KHALID BRINGS HIS HEADLINE ‘FREE SPIRIT WORLD TOUR 2020’ TO MANILA

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International multi platinum-selling artist Khalid has today announced nine Asia dates as part of his headline ‘Khalid Free Spirit World Tour’. 

His highly anticipated new album ‘Free Spirit’ is out now via Right Hand Music Group / RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment.

The six-time Grammy Award nominee and four-time American Music Award winner is set to bring his much-awaited tour to Manila on April 2, 2020 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Asia Tour 2020 includes stops in Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Seoul, Mumbai and Bangalore. One more city to be announced soon.

Since releasing his debut hit single ‘Location’ in 2016, which went on to go quadruple platinum, Khalid has continued to cement his global status as one of music’s most promising breakout stars. Already accumulating a stellar array of awards and wins from the likes of MTV, Billboard and BET, his Asia tour offers his legion of loyal fans a chance to experience his latest musical offering.

Tickets to ‘Khalid Free Spirit World Tour’ in Manila go on-sale starting Saturday, December 14 at 10AM via SMTickets.com, SM Ticket outlets or Call 8470-2222. 

Presented by AEG Presents Asia, Wilbros Live and Midas Promotions.

#KhalidManila2020

#KhalidFreeSpiritWorldTour

Facebook, Twitter and Instragram: @WilbrosLive

GCash backs BSP in providing digital payments solutions to grassroots merchants

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, is making strides in fulfilling the country’s goal of developing e-payments at the grassroots level, as it empowers micro-entrepreneurs and small enterprises to transact with customers through their mobile phones. 

Aside from huge mall establishments, quick-service restaurants, and supermarkets, GCash has also empowered the simple sari-sari store and tricycles to make digital transactions via GCash’s QR. 

This initiative, seen to revolutionize and transform the way Filipinos transact every day, is supportive of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) goal of creating a more inclusive society through a cashless revolution. 

“We are one with the BSP in concretizing our shared vision of spurring cashless transactions in the Philippines to make it easier for merchants and consumers to transact with one another. We are committed to continuously elevate this by developing more products and services that are fit for the needs of our valued partners,” GCash President Anthony Thomas said. 

GCash QR uses the best-in-class technologies that provide merchants with a fast, reliable, secure, and convenient way of accepting payments. By transacting through mobile phones, GCash QR removes the need for point-of-sale terminals, maintenance, and manual cash sweeping. 

Aside from benefiting largely from the huge customer base of GCash, merchants can also set up their business QR payments facility for free. GCash also provides business partners with periodic reports to oversee the performance of their stores. 

Today, there are about 34,000 micro-entrepreneurs onboard the GCash QR technology, and 1,800 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using the GCash as a mode of payment. 

These merchants include the vendors of the Marikina Public Market, the tricycle drivers of Boracay Island, and the sari-sari stores of Semirara Island, among others. 

Just recently, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank is envisioning a future where digital payments through transaction accounts will be part of the Filipino consumer culture. 

Going cashless, he said, benefits both merchants and consumers, as it removes the need for bringing cash, reducing the risk of theft, improving cash handling processes, and provide lower administrative and overhead costs. 

Diokno also said the central bank is now targeting to increase the share of non-cash transactions to 30 percent from the original 20-percent goal by 2020. 

“Our support for the government’s initiative for a more cashless Philippines remains steadfast, and we at GCash are committed to taking this a step further by creating more innovative financial solutions that will ultimately bring us closer to our goal of providing finance for all,” Thomas said.

Stay connected all day with the boosted SAMSUNG Galaxy A series smartphones!

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A recent study by ClickZ revealed that Gen Zs are considered to be the “smartphone generation.” They spend an average of four hours and 15 minutes on screen per day. They are always-on and they love to use their devices to share their lives online, entertain themselves, and capture memories. With how Gen Z heavily relies on their gadgets, they need a long-lasting device that can keep up with their numerous activities.

Luckily, Samsung recently launched the latest A-series devices built for the “Era of Live” with the Galaxy A50s, A30s, A20s, and A10s. These smartphones are designed to provide the needs of Gen Z when it comes to mobile usage. Aside from elevated content creation through its upgraded features, the A-series lets them go live and enjoy their smartphones longer. 

The Galaxy devices are equipped with a massive 4000mAh battery to provide Gen Z an uninterrupted mobile experience. Aside from that, they won’t have to worry about losing power as the A-series smartphones are supported by a 15W Fast Charging (only for A50s, A30s and A20s) mechanism that lets them do more with their devices all-day. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A50s offers a boosted experience through its Power Optimization feature that saves battery life so Gen Z can stay connected with their friends and families longer. Now, they can enjoy their favorite smartphone activities like endless internet browsing, longer gaming, video streaming, non-stop content creation, and more!

The Samsung Galaxy A50s, A30s, A20s, and A10s are available at any Samsung-authorized store nationwide at PHP 16,990, PHP 12,990, PHP 9,990, and PHP 6,990 (SRP) respectively. 

Samsung Members Exclusive raffle

As part of Samsung’s holiday offerings, A-series users can also win premium Galaxy devices when they join the bi-monthly raffle on the Samsung Members app.

Customers who purchase a Galaxy A50s, A30s, A20s, and A10s can redeem raffle entries on the app. Prizes up for grabs include a Galaxy Note 10, A10s, Buds, Tab S6, Fit e, and Watch Active2. One account is the equivalent of a raffle entry.

Samsung will announce 10 winners each on December 3 and 17, 2019 and January 2, 2020. Promo runs from November 15 to December 31, 2019. 

To know more about the Galaxy A-series smartphones, visit samsung.com/ph. For more information about Samsung’s holiday offerings, visit Samsung.com/ph/offer.

Enriching the tourism industry through knowledge-sharing

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The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism, recently gathered industry stakeholders, tour operators, hotels and resorts, and members of the academe for a one-day discussion on the latest trends in tourism marketing and strategies on how to provide mature and emerging markets an optimal experience to make them stay longer and spend more. 

L-R: Arnold Gonzales, TPB DCOO; San Jeet, DOT market representative for India; Marie Venus Tan, TPB COO; Carlos Mori Rodriguez, EON Stakeholders Relations Group chief innovation officer; and Mohd Akil Bin Mohd Yusof, MATTA deputy president 

The seminar, themed “Philippine Tourism: Trailblazing Responsible Travel and Inclusive Growth,” is part of this year’s Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), the biggest travel trade event in the country with over 200 local sellers and 200 international buyers participating. 

Joining the impressive roster of speakers were Thomas Graham, co-founder of MAD (Make A Difference) Travel, who talked about how sustainable tourism is changing the lives of people in communities; Carlos Mori Rodriguez, chief innovation officer of EON The Stakeholders Relations Group, who shared insights about the new breed of OFWs in the UAE; and San Jeet, the Department of Tourism market representative for India, who discussed the needs of the Indian Market. 

Also sharing their expertise were Donald Patrick Lim, country chief executive officer of Dentsu Aegis Network Philippines, who shared shared how the digital age is changing the tourism landscape; Mohd Akil Bin Mohd Yusof, the deputy president of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and Nelly Nuezca Dillera, deputy executive director of the Philippine Trade Training Center, shared points on how to cater to the Muslim market. 

“With the diversification of UAE industries, there is a growing number of Filipinos who work as professionals in industries outside oil and construction. Unfortunately, these new breed of OFWs with disposable income prefer to travel to other destinations than tour the Philippines,” shares Rodriguez. 

By 2020, at least 30-32 million Indians are expected to travel overseas for leisure. According to Jeet, “To capture a chunk of that market, industry stakeholders in the Philippines should customize tours that focus on unique and luxurious experiences, especially since these are spending tourists who are willing to splurge on quality accommodations, sightseeing, relaxation, and shopping.” 

For Graham, he sees great opportunity in sustainable tourism as it meets both profitability and viability. “There are a growing number of tourists who are starting to prioritize experiences over material possessions. Sustainable tourism is gaining traction because learning about other cultures, connecting with people, and giving back to local communities provide a one-of-a-kind, meaningful experiences.” 

The educational seminar concluded with back-to-back Halal-related talks where Yusof recommended ways to make establishments and tourist sites in the Philippines Muslim-friendly, while Dillera complemented this by sharing the government’s efforts to help local businesses make their products halal-compliant. 

In closing, TPB COO Venus Tan said, “PHITEX is organized, not only to provide a platform to connect buyers and sellers, but also to build the industry through education and insightful discussions among stakeholders. Hopefully, with these insightful talks, we are able to inspire and encourage them to develop tourism products that would provide unique, meaningful experiences for our visitors, which in turn would make them stay longer, spend more, and be avid ambassadors of the country.”

11 reasons to upgrade to the new iPhone 11

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Still on the fence about getting a brand-new iPhone 11 in time for Christmas? Here are 11 reasons that might help you decide if Apple’s latest flagship smartphone is worth your hard-earned 13th-month pay and bonus to serve as the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one!

1. The dual-lens camera setup. The iPhone 11 marks the first time the iPhone gets an upgrade from its single-camera setup. The base model now has a standard wide-angle lens plus an ultra-wide lens that captures four times more scene in images, resulting in better picture quality. The new ultra-wide camera also makes for better low-light night shots, a first for the iPhone series. Ultimately, this means it will be easier than ever to take IG-ready photos at your Christmas parties and holiday getaways!

2. The triple-lens camera set-up on the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. The Pro and Pro Max models of the iPhone 11 take things to a whole new level with the addition of a telephoto lens, which gives you an optical zoom of up to 4x, so you can level up your creativity in capturing your precious moments.

3. A new 12MP front camera. The front-facing TrueDepth camera works better this time around, especially for Face ID. The front camera is now also able to take 120 fps slow-motion video or the “slofie” for cooler and leveled-up selfies.

4. Clearer, crisper videos. The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max’s camera set-up lets you take smooth and great-looking 60 fps 4K video, plus an audio zoom feature that matches the audio to whatever you’re shooting for better sound. Not to mention, the iPhone 11’s video editing tools are both easier and more powerful for anyone to use – handy for creating riveting content.

5. More colors to match your style. That’s right— the iPhone 11 comes in a glass body with various color options available so you’re free to express your personality and style by choosing from purple, yellow, green, and (Product) Red, along with the standard black and white. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max come in sophisticated colors to suit your taste - Silver, Space Gray, Gold, and Midnight Green.

6. Durable, water-resistant body. The iPhone 11 comes with what’s being called the toughest glass ever to be used on a smartphone, making it the most durable phone you’ll ever have. It also has IP68 water resistance, so you won’t have to worry so much about the occasional spills, or the impromptu outdoor adventures with friends and loved ones.

7. Immersive sound. The iPhone 11’s spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support bring you a better surround sound experience. This is especially great if you’re an audiophile who want to get lost in your favorite tunes from time to time, or just listen to your daily dose of podcasts and playlists to unwind.

8. Longer battery life. The new iPhone lasts longer than old models. You’ll get up to 17 hours of video, 10 hours of streaming video, and 65 hours of audio with the iPhone 11, and you can get even more with the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max! The new iPhones also now support both fast and wireless charging, so you’ve now got more options to stay connected all the time.

9. The fastest phone you’ll ever have. It also comes with an A13 Bionic chip and a third-generation Neural Engine that allows the iPhone 11 to be faster than ever. Now you’ve got a phone that can keep up with your lifestyle.

10. Apple Direct Carrier Billing. You can now pay for online purchases from the App Store, Apple Music and other Apple services with your Smart Postpaid bill through the Apple Direct Carrier Billing. This is a safe, secure, and convenient payment method that enables Smart Postpaid subscribers to easily charge all Apple purchases to their mobile phone bill – eliminating the need for a credit card. To activate this, just sign in with your Apple ID and Password, tap payment information, tap “Mobile Phone” and follow instructions to verify your registration.

11. Optimize it with Smart Signature Plans. Make the most of the new iPhone 11 with Smart Signature, the reimagined postpaid experience that prioritizes you on Smart's award-winning network, provides you with worry-free connections and puts you in control of your digital lifestyle. The new iPhones are best experienced with Smart Signature Device Plan L, which comes with monthly 15GB data, Unli AnyNet Texts, Unli On-Net Calls and 150 minutes AnyNet Calls.

Yours at Php2,499 per month

Under Smart Signature Device Plan L, Smart offers the iPhone 11 (64GB) for Php2,499 per month for 24 months with a one-time cash-out of Php7,000. With the same plan, Smart also offers the iPhone 11 Pro (64GB) for Php3,099 per month for 24 months with a one-time cash-out of Php11,500 and the iPhone 11 Pro Max (64GB) for Php3,299 per month for 24 months with a one-time cash-out of Php12,910.

Smart also makes it a lot easier to get hold of the new iPhones with affordable cash amortization options under Smart Signature Plan M, which comes with monthly 10GB data, Unli AnyNet Texts, Unli On-Net Calls and 100 minutes AnyNet Calls.

With Smart, subscribers can make the most of their digital lifestyle on their iPhone 11, as well, because of the power of Smart LTE, the country’s undisputed fastest mobile network, as awarded by third-party organizations such as Ookla, Opensignal, Tutela, and P3 in their respective crowdsource-based studies on mobile internet services in the Philippines.

Enjoy the new iPhones powered by Smart, the country’s fastest mobile network as certified by third-party studies of world-renowned network analytics firms including Opensignal, Ookla, Tutela, and P3.

Get the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max with Smart Signature at Smart Stores nationwide! For more details on Smart pricing and data plans, visit www.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/iPhone11 and www.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/iPhone11Pro.