NOVEMBER 2017 | P175
TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FAST-PACED LIFESTYLE
TESTED
UNLOCK THE FUTURE
Julie Anne San Jose for Vivo
LESS IS MORE FOR A GREENER FUTURE
Samsung Galaxy Note8, ASUS VivoBook X405UQ, Volkswagen Beetle Club Edition, Essential Phone PH-1, Samsung Gear 360, TCL X3
H O L I D AY GIFT GUIDE 2017
ISSUE . 161
CONTENTS
11 . 17
96
cover story
98
The Philippine government’s mandate according to the Constitution: Protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.
101
Tip your metaphorical hats off to these environmentconscious businesses going out of their way to help us get into the green-minded bandwagon.
feature
104
Breathe in Taiwan’s cool twist for cleaner air.
106
The quest for affordable solar energy continues.
2 November 2017
CONTENTS
hotspot
trending
11tech frontiers
108
movies Action-packed and adrenalinepumping movies to watch for this month
112 motoring
Discover Manila’s historic and culture-filled urban landscape with the Ford EcoSport.
116 cover girl
The latest technological breakthroughs, including nanomachines that bore right into cancer cells to kill them
16cyberspace
From the streets to the digital space, these Instagram feeds bring their A game in photographing images worthy of our love and likes.
18mobile apps
Free up your device’s storage to install these cool mobile applications.
columns
24
20 technosphere
Headlining this month’s lineup of hot and trendy products are the Apple iPhone X, LG V30, Sony RX0, Acer Holo360, B&O BeoVision Eclipse, Samsung Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Subaru XV.
The superphones are coming! Are we ready to bite their ultra high-end technology and pay for their ridiculously and equally high-end price tags?
arsenal
manual
130
how to
proving ground
59 tested Hot products we tested this month, plus Destiny 2.
Dispose of old gadgets properly, pay bills via Facebook Messenger, and 8 must-know things about Android Oreo.
136 ask the editor
Ask us and we’ll answer any tech curiosity, trouble, or query on your mind.
Talented performer Julie Anne San Jose on conquering multimedia and staying grounded
122 people@speed
Ziggie Gonzales, founder of The Circle Hostel and The Plastic Solution, has a vision: promote sustainability, build communities, and preserve Mother Nature.
125 geek-spotting
Get to know the experts and enthusiasts who have an overflowing passion for a certain field, topic, or activity.
89
form factor Upcycled furniture for stylish home and office interiors
22
open forum Guest contributor Gia Querubin shares her most frightening yet breathtakingly beautiful adventure to date: moving to Palawan and finding a place to grow her own passions and visions.
EVERY MONTH
6 Outbox 8 Contributors / Staff box 10 Inbox 138 Billboard 144 Store Directory 145 Mobile Buyer’s Guide 152 Before You Go
ON THE COVER Julie Anne San Jose Photographs by PJ Tavera Makeup by RB Chanco Hair by Rhoy Cervantes Styling by JP Dizon
November 2017 3
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OUTBOX
Double-edged sword THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN LOUD AND CLEAR: BIKINI BOTTOM ISN’T WELCOME HERE.
E
ARLY THIS YEAR, GLOBAL KIDS BRAND Viacom International Media Networks and Coral World Park announced that they were planning to build a Nickelodeon-branded, 400-hectare resort and underwater theme park amidst a cluster of white sand islands in Coron. It was like a slime in the face, but unlike in Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, that slime wasn’t a badge of honor. Coron—the small, sleepy town that’s a must-visit when in Palawan—and its ecosystem was in danger of being damaged and disrupted by an artificial “paradise.” But concerned groups didn’t take it sitting down. Save Philippine Seas executive director Anna Oposa launched an online protest to prevent the establishment of the underwater theme park. And in August, Palawan residents, nature tourism advocates, and indigenous peoples organizations scored a victory when Viacom announced that it will discontinue its partnership with Coral World Park for the planned theme park. Environmental degradation is a legitimate concern, and environmentally destructive projects will always be met with opposition. Oposa said it best in her online campaign: “By building artificial structures, you will undeniably damage and disrupt Palawan’s marine ecosystems—our Last Frontier. If you are sincere and serious about marine conservation, the money allocated for the underwater theme park should be invested in marine protected areas, sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and environmental education programs.”
6 November 2017
Technology is a double-edged sword; it’s capable both of doing and undoing damage to the environment, as evidenced in what it has done and continues to do. It has dirtied the earth, but it has also helped clean it up. If we use it creatively—like helping thwart an environmental threat—the destructive edge of this sword can be blunted and honed for the greater good. In the case of the planned underwater theme park, technology played a big part, with Viacom listening to the call of over 260,000 online petitioners and local communities: Coron is not Bikini Bottom! There’s no need for a theme park to make Coron a tourist attraction. It’s already a paradise on its own, thank you very much.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF katrina@speed-mag.com
MEET THE GEEKS
Question: How do you save energy at home?
EDITORIAL editorial@speed-mag.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Katrina Rivere-Diga | katrina@speed-mag.com
Kill the vampire (power)
Unplug from the Web (router off!)
MANAGING EDITOR Aritha Zel Zalamea | zel@speed-mag.com ONLINE EDITOR Patricia Mae Calica | pat@speed-mag.com EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE John Sosmeña | john@speed-mag.com
Use electric fans placed near open windows during rainy days
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Val Gonzales, Andy Leuterio, Candy Villanueva-Lykes, Gadjo Sevilla (North American correspondent)
I charge my phones via powerbanks
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Justine Bernice Basco, Ron Cruz, Erik Paolo Escueta, Carmela Maraan Fernando, Antonio Jose Galauran
Edmund Beltéjar is no stranger to Speed. From this publication’s maiden issue well into its seventh year, Edmund did page layouts, directed photo shoots, wrote product reviews, and covered events. Although he is an unabashed Apple fanboy, the one product he refuses to buy is the Apple Watch; he still prefers the old-world charm of vintage timepieces.
DESIGN ART DIRECTOR Christian J. Veril | chris@speed-mag.com
We bought a high EEF-rated refrigerator.
SENIOR GRAPHIC ARTIST Melai Balitaan | melai@speed-mag.com FINAL ARTIST Arnaldo G. Santos PHOTOGRAPHERS Dookie Ducay, Marlon Pecjo, Shaira Luna, Xander Angeles
We finally switched to LED
SALES & MARKETING SENIOR SALES MANAGER James B. Orlanda | james@speed-mag.com
Unplug appliances when not in use
ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Mia C. Morales | mia@speed-mag.com
We are using LED light bulbs
marketing@speed-mag.com
Gia Querubin, in her dreams, would’ve been Alice treading through Wonderland, meeting strange characters in strange circumstances. But Gia’s dreams aren’t far from how she lives reality. Curiouser and curiouser, she arrives in her next adventure. Her real adventures are captured in photos, doodle-filled notebooks, handmade crafts, and endless stories. A yoga teacher, Reiki healer, and marketing whiz, Gia is not merely a dreamer tossed and turned in uncertainty; she is a maker as well.
ADMIN | CIRCULATION PRODUCTION OFFICER Charissa Tandoc | production@speed-mag.com HRD OFFICER Lala Nañola-Talob | lala@speed-mag.com
I turn on the lights/ fan only if I really need them.
ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR Lorena Avenido | lorie@speed-mag.com
Use energyefficient appliances
CIRCULATION MANAGER David R. Domingo Jr. | circulation@speed-mag.com CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Maria Carla Ellyn Leaño
PUBLISHER
Airo Media International, Inc.
Patrick Alcantara is a writer by profession and a filmmaker by heart. His video portfolio is largely filled with corporate and narrative films, and the Kuya Jobert sketches on YouTube. Star Wars, The Godfather, and Quentin Tarantino films top his list of favorite flicks.
CEO/PRESIDENT Marcos A. Sosmeña | nmsosmena@speed-mag.com CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Susan M. Sosmeña | smsosmena@speed-mag.com LEGAL COUNSEL Tolentino Corvera Macasaet & Reig CTP AND LITHOGRAPHY Megatone Printhauz, Inc.
MAGAZINE
Speed is published monthly by Airo Media International, Inc. Address all correspondence to #96-B Panay Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City 1103. Our telephone numbers are (02) 3746771 to 74 with telefax number (02) 3746775.
8 November 2017
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 Speed is fully accurate; however, the publisher and printer assume no responsibility for the effects arising therefrom. Speed is a registered trademark of Airo Media International, Inc.
Carmela Maraan Fernando is a freelance copywriter who has returned to two of her many first loves: art and cooking. She’s currently engrossed with vegan food preparation and photography, and you can check out some of her creations @carmelabyday on Instagram.
INBOX WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send in your thoughts and comments about Speed by dropping us a line or two at editorial@speed-mag.com.
GOLD MINE OF INFORMATION Hey, Speed!
Hey, Mikeel!
Being a techie here in the Philippines can be frustrating at times because unlike in the U.S., credible websites that discuss tech-related news are limited. Sure, you get to see how a gadget is for the average American user, but how about from the perspective of someone living in the Philippines?
We’re so glad you caught up with us and found our content appealing to your taste. We always write our articles and product reviews with our readers in mind, making sure we provide relevant information to help them learn and love technology even more. And because you love gadgets as much as we do, here is a musicanywhere WA0809 headphone (P6,500) for you.
It’s one of the reasons why I’m so grateful I had the chance to pick up a copy of Speed magazine. Product reviews are coming from the perspective of someone I can actually relate with. The section where products are listed along with their prices is also a gold mine. Not saying I’d buy all those gadgets, but I am glad I found something I can read regularly that talks about what I love. I just wish I discovered Speed sooner!
SPEED FEED piawurtzbach Speed Magazine Sept ‘17. Where I talked about my love for fashion, beauty, Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Tekken, the insanely huge map of Skyrim that I never finished and how I enjoy being a Support hero at Mobile Legends (Rafaela here!)
kdgcortes Redefining geek
Melyonaire The only Miss Universe who knows about Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts!! Astig mo Pia! @piawurtzbach
sithlordmike87 Huge surprise with the gaming Never even seen a dragon in Skyrim
Mikeel Arana
MORE THAN JUST MAINSTREAM STUFF Clothes that measure pollution by changing color. A denim jacket that doubles as a smartphone remote. An overcoat with therapeutic heating system. Workout pants that enhance performance by increasing muscle activation or sending electronic micropulses. Sounds like fake tech news? Not if you read it in Speed!
giving us ordinary readers a peek at trends and technologies in areas that also matter to us, like sports, fashion, and pollution!
Other tech magazines feature only the popular gadgets and brands, but Speed does more by
Ian Castillo
10 November 2017
Keep up the good work, Speed!
dwight_moser OMG! YOU ARE MY SPIRIT ANIMAL WHEN IT COMES TO VIDEO GAMES PIA! HAHAHA! I love you
m7ouise Stunning and plays Skyrim? You got the full package!!
trending tech frontiers
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GONE IN 60 SECONDS Nanomachines bore cancer to death Words Carmela Maraan Fernando
W
HEN CANCER EATS YOU up from the inside, you also counterattack it from the inside.
Scientists at Durham University have designed nanomachines that bore right into cancer cells, killing the latter in as little as 60 seconds. Activated by ultraviolet light, these tiny instruments spin fast enough to drill right through the cancer cell membrane, effectively destroying it.
The nanomachines are so small that 50,000 of them can fit across the diameter of a human hair. They each contain a ‘motor’ made up of a rotor-like chain of atoms that can rotate in one direction at high speeds, akin to a propeller. Spinning at two to three million times per second, they generate enough force to defy Brownian motion (the unpredictable movement of microscopic particles suspended in fluid) so they can attack the cancer cells. This facilitates the drilling action that penetrates the cells completely. Moreso, they’re designed in such a way that they can zero in on specific cells to avoid causing potential harm. Once they tunnel inside their targets, they can perform either one of two functions: impart treatment inside benign cells, or blast malignant tumor cells open. These nanomachines have been developed in the hopes of adding to non-invasive and more efficient treatment options for cancer patients, particularly in cases that are resistant to chemotherapy. The researchers are already proceeding with experiments in microorganisms and small fish, ahead of clinical trials in humans should animal testing prove successful.
November 2017
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tech frontiers
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123rf.com/profile_mandrixta | 123rf.com/profile_zurijeta
ELECTRIFYING SOLUTION TO WORLD HUNGER
OOD PRODUCTION is highly dependent on the environment, limiting producers to crops or livestock that can fit in certain environs. But a joint study by Lappeenranta University of Technology and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland might have just found a way to circumvent that limitation. The researchers were able to produce single-cell proteins by using electricity, water, carbon dioxide, and microbes. The protein (in powder form) can be produced anywhere renewable energy, such as solar energy, is available—untethering food production from the constraints of traditional agricultural methods. Not only that, the researchers said the method requires no pest control substances, thereby minimizing environmental impact. Along with food, the research is also looking into the development of the protein for use as animal feed, which in turn could release land areas typically used for agricultural purposes to other uses such as forestry. In the meantime, the study is focused on working on the technology with the goal of improving efficiency and developing the idea into a mass product. By the time the study ends, the world could see a new form of food production method.
NOT ALL ACCIDENTS HAVE BAD OUTCOMES.
ORIGAMI ORGANS, ANYONE? 12
November 2017
Scientists from Northwestern University accidentally invented bioactive “tissue papers” after spilling some biological 3D printer ink that formed a thin and flexible sheet. Said ink has been successfully used to 3D-print ovaries in mice. The scientists then tested various bio inks made with different organs or tissues from
pigs and cows. To create the inks, they removed the cells from the organs and tissues and extracted the structural proteins. They then dried the proteins into powder form and processed them into the bioactive tissue papers that are thin enough to be folded into origami figures. The new biomaterial shows potential for applications ranging from tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
For instance, it could provide support and help trigger tissue regeneration to prevent scarring and accelerate wound healing. It also shows promise in restoration of hormonal function and production, which could potentially help cancer patients and menopausal women. The bioactive tissue is also found to be capable of supporting growth of human stem cells.
Words Luis Adrian Hidalgo
Lappeenranta University of Technology
tech frontiers
PULL TO POWER
PULL STRING, CREATE power—this is the basic concept behind a research team’s discovery that could soon make the world less dependable on toxic battery or coal-powered energy. Their revolutionary tool: yarns. Yarns are now capable of producing energy thanks to scientists at the University of Texas at Dallas and Hanyang University in South Korea. Whenever their yarns are stretched or twisted, they harvest and generate electricity. To create the yarn, the team used lightweight but highly durable carbon nanotubes 10,000 times smaller in diameter than a strand of human hair. In order to generate electricity, the yarns were submerged or coated with an ionically conducting material, which can be as simple as a mixture of ordinary table salt and water. To work, simply yank on the yarns and the material compresses, bringing the electric charges closer and increasing its overall energy production. An estimated 250 Watts can be produced by tugging on the yarn 30 times.
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OFT ROBOTS MADE of flexible materials are being used for operations where rigid machines can’t go or perform—such as squeezing into tight locations and handling delicate objects.
14 November 2017
However, their fragile nature also puts them at a disadvantage. They are easily cut and chipped.
University of Texas at Dallas
This prompted researchers at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to create soft robots that can heal their injuries over time.
Using rubber as base, the idea was applied to three robotic components: a gripper, robot hand, and artificial muscle. Whenever damaged, the materials can be placed in an oven at 80°C for 40 minutes. A Diels-Alder reaction then takes place, a response that creates bonds on the damaged area. This patches the damage, making the robot as good as new.
Words Antonio Jose Galauran
ROBOTIC RESTORATION
Seppe Terryn/ Science Robotics
For this invention, the team toyed with the idea of generating power from motion. While still a small-scale invention at present, experts eye future applications including harvesting energy from ocean waves or inventing self-powered breathing monitors.
cyberspace
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TREET PHOTOGRAPHERS document the big and small moments of people’s lives, creating a time capsule for the period and place they are currently in. The ubiquity of smartphones, however, has made it easy for just about anyone to take photos of the events, things, and people around them. Still, there remains a few who possess the talent and passion to produce images worthy of our love and likes, just like the following accounts:
@larrymonseratepiojo
Human, street, life—these are the words that encapsulate the photographs you’ll find on Larry Monserate Piojo’s Instagram page. A freelance street, documentary, and travel photographer based in the Philippines, Piojo connects with his followers through photos that depict Filipinos’ daily ordeals, as well as the contentment and joy that come out of it.
16 November 2017
Keith Dador @keithdador
Ride with professional photographer and cyclist Keith Dador as he roams paved streets and rocky trails with his trusty bike and a camera in hand. His Instagram page gives you a peek of what his life is like and what his passions are: a mixture of off-trail adventures, portraitures, bikes, local music scenes, cats, commercial works, and of course, street photography.
S+63 @streetsixtythree
S+63 showcases the Philippine urban scene by curating the images posted by various users with the hashtag #StreetSixtyThree. The account’s take on street photography is from a different angle—literally! Most of the photos are either from a bird’s or a worm’s eye view. This page gives off an industrial vibe, featuring towering skyscrapers, large metal trusses, skylines, and cityscapes.
Cheng Ortaleza @otileunam
Sneakerhead Cheng Ortaleza stylishly walks the talk when it comes to street photography. His feed perfectly marries two of the things he loves the most: sneakers and photography. Not only does he take amazing pictures of urban landscapes here and abroad, he also features a drool-worthy collection of new and rare kicks in his feed. Talk about the quintessential streetmeets-style story.
Words Pat Calica
Larry Monserate Piojo
mobile apps
Android, iOS FREE
Mixer Create Words Erik Paolo Escueta
Gameplay—whether it’s on console, PC, or mobile—is undeniably dominating the online streaming circuit, generating renewed interest in games for many who lack either the time or money to jump in and get playing. If you’re a gamer and think you’ve got the chops to entertain the online masses with your skills, it’s dead easy to start broadcasting using the dedicated streaming services on consoles and PCs. Even on mobile devices, it’s as simple as running a streaming app like Twitch or YouTube Gaming. Or, if you use Microsoft’s Mixer Create app, you can even include video of yourself alongside your mobile stream, one of its niftier features that should give the competition a run for their money. As mentioned, Mixer Create not only streams your current game but also you, simultaneously—great for giving your feed that personal touch. Other clever options include live chat that’s accessible during your broadcasts, and co-streaming with up to three friends playing on Xbox One, PC, or other mobile devices. And it all runs seamlessly under the hood thanks to Mixer Create’s Faster Than Light streaming protocol technology, which lets streamers interact with viewers in real-time with sub-second video latency.
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MOBILE APPS
iTranslate Converse iOS | FREE If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ve probably found yourself in the middle of foreign conversations where even Google Translate just wasn’t getting the right message across. And if you’re in an area with spotty internet, the pauses in between waiting for your translation app to work probably weren’t helping either. Thankfully, translation app iTranslate Converse knows just how to get you out of those awkward situations post-haste. Simply launch the app, tap the screen to speak, and iTranslate Converse will speak the autotranslation out loud to keep the conversation going. It’s no slouch either, with auto-detection for 38 languages and capable of returning near real-time results with a full transcript in tow. As of this writing iTranslate Converse is iOS-only and you can only do up to 300 translations a month for free; more than that and you’ll need to get an iTranslate PRO subscription.
HumanKind: The Awakening Android, iOS | FREE Mobile multiplayer card-combat game HumanKind: The Awakening has an odd origin, being a reboot of a Chilean trading card game from the 2000s. Choose from one of four factions on a post-apocalyptic Earth, build your deck, and fight other players online in a variety of casual and competitive modes, including leagues and public events.
Words Erik Paolo Escueta
It all sounds very run of the mill, but we have to say HumanKind has some impressive creative values with its deep world lore and comic-inspired artwork. HumanKind also separates itself from other card games with its unique rules and game flow, centering around Sanctuary cards you can enhance, populate, and advance with other card types as you defend and attack your opponent’s own Sanctuary. At the very least, for a mobile game, HumanKind: The Awakening is a solid effort that deserves a couple of turns.
It’s likely safe to say that video clips and animations are the new message medium, with folks preferring to send moving pictures than static text or images. And who can blame them? You can’t beat a cute animated gif of a cat tumbling down the stairs to convey your feelings of excitement.
SWNG iOS | FREE
Enter SWNG from Polaroid, a new moving photo app that records onesecond swing moments for you to save and share with a simple tap. You can also take 3D selfies with SWNG by rotating your phone around you, apply some film-inspired filters (because, really, it’s not a mobile photo without a filter), and even send them seamlessly on your iPhone or iPad with the iOS iMessage extension. You can also share your swings with your friends on Facebook and Twitter right from the app.
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technosphere
GADJO CARDENAS SEVILLA
The Essential Phone is another showcase of exotic materials and sterling build quality. This, too, offers nearly zero bezels save for a tiny dimple that houses the front-facing camera. Titanium and zirconia-finished ceramic make the Essential Phone one of the most beautiful devices you will see. Its relative rarity (available via two carriers in North America) makes it a desirable device that sets it apart from the pack. Pricing is also on the high end of the market.
THE COMING OF THE SUPERPHONES I always thought it to be a weak analogy to compare smartphones with road cars, but seeing the latest smartphone flagships and their high sticker prices proves this analogy is quite accurate. Cars basically perform the same function: they get you from point A to point B. But there are differences in branding, materials, luxury, and the marketing costs, which consumers eventually pay for. Similarly, any smartphone made in the last five years makes calls, sends text messages, runs apps, takes photos, and functions like a handheld computer. Whether that smartphone has the latest technologies, better cameras, and premium materials— and what logo it carries—are the factors that dictate the price. During the past month alone, we’ve seen some very compelling and exciting new flagship smartphones that, based on their
20 November 2017
design, features, and pricing, could be considered superphones—or the equivalent of supercars in the motoring world. The iPhone X brings a bezel-free Super Retina Display, face tracking biometrics, surgical steel frame, a hardened glass backplate for wireless charging, and the ability to replicate studio lighting for selfies and portraits. It’s a stunning device and it is also the most expensive iPhone ever made starting at $999 for the 64GB version. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 has many of the iPhone X’s features, including an Infinity Display, glass body, and superb camera and optics. Add to that the fact that it is the only flagship that effectively offers a stylus component with the S Pen. The Note 8 is a thoroughbred, a powerful yet sleek reminder of how far Samsung has come as a smartphone maker. The price for the Note 8 is also premium. In Canada it costs $1,299 unlocked.
There’s a clear separation between the run-of-the-mill entry-level smartphone, midrange smartphone, and the high and ultra high-end of the spectrum. The recently revealed iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus would have been considered the top tier a year ago. The iPhone X, meanwhile, is on another level altogether. Not only will demand be high for the iPhone X, I think supply will be strictly constrained until next year. Even during the launch event, journalists were complaining that there weren’t nearly enough iPhone X demo units—a sure sign that production for this smartphone is still in limited quantities. The later launch date (November, instead of September like the iPhone 8) proves this as well. What this says about the future of smartphones is that there is now a superpremium tier that smartphone makers will be aiming for. Sort of like how Honda has Acura or how Mercedes-Benz has Maybach. To justify the pricing, we’ll see more than just upgrades in specs and camera functionality. We can expect the integration of more exotic metals and materials, stunning OLED displays, and the disappearance of any bezels and more integration with fewer buttons. I also expect these superphones to be hard to find, adding to their mystique. Superphones are definitely coming; they’re the perfect vehicle for manufacturers to show off their expertise and technology. The question is whether consumers will bite and pay the higher prices and if more companies will try to create models specifically for this higher segment.
open forum
GIA QUERUBIN
ROOT, CROPS, REGGAE Of manifesting dreams and moving with nature
I
T ONLY NEEDED ONE BIG PUSH TO somewhat force me to jump down the rabbit hole and explore the unknown. Five years of working as an employee, I got used to moving toward a direction and vision that someone else dictated to me. When I finally decided to take the leap of faith and leave the corporate world, I’ve had the most frightening yet breathtakingly beautiful adventure to date. The quest started when I was called to move to the island paradise that is Palawan. I studied the risks and opportunities; there wasn’t any assurance of a better and sustainable cash flow. Still, I mustered all my courage and continued my plan to get out of my comfort zone—my dreadful and charming hometown, Manila. I conditioned myself to willfully take on any challenge that comes along the perilous path I plan to chase. At the beginning of this adventure, I was living in different parts of Palawan working in exchange for food and shelter, making use of my skills for survival. The only baon I had were skills I’ve acquired over time—from commuting to negotiating to marketing and design and even occasional singing and dancing with a group of dreadlocked artist musicians. I once hitchhiked with a truckload of construction workers in the mountains to get from one sitio to another. I was asked too many times if I don’t get lonely or scared traveling by myself. Although it’s extremely fun to travel and live like a nomad, I must admit that I still longed for that sense of home and stability. I’ve always had the need to seek for new things, whether to create in my own space or explore a new place. @paglunas). Thus the birth of Paglunas ( Back when I was still in Manila, I developed an interest in different healing modalities. Later on, I started to dabble in concocting natural remedies, eventually giving birth to my personal brand, Paglunas, which means to cure. This brand believes in holistic healing, and in the process, returning to one’s roots
22 November 2017
by using locally sourced raw materials. From handmade soaps, I’ve created salves, creams, and oils, until finally crafting Paglunas’ first product: Ginhawa. Made with cold pressed VCO, beeswax or palm wax, and a mix of essential oils, this all-natural cooling balm is meant to provide relief specially for headache and sore muscles. The market found ginhawa in Ginhawa and enthusiastically accepted the product, eventually growing a steady clientele for Paglunas. Creating had become my therapy— my version of the adult coloring book. Each batch is prepared with love and good intentions. Although the brand is focused on natural methods, I also studied ways on how to incorporate the use of technology without sacrificing the quality and efficacy of the product. My vision is to be able to build an ecosystem that would allow me to extract my own oils and harvest raw ingredients to ensure its quality and purity—from planting seeds, growing, harvesting and drying, making, and sealing.
My interest in craftsmanship, design, and sustainability also grew, having lived and built a strong bond with a community of basket weavers in one of the mountains in Palawan. Eventually, I gave birth to my second brand, Hirang ( @hirangph)—a Tagalog word that means “dear” and “picked as best”—together with my two other sisters who share the same passion and interest. Hirang is an online shop of unique pieces picked up during our travels. This time of solitary exploration has also opened tons of opportunities for collaboration. Recently, I found a group—Spot Collective ( @SpotCollective)—that shares the same interest in art, music, design concepts, events, extreme sports, etc. Spot encompasses all of my interests and visions, as if being able to find a nest for my ideas and dreams. After months of manifestation and sending intentions, I finally have been presented with the perfect physical space to grow my passions and visions—something I could finally call home. At least for now.
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APPLE iPHONE X
THIS IS THE FUTURE
Apple iPhone X Words Pat Calica
THE FUTURE OF SMARTPHONE IS HERE, APPLE SAYS, AND IT’S THE IPHONE X. Named in honor of the iPhone line’s 10th anniversary, the iPhone X shakes things up for the smartphone realm with its radical redesign, curating key trends in smartphone technology and adding a level of refinement that only Apple can give.
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The iPhone X features an all-glass front and back. A polished, surgical-grade stainless steel band wraps around and reinforces the design. The phone is also waterand dust-resistant.
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The 5.8-inch 1125 x 2436 Super Retina display takes up every inch of the iPhone X’s front real estate. The OLED screen follows the curve of the device up to its rounded corners. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10.
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The A11 Bionic features a six-core CPU design
with two performance cores and four efficiency cores. It integrates an Apple-designed GPU with a three-core design that delivers faster graphics performance than the previous generation.
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The dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, with f/1.8 and f/2.4 apertures, let you capture slow-motion film in higher definition or shoot film-style 4K. There’s a Portrait Lighting mode, which allows you to tweak the flash of the rear snapper. Other features include Dual optical image stabilization and a quad-LED True Tone Flash.
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For better security, the iPhone X now has a Face ID feature so you can unlock your phone using facial recognition. The Face ID works with apps that use Touch ID, and can be used to verify payments.
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The iPhone X brings emoji to life with Animoji. Animoji uses the facescanning features of the iPhone X to create custom 3D versions based on your facial expressions.
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The glass back of the iPhone X supports wireless charging. The iPhone X, arriving this month, will be available in silver and space gray in 64GB and 256GB models with a starting price of $999. And by the way, it’s “ten,” not “ex.”
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TECH LOOK
Multidimensional creative AS A CONTENT MAKER, YOU SHOULD STAY up to date with the latest trends and must have various interests to sharpen your skills.
When it comes to wardrobe, toe the line between playful and sharp. The (2)Mango chalk-stripe jogging chinos (P2,995) look smart, but its jogger-cut and drawstring waist hint at your laidback personality. Meanwhile, the (3)Mango Slim fit flecked cotton blazer (P9,995) can turn any casual outfit to something fit for the boardroom. The (4)Lacoste L2788 eyeglasses also give that serious and fun balance with its 3D-printed frame with textured effect. Put on the (5)Kenneth Cole Leather Slip-on Velcro sneaker ($120) for a comfortable and stylish walk in the office thanks to its microclimate comfort system and 37.5 fabric technology.
26 November 2017
Words Pat Calica
Get a flexible and high-performing work machine like the (1)ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 UX461, the world’s thinnest 2-in-1 laptop to date. At 13.9mm and 1.4kg, the Zenbook Flip 14 features an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce MX 150 graphics, a 512GB PCIe x4 SSD, and 13 hours of battery life. It’s easy to create content on the go with its ASUS Pen support and touchscreen display that rotates 360 degrees.
TECH LOOK
Funky player KEEP THE FUNK IN YOU ALIVE BY STAYING playful with your style and gear. Take your mobile gaming to the next level with the (1)Samsung Galaxy J7 Core (P9,990). You can enjoy hours of pure fun thanks to this device’s 1.6GHz octacore processor and 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display. Its Samsung Game Launcher feature boosts your gaming experience by blocking distracting notifications, sharing game milestones, and video-recording your gameplay. Take a big step forward with your music. The (2)Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 (£1,990) features 58mm integrated drivers, tungsten-coated diaphragm, a headband wrapped in Alcantara leather, and large soft ear pads. It is equipped with the newly developed Core Mount Technology, which provides a wide range of audio reproduction.
Words Pat Calica
Be ready to rule the streets or reign over the party crowd while wearing the (3)H&M Sweatshirt (P599) and a pair of (4)H&M Slim Low Jeans (P2,290). When you step out of the club at the break of dawn, make sure you wear the (5)Nike Essential Navigator. These sunglasses come with UVA and UVB protection, Max Optics for clear vision from all angles, and rubber inlay nose pad and temple tips for comfort and stability.
November 2017 27
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TECH LOOK
Roaming lens man EQUIPPED WITH THE RIGHT GEAR, you have the magic to pause time in your hands and forever record a certain moment in your or someone else’s history. Armed with the (1)Nikon D850 ($3,299.95 body only), capture life’s greatest moments and the planet’s gorgeous corners. It features a 45.4MP back-side illuminated (BSI) full frame image sensor with up to 9fps continuous shooting, slow motion up to 120fps, and ISO 64-25,600. It can capture 8K and 4K time-lapse movies and can record 4K Ultra HD videos.
Wander the trails and roads of the many places you visit while wearing comfortable but hardwearing clothes like the (3)Uniqlo Flannel Checked Long Sleeve Shirt (P990) and the (4)Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Skinny Fit Jeans (P1,990). Pack the (5)Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Vest (P1,990) in your bag for when you need weatherproofing in your next destination.
28 November 2017
Words Pat Calica
For instant and shareable moments, the (2)OPPO A71 (P8,990) is always ready with its speedy operation thanks to its 3GB RAM and 1.5GHz octa-core MT6750 processor. Photos taken from the A71’s 13-megapixel rear and 5-megapixel front cameras can easily be edited on its 5.2-inch HD display.
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MOBILE DEVICES
DON’T DISMISS THEM JUST YET
Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus The iPhone X may have stolen the show at Apple’s Fall 2017 event, but that doesn’t mean you should scoff at the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Featuring a glass-back design, new Retina display with TrueTone technology (4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes for the 8 and 8 Plus, respectively), and improved speakers with deeper bass, the new phones are worth looking at. The camera is updated with a faster 12MP sensor, new color filter, and deeper pixels. The 8 Plus’ wideangle and telephoto lenses enable optical zoom, as well as digital zoom of up to 10x for photos and 6x for videos. There’s also a new Portrait mode that uses the phone’s dual-camera system to adjust the lighting around your subject to add different effects. The 8 and 8 Plus boast a new processor called the A11 Bionic with a six-core CPU and a three core Apple-designed GPU. They also now support the Qi wireless standard.
Full-view display Joining the trend of all-screen 18:9 displays is Chinese phone maker Gionee. Its new M7 phone comes with a 6-inch borderless AMOLED display (2160 x 1080 pixels). Aside from the latest display technology, this phone is also the first in the market to run the new MediaTek Helio P30 processor. Other specs worth noting include the 6GB RAM and 64GB internal memory with a microSD slot for up to 256GB. There is a dual camera system at the back (16MP and 8MP), an 8MP snapper in front, and a 4000mAh battery with support for fast charging. It’s available in China for CNY 2,799. No word as of this writing whether it’ll be available locally.
30 November 2017
Words Katrina Rivere-Diga
Gionee M7
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MOBILE DEVICES
CONTENT CREATOR MACHINE LG V30
Is snapping pictures and shooting videos your thing? Do you use your phone to listen to music? LG’s latest flagship, the V30, features many innovations that could sway mobile content creators to consider it as their arsenal of choice. The V30 comes with a pixel-packed 6-inch OLED display in a 7.4mm-thin glass-and-metal body. Its dualcamera setup is composed of a 16MP f/1.6 sensor and a 13MP f/1.9 wideangle lens. For selfies, there’s a 5MP wide-angle lens on the front of the phone. Other content creation-friendly features include Cine Video mode for producing movie-quality videos, Point Zoom for smooth zooming in on any subject, and Hi-Fi Quad DAC with audio tuning by B&O PLAY. The V30 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor and comes with 4GB RAM, 64GB of storage expandable up to 2TB via microSD, and a sizeable 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0. It also has IP68 water resistance, face and voice recognition, fingerprint sensor, and support for Google’s Daydream VR platform.
Scan in 3D
Sony Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact
Both phones come with a 19MP Motion Eye main shooter. The XZ1 has a 13MP front camera, while its smaller sibling gets an 8MP one. Beyond the cameras you’ll find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, 32/64GB internal storage, waterproof design, and Android Oreo. The XZ1 and XZ1 Compact come with a 5.2-inch and 4.6-inch display, respectively.
32 November 2017
Words Katrina Rivere-Diga
Sony’s new XZ1(P39,990) and smaller XZ1 Compact both feature a new 3D scanning mode that can scan faces and objects using the on-board 3D Creator app. You can turn your 3D scans into an avatar or send it to a 3D printer if you want a physical copy.
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CAMERAS
TINY BOX OF WONDER Sony RX0
The Sony RX0 is a pint-sized action camera that promises to do big things, including shooting high-quality photo and videos on its own or with a rig of multiple cameras. Weighing just 110.6g, the RX0 sports a robust body that is waterproof up to 10m deep, shockproof from up to 2m high, and crushproof from forces up to 200kg. This tiny shooter has a 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS sensor and a wide-angle 24mm ZEISS Tessar T* lens with f/4.0 aperture. It packs professional-class functions as well, such as high-speed continuous shooting, burst mode up to 16fps, super slow motion up to 960fps, and 4K Clean HDMI output. Sony also makes it easy to link multiple RX0 cameras together through its PlayMemories Mobile app, so you can create bullet-time, time-slice, and other technical shots. Price: $699.99
Less talk, more action
DJI Mavic Pro Platinum If you think the DJI Mavic Pro is great, you must meet its latest and upgraded sibling: the Mavic Pro Platinum, which features the same 12-megapixel camera capable of 4K video recording and up to 7km control range as the previous model. This time, however, the $1,099 drone upgrades your shooting experience with its elegant platinum finish, extended flight time of up to 30 minutes, and 60 percent less flight noise at 4dB.
Beginner’s choice Olympus helps beginners and enthusiasts take their photography to the next level with the OM-D E-M10 Mark III. Aside from being a prettier version of its predecessor, this mirrorless camera sports a friendlier user interface and menus with lots of specialized shooting modes, making it more accessible to newbies. The $650 camera also comes with a 16MP CMOS sensor with 5-axis image stabilization, TruePic VIII processor, and 1.04M-dot tilting screen. It is capable of 4K video recording and up to 8.6fps continuous shooting.
34 November 2017
Words Pat Calica
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
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CAMERAS
DO-IT-ALL WHIZ Acer Holo360
Now you can capture, view, edit, and share your 360° photos and videos with a single device. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 mobile processor, the Acer Holo360 captures 360-degree photos in 6.9K resolution and videos in 4K, and stitches them together in real time. The 3-inch touchscreen is where you shoot, preview, and edit everything. In addition, the Holo360 allows sharing of photos and videos directly to social media as it runs on Android 7.1 and comes with integrated LTE and Wi-Fi support. Price: $249
Virtually real
Ricoh Theta V
36 November 2017
Rookie shooter
Canon EOS M100 This may be the right time to graduate from your casual smartphone photography and get into more serious stuff. The Canon EOS M100 takes a bid as your camera of choice when you begin your journey toward pixel nirvana. It has a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, an interchangeable lens system, and a 3.0-inch LCD that tilts 180 degrees. The EOS M100 records Full HD 60p videos, and lets you share them with the help of its built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth technology. This entry-level shooter also comes with a Self Portrait Mode, Creative Assist function, and Dual Pixel DMOS Auto Focus. Price: $599.99
Words Pat Calica
Though it sports the same familiar form factor as previous Theta cameras, the Ricoh Theta V upgrades its specs with a 12-megapixel CMOS sensor and two f/2.0 lenses mounted on either side of the body. It can shoot 360-degree stills equivalent to 14M output pixels and record 4K videos up to 30fps to give you realistic spherical images. Making your content closer to reality is the 360-degree spatial audio provided by the integrated VRcompatible audio technology with 4-channel microphone. Other features include Remote Playback, 4K live streaming, and Bluetooth and wireless LAN connectivity. Price: $429
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AUDIO
TANGLE-FREE
B&O Beoplay E8 The B&O Beoplay E8 is your ticket to a good sound trip without the hassle of wires. Designed by Jakob Wagner, these Bluetooth earbuds come with 5.7mm electro-dynamic drivers with a 20-20,000Hz frequency range. Each earbud has a touch-sensitive surface that allows you to control volume, playback, calls, voice activation, and Transparency Mode. The latter lets you tweak the amount of ambient sound that you can hear. Charge your Beoplay E8 via microUSB when your four hours of playback time is up, or place it in its case that doubles as a charging station. Price: $299
It’s quiet out here
Sony WH-1000XM2
38 November 2017
Block the noise
Beats Studio3 Wireless Beats’ flagship line gets an update in the form of the Studio3 Wireless. These over-ear headphones now feature Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling, which blocks unwanted noise, optimizes sound output to preserve clarity and range, and even adjusts for head movement, fit, and the shape of your ears. The Studio3 is powered by Apple’s W1 chip for seamless pairing with the iPhone. Price: $349.95
Words John Sosmeña
Thinking about cutting off from the outside world for a while? Do it anywhere with the Sony WH-1000XM2 wireless noisecanceling headphones. Put on these cans and enjoy your music thanks to the 40mm dome type CCAW Voice Coil driver that can reproduce frequencies up to 40kHz. Its personal noise canceling optimizing feature analyzes things such as your head size and hair and then adjusts the sound to fit you. Its atmospheric pressure optimizing feature, on the other hand, is great on airplanes as sensors detect changes in atmospheric pressure and adjusts the sound accordingly. These on-ear headphones also come with ambient sound control and a touch panel on the cups. Price: $349.99
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TV
ASTRONOMICAL MARVEL B&O BeoVision Eclipse
The B&O BeoVision Eclipse TV is a marvel of astronomic proportions—in terms of its technologies and price. The Danish company, in partnership with LG, created a 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) OLED TV and 450-watt music system in one. So aside from vivid colors, absolute black contrast, and true-to-life image reproduction, this TV also promises one of the best sounds with its 3-channel speaker system that comes with integrated internet radio and music streaming.
The BeoVision runs on LG’s webOS 3.5, enabling you to access services like Netflix and YouTube. Other features include Spotify Connect, Chromecast, AirPlay audio, and Bluetooth streaming. Bang & Olufsen lets you choose between the 55-inch and 65-inch variants, which will set you back by $10,990 and $15,990, respectively. Both models are compatible with a manual wall bracket, motorized wall bracket, and motorized floor stand placements.
A filmmaker’s vision
Panasonic EZ-1002
The EZ-1002 brings Hollywood-standard picture to your home cinema setup. It is powered by Panasonic’s new Studio Color HCX2 chipset that delivers deep blacks and accurate colors. For a complete audiovisual storytelling, Panasonic equipped the EZ-1002 with a Dynamic Blade Speaker, a slim audio system with 14 multiple speaker units, including eight woofers, four squawkers, and two tweeters. There’s also a quad passive radiator to boost bass.
40 November 2017
Words Pat Calica
Panasonic has a new big screen star in the 77-inch EZ-1002 Ultra HD 4K Pro HDR OLED television.
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WEARABLES
Gear Sport Gear Fit2 Pro
EVERYDAY ATHLETE
Samsung Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro Samsung helps you live a healthier and well-balanced life with its latest wearables. The Gear Sport smartwatch and Gear Fit2 Pro fitness band feature 5ATM water resistance, enhanced heart rate monitoring, swim tracking (with Speedo’s swimming training app, Speed On, no less!), auto activity detection, and partnerships with Under Armour’s fitness apps. Both come with Bluetooth, GPS, 4GB storage, Tizen OS, and a dual-core 1.0GHz processor. The Gear Sport comes with a 1.2-inch circular Super AMOLED display and a 300mAh battery, while the Gear Fit2 Pro ($199.99) has a 1.5-inch curved Super AMOLED display and 200mAh battery.
Everything’s personal
Fitbit Ionic Fitbit’s first real smartwatch, Ionic, has all the necessary features you need: waterresistance, GPS, a heart rate monitor, automatic sleep tracking with Sleep Stages, notifications, and contactless payments. But it’s got several cool tricks up its sleeve including an SpO2 sensor for estimating blood oxygen levels to help you identify health issues, such as sleep apnea. This smartwatch has a four-day battery life and cross-platform smartphone compatibility. It can also store and play 300+ songs. Price: $299.95
42 November 2017
Finally, you can now use your Apple Watch without being tethered to your iPhone. Apple’s Series 3 watch now integrates cellular connectivity to allow you to make calls, receive texts, and more, even without your iPhone nearby. The Apple Watch Series 3 is powered by a new dual-core processor and comes with a W2 chip for faster wireless connections. A variety of new bands and case finishes are available. The Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + cellular) starts at $399.
Words Katrina Rivere-Diga and John Sosmeña
Apple Watch Series 3
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WEARABLES
LOOK TO THE FUTURE Dell Visor
Get ready to be immersed in your mixed reality games with Dell’s headset. According to the company, the Visor will work with Microsoft apps and SteamVR titles. The Visor features inside-out tracking cameras with a 360° panoramic view. Clad in white, the headset comes with a flip-up visor, 1440 x 1440 panel for each eye, cushioned head and face padding, and a thumbwheel band adjustment. The $399 headset connects to a compatible PC through a single USB type-C connector. Also available are Visor Controllers ($99) that feature haptic feedback, thumb sticks, and buttons that are tracked by sensor in the headset. Save some cash when you get the headset and controllers kit for $449.99.
Explore another reality Enter another world with the Explorer, Lenovo’s mixed reality headset. Plug it into any Windows PC via the built-in Y-cable and get lost in your VR games and apps in an area of up to 3.5 x 3.5m. With the Explorer on, you can even travel the world from the comfort of your home. Plus, just like the Oculus Rift, you can use the Explorer as an Xbox One controller. This MR headset supports Microsoft Cortana and comes with twin 1440 x 1440 panels. Price: $349 (headset); $449 (with motion controllers)
44 November 2017
Words Katrina Rivere-Diga
Lenovo Explorer
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SPORTS
GAME SHOE
Air Jordan XXXII The Air Jordan 2-inspired Air Jordan XXXII benefits from Nike’s mastery in proprietary knits. This new Jordan shoe features a first-of-its-kind Flyknit upper with high-tenacity yarn for added flexibility, support, and reduction of stiffness at the forefoot. There’s also an articulated collar with six grooves in reference to Michael Jordan’s six NBA championships. Adding bounce, spring, and cushion to your every step are air-filled Zoom bags at the toe and heel, connected by FlightSpeed, a carbon fiber shank. The XXXII is available in both mid- and low-cut versions.
From studio to street Japanese precision meets British design heritage in the new GEL-Fit SANA SE x Liberty Fabrics collection. This shoe is the ideal footwear for studio workouts and light cross-training. It’s designed with a crisscross pattern in the midsole to promote multi-directional flexion and adaptability to maximize the foot’s natural motion. The full MONO-SOCK and seamless construction create a customized fit to help elevate your workout. The GEL-Fit SANA SE is available in two Liberty Fabric prints: Strawberry Thief and Ciara. Price: $139
46 November 2017
Words John Sosmeña
ASICS GEL-Fit SANA SE
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TECH HOME
RAMSAY IN YOUR OVEN Miele Dialog
Roasting chicken for Sunday lunch? No need to add your carrots, leeks, and potatoes in the later stages of cooking. Just throw everything into the roasting dish and let the Miele Dialog figure it out. Aside from standard radiant heat and a convention fan, the smart oven features M Chef technology, which uses electromagnetic waves to cook food uniformly. The oven is called “Dialog” because it’s in constant communication with what is cooking, gathers information about the texture of the ingredients, and cooks them to perfection. The Miele Dialog oven has a Gourmet Assistant for newbies, and a Gourmet Pro feature for those who are more confident in their kitchen skills. There’s also a companion app that lets you keep an eye on what’s cooking even while you’re doing other household chores.
Superior suction
Samsung POWERstick PRO
The POWERstick Pro offers 150W of suction power and a claimed battery life of 40 minutes with the removable 32.4V power pack in the handle. With the dual-action brush feature, both brushes rotate in opposite directions to reduce the amount of dust being blown back out. The EZClean Dustbin empties with one quick pull of the lever and can be detached and washed with water.
48 November 2017
Words John Sosmeña
With a handle that bends to up to 50 degrees and a powerful dual-action brush, the Samsung POWERstick PRO wireless vacuum cleaner makes it easier to pull up dirt more efficiently and reach under your furniture without straining your wrist.
CARS
GLAMOROUS
Mercedes-Benz GLA Aside from a hip, young exterior, the refreshed Mercedes-Benz GLA also comes with an improved interior, a host of comfort and smart equipment, and enhanced safety features, among others. The updated GLA features new air intake grilles, new headlights, reshaped bumpers, new alloy wheel designs, a diffuser insert in the rear apron, and a new spoiler lip on the roof spoiler. The dashboard is covered with ARTICO man-made leather with red topstitching. Depending on the variant, you also get a smartphone integration package that allows you to link your iPhone or Android smartphone to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The GLA has Active Brake Assist as standard. This safety feature warns the driver if there is not sufficient distance to the vehicle in front and if required, delivers situation-appropriate braking. Also standard is Attention Assist, which can tell if the driver is drowsy or sleepy via his or her steering behavior. The system will then warn the driver by sounding an alert. Locally, the new GLA is available in two variants. The GLA 180 Urban (P2,790,000) has a four-cylinder 1.6-liter engine with 122hp and 200Nm. The GLA 200 AMG (P3,090,000), meanwhile, is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 156hp and 250Nm.
Smarter driving
Nissan X-TRAIL
Turning every ride into a confidence-boosting experience, are a 360-degree monitor for easier navigation, sensors that detect movement around the vehicle, blind spot warning, forward collision warning with intelligent emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, and the 4x4-I System that automatically adjusts power distribution based on road conditions. Available in Premium Corona Orange, Marine Blue, Pearl White, Gun Metallic, and Diamond Black, the new X-TRAIL can be had in either 4x4 (P1,728,000) or 4x2 (P1,399,000) variants.
50 November 2017
Words Katrina Rivere-Diga
The updated Nissan X-TRAIL is more than just about the usual aesthetic enhancements that are expected of midlife refreshed models. This compact crossover boasts the largest range of available advanced Intelligent Mobility technologies.
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CARS
URBAN ADVENTURES 2018 Subaru XV
The first-generation Subaru XV was a runaway hit for the Japanese carmaker. Now, the all-new, second-generation looks to duplicate—or even surpass—that with its new looks, all-new platform, and improved driving dynamics.
performance by optimizing the engine, transmission, vehicle dynamics control, brakes, and the aforementioned AWD system.
Available in two variants, the new XV is powered by a 2.0-liter Subaru Boxer engine capable of 154hp and 196Nm, mated to a Lineartronic CVT. Underpinning the crossover is the new Subaru Global Platform, which reduces vibrations and body roll. The 2018 XV also has better body strength thanks to the increased use of high-tensile steel.
The exterior features Subaru’s iconic hexagonal grille with C-shaped headlights, matte black cladding on the front bumper, and a new aluminum wheel design. Inside, there’s an 8-inch touchscreen display infotainment system with navigation and smartphone connectivity.
In addition to Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, the crossover comes with X-MODE, which enhances driving
The Subaru XV 2.0i retails for P1,348,000, while the XV 2.0i-S goes for P1,538,000.
Bye, California The California is no more. Ferrari’s new “entry-level” car, the Portofino, rocks a 3.8-liter, turbocharged V8 that can sprint from 0-100kph in 3.5 seconds. Said engine is good for about 590hp and 760Nm. This powerful drop-top features a new chassis design that’s lighter than the California T, a third-gen electronic rear differential, electric power steering, full-LED headlights, and a two-box fastback configuration.
52 November 2017
Words Katrina Rivere-Diga
Ferrari Portofino
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BIKES
HOLD ON TIGHT
2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 This year, Harley-Davidson does away with its Dyna line and introduces an all-new 2018 Softail cruiser lineup. And of all the bikes in this range, one stands out in terms of styling and performance: the big-engined Fat Bob 114. Aside from its powerful 114cc Milwaukee-Eight V-twin, the cruiser also gets all-new inverted front forks for more precise handling, high-performance dual disc brakes to help keep all that power in check, and an all-new easily adjustable mono-shock rear suspension that allows for dynamic cornering capability. The aggressive, unapologetic styling is highlighted by a bold, new headlight design, upswept exhaust with a custom contrast finish, and aluminum wheels with fat tires. Price starts at $16,999
Efficient package
Yamaha Sight 115
The Sight 115 features an easy-to-read instrument cluster with gear indicator, 9 liters of underseat storage, aluminum grab bar for passenger convenience, and antitheft technology built into the key shutter. Available in Black Raven and Red Metallic, the Yamaha Sight spoke wheel edition comes with a price tag of P59,900. Meanwhile, the bike’s cast wheel version, which is available in Yellow Hornet and Black Raven, has a suggested retail price of P62,900.
54 November 2017
Words Katrina Rivere-Diga
Yamaha Sight 115, the brand’s latest contender in the underbone market, is powered by an air-cooled four-stroke, single cylinder 115cc engine and is equipped with a disc brake in front and drum in the rear for ample stopping power. The engine is mated to a four-speed manual transmission.
proving ground 11.17
p.64
OUTSTANDING COMEBACK
Samsung Galaxy Note8 WHAT WE TESTED THIS MONTH p.60
p.68
Samsung Gear 360
Sony MP-CL1A
p.62
p.70
Essential Phone PH-1
TCL X3
p.66
p.72
ASUS Vivo Book x405u
Volkswagen Beetle Club Edition
p.74
Destiny 2
November 2017
59
tested
THE NUMBERS PRODUCT TEST NO.
FUN TOY
Samsung Gear 360 (2017) Review by Edmund Beltéjar
1958 SENSOR 8.4MP x2 CMOS LENS f/2.2 VIDEO RECORDING RESOLUTION 360° (4096 x 2048)@24fps STILL CAPTURING RESOLUTION 3600 dual lens: up to 15MP/ single lens: up to 3MP STORAGE microSD up to 256GB CONNECTIVITY USB 2.0, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5GHz PRICE P10,990
The second iteration of Samsung’s dust- and weather-proof Samsung Gear 360 improves on its forerunner—in design, performance, and editing software. It’s a fun toy that shoots quirky and surprisingly stunning photos and videos in all weather conditions.
Maximum video recording resolution is 4K with a max frame rate of 24 frames per second. It also allows you to live stream full HD videos to Facebook and YouTube. Still images are now sharper, vibrant, and more accurate. The camera performs much better in difficult lighting situations (backlit subjects, high contrast shadows), and does a good job in obscuring the seams where two images are stitched together.
The front and rear fisheye lenses are still present, but have shrunk considerably while upping the ante with 8.4-megapixel sensors each. The two lenses are also closer together compared to the previous model, reducing stitching problems.
Transferring files can now be done while charging the device, which was not possible on the older Gear 360. Shooting footage while transferring files to your phone is now also possible.
There’s a standard tripod mount at the bottom. A rubber stabilizer ring at the base allows you to place the Gear 360 on top of most flat surfaces. The battery—which packs juice for up to two hours, if you’re prudent with your use—is integrated in the neck. However, you’re denied the ability to swap batteries as it’s sealed in.
SPEED SAYS
The Gear 360’s design is now more streamlined, ergonomic, and pocketable. The original Samsung Gear 360 eerily reminded me of an eyeball skewered on top of a tripod. The neck lets you grip the camera easily; it also houses a tiny yet bright and legible LCD status screen just below the record button.
It’s easy to operate the Gear 360 thanks to the ergonomically placed buttons. The big record button can be used to take photos, as well as start and stop recording videos. The menu button doubles as the Bluetooth pairing key, while the back button doubles as the power button. Unfortunately, I had a difficulty pairing the Gear 360 with my iPhone. For review purposes, I had to borrow a Samsung Galaxy S7; not surprisingly, they paired seamlessly.
Make no mistake, the Samsung Gear 360 is far from being a pro tool, but it is a fun toy that actually performs well. However, you’d still be hard pressed to find compelling everyday situations that truly merit taking 360-degree videos and photos. DIMENSIONS 100.6 x 46.3 x 45.1 mm, 130g
60
November 2017
GEEK METER 7
tested
THE NUMBERS PRODUCT TEST NO.
AN INCOMPLETE PROMISE
Essential Phone PH-1 Review by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
1959 DISPLAY 5.71-inch 2560 x 1312 QHD with radiused corners, 19:10 OS Android 7.1 CPU 2.45GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MEMORY 4GB RAM STORAGE 128GB built-in CAMERA 13MP dual RGB + Mono camera with image fusion technology, f/1.85 rear; 8MP f/2.20 front CONNECTIVITY LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/ g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC, USB Type-C PRICE $699 *The unit reviewed here was released in the North America market.
Every once in a while, a new smartphone comes along that seems to have the right mix of features and innovations to shake up the market. The Essential Phone, with its stunning new design, bold implementation of display technology, and exotic materials, is like that. Or so it seems. Upon closer inspection, the Essential Phone—created by Android’s founding father Andy Rubin—is no more than just a pretty face with a high price tag and a lot of baggage. It is a pretender to the loftiest of premium smartphone segments, but looks and feels like an incomplete promise.
The Essential Phone looks and feels amazing. Precisionbuilt to feel like a polished slate of glass or metal, it sits perfectly in the palm of your hand. The front of the phone features zero branding and an arresting bezel-free design with a small cutout on top for the selfie camera.
This device runs stock Android, and there’s zero differentiation between the Essential Phone and the OS on every other smartphone in the market.
The display is bright (500 nits) and the nearly allscreen face is stunning. However, it’s not Google Daydream-ready.
SPEED SAYS
DIMENSIONS 141.5 x 71.1 x 7.8mm, 185g
62
November 2017
There’s a cool magnetic expansion plug that allows you to shoot 360° videos with an accessory camera.
There’s a dual-lens camera setup, which blends a B&W and RGB sensor for improved depth and detail. It produces photo quality that’s no better than a single camera you’d find in any midrange Android. The camera software is slow and the results are mediocre.
The PH-1 feels like a seamless, polished piece of glass. There are nearly no protrusions on this device. The only port available is the USB Type-C at the bottom edge.
The Essential Phone PH-1 is a curious oddity that’s surrounded by truly great and proven models from experienced players. As much as I’d love to give this upstart a chance, I fear it will continue to disappoint in various ways. The Essential Phone reminds us just how hard and challenging it is to design, engineer, and massproduce a top-tier smartphone. It makes us appreciate competing devices even more.
GEEK METER 7.5
tested
THE NUMBERS PRODUCT TEST NO.
OUTSTANDING COMEBACK
Samsung Galaxy Note8 Review by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
1960 DISPLAY 6.3-inch 2960 x 1440 521ppi Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display OS Android 7.1.1 CPU 2.4GHz octa-core Samsung Exynos 8895, 64-bit MEMORY 6GB RAM STORAGE 64GB built-in; microSD up to 256GB CAMERA 12MP wide-angle Dual Pixel with f/1.7 aperture + 12MP telephoto with f/2.4 aperture rear cameras; 8MP with autofocus, f/1.7 aperture front CONNECTIVITY LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, NFC PRICE P49,990 *The unit reviewed here was released in the North America market.
A surprising sequel to the unfortunate and explosive Note 7 fiasco last year, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 could be the biggest comeback story in the smartphones industry. The Korean giant knows the Note8 is the best smartphone they’ve ever made—and it’s true. They also know they can charge an unprecedented price for this device.
The 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display is a delight to look at, and outdoes many competing models by being brighter and more saturated.
The Note series has always been Samsung’s showcase product. It is here that they’ve introduced their new designs and materials, such as the Edge Display and the venerable S Pen stylus. The Samsung Galaxy Note8 receives a similar design to the Galaxy 8 and 8+, but with more refined corners and an even more immersive Infinity Display.
As far as this tall phablet goes, it is surprisingly easy to hold in one hand. This is a 6.3-inch display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio, yet it is lighter than many devices. Samsung has placed all its best technologies in the Note8. Simply put, this is one of the most powerful smartphones ever made and has more processing power out of the box than many laptops on the market today.
SPEED SAYS
DIMENSIONS 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.6mm, 195g
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We’ve seen dual-camera setups before, but Samsung’s execution is spot on. We get two 12-megapixel cameras (telephoto and wide angle), which can simulate a very detailed and clean 2x zoom as well as the desirable ‘Live Focus’ bokeh effect. The Live Focus feature is very impressive; it can create the most delicate portraits with gloriously blurred backgrounds. The cameras can separate the details of the foreground and the background very accurately.
The Note8’s rear dual-camera system takes awesome photos in nearly every condition. Plus, it has a host of great settings and manual controls. I’m confident in saying that if you take a lot of photos, you can leave your DSLR or point-andshoot cameras at home and get by nicely with the Note8 for 80 percent of your photography needs. The S Pen also gets an upgrade, with 4096 pressure levels, IP68 resistance, and even more standard functions and cool tricks, including taking quick notes when the phone is on standby and creating your own GIFs.
While the price of admission is steep—the Galaxy Note8 is as expensive as an ultrabook or an entry-level DSLR camera— Samsung rewards Note8 owners with two of the best smartphone cameras and the most expansive stylus solution on a smartphone today in a modern classic form factor. There’s very little not to like here.
GEEK METER 9
tested
THE NUMBERS PRODUCT TEST NO.
TRUSTY PERFORMER
ASUS VivoBook X405UQ Review by Pat Calica
1961 DISPLAY 14-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD LED OS Windows 10 Home CPU 2.70GHz Intel Core i7-7500U, Intel HD Graphics 620 GPU MEMORY 8GB DDR4 133MHz SDRAM STORAGE 1TB 5400RPM SATA HDD CAMERA VGA CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 4.2, USB 3.0 Type-C, USB 3.1 Type A, 2 X USB 2.0, HDMI, RJ45 LAN, SD card reader, audio jack PRICE Starts at P39,995 (P49,995 for the review unit)
Laptops today not only offer the portability that desktop PCs don’t have, most of these mobile devices now also nearly match the latter’s reliability when it comes to computing performance. Is this the case for the ASUS VivoBook X405UQ, too? Read on to know.
The plastic build ensures that you have a light laptop that is easy to carry around. And don’t worry about its quality; it feels solid and seems sturdy enough to take the beatings of being an everyday working machine.
Our review unit, which comes in a metallic Star Gray finish, looks sleek. Don’t be fooled, though, because the body is really just hard plastic in metallic finish, so it feels less premium than it looks.
I appreciate that despite its relatively slim body, the ASUS VivoBook X405UQ is equipped with almost all of the necessary connection ports. Sharing and transferring files via external devices is quick and easy.
Located on both sides of the laptop, the speakers churn out decent audio. Even when you turn up the audio to the maximum level, the sound remains solid.
The keys are nicely spaced out and all standard shortcuts and functions are available. However, the Power button is placed on the top right corner of the keyboard, where the Delete button should be in most keyboards. (The Delete key is next to the Power button in the VivoBook X405UQ). I’ve lost count how many times I’ve accidentally powered off the laptop because of this configuration. The keys don’t have backlight, too.
SPEED SAYS
DIMENSIONS 326.4 x 225.5 x 18.75~20.15mm, 1.3kg
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The VivoBook X405UQ’s NanoEdge display is beautiful to look at. For one, the thin bezels allow ASUS to squeeze in a 14-inch screen in a 13-inch laptop body—that’s more visual real estate for users to enjoy. Plus, the Full HD screen offers good color and contrast. It is not too bright and has wide viewing angles. The VivoBook X405UQ can easily perform usual office and internet tasks without experiencing any lags. Switching between windows and programs is a breeze. It eventually showed some strain when I installed a photo-editing software and a racing game. But this is something that can be solved by adding more memory to the laptop. On full charge, the battery can last you 6 to 7 hours of basic office tasks and moderate internet use.
The ASUS VivoBook X405UQ is a decent everyday work machine. It is capable of performing basic office tasks, stays powered for a considerable amount of time, and is built with portability in mind. One big plus for this laptop is that it looks premium with its metallic finish and thin bezels.
GEEK METER 8
tested
THE NUMBERS PRODUCT TEST NO.
SMALL WONDER
Sony MP-CL1A Review by Edmund Beltéjar
1962 RESOLUTION 1920 x 720 DIAGONAL PROJECTION IMAGE SIZE 40in (102cm) at projection distance of 1.15m (3.77ft) CONTRAST RATIO 80,000:1 BRIGHTNESS Average: 32 lumens/ Equivalent: 40 lumens SPEAKER 1.0W CONNECTIVITY HDMI/MHL, USB out, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth 3.0, Miracast PRICE P20,999
Want to make a big impact on your next presentation? Imagine entering the boardroom—no laptop in tow, no clunky projector to fiddle with, no cumbersome wires to untangle. You simply whip out the tiny Sony MP-CL1A mobile projector from your pocket that’s wirelessly tethered to your smartphone. With muffled gasps, your clients marvel at the bright, sharp images produced by this small wonder. The only problem is, they’ll be more curious about the Sony MP-CL1A than your presentation.
This portable projector utilizes a powerful laser diode to cast pictures and videos with a resolution of 1920x720p. I wish it were Full HD though. At about four feet away from a wall, the MP-CL1A projects a stunning 40-inch image. Just for fun, I projected a movie from my bedroom window on to our neighbor’s house which is around 120 feet away, and the images remained crisp and fairly viewable considering the distance. In dark and dimly lit situations, the images produced are bright and saturated. However, images get washed out in brightly lit rooms.
Wireless connectivity is a snap when you’re using an Android device. For iOS devices, I found it easier to connect the projector using an HDMI/MHL cable. The MP-CL1A also supports Miracast. While it’s a joy to watch movies with this projector, its battery, on a single charge, can only provide juice for about two hours. Forget about holding a Dark Knight movie marathon, or finishing the first film at least. To solve this, keep the projector plugged in.
SPEED SAYS
DIMENSIONS 77 × 149.5 × 13mm, 210g
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On uneven surfaces like stucco walls or curtains, the projector’s laser diode amazingly keeps things sharply focused. The device’s interface allows easy rectification of any keystone distortion you might experience when you’re projecting images from odd angles. Propping the projector is also a cinch with the adjustable stand that doubles as a lens cover. With a body that’s as big as a phablet (and it weighs even less!), it’s easy to carry around this mobile projector anywhere. The chassis is largely made up of matte black aluminum; the only plastic parts are the front and back of the projector. Although equipped with a built-in speaker, the sound quality is predictably poor. Thankfully, you can connect to external speakers or headphones via Bluetooth or through its 3.5mm audio port.
The Sony MP-CL1A mobile projector is a small wonder that comes with a hefty price tag. At that price point you can already score a decent 40-inch TV. But if you think about it, lugging a 40-inch behemoth to your next presentation wouldn’t make a big impact like the MP-CL1A would.
GEEK METER 7
tested
THE NUMBERS PRODUCT TEST NO.
BEST IN CLASS
TCL X3 (C65X3US) Review by Pat Calica
1963 OS Android 6.0 Marshmallow, TV + OS 3.0 DISPLAY 65-inch 4K Edge-lit QLED UHD Curve RESOLUTION 3850 x 2160; 60Hz refresh rate AUDIO Built-in Harman Kardon speaker system PROCESSOR 64-bit quad-core A53 processor, Mali T860 GPU MEMORY 2GB RAM; 16GB internal storage CONNECTIVITY AV input, 3 x HDMI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, LAN port, 2 x RF Input, 1 x SPDIF Output, earphone jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth PRICE P149,995
The TCL X3 leads the company’s latest series of medium-to-premium TVs unveiled this year. Part of TCL’s premium XESS line, the X3 comes with a lot of features you only normally get from other brands’ pricier models.
Right off the bat, the X3 looks every bit the flagship TV that it is—massive in size with a beautifully curved body. Its slim profile, thin bezel, and allmetal casing give the X3 a modern minimalistic vibe. The metal base stand is sturdy enough to support this humongous television.
Playing 4K videos on the X3 is a treat. Colors are vivid, details are sharp, and images have good contrast. Thanks to the Quantum Dot display technology, the X3 is capable of reproducing colors accurately and reach higher brightness levels.
The default picture quality of the X3 is quite vibrant and saturated. But you can tweak the picture settings or choose an appropriate picture mode if you want the color less saturated. At the bottom, a broad strip of smooth metal features six circular grilles, three on both ends. These are the TV’s Harman Kardon speakers. The integration of the speaker system in the exterior design gives the X3 a distinctive edge over other curved, thin-bezel TVs, not just aesthetically but also audio performance-wise. The front-facing Harman Kardon speakers with Dolby Audio produce clear and loud sound. There’s no need to buy a separate soundbar if you’ll be placing this TV in a medium-sized bedroom or living room.
SPEED SAYS
DIMENSIONS 1,444.4 x 884 x 47.7mm, 27.6kg
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The rear of the X3 features all the connection ports, neatly organized in a row, as well as the joystick-like power button. A standard remote comes with the TV, but we also got to review the motion/voice-activated remote and the game controller with the X3. (The latter two come with the TV as bundle options.) Connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also a breeze. It’s easy to navigate around the TV OS, which is clean and responsive. Out of the box, the X3 already comes with builtin apps like Google Play Store, Go LiveTV, Netflix, Spotify, T-Launcher, and YouTube, among others. Launching apps is fast with minimal to no delays. I played the pre-installed Asphalt Nitro game and didn’t experience any lags with the controls or glitches in the graphics.
For a flagship TV, the TCL X3 is a bang-for-the-buck purchase. It already offers 4K Ultra HD Quantum Dot display with great picture quality, Harman Kardon speakers that produce loud and clear audio, smart TV functions and fast performance, and a plethora of connectivity and entertainment features.
GEEK METER 9.5
tested
THE NUMBERS
BITTEN BY THE BUG
Volkswagen Beetle Club Edition
PRODUCT TEST NO.
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Review by Katrina Rivere-Diga
ENGINE 1.4-liter DOHC inline-4 twin-charged DSI POWER 158hp @ 5,800rpm TORQUE 240Nm @ 1,5004,500rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox, FWD BRAKES Front: vented disc Rear: disc SUSPENSION Front: independent, MacPherson strut Rear: torsion beam with 4-link TIRES 215/55 R17 SAFETY 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stabilization Program, hill hold assist PRICE P1,790,000 *In photo is the Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI DSG
As a child growing up in the ’80s, I have vivid memories of getting playfully slapped on the back of the head by relatives and friends. “Pendong!” they’d shout, followed by a not-so-innocent peace finger sign. That’s how it was every time we would see a Beetle on the road. And so I couldn’t help but grin as I drove the 2017 Volkswagen Beetle Club Edition test unit out of the VW garage in BGC. Too bad there wasn’t anyone in the car to play “Pendong! Peace!” with. Few cars are more iconic than the Volkswagen Beetle. Its distinct shape makes it easily recognizable. But the new Beetle is far from what it used to be—and all things considered, I don’t think that’s such a bad thing. Suspension was a bit on the stiff side, but it wasn’t uncomfortable as to give me a sore back.
You can easily distinguish a Club Edition trim from the regular one via the handsome 17-inch hyper black alloy wheels and the decals—side stripe and ‘Club’—running along both sides of the lower half of the hatch.
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The Club Edition’s 1.4L TSI engine makes a pretty potent 158hp that’s just right for urban driving. If you wish to take it out to the highway for a weekend trip, the engine provides; it’s here that you can take advantage of the Sport mode for more spirited driving.
The new Beetle’s shape, while retaining much of the classic model’s curves, has been modernized from front to back. The new silhouette is still unmistakable though; the 2017 Beetle looks very much retro with a modern touch.
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INTERIOR The Club Edition’s leather sport seats feel premium. It hugged me just right and had good lumbar support.
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The engine wasn’t as fuel-efficient as I expected it to be. I got 7.4kpL in city driving on an average of 40kph. When I drove from Makati to Quezon City on a weekday night when traffic was exceptionally horrendous, the Beetle returned 4.5kpL.
SPEED SAYS
Another thing that sets this edition apart is the multimedia touchscreen system. The 6.5-inch display is responsive, has a good viewing angle, and is easy to use.
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Cabin space is enough for four adults; any more than that would be uncomfortable. Backseat passengers also need to fold the front seats forward to enter the vehicle.
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DIMENSIONS 4,279 x 1,808, 1,486mm; 1,359kg
The 2017 Beetle comes with big oval Bi-Xenon headlamps with daytime running lamps (DRLs) and static cornering light. The grille that spans the lower half of the Beetle makes it look like the car is grinning.
I’ve heard hardcore fans of the classic Beetle scoff at this current-generation model, which is understandable. But personally, I like how Volkswagen managed to modernize this iconic car yet retain its old-school charm, even opening up to a new market, i.e. women and millennials. The Club Edition—with its bells and whistles— just makes the driving experience even more fun.
GEEK METER 8
reviewed
THE NUMBERS
BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL
Destiny 2 Review by Erik Paolo Escueta
PLATFORMS PlayStation 4 (reviewed), Xbox One, PC DEVELOPER Bungie PUBLISHER Activision NO. OF PLAYERS 1 player (online required), 2-12 players (online multiplayer modes)
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we reviewed the original Destiny a couple of years ago, we said it was a game worth investing in as long as you bought into developer Bungie’s promise of additional content past the interesting-yet-brief single-player story. Several expansions and multiplayer events later, we’re now given instead a bonafide sequel that leaves behind everything Destiny players earned and learned in the original game in favor of a fresh start. Oddly enough, Destiny 2 is all the better for it. From hero to zero A chief complaint about the first Destiny was the hard sell of its story. It had potential, sure, and arguably got better with each expansion, but was still lacking a certain cohesion that made it a little overwhelming for newcomers jumping in. So it’s not surprising that for Destiny 2, we start off with a clean slate for everyone to start fresh. Heck, the only things that carry over from your original Destiny save file are the appearances of your Guardians, which is more superficial
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than anything else. By the end of your first mission, you actually find yourself stripped of all your abilities and weapons—an interesting approach for a sequel. The premise does work its way to an ending that actually has a proper payoff and lead-in to future expansions, as opposed to the previous game’s underwhelming cliffhanger. The narrative also unfolds at a more natural albeit linear pace this time around, resulting in a more solid narrative. Propelling the plot are actual pre-rendered in-game cutscenes tying together key events, as well as tons of spoken dialogue and chatter throughout. These provide some much-needed context that was lacking in the first game’s storytelling, where characters came off as onedimensional or flat; not so in Destiny 2—from the dashing Devrim Kay to the bipolar and sassy computer AI Failsafe, Destiny 2’s supporting cast are full of depth and personality. Building on the basics While the story received an overhaul of sorts, the first-person combat elements got more of a tune-up since it technically plays just like its predecessor, which is still a hit or miss depending on your shooter tastes. In a nutshell, the gunplay is as relatively intuitive and enjoyable as before, although not as fast-paced or frenetic as other first-person shooters; but it’s the role-playing game aspects
that balance it out, your unique class abilities and subclass specializations providing that added chaotic flavor to the proceedings. A large upside is that skill trees are finally more practical and flexible with the use of upgrade points and an adequate branching system. Weapons also receive some new perks and types (like swords and the trace rifle), and you can now also switch up your gear’s enhancements although it’s a bit limited in scope and practice. Worlds apart As for planetary exploration, Destiny 2 looks to have learned from its predecessor’s faults. Each planet’s map is nicely split into several sections that tie together in varied yet consistent ways, with bridges and paths that are clearly well-marked and fast-travel points that make it even easier to jump between far-off areas. They’re generally easier to navigate due to the better-sized and reasonably intricate layouts. They’re chock-full of hidden areas, too. But it’s the unique designs of each world that stands out—from the oceanic Titan to the jungles of Nessus—making even the usual generic cave appear a bit more unique. Working your way up A major improvement in Destiny 2 is how it manages your progress and balances your gameplay options against your current level. Side activities, such as secondary Adventure missions and Patrols, only unlock once you are past specific points in the main storyline (with a few exceptions, such as Public Events) ensuring that you don’t get overwhelmed. That said, by the time you reach the post-game you’ll be more than ready for the rest of what Destiny 2 has to offer. Loot hunters will enjoy the greater chances for Legendary and Exotic engrams, and competitive fireteams will have more multiplayer options with exclusive online modes like the Trials of Nine or weekly Nightfall Strike. Matchmaking blues Destiny 2, of course, is not without its faults. While requiring an alwayson internet connection is no longer the grievance it used to be, the long multiplayer matchmaking times and occasional server disconnections we experienced are rather frustrating. But it’s Destiny 2’s financial demands that once more cause some friction, as it hikes a hefty asking price for future story expansions and a new in-game currency, Silver, for purchasing cosmetic Bright engram loot boxes (to be fair, you can earn these purchase-free once you hit the level cap). If you intend to stretch Destiny 2 for the long-term, prepare to fork over some significant scratch for that season pass.
SPEED SAYS
Destiny 2 is, in a way, the real game the original Destiny tried so hard to become. The narrative is better executed, the side activities are plentiful and well-paced, and the combat and exploration mostly improved and streamlined. But while the technical glitches and networking hiccups might be forgivable and fixable over time, the game’s paying practice for future content is possibly pushing the envelope a bit too far for gamers’ wallets—especially if we’re just going to toss it all away for Destiny 3. Otherwise, Destiny 2 vanilla is still enough bang for your buck, if only while it lasts.
PROS
excellent narrative and production values lots of sidequests, activities and modes improved combat elements and map design well-paced player progression and unlocks
CONS
future story expansions are relatively expensive multiplayer is badly affected by server problems solo players might still find it trying to form a fireteam
GEEK METER 8 November 2017
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H O L I D AY GIFT GUIDE 2017
The holiday season has caught up on us once again, and so is the annual gift-hunting and shopping frenzy. But here you are, stumped for ideas on what to give your loved ones for Christmas. We say: keep calm and stop worrying. Speed’s annual Holiday Gift Guide is here to help you Become a terrilc Santa to your friends and family. This year we put together a comprehensive gift list that can help your loved ones fullll their goals for 201 . Whether they want to cross out more destinations in their travel list, advance their respective careers, start a new chapter in their lives, live a lt and healthy lifestyle, or start their own business, these gift ideas are sure to keep on giving all year long. Flip to the next page and check out the best presents you can give to everyone on your list. November 2017 77
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Travel goals Got friends who want to cross out more places in their traveling bucket list? Help them follow their travel goals with these handy gifts.
02 With (1)Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro’s (P15,990) night camera feature, your pals can take vivid photos of landscapes and selfies alike even in dim lighting.
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The (2)Acer Holo360 bundled with a water-resistant case ($429) and (3)JBL Flip 4 (P6,995) never fail to give a good time with their waterproof features. These babies will keep your friends chillin’ and snappin’ at the beach without fear of water damage. To keep them entertained while on the go or while waiting at the airport, give them the (4)Nintendo Switch (P24,495). This hybrid console/tablet comes with detachable Joy-Con controllers, a custom Nvidia chip, and a 6-hour battery life. While traveling may be a lot of fun, it can also be exhausting. Keep your friends comfortable and warm with the (5)H&M Sweatshirt with Raglan Sleeves (P1,190). The (6)Sea to Summit Eye Shades (P690), meanwhile, is great for those who want to catch some valuable sleep without using and throwing away multiple sets of airline-issue shades.
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Help them organize their electronic cords and other knick-knacks with the (7)Gouache Leather Cord Organizer (P600) and keep all their gadgets safe in the (8)Thule Legend Action Camera Backpack ($199.95). In order for them to not lose track of time (missed flights are a hassle!), they should wear a tough, reliable timepiece like the (9)Casio G-SHOCK Digital Analog Watch GA-500P-3A (P8,095).
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To give them more motivation to visit the beautiful spots in the country, give them a (10)Scratch Map Philippines Edition (P1,350).
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Career goals Encourage your career-driven buddies to go after that promotion, master’s degree, or Employee of the Month award with gifts that will complement their gogetter lifestyle.
Help them keep their head in the game with the sleek and powerful (1)Vivo V7+ (P17,990). They can do more thanks to the phone’s Smart Split 3.0 feature that lets them run multiple applications in split-screen mode. The 24MP front camera, meanwhile, allows them to capture selfieworthy experiences. Dress to impress with the (2)H&M Premium Cotton Shirt (P1,490) and (3)H&M Leather Belt for men (P899). If you’ve got a friend who’s an Apple fan, then the (4)Rain Design mStand mobile (P1,700) will keep him happy. This sleek mobile stand, which matches the iPhone’s aesthetics, frees your hand, so you can work comfortably with swiping, typing, or watching.
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To save them the hassle of looking for power outlets in public places, give them the 12000mAh fastcharge (5)Michi Slim Power Type C (P2,390). It’s very portable and can charge two devices at once. Give that workaholic soul an equally hardworking laptop like the (6)15.6inch ASUS VivoBook S15 (P44,995), which boasts a fingerprint reader to keep their files safe and secure. The (7)Victorinox VX One Laptop Folio 15-inches (P14,990), meanwhile, holds all business essentials, and contains travel-ready features for when work takes them on the road. You can’t go wrong with a gift like the (8)Kingston DataTraveler 2000 16GB ($99.23). This portable storage device offers 256-bit AES hardwarebased encryption and PIN protection with access through an onboard alphanumeric keypad. To aid them with organizing notes, expenses, and schedules, buy them the geeky-cool (9)Moleskine Limited Edition Star Wars (P1,580) notebook.
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New chapter Moving in to a new place can be exciting and exhausting. For the holidays, give your loved ones these gifts to remind them of home while helping them warm up to this fresh chapter in their lives.
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Inspire them to take more photos and document new milestones with the (1)OPPO F3 Plus 64GB (P23,990). Its 16MP+8MP front and 8MP rear cameras allow you to snap clear photos and shoot videos at a moment’s notice. Let them chill and binge-watch their favorite shows on the 55-inch (2)LG 55UJ7500 Ultra HD TV (P75,997), best matched with (3)PLDT’s Roku-powered TVolution (P199/month). This plug-and-play box allows them to watch HD TV channels from Cignal, show and movies from iflix and Netflix, billion hours of videos from YouTube, and other streaming channels.
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A multi-room speaker like the (4)Denon HEOS 5 (P29,500) will keep the good vibes going by playing music all throughout the home. With the HEOS app, they can play a different song in every room or group several rooms together and play the same song. Bond over games with the (5)Microsoft Xbox One X (P25,200), which features a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player with HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio support. Introduce them to smart living with (6)Google Home ($129), which acts as a smart assistant, controls smart devices, and helps manage everyday tasks more efficiently.
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An air conditioner like the (7)Samsung AR-24MVFHH 2.5HP Standard Inverter (P48,995) will keep them cool and comfortable while the (8)Sharp FP-G50E-W (P15,998) air purifier features active Plasmacluster and eliminates smell, toxic gases, dust mites, and other pathogens from both air and surface to make the air they breathe fresher and cleaner. What can’t a good cup of coffee cure? Bring coffee shop quality to their home with the (9)DeLonghi Icona Vintage Drip Coffee Maker (P7,800). This easy-to-use coffee maker comes with an eco-function that automatically shuts off the machine when not in use.
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Health & Fitness Goals
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Your oflcemate has been saying, hI need to hit the gymv for well over a year, but has barely lifted a lnger. Help him Jumpstart his way to ltness, get active, and lnally achieve his desired health goals with these gifts.
The (1)Sony Xperia XZ1 (P39,990) is perfect for his newly found active lifestyle, thanks to its dust- and water-resistance. Its dual front-facing speakers provide excellent audio to pump him up while working out.
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Or you can get him a pair of (2)Skullcandy Method Wireless (P4,190) headphones. It features a comfortable neckband, is sweat-proof, and won’t fall off the ears even when he runs. Help him move with ease in (3)Uniqlo Dry Stretch Sweat Pants (P1,290). These sweatpants feature a quick drying DRY technology so he wouldn’t have to endure that icky sticky feeling.
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Don’t let the blazing heat of the sun stop him from doing his thing. Equip him with a pair of (4)Oakley EVZero Swift Asia Fit sunglasses (starts at $160) that not only offers UV protection but also defense on against high-velocity and high-mass impact courtesy of its premium materials. The light and versatile (5)ASICS GEL-DS Trainer 22 (P6,900) is ideal for runners who can benefit from its FlyteFoam technology for better cushioning. Keep him focused on his weight goals with the (6)Fitbit Alta HR Fitness Tracker (P8,490), which tracks steps, distance, calories, sleep, and even heart rate.
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If he’s the type who likes the great outdoors, you can’t go wrong with the 33L (7)The North Face Surge Backpack (P7,990). This bag is made of durable ballistics nylon and comes with lots of organizational compartments. Self-care is important, too. (8)Dove Men+ Care Body and Face Wash Oil Control 18oz (P365) is a body wash with oil-neutralizing and micro-moisture technology to help keep his skin protected against dryness. Let him dry off and cool down with the (9)Toby’s Perfect Cooling Towel (P525). When this towel gets wet, it becomes cooler than the outside air. Lastly, remind him to stay hydrated with this spillproof and lightweight (10)Toby’s Runnr 21oz Blue Nero Sports Bottle (P525).
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Entrepreneurial goals What to get the busy (and probably stressed out) entrepreneur on your list? Whether he’s starting a business or already running one, he needs something that will make his life a little bit easier.
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Packed with a powerful processor, the waterand dust-resistant (1)Apple iPhone 8 Plus (64GB, $799) can manage all your schedules and fly through pretty much whatever tasks you throw at it. The 14-inch 2-in-1 (2)Acer Spin 7 (P64,999) is an office tool that will keep him productive and on top of his game. It’s thin, light, and flexible so he can bring it to off-site meetings. He can choose between four modes: laptop, tablet, display or tent.
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If his business relies heavily on visuals, gift him with a proper camera like the 24MP (3)Canon EOS 200D (P39,998). It’s compact, versatile, and lets you transfer files easily via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. It even shoots Full HD movies. Paper works are part of any business. For a reliable printer that delivers superior performance, give him the (4)Epson L385 (P9,295), which has printing speeds of 10ipm for black and white and 5ipm in color. It's also more convenient with Wi-Fi connectivity. Help him keep important cards organized with the stylish (5)Mango Man Saffiano-effect Cardholder (P795). Dead spots in the office? The portable plug-in (6)D-LINK DAP-1325 N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender (P1,885) extends an existing wireless network. It supports Wireless N to give you connection speeds of up to 300Mbps. Protect sensitive data on his PC against viruses and other online threats with the (7)Symantec Norton AntiVirus Basic ($29.99).
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Bless that new office with an (8)Electrolux Vita Inverter split-type air conditioner (P36,995) that’s designed to be ultra quiet and energy-saving. If your entrepreneur friend can’t function well without coffee in his system, the (9)Nescafe Dolce Gusto Oblo Coffee Machine (P3,999) will make a nice stocking stuffer. Just pop a coffee, hot chocolate, or tea pod, pull the lever, and—voila!—coffee-shop quality drink every time, all the time.
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SCRAP SPECTACLE Upcycled furniture for stylish interiors WORDS A N TO N I O J O S E GAL AU R A N
WHILE the 21st century industrial economy paved the way for the rapid mass production of goods and services, it also sped up waste production at an alarming rate. Luckily, a number of master designers have a green idea: craft furniture from junk—from day-to-day waste to production throwaways and rusting wartime infantry machines. Speed lists some of the most stunning design creations borne out of the abject rubbles of human waste and that have been rebirthed into the centerpiece of home and ofďŹ ce interiors.
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Pentatonic Airtool Chair and Foil Table The minimalist white construction of the Pentatonic Airtool Chair and Foil Table would qualify it for a mass-produced dining set. But in reality, it’s a custom-designed set built from recycled consumer waste, aluminum, glass, and food plastics. Each Airtool Chair was crafted from 96 plastic bottles, 28.4 aluminum cans, and bits of old food containers. It comes specially designed with a wool-like plyflix seat shell that’s crafted from plastic, making it waterresistant. The Foil Table, on the other hand, incorporates 1,436 aluminum cans and 190 waste CDs or DVDs. The furniture company also rejected the use of additives, toxins, glues, and resins for better sustainability.
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rePly a/Ply To re-inject life into plywood rejects—this is the vision of furniture manufacturer rePly. The company prides itself in hand-crafting eco-friendly home pieces worthy to be passed down as heirlooms. Leading its line is the a/Ply chair. It maintains a basic appeal with its plywood base only supported on the edges by reclaimed hardwood. Stabilizing the piece are steel hairpin legs, and a body completed with a water-borne polyurethane ďŹ nish.
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MotoArt Albatross Elevator Desk MotoArt has carved itself a name in history for re-engineering old, retired airplanes into designer creations, and the 1949 Grumman HU-16 Albatross aircraft is one of its lab engineers’ latest toys. The MotoArt team transformed the heralded “flying boat” of the US Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard by cutting the Albatross’ rear elevator to form the frame of the custom-made office desk. Up top, the table dons a see-through tempered glass. Peeking underneath are orange powder-coated frames that accentuate the desk’s vibrant appeal. Fabricated aluminium legs designed with cut-outs and polished caps serve as base that hold up the desk’s 6- to 13-foot frame.
Paperbricks Pallet series What does one do with old newspapers? One artist turns them into home pieces worthy of a gallery. The Paperbricks Pallet series— comprised of a side table and two benches— sports a stone-like marbling exterior but with the gentle texture of paper. Designer WooJai Lee mashed discarded papers, threw them into a pulp, and concretized the material by wood glue. After being pressed into a compact form, the mixture formed the shape of a solid brick. The edges were later smoothed out to give the Paperbricks Pallet series its lustrous upcycled appeal.
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form factor MotoArt Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet Conference Table Another standout creation from the MotoArt labs, the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet Conference Table formed from a General Electric engine nacelle. The desk displays its grandeur with its high-polished silver dome-shaped base, accentuated by a striking velvet red B-52 engine spinner, topped at the core by a custom-fabricated engine stator, and finished by a 1/2” round tempered glass top. If that ain’t enough of a striking package, the table can likewise emit LED lighting in a customizable range of colors. This office desk can seat up to twelve persons and comes with optional pop-up connection ports for device connectivity.
Inkuku
Really Benches British designer Max Lamb partnered with textile-upcycling brand Really to create these benches as part of an installation at the Milan Design Week 2017. A wide range of textile materials—tea towels, sheets, dish cloths, cottons, and denims—are heat-pressed and pressurized to solidify the material into its boardlike structure. While rigid as concrete, the benches’ texture reverts to its roots, maintaining a soft, cloth-like feel. Really benches are produced as part of a 12-piece set available in palettes of white and navy.
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A hybrid of traditional African culture and sustainable practice, the sublime Inkuku is an upcycled masterpiece from plastic shopping bags and recycled aluminum by South African-born furniture designer Ryan Frank. The uncanny architecture of the Inkuku draws inspiration from a wrapping technique and handcrafting of chicken ornaments in South African towns. The neon and vibrant top ranges from warm tones of red, yellow, and orange, to cooler hues of blue and gray depending on the material used. This gives the Inkuku a sharp contrast to its more neutral-silver shaded base.
Kawara Bench Ceramic waste gets its own upcycling thanks to Tsuyoshi Hayashi’s creation. With more than 65,000 pieces of ceramics of the whole roof tile production thrown away to landfills every year, Hayashi decisively took the first step toward sustainability by building the upcycled Kawara benches. The silver-smoked roof tiles hail from silver tile discards used in traditional castles, shrines, and temples in Japan, while the color-glazed tiles were shipped straight from Takahama and Iwami. For an ergonomic experience, the sharp edges of waste ceramics were chipped off before being mounted on top of the wooden base.
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MAPPING A GREEN
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING SEEM SO DAUNTING THAT YOU PROBABLY SWEEP THEM UNDER THE RUG. THESE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS MAY BE THE LEAST OF YOUR WORRIES. BUT REALLY, SHOULD THEY BE RELEGATED TO THE BACK OF YOUR MIND?
FUTURE Words Katrina Rivere-Diga
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MAPPING A GREEN FUTURE
The simple reality is that ice caps are melting, people are dying in heat waves made worse by global warming, and carbon dioxide levels are climbing at an alarming rate. The burning question is: Can we still get out of this rut we’re in? According to experts, there’s still hope—but we would need large-scale, collective action. That means entire nations should take action and use every tool they have to crack this problem. On a personal level, we can also do our part by reducing our carbon footprint—reuse, recycle, upcycle, switch to more efficient appliances, drive less, and banish phantom load. In the next few pages, we show you in easily digestible bits the plans and projects laid out by the government to create a more sustainable Philippines. We also get you acquainted with green-minded businesses that show their love for Mother Earth. Hopefully, you’ll be stirred into action to map a greener future and make sustainability your #PlanetaryGoal.
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FROM GRAY TO GREEN Rebuilldin ng a su usttainaablle Ph hilip ppin ness Words Carmela Maraan Fernando
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Floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, typhoons—these are just a few of the natural disasters that the Philippines contantly faces. Although being in the Pacific Ring of Fire contributes to these risks, it is our everyday activities that play a big role in the destruction of our natural home.
The Philippine government, mandated by the Constitution to “protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,” has fostered several initiatives to help address various issues related to climate change and environmental risks, to achieve several goals for sustainable development. Today, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) continues to implement projects promoting the use of clean and green energy, proper management of water resources and solid waste, and responsible mining. Some of the Philippine government’s latest projects also involve renewable solar energy for remote provincial areas, electric vehicles deployed in various provincial cities, and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) green energy and feed-in-tariff programs.
FROM GRAY TO GREEN
Solar power Earlier this year in Concepcion, Tarlac, Solar Philippines built a solar farm that can provide 150 megawatts of power to up to 300,000 households. It’s set to run for at least 30 years, offsetting an estimated three million tons of carbon emissions. The Concepcion Solar farm is also fitted with battery options to be able to dispatch power as needed, and not only when it’s available.
THE RESULTS MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATE AND APPARENT, BUT IN THE GOV V ERNMENT GET T S GREEN N ER Over the past few years, a number of eco-friendly initiatives have been given the green light to help promote eco-tourism, maintain the interest of foreign investors, and preserve the natural environment as a constant source of raw materials for community trade. These projects are also meant to help improve the quality of life for residents with limited access to basic resources like electric power, clean water, public transportation, and public sanitation. Responsible mining In line with DENR’s goals toward responsible mining, stricter regulations surrounding mining operations and environmental protection have been implemented, with steeper penalties for violations. Reforestation programs, such as those continually spearheaded by Philex Mining, are regularly carried out to promote environmental sustainability and long-term economic viability in the industry. The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is also launching a system that grants participating mining firms recognition for achievements in environmental and social responsibility. This reward system is meant to encourage mining companies to provide safe, healthy, and supportive working conditions to employees, as well as minimize harm to the environment in mining communities.
LONG RUN THEY WILL HELP SLOW DOWN THE CONTINUOUS DEGRADATION OF OUR RESOURCES.
Other solar power farms in the works are the Capas Solar Power Plant in Tarlac (22 MW), plus two solar farms in San Manuel, Pangasinan. Meanwhile, Silay Global Energy Solutions is building a 30-megawatt battery energy storage in Negros Occidental. Another notable solar farm that was recently built is the Cadiz Solar Power Plant in Negros Occidental, producing 132.5 megawatts of energy from 427,392 solar panels and spanning 176 hectares (430 acres). This is the largest solar power facility in Southeast Asia and the 7th largest in the world. Last August, Solar Philippines officially opened its solar panel factory in Santo Tomas, Batangas, which is touted as the first solar panel factory owned by a Filipino company. The facility is targeting to generate 800 megawatts annually and produce 2.5 million panels a year. This will make solar panels more affordable and accessible to the average Filipino. According to Solar Philippines President Leandro Leviste, they are building a 4MW solar-battery farm in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro to bring uninterrupted power supply to up to 20,000 Filipinos. Aside from residential use, solar panels installed in commercial spots are now steadily expanding. These establishments include various SM and Robinsons malls, as well as the Gaisano Capital mall in Iloilo. This helps cut down on electricity costs while providing cleaner energy options to customers, cutting down carbon dioxide emissions by at least 770 metric tons annually. Renewable energy Aside from the aforementioned solar power farms, other renewable energy programs for grid studies have been approved by the DOE. These projects will harness wind power and will be developed by Currimao Solar Energy Corp. These are the 150MW Talisay Wind Power Project in Camarines Norte, the 140MW Talim Wind Power Project in Rizal, and the 80MW Calatagan Wind Power Project in Batangas.
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Electric vehicles To provide more environment-friendly transportation options in NCR and remote provinicial cities, electric vehicles like the e-jeep and e-trike have been deployed for public use. Starting in 2013, the government has implemented the program in four phases within a 10-year period. There has been tremendous pressure on the Philippines to step up its game in the EV/hybrid industry, with neighboring ASEAN countries achieving substantial headway in terms of government subsidies, incentives, ownership schemes, and infrastructure support. According to the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), which hosted the first ASEAN EV and Hybrid Summit last June, they aim to produce one million electric vehicles by 2020. Last year, Clima Mobility unveiled the country’s first Filipino-made electric car. Called the Genius EV, this fully electric 5-seater sedan built by a Pinoy OFW engineer runs on a liquid-cooled 72 volt 10 KW motor. It’s originally designed for use as a patrol or service vehicle, but can easily be converted into a delivery car. It retails at P450,000-P500,000 per unit and can be built-to-order. In other areas like Tarlac, Mandaluyong, Manila, and Davao, electric vehicles are now part of the regular public transportation options. E-bikes or e-scooters are also readily available in retail outlets.
CHA A NGING HABIT T S FOR A CHA A NGED HABITA AT The results may not be immediate and apparent, but in the long run they will help slow down the continuous degradation of our resources. Some of these may even help rebuild and restore previously damaged locations in the country.
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We may not completely stave off risks posed by natural disasters and environmental changes in our home base. However, we can minimize the dangers that result from destructive habits like littering, using fossil fuel, improper waste management, excessive electricity use, and environmentally wasteful and hazardous business practices. It’s also important for us to understand that our taxes are partially funding the government’s green initiatives. In return, we can put them to good use by abiding by these projects and programs, because not only will it benefit the environment, but also our children and future generations.
GREENER AND GREENER Other smaller environmental projects in progress include the implementation of: P The Solid Waste Management Act, which involves the construction, use, and maintenance of ‘engineered’ sanitary landfills P Active alternative waste disposal options like the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle scheme P The Waste-ToEnergy (WTE) policy, which harnesses thermal processes to destroy solid waste without using incinerators P Air monitoring equipment and an active system for detecting and analyzing toxic gas emissions, such as dioxins and furans P The E-Waste Management Project, which allows safe disposal of electronics containing substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) P Clean water and water santitation programs for rural areas P Nationwide smoking ban, which targets both health and environmental concerns
GREEN MINDS
GREEN MINDS Words Jovi Figueroa
Because of global warming and climate change, our days are spent in sweat-scented MRT cars and nights are filled with the humdrum of air-conditioners. That or we’re swimming in flood water. This is not surprising since the Philippines is the thirteenth most vulnerable country in the world to the impacts of global warming, according to the Climate Change Vulnerability Index by Verisk Maplecroft.
The Philippine government has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by the year 2030, but if each of us does not contribute in every little way we can to reduce our own carbon footprint, it’s just going to get hotter and wetter from here. This is why we’re tipping our metaphorical hats off to these guys who are going out of their way to help us get into the greenminded (and good kind of) bandwagon. Check out these environment-conscious businesses that show us that one can drive profit while giving Mother Earth some extra TLC.
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JUN N K NOT! Junk not! lives by the mantra that we have all been taught in grade school: reduce, reuse, recycle. This company transforms waste into beautiful crafts and furniture. Imagine decorating your home with furnishings that are not made from chopped down trees or irresponsibly mined metals but from repurposed, reused, and upcycled plastic waste. In addition to contributing to reducing plastic waste, Junk not! also uses local and sustainable materials. One of our favorite pieces from their collection is the colorful “Bangkoâ€? chair. The chairs are not only stackable for easy storage; they also make for a nice post-modern dĂŠcor. Roped plastic wastes are woven in different patterns and styles to make for an interesting surface. The woven ropes are then mounted on mahogany wood frames stained and coated in beeswax. A tray with tempered glass transforms the Bangko into a sleek serving table. junknot.ph
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GREEN MINDS
THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED TO REDUCING ITS CARBON EMISSIONS BY THE YEAR 2030, BUT IF EACH OF US DOES NOT CONTRIBUTE IN EVERY LITTLE WAY WE CAN TO REDUCE OUR OWN CARBON FOOTPRINT, IT’S JUST GOING TO GET HOTTER AND WETTER FROM HERE. VITR R UM UPCYCLE E D BOTTLE E S AN N D C RAFTS S Do you wonder where last night’s Jack Daniels and Tres Cepas bottles end up after they hit the junk shops? Well, some of them end up in someone else’s room as lamps. Creator and innovator Ian Martinez Sarra of Vitrum Upcycled Bottles and Crafts is the genius who is able to turn these discarded bottles, pipes, and even bicycle parts into all sorts of quirky lamps and lighting fixtures. Using discarded materials mostly sourced from junk shops, Sarra creates lighting statements with an industrial and steam punk feel. Some are your discarded vodka bottles, some are electric fan blades, some are fire extinguishers turned into light-up fixtures. How cool will your space look like with one of his creations? With a little bit of dumpster diving, a little bit of capital, and bucket loads of creativity, one’s trash is another man’s stylish treasure.
SPR R AY N’ GO If World Resources Institutes’ prediction that the Philippines is in high danger of water scarcity in about 25 years doesn’t scare you, we don’t know what will.
natureslegacy.com
This is why we welcome Spray n’ Go’s innovative waterless car cleaner. It’s as straight forward as it sounds: spray, wipe, buff—no water needed. It’s easier and quicker than washing your car the traditional way. There’s minimal car paint fading and a glossy coconut-based wax finish to boot. Using this car cleaner not only allows you to contribute to water conservation efforts, you also get to support a locally made, eco-friendly, and biodegradable product.
NAT T URE’S LEGACY Y SIKL L O PILIPINAS Did you know that it would take 50 to 80 years for rubber tires and inner tubes to decompose naturally? This is why husband and wife team Lyndon and Clarice Ecuacion, who both believe in recycling and preserving the environment, thought of ways to turn these stubborn rubber into stylish and durable bags. Using reclaimed tire and inner tube rubber, and a manufacturing process with very low carbon footprint, the products of Siklo Pilipinas are made not only to profit, but also to promote awareness. Siklo Pilipinas bags come in a variety of forms to suit different needs. Need something as small as an iPad case or something as bulky as a three-day overnight bag? They’ve got you covered. Created by adventure junkies and made for adventure junkies, the bags are created to withstand harsh conditions for all-terrain adventures— perfect not only for everyday use, but also off-road trips.
It’s been two decades since husband and wife Pete and Catherine Delantar moved Nature’s Legacy from their backyard to the world’s front stage. And through the years, the company has been able to bring 100 percent Filipino eco-art products that range from furniture and home décor to home and fashion accessories to over 25 countries. Some of Nature’s Legacy’s most prominent products come from the Naturescast line that utilizes natural scrap materials—think fallen debris and twigs and other agro-forest waste—and then treated with odorless, water-based binders. Imagine a chair made from mango seeds, ground scrap limestone turned into jars, and recycled paper made to look like bamboo, leather, or even crocodile skin—these are the masterpieces of Nature’s Legacy. And for decades, they have been turning trash to treasure not only to help reduce the footprint of their industry in the environment, but also to put Filipino talent and genius on the world map. Green-minded and proud!
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TAIWAN’S TWIST FOR CLEANER AIR Tao Zhu Yin Yuan
Words Erik Paolo Escueta
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ir quality is a serious matter. It is, after all, one of the requirements for sustaining life. Numerous health organizations and government environmental protection agencies all over the world are continuously monitoring the air quality index, generating actual data to help identify ways to improve our air quality.
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Vincent Callebaut Architecture
But the reports are alarming. In September 2016, the World Health Organization reported that some three million deaths a year are linked to exposure to outdoor air pollution, with indoor air pollution just as deadly. Furthermore, nearly 90 percent of air pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with nearly two out of three occurring in WHO’s Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions.
TAO ZHU YIN YUAN
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Clearly, countries must start initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint. In Taipei, Taiwan, one such initiative has risen in the form of a condominium building designed to combat carbon emissions and reduce air pollution in the city. Located in Taipei’s busy and populous XinYin district, the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan building—also known as the Hidden Garden of Tao Zhu, as well as the Agora Garden—will contain more than 23,000 trees and shrubs populating its interior halls and adorning the balconies. These are expected to absorb approximately 130 tons of carbon dioxide a year. Thanks to the tower’s unique double-helix structure twisting 90 degrees from base to top—a mesmerizing design modeled after a strand of DNA—all 40 units across the building’s 20 stories will get to feel the sun’s warmth throughout the day as part of its natural lighting plan. Tao Zhu Yin Yuan was designed by Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut, who has achieved critical fame for his environmentally focused designs. In a recent CNN interview, Callebaut outlined four major challenges he encountered during the design of the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan.
Third, the building must be flexible—hence the double-helix design. Free of typical columns, walls and shafts, the vertical circulation of the building units and inner spaces maintains a constant connection to the surrounding suspended gardens, as well as a consistent inflow of natural lighting and ventilation throughout every facility that would otherwise be impossible in traditional building structures. Finally, Tao Zhu Yin Yuan must be antiseismic. To accomplish this, EPS (Earthquake Protection Systems) isolation cushions— similar to those in shock-resistant designs for nuclear power plants—are integrated throughout the structure. These cushions provide maximum protection against magnitude 7.0 earthquakes, with a resistance against peak ground accelerations of 400 Gal or 130 kilometers per square hour. With all these achievements, it’s not surprising that Tao Zhu Yin Yuan has received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and a Diamond Level certification from the Low Carbon Building Alliance, marking it as one of the leading examples today of sustainable ecological architecture.
First, the design must pioneer the concept of sustainable residential eco-construction. By integrating bioclimatic passive systems (such as natural lighting and ventilation) and renewable energy sources (like the use of photovoltaic solar roof and canopies) the ecological footprint of residents should be optimized in terms of daily energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction.
More recently, the first issue of the State of Global Air 2017 found that the highest combustion sources for air pollutants were concentrated in South and Southeast Asia, China, and Central and Western sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015, China and India together accounted for 52 percent of the 4.2 million total global deaths attributed to air pollutants.
Second, Tao Zhu Yin Yuan must be green; as such, the total area covered by plants throughout the tower amounts to 6,060 square meters, a 246 percent green coverage ratio-to-floor space similar to an urban forest park. There is also a focus on the landscape architecture by Taiwanese designer Chu Chihkang, which infuses natural elements with glass floors and open hallways to highlight the indoor gardens and landscape paintings.
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Enter perovskite, a low-cost material that can convert more sunlight into electricity with its ability to absorb light from all visible wavelengths. Experiments showed significant improvements with the technology in recent years, turning in a 20 to 31 percent energy conversion efficiency as of 2017, compared to a mere 3.8 percent in 2009. Should the technology be perfected, solar panels may see a price drop thanks to this low-cost, high-efficiency material. So, could perovskite be the secret to affordable solar technology? Not yet. The problem with perovskite is that it can be unstable and mechanically fragile, hence raising issues over its long-term durability. Perovskite tends to deteriorate upon exposure to heat, moisture, or mechanical stress. One recent experiment showed that after a year, perovskite’s energy output begins to dwindle.
A NATURE-BASED SOLUTION To address this weakness, Stanford University scientists turned to nature. They studied the compound eye of the fly and found its tiny segmented eyes designed into a honeycomb shape.
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SOCIALIZING SOLAR The quest for affordable solar energy Words Antonio Jose Galauran
N
ot everyone can afford solar panels. Or not just yet.
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Sure, corporate businesses today invest in solar energy for long-term energy savings. Developed countries are transforming communities and villages into solar hotspots. But for developing countries, the case may not be the same. Only a handful of business establishments and middle-class families can afford the technology. Where could the problem be?
The team mimicked this structure, created a compound solar cell of perovskite microcells, and packed them into a hexagon-shaped scaffold approximately 0.02 inches (500 microns) wide. With numerous microcells in place, this reduces chances of energy deterioration. Should some microcells die, hundreds can still continue its job.
Crystalline silicon solar panels have set the standard in solar energy because of their efficiency and longevity; these can last as much as 20 to 30 years before requiring a replacement.
Initial tests showed that the structure had no negative effect on the cells’ ability to convert light into energy. In fact, it nearly matched the same level of power conversion. To ensure the durability of the perovskite photovoltaic device, the team also tested how the device would respond to heat and humidity especially when set up as a rooftop solar panel. After setting the technology up under extreme conditions of 85°C and 85 percent relative humidity for six weeks, the perovskite cells held their ground and produced high rates of efficiency.
But while it is the most popular type of solar panel now, it remains a costly package for several consumers. Scientists are continuously searching for more costeffective alternatives.
While Standford University’s insect eye-inspired panel has yet to be perfected, the discovery hints that affordable solar technology may be possible in the near future.
STANDARD AND SUBSTITUTE
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buzz feed
Justice League Opens November 16
WE’RE
Warner Bros.
Words Carmela Maraan Fernando
definitely going to watch this. And you should, too.
After Wonder Woman’s roaring success earlier this year comes the long-awaited Justice League movie. Directed by Zack Snyder and written by Joss Whedon and Chris Terrio, Justice League is the fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). In the story, jaded Bruce Wayne’s (Ben Affleck) faith in humanity is restored by Superman’s apparent act of ultimate selflessness, and he enlists Diana Prince’s (Gal Gadot) help in founding a team of fellow superheroes to defeat a potentially fatal threat to humankind. They join forces with Barry Allen
(Ezra Miller), Victor Stone (Ray Fisher), and Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa) to face the evil Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and his horde of Parademons, who are in a relentless search for three Mother Boxes on Earth. Like with many superhero movies, Justice League adheres to a tried-and-true formula: a threat to humanity that must be thwarted, the main characters dealing with internal and external conflict on their end before the boss battle, and the epic boss battle itself. What we’re looking forward to seeing are (1) well-rounded characterization, (2) a solid plot and storytelling, (3) fresh directorial work, (4) introduction of new and updated concepts in the superhero universe, and (5) hella good fight scenes. At the very least, we’re hoping for riveting battle scenes and choreography. Although with Wonder Woman and Batman in the movie, there’s already a good chance that we’ll be treated to a massive action cinefest worthy of at least three [mother] boxes of popcorn. Justice League also features an all-star supporting cast that includes Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Amber Heard, Diane Lane, Jesse Eisenberg, JK Simmons, and Jeremy Irons.
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The Justice League first appeared as a team 57 years ago in The Brave and the Bold #28. (March 1960)
The Snowman Opens November 1
United International Pictures
IF COLD-BLOODED SERIAL KILLER thrillers are your thing, The Snowman is a cool choice. Yeah, we said that. It’s the first snow of winter, and elite crime squad lead detective Harry Hole (Michael Fassbender) investigates the case of a missing woman after her son discovers her pink scarf wrapped around a sinisterlooking snowman. After the victim’s headless body is found, Hole and new recruit Katrine Bratt (Rebecca Ferguson) set off on a dangerous search for the serial killer who calls himself ‘The Snowman’ before he claims another victim. Based on the novel of the same title by Jo Nesbø, The Snowman also features Charlotte Gainsbourg, J.K. Simmons, Ronan Vibert, Chloë Sevigny, Val Kilmer, and James D’Arcy. It’s directed by Tomas Alfredson and written by Hossein Amini and Peter Straughan. It helps that this was filmed in Norway, which adds to the sense of being displaced in a relatively unfamiliar setting. This allows the audience to feel what it’s like being in the victim’s shoes. No doubt, The Snowman is a chilling tale that could change how you see snowmen forever.
Coco Opens November 22
Walt Disney Studios
PIXAR’S
newest musical-inspired fantasy tale will tug at your heartstrings.
Coco is Pixar’s take on Mexico’s rich musical culture, served up with vibrant visuals and charming characters.
Coco is the story of 12-year-old Miguel, who defies his family’s ban on music to pursue his dreams of becoming like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. After strumming what turns out to be an enchanted guitar, he and his dog Dante suddenly find themselves in the Land of The Dead, where they meet the trickster Hector and eventually uncover an unkown but significant part of Miguel’s family history.
Featured in Coco are the voices of Gael Garcia Bernal, Alanna Ubach, Benjamin Bratt, Gabriel Iglesias, Selene Luna, Renée Victor, Jaime Camil, Sofía Espinosa, Luis Valdez, and Cheech Marin. Also starring is up-and-coming singer-actor Anthony Gonzalez, who plays the young hero Miguel Rivera.
The story is based on an original idea by Lee Unkrich, who also co-directed the movie alongside writer Adrian Molina.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Hercule Poirot, played by Kenneth Branagh, who also happens to direct the film.
Based on Agatha Christie’s novel of the same title, Murder on The Orient Express is an updated take on the mystery, the fourth adaptation following a 1974 film, a 2001 TV movie, and a 2010 episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
By now, it may be fairly easy for you to deduce who the murderer is, but again, as with Christie stories go, the fun is in how you figure it out—and whether or not you’re correct.
Opens November 29
20th Century Fox
In classic Christie fashion, the story revolves around thirteen passengers stranded inside a train after a murder had taken place. Thirteen passengers, thirteen suspects, and one brilliant detective,
Coco’s music is fluid and beautiful, its art eye-catchingly colorful, with an equally heartwarming narrative that’s humorous enough to tickle your humerus. Time to bring the kids along, and be one of them.
After ensuring that none of the suspects can leave, Poirot investigates a trail of clues. The mystery grows more and more complex as each of the suspect’s motives are scrutinized by process of elimination.
Murder on the Orient Express also stars Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr., and Michelle Pfeiffer. It’s bound to get your mental wheels turning to sharpen your train of thought.
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FUN FACTOR REIGNED SUPREME AT
After a series of successful pocket events in 2016, Speed Geek Wars 2017 just got better with a larger venue, more exciting activities, and bigger prizes for game participants and rafe winners. Held at the Ayala Malls The 30th last October 21, Geek Wars saw a competition of skills, mental acuity, and fun factor between teams of students from the University of the Philippines (UP), University of Santo Tomas (UST), Far Eastern University (FEU), San Beda College Manila (SBC), and Technological University of the Philippines Taguig (TUPT).
Speed President and CEO Mark Sosmeña and COO Susan Sosmeña were on deck as a bigger and better Geek Wars kicked off at the Ayala Malls The 30th.
The second year of Geek Wars proved to be another great success with Team FEU taking first place, and Team UST at close second. Although Team FEU walked away with this year’s grand prize— an Acer Predator laptop worth P99,990—Teams UST, UP, San Beda, and TUP did not go home emptyhanded. They received numerous rewards and giveaways courtesy of our friends from iflix, Gandiva, Hawk, and Veloci.
Host Ingrid Nieto added a vibrant color to an afternoon filled with thrilling games and good music.
Team UST showing quickwittedness and acting talent— the defining skills of a true blue geek.
Geek Wars was also a celebration of 14 years of Speed. According to President and CEO Mark Sosmeña, “This is something we want to share with the people who supported us from the beginning— starting from our writers and contributors, our noneditorial staff, industry partners and advertisers, and of course, our loyal readers.”
The Speed team in their wacky best.
Team FEU’s Hans Lising, John Louise Tandoc, Gian Antonio Yap, Mark Opeña, and Mikey Sarmiento proved they are the best in a battle of skills, wits, and charm as they emerged champion in this year’s edition of Geek Wars.
motoring
EXPLORING HISTORIC AND CULTURE-FILLED MANILA Ford EcoSport Urban Discovery Drive Words Pat Calica Photos Ford Philippines
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Pat Calica
B
eaches and mountain peaks rank high in a lot of people’s travel bucket list. But for those who don’t want the hassle of packing things and long-haul journeys, Metro Manila has a lot of not-so-hidden nooks and treasures to satisfy your wanderlust and cravings for something new. Speed got to explore the bustling city of Manila in a new light during Ford’s Urban Discovery Drive last September. Together with other select members of the media, Speed drove around the historic and culture-filled city to explore and experience its must-visit hotspots and activities.
FORD ECOSPORT URBAN DISCOVERY DRIVE
Pat Calica
The author (standing, third from right) with the media participants and journalist/photographer Ardie Lopez.
Ford’s SYNC technology lets you keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Pat Calica
Gearing up Not leaving the confines of the metro meant we were able to pack light and bring only the essentials. For a one-day in-city excursion, we only needed reliable photography gear— DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone— for documentation (read: selfies, OOTD shots, and plandids) and a trusty car to transport us around the busy Manila roads—the 2017 Ford EcoSport 1.5L Titanium. Anticipating a hectic schedule for the whole day, the group left Stacy’s in Bonifacio Global City immediately after breakfast. But Manila
being Manila, we were bound to get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic sooner or later. It’s a good thing that the EcoSport’s 1.5L TiVCT engine, capable of up to 108hp power and 142Nm torque, was able to smoothly cruise alternately between traffic-congested roads and stretches of freeway. The group also had one important stop before we proceeded with our Manila trip: the Adphoto, Inc. studio in Makati for a car and low-light photography workshop from automotive journalist and photographer Ardie Lopez.
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Pat Calica
Start trip Armed with fresh knowledge in taking good pictures, we went on with our first activity: a food trip in Binondo. First, we made (and ate) our own dumplings, paired with a cold can of Wong Lo Kat herbal tea, at Dong Bei. Then we continued our gastro adventure at Ongpin Mañosa Restaurant Co. for authentic Chinese noodle dishes.
Pat Calica
Because we needed to burn all the food we ate, our next stop was at the Philippine Mingsheng Wenyang Sports Association for a special session and workshop of Wushu and lion dancing. Navigating through the narrow streets of Binondo can be quite difficult, especially with the added challenge of random potholes, rough pavements, and unexpected ditches and puddles. However, the EcoSport allowed us to go over these obstacles without a problem with its 200mm ground clearance and comfortable ride. It has just the right size for us to easily get around cramped city streets and park in narrow alleys. Night cap After a whole day of going around Manila— discovering its long hidden culture and beautiful sights and enjoying its sumptuous delicacies—it was great to be inside the comfortable cabin of the EcoSport. The plush leather seats and the cool air conditioning provided us with some relief from the sweltering afternoon. The SYNC system allowed us to use our phones handsfree while driving. We were also able to enjoy the clear September skies from inside the car through the sunroof.
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But what’s a trip in Manila without stopping by historic Intramuros? During Ford’s Urban Discovery Drive, we witnessed the classic and time-tested beauty of the “walled city” in a different light. Imagine the cobblestones and old casas veiled by the dark night, the moonlight producing shadows and yellow light from the lamp posts adding an eerie vibe to this already ghostly place. It made for a perfect backdrop for the Ford EcoSport.
We ended the day at the newly renovated Rizal Park Hotel, where we unloaded our overnight packs from the EcoSport’s spacious trunk. First built in 1911 for American military staff, the hotel has now opened its doors to the public. A scrumptious dinner buffet at Cafe Rizal and a good night’s sleep in one of its freshly designed rooms were the perfect ending of a jampacked daytime expedition in Manila.
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JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE was all smiles, working through the second layout
of her shoot with Vivo, when we arrived at the studio. She gamely posed for the camera and expertly gave the expressions—goofy, serious, sultry, sweet, and many others—and poses the photographer asked her to do.
INTERVIEW BY PAT CALICA PHOTOGRAPHS BY PJ TAVERA STYLED BY JP DIZON MAKEUP BY RB CHANCO HAIR BY RHOY CERVANTES
At 23, Julie Anne is already a multi-awarded singer whose recent chops also proved that she can be a formidable actress. If that’s not enough, this multi-talented lady is also a performer, a host, and a songwriter. After the final layout, we sat down with Julie Anne for a quick interview, where we discovered more about her love for music, care for her fans, and new fixation for mobile games, among others.
PLAYFUL AND SOCIAL
With over close to a million and almost two million followers on Instagram and Twitter, respectively, Julie Anne recognizes how social media—and technology in general—has made it easy for her to share her music, promote her craft, and connect with fans.
What are your everyday tech arsenal? Of course hindi mawawala yung cellphone ko, digital camera, and then kapag bored ako, Nintendo 3DS. Headphones, of course, hindi mawawala ‘yan since I’m into music rin.
What’s your usual character? My usual character is Layla. She has this tank. Okay siyang gamitin kasi kaya niyang i-shoot yung enemies, so kahit sa malayo kaya niyang um-attack. Unlike pag mga slayer kailangan malapit lang. Any other games that you play? Solitaire! I like Solitaire kapag wala akong magawa. There’s also another game, it’s called Daddy Long Legs. Kailangan balance lang yung character. Sa pag-click mo mabe-base kung matutumba ka ba o hindi, so kailangan nasa tamang pacing yung pagpindot mo. Pahabaan (ng malalakad) na hindi ka malalaglag. How do you take care of your gadgets? Oh, my god! Minsan kasi clumsy ako, so minsan di ko maiwasan na malaglag yung phone or magkaroon ng scratch. As much as I can, palalagyan ko siya ng case or screen protector or tempered glass. I always make sure na nasa safe place siya. Iniiwas ko sa madaling malaglag or sa pwede siyang mabasa.
What games do you play on your Nintendo 3DS? I like Super Mario. And recently I bought a game, it’s called Tokyo Rumble. It’s really nice. ‘Yung Tokyo Rumble sobrang old school, parang adventure game din siya.
You’re pretty active online. How often do you post on social media? As often as possible. I like interacting with my supporters. It’s important for me na every time na makakapag-ask (sila sa akin), gusto ko rin na nakakausap sila, na nagre-reply din ako sa followers ko. As much as I can, I want to make them feel special.
You are now part of the Vivo family as one of the brand’s influencers. Congratulations! Actually, sobrang thankful ako that Vivo chose me to be one of their ambassadors for the brand. I’m really happy kasi yung ibang mga ambassadors hindi ko pa rin sila masyadong nakaka-work and nung launch I had the opportunity to meet them.
That’s very nice of you! What do you usually post about? Kapag nagpo-post ako sa Instagram palagi siyang naka-link sa Twitter ko. Minsan kung ano lang pumasok sa isip ko. Not necessarily namang kailangan palaging about work, pwede rin yung mga nangyayari sa araw-araw ko, sa buhay ko, or usually mga Bible verses.
What made you choose Vivo as your go-to mobile device? Ever since na in-endorse siya ni Stephen Curry, parang napa-wow na talaga ako sa Vivo, especially when I learned more about the features they offer. Right now, I’m endorsing the V7+, which I really like because it has a 5.99-inch screen display and a 24-megapixel front camera for Perfect Selfie. It also has a Face ID feature.
Speaking of, your Instagram and Twitter bio simply says Luke 14:11. Why that particular Bible verse? Nung nabasa ko kasi yung verse na yun, sobrang yun na yung naging favorite quote ko. It speaks about humility, na lahat ng mapagmataas na tao, nanapak ng mga mababang tao, parang sila yung hindi bini-bless. So it’s important to always keep your feet on the ground. Importante na wala kang tinatapakan na tao. Be humble and don’t forget to thank the Lord sa lahat ng mga blessings Niya.
What is your favorite feature in your Vivo smartphone? Of course yung front camera. It has this Face Beauty feature where hindi mo na kailangan ng filter. It makes selfies so much better. Do you play mobile games on your phone? Yes! I just started playing Mobile Legends. Sobrang cool talaga niya. ‘Pag wala akong magawa naninira lang ako ng mga turrets.
What social media etiquette do you live by? Think before you click. Iisipin mo lagi bago ka mag-tweet or bago ka mag-post ng anything. It doesn’t have to be vague, pero yung sana wala kang mao-offend na tao or walang ibang maapektuhan sa sasabihin mo.
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GOING MULTIMEDIA
Julie Anne may be young, but she already boasts several awards that recognize her natural talent in singing. She has been in the industry for more than a decade now, and her willingness to adapt to change is one of the reasons she remains relevant to her audience. As an artist, Julie isn’t afraid to take on new challenges—acting, performing, and now taking advantage of the ubiquity of social media and mobile devices. You started your career in singing and writing music, but eventually got into hosting and acting. Is there anything else you’d like to try career-wise? I’d like to try an action role, mala-Angelina Jolie. I haven’t tried that yet. There’s this one time when we did a short film for Party Pilipinas and then parang ginaya namin yung sa Encantadia and I dressed up as Danaya. I really enjoyed it. I was playing with the sticks and I was playfully hitting people.
You’ve made several viral videos online and recently held a ‘digital’ concert. Are you now geared toward producing more music exclusive online? Not exactly. I want to produce more music, but not necessarily digital lang. Although nasa digital era na nga tayo ngayon, ‘di ba? But there are also people who want physical CDs para sa supporters or as souvenirs. Iba pa rin kasi kapag may physical copy ka. What have been the benefits of putting your work online? Sobrang accessible na lang sa mga tao ng lahat, like mga videos, music—there’s Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube. Madali na lang talaga ma-access ng music, kasi lahat tayo pwede nang makinig online. Tell us more about #Julie, your concert in January. It’s going to be an acoustic one. Sa Music Museum siya, so mas intimate yung concert. We really want it to be more about me and more about my supporters din. Kumbaga kung papaano sila makaka-relate sa mga kakantahin ko. Nagsabi din ako sa kanila na if you have any request or any songs in mind, you can tell me, you can tweet me. Tapos nino-note ko sa song list ko yung suggestions nila. It’s nice to get your fans’ input for your concert. It’s important, yung opinions nila or yung inputs nila. Importante din kasi na pakinggan mo sila kung ano din yung gusto nila. What kind of music do you like listening to? I listen to a lot of genres and artists now. I like Beyonce, Coldplay, Drake, Eminem. Actually, lahat naman talaga ng genres pinapakinggan ko. Who are your favorite local artists and bands? Favorite local artist? Regine (Velasquez), of course, Gary V., Lea Salonga. Band? I like Up Dharma Down, Silent Sanctuary, Calla Lily, and Parokya ni Edgar. Who are your favorite international artists and bands? Beyonce, Coldplay, The Script, One Republic, Paramore— ang dami pa. What’s your favorite music-related mobile app? I like GarageBand kasi usually dun ako nagre-record ng mga songs and then usually I arrange yung mga gusto kong cover ng songs. Meron nang mga naka-install na mga plugins dun na guitars, keyboards, and drums so sobrang convenient niya na. Kaunting tweak na lang.
BETTER VERSION
As we moved toward the latter part of the interview, we started probing into Julie Anne’s life outside showbiz. We learned that 1) her weekends are usually spent with family or by simply bumming around, 2) she continues to support World Vision as an ambassador and a sponsor, and 3) she wishes to see more electric cars on the road.
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What are your rest days like? I spend time with my family—pupunta kami ng church, kakain kami sa labas—or just bum around. Kasi naman ako kapag nagkaroon ako ng free day talagang couch potato lang ako. I eat and sleep and sleep and eat again—rest lang at home. I just want to get away from stress, kasi parang aside from work marami ka ring ibang iniisip. It’s nice lang na may quiet time ka.
CURRENT PHONE Vivo V7+ TOP 3 GADGETS ON YOUR WISH LIST PlayStation 4, TV, new headphones MOST USED APPS Twitter, Instagram, Facebook FAVORITE APP Instagram (@myjaps)
How do you think technology can help us go green? Siguro through green apps that spread more awareness [about green living] and also going paperless. Technology has become more innovative now na kaya na nating hindi gumamit ng paper when it comes to business-related communications.
What are your hobbies or sports? I like boxing and Muay Thai. I also like firing.
What technology do you want to be developed to save the environment? Actually, yung technology meron na siya. But I wish there are more electric cars and bikes. Kasi sobrang lala na ng pollution dito sa atin, and I think it’s more safe and efficient also.
How did your interest in target shooting start? I just wanted to try it. May uncle din ako na police who offered to teach me. ‘Di na nga lang ako nakakapag-firing ulit kasi sobrang busy.
Are you willing to explore solar energy at home or in your car? Yes. I believe kasi na ang solar power mas magagamit natin siya in the future, mas sustainable.
You are also an ambassador for World Vision. Yes. I’m still part of World Vision and then tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung pag-sponsor ko sa bata. Nakakatuwa din na nakikita mo yung progress nila. Once in a while, nagse-send sila ng mga updates. Ang sarap sa feeling.
What’s the one accomplishment that you’re proudest of this year—in your career and life? Nire-renovate yung house namin ngayon. Nagpa-extend kami ng house, so we got a music room and an entertainment room. Sa work, we did a teleserye, Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa. That’s pretty difficult for me also kasi ang taping namin dire-diretso, but it all paid off naman kasi nakikita namin yung support ng mga fans sa show.
We’re sure you can still do more good. Like for the environment, what things do you consciously or intentionally do to save the planet? I participate sa Earth Hour and then yung mga simpleng bagay lang like proper trash disposal. For example, may makita ka diyan na hindi nagtatapon ng basura, pagsabihan mo yung tao na yun.
We have just a few more months before a new year comes in. What are the things you’ll put in your 2018 bucket list? I want to travel more. I want to make more music. I wish to be better—a better version of myself this year.
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IN ASSOCIATION WITH VIVO
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UNLOCKING THE FUTURE: VIVO V7+ FACE ID ACCESS
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people@speed
Green guardian ZIGGIE GONZALES Founder, The Circle Hostel and The Plastic Solution Interview and photos by John Sosmeña
Inspired by his Southeast Asian travels and love for the sea, Ziggie Gonzales put up Circle Hostel in Zambales in 2011. Since then, two more branches of the budgetfriendly eco-hostel— one in San Juan, La Union and another in Baler, Aurora—have opened, along with a venture that is close to Gonzales’ heart: The Plastic Solution.
The Plastic Solution is a campaign that promotes the repurposing of plastic bottles by stuffing them with nonbiodegradable wastes. This and The Circle Hostel work together toward a common vision: promote sustainability, build communities, and preserve Mother Nature.
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ZIGGIE GONZALES
psd.graphics
hostels [and] I’m still in touch [with them] to this day. #ThereAreNoStrangers promotes this kind of mindset where the hostel is a place to make fast friendships. We have many guests who met at the hostel and are still very close. Meet, mingle, and make lasting friendships! How does The Circle Hostel promote or contribute to sustainability and eco-friendliness? Currently we are starting renovations in the hostels and are trying to use sustainable materials and upcycled/recycled materials in our builds. We also ask our guests to segregate their trash when in our hostels. In our Zambales location, we are working with the Aeta tribe of Yangil to reforest 3,000 hectares of their rainforest. This initiative was started by Raf. Why did you choose La Union, Zambales, and Baler as the locations of The Circle Hostel? I chose the three because they were accessible surfing spots. We chose Zambales as the first [location] because we thought we could help develop the tourism in the community and help grow the micro economy in the area. That’s a nice cause. Now let’s talk about The Plastic Solution. How did this movement start? As an avid surfer, I get to see the pollution problem up close and personal. In the last few years the problem has gotten worse at an exponential rate, so [I] had the idea to start The Plastic Solution to try and make a difference. I wanted to be able to promote a simple way for everyone to start segregating and monitoring their waste output, [and] at the same time be able to repurpose this waste. How did your passion for the environment start? [I’ve loved the outdoors] ever since I was young. As I got older and got into more activities, that passion intensified [and evolved into] preserving the natural beauty [of the outdoors].
my partner Raf (Dionisio) to see if he was interested in taking the leap with me. We have a similar passion for the environment, the outdoors, and community development. Since starting, we’ve added a few members to the team who are driven by similar passions.
And it’s gaining ground! The public has been very supportive, and it is very encouraging seeing so many people participating in the movement. We have had a few features in media but we mainly promote through talks and our social media.
Can you tell us more about The Circle Hostel? What was the idea behind it? The idea behind The Circle Hostel started as an itch in my head after a Southeast Asian trip. I had been surfing for a few years and saw an opportunity to bring the hostel experience to the Philippines. After writing out the concept I called
Cool. We’re curious about The Circle Hostel’s philosophy, #ThereAreNoStrangers. Care to explain? Filipinos are used to traveling with friends or groups. I wanted to be able to promote the hostel experience of traveling solo and making friends on the road. I’ve made many friends staying at
Aside from you and Raf, who else is behind The Plastic Solution? The Plastic Solution is a volunteer movement. We have schools, companies, and individuals participating. The passionate employees of The Circle Hostel comprise the core of The Plastic Solution.
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people@speed
GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ZIGGIE On surfing I love the risk and reward ratio of surfing. There are a lot of things surfing teaches you that you can apply to your life: patience (waiting for waves), hard work (90% paddling, 10% riding), and so many other lessons. On his day job I work full-time (marketing and product development) for a remittance and payments company. On de-stressing My dog is the best stress ball after a long day. He’s always up for a snuggle. On technology Being able to communicate with my team is the biggest impact technology has [had] in my job.
WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE BECOMING MORE CONSCIOUS OF THEIR WASTE OUTPUT AND MOVING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE.” 124 November 2017
What were the challenges that you encountered in the beginning? At the onset, the biggest challenge was getting traction for the movement. We created the #StuffItChallenge which got the ball rolling. The biggest challenges now are replication and transportation. We have a lot of people who are happy to drop off points but we rarely get volunteers who are willing to bring eco bricks to the hostel locations for builds. We would also like to see more people starting initiatives and builds in their own communities. What’s been the most fulfilling about this initiative so far? So far we’ve been able to put away over one metric ton of non-biodegradable waste. We’re a long way from our goal but that is a great milestone for us. We would love to see more people becoming more conscious of their waste output and moving to a more sustainable lifestyle. We hope to get projects in partnership with other organizations to get every single barangay segregating and recycling.
Aside from The Plastic Solution, The Circle Hostel also supports Raf’s personal advocacy, Make A Difference (MAD) Travel, which focuses on social tourism. How do these three complement one another? MAD Travel and The Plastic Solution are our (Raf) personal and now company advocacies. We use income from the Circle to be able to fund and run [MAD Travel and The Plastic Solution]. Both help bring more people to the hostels, thus creating sustainability. Over time, we hope that both can also generate income so we can increase the reach of our advocacies. You mentioned that you use social media to promote The Circle Hostel and your advocacies... Since starting The Circle Hostel, we’ve relied mainly on social media and word of mouth as a means of reaching the public. In the last two years we’ve been lucky enough able to get features in media. What advice would you give young people who want to put up businesses or follow their passions? Find your niche, don’t get complacent, establish great systems, and love what you do.
geek-spotting
GINA CERCADO
PENG SAN AGUSTIN
Marketing Head, Pioneer
Creative writer; visual artist; strategic planner; manager at RoundUp.ph
Hi, Gina! Tell us about what you do at Pioneer. I’m handling the whole marketing team for Pioneer, Pioneer DJ, Konzert, and Pro Sound product. As head, I see to it that all of my staff are productive, effective, and efficient. We make sure that we deliver creative campaigns and strategies for the company.
What’s keeping you busy? Currently, I’m a freelance writer, planner, and designer. I create concepts and execution plans for events and brand activations. Round Up, on the other hand, is an online magazine that I created with my sister. I manage our content and marketing, and sometimes write features for our website.
Must be fun and challenging. How do you start your day? I start my day with a heavy breakfast! (laughs) I make sure that I first check my calendar for any deadlines and schedules. I end my day by going through all that I’ve accomplished.
That’s a lot of work! How do you juggle your time between these jobs? Google Calendar is my best friend! As a freelancer, using time wisely can be a tricky challenge, and planning ahead helps me stay focused on my shortand long-term goals. In work or in day-to-day life, I’m definitely dependent on technology. It’s kind of my lifeline.
Breakfast is key! What role does technology play in your work? I use it to communicate and to become more efficient. It’s also a tool for creativity.
No, they’re not the eyeglasswearing, backpack-carrying, socially awkward people who pop culture has molded into a bad stereotype. They are the experts and enthusiasts who show an inordinate amount of passion for a certain field, topic, or activity.
Speed scours the streets for these different types of geeks—from intellectuals to die-hard aficionados, from professionals to devout amateurs. They are aplenty, and we aim to showcase what a special bunch they are by featuring a select few one issue at a time.
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What are your everyday gadgets? My everyday gadgets include my mobile phone, Pioneer SE-MJ561BT headphone, and my personal desktop. Any gadgets on your wish list? I’d like a Samsung Galaxy S8, Sony a7R II, and a DDJ-RR. How do you unwind after a long workday? I go to coffee shops, watch movies, or eat. But sometimes I prefer to just crawl in bed, hug my pillow, and call it a day. That last one sounds like us. What are your hobbies and interests outside of work? I like baking, painting, reading books, and traveling alone. What pressing environmental issue do you feel strongly about? I am very worried about climate change—the biggest dilemma we are facing now. How do you personally contribute to building a greener world? I believe that even small acts can have a big impact on the environment. Personally, I gave up smoking a year ago and I think it’s a big accomplishment, not only for myself but also for the environment and to the community. At home we recycle or upcycle plastic bottles. We’ll turn them into parols since Christmas is near.
Same with a lot of people. What’s one gadget you can’t leave home without? Hard question! Probably my phone more than my laptop. Communication is still my priority. For an artist like you, what gadget/technology is a godsend? Smartphones. Though some may debate that smartphones are actually making people dumb, I personally think it depends on how you use it to your advantage. As a visual artist, I love how smartphones today can capture flawless HD photos and let you edit on the spot. Also, Apple’s AirDrop feature is genius. Can’t say we don’t agree with you! So what green gadget do you have or wish to have? I think it would be my MacBook Pro, only because its battery life is long-lasting so I save more energy. But in the near future I wish wireless charging and solar panels will be more affordable. Imagine all the energy we can save. Yeah, we’d love to see that happen soon, too. What do you usually post on social media? [It] depends on the platform. I use Instagram as a creative outlet, and Facebook [mostly] to promote my projects and businesses. But since Facebook’s a very powerful and opinionated platform, I also use it to voice out my concern toward national issues, or to support a cause. What social media etiquette do you live by? Share responsibly. How do you rock when work is over? Two words: Swedish massage. (laughs)
GEEK-SPOTTING
What’s your daily grind like? A good cup of coffee always starts a great day. I brew myself a cup of coffee and read a few pages of my business books. Then the day is usually filled with a lot of talking to athletes, coaches, and partners. There is planning of marketing activities, meeting, and looking at the latest products. Our team makes sure that our athletes get the right equipment and that we communicate with them frequently.
of the world’s rainforests, because we cohabitate this world with all living things. We’ve been incredibly irresponsible [as stewards and caretakers].
How do you use technology in your work? I’m a big fan of mechanical things, but I still use my Samsung Galaxy S5, which is quite old but still does the necessary things for business. I also use a Lenovo IdeaPad 10 for work in the office and a Dell Inspiron 15 for home and business. For calls, music, and anything audio, I use my Samsung Bluetooth headset.
What green technology do you wish to be invented? I hope someone could invent a commercially available device that could break down plastics faster. This way, we can speed up the zero plastics campaigns around the globe.
Christmas is coming. What are the top three gadgets on your wish list? A GoPro Hero 5, DJI Spark or Mavic Pro, and a Sony PS4 VR headset.
MICKEY REGALA Marketing Communications Supervisor, Mizuno Philippines
JEM PABIONA
How do you unwind after a long workday? I do a 15- to 30-minute walk with my dog Milo around our village, and read my books. What kind of books do you read? I like reading mystery novels.
Let’s hope Santa’s taking notes. What pressing environmental issue do you feel strongly about? Conservation of marine life and the conservation
Any other hobbies or interests? I’m into writing, Dungeons and Dragons, video games, international politics, local politics, and religion.
What is a GIS Specialist? Please enlighten us. I am a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist. Basically, I work with geographical data and solve problems or store information by creating maps. There are various ways of presenting data, but GIS specifically takes it into a visual format: maps.
headphones, which I use for work, the gym, and on the way home.
Maps. So, what road led you to this? I entered college unsure of what I really wanted to take up and make my career “for the rest of my life,” but I listed Geography as one of my choices simply because it sounded unique. To be honest, it’s an acquired taste. However, once you peel its layers, you begin to understand how we unknowingly use our geographical sense in our everyday lives and how relevant it actually is to society.
GIS Specialist, Industries Development Corporation
How do you personally contribute to building a greener world? I conserve my energy consumption at home, and properly dispose of my garbage.
Cool! What gadgets do you use for work and play? I carry two phones with different network providers every day. For work, I use an i7 laptop that’s powerful enough to process data and carry the software I need. I also can’t leave home without my
How active are you on social media? I’m pretty active on social media. I bounce between Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I usually just post stories on Instagram, and mostly about food. On Facebook, my friends know me to share dog videos. On Twitter, I’m more of a listener in its community of witty people. What are your social media no-nos? Posting without thinking! I know it’s been said too much, but not enough. Think of posting as a broadcast that anything you post may benefit you or be used against you. Think about your audience, the people you might have impact on when you decide to post. So well said, Jem. So well said. What are your interests? I love food, and I always try to be adventurous with what I try. I’m very much into film, especially those from the local indie scene. I also love to volunteer in church. All these things make up my weekends.
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manual
There’s nothing quite like gathering ‘round burning logs while roasting hotdogs and marshmallows on a camping trip. It’s fun—s’mores anyone?—but it’s got a downside, too. The effects of bonfire on the environment and your health are legitimate causes for concern. So, how can we roast our s’mores and eat it, too— minus the guilt? BioLite’s FirePit, which launched on Kickstarter last September, is a woodburning device without the smoke. This portable device uses 51 airjets to pump your fire with oxygen, thus creating a better flame while greatly reducing the amount of smoke it lets off.
TECH TIPS
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how to
TRASH TALK How to dispose of old gadgets properly Words Patrick B. Alcantara
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We Filipinos love our phones, that’s for sure. We’re even comfortable with using two devices with two different network SIM cards, never mind that there are dual SIM phones available. Torn between an iOS and an Android device? Why choose one when you can have both?
Up to four million smartphones were shipped to the Philippines in the second quarter of 2017, according to market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC). Four million handsets—imagine that. Given that number, it makes one wonder where all the old gadgets go when they get replaced by the newer, shinier models. According to UP Circuit’s data, every one million phones disposed accumulate 16,000 kilograms of copper, 350 kilograms of silver, 34 kilograms of gold, and 14 kilograms of palladium. Every year, the world dumps electronic waste (or e-waste) that weighs around 41.9 million tons, or in UP Circuit’s word: that’s as heavy as 100,000 passenger planes.
TRASH TALK 123rf.com/profile_lehui
When disposed improperly, harmful chemicals running through our electronics’ veins can cause neurological abnormalities, brain swelling, kidney damage, cancer, muscle weakness, allergic reaction, poisoning, liver problems, blood disorders, or impairment of immune system. So, how do we dispose of our old gadgets properly? (E-)WASTE NOT The E-waste Project, a campaign led by UP Circuit, is a joint effort between student organizations encouraging people to properly get rid of their old and defective devices by donating them. The collected units are sold to accredited waste management facilities while the earned money would be used to fund a chosen beneficiary. The E-waste Project boxes are deployed within the different buildings in UP Diliman, where small gadgets such as phones, earphones, batteries, wires, and flash drives can be placed. Larger e-wastes are also welcome via special arrangement. Got an old Apple laptop, desktop, iPad, or iPhone? Ynzal in Scout Rallos, Quezon City offers a program that allows you to trade in your old Apple device to save on a new one. There’s also an option that allows users to convert the trade value of their devices to store credits so they could use it to buy accessories and other goods. This way, the shop gets to dismantle the device so they can save the usable parts of the product for repair purposes—a win-win setting for all parties including the environment. Globe Telecom, meanwhile, spearheads a campaign called “Project 1 Phone,” a mobile recycling program focused on recovering and recycling e-waste of mobile phones and tablets.
unsplash.com/@shanerounce
Globe turns over the collected devices to TES-AMM, a group that provides recycling solutions for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) with the help of their advanced waste management techniques to reuse and recover metals from electronic wastes. Not to mention, the Project 1 Phone accepts used chargers, too. CONSIDER DONATING, RECYCLING, OR RESELLING At the rate by which we replace our gadgets with the newer, shinier model, it comes as no
surprise if you have old working devices collecting dust in your cabinet. If an old gadget is still working, why not consider donating them instead? Various charities and organizations accept gadget donations; some even accept unrepairable ones and turn them into art. If your old gadget has only one defective component, try to have that replaced so you can use your gadget again. Otherwise, you can sell them to parties that accept secondhand items.
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8 SWEET TREATS FROM (ANDROID) OREO Words Justine Bernice Basco
If you’re one of the first few lucky enough to get an Android 8.0 a.k.a. Oreo update (or you’ve just bought a brand spanking new smartphone with Oreo out of the box), here are eight sweet treats you might want to check out from this latest mobile OS from Google. Take a bite out of Oreo with these tasty features and have a dunkin’ good time. 1. Notication takeover Control over notifications has become easier with just a few quick taps. Aside from giving the option to choose what type of notifications you want to see, Android Oreo also has a snooze feature that allows you to schedule when you want apps to alert you again—whether it be in 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.
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Another new feature is the notification dots. These show that there’s something new in the app that you should check out. You can enable or disable these notification dots per app or for all apps. 2. Picture-in-picture mode Picture-in-picture is basically what its name suggests. This feature lets you minimize videos so you can multitask. For instance, if you’re watching a full-screen video in YouTube, simply press the home button and the video will shrink to a small rectangular video player on your home screen. It will float on top of whatever app you have open. You can move the PiP around the screen, close it, or tap to launch again. 3. Permission to autofill The Autofill aspect will save you more time. With your permission, Android O will automatically input your data such as usernames, credit card information, and passwords on forms in apps. 4. Battery saver There are tons of battery optimizations offered by Android. But what’s nice about this version is that it gives you control over what apps you want to allow running in the background. 5. Save time with smart text selection When you highlight a block of text on your phone, the smart text selection gives you
a corresponding action. It’s so smart it will suggest relevant apps which it thinks you’re likely to open based on the text you highlighted. For example, if you highlight an address, you’ll get an option to open Google Maps, and the address will already be inputted in the search box. 6. Colorful music This isn’t a groundbreaking feature, but it’s cool. When listening to music on your phone, pull your notification panel and you’ll see that the playback controls match the dominant colors of the album art for the song currently playing. This changes with each new song you play. 7. Faster Bluetooth Android Oreo supports Bluetooth 5.0, which increases the transfer speed (twice) and the range (four times!) of its predecessor. This version also boasts the dual audio mode, which allows you to connect two pairs of headphones at the same time. Of course, this is just on the software side, so your smartphone should also support Bluetooth 5.0 to allow you to take advantage of this. 8. Goodbye blobs, hello new emojis! Google does away with its “blob” smileys and replaces them with the more traditionallooking ones, which look much similar to the ones used by iOS. It includes a slew of new emojis under Emoji 5.0.
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PAY BILLS VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER Words Pat Calica
Digital commerce is becoming a huge part of Filipinos’ everyday life. Not only does it make it easy to send or receive money without the need for cash or checks, it also allows you to pay your bills while at the comfort of your home (or wherever you are at the moment) and avoiding the long lines in banks and payment centers. Facebook Messenger now offers the same convenience to its millions of Filipino users with the introduction of in-app mobile payments. No need for a bank account or an existing mobile money account to make a transaction.
G ET ST TA R T ED D To enable digital payments on the app, search GCash (@gcashofficial) or PayMaya (@paymayaofficial) on Facebook Messenger and click “Get Started.”
For GCash: Fund your account at 7-eleven branches with CLIQQ kiosks and other GCash partner outlets or through BPI Mobile Banking.
B UT WA IT T! Do you have an existing GCash or PayMaya account?
For PayMaya: Top up at Robinsons Department Store, SM Business Center, Smart Padala, Smart Wireless Center, 7-eleven with CLIQQ kiosks, or Union Bank ATM or through BDO online or mobile banking, TouchPay kiosks, Smart Padala, or other PayMaya-accredited loading stations.
If yes, select “I have an account.” Then: 1. The app asks for your registered login details: P email address or phone number P password or PIN 2. Messenger then links to your GCash or PayMaya account If no, create a GCash or PayMaya account. Tap “Start an account.” 1. Enter your mobile phone number. 2. Enter the verification code that will be sent to the phone number. 3. Wait for a confirmation message that the account has already been set up. Does your digital wallet have enough funds?
B EFO O R E E V ER RYTHIN N G ELS SE P Only Android users can pay bills via Messenger as of writing. (Don’t despair, loyal Apple users, this feature is set to launch on iOS real soon.) P Update your Messenger app to the latest available version.
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If yes, proceed to paying your bills. If not, load up.
You can’t link both GCash AND PayMaya account to your Messenger account. Choose only one!
SETT T L E T H OS S E BIL LLS If you have enough money in your GCash or PayMaya digital wallet, you may now pay your bills, such as utilities (e.g. Manila Water, PLDT, Meralco, Globe Postpaid, and Smart Communications Postpaid) and government services (e.g. BIR, Pag-IBIG, and NSO Helpline Plus). 1. Select a biller from the list. 2. Enter the required bill information. 3. Tap “Submit Payment.” 4. Enter your Facebook password to confirm your payment. C ONG G R AT U LA AT IONS S! We bet you didn’t even break a sweat doing all those things. You’ve paid your bills without leaving the confines of your cozy home, spending extra cash on gas or transportation fare, and falling in long lines.
ask the editor
MAKE POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS LESS BORING Dear Speed, I’ve noticed that my team members easily get bored whenever we have meetings, specifically those that have PowerPoint presentations where it’s just slide after slide of charts, graphs, and bullet points. Well, honestly, I can’t blame them. How do I get their attention? Help! ADRIAN YLAGAN
VITAMIN D FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Hi, Adrian. Not everyone is good at public speaking. You need to practice and build your confidence. And yet, even if you already are good at speaking in front of people, there’s still a chance that your PowerPoint presentation could suck. Here are some tips we can offer: But be aware: going off the grid requires a huge budget. You must be precise in all your calculations, your infrastructure should be sound, and you need to have a system that can convert and store extra power so that you’ll still have energy source at night or when the weather is acting up. Once you have all those things covered, you’re good to go. Another option you have is to go for a mixed-energy system— a mix of traditional electric system and renewable energy.
Hi, Speed!
My team and I are looking at starting a business that is fully solar-powered. We’ve been very optimistic about the advantages of solar energy, and we’re hoping that by going solar, we can create an SME that’s both sustainable and eco-friendly. Is it viable to put up a business that runs solely on solar energy here in Manila? Thanks, Speed! JUNE GRACE DE RAMOS
Hey, June. Deciding to go all-solar has some pretty big benefits. Aside from the fact that it’s free (well, after the initial investment of buying and installing the system, that is), it’s also efficient and most importantly, Mother Nature-approved.
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Whichever you choose, we’re pretty sure Mother Nature will be happy. We hope this helps, June! While you’re studying your options for your business, listen to some good music with your new Marshall Major II bluetooth headphones (P6,500), courtesy of our friends from Digits Trading.
1 Start your presentation with a good ice breaker—a joke, an anecdote, or a powerful quote. Try using a healthy dose of humor, too. 2 Keep your presentation short and sweet. Do not present too much information. For example, you may want to stick to the “Rule of Three”; pick three main ideas and present those. You may break them down further into three parts. Don’t go any more than that. 3 Do not—we repeat—DO NOT read your PowerPoint slides to your audience. 4 If there’s a video that’s relevant to your topic, incorporate that into your presentation. To do so, go the Insert tab, click the Video drop-down arrow, then select Video from File or Video from Website. Note that if you select Video from Website, you’ll need to be online for this to work since you’ll be streaming content from YouTube or similar sites. 5 Involve your audience. Ask questions. Make them participate.
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Yamaha Grand Prix 8 champions crowned New champions were crowned at the Yamaha Grand Prix 8 Finals, the culmination of Yamaha’s four-leg one-make race series for several classes of Yamaha motorcycles. The final race was held at Rizal Park last September. New to the race is the Yamaha Sight, the latest underbone from Yamaha. Gian Carlo Mauricio bagged the first championship of the category.
OAKLEY OPENS NEW STORE IN FESTIVAL MALL Sports and lifestyle brand Oakley has opened a new store in the south. Located at Level 2 of Festival Mall Expansion, the new store offers a full array of Oakley’s high-performance products, including sunglasses, apparel, footwear, and accessories. The Oakley boutique features an open eyewear display to allow you to feel and experience the products. You can also create your eyewear of
Suzuki car clubs help communities, environment With support from Suzuki Philippines (SPH), Swift 1.2 Philippines and Vitara Club of the Philippines (VCP) held outreach programs in support of their respective Suzuki vehicles and as part of efforts to reach out to more communities.
choice in just 15 minutes at the custom wall section. New sets of O-Hydrolix apparel, footwear, and accessories are also available at the Festival Mall branch. The O-Hydrolix technology equips these products with a moisture management system that keeps fabric dry and cool.
Meanwhile, Miko Montano, Mcdon Dave Sande, and Ephraim Onahon emerged as the top finishers in the AT 160 Open, Vega Force 115i, and Sniper 150 categories. respectively. The winners of each category form the newly minted Yamaha Team Pilipinas.
Swift 1.2 Philippines conducted its first ever outreach program last August 12 in partnership with No One In Need Movement. Held at San Diego Restoration Village in Valenzuela, the outreach gathered more than 40 kids and community members for a fun day of games, singing, drawing, and dancing. Meanwhile, VCP held a tree-planting activity at the Treasure Mountain in Tanay, Rizal. Attended by more than 50 members and their families and friends, the event also included an overnight fellowship.
ARROWLAND BY GANDIVA HEADS TO SM NORTH EDSA Arrowland by Gandiva has headed north with the opening of its SM North EDSA branch, following the success of its first branch in SM Megamall. The SM North EDSA branch has a total of 10 lanes—six 10-meter lanes for beginners and four 18-meter lanes for more experienced archers.
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Kenneth Coronel and Gary Taplador bested their competition in the Fun Race AT and Fun Race UB categories, respectively.
The range features a small armory, where visitors can have their equipment serviced for any minor bow and arrow upkeep and other after-sales concerns. Arrowland’s SM North EDSA branch also showcases the brand’s newest archery-themed merchandise. Guests can check out and purchase statement shirts, umbrellas, rash guards, caps, and other products. Arrowland by Gandiva accepts group bookings in all its branches as well as off-site events. They also host private events, special occasions, team buildings, and the like inside the range.
EPSON PARTNERS WITH JOHN HERRERA ON DIGITALLY PRINTED ‘ARMADA’ COLLECTION Fresh off his win as Britain’s Top Designer 2017 for his Aguila collection, awardwinning designer John Herrera has once again partnered with Epson in creating “Armada,” a 30-piece apparel for women for his Spring/Summer 2018 collection. The collection was globally presented last September at Fashion Scout, the international showcase for fashion pioneers and UK’s largest independent showcase for emerging and established design talent during the 2017 London Fashion Week. The Armada collection is inspired by Diogo Ribieros’ map of the world circa 1529, the first map in history to include “Las Islas Filipinas” after the Philippines was discovered by the Spanish Armada en route to the Spice Islands. Digital textile printing technology was employed to render parts of the distorted map on opaque and translucent fabrics.
TAG HEUER LAUNCHES 2017 LINK LADY TAG Heuer has reworked its legendary Link design, its famous signature bracelet with S-shaped links, in the newly launched 2017 Link Lady collection.
for the guests: a boxing workout. The activity physically illustrated the sporty elegance of the new Link Lady watch.
TAG Heuer’s Area Sales Director Romain Cans and Friend of the Brand Joyce Pring were present at the launch held at Flyweight boxing studio in BGC In the spirit of the brand’s mantra, the launch included a “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” challenge
The 2017 Link Lady comes in a 32mm diameter watch case and is presented in models with white, blue, and pink mother-of-pearl dials. A blue sunray brushed dial is also available. It features a Quartz movement and boasts up to 100 meters of water-resistance.
Electrolux announces FashionCare campaign
line also boasts features like Vapour Action, Woolmark-certified cycle, and Eco Inverter technology.
Electrolux Philippines has introduced a new experience in clothing care with their latest campaign. The FashionCare campaign was launched during the brand’s 15th anniversary gala celebration with top fashion designer Rajo Laurel.
Electrolux likewise introduced its FashionCare Council, which includes FashionCare ambassador Rajo Laurel and Council Members Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Janice Villanueva.
The Electrolux range of UltimateCare washing machines comes with innovations that prevent fading of colors, shrinkage, and misshaping. Aside from the UltraMix technology, the UltimateCare
The brand also introduced its newest line of Top Load Washing Machines. These machines come with features such as Cyclonic Tub Clean, Cyclonic Care Pulsator, and the Prism Drum.
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billboard DAINESE OPENS SHOP IN SHANGRILA PLAZA Dainese, an Italian company specializing in motorcycle riding gear, has opened a new store at the East Wing of ShangriLa Plaza Mall. The new store offers “head-to-toe” safety system, including the Pista GP R helmet and the Mugello R D-Air racing suit, both of which were designed with the help of champion MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi. Founded by Lino Dainese in 1972, the Italian company makes motorcycle, cycling, horse-riding, and winter sports gear with a “safety first” advocacy. Through the years it has acquired companies such as AGV (a helmet manufacturer) and POC (winter sports and cycling gear).
DATA PRIVACY, CYBERCRIME, AI, AND MORE TACKLED IN Y4IT 2017 Thousands of delegates, most of whom were IT students from all over the Philippines, joined the 15th Youth Congress on Information Technology (Y4iT) last September 5-7 at the SMX Convention Center. At the event, the delegates were able to learn, collaborate, and network with experts in the IT field.
MWorld Trading is the official distributor of Dainese in the country. mobile and Web applications development, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and more.
With the theme “Engineer a Better Future,” this year’s Y4iT aimed to inspire the youth to act on being catalysts of change. The three-day event featured a total of 55 local and international experts in the IT field, including National Privacy Commission Chairman Raymond Liboro and Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim and Assistant Secretary Allan Cabanlong.
This year’s Y4iT also saw for the first time a former Y4iT attendee take the stage as one of the event speakers. Chezka Monica Fermin of Bataan Peninsula State University, the Best Research Paper awardee of the Y4iT Research Summit 2017, presented on stage her group’s thesis project ARphanum, an educational mobile application with augmented reality.
Covering important issues in the IT landscape, the speakers tackled topics such as the country’s cybercrime history, information security and privacy, data privacy in the health sector, reliable and affordable internet connection in the country,
Y4iT 2017 was organized by the UPS Information Technology Foundation together with the UP Information Technology Development Center.
TCL bags 2017 IFA Product Technical Innovation Award TCL won the Quantum Dot Technology Gold Award, a 2017 IFA Product Technical Innovation Award, for its flagship XESS Private Theatre X6 QLED TV. The award was given by International Data Group and German Industry & Commerce Ltd.
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TCL’s flagship TV, the 85-inch XESS Private Theatre X6, offers the company’s world-leading Quantum Dot display technology, picture processing ability, and Dolby Vision high-dynamic range (HDR). In addition, TCL’s T-Guardian Air conditioner also won the Intelligent Security Innovation Gold Award.
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ASUS ANNOUNCES ROG PREMIUM CARE SERVICE ASUS Philippines has announced an all-in premium extensive maintenance service for its gaming laptops called ROG Premium Care. ROG Premium Care is a new service for customers with ROG series and FX series notebooks, allowing them to have direct access to an ASUS technical expert from selected Authorized Service Partners (ASP) for diagnosis and preventive maintenance. The ROG Premium Care program will eventually cover all notebooks that have 24-month warranty as long as the notebook was purchased through authorized local resellers and that the warranty is not void.
Petron powers Formula 4 SEA championship The organizers of the Formula 4 South East Asia (F4SEA) Championship have tapped Petron Corporation as the official fuel and engine oil of the 2017 season. For the 2017 F4SEA Championship series, Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 will be the official fuel while Petron Blaze Racing engine oil will be the official engine oil. Certified by international testing institutions as surpassing the most stringent global standards, Petron Blaze 100 Euro 6 is a 100-octane pure gasoline formulation. The Petron Blaze Racing engine oil, on the other hand, contains the Thermal Stress Stabilizing System (TS3) that helps reduce engine stress even at the high temperatures demanded by competition racing.
HINO OPENS DEALERSHIP IN CAGAYAN DE ORO
Philippines opened a new dealership in Cagayan de Oro, the second fastest growing city in the region next to Davao.
To strengthen its presence in Mindanao, Hino Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the
Hino CDO, HMP’s second dealership in Mindanao, will be managed by Big Trucks Corporation. It is equipped to complement the city’s economic progress by providing quality trucks and buses.
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Birkenstock SM Aura treats fans on store’s anniversary The first Birkenstock concept store in the Philippines recently celebrated its first anniversary with a SALEbration. Birkenstock fans trooped to the Birkenstock store at the second level of SM Aura Premier for special treats and exclusive discounts, including a P1,000 discount on all seasonal regular footwear on a single receipt. The first 100 customers who purchased their Birkenstock pair also received goodie bags from the brand.
store directory
ACER Acer Philippines, Inc. 1172-1180 Pres. Quirino Ave. Ext., Paco, Manila (02) 720-0090 acer.com.ph APPLE Available at authorized resellers nationwide apple.com ASICS Available at ASICS stores in Greenbelt 3, Two Parkade, TriNoma, and Ayala Cebu asics.com ASUS ASUS Technology Philippines, Inc. 4/F Hanston Bldg., Ortigas Center, Pasig (02) 634-0309 ph.asus.com AUDIO-TECHNICA audio-technica.com B&O Living Innovations Corp. Unit 207 2/F Makati Shangri-La Hotel Retail Arcade, Ayala Ave., Makati (02) 830-2230 / 812-2649 / 894-5766 livinginnovations.ph BEATS Available at Abenson, Ambassador, Astroplus, Automatic Centre, Cebu Circuit City, Digital Hub, Gadgets in Style, PowerMac Center, Saver’s Digital, Hub Appliance Depot, SM Appliance, Switch branches ph.beatsbydre.com msi-ecs.com.ph CANON Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. G/F and 7/F Commerce and Industry Plaza Bldg., Campus Ave. cor. Park Ave., McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig (02) 884-9090 canon.com.ph CASIO Available at all Time Depot stores nationwide casio.com
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CHERRY MOBILE cherrymobile.com.ph D-LINK dlink.com.ph DELONGHI Concept Specialist Inc. 77 Scout Fuentebella St., Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City (02) 376-5621 delonghi.com/en-ph DELL Dell Philippines 3/F 1800 Eastwood Ave. Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, E. Rodriguez, Jr. Ave., Quezon City dell.com.ph DENON Beyond Innovations, Inc. Unit B4, Topy’s Place, Calle Industria cor. Economia St., Libis, Quezon City (02) 634-5940 denonasia.com DJI store.dji.com DOVE dove.com/ph ELECTROLUX electrolux.com.ph EPSON Epson Philippines Corporation 8/F Anson’s Center, 23 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig (02) 706-2609 epson.com.ph ESSENTIAL essential.com FITBIT fitbit.com/ph GOOGLE madeby.google.com GOUACHE gouachebags.com H&M Available at H&M stores in Robinsons Magnolia, SM North EDSA The Block, SM Makati, and SM Megamall hm.com/ph
HARLEY-DAVIDSON Harley-Davidson of Manila (02) 784-5006 1008 EDSA Greenhills, San Juan harleydavidsonofmanila. com.ph JBL ph.jbl.com KINGSTON kingston.com LACOSTE Available at Lacoste Accessories Shops in Alabang Town Center, Gateway, and Glorietta 4 LENOVO Lenovo (Philippines) Ltd. 10/F 11th Corporate Center, 11th Ave. cor. Triangle Drive, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig (02) 558-5700 lenovo.com/ph LG LG Electronics Philippines, Inc. lg.com/ph LUZLI luzli.com MANGO shop.mango.com/ PH/men MASSIMO DUTTI Available at Massimo Dutti boutiques in Greenbelt 5 the Rockwell Power Plant Mall massimodutti.com/ph MERCEDES-BENZ Auto Nation Group, Inc. 1008 EDSA Greenhills, San Juan (02) 784-5005 mercedes-benz. com.ph MICHI POWER michi-group.com MICROSOFT microsoft.com/ en-ph/ MIELE miele.com MOLESKINE moleskine.com
NESCAFE dolce-gusto.com.ph NIKE Nike Philippines 10/F Marajo Tower, 312 26th St. West cor. 4th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (02) 802-7235 nike.com/ph/en_gb NIKON ThinkDharma, Inc. TAO Corporate Center 2291 Don Chino Roces Ave., Makati (02) 754-8061 nikon.ph NINTENDO nintendo.com NISSAN Nissan Philippines 21/F Eco Tower, 32nd St. cor. 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig nissan.ph
RICOH ricoh.com pentaxph.com ROKU roku.com RUNNR Available at RUNNR boutiques at Ayala Center Cebu, Bonifacio High Street, Trinoma, and Toby’s Arena Shangri-La, Toby’s Arena Mall of Asia, and Toby’s Arena Abreeza Davao SAMSUNG Available at all Samsung stores and authorized retailers samsung.com/ph SEA TO SUMMIT seatosummitusa. com SHARP sharp.ph
NORTON ph.norton.com
SKULLCANDY skullcandyasia.com
OAKLEY oakley.com
SONY Sony Philippines 11/F Marajo Tower, 312 26th St., West cor. 4th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (02) 878-7600 / 860-3333 sony.com.ph
OLYMPUS olympus-global.com OPPO Philippine OPPO Mobile Technology, Inc. 29/F Unit 2901-2904, One Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Ave. cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig oppo.com.ph PANASONIC panasonic.com/ph QUIRKS Power Plant Mall, SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa The Block, UP Town Center quirksph.com RAINDESIGN Available at Power Mac Center boutiques in DLSU, Festival Mall, Greenbelt 3, Marikina, Robinsons Magnolia, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, SM Abreeza, SM Lanang, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Noth Edsa, The Podium, and TriNoma raindesigninc.com
SUBARU subaru.asia/ph THE NORTH FACE Alabang Town Center, Glorietta 4, ShangriLa Plaza Mall,SM Aura Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa Annex, Robinsons Ermita, UP Town Center THULE Available at Tripologie Eastwood, and Thule stores in SM North EDSA The Block, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM Cebu, SM Clark, SM Store Makati, and Lazada TILE thetileapp.com
TOBY’S SPORTS Quorum Group Center C. Raymundo Ave., Good Harvest Complex, Pasig (02) 651-7780 tobys.com UNIQLO Century City Mall, Eastwood Mall, Estancia at Capitol Commons, Gateway Mall, Glorietta 5, Power Plant Mall, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Aura Premier, SM BF Parañaque, SM Clark, SM Dasmariñas, SM Fairview, SM Lipa, SM North EDSA The Block, SM Pampanga, SM Rosales, SM San Lazaro, SM Sta. Rosa, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM Southmall uniqlo.com/ph VICTORINOX Available at Swiss Army boutiques in SM Megamall and Century City Mall, Lucerne, Chronos, L Timestudio, Swiss Gear, and Wrist_Pod victorinox.com/ ch/victorinox_ travelgear VOLKSWAGEN Volkswagen BGC 938 28th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (02) 558-5819 volkswagen.com.ph YAMAHA Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. Lots 1&2, Block 17, Phase I, LIMA Technology Center, Malvar, Batangas (043) 455-1900 yamaha-motor.com. ph ZARA Available at Zara Man boutiques in Shangri-La Plaza, Power Plant Mall, TriNoma, Greenbelt 5, Glorietta 4, and SM Mall of Asia
buyer’s guide SAVE OR SPLURGE, THIS LIST IS ALL YOU’LL EVER NEED
MOBILE PHONES + TABLETS
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UNDER P20,000
P20,000 AND ABOVE November 2017 145
buyerтАЩs guide
ASUS ZenFone 4 Max 5.5 P9,995 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t EVBM .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (#(# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
CloudFone Excite Prime 2 P5,999 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
Huawei MediaPad T2 7.0 P7,490 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE
146 November 2017
ASUS ZenFone Live P6,995 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (#(# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*. t LTE
CloudFone Next
Cherry Mobile Cubix Cube Max
Cherry Mobile Flare 5
P3,999 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t EVBM 4*.
P5,499 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
Cherry Mobile Flare X2 P7,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 3FBS .1 'SPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P9,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
CloudFone Thrill Boost 2
CloudFone Thrill Power N
Huawei GR3 2017
P2,499 t "OESPJE t ()[ RVBE DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t EVBM 4*.
P3,499 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t EVBM 4*.
P8,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF )J4JMJDPO ,JSJO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
Huawei Y5 2017
InямБnix Note 4
Lenovo PHAB2
LG K7
P5,890 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P8,999 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P9,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t EVBM 4*.
P5,490 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
UNDER P10,000
LG K8
LG K10
LG X Power
Meizu M5c
Moto C
P7,490 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P8,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P8,490 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P5,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P3,699 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
Moto C Plus
Moto E4 Plus
Nokia 3
Nokia 3310
Nokia 5
P6,299 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P8,999 t "OESPJE -PMMJQPQ t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P6,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P2,490 t /PLJB 4FSJFT 04 t .1 GSPOU t w Y t .# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% t ( &%(& t EVBM 4*.
P9,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
OPPO A71
Samsung Galaxy J2 Prime
Samsung Galaxy J7 Core
Vivo V5 Lite
Vivo Y55
P5,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P9,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF &YZOPT t EVBM .1 .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE
P9,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P7,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P8,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
November 2017 147
buyerтАЩs guide
Apple iPad
Arsenal VR One
ASUS ZenFone 4 SelямБe
Wi-Fi: P18,990 (32GB) t J04 t " DIJQ XJUI CJU BSDIJUFDUVSF BOE . DPQSPDFTTPS t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# (# 3". t -5&
P11,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P13,995 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS EVBM .1 .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
HTC Desire 10 Pro
HTC U Play
P13,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P18,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
Lenovo K6 Note P11,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
148 November 2017
ASUS ZenFone 4 SelямБe Pro
Cherry Mobile Flare InямБnity
P18,995 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS EVBM .1 .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P12,999 t ""OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF )FMJP 1 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y #F[FM MFTT t (# NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t 64# 5ZQF $ t EVBM 4*.
Huawei GR5 2017
Huawei MediaPad M3
InямБnix Note 4 Pro
P13,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF )J4JMJDPO ,JSJO t .1 .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P18,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF )J4JMJDPO ,JSJO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5&
P11,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t EVBM .1 .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
Lenovo PHAB2 Plus
LG Stylus 2
LG Q6
LG X Cam
P14,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL t EVBM .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P10,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5&
P13,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P13,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5&
UNDER P20,000
Meizu MX6
Motorola Moto M
Motorola Moto G4 Plus
Nokia 6
OPPO A57
P16,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ EFDB DPSF .FEJB5FL )FMJP 9 .5 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P14,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL )FMJP 1 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P13,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P11,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P11,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
OPPO F3
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime (2016)
Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro
Sony Xperia XA Ultra
P19,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5&
P13,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF &YZOPT t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P15,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF &YZOPT t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*. t
Sony Xperia XA1
Vivo V5
Vivo V5s
Vivo V5 Plus
Vivo V7+
P14,890
P10,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P14,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS EVBM .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P16,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS EVBM .1 .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P17,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P16,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t .1 SFBS .1 .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 )FMJP 1 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
P19,190 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ .FEJB5FL .5 )FMJP 1 t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5& t EVBM 4*.
November 2017 149
buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide
Apple iPad
Apple iPad mini 4
Apple iPad Pro 12.9
Apple iPad Pro 9.7
Apple iPhone 7
Wi-Fi: P24,990 (128GB) Wi-Fi + Cellular: P26,990 (32GB); P32,990 (128GB) t J04 t " DIJQ XJUI CJU BSDIJUFDUVSF BOE . DPQSPDFTTPS t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# (# 3". t LTE
Wi-Fi: P20,490 (16GB); P25,490 (64GB); P34,490 (128GB) Wi-Fi + Cellular: P26,990 (16GB); P31,990 (64GB); P36,990 (128GB) t J04 t " DIJQ XJUI . NPUJPO DPQSPDFTTPS t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t LTE
Wi-Fi: P42,990 (32GB); P50,990 (128GB) Wi-Fi + Cellular: P57,990 (128GB) t J04 t " 9 DIJQ XJUI CJU BSDIJUFDUVSF BOE . NPUJPO DPQSPDFTTPS t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# (# 3". t LTE
Wi-Fi: P32,990 (32GB); P40,990 (128GB); P48,990 (256GB) Wi-Fi + Cellular: P39,990 (32GB); P47,990 (128GB); P55,990 (256GB) t J04 t " 9 DIJQ XJUI CJU BSDIJUFDUVSF BOE . DPQSPDFTTPS t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# (# 3". t LTE
P37,990 (32GB) P43,990 (128GB) P49,990 (256GB) t J04 t " 'VTJPO DIJQ XJUI CJU BSDIJUFDUVSF BOE . NPUJPO DPQSPDFTTPS t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t LTE
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
ASUS ZenFone AR
ASUS ZenFone 4
ASUS ZenFone 4 Pro
HTC U Ultra
P44,990 (32GB) P50,990 (128GB) P56,990 (256GB) t J04 t " 'VTJPO DIJQ XJUI CJU BSDIJUFDUVSF BOE . NPUJPO DPQSPDFTTPS t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t LTE
P44,995 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P28,995 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t EVBM .1 .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P39,995 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t EVBM .1 .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P26,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
HTC U11
Huawei P10
Huawei P10 Plus
LG G6
LG V20
P36,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P28,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF )J4JMJDPO ,JSJO t EVBM .1 .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P36,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF )J4JMJDPO ,JSJO t EVBM .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P37,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t EVBM .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE
P35,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t EVBM .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE
150 November 2017
P20,000 & ABOVE
Meizu Pro 7
Meizu Pro 7 Plus
Motorola Moto Z
Motorola Moto Z2 Play
OnePlus 5
P22,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 5 t EVBM .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P31,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ EFDB DPSF .FEJB5FL .5 t EVBM .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P33,999 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t -5&
P22,999 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P25,990 (64GB) P29,990 (128GB) t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t EVBM .1 .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE
OPPO F3 Plus
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy S8
P23,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P27,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ PDUB DPSF $PSUFY " t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE
P39,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF &YZOPT t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3".
P39,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ PDUB DPSF &YZOPT t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3".
Sony Xperia XZ
Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Sony Xperia XZs
Sony Xperia XZ1
P35,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P39,990 t "OESPJE 0SFP t ()[ PDUB DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P23,990 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ 2VBMDPNN .4. 1SP t .1 SFBS EVBM .1 .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 P37,990 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE
P34,490 t "OESPJE .BSTINBMMPX t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
P45,490 t "OESPJE /PVHBU t ()[ RVBE DPSF 2VBMDPNN 4OBQESBHPO t .1 SFBS .1 GSPOU t w Y t (# CVJMU JO NJDSP4% (# 3". t LTE t EVBM 4*.
November 2017 151
before you go
Save the planet! Become a vegetarian, cut holidays, ditch your car, and have fewer children.
HAVING
Lifestyle
SMALLER FAMILIES
CHOICES
(ONE FEWER CHILD)
58,600kg
Cut
LIVING
YOUR
CO2 emissions by
AVOIDING
CAR-
ONE FREE 2400kg
ROUND-TRIP
TRANS-ATLANTIC EATING A PLANT-BASED FLIGHT
DIET
820kg
PER YEAR
1600kg PER YEAR
PER YEAR
Source: Seth Wynes/Kimberly Nicholas, Environmental Research Letters, 2017
152 November 2017
PER YEAR