Smart, TNT unveil 'FREE FB for You' promo

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Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc.(Smart) and its value brand TNT are giving subscribers more ways to stay connected and enjoy their favorite online activities with FREE Facebook access available through select prepaid, home, and postpaid offers.

From May 27 to May 31, Smart Prepaid, TNT, Smart Bro Prepaid and Smart Home WiFi Prepaid subscribers who register to qualified offers will receive 1GB of FREE Facebook access valid for one day, enabling them to stay connected with the people, communities, and content that matter to them.

Meanwhile, Smart Postpaid subscribers who purchase qualified boosters for their postpaid plan from May 27 to May 31 will receive 3GB of open access data valid for 30 days, giving them extended flexibility for everyday digital needs.

Across all segments, the FREE Facebook access enables Smart and TNT subscribers to maximize a wide range of everyday online activities, such as staying updated with family and friends through News Feed, sharing photos and videos of life moments, and communicating instantly via Messenger.

Users can also watch entertaining and informative content from creators, follow pages of interest, and participate in communities and groups centered on hobbies, professions, and shared interests.

The offer also enables online sellers and small businesses to respond to customer inquiries, manage Facebook Pages, promote products, and update Marketplace listings. Students can coordinate schoolwork, group projects, and announcements through Messenger and Facebook Groups.

Professionals can stay informed through industry pages, business communities, and networking groups, while jobseekers can explore opportunities and updates shared on relevant platforms. For families and friends, Facebook remains a key channel for everyday connection through chats, shared updates, photos, and videos that help maintain relationships in real time.

This initiative reflects Smart and TNT’s continued efforts to provide meaningful value to subscribers.

For more information, visit the official Smart and TNT channels. #

Anne, Marian star in vivo X300 Ultra camera showdown

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The new vivo X300 Ultra proved that smartphone photography can now rival professional cameras during a live fashion shoot led by renowned celebrity and fashion photographer BJ Pascual at Manila House.

Hosted by Joey Mead King and held in front of Manila’s tastemakers and notable personalities, including Georgina Wilson, Bea Soriano, and Eric Dee Jr., the showcase highlighted the imaging power of the vivo X300 Ultra beside a professional mirrorless camera setup.

The live shoot featured vivo ambassadors Anne Curtis and Marian Rivera as subjects, while BJ Pascual captured photos using both devices.

For his mirrorless setup, Pascual used three different lenses. In contrast, the vivo X300 Ultra delivered the same creative flexibility through its dual 200MP Triple ZEISS Master Lenses system, which includes:

●        14mm ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera,

●        35mm ZEISS Documentary Camera, 

●        85mm ZEISS Gimbal-Grade APO Telephoto Camera. 

The side-by-side comparison demonstrated how the vivo X300 Ultra can produce professional-grade depth, detail and cinematic quality in a compact smartphone.

Beyond photography, the vivo X300 Ultra also showcased advanced filmmaking capabilities. All cameras on the device support 4K 120fps 10-bit LOG video and Dolby Vision recording. These features give creators greater control in color grading, slow-motion capture and cinematic storytelling, making the device suitable for professional shoots, fashion reels, and digital filmmaking.

Here are the highlights of the event shot on vivo X300 Ultra.

 https://www.tiktok.com/@vivo_philippines/video/7643752662789311764]

“The vivo X300 Ultra was designed to push mobile imaging beyond expectations. By combining ZEISS optics with advanced video capabilities, users can now achieve results once only possible with professional camera systems,” vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director Liu Lu shared.

While the camera system is built for professionals, vivo emphasizes that the X300 Ultra is also designed for everyday users who want premium-quality content without the complexity of traditional camera equipment.

For Marian Rivera, the device fits naturally into her lifestyle and creative process.

“Super love ko talaga ang vivo X300 Ultra. Kaya niyang sumabay sa lifestyle and creativity ko. Kahit anong i-shoot ko na content or everyday moments, ang dali niyang gamitin. Very premium talaga siya, at saka cinematic result talaga,” she said.

Rivera also praised the smartphone’s clarity and zoom capabilities. “Kahit naka zoom na, sobrang clear pa rin,” she added.

Meanwhile, Anne Curtis highlighted the importance of detail and storytelling in fashion and content creation.

“When it comes to fashion and style, it's so important to have a camera that shows the detail. That's why I think this is perfect,” Curtis shared.

She also emphasized the value of cinematic video for creators today. “Storytelling is important in my career. Whether it be fashion reels, and I think Marian can relate to this. We like to shoot our content, our BTS, our films, so having a really great camera is essential,” she said.

Pre-order details

The vivo X300 Ultra is available for pre-order until June 5 at vivo stores nationwide and through the official vivo e-store.

The vivo X300 Ultra in Steppe Green is priced at Php 109,999, while the vivo X300 Ultra Photographer Kit retails for Php 149,999. Customers who pre-order will receive exclusive offers, including:

●        vivo X Series VIP Exclusive Card with event invitations and lifestyle perks;

●        Limited-edition vivo Watch GT 2 worth Php 7,999; and

●        Exclusive vivo Photography Bag for e-store purchases.

Through Home Credit, customers may also avail of flexible payment terms starting at Php 76 per day at 0% interest.

ASUS and Republic of Gamers to Showcase Next-Generation AI and 20 Years of Gaming Innovation at Computex 2026

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ASUS will present AI innovations at Computex 2026 across edge computing and everyday experiences, while ROG marks 20 years of gaming excellence

 ASUS and Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced their booth showcases at Computex 2026, set to spotlight their latest innovations in an immersive on-site experience. The showcases highlight ASUS’s continued advancement in intelligent computing across enterprise and consumer ecosystems, as well as ROG’s 20-year milestone in gaming innovation and design evolution.

The exhibition will take place from June 2–5, 2026, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., except on June 5, when it will run until 3:30 p.m., at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 (4F). The ASUS booth will be located at M0820, while the ROG booth will be at M0504.

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• Advancing AI: Guided by its vision of Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities, ASUS advances its AI strategy to enable scalable, real-world applications

• End-to-end experience: At the ASUS booth, visitors will experience AI scenarios across enterprise, creator, healthcare, and everyday computing

• ROG 20-year milestone: A showcase celebrating 20 years of gaming innovation, featuring ROG Lab–inspired experimental zones at the ROG booth

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ASUS booth (M0820)

At the ASUS booth, visitors will experience Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities, where AI is integrated across infrastructure, enterprise platforms, and intelligent edge systems. The showcase demonstrates how ASUS enables end-to-end AI adoption across industries and everyday computing, delivering scalable, practical solutions for businesses and users alike, with a focus on more efficient, sustainable AI computing:

• AI Infrastructure / Cloud: The foundation for enterprise-scale AI adoption, featuring scalable AI servers and integrated systems such as the ASUS AI POD, delivering the compute, systems, and orchestration needed to power modern workloads across data center environments and distributed enterprise ecosystems.

• AI On Premise: Solutions that enable workflow automation and intelligent orchestration through enterprise AI agents.

• Sustainable AI: Enables continuous, AI-driven optimization to improve enterprise efficiency and sustainability outcomes.

The ASUS vision also extends to AI at the edge/IoT, delivering real-time intelligent computing solutions that bring AI closer to users and devices across diverse environments. These capabilities span multiple application domains:

• Workspace AI: AI-enabled devices and systems for modern productivity.

• Industrial AI: Edge AI systems and industrial computing solutions enabling intelligent operations. 

• Everyday AI: Human-centric AI experiences across PCs, desktops, and connected devices. 

• Creator AI: ProArt ecosystem supporting AI-driven creative workflows. 

• Healthcare AI: Intelligent tools supporting diagnostics, monitoring, and care accessibility.

• Gaming AI: AI-enhanced gaming systems and devices delivering improved performance and immersion.

ROG Booth (M0504)

At the ROG booth, visitors are invited to celebrate 20 years of gaming innovation through an immersive showcase inspired by the experimental spirit of ROG Lab, exploring new frontiers of gaming experience where AI is also being integrated to support more powerful creative tools and enhanced gameplay.

ROG will present a dedicated 20th-anniversary showcase featuring a legacy exhibition that highlights its journey of engineering excellence, design evolution, and community-driven innovation. The showcase will also introduce the ROG 20th-anniversary special edition, a flagship collection that combines performance engineering with commemorative design elements that reflect ROG’s legacy and next-generation engineering.

Visitors can also participate in an on-site PC DIY experience, offering hands-on interaction with ROG hardware and customization culture.

The experience extends into experimental zones — including Future Gamer, Codeverse, Humanlink, APEX Craft, Illumotion, and Mechano — each exploring new dimensions of gaming, creativity, interaction, and immersive technology.

Prior to the booth showcase, ROG will host a Press Event & Party at Syntrend Creative Park in Taipei on June 1, from 5:00 to 10:00 PM.

For more updates and on #AlwaysIncredible ASUS products, visit the ASUS PH Facebook page and ROG PH Facebook page.

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About Computex

Computex Taipei is one of the world’s leading ICT and IoT exhibitions, bringing together global brands, startups, and technology leaders across the full innovation ecosystem. Co-organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Taipei Computer Association (TCA), Computex serves as a key platform for showcasing advancements in hardware, software, and AI-driven solutions, supported by Taiwan’s strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities

SM Group raises renewable energy sourcing to 31% in 2025

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SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, said the Group increased its renewable energy sourcing to 31% of total electricity consumption in 2025, up from 27% in 2024, as it continued expanding cleaner energy use across its businesses.

The Group sourced approximately 730 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity from renewable energy sources during the year.

The shift to renewable electricity helped avoid 370,644.07 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to taking around 296,954 electric-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year.

The Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC)’s Mak-Ban steam field located in Batangas and Laguna is one of the company’s sites supporting a stable, low-carbon renewable energy production.

“For us, investing in renewable energy is both a sustainability and business decision,” SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said. “It helps us manage long-term energy costs, improve operational efficiency and build more resilient businesses to help us better serve our customers, tenants, communities and other stakeholders.”

Leading the Group’s broader renewable energy strategy is the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SM Investments that currently operates the Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in the Provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Albay supplying geothermal steam that can generate up to 400 megawatts of clean renewable energy to power households, offices and industrial facilities around the clock.

PGPC is developing new geothermal sites in six locations in Luzon that have the potential to provide up to 400 additional megawatts of clean, renewable geothermal power for the country.

Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in Laguna and Albay alone can generate enough geothermal steam to power up to one million households annually.

“Reliable and affordable energy is important not only for businesses but also for communities and the broader economy,” Mr. DyBuncio added. “We believe renewable energy, particularly geothermal, can help strengthen long-term energy security while supporting economic growth.”

The SM Group operates the country’s largest rooftop solar panel network nationwide among property developers. Its investment in renewable energy started in 2014 with the very first installation of solar panels in SM North EDSA.

Across the Group’s integrated developments, renewable energy adoption continues to expand. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has installed more than 200,000 solar panels across 69 properties as part of its broader energy efficiency initiatives.

The Group’s renewable energy transition is also increasingly reflected across its broader business ecosystem.

The Tiwi steam field in Albay is one of PGPCs geothermal sites

Alfamart recently installed solar panels at its Saraiya Distribution Center in Quezon Province with a solar peak capacity of 120.28 kilowatt-peak (kWp), helping improve operational efficiency within its supply chain network.

Meanwhile, the Group’s banking units continue to support sustainable financing initiatives. As of end-2025, BDO Unibank, Inc. has funded a total of PHP 1.21 trillion in sustainable projects, including 71 renewable energy developments amounting to PHP 177 billion. China Banking Corp., for its part, provided PHP72 billion in financing for energy access, renewables and energy efficiency projects in 2025.

SM Investments said the Group continues to integrate sustainability and operational efficiency across its retail, property, banking, and portfolio investments.

Bam Aquino fulfills campaign promise with launching of RLE financial assistance for nursing, allied health sciences students

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Another campaign promise fulfilled for Senator Bam Aquino as his Related Learning Experience (RLE) financial assistance program was formally launched on Monday by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) grant.

Aquino helped secure the P500 million allocation in the 2026 national budget to help cover the RLE expenses of nursing and allied health sciences students during his time as chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education.

In a Facebook post, Aquino said 19,000 qualified allied health science students may receive a one-time ₱25,000 RLE subsidy under the AHEAD grant.

“Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga nursing at allied health students na matagal ding nag-alala kung paano mababayaran ang kanilang Related Learning Experience (RLE) at clinical internship fees habang nagsasanay para makapaglingkod sa bayan,” Aquino announced.

During the 2025 senatorial campaign, Aquino vowed during his meetings with nursing students to address their concerns over the high cost of RLE, which is similar to on-the-job training (OJT) and is required for graduation.

“Matagal nating ipinaglaban na mabigyan ng suporta ang ating mga future healthcare professionals, kaya naman napakahalagang hakbang ng paglulunsad ng AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) grant ng CHED upang mas marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang makapagpatuloy sa kanilang pag-aaral at mas mapalapit sa kanilang pangarap na maging healthcare professionals,” he stressed.

Aquino expressed gratitude to CHED, under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, for creating this program, swiftly releasing the guidelines, and developing the portal that students can use to apply for the RLE subsidy.

During the launch, 10 nursing students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) held a ceremonial enrollment via the online application portal for the AHEAD grant.