Samsung Introduces Galaxy A7 Octa Core Smartphone with LTE for Php 24,990

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Samsung officially launched the  Galaxy A with full metal unibody design, it’s also the thinnest Samsung device only 6.3mm thin. Equipped with Octa-core processor, Dual-SIM slot, and LTE connection.

​The Galaxy A7 also supports the intuitive features and services offered by the Galaxy A5 and A3, with an advanced 5 Megapixel front-facing camera and advanced selfie features including ‘Ultra Wide Shot’ and ‘Auto Selfie’ modes, which make it possible to take a photograph using only a voice command or even a simple wave of the hand.

The device also features ‘Always Clear Voice Auto Control’ to reduce noise from the surrounding environment, as well as LTE Category 4 support for quick and easy photo and video uploads on any social network. In addition to these features, the Galaxy A7 offers a Private Mode, which adds an extra layer of security for important files and documents.

The Galaxy A7 has 16GB of memory and 2GB of RAM to power all of a user’s favorite apps and media, and is supported by a long-lasting 2,600mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy A7 Specifications:

• Android 4.4 (KitKat)
• 5.5”-inch HD Super AMOLED
• 1.8GHz cortex Samsung Exynos 5433 octa-core processor
• 2GB RAM + 16GB Storage
• Expandable via microSD card up to 64GB
• 13MP AF Rear Camera w/ LED Flash
• 5.0MP Front Camera
• Camera Features Wide Selfie, Rear-cam Selfie, Beauty Face Features
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
• BT 4.0
• A-GPS+GLONASS,
• NFC
• Dimations: 151 x 76.2 x 6.3 mm, 141g
• 2600 mAh Battery

The Samsung Galaxy A7 is priced at Php 24,990, and its available in selective market in Pearl White, Midnight Black, and Champagne Gold.

People's Pope - Pope Francis Visit in the Philippines

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Jorge Mario Bergoglio or Pope Francis is said to be of the most charismatic leader of the Catholic Church. His holiness is also known as the "People's Pope". 

Pope Francis will celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, which will involve a reading of the Holy Gospel, reflection, prayer, and blessings for all families present. 

According to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the said event will convene families who are faced with the "three most difficult challenges" present in the contemporary Philippine society: poverty, migration, and disability. 

The gathering will have the theme "The Holy Family's Journey is the Pilgrimage of Every Family" and will be the Pope's first time to lead an event of its kind.

Things about Pope Francis

Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city of Argentina,on December 17, 1936. 

From the moment he stepped into the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica upon his election to the papacy on March 13, 2013, His Holiness Pope Francis has captured the world’s attention for his simple message of God’s boundless love and mercy. 

Here are 10 things you need to know about His Holiness Pope Francis:

1. Pope Francis is a pope of many “firsts”.

2. Pope Francis sees himself as a sinner.

3. Pope Francis believes the Church should be more like a “field hospital after battle,” with bishops serving as true pastors and priests spending more time in confessionals, consoling wounded souls.

4. Pope Francis wants to keep it simple but “cannot live without people.”

5. Pope Francis only has the deepest of affections for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, his “brother” who now lives in a monastery at the Vatican.

6. Pope Francis is a reformer; he is not afraid to shake things up.

7. Pope Francis says “no” to an economy of exclusion.

8. Pope Francis warns Christians against falling into the trap of spiritual worldliness,” which is “self-centeredness cloaked in an outward religiosity bereft of God.

9. Pope Francis is a fervent devotee of the Blessed Mother.

10. Pope Francis is a son of the Church.

Selected Sources:

Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, November 24, 2013

“A Big Heart Open to God: The Exclusive Interview with Pope Francis” (America: The National Catholic Review), September 30, 2013

Press Conference of Pope Francis During the Return Flight from the Apostolic Journey to Rio de Janeiro on the Occasion of the XXVIII World Youth Day, July 28, 2013

SM's advisory on Pope's visit to MOA Arena

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SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena management issues advisory reminding the public that its gates will open at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 16, during the visit of Pope Francis.

His Holiness Pope Francis is expected to arrive at the MOA Complex at 5:15 p.m. SM MOA Arena management said gates will be closed at 3:30 p.m. The South Open Parking will open at 9 a.m. and also close at 3:30 p.m.

Pope Francis will celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, which will involve a reading of the Holy Gospel, reflection, prayer, and blessings for all families present.

Dubbed “Encounter with the Families,” selected families will also be sharing testimonies on poverty, migration, and disability, with the Pope and the public. This event is expected to end at 7 p.m.

SM MOA management said all tickets are free and issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which organized the event.

Local dioceses will also issue free tickets for the 16 cinemas that will show live streaming of the Pope’s MOA appearance, namely SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM Southmall, SM City Manila, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Fairview, SM City Marikina, SM City Bacoor, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Clark, SM City Pampanga, SM City Cebu, SM City Iloilo, SM City Davao, and SM City Lanang.

Those who are in the vicinity of the MOA Arena can also see the Pope during the motorcade, as well as the proceedings inside the MOA Arena through LED screens with speakers at the MOA complex.

SM management said the MOA Arena Annex building, located in front of MOA Arena, will open at 4 a.m. onwards (on a first come first served basis).

Only those who will present official Papal visit 2015 IDs and the red-colored Arena tickets (for the pre-seated delegates inside the MOA Arena) will be allowed entry, and white colored Arena tickets (for the seated delegates in the South Open Parking between MOA Arena & SMX).

Pope Francis arrives in Manila

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Pope Francis arrived in the Philippines, on Thursday afternoon, the second and last stop in his week-long Asia tour for a state and pastoral visit from January 15 to 19 amid one of the biggest security operations in the country's history.

His Holiness Pope Francis visit to the Philippines is to send a message of mercy and compassion to millions of poor Filipinos, including those hit by one of the strongest typhoons to ever hit land.

Here are the beautiful photos I saw in many facebook pages, and some I screenshot in TV coverages during Pope Francis arrival. 

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Pope Francis arrives at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. 

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

All people cheered excitedly as the 78-year-old pontiff Pope Francis peered out several times from the window of a plane that brought him to Villamor Air Base in the Philippines.

Upon arrival, he was received by President Benigno S. Aquino III, and a papal delegation. (via @govPH)

The Pope was all smiles even as the wind blew away his skullcap after he stepped out of the plane.

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno Aquino III personally welcomed the Pope.

The two then stood on the ceremonial dais for the papal anthem and the Philippine national anthem.

His Holiness Pope Francis, accompanied by President Benigno S. Aquino III, receives a bouquet of flowers during the arrival ceremony at the 250th PAW of the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for the State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Republic of the Philippines on Thursday afternoon (January 15, 2015). (Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

After the playing of the Philippine and Vatican national anthems, the Pope greeted by 10-year-old orphan Mark Angelo Balbero and Lanie Ortilla, 9, Francis hugged hugged and blessed the two children, who gave him bouquets of white and yellow flowers.

Church officials, Cabinet members and two children were among the first people to greet Pope Francis upon his arrival in the Philippines Thursday.

Pope Francis shook hands with 12 members of the Aquino Cabinet and 12 leaders of the Catholic Church.

The Pope gladly meeting again, hugged and exchanged pleasantries with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle who was part of the conclave that elected him Pope.

(Photo by Robert Viñas/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

More than 1,200 devotees from the Diocese of Paranaque dancing outside the plane, and around 1,500 schoolchildren welcomed the Pope with lively dances, waving white cloths, and red, white and blue umbrellas to form the Philippine flag. Their shirts were printed with the message "Mabuhay (Welcome) Pope Francis!"

Pope Francis boards the "Popemobile." January 15, 2015 

His Holiness Pope Francis takes leave of President Benigno S. Aquino III and boards the Papal Mobile after the arrival ceremony at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for the State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Republic of the Philippines on Thursday afternoon (January 15, 2015). (Photo by Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

The Nunciature where Pope Francis will be staying during his trip to Manila. (Photo by Jim Guiao Punzalan, Manila Bulletin)

Thousands of people lined the streets of the Manila on Thursday, waving flags, cheering, jumped, clapped and singing, greeted shout, cheer, shed tears of joy to welcome Pope Francis on his first visit to Asia's largest Catholic nation.

The Pope will bring a message of compassion to millions of poor Filipinos suffering from the effects of corruption and decades-old insurgencies, as well as the problems faced by millions of impoverished and the families of the 10 million-12 million Filipino migrant workers overseas.

He will visit the central province of Leyte, which is still struggling to recover from Typhoon Haiyan that killed 6,300 people in 2013. 

About two million people are expected to attend an open-air mass on Saturday at Tacloban City airport, almost completely destroyed by Haiyan.

On His first day here in the country, watching the TV coverages and seeing him smile and greet people, I feel the spirit of the Lord, I feel Jesus in Him - a true servant , with Mercy and Compassion.

Photo by Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Hail to Pope Francis for giving the Philippines his utmost attention!

Smart and Twitter give free access to social networking site for Pope’s visit

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Smart, Sun and Talk ’N Text are partnering with Twitter and will offer FREE Twitter on mobile as a public service for the millions of Filipinos who wants to share their thoughts and experiences in the upcoming visit of Pope Francis on January 15 to 19.

As a public service to millions of Filipinos who want to share their Papal Visit experience online, Twitter and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have teamed up to offer unlimited access to the popular social networking app on mobile phones for free from January 15 to 19, 2015.

Under the service, all 69 million prepaid and postpaid subscribers of Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text may take to Twitter without worrying about mobile data charges, allowing more Filipinos to follow the Pope’s Twitter account (@Pontifex), send wishes and prayers to the Pope using #DearPopeFrancis hashtag, and get real-time updates on the much anticipated apostolic and state visit of Pope Francis in the Philippines.

More details of the Pope’s visit, including #DearPopeFrancis Tweets, videos, stories and the Pope’s itinerary, can be found at dearpopefrancis.ph.

“With this collaboration, Smart and Twitter aim to allow more Filipinos to get involved and immerse in this historic experience with Pope Francis, who our Catholic nation hold very dear to our heart,” said Napoleon L. Nazareno, president and CEO, PLDT and Smart.

Text DEARPOPE to 9999 starting January 15

Starting January 15, Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text subscribers nationwide may start their one-time registration for the free Twitter service by simply texting DEARPOPE to 9999.

Once registered, subscribers may tweet their aspirations and messages to the beloved Pope using #DearPopeFrancis. Subscribers may also post real-time updates, upload photos, and even reach out to him through his official Twitter account @Pontifex on their mobile devices at no extra cost.

‘Digital footprint’ of Papal visit experience

“In the same way Pope Francis has embraced Twitter with his official account @Pontifex to reach out to more Catholics all over the world, Filipinos may use this very same platform on their mobile devices to see events unfold and join heartfelt conversations – whether they are physically present in the event or not.

“Nowhere is this service any more timely and suitable than during a momentous occasion in the world’s social media capital and Asia's largest Catholic country. Through this, we shall create and leave behind a digital footprint of our nation's Papal visit experience,” Nazareno added.

The Pope is the 2nd most followed world leader on Twitter today with over 17 million followers across his nine accounts in different languages. His Tweets are among the most popular on Twitter and are consistently retweeted several thousand times.

"Twitter is excited to partner with Smart to enable all Filipinos to get closer to the Pope and connect with the local community for this historic occasion – from expressing their hopes and prayers using Tweets with #DearPopeFrancis hashtag as well as getting real-time updates, photos and conversations in their Twitter timeline on Pope Francis’ first-ever visit to the Philippines. Most importantly, join the Twitter flock and sign up now to follow the Pope’s Twitter account (@Pontifex) during his visit, so that you can be one of the first to get the Pope’s Tweets via the Twitter app on your Smart mobile device,” said Arvinder Gujral, Director Business Development, India and SE Asia, Twitter.

With over 284 million monthly active users worldwide – 80 percent of which are on mobile – Twitter has become an essential social medium for netizens keeping an eye on real-time updates and social pulse on significant events and issues in the Philippines and around the world.

When the flock tweets

Upon successful registration, subscribers may either use the Twitter mobile app or access m.twitter.com on their mobile browser for the whole duration of the Papal visit. Subscribers have to maintain at least P1 load balance every day or be subscribed to any plan, promo or bundle to enjoy the free service.

Moreover, mobile users who are registered to the ongoing Smart Free Internet promo may enjoy the Free Twitter service on top of their 30 MB allocation.

Hordes of Filipino devotees are expected to flock to the scheduled gatherings with Pope Francis in the course of his five-day apostolic visit, the culmination of which is a big Eucharistic celebration on January 18 where over 5 million are estimated to show up and catch a glimpse of the Pope for the first time.