Bag of Dreams: The joy of getting brand new school supplies as a kid

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Remember the excitement of getting brand new school supplies as a kid? The thrill of unwrapping fresh notebooks, sharpening new pencils, and organizing colorful crayons in your backpack? Sadly, not every child gets to experience this joy.

In the quiet town of Guinayangan in Quezon Province, the start of a new school year is a bittersweet time for many children. While some students eagerly unpack their new school supplies, many others can only watch from afar. The children of coconut farmers, who often face significant economic challenges, know this reality all too well.

For families who rely on coconut farming as their primary source of income, purchasing new school supplies is often a luxury they cannot afford. The cost of living and farming expenses leaves little room for extras, making it difficult for parents to prioritize their children's educational needs.

Recognizing this need, a community initiative has been launched to bring joy and hope to these young learners. The program aims to provide backpacks filled with essential school supplies to the children of Guinayangan’s coconut farmers. Each backpack, carefully packed with 10 notebooks, pens, crayons, and other necessities, represents more than just stationery—it symbolizes the promise of a brighter future

The impact of this initiative goes beyond the physical items. It is about showing these children that they are seen, valued, and supported in their educational journey. By providing them with the tools they need, we are helping to foster an environment where they can dream big and strive for success.

For more information on how you can support this initiative and bring a bag of dreams to a child in need, please reach out to Beejay Castillo at beejayacastillo@gmail.com.

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Bag of Dreams is a community initiative dedicated to equipping underprivileged children with essential school supplies, empowering them to achieve their dreams, one school year at a time.

For more information, contact Beejay A. Castillo at beejayacastillo@gmail.com or through his Facebook https://www.facebook.com/beejay.castillo

A Creative Designer's guide to nightography feat. vivo V30 Series

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Living in the modern world often involves creating and preserving memories of your day using smartphones. This includes taking photos, particularly at night. Night shots provide a therapeutic experience for those passionate about mobile photography.

City lights and heartwarming nighttime views bring a sense of delight to many individuals, including Gab Mirandilla.

Gab is currently a Creative Designer. In addition to his professional work that involves photography, he also enjoys capturing breathtaking views during the nighttime.

A representative from vivo asked Gab for tips on how to take the best night photos using a mobile phone. Thankfully, vivo released the Aura Portrait Master 3.0 with the vivo V30e as the latest phone in the lineup.

The vivo V30 Pro co-engineered with ZEISS, V30, and V30e are all equipped with powerful cameras that can capture the beauty of the night.

Tips to achieve the best night shots from Gab Mirandilla

Gab listed six (6) simple tips to follow when taking photos during the nighttime. Outdoor photography may seem complicated, especially during the night, but these tips can help you with creative nightography outputs:

1. Keep your phone camera lens clean.

It’s important to keep your lenses clean and free from moisture to achieve vivid shots. Whether you are using your vivo V30 Pro, V30, or V30e, you can get clear night shots as long as they are free from dirt. Clean your lenses from unnecessary dirt and particles by using a microfiber cloth, so they won’t be harmed by scratches.

2. Enable gridlines to improve composition.

Make sure to turn on the grid lines to help you take photos proportionally. The grids can help align your subjects to get balanced shots, especially during the night. To turn the grid using the vivo V30 5G, when you open your camera, you can check the upper right corner of your phone. Then you can see the Grid lines # in the third row. Check if the button turns yellow to make sure it’s on.

3. Adjust exposure using your camera settings before taking a photo.

The vivo V30 Series 5G’s exposure can be adjusted before taking photos to ensure that your pictures are neither too bright nor too dark. To do this, you can simply tap your screen and adjust the brightness by pulling the sun symbol upwards or downwards to check how much light enters your phone camera before clicking the shutter. Adjusting exposure during the night plays a significant role in capturing views and portraits.

Grid Lines

Exposure

Built-in Photo Editor

4. Seek out good lighting, preferably natural and diffused.

It’s important to always find good lighting, especially during the night. But when you are in areas with minimal lights, you can use the Aura Light 3.0 feature of the vivo V30 Series. To turn on Aura Light 3.0, click the flash button on top of your camera on the screen. You can adjust the tone of the light by simply gliding the color palette button below.

5. Experiment with various angles for unique shots.

Angles are crucial when it comes to taking the best shots. Think out of the box, use your creativity, or utilize the vivo V30 Series' 0.6x, 1x, 2x, or 4x to focus on your subjects or if you want to take wide shots. You can check the buttons above the photo to try all angles that suit your perspective to get unique night shots that are worth sharing.

6. Utilize the built-in photo editor.

Edit your night shots right away. You can use the vivo V30 Series' built-in photo editor. Just simply check your shots in your gallery and click the edit button below to modify the framing, adjust the exposure and brightness, add filters, erase unwanted objects, add light effects, or put on bokeh effects. By doing this, you don’t have to go online or download editing apps to make minor adjustments to your night shots.

 

The vivo V30 Series promises exceptional performance, especially in photography. Capturing stunning night photos is effortlessly achievable with this series.

The V30 Series offers three options:

●       vivo V30 Pro with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage for Php 34,999

●       vivo V30 with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage at the starting price of Php 24,999

●       vivo V30e with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage for Php 17,999

You can purchase the vivo V30 Series at vivo concept stores and kiosks nationwide, or through e-commerce platforms like Shopee, TikTok, and Lazada.

Stay updated on the latest vivo smartphone releases by visiting vivo’s official website.

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ATEEZ dominates global charts with tenth mini-album, [GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1]

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South Korean boyband ATEEZ dominates this week’s cultural conversations with the release of their tenth mini-album, [GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1].

The powerhouse group’s new record has reached No. 1 in more than 30 countries on iTunes, making it one of the best-selling K-Pop releases of 2024, globally.

With a stylistic range that embraces new sonic flavors and exciting production approaches, [GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1] opens a new saga for the eight-member pop act to explore in terms of conceptual direction.

As presented in the ideation for the latest era, ATEEZ begs the question, “What are we doing in the final moments of daylight right before the sun sets,” and interprets in a multitude of ways how everyone would feel experiencing the “golden hour” of their lives with a picture-perfect moment or lack of it.

ATEEZ’s tenth studio album features the lead single “WORK,” which intuitively expresses the award-winning group’s continuous commitment to striving and facing challenges. Other standout tracks on the record include the energetic dance anthem “Blind,” the reggae-meets-EDM banger “Shaboom” and the bombastic upbeat song “Siren.”

Track list:

1. Golden Hour

2. Blind

3. WORK

4. Empty Box

5. Shaboom

6. Siren

ATEEZ's global impact is undeniable. They made history as the first K-pop boy group to grace the stage of ‘Coachella,’ the largest music festival in the U.S. They’re also set to perform at Japan’s largest music festival, Summer Sonic, this August 2024. With their shining performances around the world, ATEEZ continues to be unbeatable in the game.

With the release of their second studio album, [THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL], in December last year, they topped the U.S. Billboard main chart, 'Billboard 200,' and ranked second on the UK 'Official Album Chart,' setting a career-high in the world's two major charts.

ATEEZ’s [GOLDEN HOUR Part. 1] is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via KQ Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment.

Celebrating Father’s Day with love and gratitude at Solaire Resort Entertainment City

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Oasis Garden Café’s Father’s Day Afternoon Tea

It’s all about dad at Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Honor the most important man in your life and celebrate Father’s Day with a wide selection of exquisite culinary delights from an elegant brunch buffet, special set menus, succulent steaks, buffet spreads, or a relaxing afternoon tea with the family. Let dad indulge and enjoy a feast for his senses and celebrate a day filled with laughter and cherished memories at Solaire.

Enjoy a sumptuous Italian Sunday brunch at Finestra, where dad can feast on sophisticated dishes such as traditional beef tartare, succulent roasted leg of lamb, red wine-braised flat iron steak, and authentic carbonara. Sweeten the experience with a decadent hazelnut cake and rich chocolate pudding. This festive event features free-flowing champagne, a selection of fine Italian wines, signature cocktails, and a roving prosecco trolley. To make the day even more special, dads dining at Finestra will receive a surprise gift.

For a delightful family feast, head to Red Lantern for their Eat-All-You-Can dim sum buffet and try their new set of ala carte specialties. Pamper dad with his favorite dim sum treats like pan-fried black pepper wagyu beef bun, crystal skin lobster dumplings, baked barbecue pork puff, or deep-fried cheese and prawn spring rolls. Enjoy a lavish spread of family-style dishes including “dong po” style braised pork belly, wok-fried diced Angus beef with shallots and black pepper sauce, deep-fried butter prawns with salted egg yolk, or “Shanghai Style” braised green garoupa with soya chili sauce. Complete the feast with desserts like black glutinous rice with coconut ice cream or deep-fried kataifi roll with avocado paste.

Treat dad for a surprise brunch at Yakumi, where he can savor an array of authentic Japanese dishes from 8 live stations. Indulge in seafood teppanyaki dishes like the Boston lobster, tiger prawns, sake-steamed mussels, Blue Marlin, and Red Snapper Papillote. Create your own hotpot dish such as sukiyaki or shabu-shabu, and try the Tai sakemushi, a Japanese sake steamed seabream with seasonal vegetables. Dads can also enjoy unlimited drinks, including Japanese shochu, sake, and a special Father’s Day cocktail featuring Japanese whisky Iwai and Horodoke Peach sake served in Highball.

Miso baked Hokkaido scallop and marinated soya grilled salmon, 

Ikura with edamame purée from Yakumi’s Father’s Day set menu

For a one-of-a-kind BBQ brunch experience with dad, delve into grilled favorites with tempting choices like chicken, pork tenderloin, and the flavorful jalapeño and fennel sausages. Explore the Butcher's Block for a premium selection of meats, then visit the carving station for Cebu lechon or pork belly and whole roasted prime rib, perfectly paired with Waterside’s signature paella. Add fun to the family brunch and customize your own milkshakes with a variety of toppings, from whimsical sprinkles to pastel-hued cotton candy, and mouthwatering doughnuts. Plus, every dad receives a special gift to brighten his day.

Pan-fried duck liver, dry apricots, pickled asparagus from
 Finestra’s Father’s Day set menu

Try luxurious dishes from Fresh, with a variety of buffet stations showcasing the finest seafood and meats from Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese cuisines. Treat dad to exclusive dishes like succulent beef brisket, creamy lengua estofado with mushrooms, pork and chicken sisig, blue crabs, oysters, clams, and curacha. Indulge in unlimited lobster featuring Boston lobster prepared in Homard Tom Yum sauce by Chef Goh Fukuyama of La Maison de la Nature Goh, a culinary haven in Fukuoka that boasts a Michelin Star. Share quality time with dad as you enjoy a walking photo booth and a caricaturist, while being serenaded by a live band and entertained by a captivating magic show. Kids can join in the fun with games, arts & crafts, and visits to various food booths, including a popcorn and hotdog stand.

Unwind at Oasis Garden Café and catch up with dad over tea and delightful sandwiches like the Reuben sandwich, buffalo chicken subway, or mini beef slider. Treat yourselves to sweet indulgences such as Macallan smoked pecan cigars, Jack Daniel’s apple tarts, or a Jameson crème chocolate stout mousse. For savory delights, dads can try the beef kare-kare croquettes or beef morcone with purple cabbage slaw. Watch out for the Whisky pop-up bar for a special toast to dad’s day.

Satisfy dad’s appetite and heart with a memorable celebration at Solaire. Reserve your seats now by calling 8888-8888 or email restaurantevents@solaireresort.com.

realme’s New Flagship Killer GT 6 Launches in PH alongside Global

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realme, the fastest-growing smartphone brand globally, has announced that the global debut of the flagship GT 6 will commence on June 20 during a product launch event in Milan, Italy.

In the local landscape, realme Philippines confirmed that it will be launching the GT 6 simultaneously with global on the same day at 4PM Philippine Standard Time.

Following a two-year hiatus, this global product launch marks a significant milestone for realme. The realme GT product line gained widespread acclaim from users and tech enthusiasts from all over the world.

realme introduces the upcoming GT series as the "New Flagship Killer Powered by AI," positioned to surpass or outshine its predecessors. Slated to continue the momentum of the GT lineup that first debuted back in March 2021, the GT 6 is hailed as the “Premium Flagship Killer” that captivates the high-end smartphone market. It is designed to deliver exceptional performance and a myriad of innovative features and is poised to redefine the smartphone landscape as the next-generation game-changers.

The Squad can look forward to experiencing seamless state-of-the-art AI capabilities with the upcoming realme GT 6. Furthermore, the realme GT 6 harnesses the power of AI to remarkably enhance image quality, user interaction, and productivity to remarkable levels, with the ambitious goal of popularizing AI technology for youthful audiences worldwide.

Tune in to the local launch of the realme GT 6 on June 20 at 4PM (PHT) via livestream on realme Philippines’ official YouTube and Facebook pages.