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Posts tagged as “Philippines”

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas unveil Philippines First Polymer Banknote Series

December 19, 2024

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has officially unveil the country’s first polymer banknote series. The new polymer banknote series will include denominations of ₱500, ₱P100 and ₱50, which will enter circulation in the first quarter of 2025.

BPS explained that the new Polymer Banknote Series will feature “country’s heroes and natural wonders, the polymer series highlights the Philippines’ rich biodiversity.”

BSP emphasizes the practical benefits of polymer banknotes, including enhanced resistance to counterfeiting and improved durability. These features ensure that the new notes are not only aesthetically significant but also cost-efficient and secure.

You can watch this 3:30 mins video (below) on the features of the new polymer banknote series;

The ceremony was lead by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the President’s Hall in Malacañang Palace.

Tesla Philippines opens its first Supercharging station in BGC

December 11, 2024

After officially launching in the Philippines, Tesla now opened its first Supercharging station in BGC to be more specific it is located at the B2 Car Park of Uptown Mall.

From Top Gear Philippines, The newly opened station has four Superchargers, each operating at peak efficiency of 250kW.

Tesla said that the each Superchargers can add a range of 120 kilometers after just a 5-minute charging time. These will be a paid charging station with a rate of ₱19 per kilowatt-hour, so Model Y with 81 kWh, with a 514 km range (WLTP), will cost around ₱1,539.

Not a bad, considering the cost of fuel on a petrol car on a similar range and much lower than the Paid Charging that ACMobility announced earlier this month.

This article was originally published on allthingsev.net as Tesla Philippines opens its first Supercharging station in BGC.

Philippines and Saudi Arabia Launch New Job Category for OFW

December 8, 2024

The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has released guidelines for a new job category for Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia: Residential Support Worker/Cleaner. This development follows initial discussions between former DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople and Saudi Minister of Human Resource and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi, aiming to open up employment opportunities while prioritizing the protection of Filipino Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Key Differences from Domestic Work:

  • Skilled Visa: Residential support workers will be issued a skilled visa, unlike domestic workers.
  • Direct Employment with MRCs: Instead of working for individual households, they will be directly employed by Mega Recruitment Companies (MRCs).
  • Focus on Residential Cleaning: Their primary responsibility will be to maintain the cleanliness of residential areas, excluding childcare or personal care for employers.

Benefits and Protections:

  • Competitive Salary and Allowances: Workers will receive a monthly salary of 1,500 Saudi Riyals (SAR) plus a 500 SAR food allowance. Overtime pay will be provided for work exceeding eight hours per day as per Saudi law.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: MRC employers will provide accommodation, transportation, and health insurance for the workers.
  • No Placement Fees: MRCs are prohibited from charging placement fees to the workers.
  • Wage Increases and Reviews: Wages will automatically increase with any new minimum wage policies issued by DMW or the Saudi government and will be reviewed annually.
  • Protection Against Domestic Work: The guidelines explicitly prohibit workers from being assigned to domestic work duties.
  • Welfare Desk Officer: MRC employers must designate a welfare desk officer to monitor the workers’ conditions and address any employment-related issues.

Reduced Risks and Improved Welfare:
Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan emphasized that this new framework aims to minimize labor complaints, welfare cases, and exit visa problems by streamlining the employer-employee relationship.

Continuous Expansion of Employment Opportunities:
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac assured that the DMW, in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development, will continue to expand employment opportunities for Filipino workers in various sectors.

This new job category for Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia represents a significant step towards ensuring safe and dignified employment for OFWs while meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in the Kingdom.

You can read the full text of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Memo# here.

ACMobility to introduce Paid Charging starting this 12th December 2024

December 1, 2024

ACMobility, the mobility solutions arm of the Ayala Group, will soon introduce paid charging to their charging station by December 12th 2024. ACMobility will implement a fee of ₱28.50 per kWh for AC charging and ₱35 per kWh for DC charging across its EV stations in the NCR.

In their official statement, ACMobility plans to open more than 250 charging points in over 100 locations nationwide by the year end. They added that the plan to introduce paid charging was approved by the Department of Energy (DOE), aims to create a more sustainable and dependable charging network for EV owners.

“Introducing charging fees enables ACMobility to reinvest in our network, allowing us to maintain and expand our infrastructure while delivering a consistently high-quality service,” said Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala, Chief Executive Officer of ACMobility. “True to our commitment of providing the best value to our customers, we aim to make every charging experience as accessible, reliable, and convenient —- enabling worry-free journeys across NCR and beyond.”

“We express our gratitude to Filipinos for choosing to charge with us, and through our initiatives, we remain committed to supporting their charging needs,” said Carla Buencamino, Head of Mobility Infrastructure. “Every new charging station brings us closer to fulfilling our mission of advancing sustainable transportation across the country. Together, we look forward to building a cleaner and greener future for generations to come.”

The company added that payment options will be available through the Evro app. Aside from mobility solutions, ACMobility is also the official distributor of Kia, Volkswagen, and BYD in the Philippines.

ACMobility to introduce Paid Charging starting this 12th December 2024.

DFA implementing Philippine e-Visa system in India.

November 28, 2024

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has launched its e-Visa system for Indian nationals. Indian nationals may apply for e-Visas remotely by visiting the official website (evisa.gov.ph) and paying e-Visa fees online via direct bank transfer in a secure manner. This follows a successful trial period and aims to improve user experience. The soft launching and beta testing was done in August 2023.

Over 7,000 Indians have already used the system with positive feedback. The applicants were able to navigate the e-Visa system with general ease and reported positive feedback for its convenience, user-friendliness, and reliability.

Philippine e-Visa System is part of the Philippines’ digital transformation plan mentioned during the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on 22 July 2024.

Volvo EX30 now in the Philippines

November 27, 2024

Volvo Philippines has officially introduce the EX30, a fully electric SUV and dubbed as the company’s smallest-ever SUV.

Underhood, the Volvo EX30 is powered by rear wheel drive (RWD) electric motor that offers 272hp and 343Nm of torque. It has an acceleration speed of 0-100km/h in just 5.3 seconds. The 69kWh battery offers that EX30 a maximum range of up to 540 km, and it takes 8 hours to fully charge the battery and 0-80% in just 28 minutes using the 175kW DC fast charging.

The Volvo EX30’s exterior is feateures a sleek, minimalist design and innovative, forward-thinking front fascia. The company also said that the EX30 is “Designed to have the lowest carbon footprint of any Volvo.”

Image: Volvo EX30 via volvocars.com/ph/

As for the interior, the first thing that you will notice is the huge 12.3″ tablet in the center of the dashboard. There is also an optional Car audio system; 9 speakers, 9 channels Harman Kardon Premium Sound (1040W output), and a 5 speakers, 4 channels (100W output) High Performance sound. There will be 4 interior themes to choose from; Breeze, Mist, Pine and Indigo. Despite the “smallest-ever” moniker, the EX30 is a 5 Seater SUV with a maximum front head room at 1058 mm and a rear head room of 974 mm. The actual dimension is (HxWxL) 1550mm x 1838mm x 2032 mm, and a wheel base of 2650mm. You can find full specs of the Volvo EX30 here.

Volvo EX30 is equipped with safety features like blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert with autobrake, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance systems. It also comes with Park Pilot Assist, 360° camera and Door opening alert, and more.

Volvo has not mention its availability but the EX30 will have a MSRP of ₱2.99 million, which is on the low side compare to the price to that of an EV Sedan.

This article was originally published on allthingsev.net as Volvo EX30 now in the Philippines.

Victory Liner introduces the country’s first fully electric bus

November 27, 2024

In a press conference, Victory Liner unveil the country’s first fully electric bus for provincial travel, the announcement was made by Victory Liner President & General Manager, Ms. Marivic H. Del Pilar. She also added that this is some sort of a “research and development” to see if it is viable to use electric bus as a public utility vehicle (PUB) and it will run the Cubao – Pampanga route.

Victory Liner also added that they acquired the 2 electric bus from Higer via special pricing, it was disclosed that each bus is worth ₱5 Million.

Here are the notable features of the electric bus;

  • Range and Battery Power: A 485 kWh battery allows for 350-400 kilometers of travel per charge, ideal for round-trip routes.
  • Fast Charging: A 120 kW DC charger fully charges the bus in three hours.
  • Environmental Impact: Each bus reduces annual CO₂ emissions by over 100 tons compared to diesel models.

As for the bus fare, there will be no difference in the fare, as Victory Liner based the price on the diesel-engine buses that run the same route.

This article was originally published on allthingsev.net as Victory Liner introduces the country’s first fully electric bus.

Price for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

November 9, 2024

Now that Tesla has opened its doors in the country, car buyers will surely have Tesla as their first option, specially if you compare its price with the Chinese brand EVs.

You can go to the Tesla Philippines website if you want to order your own Tesla. I personally would be getting the Long Range (AWD) variant of the Model Y.

via All Things EV;

Just like in other countries, you can order your own Tesla directly online, the company rarely sell thru a distributor or a reseller.

The Model 3 is the EV sedan, while the Model Y is the crossover EV that features the iconic “falcon-wing doors.” Both model will be available in 3 variant; the Rear–Wheel Drive, Long Range AWD and Performance AWD.

The base model for the Model 3 (RWD) will have an estimated range of 513kn, top speed of 201 km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.21 secs.

Model 3

  • Rear–Wheel Drive – ₱2,109,000
  • Long Range (AWD) – ₱2,489,000
  • Performance (AWD) – ₱3,099,000

The base model for the Model Y (RWD) on the other hand will have an estimated range of 455km, top speed of 217km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.9 secs.

Model Y

  • Rear–Wheel Drive – ₱2,369,000
  • Long Range (AWD) – ₱2,689,000
  • Performance (AWD) – ₱3,299,000

Tesla now in the Philippines

November 9, 2024

Tesla has officially open its first store in the Philippines. Located in BGC, the company’s flagship store features a 1,900-square-meter showroom at the Uptown Parade mall.

Tesla Philippines will initially offer its Model 3 Sedan and their crossover with its iconic “falcon-wing doors” the Model Y. The price range from ₱2.1M for the base model of the Model 3, while the Model Y will be around ₱2.3M. The Cybertruck is listed among the “offered” EV in the country but no official price is available and there’s no option to ORDER. Tesla are competitively priced in the country, compare to the EVs that are already available in the Philippines.

Just like with other country, you will need to order your Tesla EV directly from them and you can order it either by going to the showroom or order online.

Tesla may also be offering its Solar Roof, Powerwall and Megapack battery.

Here’s the price of the new Mac Mini in the Philippines

October 31, 2024

Here are the pricing of the new Mac mini in the Philippines.

M4 Processor

  • 16GB RAM + 256GB Storage – ₱36,990.00
  • 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage – ₱48,990.00
  • 24GB RAM + 512GB Storage – ₱60,990.00

M4 Pro Processor

  • 24GB RAM + 512 Storage – ₱84,990.00

    • Optional Upgrade

    • 24GB RAM – ₱12,000.00
    • 32GB RAM – ₱24,000.00
    • 512GB SSD storage – ₱12,000.00
    • 1TB SSD storage – ₱24,000.00
    • 2TB SSD storage – ₱48,000.00
    • 10 Gigabit Ethernet – ₱6,000.00
    • Final Cut Pro – ₱14,990.00
    • Logic Pro – ₱9,990.00

    Optional Upgrade for Mac mini with M4 Pro chip

    • Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine – ₱12,000.00
    • 48GB RAM – ₱24,000.00
    • 64GB RAM – ₱36,000.00
    • 1TB SSD storage – ₱12,000.00
    • 2TB SSD storage – ₱36,000.00
    • 4TB SSD storage – ₱72,000.00
    • 8TB SSD storage – ₱144,000.00
    • 10 Gigabit Ethernet – ₱6,000.00
    • Final Cut Pro – ₱14,990.00
    • Logic Pro – ₱9,990.00

    BYD Seal Now in the Philippines

    October 27, 2024

    At this year’s Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, BYD Philippines launches Seal, their latest luxury sport sedan.

    In their announcement, BYD Philippines said that Seal is “One of the most powerful Performance Sedan EVs you can ever own.” It is a full electric all-wheel drive (AWD) sedan, that boast of 529 Ps and 670 Nm of torque, acceleration of 0-100km/h in 3.8 secs. Its 82.6 kWh battery enables BYD Seal to have a range of up to 580 km in a single full charge.

    The BYD Seal has an advanced Cell-to-Body (CTB) chassis for extra rigidity, DiPilot Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Intelligent Cruise Control and a 360º-view Camera, among others. And access to this incredible tech is made easy with a 15.6” infotainment screen and the industry-leading HI BYD Voice Command System. It supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

    Here are some of the photos released by BYD Philippines;

    Available in 4 colors; Arctic Blue, Aurora White, Cosmos Black and Atlantis Grey. BYD Seal will have a dimension of 4800mm x 1875mm x 1460mm and a wheelbase of 2920 mm. The BYD Seal has a maximum luggage capacity of 450L with a kerb weight of 2185 KG. The BYD Seal will retail at ₱2.548M.

    This article was originally published on allthingsev.net as BYD Seal Now in the Philippines.

    HBO Max to be available in the Philippines this November 19th

    October 16, 2024

    Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that its streaming service Max will launch in the Philippines and six (6) Southeast Asian countries this November 19. In their announcement, they listed Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong.

    Just like Disney+, HBO Max offers titles like HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, Max Originals, and the best of Hollywood movies, as well as programming from Discovery, TLC, AFN, Food Network, ID and HGTV.

    As of this time, no pricing have been announce but HBO Max will be available in 3 pricing plans;

    Mobile

    • Stream on 1 mobile device at once
    • Standard HD video resolution
    • Watch only on mobile phone and tablet
    • 15 downloads to watch on the go

    Note: The Mobile plan is available in Indonesia, Philippines, and via select providers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

    Standard

    • Stream on 2 devices at once
    • Full HD video resolution
    • Watch on more devices, including TVs
    • 30 downloads to watch on the go

    Ultimate

    • Stream on 4 devices at once
    • 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos as available
    • Watch on more devices, including TVs
    • 100 downloads to watch on the go (limits apply)

    The launching of HBO Max is a big late, since all top video streaming services like Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video and Netflix are already available in the country.

    Apple iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max price in the Philippines   

    September 10, 2024

    Randolph Novino, writing for Yugatech;

    Apple iPhone 16 Series Price in the Philippines

    Model Capacity Price (PHP)
    iPhone 16 128GB PHP 54,990
    256GB PHP 61,990
    512GB PHP 73,990
    iPhone 16 Plus 128GB PHP 62,990
    256GB PHP 69,990
    512GB PHP 81,990
    iPhone 16 Pro Max 128GB PHP 69,990
    256GB PHP 84,990
    512GB PHP 96,990
    1TB PHP 108,990
    iPhone 16 Pro 256GB PHP 76,990
    512GB PHP 88,990
    1TB PHP 100,990

    Asus ROG Ally X now in the Philippines

    August 25, 2024

    Asus has finally launch the ROG Ally X in the country. Asus ROG Ally X is the company’s (2nd) entry to the handheld gaming PC market.

    The Asus ROG Ally X is a handheld gaming console with a 7-inch, 1920×1080 120Hz IPS LCD touchscreen, powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and AMD Radeon RDNA 3 graphics. Its 7-inch display features a 120Hz refresh rate, 7ms response time, and 500 nits brightness. The console also has a 1TB M.2 SSD (2280), 24GB of RAM (LPDDR5) and a 80Wh (4-cell Li-ion) battery.

    The Asus ROG Ally X comes with a controller and a power brick, and is pre-installed with Windows 11. The ROG Ally X also has a Zero Gravity thermal system and dual fans to keep it cool and quiet while gaming. You can checkout the full specs of the ROG Ally X here.

    The Asus ROG Ally X will retail for ₱56,995 and available in all ROG official store partners nationwide.

    Xiaomi Smart Band 9 now in the Philippines

    August 20, 2024

    Xiaomi Philippines has officially launch the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 in the country. The smartwatch will have an SRP of ₱1,999, but for those ordering before August 21st, there will be an early-bird offer of ₱1,699 and a free watch strap at Xiaomi’s official Shopee store.

    The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 will be available in all authorized Xiaomi stores nationwide by August 29th.

    Here are the specs of Xiaomi Smart Band 9

    • Display: 1.62-inch AMOLED Touch Display, 192 x 490 pixels resolution, up to 1200 nits, adjustable
    • Battery: 233mAh with mmagnetic charging
    • Sensors: Accelerometer sensor, Gyroscope sensor, Optical heart rate sensor, Ambient light sensor
    • 5ATM water resistant
    • Linear motor
    • Supports smartphones with Android 8.0 or iOS 12.0 and above
    • Dimensions (HxWxD): 46.53 x 21.63 x 10.95 mm
    • Weight: 15.8g (without strap)

    Band Strap

    • Size: 135–210 mm
    • Material: TPU
    • Color: Midnight Black, Glacier Silver, Mystic Rose, Arctic Blue

    Carlos Yulo to receive a brandnew Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

    August 18, 2024

    Toyota Motor Philippines will be gifting two-time gold medalist Carlos Yulo after successful stint in the recent 2024 Paris Olympics. Yulo bagged the gold medal for Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Floor Exercise and Vault.

    The company said “We hope this vehicle helps bring you to greater heights. We are excited to see where your journeys can further take you.”

    This new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is just one of the many rewards that he received for bring home two gold medals from the Paris and more than the medal, Carlos Yulo earned the admiration of every Filipino and worldwide recognition. He will forever be in the Philippines Sports history books, specially the honor that he brought to the country.

    realme C61 now in the Philippines

    August 8, 2024

    Realme Philippines has officially announce the C61 smartphone, a new member of realme C-series.

    realme C61 is a 6.74″ HD+ LCD display (720×1600) with a 90.3% screen-to-body ratio and a refresh rate of 90Hz and up to 180Hz touch sampling rate. It is powered by Unisoc T612 Processor and ARM Mali GPU. It will have up to 6GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage that is expandable up to 2TB via microSD card slot. It will have 5000mAh battery with 15W quick charging adapter.

    It has a dual rear camera with a 50MP AI Camera and a 0.08 MP, f/3.0 auxiliary lens. As for the front camera, it will have a 5MP selfie camera that supports CIF@ 30fps.

    For coverage, the realme C61 will support 4G dual standby and support for Wifi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Not supporting 5G connectivity could be a deal breaker for some but it could also be the reason why the phone has a low price tag.

    The realme C61 will be running realme UI (Android 14) out of the box. The C61 will be available in Sparkle Gold and Dark Green colors and the starting price will be ₱6,299.00 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model.

    realme C61 Dark Green

    realme C61 full specs;

    • Display: 6.74″ HD+ LCD, 720×1600 resolution, 90.3% screen-to-body ratio and 90Hz refresh rate
    • Memory: 6GB (Up to 12GB Dynamic RAM Expansion) ; 8GB (Up to 18GB Dynamic RAM Expansion)
    • Storage: 128GB; 256GB (Up to 2TB expandable via microSD)
    • Processor: Unisoc T612 chipset, Octa-Core; 2x ARM Cortex-A75 Cores at up to 1.8GHz; 6x ARM Cortex-A55 Cores at up to 1.8GHz
    • GPU: ARM Mali-G57
    • OS: realme UI, Android 14
    • Battery: 5000mAh Battery with 15W Quick Charging Adapter (USB Type-C)
    • Dual-rear Camera: 50MP AI Camera, f/1.8, 80° FoV and 0.08 MP, f/3.0 ,(auxiliary lens)
    • Selfie Camera: 5MP camera with 2592×1944 resolution, f/2.2 apperture and 77° PoV
    • Connectivity: 4G LTE, WCDMA Bands 1/2/4/5/8 and GSM 850MHz/900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz
    • Wireless: Wifi802.11a/b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4), Bluetooth 5.0, SBC, AAC, LDAC
    • Navigation: AGPS/GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo
    • Audio: single downward-firing speaker and single microphone
    • Ports: 3.5mm Headphone Jack, USB Type-C Port
    • Sensor: Magnetic Induction, Light, Proximity, Gyrometer and Acceleration
    • Dimension: 167.26mm x 76.67mm x 7.84mm (LxWxD)
    • Weight: 188 grams
    • Colors: Sparkle Gold and Dark Green

    There will be a free TechLife Power Bank S101 (10,000mAh) and 2 years of realme Care support if you order on or before Aug 18th from realme tiktok shop you can also go to Shopee to buy the phone.

    Smart offers Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6 on the Signature Plan+ 1499

    August 6, 2024

    Just like Globe, Smart Telecom is also offering the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 via their postpaid plans. But compare to Globe, Smart is offering to not just for its postpaid subscribers but also for prepaid.

    Both the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and the Z Flip6 will be available to Smart’s Signature Plans+, Signature Device Plans and for Prepaid users.

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

    The Signature Plans+ for the 256GB model of Galaxy Z Fold6 will start at Plan 999 that will have 3 options; option 1 is a one-time cashout of ₱89,560, option 2 will be 0% installment for ₱96,200 and option 3 will be a down payment of ₱46,100 and a monthly installment of ₱2,000. Both option 1 and 2 will be a 12-months lock-in contract, while Option 3 will be a 24-month lock-in plan.

    As for the Signature Device Plans for the 256GB model of Galaxy Z Fold6, it will also start with the Plan 999 but it will only have one option of a ₱82,800 one-time cashout.

    For those planning to get the 256GB model of Galaxy Z Fold6 Prepaid plan, there will be two options; a one-time cashout of ₱100,699 and a 0% monthly installment for ₱105,990.

    The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB model. You can checkout the other Signature Plans+ and Signature Device Plans for the Z Fold6 by going to https://smart.com.ph/Postpaid/GalaxyZSeries6.

    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6

    Just like with the Galaxy Z Fold6, the 256GB model of the Galaxy Z Flip6 will start with the Plan 999 that will also be available in 3 options;

    • Option 1 – One-time cashout of ₱58,200
    • Option 2 – O% Installment of ₱62,300
    • Option 3 – down payment of ₱30,000 and a monthly installment of ₱1,300

    Both option 1 and 2 will be have 12-months lock-in contract, while Option 3 will be a 24-month lock-in plan.

    The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (256GB model) under the Signature Device Plans will also be available in the Plan 999 and will have a one-time cashout of ₱53,000.

    With the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Prepaid, there will be two options; the one-time cashout of ₱67,499 and the 0% monthly installment for ₱70,990.

    The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is available in 256GB and 512GB model. There are other plans that you can available for the device by going to https://smart.com.ph/Postpaid/GalaxyZSeries6.

    Source: @LiveSmart

    Carlos Yulo Wins Second Gold Medal in the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Vault

    August 5, 2024

    After bagging the gold medal for the Men’s Floor Exercise, Carlos Yulo took home the gold medal for the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Vault.

    Carlo Yulo scored a convincing 15.116 points, over Armenian Artur Davtan’s 14.966 (silver) and the 14.949 (bronze) of Harry Hepworth from UK.

    “Last night I couldn’t sleep. This morning I was so sleepy.. I slept in the bus, I slept after the podium training.” Carlos Yulo said. “I slept before going to the competition area… But I did it today.”

    Carlos Yulo’s first vault was a standout, earning a 15.433 points. With a top-tier difficulty score of 6.000, he flawlessly executed a handspring double front half out in pike position, setting a high bar for the competition.

    His second attempt, a Kasamatsu double twist, was slightly less perfect, but he managed to control his landing and scored a respectable 14.800 points. Yulo’s final score of 15.116 points is more than enough for him to take home the gold medal.

    Carlos Yulo bags Philippines’ First Gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics

    August 4, 2024

    Carlos Edriel Yulo etched his name in Philippine sports history by clinching the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Floor Exercise at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Yulo defeated Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat (silver) with a score of 14.966 points and Jake Jarman of Great Britain (bronze) with 14.933 points. Yulo’s score was 15.000 points, a mere 0.067 points difference between the bronze and gold medal.

    Yulo’s gold medal is the Philippines’ second Olympic gold medal since Hidilyn Diaz won the weightlifting gold in the previous Tokyo Olympics. The Filipino gymnast still has a chance to win another medal for the Philippines as he is set to compete in the Men’s Vault Finals.

    Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 Now Available in the Philippines

    July 17, 2024

    Toyota Motor Philippines quietly release the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 in the country. No no launch event, no press release and no social media post, Toyota Ph just remove the old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado from its website then replace it with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024.

    The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 in the Philippines features a different looking vertical grilles, which is different from the one being offered in Saudi and in the United States. Also, Toyota Philippines will only offer one variants of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024, which is the LAND CRUISER PRADO 2.4 TURBO A/T. This model features a 4-Cylinder, In-Line, 16-Valve DOHC, Chain Drive, Turbo Engine (Gasoline), with 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with 2b-inches lack alloy wheels (265/60 R20 Alloy) and it supports both Apple Carplay & Android Auto. Of course, the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 offers all the bells and whistles of a modern SUV, you can checkout the specs here for more information on the specs.

    Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2024 starts at Php 4.8M and if you prefer the White Pearl Mica color, you will need to add another Php 15K.

    Gila Pilipinas upset Latvia in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

    July 3, 2024

    The Philippines National Basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, kicked off their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament campaign in dramatic fashion with an upset victory over host nation Latvia on Wednesday. The final score: 89-80.

    This is Philippines first win against a European team in an official FIBA competition since 1960, snapping a 64-year winless streak. The victory comes despite the absence of NBA player Jordan Clarkson, highlighting the depth and resilience of the Gilas Pilipinas squad.

    Gilas Pilipinas started the game on an 8-0 run, then Latvia made a run at 21-16, but Gilas ended the 1st quarter on a 11-0 run punctuated by a clutch buzzer-beater by CJ Perez.

    In the 2nd quarter, Latvia tried to make a run, but both teams managed to cancel each other out by scoring 22 points in the second period. In the second half, Latvia managed to make the game interesting by limiting Gilas to just 12 points in the final quarter. However, the 16-point lead that Gilas built in the first quarter proved too much for Latvia to overcome. The only consolation for the Latvian National Team is that they have already qualified for the semi-finals, unless Gilas wins by 28 points or more.

    Justin Brownlee spearheaded Glias’ offense, scoring a game-high 26 points. He also contributed significantly with 9 rebounds and 9 assists, falling just one assist and rebound short of a coveted triple-double.

    Brownlee received a lot help from Kai Sotto chipping-in 18 points and 8 rebounds, and 12 points from Dwight Ramos adding 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Gilas Head coach Tim Cone expressed surprise at the result, but hopes the team will use this momentum for the rest of the tournament.

    Gilas next opponent is Georgia, and a win is crucial for Gilas to progress to the semi-finals and a step closer to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

    Game highlights

    Google Translate expands to 110 new languages, including 5 from the Philippines

    July 2, 2024

    Google just announced that they are adding 110 new languages to Google Translate, this includes 5 languages from the Philippines namely: Bikol, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Pangasinan and Waray.

    Google explains that the expansion was possible with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) paired with PaLM 2 large language model.

    In addition to the 5 languages from the Philippines, Google translate also added support for the following;

    • Afar which is spoken in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
    • Cantonese, which Google says “one of the most requested languages for Google Translate.”
    • Manx is the Celtic language of the Isle of Man. sands of speakers.
    • NKo a standardized form of the West African Manding languages that unifies many dialects into a common language.
    • Punjabi (Shahmukhi) is the variety of Punjabi written in Perso-Arabic script (Shahmukhi), and is the most spoken language in Pakistan.
    • Tamazight (Amazigh) is a Berber language spoken across North Africa.
    • Tok Pisin is an English-based creole and the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea.

    With the additional 110 new languages, Google Translate now supports 243 languages. You can find the full list of newly supported languages on Google Translate here.

    Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose Dies of Heart Attack at 59

    March 5, 2024

    The sudden loss of Jaclyn Jose saddened the Philippine Entertainment Industry. The cause of death was a heart attack. Jaclyn Jose, born as Mary Jane Santa Ana Guck, received international acclaim when she won Best Actress in Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first ever Filipino to receive it.

    She starred famously in the Batang Quiapo drama series as the antagonist Dolores Espinas. Even before, she played antagonist roles convincingly well. Her family found her in her Quezon City home March 3, 2024. The family has stated they will share details soon, and is requesting privacy during their time of grief.

    Jaclyn Jose’s role in Ma’Rosa (2016) was of a mother trying to make ends meet by selling crystal meth. She plays Rosa, a mother of three children. Her daughter Andi Eigenmann also played in the film as one of Rosa’s children.

    Jaclyn Jose’s role in Ma’Rosa (2016)

    Jaclyn Jose is originally from Angeles, Pampanga. She grew up with six siblings. Her mother was also an actress, as well as her sister Veronica Jones. The police say no foul play has been involved in the incident. The official statement from the bereaved family confirms the investigation.

    Melai Cantiveros Bends into Netflix Philippines’ Avatar: The Last Airbender Promotion

    February 21, 2024

    The live action adaption of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is scheduled to be available tomorrow Feb 22, 2024 on Netflix, to help promote the series in the region, Netflix Philippines taps the services of Melai Cantiveros for their Appa Air video promo.

    In a 3 mins video (embedded below), Melai who plays as the flight attendant of Appa Air provided a brief explainer of the coming series mixed with her comedic chops. It even featured the Philippines and a couple of its tourist spots like the Coron, Palawan for WATER, Chocolate Hills for EARTH, Mayon Volcano to represent Fire and the Bangui Wind Mills for AIR.

    Mabuhay! Momshie Melai welcomes you aboard Appa Air. Now fasten your seatbelts and get ready for mindbending thrills and excitement in Avatar: The Last Airbender, ETA: tomorrow, only on Netflix ! ⬇️

    Avatar: The Last Airbender will consist of eight episodes and will premier on Netflix tomorrow, Feb. 22th.

    DepEd to shift back to the old academic calendar starting SY 2024-2025

    February 20, 2024

    Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that they will gradually shift the school year calendar start next school year 2024-2025, this is when the school starts in June then ends by April or May. Philippines School was moved to October, instead of June, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning was also implemented. It was then moved to August in the succeeding year.

    Below are the key dates to remember

    • School Year 2024 – 2025: opening on July 29th and then will end by May 16th.
    • School Year 2025 – 2026: opening on June and then will end by April or May.

    DepEd added that the national activities will be conducted on the following dates:

    • Palarong Pambansa – July 6 – 17, 2024
    • National Festival of Talents – July 9 – 13, 2024
    • National Schools Press Conference – July 9 – 13, 2024
    • Learners’ Convergence – July 9 – 15, 2024

    You can read the full text of DepEd’s announcement below;

    BMW launches the i5 in the Philippines

    February 20, 2024

    BMW has officially launches the BMW i5, an all-electric luxury sedan.

    In a report by Top Gear Philippines, the BMW i5 eDrive40 will have a price-tag of P5.79 million, that comes with a five-year comprehensive BMW warranty, an additional six-year BMW Service inclusive package, an eigh-year high-voltage battery warranty, and a BMW Wallbox charger to be installed in the customer’s home by a BMW i partner.

    To know more about the new BMW i5 Series and BMW 5 Series, you can checkout the 17-min video below;

    This article was first published on electrified.blog

    CHERRY launches the Aqua Smartphones Series in the Philippines

    February 7, 2024

    Philippine-based smartphone company Cherry, previously known as Cherry Mobile, has announced their latest smartphone line – the Aqua Smartphones Series. The Cherry Aqua Smartphones series is composed of Aqua GR and the Aqua S11 Pro, with a retail price of Php 11,999 and Php 7,999, respectively.

    The Cherry Aqua GR will have a 6.8-inches FHD+ Curved 120Hz display and a 4700 Mah battery that support 66W fast charging. The Cherry Aqua GR is marketed to mobile gamers with its 2.6GHz MediaTek Dimensity 7050 Octa-Core Processor, with 8 GB RAM and 8GB storage that is expandable up to 256 GB via Universal Flash Storage (UFS), it supports 5G connectivity and a rear camera system that’s powered by a 108 MP camera and a 16 MP selfie camera.

    The Aqua S11 Pro on the other hand will have a smaller 6.7-inches FHD+ 120Hz display, a 5000mAh Battery that supports 33W charging, it will be powered by Mediatek G99 2.2GHz Octa-core Processor, just like the Aqua GR, the S11 Pro have a 8GB RAM and 8GB storage that is expandable up to 256 GB via Universal Flash Storage (UFS). The rear camera is a AI triple camera powered by its main 64MP camera. The front camera will also be a 16 MP selfie camera. Both the Aqua S11 and GR will support NFC.

    Both the Cheery Aqua GR and Aqua S11 Pro are available in all CHERRY Retail stores nationwide and the official CHERRY online stores, Cherry Official Lazada and Cherry Official Shopee stores.

    Source: Yugatech

    Your Guide to South Korean’s Simplified Visa Application this 2024

    February 5, 2024

    The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Philippines just released a simplified guide for those who wish to apply for a visa to South Korean. Check the table below for your category and see the required documents.

    *Although the tables show the required documents, it’s still necessary to submit other general documents in standard visa applications. Please refer to this table carefully.

    For those elected as politicians, refer to this table:

    Politician

    Required Documents

    Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

    Not Required
    Senate
    COE (or Certificate of Appointment)
    •Parents
    •Spouse
    •Minor Children
    •Children over 18 who are studying
    •Spouse’s Parents
    •ITR
    •Bank Statements
    •Bank Certficates
    Congress
    Governors
    Provincial Board Members
    Mayors

    For elected government officials, refer to this instead:

    Government Officials

    Required Documents

    Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

    Not Required
    Individuals ranking higher (including) Assistant Secretary of the Executive Branch of the Philippine Government COE MUST HAVE the following details included:

    •Affiliated Organization
    •Position
    •Salary
    •Working Period
    •Parents
    •Spouse
    •Minor Children
    •Children over 18 who are studying
    •Spouse’s Parents
    •ITR
    •Bank Statements
    •Bank Certficates
    Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police

    “If the relevant information is omitted or cannot be verified due to a lack of contact with HR, disadvantages may be given to the applicant” – Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines website.

    For professionals with licenses, refer to the table below. Note that not all license holders are eligible for the simplified visa application criteria, only the ones specified below:

    PRC License Holders

    Required Documents

    Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

    Not Required
    Physician
    •COE (Original)
    •Copy of PRC ID/IBP
    •Parents
    •Spouse
    •Minor Children
    •Children over 18 who are studying
    •Spouse’s Parents
    •ITR
    •Bank Statements
    •Bank Certficates
    Dentist
    CPA
    Pharmacist
    Veterinarian
    Lawyer (including Judge/Prosecutor)

    For credit card holders, please refer to the card types below:

    Credit Card Holders

    Required Documents

    Coverage/Extension (Family Members)

    Not Required

    BDO Gold

    •Mastercard Gold Credit Card
    •Visa Gold Credit Card
    •JCB Gold Credit Card
    •UnionPay Gold Credit Card
    •Diners Club International
    •American Express Cashback Credit Card
    •American Express Explorer Credit Card
    •COE (Original)
    •Copy of Credit Card (must show ALL front details)
    •Copy of Credit Card Account Monthly Billing Statements for the last 3 months
    •Parents
    •Spouse
    •Minor Children
    •Children over 18 who are studying
    •Spouse’s Parents
    •ITR
    •Bank Statements
    •Bank Certificates
    BDO Elite

    •Mastercard Titanium, Platinum, World Elite Credit Card
    •Visa Platinum
    •JCB Platinum
    •UnionPay Diamond
    •Diners Club Premiere
    •American Express Platinum
    •American Express International Dollar Charge (Platinum, Gold, Green)

    Although the Embassy states that financial documents are not required, it will still be up to the applicant if they choose to submit these.

    In addition to the documents outlined in the table, applicants and their family members are still required to submit a document to establish their relationship. For children over 18 who are still studying, they are required to provide scholastic documents.