MARK YOUR CALENDARS ! ASUS finally announced the arrival of the most intelligent Zenfone - ZENFONE 5 !

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Just 2 days after its Global launch in Taiwan, Filipinos get first crack on the much awaited ZenFone 5 series, as it is set to make its way in the country on April 14!

METRO MANILA, Philippines – Barely a month after receiving global fanfare on the announcement of its latest generation of smartphones during the MWC 2018 in Barcelona Spain, ASUS Philippines now gives ZenFans all the more reasons to celebrate with the much awaited confirmation on the arrival of the ZenFone 5 series in the country. Mark your calendars as this April 14, Filipinos will finally welcome the ZenFone 5 series in the local market.

For its local launch, ASUS Philippines goes #Backto5 as a nod to an entire heritage of strong mobile photography-centric smartphones. And this time around, the newest ZenFone 5 series does not only feature premium designs but also champions mobile photography anew with the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

THE MOST INTELLIGENT ZENFONES, 

THE ZENFONE 5Z & ZENFONE 5

ZenFone 5Z is an exciting next-generation 6.2-inch, dual-camera smartphone that comes with a beautiful 19:9 all-screen display (ASUS’s first-ever phone to have this feature) featuring a 90% screen-to-body ratio, packed in a 5.5-inch body size. It’s also the first-ever ZenFone model to harness the power of the latest Snapdragon 845Mobile Platform with AIE, featuring a 3rd Generation AI platform that includes theHexagon 685 Vector DSP, Adreno 630 Graphics, and Kryo 385 CPU.

ZenFone 5Z also benefits from the Snapdragon X20 Gigabit LTE modem, delivering speeds that surpass the gigabit barrier for a 'wireless fiber' experience, as well as integrated 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth^® 5 for ultra-low-power wireless earbuds. The extreme-performance ZenFone 5Z comes with 6GB RAM and 64GB ROM, offering breathtaking performance combined with outstanding energy efficiency for long-lasting battery life.

ZenFone 5 features an exquisitely crafted design, an amazing dual-camera system, and is powered by the latest Snapdragon 636 Mobile Platform. For an instant blast of extra power, the exclusive ASUS AI Boost (also available on the ZenFone 5Z) optimizes performance for games and other demanding tasks.

The ZenFone 5 features intelligent dual-camera systems that adapt and learn, delivering perfect photos every time. Equipped with the latest flagship Sony^® IMX363 sensor with large 1.4µm pixels, an f/1.8 wide-aperture lens, 120° wide-angle secondary camera, four-axis optical image stabilization (OIS) and AI-enhanced camera features — including AI Scene Detection for 16 different scenes and objects, AI Photo Learning, Real-time Portrait and Real-time Beautification — ZenFone 5Z and ZenFone 5 encourage creativity and free the user to concentrate on the subject rather than the camera.

CAPTURE THE VIBRANCY OF LIFE THROUGH 

THE ZENFONE 5Q

The ZenFone 5Q is a stylish 6-inch smartphone featuring the world's first globally-announced true quad-camera system with high-resolution and wide-angle cameras at both front and rear.

ZenFone 5Q removes the limits on photographic creativity, with a high-resolution main camera — 20MP Sony at the front, 16MP at the rear — and, uniquely, a secondary 120° wide-angle camera at both front and rear. Unlike rival systems, each camera works independently every time for perfect selfies, wefies, landscapes, portraits or groups shots.

The 6-inch Full HD+ IPS display has a Full View 18:9 aspect ratio and an ultraslim bezel, making the pocket-friendly ZenFone 5Q as compact as a standard-aspect-ratio 5.5-inch phone.

Powered by the Snapdragon 630 Mobile Platform, ZenFone 5Q combines incredible performance, optimized power efficiency and a 3300mAh battery with advanced security and convenience features — including NFC, triple-slot SIM/microSD card holder, rapid face unlock and fingerprint recognition — for a mobile experience like no other.

MARKET AVAILABILITY

The ZenFone 5 series has sparked the interest of many, and without a doubt this particular ZenFone generation pushes the envelope; especially with ZenFone 5Z and ZenFone 5 being dubbed at the first ever line-up of most Intelligent ZenFones.

Full specs, pricing, online reservation of units and the bundled freebies will be announced in the next few days, so stay tuned to the ASUS Philippines Facebook Page and the ZenTalk Philippines Forum.

OPPO F7 is Coming Soon in the Philippines

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6.2-inch Super Full Screen with Multitasking features for easier and more convenient access

OPPO is set to introduce the new F7, as the latest addition to its famous Selfie Expert series this April 2018. Packed with a 6.23” FHD+ Super Full Screen display, F7 strengthens the company’s leadership position as the Selfie Expert among young people everywhere.

The 6.23” Super Full Screen display of the OPPO F7 gives an astonishing 89.09% screen to body ratio. Despite a larger screen, the OPPO F7 still carries a footprint of a 5.5” smartphone, making it easy to carry as it fits just right in your palm. Having a 2280 x 1080 resolution, the F7’s larger screen ensures a more immersive and vivid experience during gaming or simple browsing. 

“This April will surely be a big month for OPPO, and we encourage everyone to stay tuned as we reveal more details of the OPPO F7 and its innovative features soon,” said Eason de Guzman, OPPO Philippines’ Public Relations Manager.

More than just a bigger screen, the F7 will feature an innovative multi-tasking gesture to quickly do responses in social messaging apps, screenshots, or even screen recording. Using this method, OPPO maximizes the opportunity for the notch and gives more value to customers. 

For more exciting updates, you may also visit the OPPO Philippines’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/.

Globe supports DOH in promoting mental health awareness

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Globe Telecom continues its support to the Department of Health (DOH) in promoting mental health awareness in the Philippines. In its pursuit to provide a platform for a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, toll-free Hopeline 2919 was built with the support of Globe providing the necessary technology for it.

Depression continues to be a leading cause of ill health and disability among many countries around the world. Many people think that depression is not an illness but just a negative feeling that one eventually snaps out of but in fact, it is one of the leading causes of suicide.

Based on data from the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people are currently undergoing depression, up by more than 18 percent from 2005 to 2015. In the Philippines, an estimated 3.3 million Filipinos are suffering from depression. Only 1 out of 3 who suffer from depression will seek the help of a specialist and one third will not even be aware of their condition.

With the creation of Hopeline in 2012, over 14,000 calls have been received and most of the calls were related to issues on depression, suicidal thoughts and relationship problems.

“Today, many people are still unaware of the causes of depression, anxiety and other serious mental health disorders. The illness is highly misunderstood and is further exacerbated by the stigma attached to it. Hence, there is a need to better understand the Filipinos who are under these circumstances. It is necessary to make them feel that they are not alone in their fight; that there are people who care and are a willing to listen,” explains Secretary Francisco Duque III of the Department of Health.

“By powering the hotline, Globe makes the significant contribution of turning the tide and raising awareness on mental health. This way, we are able to offer various opportunities for people to seek help and support,” adds Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Globe Corporate Communications. 

Reinforcing its efforts to promote education on mental health awareness, Globe in partnership with the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, College of St. Benilde (CSB), and the National Center for Mental Health launched “Hope in 40 Seconds”, a video animation competition among students and young adults aged 16-30 years old.

The competition aims to promote the importance of mental health among Filipinos and boost awareness for Hopeline 2919. “Hope in 40 Seconds” wishes to convey to people undergoing depression and who may be exhibiting suicidal tendencies that they are not alone, that there are others who actually care and are willing to listen.

The Top 5 finalists of the “Hope in 40 Seconds” competition are “Hope in your Hands,” by Nia Colinayo and Jade Velasquez; “Light Beyond Shadows” by Rex Lynnus Sueno, “Out of Reach,” by Maria Marquiala and Ralph Reyes; “Hope^4” by Aleks Elizabeth Dolor Isla; and “Black White Red,” by Ma. Isabella Parca.

An awarding ceremony is set to recognize the best three entries this April 2018 at The Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Win a Vivo V9 and get to experience the perfect shot, the perfect view

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The newly released Vivo V9 that boasts of a 90% FullScreen Display and a 24-megapixel AI front camera, among other cutting-edge specs is every selfie lover’s dream smartphone. It was recently introduced in the Philippines at the City of Dreams on March 22.

Vivo is yet to give details about its new flagship smartphone’s official release date in the Philippines. But, it is generously giving away three Vivo V9 smartphones to its loyal followers.

The Vivo V9 with a 24-megapixel AI selfie camera can be all yours by answering the smartphone brand’s specific theme for the week with your story and your photo.

Topics for the following weeks:

Week 1: March 25-31 - Perfect Shot

What is your definition of a perfect shot?

Week 2: April 1-April 7 - Perfect View

Have you ever encountered a perfect view?

Week 3: April 8-April 14 - Spot the Number 9

Spot the Number 9 and take a selfie with it.

Vivo will then determine the winning entries using the following criteria:

40% - Adherence to weekly theme – Entries that best adhere to weekly themes:

                                                    1.) Perfect View 2.) Perfect Shot 3.) Spot the number 9.

30% - Visual Impact – Creativity and originality of entry

20% - Entry Message – Explanation of story behind the entry – should be in 2-3 sentences

10% - Image Quality – Sharpness, detail, contrast, and color rendition of image.

All entries must be submitted at 12mn every Saturday of each promo week. Announcements of weekly winners will be made at 5pm every Tuesday after the promo week.

Entries with the highest score based on the criteria for judging will receive one Vivo V9 smartphone, the second highest scorer will get a Vivo Little V Speaker, and the third highest score will win a Vivo Notebook.

Visit http://vivoglobal.ph/vivobeminev9/ to join the contest and to learn more about the full mechanics. The Perfect Shot, Perfect View is just a few steps away. Good luck! 

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.

PROMO MECHANICS

• The promo is open to all Filipino citizens aged 18 years old and above.
• Participants will be asked to submit a picture adhering to a different theme/category each week.
• Weekly themes are as follows:

Week 1: Perfect Shot	Week 2:  Perfect View	Week 3:  Spot the Number 9
Answer the question: What is your definition of a perfect shot.  Share a photo and your story.	Have you ever encountered a perfect view? Share with us your story and a photo about it.	Spot the Number 9 and take a selfie with it.

• Participant may then submit their entry by uploading their picture and story at the official promo website at vivoglobal.ph/vivobeminev9.
• Entrant will be asked to register in the website by filling in their Name, Address, Birthday, Contact Number, Email Address and entry message on the fields provided.
• Size of photo should be at least 600 x 600 px but not limited to a square format.  Photo story for week 1 and week 2 should be in 2-3 sentences.

ENTRY GUIDELINES

• Participants may submit more than one original entry per account. Duplicate entries (same image) shall be considered as one entry.
• For more chances of winning, a participant may submit an entry every week provided that the photo and entry message are unique from his/her previous entries.
• An entry is only eligible to win in the contest week it was uploaded in.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

• All entries uploaded in the corresponding contest week will be judged according to the following criteria:

40% - Adherence to weekly theme – Entries that best adhere to weekly themes: 1.) Perfect View 2.) Perfect Shot 3.) Spot the number 9.

30% - Visual Impact – Creativity and originality of entry

20% - Entry Message – Explanation of story behind the entry – should be in 2-3 sentences

10% - Image Quality – Sharpness, detail, contrast, and color rendition of image

• A DTI Representative will be invited to witness the selection and determination of the winners.  All entries received during the promo period will be consolidated and reviewed by a panel of judges composed of marketing personnel of Philippine Vivo Tech, Inc.
• Selection and determination of the entries will be done every Monday at 3pm, at the Vivo Office:  33F East Tower, The Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Ave. Mandaluyong City.
• Cutoff is every Saturday at 12mn of each promo week and announcements of weekly winners will be made every Tuesday at 5pm after the promo week.

	Cut-off Date	Announcement
Week 1 | March 25 – March 31	March 31 (Sat)	April 3 (Tue)
Week 2 | April 1 – April 7	April 7 (Sat)	April 10 (Tue)
Week 3 | April 8 – April 14	April 14 (Sat)	April 17 (Tue)

PRIZES

• There will be three (3) WEEKLY WINNERS

WEEK	GRAND PRIZE	1st RUNNER UP	2ND RUNNER UP
WEEK 1	VIVO V9	Vivo Little V Speaker	Vivo Notebook
WEEK 2	VIVO V9	Vivo Little V Speaker	Vivo Notebook
WEEK 3	VIVO V9	Vivo Little V Speaker	Vivo Notebook

• Entry with the highest score based on the criteria for judging will receive one (1) Vivo V9 smartphone. Entry with the second highest score will receive one (1) Vivo Little V Speaker. Entry with the third highest score will receive one (1) Vivo Notebook.

RULES

• All prize taxes shall be shouldered by Philippine Vivo Mobile Tech, Inc.
• Present at least one (1) valid ID and the registered notice for verification upon claiming. The winners must present a valid ID which contains the same information as his/her registered details.
• For winners outside Metro Manila, they can send a copy of their valid ID via email to know the instructions for claiming.  Prizes shall then be couriered to the winners registered address.
• For prize claims that require special representation to receive, a signed authorization letter with two (2) valid IDs of the receiving party should be present.
• Prizes can only be claimed at the following Vivo Office location: ​33F East Tower The Philippine Stock Exchange Center Exchange Road, Ortigas Ave. Mandaluyong City.
• The winners may claim their prizes until 60 days after receipt of their registered mail, otherwise the prize will be forfeited with prior approval of DTI.
• Philippine Vivo Mobile Tech, Inc. reserves the right, at its own discretion or after notification, to immediately remove images that violate laws, morals, and ethics or infringe on the rights of others.
• Participants may only upload a contribution with which he/she owns the rights for publication. If it is discovered that the participant is not the owner of an uploaded image, he/she will be disqualified from the contest.
• All employees, suppliers, agencies, sponsors, dealer outlets of Vivo, including their relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity are disqualified from joining the promo.

Per DTI-FTEB Permit No. 3610, Series of 2018.

WWF-Philippines: #EarthHourPh2018 to push for intensified environmental actions

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Every action we take makes a difference for our planet. Let's unite and connect to to help and save the nature. It is our social responsibility to protect and save our mother Earth.

Supporting global calls to protect earth’s biodiversity, thousands trooped to the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ front lawn in Pasay City to take part in the official Earth Hour switch-off event led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines. 

WWF-Philippines’ CEO and President Joel M. Palma said, “The Philippines will continue to play an important role in sending a message to the rest of the world that we can tread the path to sustainable development and help protect our people and planet’s health and wellbeing. Thriving biodiversity serves as our lifeline, as it holds us all together.”

This year’s Earth Hour theme, #Connect2Earth, recognizes the role of maintaining earth’s biodiversity to counter the worsening impacts of climate change. Biodiversity-rich Philippines is one of the 17 “mega-diverse countries,” home to more than half of the world’s species, but WWF also sees the urgent need to step up environmental action to counter the Philippines’ record as a “biodiversity hotspot” and address worsening threats to its forests, oceans, and wildlife.

Earth Hour onsite and online highlights

Around 1,000 Filipino scouts were mobilized during the event as part of a global partnership to engage the World Organization of Scout Movement (WOSM) through its Environmental Education program tapping young scouts as environmental stewards who are eager to earn the new Panda badge. 

Up to 500 bikers from 21 bike groups under the Hataw Padyak federation also joined the event and cycled more than 15 kilometers from Malabon City to CCP to promote low-carbon mobility through cycling.

Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s official written message was read during the program in support of WWF and people’s efforts to “take strides in finding solutions to climate change, ecological degradation, and other pressing environmental problems.”  

Participants were joined by WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Iza Calzado, Marc Nelson, and Rovilson Fernandez, together with Earth Hour National Ambassador Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and National Youth Ambassador Janine Gutierrez. 

With the Cultural Center of the Philippines as co-presenter, cultural performances and immersive activities highlighted this year’s Earth Hour activities onsite. Featuring the indigenous artistry of Sanghabi and folksinger-activist Lolita Carbon, local performances were inspired by nature at the heart of Philippines’ rich culture and heritage. 

Drawing attention to how biodiversity loss affects wildlife, immersive activities like “whale shark dive” and “iceberg path” gave a glimpse of what it is like for some of the world’s climate-vulnerable species like whale sharks and polar bears to struggle and survive amidst plastic-filled oceans and thinning sea ice. 

#Connect2Earth video pledges were collected to form a call to action video which was played after the 60-minute lights out encouraging people to adopt a “one planet lifestyle” and make sustainable choices to protect the environment. Online solidarity throughout the globe was captured using connect2earth.org, a social listening and sharing platform featuring Earth Hour commitments and conversations around biodiversity and climate solutions.

Representatives from the government, businesses, and organizations also signified their support for Earth Hour. Nationwide, several schools, government facilities, and business establishments like malls and hotels also held their own Earth Hour activities and switch-off events in their communities. 

Earth Hour government and institution partners – Climate Change Commission, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Energy, Metro Manila Development Authority, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, City of Pasay, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of National Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, Laguna Lake Development Authority, and the Philippine Red Cross – all issued circulars urging their constituents to support WWF-Philippines’ Earth Hour celebration. 

Corporate partners and sponsors who share Earth Hour’s vision – Sun Life Foundation, Avolution, BDO Unibank, Rockwell Land Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, Stores Specialists Inc., McDonald’s, Quorn, Summit, Locally, and Mr. Softy – pooled together resources for the main switch-off event. 

ANC, CNN Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror, Play 99.5 FM, Radyo Veritas, LS 97.5, WhenInManila.com, together with the Eagle Broadcasting Corporation’s Net25, DZEC 1062, Pinas FM 95.5, and eaglenews.ph, served as the official media partners of the 2018 run of the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment.

https://www.facebook.com/myrns.roman/videos/10213342187842189/

Going Beyond the Hour

#Connect2Earth will serve as Earth Hour and WWF’s battle cry to galvanize public support for more earnest and decisive actions to protect the planet. For more than a decade, the global lights-out event remains an impactful visual call-out since it started in Sydney, Australia. But more than the one-hour switch off, WWF-Philippines urges Filipinos to observe sustainable living and support advocacies pushing for low-carbon cities, renewable energy development, sustainable food production and consumption, forest and water conservation, and wildlife protection, among others.

Atty. Angela Consuelo S. Ibay, Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director and Head of WWF-Philippines’ Climate and Energy Program shares :

“Working together with the government, businesses and communities, we strive to build on the gains of Earth Hour to help drive policies, awareness and actions that would support local, national and global initiatives to halt negative climate impact and biodiversity loss.”