Pages

March 24, 2018

iPhone lookalike Vivo V9 with 24MP AI selfie camera to start pre-order on March 26

Global smartphone brand Vivo will accept pre-orders of its new flagship phone, the V9, beginning March 26. 

The announcement was made during Vivo's summer-inspired launch of the V9 at the City of Dreams Manila on March 22. 

For those who want to be the firsts to get their hands on the Vivo V9, it will be available for pre-order starting March 26 until April 5, 2018.

Aside from getting first dibs on the Vivo V9, those who will pre-order the new flagship smartphone will enjoy an additional six months of warranty and an anti-theft Bobby Bag. These perks will give them an additional savings of Php4,990.

The Vivo V9 features a FullViewTM Display and 90% screen-to-body ratio with its 6.3-inch display and side bezels of 1.75mm. It delivers AI-powered perfect shots with its 24-megapixel selfie camera and 16MP+5MP dual rear camera. The V9 is a sleek and stylish smartphone that can take the “perfect shot” and provide the “perfect view.”

Vivo's newest flagship smartphone is equipped with the latest Android 8.1 OS and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, and 64 ROM.

The Vivo V9 retails at Php17,990 at all authorized shops nationwide. It is available in Pearl Black and Gold. 





About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. 

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and

Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts. 

Globe Business, GCash ink partnership with Shakey’s Philippines - Enables toll-free hotline #77777 and scan-to-pay feature


Shakey’s Philippines, one of the biggest and most iconic pizza store chains in the country, has tapped Globe Telecom and GCash to allow its customers to order and pay for their pizza, pasta, chicken, and other favorite food and drinks with just their mobile phones.

From L-R: Anthony Thomas, Mynt President and CEO; Albert de Larrazabal, Globe Chief Commercial Officer; Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO; Vicente Gregorio, SPAVI President and CEO; Jorge Concepcion, SPAVI General Manager; and Peter Maquera, Globe SVP for Enterprise Group
Together with Globe Business, the information and communication technology arm of Globe Telecom, Shakey’s Philippines has expanded its order and delivery operations through number #77777 which will allow over 60 million Globe customers nationwide to order toll-free via their mobile phones and landlines. 

With the growing demand for delivery services, this mobile solution ensures greater reach and easier access for guests even those in hard-to-reach provincial areas. That is why a growing number of the country’s top fast food chains have and are partnering with Globe Business to avail of the #Hashtag service.

At the same time, Shakey’s Philippines is also adopting GCash Scan to Pay service to pilot initially in 11 branches. The Scan-to-Pay feature provides a hassle-free payment system that comes with special promos and discounts for guests.

“Our partnership with Globe Telecom maximizes our opportunities to offer a full range of order and delivery services to our guests. Through Globe Business and GCash, both industry leaders for business solutions and e-finance services, Shakey’s Philippines is confident that this partnership will flourish to serve more guests with quality food and excellent delivery service,” says Vicente Gregorio, President and CEO of Shakey’s Pizza Asia Venture Inc.


Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO, also expressed that the collaboration will primarily benefit the customers of Globe, GCash, and Shakey’s.

“Both the #Hashtag and GCash Scan to Pay feature give guests of Shakey’s Philippines the power to use their mobile phones as a tool to make transactions easier and more convenient. Globe continuously strives to improve and create solutions that bridge business gaps and provide companies with the technology that will allow them to empower and connect their customers,” Cu said.

With over 200 stores nationwide, Shakey’s Philippines intends to roll out GCash Scan-to-Pay within the year. The rollout is piloted in the following Shakey’s branches: BGC Stopover, Market Market, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Loyola (Katipunan), Buendia, Valero, Glorietta, Park Square Makati, Makati Avenue, UPS (Shakey's WOW Center) and Magallanes.

With this added partnership with Shakey’s Philippines, every GCash Scan to Pay user is entitled to its promos. A 10 percent cashback capped at Php500 will be rewarded to GCash users when customers pay through the feature until March 31, 2018.

To use GCash Scan to Pay, customers just need to download the latest version of the GCash App, register for an account and fund their GCash wallet at any of over 12,000 GCash Partner Outlets nationwide. Once funds are loaded in the GCash wallet, a customer can then swipe to the left or choose Pay QR then Scan QR and point the smartphone’s camera to the merchant’s QR code to scan. They can also pay bills and send money through the GCash App.

RCBC Bankard launches new Platinum card with JCB

Manila, Philippines and Tokyo, Japan March. 22, 2018 –: JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., announced the launch and issuance this month of a new Platinum card in the Philippines issued by Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), one of the top Universal Banks in the Philippines, through its Card Servicing entity, RCBC Bankard Services Corporation (RCBC Bankard). 



JCB Cards are currently issued in 23 countries and territories with over 100 million cardmembers around the globe. RCBC Bankard started issuing Classic and Gold JCB Cards in the market in 1997. The launch of this latest product in the Platinum card market marks a milestone in the long-standing partnership between RCBC Bankard and JCB. 

The RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card is packed with prestige and privileges, providing its cardholders with world-class benefits, including free Airport Lounge Service, discounted car rental services worldwide, 24/7 Concierge Desk, and access to JCB Plaza Lounges located in major cities. In addition, they can also benefit from a generous rewards program with non-expiring rewards points, cash rebates, or airmiles. Cardholders also get to double their rewards even faster when they use their RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card in Japan. 

JCB provides various services to cardmembers which the new RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum cardholders can avail of. In the Philippines, JCB has many privilege merchants for dining, hotel, wellness, and e-commerce. 



“We would like to provide our premium clients with more options. The launch of the RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card will definitely appeal to accomplished individuals who frequently travel abroad for both business and pleasure. Noting the increase in Filipinos visiting Japan and the issuance of multiple Visa entry, we anticipate that our premium cardholders will be going to Japan more often. Hence, we doubled the points/airmiles that they can earn using the RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card for spending made in Japan. The partnership with JCB enhances the privileges even more since they offer worldwide benefits to the JCB cardbase which our cardholders can take advantage of” states Simon Calasanz, President and CEO of RCBC Bankard. 



For his part, Senior Vice President of JCBI Yuichiro Kadowaki, has expressed, “We are pleased that RCBC Bankard, an expanding credit company showing the strongest growth in the Philippines, has launched this new Platinum card. Our partnership has been strong for more than 20 years, and we are now stepping up to the next stage with the new product. Both of us are keen to provide a good product and services to customers of RCBC who are interested in Japanese culture and those who travel to Japan. Filipino tourists going to Japan exceeded 400,000 in 2017 and there will be more in 2018. We provide lounge services at 28 airports in Japan and 29 airport lounges in other countries, mainly in Asia. Other than this, Platinum JCB Cardmembers get exclusive access to Universal Studios Japan JCB Lounge. We hope RCBC Bankard customers will enjoy our services.”






ABOUT RCBC BANKARD:
RCBC Bankard Services Corporation (RBSC) is the Card Servicing entity of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), one of the Philippines largest private universal banks. RCBC and RCBC Bankard Services Corporation are members of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC). RCBC Bankard provides unique and world-class cashless transactions, versatile add-on services, and an innovative rewards program to its cardholders. For more information on RCBC Bankard, visit http://www.rcbcbankard.com/ .



ABOUT JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and card member base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide.

For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/   -  http://ph.jcb/ -- http://ph.jcb/



March 23, 2018

Health Talks: New observational, non-interventional clinical study-a giant leap for taking care of peripheral neuropathy sufferers



Clinical study shows benefits on symptoms of peripheral neuropathy 

Manila, Philippines, March 2018 - Merck, a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials hosted NENOIN Symposium, a new clinical study shows benefits on symptoms of peripheral neuropathy with Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon last March 21, 2018 held at Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas, Manila.



Peripheral neuropathy sufferers treated with a combination of three neurotropic B vitamins have experienced improvement on all neuropathy symptoms observed in the study independently from the cause of their neuropathy.






NERVES 

The nervous system allows us to perceive, comprehend, and respond to the world around us. It coordinates voluntary actions like walking and involuntary actions like breathing and swallowing, Nerves, the components of the nervous tissue, enable impulses sensation and motion between the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the body.

Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon and host Gelli Victor 






SENSORY PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY 

Peripheral Neuropathy is a disorder affecting nerves, impairing them in their function of transmitting information and potentially affecting millions of people worldwide. Peripheral Neuropathy can cause various body discomforts, such as tingling, increased or decreased sensitivity to vibration, hot or cold, numbness, muscle weakness and even burning pain. Peripheral Neuropathy can cause "typical symptoms" which appear more often and "atypical symptoms, which are less frequent and can be overlooked or misinterpreted.

Example of symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy: 
PARESTHESIA, NUMBNESS, BURNING PAIN, 
SHARP PAIN


 Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon



Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can seem innocuous but have an impact of the patients' well-being and their quality of life. Early detection and treatment are crucial as well as effective treatment options, which relieve patients from their symptoms without having to suffer from significant side effects.

OBSERVATIONAL, NON-INTERVENTIONAL CLINICAL STUDY CONFIRMS THE BENEFITS OF A UNIQUE TREATMENT FOR ALL

A new clinical study (Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, lan 2018) has brought a major step forward for nerve health: it has demonstrated that an effective treatment helps relieve all neuropathy symptoms (observed in the study), regardless of the cause of peripheral neuropathy. 

Whether the patients were suffering from numbness, pain or paraesthesia (usually painless sensation like tingling or itching, often felt in the arms and feet, they experienced relief on all these symptoms. It was also observed that the longer they used the treatment, the more relief the patients felt from these symptoms. 

Finally it is also very reassuring to see that the treatment has shown a good tolerance profile over the whole duration (3 months).

Neurobion



Neurobion is a B complex vitamin supplement that containing vitamin B1, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12

Neurobion contribute to nerve health and help provide relief for people who suffer from: -peripheral nerve problems -anyone at risk of vitamin B deficiency ( eg over-55 years old, vegetarians, diabetics and pre-diabetics and others.) 

Neurobion helps to enhance and prolong quality of life when people start experiencing the signs of an impaired nervous system – numbness, tingling or even a sensation of pins and needles can be some of the first external signs. The risk for this condition can increased with age.

Neurobion is highly recommended by Doctors because the effectiveness of the Neurobion is clinically proven to help nerve fibers work well and to relieve the symptoms of damage to the nervous system (neuropathy).

Maura De Leon: Queen of Philippine Stevia

Mrs. Maura De Leon had all the reasons to opt for a more laidback, fashionable, and more propitious business, having tried and excelled in several businesses before, the farmer in her compelled her to venture into probably one of the most rare, yet very healthy agricultural plant — Stevia.


Back in the 90s, De Leon Was doing well in her garments business in Bulacan, although her business suffered several challenges, she managed to grow her business amid stiff competition in the province.

Humble beginnings

For about three years, she thought of a perfect business that will not only be significant but something that can be beneficial to many Filipinos. During that time she was in coffee business already, determined to unravel the myth that had been nagging her for years, when one of her staffs suggested they should revolutionize the coffee business in the country or might as well shift to another venture since all coffee shops in the country offer the same products but differ only in presentation and marketing strategies.

Then in one of her consultations, a friend who is a doctor told her about this miracle plant that originated in Paraguay commonly known as Stevia. The leaves of this South American shrub have been used for centuries by native people in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their yerba mate and other stimulant beverages. The stevia plant belongs to the Compositae (sunflower family of plants).




After hearing about it, she was fascinated and fell in love with the idea that she immediately asked her team to do their research, sending an agriculturist to Baguio, La Union, Bicol and Davao and found out that not one farmer in the country is growing Stevia for commercial purposes here in the country.

Soon enough, after doing a series of soil analysis, she purchased a small piece of land where she can grow the said plant. Her daughter who was studying in Europe was also instrumental for the purchase of stevia seeds.

But everything is not like a fairytale story for De Leon and her stevia. “The business was very challenging for us, there were times that I tried to just let go of everything and pursue another business,” she said.

Planting Stevia in itself was a big challenge for her and everybody in the team. For the first three years, everything was a testing period since they are not really familiar with the plant unlike those South Americans.

Literally, she did the farming herself and it looked like what she was doing was getting nowhere.
  
When she was at the thick of her hardships, her father approached her and asked if she really, sincerely devoted to her resolve and she gave him a terse reply and a convincing nod. Then her father said something she cannot forget that made here to push even more and conquer the odds.

He told me, anak, ituloy mo, tulungan mo mga magsasaka. (While pointing at a painting hanging on the wall) Tignan mo yung kalabaw, mataba pa kaysa farmer, recounts De Leon. In that instance, she realized that she cannot give up anymore, not only she has spent and sacrificed a lot but a lot of people are looking up to her to deliver.

In the fifth year since she got into that commitment, she was able to produce the first finished product out of stevia.



The wonders of Stevia (Sweet & Fit)

For years, those with diabetes have been suffering to scrim on their sugar intake so as to not aggravate their conditions. Now that De Leon through its company – Glorious Industrial & Development Corp. (GIDC) has perfected the process of extracting the sweet essence of stevia and manufactured it as the healthiest sweetener — Sweet & Fit Stevia, people who have health concerns regarding sweets can again enjoy their sweet tooth.

Everyone now can binge on the delights you crave without the worry of risking your health. Sweet & Fit Stevia is a low-calorie sugar, which to most is a wonder sweetener, and recognized as the best and safest  all-natural sugar. It is 30 times sweeter than sugar and with no effect on blood sugar and little aftertaste.

It is now the most trusted, safest and effective calorie-free sugar fix from an all-natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. Once limited to the health-food market, the plant-derived sweetener is now widely available in the country and rapidly replacing artificial sweeteners in consumer products. 

Stevia, the source of Sweet & Fit Stevia, has a taste that is unique and has been described as very sweet with a slight licorice, almost bitter aftertaste. Generally, high quality stevia contains very little of this bitterness. The sweetness of Stevia is much different than the sweetness of other natural sweeteners, sugar, or artificial sweeteners, but it is delicious. For some people the taste may require some “getting used to,” but most people quickly develop a taste for it.

“Stevia is a natural, non-caloric, sweet-tasting plant used around the world for its pleasant taste, as well as for its increasingly researched potential for inhibiting fat http://www.bewellbuzz.com/general/importance-absorption , absorption and lowering blood pressure. Stevia is about 300 times sweeter than sugar in its natural state, and much more so when processed. Its medicinal uses include regulating blood sugar, preventing hypertension, treatment of skin disorders, and prevention of tooth decay,” according to http://www.bewellbuzz.com.
  


Sweet & Fit, 1st Stevia sweetener in the Philippines

Sweet & Fit Stevia is a product that comes from the essence of stevia and GIDC guarantees that it has preserved and maintained the healthy properties of this plant. “Sweet & Fit Stevia has all the health benefits of stevia. Sweet & Fit Stevia is best for those who are diabetics, watching their weight or people who just want to be healthy. We don’t need to go to other countries just to have stevia, we already have it here through Sweet & Fit Stevia,” De Leon quipped.

GIDC is proud to be the first producer of Stevia sweetener in the Philippines with the introduction of Sweet & Fit in the market in 2009. Sweet & Fit’s presence in the Philippines also speaks of De Leon’s resolve to empower famers and bring innovations and diversity to the local selection of crops available to farmers. 

Armed with the chant GROW LOCAL, GO GLOBAL, GIDC also encourages local farmers to engage in harvesting high-quality produce, which are beneficial to Filipinos, as well as to the rest of the world. 


Reaching out to bigger market

Since GIDC continues to find ways to improve the quality of its products and serve more customers who share their passion for health and wellness, the company is also open to toll packing and manufacturing. 

For De Leon, she could easily get the biggest slice of the pie since she is the pioneer in producing stevia sweetener, but due to her desire to make this healthy sweetener available to all, her company has been accepting toll packing and manufacturing.

“Everyone deserves to be healthy and it is just right to have access to healthy products, this is the reason we welcome other companies and business establishments all over the country should they want to manufacture foods and beverages sweetened by Sweet & Fit Stevia,” De Leon added.

Since GIDC opened its toll packing and manufacturing of stevia sweetener, the awareness of the people about stevia has also grown and slowly, more consumers are shifting from table sugar to this Sweet & Fit Stevia.

“We are proud to have partnered with different hotels, coffee shops, multinational companies and medium-scale entrepreneurs in making stevia a healthy alternative for sugar. Our goal is to entice food and beverage manufacturing companies, hotels, coffee shops to use Sweet & Fit Stevia,” she stressed.

GIDC is looking at a brighter future but De Leon is happy that she can tell her father that they have succeeded and the farmers, at least in their employ, are in good hands.

For more information log on to visit ww.sweetandfitstevia.com or call 3600 900.

Sweet &  Fit Stevia and other Glorious Blends products are available at Mercury Drug stores, Watsons, SM Supermarket and all leading supermarkets nationwide.


Vivo introduces perfectly-priced new flagship V9 smartphone


Global smartphone brand Vivo has revealed that its new and powerful flagship smartphone, the V9, will be retailed at Php17,990 in Pearl Black and Gold.   

The announcement was made by Vivo Junior Brand Manager Christian Jocson during Vivo's summer-inspired launch at the City of Dreams Manila on March 22. 


The Vivo V9 is packed with features that makes it a powerful and reliable smartphone for only Php17,990.

What are the perks that a Vivo V9 user will enjoy? 

The Vivo V9 features a FullViewTM Display and 90% screen-to-body ratio with its 6.3-inch display and side bezels of 1.75mm. It delivers AI-powered photos with its 24-megapixel selfie camera and 16MP+5MP dual rear camera. The V9 is a sleek and stylish smartphone that can take the “perfect shot” and provide the “perfect view.”

Vivo's newest flagship smartphone is also equipped with the latest Android 8.1 OS and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, and 64 ROM.

All these and more at a price point of Php17,990. The Vivo V9 will be available for pre-order starting March 26 until April 5, 2018. 


About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. 

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and
Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts. 



March 22, 2018

Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival 2018 is now set to fly high




Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival - the most awaited and considered as the biggest hot-air balloon festival, in terms of spectators’ attendance, in Southeast Asia is now fully set to fly high and color the early gray sky of Pradera Verde, Barangay Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga.

Tourists will expect around 30 beautiful balloons coming from 20 countries around the world that will be feature at the festival this year.

Aside from the fascinating hot air balloons, festival-goers will also expect countless number of activities including night glow, ultra-light flying, motor exhibition, car show, as well as off-road and rally cross.

Spectators will surely be excited to taste the famous cuisines and see the art crafts of Kapampangans as food and souvenir bazaar will be put up, as well as carnival rides to make the event more unforgettable.

Philippines’ some favorite love teams McCoy and Elisse, Maymay and Edward will also be expected at the event for their performances.

Famous musical artists and bands such as DJ Kyoto, Autotelic, December Ave, Ben & Ben, Ex Batallion, Silent Sanctuary, Michael Pangilinan, Moira Dela Torre, Up Dharma Down, Bamboo, and Sarah Geronimo will surely hype the experience of the local and international tourists.

LIBMF 2018 is an annual flagship program of the Municipality of Lubao and was being organized by the Lubao International Balloon Festival, Inc. (LIBF) and Forthinker, Inc., in cooperation with the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTO) and with the support from Provincial Government of Pampanga.

Tickets are sold for P300 each for general admission, valid only for any one day, and are also available online at www.smtickets.com, at all SM ticket outlets, or at the event gates.

For further inquiries, you may contact Forthinker, Inc. from Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 6pm, via landline (02) 942 0768 or mobile 0929 559 1719.

You may also visit their official website at lubaoibmf.com or official Facebook page at Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival (https://www.facebook.com/LubaoIBMF/).

DQ Institute, Globe present initial report to World Economic Forum in Davos

PH 2018 DQ screen time management score lower than global average

Globe Telecom, in partnership with the DQ Institute, an international think tank, has completed the initial results of the 2018 DQ World study, a first in the Philippines that was presented to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last February 2018.  The study measures the digital intelligence quotient (DQ) of Filipino youth through pilot surveys in public schools around the country. It serves as a benchmark to nurture and improve the digital intelligence of the nation. Globe worked closely with the Department of Education (DepEd) to roll out the survey in 12 Global Filipino Schools (GFS).    The results of the study can be viewed at the 2018 DQ Impact Report (www.dqinstitute.or/2018dq_impact_report/). 

The PH 2018 DQ study showed that the country’s screen time management score stands at 96 lower than the global average of 100.  The score is the first step in determining the country index, representing one of eight areas of digital citizenship education that Filipino students must complete in order to determine the Philippines DQ index.  The screen time score measures how children age 8-12 manage one’s screen time, multi-tasking, participation in online games and using social media with self-control. A score of 100-115 means children are more responsible and has moderated use of the internet.  A score below 85 means children can be potentially exposed to one or more cyber-risks or exhibiting unhealthy habits of digital usage. The aspiration is to have a screen time management score of above 115 which means children can be considered as relatively disciplined users of digital media and technology.

Aside from screen time management, the other areas of digital citizenship education to complete the country’s DQ index include digital citizen identity, privacy management, critical thinking, digital footprints, digital empathy, cyber security management and cyber-bullying management.  Since the Filipino students’ screen time management is lower than average, it is recommended that students learn about safe digital use before they own any mobile device or actively engage in digital media.

The study also showed that the average Filipino child spends about 34 hours per week in front of digital screens for entertainment alone, 2 hours higher than the global average.  About 53% of the students access the internet through their own personal mobile phones, while 41% access the internet through their family computers. Among the top activities cited are watching videos, using a search engine, playing games, listening to music and creating social media profiles.
“In building a digital nation, it is important to have a deeper understanding on the impacts of technology to Filipino youth and provide proper interventions to address these. The Globe Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) is one of many initiatives that can help prepare the youth for more responsible use of the internet.  Working with the DQ Institute and the DepED, we are hopeful that the Philippines will soon join the roster of countries with high DQ index in the future,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

The study further revealed that up to 73% of Filipino children are exposed to cyber-risks, including cyber-bullying, inappropriate active searches, gaming addiction, meeting strangers online, online sexual content, inappropriate adult images and inappropriate sexual talking. This is higher than the global average of 56%.  Involving 3,819 primary public and private school students, the study profiled the students’ level of access to devices and the internet, types of online activities they are involved in, and their susceptibility to cyber-risks.

Aspiring to achieve the goal score, Globe expanded its two key programs, the Global Filipino Schools (GFS) and the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) to help build a safe support network for every Filipino child.  Under the program, students and teachers are provided free training workshops on responsible digital citizenship that covers online safety and security, online etiquette and responsibility, online leadership and empowerment, and discernment to effectively identify false information from credible sources online.

DQ is defined as the sum of technical, mental and social competencies essential to digital life. It encompasses the skills and values that are needed to thrive as responsible netizens to answer the demands of the digital era. These skills empower citizens to have ethical and responsible use of technology, an attribute that marks the leaders of tomorrow.

Cooking up steps to self-improvement


Ever notice how we can all learn to make a PowerPoint presentation by the sixth grade, but only a handful of students that age knows how to make scrambled eggs? By the time we release students into the real world, they are fully equipped to handle high-stakes jobs, but less able to do simpler tasks- make a functional budget, change a flat tire, or make a healthy, tasty dinner. 

Young professionals today are not only eating out more, but also leaning heavily on the convenience of takeout. But that leads to a whole different set of problems. Not only is it more expensive to eat out, but when you live on meals made for you by other people, you tend to gravitate towards the unhealthy- fast food, deep-fried, overly sweet or salty, or loaded with saturated fat. 




That can lead to weight gain and all the health problems that come with an unhealthy diet. 

Skills to a healthier, happier life

However, a lot of men and women have decided that enough is enough and taken matters into their own hands, learning how to do the basics that have been forgotten while growing up.

For a lot of them, workshops and classes are the solution of choice. There are entire courses of cooking lessons geared towards the younger set, looking to sharpen their skills in the kitchen. Urban professionals who seek a more affordable way to eat lean, young parents looking for ways to improve their children’s nutrition, and single men and women seeking to impress potential mates flock to these courses. 

As much as learning the basic skills such as the difference between boiling and braising, these students are learning of the importance of choosing better ingredients, items that are not only convenient, but are healthier in the long run, such as Gold Seas Tuna Chunks. 

Substitutions for convenience help ease the transition from relying on takeout to cooking at home. For example, frozen vegetables are a better option than canned vegetables when one can’t get fresh greens. The same goes for fruits, as canned fruit has a lot of added sugar. Canned tuna, on the other hand, is much easier to get than fresh tuna for the man who is always on the go, and it keeps for much longer. Kept as a pantry staple, it provides an excellent go-to protein that is leaner and healthier than red meat.   

Tuna is a great lean meat option. Each serving is packed with nutrition, including muscle-building and brain-boosting Omega-3 fatty acids; Selenium, a rare mineral that’s also a powerful antioxidant; as well as vitamin C, zinc, and manganese, all of which strengthen your immune system.



What’s more, tuna lends itself to a multitude of dishes which are a breeze to make. Even if you’ve never really cooked a full meal in your life, you can stir together tuna, some greens, and some onions and make a decent salad!


Sustainably sourced yellowfin tuna is packed into every can of Gold Seas Tuna Chunks, which come in two sizes- Solo (90g) and Sharing (185g). The former is perfect for a quick, healthy meal for one, while the latter is great for creating something tasty to share with friends and loved ones.  

Gold Seas further prides itself on providing a variety to flavors to keep your tuna based dishes interesting as well as nutritious. There is Yellowfin Tuna Chunks in Olive Oil, Yellowfin Tuna Chunks in Olive Oil with Chili, Tuna Chunks in Herb and Garlic, Tuna Chunks in Lemon and Pepper, and Tuna Chunks in Mild Indian Curry. If you’re a purist or if you want to make a dish with only the pure taste of tuna, there’s also Gold Seas Yellowfin Tuna Chunks in Springwater. 

If cooking up healthier, tastier meals sounds like something you would like to learn yourself, we’re including a few easy tuna-based recipes which Chef Rosebud herself teaches to some of her students who would like to level up in the kitchen. 



Check them out and try your hand at preparing these dishes yourself sometime. You may find that it’s easier than you thought, and tastier, too!




TUNA PIZZA

Ingredients: 
  • 1 185g can Gold Seas Tuna Chunks in Herb and Garlic
  • 1 small can corn kernels
  • 50 g canned black beans, drained
  • 1 small red bell pepper, sliced thinly
  • 1 small red onion, sliced thinly 
  • 2 tsp cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 piece lime, juiced and zested
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 large pizza dough or Flour
  • Tortilla 
  • 170g easy-melt Cheese

Procedure: 
  • Pre-heat oven 425 degrees.
  • In medium bowl, add tuna with a bit of oil from the can. Break up with fork until shredded. 
  • Add black beans, red bell pepper, onion, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, lime zest and juice. Toss and season with salt and pepper. 
  • Put mixture on pizza dough. Top with cheese and place on baking sheet. 
  • Bake pizza for around 5 minutes and serve immediately. 





TUNA WRAPS

Ingredients:
  • 2 185g cans Gold Seas Tuna Chunks in Lemon and Pepper
  • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Sriracha
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, grated 
  • 1/2 cup Water chestnuts, drained and sliced 
  • 2 green onions, sliced 
  • Salt and pepper to taste 
  • Large leafy lettuce (leaves separated for serving) 

Procedure: 
  • Make the sauce. Whisk hoisin, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, Sriracha and sesame oil in bowl. 
  • Heat oil in a skillet. Add onions and sauté till translucent. Add garlic and ginger. 
  • Add tuna. Break up with back of the spoon.
  • Pour sauce and cook. Reduce. Turn off heat. Add water chestnuts and spring onions. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Spoon a large scoop in the middle of lettuce leaf and serve immediately. 




The Five Q’s ASUS Finally Answers About the Long--Awaited ZENFONE 5Q

Discover more about the latest ZenFone 5 series and all its glory – beginning with the 5 important things to remember about the brand’s first-ever quad camera smartphone, the ZenFone 5Q!



If you are a photo lover who loves sharing your adventures, the new ASUS ZenFone 5Q will completely change your mobile photography game. ZenFone 5Q turns your experiences into treasured memories with not two, not three, but four independent camera systems on one smartphone!

From the 16MP rear camera, 20MP high resolution Sony IMX 376 selfie camera to the 120-degree wide-angle lenses on the front and back, ZenFone 5Q provides an amazing, high quality photography experience. Whether it’s breathtaking scenery, scrumptious food or simply fun times with the people you love, its unique quad-camera system empowers you to capture even more of what you love, wherever you are and whatever the situation.


THE POWER OF FOUR: THE WORLD’S FIRST GLOBALLY ANNOUNCED TRUE QUAD-CAMERA SMARTPHONE


Ze

Unlike other quad camera phones that use their secondary sensors for contrast and portrait effects only, the ZenFone 5Q packs mean 120° wide-angle cameras at both the front and rear that does the trick of taking perfect ultra-wide shots – wider selfies, better wefies, and more background scenery. But the photography magic does not end there: On top of these two wide-angle cameras, the ZenFone 5Q also has a 16MP main rear camera and the 20MP Sony IMX 376 front-facing camera. Each of these four cameras can be used individually, removing the limits on your creativity and giving you the freedom to tailor your shots.

All these features combine with the latest ASUS PixelMaster technology, which gives you a Portrait modewith beautiful bokeh, a DSLR-like Pro mode for fine manual control, and a 10-level Beauty mode – a dream for every selfie lover out there. And for perfect point-and-shoot operation, ZenFone 5Q also features automatic HDR and low-light optimization.With ZenFone 5Q it is definitely much easier to compose the perfect selfie, wefie, landscape, portrait or group shot.




FOUR IS MORE: CREATIVITY WITH NO LIMITS

ZenFone 5Q has a superb 16MP rear camera that captures every precious moment with vivid clarity and stunning detail. In just 0.03 seconds, its phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) locks on to the subject, so every shot’s perfectly focused. And for capturing the ultimate detail, you can use the amazing 4K UHD video recording mode.


Typical smartphone camera vs. ZenFone 5Q

with 120 degree wide angle front camera


Fit all your friends in the frame! With ZenFone 5Q, there is no need for selfie sticks; its 120-degrees wide angle lets you capture all the background action.


Typical smartphone camera vs. ZenFone 5Q

with 120 degree wide angle rear camera


Mother Nature’s beauty can be elusive to capture, unless you have a ZenFone 5Q! Its 120° wide-angle rear camera gives you a bigger window on the world for taking atmospheric landscapes and jaw-dropping scenic shots.



ZenFone 5Q is also packed with powerful features that help you capture every precious moment, including eight filters and nine camera modes to instantly match your mood.

A 6-INCH 18:9 FHD+ FULL VIEW DISPLAY FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE



ZenFone 5Q has a stunning 6-inch screen in compact as a regular 5.5-inch smartphone! Its stylish edge-to-edge Full View Full HD+ display has superb color accuracy and its wide 18:9 aspect ratio gives you a big-screen experience in the palm of your hand, perfect for games and movies. Moreover, its extra-wide display is also perfect for using dual side-by-side windows, so you can multitask like never before!                                                                                                                              
ZenFone 5Q’s dazzling appearance is enhanced with an optical coating to give it a deep sheen and luscious color, whereas its 2.5D-contoured glass panels at front and rear simply ooze beauty and luxury. And that’s not all: the ZenFone 5Q has a 0.02mm precision-milled dual-coated frame that not only improves grip while holding the phone, but also emphasizing it’s sleek design.



FOUR THE WIN: AN INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE WITH AMAZING POWER EFFICIENCY



ZenFone 5Q combines incredible performance and optimized power efficiency with a large 3300mAh battery. The latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 630 Mobile Platform with 4GB of RAM offers a dramatically faster performance for all your apps and games, and even comes with NFC support.

Up to 400Mbps of Cat.13 advanced LTE connectivity with powerful security and convenience features ensures a mobile experience like no other.

SECURITY FEATURES YOU’LL NEVER WORRY ABOUT



ZenFone 5Q has a facial-recognition system that recognizes your unique features and unlocks your phone in just a tenth of a second. It even hides your private notifications and contents if a different face is detected. Also, the rear fingerprint sensor unlocks ZenFone 5Q in just 0.3 seconds— even if your fingers are damp.

The ZenFone 5Q is, without a doubt, one of the innovations from ASUS’ very own ZenFone 5 series that everyone from around the globe eagerly awaits for. For even more information on the ZenFone 5Q, the ZenFone 5 series, and other incredible products from ASUS, tune in to the ASUS Philippines Facebook Page and theZenTalk Philippines Forum.