up.
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Progress Report Going for a run? Here are the essentials.
Food
Eat and take pictures at these trendy restos.
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Bits & Bytes The latest news in tech and beyond.
Wellness De-stress and get a-plus pampering.
Lenovo Tech Life ‘18 Lenovo’s intelligent transformation is in full swing.
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Von Neumann Architecture You’re not a PC enthusiast if you don’t know this.
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PARADE
Vivo V11
Smartphone Vivo is taking the smartphone experience to greater heights with the V11. Fitted into its compact body is an FHD+ Super AMOLED display with Vivo’s new Halo FullView screen design that houses the front camera. The V11 has ultra-narrow bezels and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio that allows a wide viewing area for watching movies or playing games. Built under the V11’s gorgeous display is Vivo’s groundbreaking fingerprint scanning technology, while retaining Vivo’s Face Access and other security features. Powering the device is a combination of hardware and software that makes the V11 a formidable mid-range handset. Engineered into its thin chassis are a Snapdragon 660 AI-enabled chipset, 6 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage, the latest Funtouch OS 4.5 built on Android 8.1, and a 3400 mAh battery boosted by dual-engine fast charge technology. On top of these, the V11 also comes with Vivo’s own AI assistant Jovi, Google Lens, Google Assistant, as well as a Game mode. V11’s 12 MP + 5 MP dual rear camera system is improved by AI, for photos that are always vivid and detailed no matter the shooting situation. As for selfies, the unit comes with a 25 MP front facing camera that works with Vivo’s AI Face Shaping technology for flawless photos.
PHP 19,999
Vivo V11i
Smartphone The V11i is virtually bezel-less with a 6.3-inch FHD+ Halo FullView Super AMOLED display. While it shares most of the features of the V11, the V11i is powered by a MediaTek Helio P60 chipset that works with 4 GB of RAM and an expandable 128 GB internal storage to stow your data as well as help keep operations fast. For photos, the V11i is fitted with a 16 MP + 5 MP combination of rear cameras and a 25 MP snapper on the front for selfies. The device is kept secure by a fingerprint scanner located on the rear, and is available in night sky and nebula.
PHP 15,999
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OCTOBER 2018
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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Laptop
This productivity-focused ThinkPad X1 Extreme gets a thinner form factor and huge screen at 15 inches, which would appeal to power users who do a lot of traveling. It debuts with a combination of 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce 1050Ti GPU, up to 64 GB of memory, and dual PCIe SSD storage with raid option running its operations. These all work together to maintain optimal performance to meet varying user requirements. On the visual front, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme is fitted with a 15.6-inch UHD display with Dolby Vision HDR. It also gets GeForce 1050Ti MaxQ discrete graphics for creatives and gamers alike. The ThinkPad X1 Extreme is truly extreme with Dolby Atmos-boosted sound, Cortana and Alexa support, Rapid Charge for an 80 percent charge in just 60 minutes, and ThinkShutter webcam privacy.
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Lenovo Yoga C930 Convertible Laptop
Lenovo’s newest premium flexible power machine, the Yoga C930 embodies beautiful functionality. It flaunts an all-aluminum body, metallic finish, and a rotating wide bar hinge with dual Dolby Atmos tweeters. The Yoga C930 also comes with a stylus silo that doubles as charger for its digital pen to prevent misplacing it, as well as having it ready for use. The device will also come with other convenient features like a fingerprint scanner, Alexa and Cortana support, far-ranged mic, webcam privacy shutter, Dolby Vision, as well as up to 14.5 hours of run time, and will be powered by an 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor.
Lenovo Yoga Book C930 Convertible Laptop
The Yoga Book C930 is an interesting device with an e-ink surface area for a keyboard, which allows accurate scribbling with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. Utilizing e-ink technology, it can also turn into an e-book reader at will. Its typing surface has been masterfully crafted to offer great haptic feedback and even create the feel of sinking into the body of the keypad area, to replicate a physical keyboard. Making use of machine learning to adjust to the user’s typing behavior, the Yoga Book C930 is intuitive. It also debuts a knock-toopen feature that pops the device open as response to lightly knocking on its lid, allowing more access options. This thin and light machine will solely be running with up to an Intel Core i5 processor.
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OCTOBER 2018
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Lenovo Yoga S730 Convertible Laptop
Lenovo’s thinnest consumer clamshell laptop, the Yoga S730 packs an 8th gen Intel Core i7, quad-core processor giving it power and speed to handle tasks with little effort. It is also engineered with a Dolby Atmos Speaker system, dual AIs Cortana and Alexa, up to 10 hours of battery life, and a double cooling system in a svelte, 11.9 mm-thin aluminum chassis.
Lenovo Yoga C630 WOS Convertible Laptop
The Yoga C630 WOS is the first Windows PC to have the Snapdragon 850 mobile compute platform, allowing it power in a compact form factor. Users can flip its FHD IPS touchscreen display all the way over for tablet-like usage, as well as turn it into other Yoga configurations that suit their preference. A perfect portable machine for travelers, the Yoga C630 WOS will ship with 4.5G LTE Advanced Pro support, either 4 or 8 GB RAM, a whopping 25+ hours of local video playback, fingerprint reader, and a Lenovo Pen option.
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Lenovo Smart Plug Smart Plug
Control devices remotely with Lenovo’s Smart Plug. Plug any compatible household appliance into it and you can power it on and off even from afar. Almost home? Switch on your air conditioning unit and come home to a pleasant, cool atmosphere. Forgot to turn off the lights? Turn them off remotely through the Lenovo Link app. The Lenovo Smart Plug responds to both voice commands and remote control. It is built to not block any adjacent ports, offer an extra layer of surge protection, and absorb sudden spikes in voltage protecting your devices from damage.
Lenovo Smart Camera Smart Camera
The Lenovo Smart Camera gives you peace of mind even when you’re away from home. Like a watchman working 24/7, the Lenovo Smart Camera feeds your smartphone or any compatible device high-resolution images with wide fields of view through the Lenovo Link app. It can scan the area with a 355-degree FOV from side to side and 120 degrees up and down and has built in infrared night vision to a distance of up to 20 meters; day or night, nothing escapes its vision. The Smart Camera also comes integrated with a mic and speaker, perfect for families with kids.
Lenovo Smart Bulb Smart Bulb
Lenovo’s Smart Bulb allows you to turn it on and off, and adjust color temperature and brightness with just your voice. Grabbing a book before going to bed? You can easily adjust the lights in your room to a hue that’s perfect for reading and dim it later when you’re ready for bed. Through the Lenovo Link app, you can manage and program multiple Lenovo Smart Bulbs without hassle. The Lenovo Smart Bulb is completely plug and play, and doesn’t require a hub to be controlled.
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OCTOBER 2018
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MSI P65 Creator Laptop
Recently unveiled at IFA 2018 in Berlin, this light and slim laptop is targeted at creatives. Flaunting a 15.6-inch FHD display, the P65 Creator delivers exceptional color fidelity through its True Color Technology. This productivity tool has the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor on board and is available in two stylish colors—a standard silver aluminum finish and a limited edition pearl white with gold accents. Matched with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPU and dual SSD storage, it offers seamless performance even with the most demanding software. Its limited edition variant includes high-resolution audio for a richer entertainment experience and ThunderBolt 3 technology for faster charging.
Canon EOS R
Mirrorless Camera Designed for optical excellence, the EOS R features an innovative RF mount as well as a 30.3-megapixel dual pixel CMOS AF sensor paired with the latest DIGIC 8 image processor. With the world’s fastest autofocus at 0.05 second, the full-frame camera can seamlessly capture moving objects continuously and accurately at 8 fps. Built for photography and video enthusiasts, the camera produces stunning 4K video footage. The EOS R comes with a silent shutter, a USB 3.1 port as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, a dynamic range of ISO that extends up to 40000, and a rotating LCD screen.
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Mavic 2 Pro Camera Drone
The Mavic 2 Pro is the world’s first drone to be fitted with a Hasselblad camera. Co-engineered in partnership with the world imaging leader, the Mavic 2 Pro renders outstanding image quality with vivid and accurate colors. It features a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, which DJI says captures four times as many levels of color per channel compared to the first Mavic Pro. The Mavic 2 Pro is able to capture 20-megapixel aerial shots and utilizes Hasselblad’s unique Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) technology to provide true-to-life colors. It has an adjustable aperture from f/2.8 to f/11 and comes with 4K 10-bit HDR support, giving creators more flexibility. The Mavic 2 Pro can be plugged into a 4K TV with HLG. With a new aerodynamic airframe, the Mavic Pro 2 is able to fly at speeds of up to 44 mph for around half an hour. It’s DJI’s smartest drone yet with Circle, Course Lock, Waypoint, and Free intelligent flight modes along with upgraded Flight Autonomy system and an improved Advanced Pilot Assistant System that allows the aircraft to avoid obstacles.
PHP 98,800
Mavic 2 Zoom Camera Drone
The Mavic 2 Zoom is the perfect solution for when in a sensitive shooting environment. As DJI’s first foldable consumer drone with a zoom function, the Mavic 2 Zoom truly gives users the freedom to go out and create stories. The camera drone makes use of a 12 MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that is made more powerful by its two-times optical zoom (24-48 mm) with two-times digital zoom to simulate a 96 mm telephoto lens. It is able to capture lossless video in full HD resolution. Hybrid auto-focus, meanwhile, combines phase and contrast detection for higher focus accuracy with an increased focus speed. The Mavic 2 Zoom can deliver 12-megapixel photos and has a Super Resolution feature that uses optical zoom to automatically capture and stitch nine photos together for a detailed 48-megapixel image. The Mavic 2 Zoom also debuts an exclusive feature, the Dolly Zoom QuickShot. The feature is aimed at cinematographers with it helping create a dramatic perspective by automatically zooming in as it flies away from its subject, keeping the subject the same size while revealing a grand backdrop. It also comes with the same intelligent features as the Mavic 2 Pro.
PHP 76,300
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OCTOBER 2018
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Baseus Wireless Gravity Car Mount Car Charger
Change the way you juice up your phone in the car. The highly advanced car mount charges your phone through its built-in intelligent clip which optimizes phone’s temperature as well as its required current, and provides voltage protection for safe charging every time. Compatible with all Qi-supported devices, the flexible car charger can fit up to 6.5-inch wide phones and offers either 5V or 10V output. Its gravity feature allows users to securely hold their phones in place for navigation and easily slip it out later with just one hand motion.
PHP 1,490
Baseus Bracket
Wireless Power Bank Small and sleek, this revolutionary product has raised the bar for portable chargers. With 8000 mAh on tap, the multifunctional device works both as a charging pad and a power bank. To complete its classic look, the Baseus Bracket features a stylish, full-screen digital display which indicates its remaining power. Users can now charge up to three devices quickly and all at once, thanks to its 5W Qi wireless charging and two USB ports.
PHP 1,590
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Baseus Simple Wireless Charger Charging Pad
Never have to untangle a charging cable again. Simple yet highly sophisticated, this charger plate from the #GoWireless series of Baseus packs a lot of unique features. Qi wireless charging makes it compatible with most smartphones, and its tempered glass surface complements its ultra-thin and compact design while protecting its internal components. Providing dual input voltage options—one in DC 5V and in 9V—the universal wireless charger automatically switches to sleep mode to prevent overcharging, and overheating is prevented thanks to its upgraded temperature control and internal magnetic isolation sheet.
PHP 1,190
Baseus 1+1 Wireless Charger Backpack Hybrid Battery Pack
Baseus has recently launched its own line of wireless chargers starting off with this multipurpose battery pack for the iPhone X. Ditching cables, the groundbreaking charger comes with a magnetic PU case, protecting your device from unwanted scratches and accidental falls. Apart from being a phone case, it gives your phone 150 percent more power. With four LED indicator lights and a foldable backstand for watching videos hands-free, you can charge up your device while playing music or syncing media files.
PHP 2,490
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OCTOBER 2018
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Pioneer SPH-C10BT
Car Entertainment System With this car stereo system from Pioneer, your road trips will never be boring. Compatible with iOS and Android devices, the SPH-C10 BT provides safer and easier access to your smartphone apps through hardware shortcut keys. It comes with a rotatable smartphone mount and a 3-zone RGB LCD display that shows information clearly. Supporting Pioneer Smart Sync, with Live Simulation mode and 31-Band Graphic Equalizer, is available out of the box. The wireless smartphone receiver is even equipped with smart driving features. This includes Park Assistance, as well as one-touch access to navigation, voice-recognition, and message read-out that lets you hear new texts from your inbox.
Pioneer XDJ-RR DJ Controller
Take your performance from your bedroom studio to the stage with the latest all-in-one DJ system from Pioneer. Inheriting the signature design and features from the brand’s other professional mixers, the XDJ-RR gives you freedom in every performance. It gives instant access to an entire Rekordbox library through the Link Export mode, and connects to your PC or laptop with a single USB cable via Performance mode. Monitoring the playback status for both players is also more convenient, thanks to its large, 7-inch colour screen. Dedicated buttons such as Hot Cues, Beat Loop, Slip Loop, and Beat Jump are also added to optimize your music composing skills. Bundled with Rekordbox DJ out of the box, sharing your music with the world like a pro is now made even better.
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Pacsafe Travelsafe 3L Econyl Anti-theft Pouch
Secure your possessions and help save the environment with Pacsafe’s limited edition Travelsafe 3L Econyl. With Econyl, a regenerated nylon fibre from used plastic such as fishing nets, as its main component, this Travelsafe model is durable and eco-friendly. It is designed as a lockable, portable safe that you can anchor to any immovable object such as a fixed pole. Wherever you are, its 360-degree eXomesh technology keeps your things protected. As a plus, 100 percent of profits go to Pacsafe’s Turtle Fund.
PHP 4,390
Pacsafe Vibe 28L Econyl Anti-theft Backpack
The Limited Edition Vibe 28L Econyl backpack is made with Econyl. With it, you help reduce ocean rubbish and also get a bag that’s hard-wearing for stowing your valuables. It features Pacsafe’s patented anti-theft technology for securing your things, and is spacious enough to accomodate a laptop and other essentials. This carry-on size backpack is perfect for going on fearless adventures. And like the Travelsafe, 100 percent of profits also go to Pacsafe’s Turtle Fund.
PHP 8,190
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OCTOBER 2018
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AfterShokz Trekz Air Sports Earphones
Lighter and more elegant than its titanium counterpart, the Trekz Air was created for elite and aspiring athletes. Ensuring safety, the wraparound earphones utilize bone conduction which enables users to hear ambient sounds. Its promising OpenFit feature provides extended comfort, as well as uncompromised situational awareness. IP55-certified, the sweat- and dustproof earphones guarantee premium audio experience, including wide dynamic range, through its PremiumPitch+ Sound. With six hours of battery life and dual noise canceling microphones, these unique earphones inspire users to push their limits.
PHP 8,590
AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Sports Earphones
Unique and innovative, these bone conduction earphones change the way you listen to music. Crafted for fitness buffs, the Trekz Titanium delivers optimized PremiumPitch+ sound in a durable titanium frame that ensures comfort and elegance. Its revolutionary OpenFit design ensures the user gets their jams, without blocking outside sounds completely. Flexible and sweat-resistant, the Red Dot and CES Innovations Awardee provides six hours of playback and talk time with a single charge. It has also noise-cancelling mics that effectively enhance your audio and supports voice commands, letting you take and make calls hands-free.
PHP 5,690
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iPhone XS Max Smartphone
This addition to the X-series of iPhones gets an upgrade in the screen and hardware department. Sporting a 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED display, the iPhone XS Max is an elegant piece of tech that combines style and performance. Among its new features are the smartest, 7-nanometer A12 Bionic processor, dual 12-megapixel as well as 7-megapixel secondary cameras, and longer battery life. Built to be tough as well as beautiful, the phone is now dust- and water-resistant to a maximum depth of 2 meters, for up to 30 minutes. It also has support for dual SIMs, and gets iOS 12 out of the box.
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OCTOBER 2018
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iPhone XR Smartphone
Adapting an all-screen front like its older siblings, the iPhone XR has the most advanced LCD in a smartphone to date. Its 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display with a pixel density of 326 ppi delivers content and captures photos in clearer, more accurate, and vivid colors. At the core of its aerospace-grade aluminum body is a hexa-core A12 Bionic chipset, coupled with either 64 GB, 128 GB, or 256 GB of internal storage and 3 GB of RAM. Its highly advanced processor with its Neural Engine is built for advanced machine learning and putting AR technology right into your hands.
iPhone XS Smartphone
The long wait is finally over. Dubbed the most advanced iPhone ever, the iPhone XS takes you to the future with its 5.8-inch all-screen Super Retina OLED display. Its 7-megapixel front camera integrates Face ID authentication with the help of the TrueDepth camera system, enabling users to unlock the phone, use Apple Pay, and gain access to secure apps by just facing the screen. To match its groundbreaking Apple A12 Bionic chipset, the phone now comes with up to 512 GB of internal storage. Apart from its IP68 rating, it is the first handset from Apple to feature Gigabit-class LTE and dual SIM slots.
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HP Envy 13 Laptop
The HP Envy is a sleek, stylish and powerful machine that enables users to securely connect, create, and collaborate from anywhere, anytime. It is powered by an 8th generation Intel quad-core processor that works together with up to 8 GB RAM, and huge battery for up to 14 hours power on the go. The Envy is a machine that lives up to its name with an FHD micro-edge display, NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2 GB video card, Quad HP Speakers by Bang & Olufsen, and fingerprint reader all housed in a sleek aluminum chassis that is thin and light.
PHP 60,990
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OCTOBER 2018
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GADGETS LAB
Specifications: (With Extended battery) Range: 40 KM Top speed: 30 KPH Weight: 12.9 Kg Motor: 300 W Tires: 8-inch front, 7.5-inch rear Max rider weight: 100 Kg What’s Hot: - Beautifully designed - Plenty of range - Easy to use What’s Not: - Price is a huge limiting factor - Needs better brakes
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Specifications: CPU: 64-bit Intel Celeron J3355 Dual Core 2.0 GHz up to 2.5 GHz System Memory: 2 GB DDR3L, expandable up to 6 GB Total Memory Slots: 2 Supported Drive Types: 3.5” and 2.5” SATA HDD, 2.5” SATA SSD Maximum Internal Raw Capacity: 28 TB Maximum Single Volume Size: 108 TB Connections: 3 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x RJ-45 1GbE LAN, 1 x eSATA port
What’s Hot: -4K media streaming -Cloud storage -Great suite of apps for consumers and small businesses
What’s Not: -No storage expansion support
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Specifications: Size: 2.6 x 2.1 cm Weight: 4.1 g Play time: 3 hours IPX5 rated Range: 10 m App: iOS and Android What’s Hot: -Actually useful companion app -Amazing price -Great sound What’s Not: -Latency issues remain -Fit might be an issue
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Specifications: Screen size: 7-inch glare free Waterproof: IPX8 up to 2-meters and 60 minutes in fresh water Audible: Bluetooth support Built-in light: 12 LEDs + adaptive light sensor Page turns: Touchscreen + page turn buttons Resolution: 300 ppi Battery life: Up to 6 weeks Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Free Cellular Weight: 194 g Dimensions: 159 x 141 x 3.4-8.3 mm
What’s Hot: -The Paperwhite display is so easy on the eyes -Light and compact -It’s waterproof!
What’s Not: -Not available from local retailers -Premium-priced
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COVER STORY
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PHOTO FEATURE
An Exquisite Future 36
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VIVO V11
There are many reasons to be hopeful for what is to come. Beyond a positive attitude, advances in science and technology are making our lives more easier, convenient, and healthier. And for smartphones and us consumers, the future is even brighter. Year after year, smartphones are becoming more and more the dream technology they’re meant to be: a compact, beautiful device packed with features to satisfy user needs.
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Halo FullView Screen Design ™
Beautiful, bezel-less FHD+ Super AMOLED display
25 MP Front Camera with Vivo AI Face Shaping Flawless photos no matter the setting
In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology
Securing your data in the most advanced way
Gradient Back Design
The Vivo V11 is available in stunning Starry Night and Nebula
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Vivo, as one of the leaders of this revolution, continues to innovate smartphones that are beautifully functional. And with the V11, WE ARE SURE MORE exquisite things are yet to come.
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Breaking Through:
Elisse Joson There’s just something about a pretty face. It draws you in and makes you want to look in awe; like a spell was cast on you. That’s the effect actress and model Elisse Joson has on people. She’s a charming person you can’t help but watch.
After moving back to the Philippines from the US, Elisse started her acting journey in 2012 with minor TV roles. It was only in 2013 she gained wide recognition with her supporting role in hit daytime show Be Careful with my Heart. Elisse has successfully become one of the darlings of television. Elisse’s biggest break came in the form of a McDonald’s commercial. She was the lead in the fastfood chain’s “Tuloy Pa Rin” and new Burger McDo campaign ad: a story of heartbreak and welcoming change. Her relatable portrayal of a girl moving on in the commercial garnered the video millions of likes and shares across the fastfood chain’s social media accounts. It was so impactful that it even got a sequel with Elisse’s now leading man Mccoy De Leon, as well as a spin-off of sorts featuring the ex-boyfriend’s side of the story. To keep the momentum going, she was chosen to be part of a lucky group to enter the PBB House, and the rest is history. Despite her tight schedule, Elisse manages to juggle work and school obligations pretty well. She currently studies AB Fashion Design and Merchandising at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, and looks into making a name in the fashion scene some day. Elisse is also part of Vivo’s outstanding roster of ambassadors. At just 22, Elisse has a lot going for her. She has the looks and the knack to make it big.
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MOBILITY
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What’s Hot: -New, more efficient engine -Solidly built -Good price point
What’s Not: - Does not have some of the safety features of the higher-end variants
Bottomline: Despite its smaller engine, this is a very capable workhorse.
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VISUAL SPACE
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HOBBIES
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MUSIC CORNER
JAZ Z
Standards For A CLASSY HOLIDAY PLAYLIST Words by Robby Vaflor
It’s October and Christmas is fast approaching—perhaps not fast enough. By the time you read this, you’ve probably had your fill of Mariah Carey and the joy of ironically playing Jose Mari Chan has fizzled up. You need to change it up a bit.
Christmas music doesn’t have to be the cheesy and overproduced stuff you find at your local record store with the 90s Eurotrash beats and constant bell-tolling. Jazz has always been a great accompaniment to the holidays. As soon as you smell the cinnamon and clove, and the weather gets a bit more bearable, the sound of wind instruments and calm thumping of an upright bass really ties the whole thing together.
is one of the most thoughtful. With his delicate phrasing and soulful lyrical style, this instrumental will definitely get any listener to sing along.
However, a lot of people tend to overlook these beautiful renditions of yuletide favorites in favor of the shoddy mall music mentioned before. Below are a few songs to reacquaint you the joys of Christmas standards, best paired with mulled wine and gingerbread.
This popular version of the song is benefited by the depth of Bing Crosby’s crooning and the simple beat that gets your toes tapping. It’s great for any night drive after a long day of gift shopping.
Christmas Time is Here
Vince Guaraldi Trio A Charlie Brown Christmas What better way to usher in the holidays with this evocative track from Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack for the 1965 TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Written with Lee Mendelson, it features Guaraldi’s subtle piano work, gently brushed drums and the lovely vocals from the children of St. Paul’s Episcopal church.
The Christmas Song Dexter Gordon The Panther!
The great saxophonist Dexter Gordon’s rendition of the classic
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It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas Bing Crosby White Christmas
Christmas Waltz
Chet Baker and Wolfgang Lackerschmid Artists Favor Perhaps the least known in the list is the product of composer and vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid’s collaboration with legendary trumpeter Chet Baker in his later years. Rounding off the quartet are a flute and bass, which makes for a very interesting arrangement. Chet Baker’s inspired playing works well with Lackerschmid’s playful work on the vibraphone.
Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy)
interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite is a great piece of jazz composition. Entitled Sugar Rum Cherry, a play on the original title Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, aptly turns the ballet classic into a smoky, thumping 60s jazz hit.
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Ella Fitzgerald Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas One could hardly do better in a Christmas album than Ella Fitzgerald’s swinging 1960 compilation of holiday classics. This track is especially evocative of a more sincere and reflective holiday, one filled with longing and passionate love.
I’d Like You For Christmas
Julie London I’d Like You For Christmas (Single) This quietly sultry number from Julie London is another song of longing. Her understated vocal style marries well with the backing harmonies and minimalist arrangement. It’s great for a late night with an Old Fashioned.
Duke Ellington The Nutcracker
The great bandleader Duke Ellington’s
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GAMING
Developer: Space Ape Games | Publisher: Backflip Studios Platform: iOS and Android Words by Daniel Ringon
From fashion to cartoons, the 80s came back and it looks like they’re here to stay. He-Man, G.I. Joes, Microman, even the ThunderCats keep showing up all over the media of late. None of this is surprising since the whole retro thing is a huge hit with millennials. While the Transformers franchise technically didn’t die down thanks to a string of Michael Bay movies and a never ending supply of action figures, they’ve not invaded another media space: video games.
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More Than Meets The Eye
Transformers: Earth Wars Beta is a city-building game, similar to Clash of Clans, but with transforming robots instead of fantasy creatures. The game appears to be in continuity with the recent Power of the Primes cartoon, even incorporating designs from the show and the recent lines of action figures . Players start the game by choosing the Autobots or the Decepticons. During the course of the game, you’ll be given Transformers from the opposing team as well so you’ll get the chance to get them all. The game features G1, G2, and Beast Wars designs that will bring back many of your childhood memories. From the 80s cartoon music to the voices, the game will give you serious nostalgic vibes. I still get chills when I hear “Decepticons, deploy” or “Autobots, roll out!” Developers of the game did not skimp on the writing as you’ll see some very iconic characters worked into the game. From Starscream’s stabyou-in-the-back attitude, to Drift’s redemptive
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arc, no one will accuse these characters of being flat and uninteresting. Even Grimlock’s cavemanspeak is present!
Robots in Disguise
You play campaign missions to get acquainted with the different Transformer unit types. Specials have unique abilities, such as temporarily shutting off defense towers or rallying the squad to attack a particular building whilst damaging every wall in its path. Gunners are your long-range attackers, usually out of reach of lower level towers. There are Aerial units, like Starscream who have the ability to fly in and drop bombs with various effects such as fire, and corrosive damage. Medics, such as Shockwave and Ratchet, heal your units in battle. They can throw a health grenade to heal your units, giving you the advantage in a fight. And lastly, the Warrior class, like Drift and Barricade, are your tanks, who can soak up massive amounts of damage. They also have the ability to crash through buildings to a targeted building all on their own.
Using their abilities costs energy, which players are given for a raid or mission, you get to collect more energy as you tear down enemy buildings. It’s up to you to combine different types of troops to put in your squad, allowing you to find the best combination of troops to complete a particular mission. The last mission pack unlocks the Combiners. Yes. You get to have Devastator, Predaking and more. Transformers come in different levels that you can unlock via crystals which are available via game progression or by paying with real world currency. As you play you also get to have different powerups to improve your transformers’ stats and cosmetics. Overall, Transformers: Earth Wars brings something new to the table. A different twist on the city-builder RTS game brimming with characters to make you want to go all in and collect them all.
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Developer and Publisher: NetEase Games Platform: iOS and Android Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos
A good game gets your heart going, and Identity V does just that in more ways than one. This survival-horror game from NetEase Games, the company that sent ripples through the mobile gaming community with Rules of Survival, is one you won’t be able to put down.
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Combining elements of puzzle, survival, PvP, co-op, and horror games, Identity V has all the makings of a highly addictive game, and rightly so. It features asymmetrical gameplay, meaning players have differents roles and capabilities in-game, and eye-catching graphics to boot. The graphics treatment is reminiscent of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy updated with current horror aesthetics. The use of rag dolls as characters and a Victorian-era style setting also ups the game’s creep factor. The game begins with a playable narrative. You start as detective Orpheus. After receiving a mysterious letter, Orpheus begins investigating mysteries surrounding the abandoned Oletus manor. Once inside, control of the character is turned over to the player. You are then tasked to find clues. After accomplishing the opening objectives, the game goes back to story mode as Orpheus assumes the role of a Survivor. In this part, the player will be introduced to the rules of the game, through a sort of trial run. The player joins three other Survivors in exploring the map to find and decode cipher machines that are key to opening the exits. No need to worry, you wouldn’t exactly do any deciphering; just stay close to a machine for the command trigger to pop, tap, and wait for the task to finish. It isn’t just a simple puzzle game, however. As players find their way throughout the map, they have to look out for and evade Hunters. These disfigured, monstrous characters will prevent Survivors from escaping the manor. Identity V has a 1vs4 game format. This means you can either play as a sole Hunter or be one of the four Survivors. You can continue playing the main story, but you can also jump into online battles for matches with other players. Currently, there are seven playable Hunters: Leo Beck, Joker, Jack, Bane, Violetta, Michiko, and
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Hastur. If you want to feel the thrill of being hunted, you can play any of the 15 available Survivors: Emma, Freddy, Emily, Kreacher, Servais, Kurt, Naib, Martha, Tracy, William, Helena, Lucky Guy, Fiona, Vera, and Kevin. Each of these characters will be available to play as you move forward in the game. The characters are also given with interesting backstories, making them more than just playable figures in game. With personalities and relatable attributes, it’s not hard to get invested and pick favorites. To make each match more challenging for either parties, as players level up, they’ll be able to unlock traits. These traits are categorized into three: active traits are gained as you move up the ranks; passive traits or talents can be obtained through talent points. External traits for Survivors, or ability for Hunters either boost powers or give handicaps. Traits for Survivors take the form of healing abilities, speedier deciphering, heightened senses, faster movement, among others, all of which can make escaping less troublesome. For Hunters, boosts are basically the same with those of Survivors, but theirs are meant to help them hunt better and eliminate Survivors faster. Identity V was released just this year but has already amassed a huge player base. Its thrilling gameplay and the chance to meet new people make it a game worth coming back to. Plus, since it is fairly new, players could expect more exciting updates in the future.
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Developer and Publisher: Square ENIX Platform: Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch Words by Jose Alvarez
Square ENIX is globally known for the Final Fantasy JRPG series to gamers all around the world. However, the Dragon Quest series of RPGs have a simple yet entertaining premise: a hero needs to save the land from a powerful enemy. It was one of the first Japanese RPGs to be ever released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) back in 1986, and has drawn a massive following over the past 30 years. One of the driving forces behind the Dragon Quest series aside from creator Yuji Horii, is character designer Akira Toriyama who crought the popularity of Japanese anime throughout the entire world.
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While Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age has been out since last year, it did not reach the Englishspeaking world until September 2018. Much of the basic JRPG elements are present in the game like a silent teenage protagonist, controlling different characters and outfitting them with different weapons and armors using items, it is also the first game in the series to support 4K resolution for PCs. The Luminary, or the protagonist, takes off on a coming-of-age tale with his childhood friend, Gemma, in the world of Erdrea. Along the way, he meets Erik, a thief; Veronica, a little girl who is a skilled magician; Serena, who fills the healer character trope; Sylvando, the pretty boy; Jade, a female martial artist; and Rab, an elderly man who wields a pair of claws. During his journey, the Luminary’s primary enemy is the Kingdom of Heliodor, particularly King Carnelian, his general, Hendrik; and Jasper, his strategist, cast doubt on the Luminary’s origins as the reincarnation of an ancient hero who once saved Erdrea.
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While the game has a very engaging story, it is extremely linear. You have very few chances to go and explore the beautiful world of Erdrea aside from a handful of side quests. It plays more like an action-adventure game than a JRPG that gives players more freedom. The combat system brings nothing new to the JRPG genre. You can attack, defend, heal, use special abilities and items, but nothing more. If you’re a fan of a game’s story, this is not necessarily a bad thing, but completionists like myself often wonder what is next. While the game’s graphics are astounding especially if you have a 4K setup, and on par with Toriyama standards, there is much left to be desired with this installation of Dragon Quest. In the end, while it features high-caliber visuals in the series, it won’t appeal to the true adventurer that completes side quests to have overwhelmingly powerful equipment and items. Perhaps if there was more focus on exploring the wide world around the Luminary, Dragon Quest XI would easily be one of the best JRPGs of all time, but for now, it is another example of why games in the same genre are hardly distinguishable from each other.
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ACTIVE
LIFESTLYE
PROGRESS REPORT Words by Marlet Salazar
The sport of running is seeing a surge of enthusiasts from leisure runners to competitive marathoners. World marathon majors have attracted thousands of runners, from amateurs to professionals. While it is a good sign that humanity is picking up on the sport—and maybe a healthy lifestyle—this gives brands a chance to turn it into profit.
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Activity trackers
Serious runners log their miles, check their pace, and update their progress to see if they are ready for the next marathon. These data and metrics help them train and adjust their activity whenever necessary. Some sports — or health — smartwatches even have a wrist-based heart monitor rate. There are other sports watch that only tracks steps or sometimes even prod runners to run if these wearables sensed that they have been idle for a while. The most popular brand is Garmin and then there’s the latest Apple Watch S4, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Wear OS, among others.
Running these days is more than just a good pair of shoes and a polyester outfit. Competitive runners need to log their miles, the frequency of their runs, pacing progress, and the whole bunch of data to see if they are ready to compete. Even leisure runners cannot run without their music in tow. Below is a short list of sports wearables and apps that fitness enthusiasts and athletes cannot live without.
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Bluetooth in-ear headphones
Bluetooth in-ear headphones are a must for runners who couldn’t run without their music playing in the background. Nothing can be more annoying than dangling earphones cords. When the cord wraps around the wrist or the arms, it could distract you from the activity and it is extremely exasperating when you are trying to beat a personal record. Wireless in-ear headphones are a breath of fresh air that lets you feel the runner’s high while enjoying your own playlist.
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3
Ankle fitness coach
It may sound weird that runners have been training using different apps instead of paying coaches to train them for long-distance runs, but this latest innovation in sports wearables can monitor activities and provide real-time coaching when working out. The brand Moov Now has the ability to tell you if you are in proper running form or doing the exercises correctly. It uses a 9-axis motion sensing system such as accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer.
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Heart and motion sensors
While Apple has incorporated ECG into its latest Apple Watch, US-based fitness technology company Wahoo Fitness comes up with a wearable line that monitors heart-rate with motion sensors. The company also produces bike and gym wearables.
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APPS
FITNESS
NRC + NTC
Nike redesigned its Nike Run to Nike Running Club which retains most of the features where it tracks and logs your runs. It also features a pane on achievements and gives alerts if you have not been running for a while. For better results, install and pair it with Nike Training Club that will design a training plan based not only on your activity history, but also on what you need. If you want toned muscles, it suggests exercises for you to achieve a buff body. It also has exercises that will help you increase your speed, should you want a challenging workout.
Strava
Strava distinguishes itself as a “social fitness� network. Many bikers and runners use this app to log miles and routes. You might have heard of it from the news that came up when one runner was shown to have run through a military camp. Activities are recorded via the Strava mobile application or GPS-enabled fitness watches or cycling computers
Runkeeper
Runkeeper is one of the first apps that runners use. According to online news sites, it has over 50 million users globally. It was launched in 2008 and has become a byword among runners. Aside from logging in the miles and the hours, it also has a goal-setting function that pushes users to beat their personal record.
While many people think technology has made people sluggish, they seem to overlook that the fitness industry has become a goldmine for developers, engineers, and fitness brands. For every runner, biker, or swimmer out there, their data is one of their new oil. They always need to know where they are in their training.
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Asana Rebel
Asana Rebel is a yoga-inspired fitness app that fuses the asanas (poses) into a faster pace, helping you to burn calories and tones muscles. It features different workouts themes depending on what people need to improve. Some of the exercises may be challenging because yoga poses may look cool but are actually difficult.
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WELLNESS
Clara International Skin & Body Centre Words by Jewel Sta. Ana Photos by Theresa Eloriaga
Quezon City may be one of the busiest places in the metro, constantly buzzing with motorists and commuters. Apart from being the most populous city in the National Capital Region, it also serves as home to the stars, being home to the main offices of two gigantic TV networks. The many fitness and beauty establishments around Timog area is to be expected, given its proximity to on-screen personalities and highly stressed network types. Not to far from the busy street, we discovered a new wellness destination fit for anyone who needs a quick break from the stress of the city.
Clara International Skin and Body Centre is a Malaysian franchise brought to the Philippines by Anne Lorraine Yu-Sia and her friends in 2003. Having met Dr. Clara Chee, the founder and namesake of the global beauty clinic in an overseas beauty convention, the friends decided to bring the service to Quezon City. Warm and inviting, the newly-renovated clinic is comfortable and cozy. Soft piano music keeps customers company as they await their turn in the relaxing reception area. Offering a wide range of services to its customers, Clara International takes pride in their state-of-the-art and non-invasive procedures that guarantee effective results. Passing world-renowned professional standards such as CIDESCO and UKAS, and garnering recognition from Superbrands, clients can be assured they’re in good hands. “We provide safe and effective products, as well as treatments to our clients that deliver obvious results without taking any shortcuts,” shared by Yu-Sia. To further enhance their services, the skin and body centre practices a “know your machine” campaign among its employees. Their consultants are all highly-trained in both the procedures, and use of the equipment at the center. From the top-of-the-line hair removal machines by Alma Lasers, to the lifting machines by CACi from the UK, the combination of training and medical devices make sure customers get the best service. They also house the machines for Luminous 4D treatment by Fotona, Hydraoxyglow by Geneo, and Oxyjet by Nora Bode from Germany.
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Their services include Diode Laser Hair Removal that eliminates unwanted facial and body hair, Luminous 4D White Facial which lightens dark spots, as well as acne scars and dark circles under the eyes, and the hydrating JetPeel, the clinic’s own version of Diamond Peel with the use of gas suction. Jennifer Sevilla-Go, actress and one of their loyal patrons, had nothing but praise for the center.
The detoxifying Plasma Jet Peel treatment being administered to Chris Fong
Clara International’s brand ambassadors Janelle Tee, Chris Fong, and Jennifer Sevilla-Go with owner Ms. Anne Yu-Sia
“I’ve been a client for a year and I experienced firsthand the refreshing and rejuvenating facials that they have, as well as their other treatments.The good thing here is that all of their products are natural and hypoallergenic. The same goes to the machines that they use,” she shared. The clinic also offers special services focused on improving Clara International’s Plasma Jet Peel on a closer look your figure, and other common problem areas for women. This includes painless body contouring, skin rejuvenation, facial sculpting, and non-surgical face lift. Some of their treatments also eliminates toxins in the body. According to Yu-Sia, many men are now also becoming more open about their skin problems. Most of them, who first came at the behest of their spouses, now also enjoy the clinic’s natural approach to beauty. About 40 percent of their regular customers are men, brought in by their loyal female clients.
Top-of-the-line hair removal machines by Alma Lasers
Janelle Tee receives Diode Laser Hair Removal on her legs
When asked on their expansion plans, Anne’s answer spoke of their commitment to quality service. “Even if we already exist for a long time, we still feel blessed to welcome new partnerships. We might only have two branches in the country, one here in Quezon City and the other one in Greenhills, but we are always focused on giving high-grade services to our clients.” The Luminous 4D White Facial being done on Janelle Tee
In celebration of its 15th anniversary, customers are in for a treat. The aesthetic beauty clinic will be giving a 50 percent discount on all their services offered until October 31, 2018.
A sneak peek of the Luminous 4D machine
Schedule Monday: 1 PM-7 PM Tuesday– Thursday: 10AM-7PM Friday: 8AM-7PM Saturday: 8AM-5PM
The Luminous 4D machine by Fotona
Follow them on: facebook.com/ClaraSkinandBodyCentre
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TRAVEL D E S T I N A T I O N
JAPAN In and Around
Words and Photos by Presy Alba Art by Jael Mendoza
Tourist Visa requirements
For first time applicants, you need to prepare the following documents: 1. Completed Japan Visa Form 2. Philippine Passport that is more than 6 months from expiration date from your intended date of return to the Philippines; 3. 2x2 in photo (4.5cm x 4.5cm) 4. Birth Certificate that has been issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority within
5. 6. 7.
the past 6 months; if married, you also need to submit a PSA copy of your Marriage Certificate. Day-to-day schedule or itinerary while in Japan Clear photocopy of your Income Tax Return or BIR Form 1700, 1701 or 2316; Bank Certificate showing that you have enough funds covering your travel expenses.
As a tourist, getting to Japan is now easier and less expensive. Discounted airfares are frequently offered by many of the local and international airlines and can be availed of through promos from the various credit card companies. In addition to the lower airfare, getting a tourist visa is a lot simpler—you don’t even have to make an appearance at the Japanese Embassy.
As indicated in the visa requirements, you don’t have to submit a copy of your airline or hotel booking. The day-to-day schedule and itinerary in Japan can just be your general plan of the daily activity while in Japan. For example, on certain days you can just indicate that you want to explore a particular district of Tokyo plan to go on a day trip to nearby areas, or transfer to another location. Visa processing usually takes up to 10 working days, so it is advisable to process your visa at least a month before your intended date of departure.
Gadgets and devices
Your smartphone and power bank is essential, especially if you plan to take lots of photos and use your phone for navigation. A mobile Wi-Fi device such as Pokefi, which offers unlimited usage for USD 3/day, is probably the best option to have web access. It is offered in PAL international flights for USD 127. A second option is to rent a mobile Wi-Fi device from Japan Wireless and have the device delivered to your hotel or at the airport. Average rental is a little more than JPY 5000+ for 1-4 days rental or about JPY 7000 for 7 days, with the option for an extra powerbank. This will be more reliable and a bit cheaper than turning on data roaming on your phone. A small folding umbrella will be useful as protection from the scorching heat or rain. Make this one of your first purchases as the Japanese make sturdy, light, and small umbrellas enough to fit your handbag.
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Accomodation
Downtown Tokyo accommodation – even through Airbnb can be quite expensive. If you are arriving at Narita Airport on an evening flight, it might be more practical to stay at a hotel in the Narita area for the night and go to Tokyo early the following day. Narita area hotels offer free airport shuttles and are a lot cheaper at about USD 75 per night for a room that can accommodate two persons or about USD 110 for quadruple sharing. You may also want to check-in to the same hotel on the night before your departure if you have an early morning flight. Downtown Tokyo hotels can be very expensive. A good alternative is to stay at an Airbnb. The best location is to find a place near Shinjuku Station. If you stay in this area, you will have access from all the trains and subways, as well as the airport bus limousine and the expressway buses for day trips to nearby locations outside of Tokyo. If you plan to do some shopping, there are several department stores adjacent to the station where you have a wide selection of items from designer brands to discount stores. There are many Airbnb homes in this area. Depending on your budget, you can stay in an entire apartment, get a room in a local home, or spend the night at an inn with Japanese style rooms. A room in the Shinjuku area can cost from about JPY 18000 or higher per night for four www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph
persons.Japanese homes are smaller though—a whole apartment could be just the size of a regular hotel room (about 25sqm) and many of the cheaper accommodations usually have shared bathrooms and toilets.
Transportation
The Narita Express may be faster, but the Airport Limousine Bus is a more convenient, less expensive way to transfer from the airport to Shinjuku. If you are traveling with a companion, you can save by purchasing a multiple voucher which includes 4 tickets for JPY 8000 that can be used for roundtrip airport transfers. A regular one-way ticket costs JPY 3100, so you saving JPY 1100 per trip or a total of JPY 4400. The bus trip takes about an hour and a half or two depending on traffic, versus less than an hour if you take the train, but the nice thing about it is that there is a team on hand to assist you with loading and unloading your luggage. To get around the Tokyo area, get a PASMO or SUICA card. Also known as IC cards, both work the same way: the only difference is that you can get the PASMO card at the airport and you can redeem the balance at the airport when you surrender it at the end of your trip. You can get a SUICA card at a JR Station, reload it together with PASMO cards at the same machines, use them to ride trains, subways, metros, and buses as well as pay for lockers and buy snacks and drinks from vending machines.
A single journey ticket within the Tokyo area can cost anywhere from JPY 160 to JPY 400 depending on the distance you travel. Drinks from vending machines also cost around JPY 200 on average. So for a 5-day stay in the Tokyo area, about JPY 4000 load would be enough, JPY 5000 if you intend to use storage lockers at the station during your trip. Tokyo is a big metropolis and a week is not really enough to see all of the sights. A day trip outside of Tokyo, particularly Kawaguchiko to see Mt. Fuji can be a refreshing and leisurely break from the hectic Tokyo scene. Again, taking the bus is longer but cheaper. It is recommended that you purchase your ticket early so you can have seat reservation. A roundtrip bus ticket costs around JPY 3500. You may buy your ticket at the expressway bus station or online at www.highwaybus.com. When you get to the Kawaguchiko station, you can purchase a 2-day Retrobus Pass that will take you around the five-lakes area, sort of like a hopon hop-off bus. You can choose which stops you want to get down. Buses stop by each station at 15-30 minute intervals.
Activities and food trips Japan has such distinct cuisine that you must not miss. A normal meal could cost anywhere from JPY 1000 to JPY 2000 per person. OCTOBER 2018
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It could go higher if you eat at more expensive restaurants. One way to save is to buy take-out food at the deli, grocery, or convenience shops. A meal from 7-11 can cost less than JPY 1000. You may also want to check out the deli at the basement of Takashimaya Times Square for delicious takeaways. If you decide to go to the Kawaguchiko area, you must try the Houtou Noodles which is distinct to the area. You must also go at least once to the conveyor belt sushi places around Tokyo. Depending on how much you eat, a meal can cost from JPY 1500 to 2000 per person. Each small plate can range from JPY 100 to JPY 500 depending on the plate color, and the waiter just counts the number of plates when you check out. Set meals in restaurants are also reasonably priced and a great way to try the local fare. An average set meal costs around JPY 2000. While in Japan, try one of the Airbnb experiences posted by the locals. It is a good way to meet other visitors to Japan as well as interact with strangers. The Sushi Kabuki Night experience hosted by Kaori on Airbnb is especially good. The two and a half hour activity is well worth the JPY 5000 price: you get to explore the Taito City neighborhood, eat a good sushi meal that you prepare, and learn about Kabuki.
different kinds of Sushi from different parts of Japan. Wrapping up the evening, she starts with an interesting part of her life by showing short videos of Kabuki Theater.
Shopping and storage lockers
Most shopping centers in Japan offer duty-free shopping if you buy more than JPY 5000. Most stores allow you to shop as usual and process your tax refund before you leave the store. You must have your passport if you plan to do any duty-free shopping. Should you do a lot of shopping for the day around Shinjuku station, you might want to consider getting a locker to store your purchases. A small locker costs JPY 300, while medium and large lockers cost JPY 400-500 and JPY 700 respectively. Lockers are paid either by using the IC card by JPY 100 coins. The lockers are single-use for each payment. Available lockers are open, so you can put in your things inside and once you’ve dropped the required amount of coins, you can turn the lock and take out the key. To claim your things, insert the key and open the locker. Once opened you will need to pay the required amount again if
you want to close the locker as the key cannot be turned or without payment. Lockers that use the IC cards are also open when available. After you put your items and turn the lock, you pay by tapping the IC card on the display console. If you don’t have enough balance on your smart card, the locker automatically unlocks after a few minutes. Once locked, you will need the same IC card to open the locker. It works the same way as the coin lockers – you need to pay every time you want to lock it. Lockers are also a practical way of storing your luggage if you arrive early and cannot check-in to your accommodation yet, or after checkout on your last day, especially if you plan to do other activities before going to the airport. Just make sure that you get to the lockers early because they are in high demand after 10AM.
Overall experience
Japan is one of the best tourist destination for first-time travelers. Although a bit more expensive than other Asian countries, the people are super polite and helpful, their facilities are very clean and neat, and it is a very safe place to travel. If you like Japanese food, you will almost certainly find everything delicious. Just one caveat—prepare your feet for a longdistance walk.
Starting from the meet-up at Ueno Station, she points out places of interest in the neighborhood during the short walk to her apartment. Once there, she demonstrates and teaches how real Sushi is prepared, and offers a wide array of
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FOOD
Riding the waves of success Words by Jewel Sta. Ana Photos by Theresa Eloriaga
Maginhawa street in Teacher’s Village has a solid reputation of being a center for cheap, interesting eats. The dormitories and apartments nearby create the perfect market for the food parks and restaurants that the area is now known for. Of the many restaurants that can be found all along the street, Above Sea Level caught our attention thanks to its particular food offerings. Above Sea Level started as a simple kiosk at The Yard Underground in Pasig. With its appetizing food and affordable price, their giant butterfly squid made its way to the hearts and stomachs of food park goers, and eventually created a buzz in social media. From the initial six food park stalls, the seafood restaurant has now grown into a franchise, and has opened its first standalone branch inside Teacher’s Village. Seafood lovers Polsan Pangindian and Rowena Baldonado personally created the menu for the restaurant. Before they came up with the signature dish that has been popping up on social media, the couple invested a lot of their time and effort experimenting with squid. It’s the perfect candidate for a quick meal--easily available, delicious, and quick to prepare and cook. So when the two saw the clamor of people for fresh yet affordable seafood dishes, they decided to stick with their concept, expand their offerings, and make everything good for sharing. Outside, you’ll be greeted by a neon sign, giving the restaurant a retro diner vibe. The place takes its seafood theme to heart, with ocean-themed decor reflecting its name, and further keeping the theme with blue and white furniture. There’s also a twostorey, mini-ferry structure with blue lifebuoys that serves as a dedicated area for small groups. According to franchise manager Mark Vidal, they wanted to keep the seafood vibe throughout the establishment. “Since we mainly cater seafood dishes, we want to bring them an above sea level experience once they dine in our restaurant,” he proudly shared. Everyone is also encouraged to eat with their hands, adding a more Pinoy flair in the experience. Their butterfly squid comes in different sizes-starting from Giant (PHP 180), Super (PHP 250), King (PHP 350), and Groot (PHP 450), with free java rice. We dug in and started with their house specialty, the deep-fried King Butterfly Squid. Best when dipped in Above Sea Level’s special vinegar, 78
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it’s crispy yet tender enough to be pulled from the stick with your fingers. If you’re craving for more, have yourself a serving of the Squid Fest (PHP 490). The restaurant also offers unique and innovative dishes such as Squid Fries (PHP 250) which is basically squid tentacles prepared as calamares. It’s marinated, and coated in a batter with secret spices, then fried to perfection giving a burst of flavor with every bite. Apart from squid, they also offer other seafood dishes like the fried Firecracker Shrimp (PHP 180) and Bacon-wrapped Shrimp with Tartar Sauce (PHP 240). The mouth-watering Seafood Festival, however, satisfies your seafood cravings putting buttered crabs, mussels, shrimp, and corn on the cob on a bed of java rice, and topped with aligue sauce. We also tried their signature refreshment, the Blue Lemonade Juice Tower (PHP 180) to quench our thirst. Partnering with Crazy Sushi Manila, the restaurant also offers its best-sellers such as the Tonkotsu Ramen (PHP 290), a creamy and rich pork bone
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noodle soup topped with a slice of pork belly, tamago, Japanese fish cake, and spring onions; and Spicy Ramen, a spicy pork bone noodle dish (PHP 290).
Store hours: Monday to Friday: 4 PM-11 PM Address: 119 Maginhawa Street, Diliman, Quezon City
Vidal also takes pride in the restaurant’s commissary, which ensures quality control over their products. They have a strict protocol for their franchisees when it comes to supplying their products. “We don’t add chemical preservatives to our dishes, and we only include salt, pepper, and our secret spices. The freshness on our products is maintained because we don’t manufacture ahead of time. In fact, franchisees know that they have to order three to five days ahead.” Currently, Above Sea Level is one of the fastest growing seafood chain in the metro with over 100 branches in Luzon. Lately, the restaurant has entered major malls nationwide. They are currently increasing their branches to Visayas and Mindanao through their franchise programs.
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7107 Culture + Cuisine: Not Your Average Local Restaurant Words and Photos by Paula Candoy
We Filipinos are always in search for new and exciting restaurants to enjoy, and cuisine to try. Bonus points to the place if they’ve made the effort to make themselves IG-worthy. 7107 Culture + Cuisine hits the mark on both, and we were lucky enough to get to pay them a visit.
Found on the grounds of Treston College in Bonifacio Global City, 7107 Culture + Cuisine is your go-to resto for your Filipino food cravings. This one-of-a-kind food hall is a collaboration between Project 7107 Inc. and Treston International College, and aims to recognize the richness and beauty of the Filipino culture. The restaurant also serves as a training ground for the tourism, hospitality, and culinary students of Treston College, pushing them closer towards their global hospitality practice. Once you get inside the restaurant, you are greeted by vibrant interiors which reflect modern Filipino design— definitely worthy of a spot on your Instagram feed. Local artists are frequently invited to visit and add their art to the interiors of the restaurant. They also have a function room with a selection of popular Filipino board games which you can play with while waiting for the local cuisine they take pride in preparing. From its name 7107, this restaurant serves a wide range of Filipino food that showcases different cuisine from the many regions of the Philippines. If you’re expecting a typical Filipino fare however, you won’t find it here. They excel in taking familiar dishes, giving it a new and interesting twist. The food hall has 4 different sections namely: Kanto, Dampa, Talyasi, and Himagas. 80
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Chocolate Binagoongan
Krispy Kare-Kare
Another from their best-seller list is the Chocolate Binagoongan. The initial reaction of squintyeyed confusion is understandable, but set all your prejudice aside, and go for it. It’s 2018, after all. This peculiar dish is grilled pork tossed in Pangasinan bagoong served with a chocolateflavored Mexican mole. The saltiness of the pork binagoongan and the sweetness of the chocolate mole complement each other in a way that really makes the dish shine. For dessert, satisfy your sweet tooth with their Molten Pastillas Lava Cake. Give it a slice and the heavenly molten pastillas explodes from the
middle. Sweet, decadent, and rich, this dessert alone gives you enough reason to pay them another visit. 7107 Culture + Cuisine is definitely not your average local restaurant. Experience the richness of the Filipino culture and be a proud, satisfied Pinoy. Address: G/F Treston International College, 32nd Street corner C-5 Road, Bonifacio Global City Store hours: Sunday to Friday, 10:00AM to 8:00PM Follow them at: Facebook: facebook.com/7107restaurant/ Instagram: @7107restaurant
Our appetizer was the #WhenInPH from the Kanto section. It is a variety of street food served on a small weighing scale. More than just a regular appetizer, their presentation adds that little bit of flair to keep things interesting. This appetizer is a dish of fish balls, squid balls, kwek-kwek, and dynamite spring rolls, served with calamansi aioli, garlic pepper pinakurat, and the iconic manong fish ball sauce, perfect for the wait for your main course. As for the mains, they have a Groufie Platter Combi perfect for 3-4 persons. It comes with ensaladang mangga and bagoong, fish crackers, lechon kawali, fried tofu, stuffed squid, grilled tilapia and chicken inasal. This platter is the perfect pick for a small group looking for a big meal. As we mentioned earlier, this Filipino restaurant is unique. Case in point, their Krispy Kare-Kare made with bagnet shipped in from Ilocos, and fresh peanut butter from Quezon. It’s comfortingly familiar, but the crunch and flavor of the bagnet makes the dish shine. Have it with a bit of bagoong, and you’re good to go. It’s served in a talyasi—a metal pot used locally for cooking.
Gutchy Gutierrez-Head Chef of 7107 Culture+Cuisine
Minty Lemonade
Molten Pastillas Lava Cake
When in PH
Groufie Platter-Combi
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FEATURE
“Delivering Tomorrow’s Technology Today” Lenovo Unveils Latest Innovations at TechLife ‘18 Words and Photos by Mia Carisse Barrientos
In the consumer tech manufacturing game, there are no clear rules. As long as the technology works, consumers will see its value. Lenovo knows this better than most, and they constantly deliver products that enrich consumers’ lives. Lenovo has established itself in the PC scene as a force to be reckoned with. When it comes to computing machines and customer service, the company consistently delivers. This strong push manifests in the products they offer. Gadgets Magazine scored front-row seats to the unveiling of the brand’s latest innovations in Berlin. Tech Life is Lenovo’s annual launch event, and this year’s show meant business for the brand. Built upon key factors such as transforming the customer experience, accelerating security, and elevating portable entertainment to engage and help productivity, Lenovo has come out with their best devices yet.
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Lenovo is a global PC powerhouse, and it comes as no surprise that computing machines were the stars of Tech Life. Of their latest offerings, several devices stood out. The laptop that drew the most attention was the latest iteration of the Yoga Book. Why wouldn’t it, with its dual display panels? It’s in Lenovo’s DNA to innovate, and the Yoga Book C930 is a product of that. There’s a high-resolution IPS display and an e-ink panel at the bottom. The e-ink display isn’t just a cosmetic aspect, it functions as a digital notepad with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, an e-book reader, and a keyboard. To dismiss concerns over its lack of a physical keyboard, Lenovo developed technology to allow it to learn user typing behavior and provide haptic feedback. If the user often confuses the D key to F, it will adjust distance accordingly to keep typing errors at a minimal and usage more fluid. It also comes with a new knock-to-open feature that comes in handy when you need to get the device open but your hands are full.
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Lenovo’s new Yoga series additions are also equally notable. The star of the Yoga line of laptops is the Yoga C930. It is a beautiful machine that’s perfect for both work and play. An 8th gen Intel Core i7 and 14.5-hour battery life helps keep productivity up, while the new Dual Dolby-Atmosboosted tweeters found in the rotating hinge, and its Garaged Pen offer next-level entertainment. Lenovo also debuted its thinnest consumer clamshell laptop Yoga S730, its first laptop with a Snapdragon 850 processor, the Yoga C630, and a couple of new Yoga Chromebooks. For the power users, the ThinkPad X1 Extreme fits the bill with specs such as an 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce 1050Ti GPU, up to 64 GB of memory, and dual PCIe SSD storage with raid option, a 15.6-inch UHD display with Dolby Vision HDR, Cortana and Alexa support, Rapid Charge of up to 80-percent of power in just 60 minutes, ThinkShutter webcam privacy, and more.
The Yoga C930’s
Smart Home Devices
Lenovo is taking bold strides towards becoming the undisputed name in the realm of smart homes. Joining its recently launched Smart Display, the brand introduced three new devices that bring them closer to having a comprehensive home automation ecosystem.The brand believes that smart homes are for everyone, and by simplifying their offerings they are able to provide broad value to consumers. The Smart Home Essentials lineup is currently comprised of a Smart Bulb, Smart Plug, and Smart Camera. These three can be controlled through voice via Google Assistant and Alexa compatibility. But what ties these devices together is the Lenovo Link App. The app, which can be installed on supported devices and the Smart Display, serves as the control center for the devices in the ecosystem providing seamless, intuitive control. It allows the user different functions such as setting up a device to run at specific times in a day, adjusting a device’s feature to their liking, powering the device on and off remotely, and probably more controls to come in the future.
Gaming
Starting the year strong with new Legion devices and a refreshed brand identity, Lenovo aims for a big chunk of the gaming market share.
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The Motorola One on display at the Lenovo IFA ‘18 booth
It beefs up its gaming lineup with the Legion Y530, now with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU to provide buttery-smooth graphics, and power that won’t let up even on long stretches of gameplay. For rig enthusiasts, Legion has the VRready T730 tower and the compact C730. Lenovo is pushing its gaming brand further with a Legion branded gaming backpack. The Recon Gaming backpack can fit 15.6-inch laptops and is made of tough materials to secure the user’s gaming investment. In the gaming scene, however, Lenovo’s biggest noisemakers are its AR/VR devices. To immerse customers further in the Star Wars Jedi Challenges world, Lenovo saw it fit to roll out a Dark Side Expansion to the game. Players can live their villainous fantasies and duel the likes of Jedi master Yoda in three level of difficulties through augmented reality. They also get to step into the shoes of Kylo Ren by wielding a limited edition lightsaber inspired by the Supreme Leader of the First order.
Transformation is important for Lenovo. And for the company, this starts with addressing consumer needs, demands, pain points, and desires to be able to create truly purposeful innovation that will prove useful and relevant through the years. Lenovo was able to inject these things in the devices they revealed this year.
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FEATURE
CREATE Philippines is an annual gathering organized by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Mission (DTI-CITEM). The event, serves as the country’s international trade platform for continued learning, knowledge exchange, and business networking towards the development of the Philippine creative industry. On the first day of CREATE Philippines 2018, some of the country’s leading minds shared their journey on how they made a mark in the local and international creative industry—their humble beginnings, creative process and discovery, struggles and mistakes, as well the lessons they learned along the way. Despite coming from different backgrounds, these creative luminaries have all shed light on what other Filipino creatives can do to level up and be ahead in the global creative industry. Here are some of their tips from the event held last September 22-23:
1. Capitalize on your Intellectual Property
Earnings from intellectual property (IPs) content is where creatives can draw a majority of their income around the world. This is what the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP) president Paolo Mercado said as he kicked off the lecture sessions of CREATE Philippines 2018. Paolo, who is also Nestle Philippines’ senior vice president of Communication and Innovation, emphasized that royalties and licensed leads the three primary sources of income among creatives worldwide. The other two sources are revenue from sales of goods, and revenue from the employment of creative skills.
2. Harmonize Advertising and Branding Expertise
Creatives should learn to master advertising and branding skills if they want to seal the deal with their clients, according to the founder and president of Adobo magazine Angel Guerrero. “Although branding and advertising are completely different discipline, creatives nowadays should be able to do a crossover. Don’t just focus on the design but also focus on what the market wants,” said Guerrero. During the event, she emphasized her point by sharing some of the successful campaigns 84
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of creative agencies and individuals around the world, including the works of George Lois, Esquire Magazine, DNAD, Lucille Tenazas, R/GA, Stefan Sagmeister, TBWA, and Carla Echevarria.
3. Master the Ins and Outs of Your Business
Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset. Get a business registration. Know the numbers. Standardize your pricing. Learn how to read financial reports. Set short-term and long-term goals. Draft a good project contract. Be open to partnerships. These are just some of the many tips from Jowee Alviar, who is the president of Communication Design Association of the Philippines and the co-founder of Team Manila Graphic Design Studio Inc.
professional,” said creative entrepreneur AJ Dimarucot. As a world-renowned design freelancer, AJ has inspired the audience with the story of his humble beginnings to now living his dream— getting to do his passion and making a profit out of it. He has worked with the global brands like Nike and Adidas, and designed for popular athletes and personalities like Lebron James, Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan. AJ also shared his dream that no Filipino will ever go abroad to look for better opportunities and that the Philippines will not export people but ideas.
In his talk, Alviar presented a case study on TeamManila as an example on how Philippine creatives can grow their own design studio from its early beginnings from a small, two-store studio to working with different international brands like Uniqlo and San Miguel Corporation.
4. Recognize the Power in Collaboration More heads are better than one.
This is what Dan Matutina told his fellow creatives as he discussed the successful dynamics of Hydra Design Group, a multiheaded design firm in Makati, forged by independent studios with a common passion for creativity, craft, and collaboration. As the head of Plus 63 Studio., one of the firms under Hydra Design Group, Dan shared how the different heads of their design group attack a project to make a killer brand strategy and campaign.
5. Passion Pays Forward
“Find what you are passionate about, proficient and place it in a platform share it for the world. That is how you become a great creative
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ENTERPRISE
BPI Sinag Accelerate Hails Top 10 Social Enterprises for 2018 BPI Foundation—the social innovation arm of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)—recently revealed the top ten winners of its pioneering business challenge initiative for social enterprises. Nanaycare, Inc. was named as the People’s Choice Awardee, receiving PHP 20,000 seed funding, PHP 50,000 worth of Facebook promotion budget, and access to credit lines from BPI Business Banking. Kayumanggi Organic, meanwhile, won the category for Negosyo Ko Award and received PHP 20,000 capital funding from BPI Direct Banko. BPI Foundation‘s partner social enterprise incubator, StartUp Village, selected Nanaycare, Inc. and Exceptional Sports for a 14-week gift mentoring program. Here is the complete list of BPI Sinag Accelerate 2018 winners, arranged according to their ranking: •
Carbon Cycle Processing Inc., a recycling company that plans to venture into renewable energy by designing, constructing and operating solar concentrators for agricultural processing using scrap materials.
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Junk Not Handicraft, a small-scale brand that promotes and produces eco-creative furniture from upcycled materials.
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Palamigan Co. which offers a freezing system that uses the brine immersion cooling technique, providing a more affordable alternative for ice-based businesses.
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Saret Organic Farmville, a social, inclusive agri-enterprise working with poor upland farmers and indigenous tribes in Bulacan.
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Uproot Aquaponics, a social enterprise that aims to end unemployment, malnutrition, hunger and poverty by introducing Community Shared Aquaponics to low income communities in the Philippines.
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Calaboo Dairyard, Inc. which offers dairy producs made from carabao’s milk.
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Cocoasenso Corp. which establishes a network of medium-scale coconut processing centers where coconuts are purchased directly from local farmers who are employed in primary processing.
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Edaya Cordillera, designs bamboo jewelry and instruments inspired by Kalinga culture.
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Got Heart, a platform for developing social enterprises among various grassroots communities in the Philippines.
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EKOLIFE, a social enterprise operated and managed by Atikha involved in packaging and promoting eco/agrotour destinations that involves the OFWs and families as both service providers and customers of the tourism industry.
The top five awardees brought home PHP 500,000 cash grants, while the remaining five got PHP 100,000. They also received specialized mentorship to advance their businesses. Participants went into a two-day boot camp organized by Bayan Academy for Social Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Development, one of BPI Foundation’s implementing partner for the project. The finalists were also trained on business planning, operations management, finance, marketing, and human resources during the incubation phase. They were all given a chance to pitch their business proposals to a panel of judges which are composed of Jessymel Cruz of BPI Business Banking, Rico Gonzales of Xchange, Dr. Eduardo Morato of Bayan Academy, Priya Thachadi of Villgro Philippines, and Rhyan Uy of Executive Optical. Jojo Flores, the Filipino co-founder of the Silicon Valley-based startup Plug and Play Tech Center, served as the keynote speaker during the awarding ceremony. The event also featured a panel discussion led by ANC’s On The Money host and entrepreneur Quintin Pastrana. Panelists included Carlo Ople, PLDT and Smart’s Vice President for Digital Strategy and Consumer Disruptive Business; RJ Ledesma, co-founder of Mercato Centrale and EnterPh.com; and Freddie Tinga, President of Global Electric Transportation (GET).
BPI Foundation’s executive director, Maricris San Diego, said: “BPI Foundation created BPI Sinag to help foster economic growth in the country by supporting businesses with the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. Our 2018 awardees serve to reinforce our commitment to sustainable nation-building and wealth-creation.” To further support these social enterprises, BPI Foundation will be holding a christmas bazaar on December 5 to 6, 2018 at the Palm Drive Activity Center in Glorietta in Makati City.
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Trend Micro Cements its Presence in the Philippine Market A global leader in cybersecurity solutions, Trend Micro Incorporated aims to beef up its presence in the Philippines in the corporate and consumer segments. Ian Felipe, Philippines’ country manager of Trend Micro, said that he is happy on the company’s performance due to the warm response of the market manifested on the five-fold rise of its sales. “This is an indicator on how we plan to continuously expand and develop the local market and help organizations in the cybersecurity front. At the same time, Trend Micro is continuously investing in talent. We have boosted our recruitment efforts, and this has grown more than 40 percent over the five-year period.” Moreover, the company reported substantial sales growth in the Asia Pacific region covering Australia, the Middle East and South-Eastern Asia. It is mainly driven by the huge demand in network security including cloud-related business. Net sales for this period in Asia Pacific region has amounted to 10,899 million Yen. This shows a 26.7 percent increase from the same period in the previous year, which is the highest net sales growth of the company. Despite the introduction of policies and regulations in the country, data breaches have remained consistent. Serving as the global technical support and research and development headquarters of the parent company, the Philippine branch of Trend Micro has recorded a growing insight on current security conversations globally. According to Felipe, information and data privacy is among these conversations. Reports noted that data breaches have remained consistent, despite the introduction of policies and regulations that aim to protect user data and privacy such as the Data Privacy Act. In the Philippines, according to the National Privacy Commission, they’ve received 57 reported data breaches to NPC from January to May 2018. “In our recently released 2018 Midyear Security Roundup report, we noted that using the relevant 2017 and 2018 datasets from Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, we saw a 16-percent increase in reported U.S.-based data breaches. This may indicate that even if enterprises are aware of the risks of data breaches, they may still be unable to enforce proper data protection mechanisms in a comprehensive manner,” Felipe said. To further enhance the awareness of enterprises on these threats, Trend Micro is organizing for the second time its Security TRENDs conference which will feature keynote speakers and track sessions that discuss current cybersecurity challenges, such as the increasingly complex data breaches,
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new government policies, and the widening cybersecurity skills gap. With its theme this year focusing on data breaches, Security TRENDs will also feature some of Trend Micro solutions and technologies that are part of the company’s Connected Threat Defense strategy.
“Security TRENDs provide an avenue for enterprises and organizations to address collectively these issues so that they can implement strategies, and solutions that are strong enough to withstand the rapid-changing landscape of the hyper-connected world.”
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Smart Partners with Oppo to Expand LTE Connection in the Philippines
Smart Communications Inc.—PLDT’s wireless subsidiary—teams up with the one of the global smartphone brands, Oppo, in bringing LTE technology to its subscribers. To encourage more customers to switch their sims to LTE, the telecommunications company brings the Oppo A71 phone kit bundle to Smart, TNT, and Sun users at a discounted price. The bundle comes with a free LTE sim for only PHP 5,988. Customers who wish to upgrade their sims to LTE also get 1 GB free of data valid for three days. The initiative allows their customers to experience faster data connections that they can use to stream videos, play mobile games, send files on the go and share photos on social media. Present at the signing ceremonies were PLDTSmart SVP and head of Consumer Business Market Development Oscar Reyes Jr, PLDT-Smart
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FVP and Consumer Marketing head Andrew L. Santos, Smart vice president for Prepaid Marketing Carlo Endaya, Oppo vice president for Channel Sales Zen Han, Oppo vice president for Marketing Jane Wan, and Oppo vice president for Operations Garrick Hung.
after the SIM upgrades. As more subscribers upgrade to LTE, mobile traffic on Smart’s network also grew by 79 percent in the first half of 2018, higher than the industry year-on-year growth of 54 percent for the same period.
“Our vision is to enable Filipinos to enjoy the fastest data connection with Smart LTE. We want to do this by equipping every Filipino with an LTE smartphone. Hence, Smart joins forces with OPPO to bring an LTE smartphone that allows our subscribers to level up to LTE and do this in an affordable way,” Santos said.
Alongside device partnerships, the telecom is continuously upgrading its network. As of endJune, Smart has installed over 3,900 new LTE base stations across the country, not only to expand LTE coverage but also to lay the ground for LTE-A, which can provide even greater capacity and speeds to users with capable smartphones. This puts the total count of LTE base stations at over 12,600.
As Smart accelerates its LTE migration campaign, the number of LTE handsets now surpasses the number of 3G phones on the network. For just the first half of the year, the number of new Smart LTE handsets rose by 75 percent. This leads to the increase of average revenue per user (ARPU) among prepaid subscribers three months
Smart is on track to fulfilling its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover 90 percent of the country’s cities andmunicipalities with mobile data service by the end of 2018.
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Survey Shows Connectivity Issues Lead to Damaged Relationships
According to a study conducted by Kaspersky Lab, staying connected is now an indicator of care and affection in relationships. The research shows that about 51 percent of the respondents worry when their loved ones can’t use their devices. Meanwhile, 45 percent of them feel helpless when they can’t contact their loved ones through their phones. Concerns about not being connected and what this means for them are often justified. The impact of not having a working connection can escalate from simply missing a date (21 percent), to more complex relationship problems, where 15 percent of respondents admit that running out of battery, misplaced their phones, and getting their phones stolen are the root causes of their conflict. Apart from relationships, the research also finds out that the absence of a connection also messes up the daily lives of people. Out of the survey respondents that have had aconnectivity issue,
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21 percent have missed out on an educational or business opportunity, while 16 percent have lost their way to their destinations. About 13 percent have also forgotten their scheduled social gatherings. Despite their dependency on staying connected, only 34 percent control their battery levels and just one in five respondents regularly check their device’s health. 18 percent of people do nothing to keep their devices online and working and online. “Connectivity plays a big part in our daily lives. As the research shows, without access to their devices, people mess up–they miss out on opportunities, get lost, and worry about each other. What’s clear is that not being connected can also have a lasting impact on our relationships– because if we mess up there, it’s the heart that can get hurt. When people’s attitude to device safety is lax, that’s exactly what can happen–because couples expect each other to respond, parents
expect to be able to instantly find out where their children are, and friends don’t expect to go ignored. It is vital that more measures are taken to protect our devices better, and to maintain connectivity,” says Dmitry Aleshin, vice president for Product Marketing of Kaspersky Lab. With Kaspersky Security Cloud, users can keep multiple devices online. The solution adapts to people’s connectivity needs and contains several features to help Mac, Windows, iOS and Android users live their digital lives without the risk of losing their connectivity when needed most. The Device Power Consumption function, tells how much battery you have left on your device, and how much time you have before it runs out, letting people know what’s going on before it’s too late. The Anti-Theft feature, meanwhile, helps in locating and getting your mobile device back, It allows users to turn on their lost device’s alarm, lock and locate the device, and even take a photo of the person using it.
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BITS & BYTES
Basues Unveils a Whole New Line of Wireless Chargers Baseus-the 3C digital accessories brand under Shenzhen Times Innovation Technology Co. Ltd has recently added a new line to its growing portfolio. Just as its name suggests, the #GoWireless line encourages consumers to fully embrace the wonders of Qi wireless charging. All products also feature quick charge technology that also optimizes battery performance of mobile devices. The series is initially composed of four products, which consists of an 8000 mAh multifunctional powerbank, a 5000 mAh hybrid case and battery pack for iPhone X, a gravity car mount, and a wireless charging plate. Perfect for tech geeks who are always on the go, the products are built with stylish designs and groundbreaking features. The wireless chargers are compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and are now available at all Baseus concept stores nationwide.
Lampara Books Continues the Journey of Moymoy Lulumboy with its Fifth Book The critically-acclaimed fantasy series, Moymoy Lulumboy, returns to the 39th Manila international Book Fair with its fifth book. Dubbed Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Lihim ng Libro, the young adult novel takes readers to the enchanting world of Gabun where creatures from local folklore such as aswang, duwende, manananggal, kapre, and tikbalang all co-exist. Struggling to cope with the loss of his mother Liliw and his legacy as the hero that will save Gabun from evil, the young aswang Moymoy Lulumboy transforms into an angsty teenager whose kindness and compassion remain throughout the comingof-age tale. Receiving glowing reviews from book critics and readers, with Philippine Daily Inquirer including it in the top 10 books of 2014, the children’s book franchise caught the attention of the TV network giant ABS-CBN. It has recently acquired rights to the series, with plans of bringing it to the small screen. An expert in telling stories aimed a younger demographic, the Palanca-awardee, and bestselling author Segundo Matias Jr. collaborated with illustrator and architect Jomike Tehido. Both have created a story that is both enchanting and characteristically Pinoy at heart. Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Lihim ng Libro is now available in leading bookstores nationwide.
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Get ‘Star Wars: Jedi Challenges’ for Free on Selected Legion Laptops Lenovo, a global leader in PCs and smart devices, is currently having a promo that is sure to please gamers and Star Wars fans alike. Until supplies last, every purchase of selected Legion gaming products will now come with a free Star Wars AR game bundle. Launched last year, The Star Wars: Jedi Challenges bundle is Lenovo’s first foray into the AR gaming space, featuring a smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset, tracking beacon, and a Lightsaber controller that looks exactly like the one in the films. Players can hone their skills across a variety of augmented reality-based experiences with the Jedi Challenges game, each offering multiple levels of deep and immersive gameplay. It includes: · Lightsaber Battles With their own lightsaber controller, players can duel legendary villains like Darth Maul, Kylo Ren, and Darth Vader. · Strategic Combat Players marshal the forces of the Republic, Rebel Alliance, and the Resistance against the might of the Separatists, Empire, and First Order in epic battles across their living room floors. Players can hone their skills in strategy and tactics as they engage in battles.
· Holochess Perhaps one of the most iconic board games brought to film, Holochess captured the hearts of moviegoers when it was played on the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Brought to life in Jedi Challenges, fans can direct their holographic alien pieces across the board, wrestling for territory and control. Michael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines’ country general manager, said: “We see tremendous opportunity to continue bringing cutting-edge innovations to the gaming community in the Philippines. Beyond PC gaming, Lenovo is also increasing its foothold in developing immersive AR experiences, as seen in Star Wars: Jedi Challenges. We will continue to excite Filipino gamers with the best-performing devices.” Among the participating Legion products are the 15.6-inch Legion Y520 gaming laptop. With its 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti 4GB discrete graphics, it can handle even the most demanding gaming titles with ease. It comes up to 2TB HDD storage, 2 x 2W Harman Certified Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium, and an optional backlit keyboard, wrapped in a smudge-resistant body. Other Legion products that is included in the promo are the Legion Y720 Cube and Legion Y710 Cube.
Music Museum Celebrates 30 Fruitful Years The unique theater concept that chanteuse Kuh Ledesma introduced to the entertainment scene achieves another milestone as it celebrated its 30th anniversary. Spearheaded by Music Museum Group president Precy M. Florentino, the day started with a mass and a company lunch with employees, some of whom have been with the company since its very early days. Celebrities like Mitch Valdes, Nanette Inventor, Carlo Orosa, Zsazsa Padilla, Ryan Cayabyab, John Nite and Kuh Ledesma sent in their video messages. The original purpose of the longtime concert venue in Greenhills, San Juan was to provide performing artists with a readily accessible venue that would showcase their talents, unhampered by the stiff requirements dictated by hotels which were the performance venues at the time. Through the years, a wealth of Filipino talent debuted on the Music Museum stage. Among them were Lani Misalucha, Side A, Jose Mari Chan, Sarah Geronimo, Agot Isidro, Keno, the Neocolors, Julie Ann San Jose, Glaiza De Castro, Loisa Andalio, Maja Salvador, Baihana, KZ Tandingan, Mateo Guidicelli and Michael Pangilinan, and Enchong Dee.
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The Music Museum experience was and still is unique because of its history, and the feel of being entertained in a very personal space. It’s the only theater in town where guests can order food and drinks during a performance so they can dine, drink, and be entertained all at once. Music Museum’s celebrations were often marked by concerts that would last till dawn. On its 30th year, the prevailing spirit is gratitude. “The Music Museum looks back at the past 30 years with a celebratory attitude, thanks to the fans and
concert goers who have inspired us through the years and continue to inspire us to come out with the very best entertainment. To the artists who performed at one time or another at the Music Museum, you are its life and soul. You fill us with so much gratitude,” said Ms. Florentino. The Music Museum is now a dining, shopping and entertainment complex under the Music Museum Group and includes Shoppesville Plus, Theater Mall, The Promenade, and Teatrino .
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Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicsAsia Presents a World of Innovation Asia’s largest tech and electronics fair returns this October. The autumn edition of the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and 22nd electronicAsia gathers more than 4,300 exhibitors at its home in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Electronics Fair Autumn Edition features a Tech Hall that is divided into five main categories: 3D Printing, Robotics & Unmanned Tech, Smart Tech, Virtual Reality, and Startup. As its name suggests, the 3D Printing zone showcases the latest innovations in 3D printing and materials. One of the returning zones, the Robotics and Unmanned Tech, presents various drones, along with industrial robots and electric scooters. Meanwhile, the Smart Tech section houses electronic devices featuring IoT applications for modern living. A range of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) products are showcased at the Virtual Reality zone.
For this year’s electronicAsia fair, MMI Asia Pte Ltd. and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council team up together to provide a platform for suppliers of electronic components and bring them to the international market. Featured zones include Power Supplies, which will present various types of batteries, accessories, photovoltaic components, and related technologies. The Printed Circuit Board & EMS zone displays products relating to robotics and electronics manufacturing. The World of Display Technology, on the other hand, continues to exhibit visual technology products. Other zones include electronic components as well as keyboards & switches. A series of forums and seminars sharing the latest trends and developments in the world of tech is also scheduled during the twin fairs. HKTDC’s deputy executive director, Benjamin Chau, said: “In the 2017 edition, the Autumn Electronics Fair and electronicAsia attracted a total of around 86,000 buyers from 139 countries and regions. Held concurrently under one roof, the two fairs will gather electronics products, start-ups, components and technologies to create crossover business opportunities between exhibitors and buyers.”
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Pacsafe Celebrates 20th Anniversary Leading innovator of anti-theft carry solutions, Pacsafe, has just turned 20. In celebration of over two decades of giving people the world over, freedom to adventure by securing their gear, the brand has just unveiled its Fall/Winter 2018 collection. Still at the core of these new releases is the brand’s anti-theft Pacsafe Technology: smart closures, easy and secure locking systems, and RFID blocking material. The collection consists of the Travelsafe and Vibe backpack made with Econyl, Citysafe CX series, and Stylesafe series. Magnus McGlashan, Pacsafe co-founder, looks forward to the brand’s next 20 years as the world’s leading maker of safe travel gear. “Fueled by the spirit of constant innovation, we have steadily built a team dedicated to inventing ground-breaking carry solutions that keep people’s gear safe when they are on the go. We won awards for our technology, gathered more than 40 patents, and most importantly solved a whole range of security issues,” said Magnus McGlashan, co-founder of Pacsafe. “Whether it’s bags that work as portable safes, backpacks that are easy to lock yet hard to break into, or wallets that help prevent RFID skimming, it’s all designed to keep your mind at ease when out in the world, so you can do more, see more, and be more.” And following the lead of the global Pacsafe brand, local distributor United Limsun aims to further bring Pacsafe products closer to its Filipino audience. Dustin Lim, CEO of United Limsun International Trading Corporation shares: “For the past decade, Pacsafe has been well received by Filipinos. We have also acquired a good number of loyal followers. Our next goal is to make the brand omnipresent in all malls and strengthen our online presence, making the brand more accessible to our customers. At present, we are in 173 doors: 7 Pacsafe stores, 33 major department stores, and 133 multi-brand chains. 14 of these multi-brand chains is URBANIZE—a local brain child of United Limsun International Trading Corporation.” With 20 years of innovation and millions of miles covered, Pacsafe remains to be the number one trusted brand for travelers who want to embrace life’s adventures knowing their gear is secure. Pacsafe Fall/Winter 2018 collection will be available in the Philippines starting October. Pacsafe is located in the following malls: Glorietta 5 G/F, SM Mall of Asia G/F and SM Seaside Cebu 2/F, SM North EDSA The Block 3/F, SM Lanang Premier UG, and Ayala Centrio GF.
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New CITEM Head, Keen to Elevate PH’s Creative Industry The export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), has a new executive director. With 15 years of experience as editor-in-chief of Preview Magazine, Pauline Suaco-Juanprepares up the Philippine creative industry as a key driver for economic growth in the recently concluded CREATE Philippines 2018. Launched last year, CREATE Philippines is the country’s first international creative industry trade platform that promotes continued learning, knowledge exchange, and business networking. Suaco-Juan emphasized the role of Philippine creative industry as an engine of economic growth, particularly in mobilizing innovation and job generation. “There is a significant disconnect between how much we depend on the creative industries for employment and how much we value their contributions to the economy. That is why there is a strong need to advance the Philippine creative industry. While relatively in its infancy development stage, the sector continues to demonstrate its economic potential and viability largely thanks to Filipino talents who are recognized worldwide,” she shared in a media preview. In 2014 alone, the Philippine creative industry has contributed over P660 billion to the economy based on a report by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This is equivalent to about 7.34 percent of the country’s growth domestic product (GDP) on that same year. In terms of employment, the contribution of Philippine creative industry to the economy is among the highest in the world. Filipino workers in the advertising, film, and video, music, performing arts, publishing, broadcasting, visual, game development, and graphic arts make up around 11 percent of our labor force as of 2014. However, Filipino creatives only ranked 22nd in their contribution to the country’s GDP despite taking up a big portion of the labor market based on the same WIPO report. With an aim to develop the new emerging creative industries, CITEM has decided to focus on a sector for the next editions of CREATE Philippines. Communication Design was chosen for 2018 which led to a renewed partnership with the Communication Design Association of the Philippines (CDAP).
planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. The form it takes can be physical or virtual and can include images, words, or graphics.
Suaco-Juan said focus allows CREATE Philippines to “highlight the capabilities of creatives in their particular specialization.” Communication Design is the art and practice of
CDAP president and TeamManila co-founder Jowee Alviar said that the focus on Communication Design has inspired their sector to organize everyone in terms of design standards, training, and education up
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to engagement with the government to support the development of the industry. “CREATE Philippines serves as a great opportunity for Filipino creatives to really explore their passion and be in an environment where they can thrive and ideate,” said Alviar. “With these kind of events, I can say that the future looks good for the next generation of creatives since we can count on the government to support us.”
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Remitly Taps Philippine Market
Remitly, the largest independent digital remittance company in North America, aims to widen its reach in the Philippines. The company’s first remittance service was aimed at helping Philippine overseas communities send money to loved ones back home from the United States; Remitly has strong ties with the country and sees the market’s potential to get bigger. The company has since expanded into more countries around the world to help overseas Filipinos in Australia and Canada and recently announced additional expansion into 11 new countries across Europe. To achieve growth of the Philippines’ disbursement network, Remitly proactively updated its offering, partnering with top banks in the country and adding over 10,000 cash pickup locations across the nation. Its featured partners include Banco De Oro, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metrobank, Philippine National Bank, M Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier, and LBC. Also part of this roster are SM Department Store, Globe, Villarica Pawnshop, Palawan Pawnshop, and Bayad Center, to name a few.
students in the Philippines. To date Remitly has donated USD 240,000 to help students pay for university expenses. This has helped 500 students in the Philippines achieve higher education. Remitly’s other CSR initiatives include partnering with Philippine Red Cross for relief operations. What’s New on Remitly Remitly has recently unlocked the ability for customers to send the currency they need to their loved ones in the Philippines. Dual currency allows Remitly’s customers, regardless of the location they send from, to send money in USD, CAD, or AUD and receive the funds in USD or PHP in the Philippines. This feature is available at cash pickup locations or through home delivery. Remitly also partnered with leading fintech company, Stirpe, to help more Filipinos overseas. Remitly now provides its service to the Philippines overseas community in Austria,
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Another unique new service Remitly created for the Philippines is its Seafarers service. The solution will specifically help cruise ship workers send their hard-earned money to the Philippines while they’re away at sea straight from the cruise ship using their phone or computer. This way they can pay little-to-no fees and skip the long lines at kiosks or money transfer agents when they’re at port. Remitly is a platform that helps immigrant communities send money to loved ones overseas. Its reliable and easy-to-use mobile app makes the process of sending money faster, easier, more transparent and less costly by eliminating the forms, codes, agents, extra time and fees typical of the traditional, centuryold money transfer process.
To date, over USD 2 billion has been sent to the Philippines through Remitly’s money transfer platform. Remitly customers saved over USD 9 million in transfer fees on average compared to competitors. This is for transactions of cash pickup to the Philippines using a debit card for the average amount of USD 300. As a way to give back and help more Filipinos, Remitly created a scholarship program for
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