Welcome Uber To The Grab Family

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For years now, Grab and Uber have pushed each other to outdo themselves. To be more inclusive and accessible. To better understand their customers. And to innovate products that anticipate each and every one of the client’s needs.

As one company, thyt will be able to combine their strengths into a unified platform that serves the daily commuting, delivery and payment needs of millions of people across nearly 200 cities in Southeast Asia.

Grab and Uber is now in the midst of combining their operations and will transition all Uber services over to the Grab app by April 8, 2018 so you’ll be able to continue using the Grab app as you normally do.

For any questions about the merger, check out some of the answers here.

PLDT is undisputed leader in home broadband

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MANILA, Philippines, April 2018 – Leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT has maintained its top position in the home broadband market, showing a robust 131% growth in its total fiber-fast broadband subscribers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the previous year, as it accelerated the deployment of fiber-powered Internet services for Filipino families nationwide. 

Total PLDT Home subscriptions grew by over 12% year-on-year as of end-2017 to reach more than 4.1 million, including Fibr, DSL, and voice customers. PLDT fiber facilities passed four million homes at the end of 2017, expanding by around 1.2 million from the previous year.

“The market response to PLDT’s aggressive deployment of fiber lines was quick and strong, adding nearly half a million new subscribers. The dramatic improvement in PLDT’s ability to deliver faster broadband speeds with the roll out of fiber and hybrid fiber, coupled with continuous innovations in digital solutions, access to content, and bundled offers, have boosted subscriptions,” PLDT SVP and Head of Consumer Business Market Development Oscar A. Reyes, Jr. said.

He added that PLDT’s fiber-powered SmartCity and SmartProvince programs enabled more Filipinos all over the country to enjoy the benefits of PLDT Home’s industry-leading products and services. Among these services are the SmartHome suite of cutting-edge devices such as the home monitoring system Fam Cam, the cyber security platform Fam Zone, and the multi-functional kiddie gadget Smart Watch.

PLDT’s SmartCity and SmartProvince programs were implemented with the cooperation of Local Government Units (LGUs). The first SmartCity was set up in Toledo City, Cebu in March 2017, followed by General Santos, Naga, South Metro Manila, East Metro Manila, and central business districts like Rockwell Makati and Bonifacio Global City. Cavite became the first SmartProvince in September last year.

Reyes noted that PLDT Home also introduced the world’s leading entertainment platform Roku through its Roku-powered TVolution, an all-in-one box which houses content from top providers like Cignal, Netflix, iflix, and Youtube.

PLDT has likewise launched the Whole Home WiFi service which utilizes signal enhancing devices that connect the entire home to a strong all-in-one broadband and smart WiFi network.

In December 2017, PLDT Home ushered in a first in the market -- bundled offers that allowed customers to sign up for two to three services, such as either a PLDT Home Fibr plan, a Smart mobile phone subscription, and/or a Cignal TV subscription, with a 10% to 15% discount off their combined bill. PLDT is uniquely positioned to offer such bundled services.

While the SmartCities were the more visible areas of PLDT’s fiber expansion, FTTH and hybrid fiber connections were also brought to other areas of the country. Hybrid fiber technology is being rolled out to provide fiber-fast speeds to about 1.2 million PLDT residential customers on copper-powered broadband using VVDSL and G. fast which are used extensively in Germany and South Korea to deliver fiber-fast speeds of up to 500-600 Mbps over copper lines.

PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said, “PLDT will double its fiber and hybrid fiber broadband capacity to over 2.2 million ports in 2018. About 650,000 of the additional ports will be for fiber while another 550,000 will be for hybrid fiber broadband. This effort will not only expand the reach of PLDT’s fiber network, but it will also upgrade its copper-based broadband service to fiber speeds.”

He pointed out that by 2019, virtually all of PLDT’s 1.2 million copper-based DSL subscribers will enjoy fiber-fast Internet as PLDT further expands its fixed broadband coverage to 5.1 million homes passed, extending its reach to more areas of the country.

“The net result is that within the next 12-18 months, world-class internet services on PLDT’s super-charged fixed and mobile networks will be available to many more Filipinos in many more parts of the country,” Pangilinan said.

Neocolours with new single "Giliw” - To hold 30th anniversary concert at the Music Museum

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One of the biggest names in the OPM scene, Neocolours, makes its long-awaited comeback with the release of the single "Giliw,” 19 years after their last recorded release. The brand-new song, written by Jimmy Antiporda, exemplifies the sound that they've been famous for -- well crafted musical performance that would bring an emotional impact to their long time listeners and a growing new generation of listeners. “Giliw” is now available digitally on iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon and Spotify under Universal Records. 

Neocolours' songs have been a mainstay of many Filipino listeners’ playlists. Their songs such as ‘Maybe,’ ‘Kasalanan Ko Ba,’ ‘Hold On,’ ‘Say You'll Never Go’ and ‘Tuloy Pa Rin’ have transcended generational barriers, and are repeatedly re-recorded by some of the country's top recording artists such as Erik Santos, Kyla, Noel Cabangon, and Nyoy Volante to name a few. On top of this, their hits have a combined listenership of close to 10 million streams on Spotify.

Aside from the completion of a new album in 2018, Neocolours' other music activities includes a 30th year anniversary show “Tuloy Pa Win…And Awit" at the Music Museum on April 28, as well as a national tour for the rest of the year. 

Neocolours are composed of Ito Rapadas (Vocalist), Jimmy Antiporda (Keyboards), Jack Rufo (Lead Guitar), Paku Herrera (Bass Guitar) and Nino Regalado (Drums).

JoshLia stands up against online bashing in new OPPO F7 TVC - Popular love team encourages all to embrace ‘real beauty’ to combat online negativity

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MANILA, April 10, 2018 – If there’s anyone who has had more than their fair share of online hate, it would be popular celebrities who came of age in the social media generation, just like Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia. “Bashers,” or individuals who seem to gain pleasure in leaving unsavory commentaries on social media, often flock to high-profile accounts like those of Barretto, Garcia, and other showbiz personalities.

Barretto, who belongs to an oft-controversial celebrity clan, is used to seeing nasty messages and comments disparaging her looks, talents, and personality online. She has had countless bashers tell her that she might have had work done on her face, that there is no talent behind her pretty face, and that she’s another vain artista. Barretto confronts these negative statements in her new commercial for the OPPO F7, where she is joined by Garcia to convey an uplifting message.

“This project with OPPO is so timely,” she said. “Standing up against online bashing is something that Joshua and I feel is relevant because the audience will be able to relate to it. I think a lot of them are curious about how celebrities deal with negativity directed at us online. I’m so glad that OPPO has allowed us to share this story with more people.”

“Nangyayari talaga ‘to sa amin,” agreed Garcia. “And the message of the commercial is really uplifting because people might say a lot of bad things about you online, but you shouldn’t feel bad about yourself because the people who know you in real life will know the real deal, the real story, and will always value you for being who you really are.”

Capture the Real You

The teen love team—who have made fans swoon over their romantic films Vince & Kath & James, Love You to the Stars and Back, and Unexpectedly Yours—are part of OPPO Philippines’ impressive roster of endorsers. Barretto and Garcia are the stars of the mobile leader’s latest campaign which highlights its upcoming flagship OPPO F7.

“For me, the F7 ang pinaka-magandang model ng OPPO to date,” Garcia shared. “All the features we want in a smartphone, they brought together in one unit.”

The features that Barretto and Garcia love the most in the OPPO F7 are the best-in-class 25MP front camera for the most flattering and natural selfies, the advanced AI Beauty 2.0 Technology, and the Super Full Screen for a truly immersive mobile experience.

Apart from the impressive features of this new flagship smartphone, OPPO got Julia and Joshua on board with the line “Capture the Real you”—a message that the two young celebrities related to.

Barretto said: “This is the first time that I had a project that tackled this reality, and it’s one that empowered us to voice out how we really feel about online bashing.”

OPPO Public Relations Maanger, Eason de Guzman is also happy to have the love team as the faces of its newest campaign. “Julia and Joshua are among the hottest stars in the country, but that popularity comes with a price. We’re glad to have them in the OPPO family and to have them speak their mind against online bashing and promote our philosophy of capturing the real you to a wider audience.”

‘They should stop’

To their credit, the love team does not reciprocate the hate they receive from bashers.

“I feel like the bashers should stop. Their lives will be more positive if they follow the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Focus on yourself, improve, and figure out how you can be a better person. For those suffering from online bashing, it’s a waste of energy to dwell on the negativity. Shrug it off. You know who you are and don’t let other people tell you otherwise,” Barretto advised.

“We can’t really stop the bashers from doing what they want,” Garcia thoughtfully replied to his on-screen partner’s statement. “But I suggest that bashers think of their victims. You should get to know them, what they go through, before typing something mean. Madali mamintas than finding good things to say to a person. For the online bashing victims, the people who matter most will always love you for who you really are. Sabi nga ng OPPO, capture the real you.”

The new OPPO F7 is priced at PhP 17,990.00 and will be available for pre-order in all OPPO stores and authorized reseller starting April 12 to April 20, 2018.

Capture the real you with OPPO and let the world know that you stand with Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia against online bashing by liking OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page and following @OPPOPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram. Customers are also encouraged to check out the OPPO Philippines official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/ for special promos and upcoming roadshow schedules about the new OPPO F7.

Samurai Drum Rock: Drum Tao returns to Manila

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“DRUM TAO – SAMURAI DRUM ROCK”, the return of the Japanese troupe with a spectacular show will be on April 19th – 22nd, 2018 at the Kia Theatre, Quezon City.

The world-renowned Japan martial arts and drum-playing extraordinaires, Drum Tao, have an exciting stage show for 2018 with costumes created by fashion designer Junko Koshino.

The Samurai Drum Rock show with Drum Tao is mainly involving drums but also uses other traditional Japanese instruments. One of the most exciting parts that viewers are looking forward to is the glorious blending of martial art routines with the performance.

Watching the show, you will be amazed at how dynamic and lively the performers are on the stage. The stage show usually starts with peaceful, traditional Japanese music, the kind you will usually hear in Japanese restaurants. This, however, provides little clue to the energetic show that is to come.

Watching the show, you will be amazed at how dynamic and lively the performers are on the stage.ard to is the glorious blending of martial art routines with the performance.

The whole performance lasts two hours and presents an innovative world-class Japanese production that has impressed a lot of people around the world. It is great how it is able to present a traditional Japanese art that was mainly only used for festivals in a way that is appealing to contemporary viewers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=RQcEsI9sTy4

Drum Tao has been performing as an ensemble since 1993. While the performances are mainly reflective of Japanese culture, Drum Tao’s work also makes use of Indonesian, Maori and Korean influences.

The members of the ensemble do daily practices and workouts starting 5 am until 10 pm. Each day involves a combination of martial arts training, dance routines, music practice and drum playing. This rigorous daily schedule is done to make sure that they will be able to do the 500 shows that they perform on an annual basis.

Filipino audiences will be spellbound for sure by the perfectly curated combination of melody, beats, choreography, rhythm and martial arts movements. Make sure not to miss out this incredible show.

After playing to audiences of more than 7 million, in 400 cities in 23 countries that include Switzerland, Denmark, Israel, USA, Australia, Spain, Belgium, UK and Germany, critically-acclaimed Drum Tao, will explode onto the Manila stage with its mix of dance and martial arts as the dynamic and innovative Japanese performers beat their Wadaiko Drums in a spectacular 2 hour show.

Drum Tao is world class entertainment at the highest level and a show to be experienced by Filipinos.

The Drum Tao-Samurai Drum Rock will be presented on April 19-22 at the Kia Theatre, Quezon City. Tickets will be available at Php 800, Php 1500, Php 2500, Php 3500 and Php 4500. Passes can be booked through Ticketnet through their online and phone reservation systems.