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August 3, 2019

Funko enthusiasts! The #DarnaFunkoPop Is Finally Yours For The Taking At Fun Con 2019

The #DarnaFunkoPop is here!!! 



Beloved Pinoy comics superhero Darna has arrived at Fun Con 2019 in Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City as a Funko Pop toy—turning heads and captivating people’s hearts at the convention.

Filipino Funko enthusiasts hoping to be in possession of the limited edition collectible flocked to the con, some even lining up as early as 3 AM just to make sure that they can take home their own Darna Funko Pop.

Additional Darna merchandise that are available at the venue are the Halimaw statues, the Darna card game and other collectibles for Pinoy komiks fans’ pleasure.

The Funko collaboration is in part a celebration, kicking off the 70th anniversary of the iconic Darna—the first to have a variant of the global brand, Funko.

Don’t miss out on the chance to grab your own #DarnaFunkoPop, available until Sunday (August 4) at Fun Con 2019, and exclusively at the Big Boys Toy Store afterwards.

August 2, 2019

Introducing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6: A Powerful Tablet that Enhances Your Creativity and Productivity




Galaxy Tab S6 enriches the mobile experience by enabling people to express their ideas and get more done.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced Galaxy Tab S6 – a new tablet that allows people to create and connect, enjoy immersive entertainment, and accomplish their goals wherever they go.  Built for those who need to satisfy their curiosity and express their creative flair, the Galaxy Tab S6 lets users do more than they could on any tablet before.

“Today’s inspiration comes at a moment’s notice and creatives and professionals need a device able to keep up with insatiable imaginations while complementing their busy, on-the-go lifestyles,” said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy Tab S6 enables consumers to unlock their creativity, while delivering the top-quality productivity features and advanced technology they have come to expect from Samsung tablets.”

Redesigned S Pen Boosts Creativity and Productivity
Samsung’s signature S Pen began as an instrument for writing and drawing, but it has evolved to become the ultimate creativity and productivity tool. Now with remote control functionality and wireless charging capabilities, S Pen on Galaxy Tab S6 puts even more power and control in users’ hands. With built-in BLE remote control features[1]  including a gesture function called S Pen Air actions, S Pen lets you intuitively take selfies and videos, or control the multimedia content you create even when the tablet is not in your hands. Plus, S Pen features wireless charging that delivers up to 10 hours of battery life[2]  after just ten minutes’ charge time.

Galaxy Tab S6 makes taking notes with S Pen a breeze. Handwritten Samsung Notes can be converted to digital text and exported to formats like Microsoft Word with just one click. You can also jot down quick notes or sketches while watching a video on the same screen by adjusting the Samsung Notes’ window transparency—perfect for effortless multitasking.

A new-and-improved version of Samsung DeX[3] is also packed into the Galaxy Tab S6, enabling you to seamlessly transition to a PC-like experience, so you can easily multitask and optimize your viewing experience. With a DeX function key added to the Galaxy Tab S6’s new dedicated Book Cover Keyboard, you can launch and close DeX with the tap of a key. The keyboard has been fine-tuned for better functionality, including an S Pen holder, free angle stand, touch pad and new function keys.

Advanced Technology for Everyday Convenience
Galaxy Tab S6 packs new enhancements to its camera, including Samsung’s first dual camera with Ultra Wide lens on a tablet, within a compact 5.7mm slim body that is both lighter and more portable. The Ultra Wide camera allows users to capture scenery and landscapes just as they see them with a 123-degree field of view, as wide as the human eye. Meanwhile, the Neural Processing Unit lets you take professional photos through enhanced effects to your subjects, so your photos look like they were taken by a pro.

Samsung is also bringing the on-screen Fingerprint Scanner to its tablet for the first time with Galaxy Tab S6, so that accessing your tablet is more convenient than ever. This ease and convenience is further protected by Samsung Knox, Samsung’s defense-grade security platform. Additionally, you can easily wake your Galaxy Tab S6 by tapping on the screen twice, allowing you to log in and start your day quickly.


As a part of Samsung’s Galaxy Ecosystem, the Galaxy Tab S6 becomes a hub of your connected experience to manage your appliances with SmartThings. Together with Bixby, you can easily control your devices via voice commands.


Uncompromised Entertainment
Whether you are enjoying a new game or binge-watching your favorite TV show, Galaxy Tab S6 delivers an amazing viewing experience. Its 10.5” Super AMOLED display, paired with quad speakers sound by AKG and Dolby Atmos®, keeps you immersed in the action.

Galaxy Tab S6 enables high-quality, captivating gaming through a combination of graphics, sounds, and intelligent hardware and software, bolstered by partnerships with leading game platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine. A powerful processor and Game Booster with AI capabilities enhance the gaming experience on Galaxy Tab S6 through optimized FPS, screen lag, loading time and more. Thanks to Samsung’s partnership with Discord,[4] you can access new live chat features through Game Launcher so you can strategize with your teammates throughout the game.

With Galaxy Tab S6, you can enjoy more of your favorite content. You can easily browse Netflix content on the device's Finder or seamless play your favorite music on Spotify.

Galaxy Tab S6 comes in Mountain Gray and Rose Blush colors. It will be available in stores and online beginning late August in select markets.

For more information about the Galaxy Tab S6, visit news.samsung.com/galaxywww.samsungmobilepress.com or www.samsung.com/galaxy.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Product Specifications

Specs
Tab S6
Display
10.5” WQXGA, Super AMOLED
Color
Mountain Gray, Rose Blush
Dimension, Weight
244.5 x 159.5 ×5.7mm, 420g
Camera
8MP(Front), 13MP + 5MP (Rear)
Memory + Storage
6GB + 128GBMicroSD (Up to 1TB)
AP
7nm 64-bit Octa-core processor (Max. 2.8 GHz + 2.4 GHz + 1.7 GHz)
Battery
Tablet
7,040mAh[5]
S Pen
0.35mAh
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G+5GHz, MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct,
Bluetooth® 5.0
GPS
GPS + GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
Sensors
Optical Fingerprint Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyro Sensor,Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor
MIC
2 MICs
Video
Recording: UHD 4K (3840x2160) @ 30fps
Playback: UHD 8K (7680 x 4320) @ 30fps
Audio
4 speakers sound by AKG, Dolby Atmos®
Accessories
Book Cover Keyboard, POGO Charging Dock, S Pen

* All features may differ by market and mobile operator.

**All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

BDO earns P20.2Bn in 1H 2019



BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) sustained its momentum as it delivered P20.2 billion in earnings for the first six months of the year on strong recurring earnings from its core businesses, solid growth in fee income, and normalization of trading and forex gains.

Net interest income increased by 24% to P56.9 billion as net interest margins (NIMs) improved to 3.99% from 3.50% last year. Gross customer loans grew by 7% to P2.0 trillion, as the country’s largest bank* continued to generate double-digit growth in the consumer and middle market segments.

Meanwhile, total deposits went up by 3% to P2.4 trillion, reflective of customers’ shift to higher-yielding fixed income investments, primarily bank-issued bonds. The Bank's CASA ratio, however, was maintained at 70%.

Non-interest income was up 29% to P29.5 billion as fee-based income and insurance premiums posted double-digit growth. Further, trading and forex gains normalized to P3.6 billion on favorable capital market conditions.

Operating expenses grew by 21% in line with the Bank's continuing expansion, with 53 domestic branches and offices opened in the 1H 2019, as well as higher volume-related expenses. Taxes and licenses and policy reserves at BDO life increased by 51%. Excluding volume-related expenses, opex growth would have risen by 14% in line with the Bank's investment in branches and business development offices nationwide.

Provisions amounted to P3.0 billion as the Bank maintained its conservative credit and provisioning policies. Gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was steady at 1.2% while NPL cover remained high at 163.2%.

Total capital grew to P350.8 billion, with Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio at 14.2% and 12.6%, respectively, higher quarter-on-quarter and remaining comfortably above regulatory requirements.

With expectations of better economic prospects going forward, BDO will continue to build on its business franchise and extensive distribution network to tap new growth areas and underserved markets.

August 1, 2019

Hope Springs With LG’s Washabilities Laundry Shop

LG, in close collaboration with Hopewell Integrated School (HIS) and Bigwash, endeavors to empower individuals with special needs through a sustainable livelihood program.

Dubbed as HopeWash, the program positions students and graduates of HIS, a non-stock non-profit organization based in Cavite dedicated to individuals with special needs, to be employable and lead functional lives.

A few of Hopewell Integrated School’s alumnus
who will be manning the Washabilities Laundry Shop.

To jumpstart the project, LG and Bigwash worked together to get the shop up and running by taking care of the construction and the training of the staff, which consists of HIS alumnus. 

 LG donated 5 sets of commercial washers and dryers, 1 commercial refrigerator, and 1 43” TV set. Unilever also lent a hand by donating laundry detergents specially formulated for the commercial washers.

LG Philippines donated 5 sets of commercial washers and dryers


Unilever donated laundry detergents specially
formulated for the LG washers.

Expounding on the company’s role in the program, LG Managing Director Inkwun Heo states, “We are firm believers in HIS’s goal of providing these children a future to look forward to. We want to empower them as much as we are able to. Our intuitive design provides accessibility through straightforward simplicity.”


Bigwash Laundry Shop Inc. Director Mr. Daniel Creer, Hopewell Integrated School Program Director Mr. Arnold Alegre, and LG Electronics Philippines Corporate Marketing Head Ms. Ana Marie Salapantan formally unveil the Washabilities Laundry Shop to the public.

Washabilities Laundry Shop is now open and ready to serve all of your laundry needs at 135 Remulla Compound Paliparan Road, Molino 4, Bacoor, Cavite.






About LG Electronics
Life's about more than having the latest technology, rather, it's about the experiences technology creates that impact our lives. LG Electronics Philippines delivers consumer electronics through top-of-the-line home entertainment, home appliances, and air solution products, that prepare Filipinos for their greatest moments. LG promises to bring "Innovation for a Better Life" nationwide - from Luzon, to Visayas, and Mindanao.

For more details, log on to lg.com/ph, like @LGPhilippines on Facebook and follow @LGPhilippines on Instagram.




July 30, 2019

Advance, the online demand salary platform now part of FinTech Ph


Advance, the country’s only online platform providing flexible credit on-demand, was officially launched recently.


Advance, an online platform providing credit on-demand – has been named as an official member of the FinTech Philippines Association.

Advance CEO and co-founder Jaime de los Angeles said Advance is a company that aims to help at least 8 out of 10 Filipino employees who live from paycheck to paycheck – with most of whom having without access to basic credit services and are unable to rely on their employers for financial assistance.

“Expenses often come at the most inopportune times or the so-called ‘petsa de peligro’. Advance is solving this problem by allowing employees to access their salaries on-demand, which is critical especially when faced with a sudden, unexpected need for cash,” said de los Angeles.


The Advance top executive also explained that the company is a flexible credit platform available round-the-clock, so individuals can have ready access to funds that’s essentially theirs.

“We know that life doesn’t conveniently revolve around payday, so we wanted to empower employees by giving them the ability to unlock their wages, anytime,” added de los Angeles.

Not everyone has the ability to take salary loan programs through banks, and even if they do, it wouldn’t be as fast as what Advance offers because of all the physical requirements and manual processes. Furthermore, approvals aren’t always guaranteed, plus loan amounts are usually much larger and for longer tenors.

“A bank typically won’t lend someone P2,000 to pay a utility bill. That’s where Advance comes in— to ensure employees never have to worry about how to cover their daily needs,” explained de los Angeles.

With all the frills in mind, Advance aims to provide workers with the ‘peace of mind’ that at any time, they’re can access their salary and get funds instantly sent to their bank account. But it’s really the flexibility of their product that makes them stand out among the rest of the lenders; specifically, they offer lines of credit that can be drawn from as needed instead of a fixed pre-approved amount. In addition, employees can request from P1,000 up to their max credit limit, as often as they need, until they fully utilize their line.




“Our model is very much in line with the sachet mentality of Filipinos, making our product really intuitive,” said de los Angeles.

However, de los Angeles cited that despite the ease of use, employers don’t need to worry about overexposure as the credit limits are a percentage of an employee’s salary.

“Interestingly, we’ve seen that combining flexibility with controlled limits actually helps promote responsible borrowing with our customers as they draw only what they need, versus having to accept a fixed amount that they’ve been approved for and be forced to draw it all in one shot – even if it means being over-leveraged. We really see ourselves as a financial bridge – providing financial assistance to employees while ensuring they still have enough to take home,” stated de los Angeles.

On the client front, Advance said they are working with employers by means of taking over the informal (and oftentimes very tedious) practice of lending to their employees.

“We’re proud to provide our service for free and at no liability to our partners, so they can utilize their cash flow for the operational needs of their business and focus on their core competencies. At the same time, they’re still able to provide financial assistance to their employees through us, in a way that’s fair, convenient and designed to really suit their needs,” said de los Angeles.

Another thing that has set Advance apart from other lenders is the 0 interest and the small processing fee which is added to the repayment amount. The launch welcomes Advance to the Fintech Philippines Association, making them one of the many tech firms participating in the FPh ecosystem, but one who is approaching financial inclusion and credit in a truly unique way.

“We are very proud to partner with a one-of-a-kind platform like Advance. I do believe that this is an opportunity for many employees to have more access to financial security than ever before.” FPh Executive Director Amor Maclang said.

The Fintech Philippines Association is the largest and most inclusive association in the Philippines that promotes digital entrepreneurship.

Any interested parties may visit Advance’s official website to know more info and they can do to provide this innovative financial service to their employees.

July 29, 2019

Beat the rainy days with these laundry hacks

The major household concern of any family during rainy season is that of drying wet clothes. 

The rainy season is a challenge for many moms especially when it comes to drying the laundry. Since drying clothes outdoors is out of the question, bringing them indoors after washing becomes commonplace.



But hanging freshly washed clothes indoors can leave them with a distinct and unpleasant odor. Moreover, wet clothes can cause a build-up of bacteria making them unsafe especially for infants.

That is why Beko Philippines, Europe’s leading brand of washers, shares some simple tips to keep your clothes clean, fresh-smelling and safe to wear.




Use Fabric Conditioner

Soak clothes in fabric conditioner during the rinse cycle. Fabric softeners not only leave clothes soft, but it also leaves them smelling fresh even if hung out to dry indoors preventing that all-too-familiar and unpleasant “kulob” odor. There are also fabric conditioners that have anti-microbial properties that leave clothes not only fragrant but bacteria-free.


Hang Clothes Properly

Where you hang them in the house also helps. Look for an area where there is good ventilation so the clothes get as much air as possible. Never hang them in cramped and enclosed spaces. Heavy pieces, such as jeans, towels, and carpets should be placed near the windows where air flows through. It is also worthwhile to ensure that the room where they hang in get good ventilation overall.

Give them a good wringing

Before you hang them, make sure that you’ve given them a thorough wringing. Clothes that are still quite wet not only dry longer, but they also smell bad even when already dry.


Choose the right dryers

Lastly, invest in the right dryer. Choose a dryer that can eliminate bacteria that cause can be harmful to your family. What’s more, they also maintain the fresh smell of the fabric conditioners you use, so your clothes smell fragrant.

Beko’s new 10kg. heat pump automatic dryer DH10444RX0 features the latest technological innovation to help you keep your clothes fresh and your family safe from harmful pathogens while saving on energy.

The DH10444RX0 has the AquaWave® technology that generates a wave-like motion using a set of paddles to increase drying performance as it moves garments around.

It also optimizes the drying cycle with an OptiSense® technology, a technological innovation that lets you choose between three smart sensors for drying clothes, with one sensor automatically stopping the machine when the right level of dryness has been achieved.



Beko’s DH10444RX0 keeps you clothes crease-free with its Auto Anti-Creasing feature that spins clothes gently with a gentle drum action.

Lastly, the DH10444RX0 comes with a Child Lock feature to prevent young ones from changing the settings on the dryer.

Beko Philippines advocates for healthy living through the technologies installed in their appliances. The company’s refrigerators, washers, and ovens come equipped with advanced features that are designed to not only improve efficiency but also, optimize time, cost, and energy so that people can prioritize their health and wellbeing.

Check out Beko home appliances at your nearest SM Appliance Center and Robinsons Appliances store for the best seasonal offers and discounts.

To learn more about Beko and the technologies in their appliances, visit their website at http://www.beko.ph/ or follow them on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bekoph/.



WESTLIFE FINALLY BACK IN MANILA FOR THEIR TWO-NIGHT SHOW AT THE BIG DOME!!

Irish pop vocal group, WESTLIFE’s ‘The Twenty Tour’ in Manila concerts are all set to happen on July 29 and 30th at the Araneta Coliseum.



Few Tickets Left! 
New Seats + SRO available via TicketNet.com.ph or at TicketNet outlets and Araneta Coliseum box office. Don’t miss the much-awaited reunion tour of the year!!

Presented by Wilbros Live
#WESTLIFEManila2019

July 28, 2019

Tourism Promotions Board gears up for global competitiveness

To achieve its global competitiveness goal and attract more travelers, visitors, and investors, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is conducting a series of Tourism Marketing Educational Seminars among participants from DOT Regional Offices and local government units (LGUs), which kicked off in Batangas City this June, and will go to Cebu and Butuan in August.



The seminars will focus on skills training and upgrading competency level through workshops, case studies and collaborative research projects. This intends to boost employment rate, improve income opportunities and subsequently increase tourism arrivals and receipts. 

Moreover, the seminar-workshop is expected to empower LGU’s tourism officers with greater knowledge to initiate and oversee successful tourism marketing strategies that can significantly contribute to the country’s economic and social development. 

TPB will also discuss relevant issues affecting the tourism industry that may impact the market and provide opportunity to enhance performance and decision-making skills.

The seminars, which anticipates approximately 60 participants per run, is part of TPB’s initiative to support the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022,aiming to build and upscale the implementation of tourism programs to deliver a more competitive, sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.

All Systems Go! Last Chance to Catch WESTLIFE 'The Twenty Tour' on July 29 and 30!

Fans are excited and the anticipation is rising for Irish pop vocal group, WESTLIFE’s ‘The Twenty Tour’ in Manila. The concerts are all set to happen on July 29 and 30th at the Araneta Coliseum.



The reunion tour is expected to be nostalgic, as the band will be performing their well-loved hits in Asia. They are definitely back and in full swing, ready to celebrate their 20th anniversary of hits with loyal fans here in Manila.

Proof to the overwhelming love of their supporters, ‘The Twenty Tour’ is Westlife’s fastest selling tour of all time. The band sold an incredible 400,000 tickets in just 48 hours in the UK. Their first show in Manila sold out in less than a day.

The shows will see the global pop kings perform their greatest hits and all 14 of their U No.1 hits including ‘Swear It Again’, ‘Flying Without Wings’, ‘If I Let You Go’, ‘My Love’, ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘A World Of Our Own’, ‘Unbreakable’, ‘Mandy’, and ‘You Raised Me Up’.

Being the UK’s top selling album group of the 21st century, Shane, Nicky, Mark and Kian have also returned with their highly anticipated first new single in eight years, ‘Hello My Love’, which is written and produced by superstar hitmarkers Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac.

Westlife have sold over 55 million records worldwide, and are the only band to have their first 7 singles enter the UK chart at No.1. They also have the most singles of any artist to debut at No.1 in the UK. Overall the band has had an incredible 14 No.1 singles, behind only Elvis Presley and The Beatles. They have had 33 No.1 albums worldwide and as a live act have sold 5 million concert tickets worldwide.

Last chance! Few tickets left to WESTLIFE: The Twenty Tour in Manila via TicketNet.com.ph or Call 911-5555. You can also visit any TicketNet outlets nationwide or the Araneta Coliseum box office.


FB, Twitter, IG: @WilbrosLive
#WESTLIFEManila2019