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

Tweet

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

Tweet

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

Tweet

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.

Jollibee’s first-ever Level Up Joy Store transports us to the future

Tweet

For Pinoys, nothing brings a more joyful dining experience much like Jollibee. From the feeling of being home, to the familiar taste of our classic langhap-sarap favorites, it’s no doubt that every visit is as jolly and memorable as it can be.

Now, the country’s number one fast-food chain is about to level up the joy—with a newly-designed concept store featuring modern innovations set out to give customers a hip and funky dining experience.

It’s the same Jollibee we all know and love, made better.

Standing along the stretch of Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, the Jollibee Level Up Joy Store is the first of its kind. From the outside, one can easily spot the state-of-the-art facade of this new and improved Jollibee branch.

Inside, the young and the young-at-hearts are certainly up for a visual thrill as vibrant and artistic murals welcome them as they enter Jollibee’s Level Up Joy Store. It also houses geometric floor tiles and mirrorlike lighting, as well as contemporary seating and industrial fixtures. Surely, every angle would be a perfect spot to snap an Instagram photo or two!

On the second floor, the new home of Jollibee in Katipunan brims with two functionally-themed party rooms. The walls feature eclectic artworks of Jollibee and Friends, giving every birthday celebrant an elevated Jollibee Kids Party experience.

Adding to the store’s youthful feel are the new-fashioned service platforms designed to guarantee customer joy in every step. Three digital self-service kiosks stand in front of the Jollibee Level Up Joy Store counter, where guests can find a quick and efficient way to place their food orders without having to go through long queues. These kiosks also allow cashless transactions, so one can conveniently secure their payments with just a tap of their debit or credit cards.

Low battery? No problem! Wireless charging pads are built-in to the tables of the Jollibee’s first-ever Level Up Joy Store. With this new and exciting feature, people can definitely stay connected with their family and friends while savoring their most-loved langhap-sarap meals.

Joan Aquino, Jollibee PH Metro North RBU Head shares that, “Our customers have always been the priority of Jollibee, and with that, we are not just introducing numerous innovations, but we’re also ramping up our branded customer service—Alagang Jollibee—to ensure that warm and welcoming feeling every time you enter a Jollibee store.”

Surely, the Jollibee Katipunan branch is first of the many Level Up Joy Stores that the company will be rolling out. 

To know more about exciting updates, ‘like’ and visit Jollibee's official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines/.

Celebrate Christmas early with the best PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid gift ever!

Tweet

It’s the season of gift-giving and PLDT HOME WIFI has the best gift for your family! Now at only P1,295, your family can enjoy the fastest, most affordable, and family-sized PREPAID home Internet!

Easy to buy at an affordable price with family-sized data options

PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid is available for a special one-time price of P1295 until January 15, 2020 at all PLDT and Smart Stores, Smart Online Store, SM Stores nationwide, Lazada and other authorized dealers. Customers can also get free 10GB worth of data valid for seven days with their PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid powered by Smart, the country’s undisputed fastest LTE network as certified by Ookla and OpenSignal.

With the recent launch of its improved and bigger FamLoads, Filipino families can now share 2x more data and enjoy all their favorite online activities. Parents and kids can also enjoy a fun learning experience right at their home while watching educational videos together. To add more, kids can enjoy surfing thousands of pages for their schoolwork and research, continuous messaging with family and friends, seamless streaming of their favorite videos and music, longer online gaming sessions on weekends, and a lot more! PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid also lets the family seamlessly connect up to five devices, including phones and laptops, all at the same time. FamLoads come in every family size that are ideal for the entire family’s digital activity and budget: FamLoad 199 comes with 24 GB, FamLoad 599 with 80 GB, FamLoad 999 with 130 GB, and FamLoad 1499 with a whopping 200 GB.

Easy to use

Because PLDT Home Wifi is prepaid, parents don’t have to worry about lock-in periods and monthly bills on top of their household utilities. Plus, since it’s plug and play, you can easily install it yourself and instantly get connected to the Internet.

Easy to load

Not only do they get to maximize every peso worth of WiFi connectivity, but budget-conscious parents can also stay in control of their internet usage at home. Now it is easier to check the PLDT Home Wifi prepaid account and convert regular load to FamLoad by just downloading the myPLDT Smart app from Google Play or App Store. Other convenient loading options are in authorized PLDT and Smart retailers, nearby sari-sari stores, telco tiangge stalls, PayMaya app and in 7-Eleven branches nationwide.

For more info about PLDT Home WiFi’s affordable FamLoad prepaid load packages, visit pldthome.com/homewifi, and like PLDT Home’s official Facebook (facebook.com/PLDTHome), and follow PLDT Home on Twitter and Instagram at @PLDTHome.