Lazada Welcomes 2016 with Chinese New Year Sale

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Lazada Philippines (www.lazada.com.ph), the country’s One Stop Shopping and Selling Destination, kicks off its first big sale of the year, the Chinese New Year Sale. A wide assortment of unique finds for the year of the fire monkey and discounts as high as 88% across 15 categories will be up for grabs from January 26 to February 8.

Prosperity shops will take over the Lazada website, where customers could avail of Lucky 88 and Lucky 888 deals. P88 items include Casio Beside Men's Silver Stainless Steel Strap Watch, Diva Designs Swarovski Crystal Heart Studs, while items like the Oli Casual Mstyle Low Cut Sneakers, Nankai-02 20000mAh Power Bank with free Mini Power Bank Mini Foldable Monopod will be sold for only P888.

Special categories to make the most out of the year of the monkey include Everything Red & Gold, Feng Shui Home and Lucky Charms Shops.

Adding to online shopping fun, vouchers and special deals from the wheel of fortune onsite game will allow customers to push their luck and win additional discounts.

Playful monkey finds for both kids and the young at heart are also available at smart prices:

Start the year right by enjoying huge discounts of up to 88% off from the leading online shopping destination in the country. Lazada’s Chinese New Year Sale is just the beginning of a year filled with lucky breaks on a wide assortment of products with the best prices. Shop now through desktop or mobile.

About Lazada

Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) is Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. Lazada is continuously striving to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free returns. Lazada mobile applications for Android, iPhone and iPad provide additional convenience to its consumers’ allowing them to shop anywhere, anytime.

For more information, please visit http://www.lazada.com.ph. For updates on Lazada’s latest innovations, as well as activities, contests and promotions, connect with us via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines).

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach Supports Smile Train

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The Miss Universe Organization recently announced that it will support Smile Train to raise awareness about the problem of cleft lips and palates across the globe. As part of her homecoming, newly-crowned Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach met with Smile Train in the Philippines. 

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach shares,

“Through the partnership between Miss Universe and Smile Train, I am proud to continue helping children born with cleft lip and palate, giving these children and their families’ new smiles and new lives.” 

The new charitable partnership between The Miss Universe Organization and Smile Train the world’s largest cleft charity, will help raise awareness of the issues faced by children living with unrepaired clefts in the developing world. The new relationship will provide opportunities for the reigning Miss Universe and international titleholders to get involved with Smile Train’s global initiatives in the 85+ countries where the charity helps children.

“Smile Train is extremely proud of our partnership with Miss Universe. We hope that this partnership will help us reach more children around the world in desperate need of cleft surgery, a simple surgery that, not only creates a new smile, but also a new chance at life,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Country Director for Smile Train in the Philippines. She adds, “It is a bonus that the current Miss Universe is from the Philippines, where there are close to 5,000 babies born every year with clefts.”

To learn more about the partnership, please view the recent announcement here:smiletrain.org/about/press-releases/the-miss-universe-to-support-smile-train.html

For more information about Smile Train's global efforts and to make a donation, please visit smiletrain.org. 

Follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh.

Need a wingman on Valentine’s Day? Takatack and PayMaya can get you the best gifts in town

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With Valentine's Day just three weeks away, Filipinos may still not be sure of what to get for or how to spend that red letter day with their loved ones. Luckily for them,Voyager Innovations and PayMaya Philippines, the digital innovations units of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), have the ultimate wingmen for them.

Shopping discovery platform Takatack and digital payments mobile app PayMaya can help Filipinos ace the two most challenging parts of this special day - gifts and dates.

Takatack has all the traditional gifts you may want to give your special someone, such as chocolates and sweets. And with over 400,000 products, the site should also be your go-to destination if you want to choose a more unique gift, such as a new camera for the budding photographer in your life or a baking set for your favorite chef.

Rebecca Ricalde, Assistant Vice President for Digital Commerce at Voyager Innovations, believes that the wide range of products at Takatack makes it the best place to choose your Valentine’s Day gift.

“Let’s face it: Gift-giving, especially on Valentine’s day, is not easy. You want to choose the right gift for your special someone, but it’s a tall task to run around a crowded mall, shuffling from store to store. With close to half a million products, Takatack makes this process easier by allowing you to find the perfect item, all just a click away,” said Ricalde.

Once you find the right gift, you can have it delivered directly to your special someone for a one-of-a-kind, doorstep surprise, which Ricalde feels is a nice touch for the occasion.

“Much of what makes Valentine’s Day exciting is anticipation. You look forward to February 14, knowing that you’ll be able to spend quality time with your special someone. Sending them a gift via Takatack communicates this excitement to them in a way that nothing else can. A gift says that you are thinking of them and are counting the hours until you can celebrate the holiday together,” she said.

Takatack also feels that romance doesn’t need to be expensive. Beginning February 1st and ending on the day of Valentine’s itself on February 14th, Takatack will offer a selection of special gifts from partner merchants that come with a discount. As these have all been curated by Takatack, customers will find it easier to choose a great gift for their special someone. The categories in this curated selection include: For Him, For Her, and Love Wins.

Takatack will also offer several other promos. From February 1 to 12, a coupon code will allow users to get 500 pesos off a minimum purchase of 2000 pesos, so long as the items are fulfilled by Takatack. From February 1 - 5 and again from February 8 to 14, a coupon code will be revealed at 2:14 each day and expire at 2:14 the next day that will give new users a one-time 15% off discount for items fulfilled by Takatack for a maximum discount of 2000 pesos.

Once you’ve ordered the perfect gifts from Takatack, you still need to actually celebrate Valentine’s day on Sunday, February 14. Unfortunately, many of the one-of-a-kind experiences you would want to share with your special someone on that day may require a credit card, and fewer than 5% of Filipinos own one. What, then, is the hopeful lover supposed to do?

For them, there is PayMaya. Launched late last year, PayMaya is a free digital payments mobile app that gives you a unique card number so that you can pay online without a credit card. 

Getting PayMaya is easy, fast, and FREE. To get your online payment details, all you need to do is download the PayMaya app, which is available on both the App Store and Google Store, and sign up with your mobile number. You are then issued a Visa card number, its expiration date, and a security code. PayMaya functions like a prepaid card - you can load it up at any 7-Eleven, SM Business Center or Robinson’s Business Center and then shop online or sign up to subscriptions wherever VISA is accepted.

In addition to serving as a free online payment app, PayMaya also offers a physical card that you can use to pay at brick-and-mortar stores wherever Visa is accepted.PayMaya is powered by VISA and is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ensure all your transactions are secure.

You could, for example, take your Valentine’s Day date to watch a concert that you booked on TicketWorld, before ending the evening at your home, ordering delivery from foodpanda and watching a romantic comedy on recent Philippine arrival, Netflix.

Of course, you could splurge even further and choose to book seats on Philippine airlines and a stay at an exotic AirBNB in another city or country even, all courtesy of PayMaya. Now how’s that for a Valentine’s day to remember?

DepEd, Albay ink MOA for 2016 Palarong Pambansa

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The Department of Education (DepEd) signs an agreement with the provincial government of Albay—the host of the2016 Palarong Pambansa in Legazpi City—stipulating the duties and responsibilities of both parties to ensure a well-managed and professionally-run annual national sporting event.

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said this year’s staging of the Palaro will have many “firsts.” “I want to highlight that this is Albay’s first ever hosting of the Palaro. This is also the first time that 18 regions will take action -- not the usual 17 regions --because of the participation of the Negros Island Region,” he explained.

Luistro added that this is also the first time that the Palaro will be conducted following very specific provisions of the law.”

Based on the Republic Act No. 10588 also known as the Palarong Pambansa Act of 2013, the elementary level would have to compete in 15 games and the secondary with 17 games and four (4) demonstration sports, namely Futsal, Wushu, Billiards and Wrestling. In addition, four special games will also be conducted for our special athletes.

Participated in by elementary and secondary students from public and private schools nationwide, the annual sporting event will be held at the Bicol University, Legazpi City from April 10 to 16, 2016.

“We are institutionalizing this sports program to ensure that we are developing athletes that are of international caliber,” Luistro pointed out. Together with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the provincial government of Albay, DepEd will see to it that the standards are at international level and that the coaching staff, the technical officials as well as the playing venues conform to international standards,” the education chief said.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda responded by stating the province’s readiness and eagerness to host the Palaro.

“We want to show that it will be a joyful Palaro. It's something that celebrates the spirit of national unity, especially in Albay. Siguro kung mayroon isang bagay to define Albay, it is our resiliency or ability to recover from adversity—na kahit may bagyo ngayon, paggising mo kinabukasan, ni-isang pirasong kahoy wala kang makikita sa daan. Gusto naming ipakita na ang isang bayan, no matter how modest, no matter how limited its capacity, will still have the unity and ability to host the Palaro,” Salceda shared.

No more ‘burning of midnight oil’ for studes in Misamis Oriental

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Thanks to free solar-powered lamps, hundreds of learners in Misamis Oriental can now extend their study time without burning the midnight oil.

Under the “Ilaw ng Pangarap Mo, Sagot Ko” project, the Department of Education (DepEd) Misamis Oriental Division has generated enough funds through various activities to provide solar-powered lamps in 368 homes that are either un-energized or are in remote and off-grid areas in Misamis Oriental.

According to DepEd Misamis Oriental Schools Division Superintendent Cherry Limbaco, division personnel and teachers organized a rummage sale and sold second-hand clothing and products. They also offered fresh vegetables and fruits at the Schools Division Office and at various schools. This fundraising campaign has lasted from October to December 2015.

The said project by DepEd Misamis Oriental Division is an offshoot of DepEd’s “One Child, One Lamp” campaign, which seeks to raise funds for the purchase of solar lamps that will then be distributed to students in off-grid areas.

Through the collective efforts of DepEd Misamis Oriental Division personnel and teachers, students in the community received solar-powered lamps to help them study at night.

“One Child, One Lamp” is a component of LightEd PH Campaign, an umbrella campaign also by DepEd, which provides solutions through conventional and alternative sources of energy to schools that have no power.

“Students in off-grid barangays have limited time to study at night. Providing them electricity or solar lamps will help them extend their study time, thus increasing the chance to improve their academic performance,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Partnership and External Linkages Mario Deriquito.

As of School Year 2013-2014, there are at least 1,101,051 students who have limited access to technology due to unavailability of electricity 

“The health of these students is also at risk from using kerosene lamps that emit harmful fumes, which is the only means for them to study at night,” Deriquito added.

‘Christmas gift’

The “Ilaw ng Pangarap Mo, Sagot Ko” project benefited 76 learners in Impadiding, Claveria; 38 learners in Lacbangan, Claveria; 101 learners in Malunsagay, Claveria; 92 learners in Kamansi, Lagonglong; 40 learners in Gumpot, Balingasag; and 21 learners in Lapu-lapu, Balingasag. In total, 368 solar-powered lamps were purchased with the profits from the said campaign.

Gracey Faith Masisti, a grade six pupil from Malunsagay Elementary School, said that she could now extend her study time until during the night because of her new solar-powered lamp. She expressed that it helps not only her schooling, but her family as well.

Masisti added that she is even more excited to study at home because it is brighter now with the help of the solar-powered lamp. 

“Salamat kaayo sa solar-powered lamp, isipon nako ug sa akong pamilya kini usa ka Christmas gift, amo gayud kining ampingan. Daghan kaayo salamat (I am very thankful for the solar powered lamp; my family and I think of it as a Christmas gift, and we will really take care of it. Thank you very much).”

Ramer Tangkal, another grade six pupil from Impadiding Elementary School said that, “mas ma-inspire pa gayud ko karon sa pag-study kay hayag na ang palibot ug mas maningkamot pa gayud ko aron makatibawas sa pag-skwela aron pud makatabang ko sa ako pamilya (I'm even more inspired now to study because it is brighter and I will work harder to improve my schooling so that I can help my family).”

Luistro: next biggest educ reform will come from ARMM

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In his visit to Jolo, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said he is confident that the creativity of Muslim Mindanao will create the next biggest educational reform in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“The most colorful Filipinos are Muslims. There are so many colors seen in a Muslim gathering. They wear colors from head to toe... People who love colors are the most creative people,” Luistro said during the K to 12 Summit held in Jolo, Sulu.

Luistro added that the most creative solutions will come from the Filipinos in ARMM. He said that, “If we walk together, we will be able to outshine the other provinces... the next biggest reform in education will come from here.”

The K to 12 Summit was held last January 20 at the Notre Dame of Jolo College. There were over 300 education stakeholders—students from public and private schools, parents, teachers, and superintendents—who attended the event and pledged their support for the full implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

“My trip here is actually a vote for Mindanao. Dahil sa palagay ko po, hindi uusad ang Pilipinas kung hindi tayo sabay-sabay. Kailangan kasabay natin ang Mindanao,” Luistro said.

Luistro even asked not to call him “Secretary” because “it does not mean anything. Call me ‘Brother’ because I came here as your brother.”

‘No one gets left behind’

During the said summit, Luistro discussed several prevalent issues in the education sector of ARMM—chief among them was the disparity between the number of children who enroll and complete schooling in elementary and secondary education.

According to Luistro, out of 636,000 enrollees in 2014, about 35.28% or 224,000 completed their elementary education. In the same year, around 72,476 students or almost half of the 148,000 enrollees completed their secondary education.

“This is our mission: the enrollment and completion rate in Sulu must be at the same level. This is because our overall target is that no Filipino learner must be left behind. That is what we must all achieve together,” Luistro said.

Luistro added that education is not only done through formal schooling, emphasizing that Department of Education (DepEd) has other programs that provide alternative options to existing formal instruction, such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Managed by ALS learning facilitators, the ALS education is delivered outside the classroom, usually conducted at community learning centers, barangay multi-purpose hall, libraries, or at home.

“We have students whom we should reach out to. We need to strengthen our ALS program and provide more mobile teachers. We will make sure that they are part of our program,” Luisto said.

Luistro further cited the number of participants for the Senior High School (SHS) Early Registration in ARMM.

“There are 19,658 Grade 10 completers who participated in the SHS Early Registration in ARMM, out of the 28,915 students who enrolled in 2015. Look for that Grade 10 student who has not enrolled yet in SHS,” he said.

He added that the government will aid Grade 10 completers who will pursue SHS in a non-DepEd public or private school through the SHS Voucher Program.

Starting School Year 2016-2017, the SHS Voucher Program seeks to subsidize a partial amount of public and private Grade 10 completers’ tuition fees in a non-DepEd public and private schools licensed to offer SHS Program. These include private schools, State Universities and Colleges/Local Universities and Colleges, and Technical and Vocation Schools.

Educ stakeholders

The said event was likewise attended by DepEd ARMM Assistant Secretary for Special Projects Alfhadar Pajiji, Notre Dame of Jolo College President Fr. Romeo Saniel, OMI, and Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada who represented Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.

“We are one with the government in ensuring the success of this educational reform (K to 12 Program). I challenge everyone to dream of change and lasting peace in Jolo through the education of our children,” Estrada said during the summit.

For his part, Samiel said that, “Wai kita niyu piyasaran sin parinta natuh (Hindi tayo pinapabayaan ng ating gobyerno).”

Pajiji noted that without the full support of DepEd Central Office, DepEd ARMM would have a hard time employing educational reforms in the region.

“Patuloy po tayo sa pagsuporta sa mga programa ng National (DepEd Central Office) at hindi po tayo napapabayaan,” Pajiji ended.

PLDT introduces game-changing broadband plan with mobile data sharing

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Leading telecom and digital services provider PLDT has introduced the country’s first broadband plan that cuts across home and mobile broadband subscriptions with the launch of PLDT HOME DSL Speedster Fam Plan 1299.

The country's first data sharing feature by the PLDT HOME DSL Speedster Fam Plan strengthens family connections even further as it lets them share their most meaningful experiences even beyond the home.

Offering five times faster speeds of up to 10 megabits per second (Mbps), the Speedster Fam Plan has shareable monthly data allowance of 50 gigabytes (GB).

“To enjoy the Speedster Fam Plan’s data sharing feature, subscribers can get a Smart mobile line that comes with a free smart phone for an additional P299 per month or with a free iPhone for P799 per month,” said PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Director Gary Dujali.  

“Subscribers can share 6 GB of the 50 GB monthly data allocation to up to four mobile phone lines, which they can use even outside the home. Bundled with the Speedster Fam Plan, these are all conveniently billed under one subscription.” 

“Internet today is not just about high-speed connectivity,” Dujali added.  

“More importantly, it’s about sharing and nurturing the connections that matter most in this digitally-driven world. This data sharing offer from PLDT HOME DSL, in partnership with Smart, is only the beginning of more game-changing innovations that we’ll be unveiling this year.”

Aside from giving subscribers access to an array of multimedia entertainment options from iflix, Fox and Netflix, the Speedster Fam Plan revolutionizes the way subscribers can share data. For instance, parents can share data with their children so they can book an Uber going home or check up on their kids while they’re out through video call. This feature can also be used to plan an impromptu dinner with the family or make travel plans with loved ones despite being away from each other.

The Speedster Fam Plan, which is powered by the PLDT Group’s robust and resilient fixed and wireless networks, will also allow subscribers to access and enjoy exclusive offers from PLDT HOME and Smart’s other digital lifestyle partners such as Zalora, foodpanda and Airbnb, whether at home or on mobile.

To get started on this pioneering way to share data, watch https://youtu.be/36MtKKQBsoQ and log on to pldthome.com.

Confidently beautiful with a heart, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach advocates for HIV awareness and testing

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The Filipino pride, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach answered the Standard question during the Miss Universe Grand Pageant - Why should you be the next Miss Universe:

"To be a Miss Universe is both an honor and responsibility. If I were to be Miss Universe, I will use my voice to influence the youth and I would raise awareness to certain causes like HIV awareness that is timely and relevant to my country which is the Philippines. I want to show the world, the universe rather, that I am confidently beautiful with a heart. Thank you."

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach called for Filipinos’ increased awareness on HIV as she winds up the Bb. Pilipinas Charity Day during her homecoming. The new Miss Universe continued her HIV advocacy in the Philippines by speaking with advocates and young people living with HIV. 

“It is shocking that the Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. Many of those who get infected are young people. I want to use my voice to help lift up those who are living with HIV and to bring awareness to young people who do not know how to protect themselves against this virus,” Wurtzbach says. 

The Philippines has one of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. The country is one of only nine countries globally where the number of new HIV cases has increased by over 25 per cent. Also, new HIV infections among 15-19 year old Filipinos have risen by 50 per cent over four years from 2010-2014. According to the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) only 17 per cent of young people in the Philippines demonstrated correct knowledge about HIV and AIDS and 70 per cent of young people’ sexual interactions are unprotected.

“We welcome Pia as a new champion for children and young people who are at risk of HIV. Her influence can help end the silence against this ‘hidden epidemic’ that is happening in our midst. Young people have the right to health and survival, and that includes giving them information that they need to prevent HIV,” UNICEF Philippines Representative Lotta Sylwander says. 

In the Philippines, UNICEF is helping in the HIV response for adolescents through gathering of data and strategic information, advocating for laws that are responsive to the needs of children and young people, giving adolescents life skills and leadership trainings and helping the government, NGOs and youth networks improve service delivery to respond to the crisis.

Ms. Wurtzbach during her HIV session shared experiences and stories with young people involved in the HIV response, as well as those who have acquired the virus. By spending time with them, Ms. Wurtzbach also hopes to end the stigma against people living with HIV and encourage people to talk about HIV openly. 

“What we can do as a country is to talk about what is happening and what this means for our country and for our children. We should encourage discussion and come together to find solutions. Ordinary Filipinos like you and me have the power to stop the spread of HIV. Change should start from ourselves by knowing what HIV is, how to prevent it and knowing our status by getting tested,” Wurtzbach added. 

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) supports the current Miss Universe’s call to increase awareness on the rapid increase of HIV cases. Mrs Stella Marquez Araneta, Bb. Pilipinas Charities Chair believes that Wurtzbach is an excellent communicator and will be an effective agent in relaying information regarding this global issue.

“Pia can use her good communication skills to raise the alarm over the issue on HIV. She is a social figure to whom the youth can relate to easily especially in this age of social media. With all the trainings she went through when she joined Binibining Pilipinas, I am confident that she is the perfect voice for this cause,” Marquez Araneta says. 

Founded by Stella Márquez Araneta, BPCI has been a key partner in nation-building for over four decades. BPCI pursues its mission of spreading peace and love across the nation and is a fund-raising activity for projects that would benefit orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of Philippine society.

LARGER THAN LIFE: Epson promises to answer the digital imaging needs of Cebuanos

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Digital imaging leader Epson Philippines displayed its heightened commitment to Cebu by joining the recent Sinulog festival. Epson’s unique float featured a giant Epson inktank system printer along with Epson Cebu employees and 2015 Ms. Cebu 2nd runner-up Aivy Mae Castro. 

“This is our first time to join Sinulog and our participation echoes our aim to bring world-class, pioneering digital imaging technologies to the VisMin region and Cebu City in particular by bolstering our presence in the Queen City of the South. On a macro scale, this is aligned with our strategy of strengthening our presence outside Metro Manila to confidently offer our services to the expanding economies of the different regional centers in the country,” said Carlo John Ortiz, Head of Epson VisMin. 

Just last December 7, Epson inaugurated its new Cebu office at the 4th floor of the NIC 2 Bldg., at Capitol Square, N. Escario Street, Cebu City. Along with its regional warehouse and depots also stationed in Cebu, Epson’s new sales office signifies the company’s big plans for the region.

“Epson’s investments in Cebu are just the beginning. With improved initiatives that will excite the market, the support of our regional trade partners, and by providing new, innovative, cost-efficient products, we are confident that Epson will be more responsive to the different needs and requirements of our customers and become the brand of choice in Visayas," added Ortiz.

LG Smart TV expands entertainment options with Netflix and more Next-level viewing experiences at home with LG’s entertainment partners

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2016 is a game-changing year for Philippine home entertainment with leading Internet TV provider Netflix opening its cache of Hollywood blockbusters and critically acclaimed TV series to local viewers. Global technology leader LG Electronics recently teamed up with Netflix to expand its Filipino customers’ entertainment options.

LG is a Netflix global partner, chosen for the superior picture quality and impressive performance of its TV line-up, along with its top-notch Smart TV platform. The Internet TV company also lauded LG’s 4K HDR OLED TVs for producing the purest blacks, crisp contrast, sharp details and vibrant colors, key features that complement premium high-resolution Netflix content.

Through LG Smart TVs, users can access thousands of world-class entertainment options with Netflix and Google Play Movies, as well as Kapamilya and SKY Cable favorites with the new and improved iWanTV and ABS-CBN News. The wealth of titles and categories ensures that there’s something for every preference, mood, occasion and family member.

Access to digital apps is fast, easy and convenient—users can simply download the preferred app from LG Smart World. Missing out on family or barkada favorites is a thing of the past with on-demand premium TV content. Users can get together for a viewing party wherever, whenever.

“Continuously providing our Filipino customers with world-class home entertainment is always a priority,” LG Philippines Home Entertainment VP Tony An said. “Through our partnership with Netflix, we can provide LG users with on-demand access to a variety of content to suit everyone’s tastes. LG is also working with other premium digital channels such as iWanTV and ABS-CBN News to bring the best to our customers’ homes. These entertainment options are wonderfully complemented by our innovative Smart TV platform and cutting-edge TV technology.”

Netflix, Google Play Movies, iWanTV and ABS-CBN News are available in selected LG Smart TV models in the Philippines. 

For more information, visit www.lg.com/ph; like the “LG TV Philippines” Facebook page or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

Party up for an adventure! Get ready to shout “Slamacow!”

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Goldilocks, the country’s number one bakeshop, now has customizable Adventure Time theme cakes! 

To a child, a birthday is a time when everything just goes from great to awesome. You get to have a party with your friends, play games—win some, lose some—and eat cake. 

It’s a full adventure compressed within a day!

No one else loves adventure more than Adventure Times’ mathematical duo, Finn and Jake. Add in a dash of Princess Bubblegum’s wit and LSP’s sass and you’ve got yourselves a party.

Goldilocks' customizable Adventure Time theme cakes let you invite Finn and the gang to your birthday bash.

Get ready to shout “Slamacow!” in delight when you taste the amazingly soft chiffon and fondant cake topped and draped with your favorite Adventure Time characters and scenes.

Pick up these algebraic cakes from any Goldilocks branches nationwide. 

For more information, you may also follow Goldilocks on Twitter or Instagram at @GoldiclocksPH, on the Goldilocks Facebook page, or at the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph

CELLPRIME TO DELIVER MORE BRANDS IN 2016 Partners with Leading Global Brands to Empower Filipinos’ Diverse Mobile Lifestyles

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Cellprime Distribution Corporation (Cellprime), makers of homegrown mobile technology brand CloudFone™, today announced game-changing collaborations and partnerships that are set to disrupt the market in 2016. Responding to the rapid growth of the Philippine mobile market, Cellprime will be rolling out a broad spectrum of smartphones, tablets and accessories from global and local brands such as Gionee®, Hyundai®, NBA™, PBA™, Windows 10|Xbox™ and Spotify™, in addition to new offerings from its flagship brand, CloudFone. Cellprime is also collaborating with Disney®, Marvel™ and Star Wars™ to produce a range of mobile accessories for phones and tablets.

Comprised of a predominantly young mobile population, the Philippines scored the highest percentage of social web usage in the region, earning its recognition as the ‘most social’ nation according to a 2014 study by WeAreSocial. The Philippines continues to eclipse its Southeast Asian neighbors in smartphone adoption. Based on a 2014 OnDevice study, smartphone penetration will reach 50% in 2015. 

“Cellprime’s mission was to give more Filipinos greater access to mobile technologies that are not just affordable but also equipped with the latest and most compelling innovations from leading technology providers,” said Eric Yu, CEO of Cellprime. “Our partnership with these lifestyle, sports, entertainment, gaming and technology giants solidifies our position as a key player in the mobile market and enables us to be ready for the future.”

Building the CloudFone Brand 

Cellprime will continue to strengthen its CloudFone brand through the CloudFone Collabs, which include content partnership, co-design and co-marketing strategy. Given that over 60% of the country’s mobile population is aged between 13 and 30, Cellprime believes that a vast opportunity lies in working with the lifestyle brands that resonate strongly with this demographic. The company thus forged agreements with the biggest names in the music, entertainment, sports and gaming industries to produce CloudFone Special Edition smartphones and tablets.

Beginning with its partnership with Spotify in end-2015, the CloudFone Special Edition phones came with free data to enjoy the use of the Spotify app, earphones, headphones and casing in one upbeat bundle for the music-loving smartphone user.

CloudFone Special Edition smartphones and tablets were also developed, and are currently bundled with Disney, Marvel and Star Wars accessories in 2016. More than just eye-catching, the CloudFone Special Edition boasts the distinction as the world’s first smartphones and tablets powered by the Intel Atom x3 quadcore mobile processor (codenamed SoFIA 3GR), and will be available through official dealers and retailers by February 2016 with prices starting from Php4,999.

Filipinos’ strong interest in gaming has also driven CloudFone to expand its collaboration with Microsoft, resulting in a Special Edition CloudFone Epic 8.0 tablet co-branded with Windows 10|Xbox. The device comes pre-loaded with Windows 10, award-winning Xbox game HALO and keyboard. 

CloudFone Special Edition phones will also cater to Filipinos’ passion for sports as CloudFone becomes the official mobile phone of the NBA and PBA. 

CloudFone remains committed to affordability as it releases a strong line-up of best-value devices this year. The CloudFone Excite Prime is the industry’s best performing Android Lollipop smartphone for its price range. At just Php3,999, it packs an octacore mobile processor, 13MP and 5MP camera, 16GB and 2GB memory, and HD screen. CloudFone also introduces the Metal Series of the CloudFone Thrill Lite at Php1,999 and CloudFone Thrill HD at Php2,999 to deliver smartphones with a sleek and edgier feel.

“As heavy users of social networking sites, Filipinos are constantly looking for better experiences on their smartphone -- not just in terms of performance and price -- but also on design preferences that reflect their interests and personalities,” said Jaime Alcantara, COO of Cellprime. “2016 will be a banner year for Cellprime because we have succeeded in making some of the world’s biggest lifestyle and technology brands part of our growing family, giving Filipinos the widest range of smartphone and tablet options to choose from.”

Growing Cellprime’s stable of power brands

Korean automotive titan Hyundai selected Cellprime to be its partner in the Philippines, enabling Cellprime to benefit from Hyundai’s expertise in design and innovation. Cellprime and Hyundai will jointly develop a line of mobile devices for mid-to-high-end smartphone users. 

Technology transfer has been a prime rationale for its collaboration with global brands. Cellprime also scored a strategic alliance with Gionee, one of China’s largest mobile phone manufacturers, and will engage in sales and marketing activities for Gionee’s high-end smartphone products in the first quarter of the year. Gionee has been feted as the maker of the world’s slimmest smartphone as well as introducing a smartphone with longest battery life.

The company’s partnerships with Hyundai, Gionee and Disney, will also give Cellprime an opportunity to penetrate other markets domestically and abroad. 

Cellprime has also acquired rights to develop and market an exclusive line of mobile accessories for Disney, Marvel and Star Wars, set to be rolled out in the course of the year. These accessories will be available through Globe Telecom as well as unique concept stores that are designed to elevate the retail environment nationwide. 

“This marks the beginning of more opportunities for Cellprime, as our partners enrich our capabilities and knowledge of the mobile market,” said Yu. “These partnerships will build on Cellprime’s strengths, and bring us to the forefront of design, marketing, manufacturing and global distribution.”

Cellprime will embark on more exciting partnerships moving forward as it expands its roster of brands and product portfolio.