Enjoying Wonderful World

February 6, 2020

Converge ICT Solutions inks partnership with Pay & Go for easier payment schemes

The leading fiber internet and digital consumer-centric services provider in the country, Converge ICT Solutions further ensures of a more convenient customer journey, aims to innovate their services and make it more accessible.

Signing of partnership with Peter Blackett General Manager, Strategic Development & Asia of BANKTECH, and Director of BTI Payments Philippines; Jesus C. Romero, Chief Operating Officer, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. and Dan Ibarra, BTI Payments Country Head during the media conference, held at the Golf and Country Club, Wack Wack, Shaw Blvd. on February 5, 2020.

The new partnership with leading self-service payment kiosk operator BTI Payments, Converge ICT’s customers can pay their bills in more than 500 self-service Pay & Go payment kiosks, with a number of them operating 24/7.

For customers, this means more locations for paying bills, shorter queues, and an enhanced customer experience.

Since launching the country’s first pure end-to-end fiber internet network, Converge ICT has been offering Filipino consumers a speedier and more reliable internet connection. Last year, Converge ICT rolled out the country’s first 400Gbps backbone to augment existing domestic network capacity. As an extension of the company’s mantra to optimize customer experience, Converge ICT partnered with BTI. This endeavor intends to deliver an improved end-to-end customer experience that goes all the way to bills payment.

Innovative customer-centric programs as such has enabled Converge ICT to grow its base and allow more Filipinos to enjoy premium fiber internet experience. And for efforts such as this, the fiber internet organization has been cited by London-based International Finance Awards Group as the “Fastest Growing Fiber Internet Service Provider in the Philippines.”

“Converge ICT is about giving Filipino consumers the kind of connectivity that is simple, fast, and easy. As we grow our presence in the Philippines, we are turning to credible and capable partners who will help us deliver the kind of customer experience we promise. In terms of bills payment, Pay & Go has the expertise and nationwide presence that complement our goal of delivering that seamless experience,” said Dennis “J3” Uy, Converge ICT President & CEO.

Dan Ibarra, BTI Payments Country Head

“Our growing portfolio of kiosks is located nationwide and will be in more places relevant and synonymous to where paying customers are at. We want to seamlessly integrate it into their fast-paced lifestyles, making payments without a hassle – whether you are in the office, supermarket, pharmacy, mall or at home. As our service is real time, anytime – we ensure Converge transactions through Pay & Go will be no different from doing it at their stores or business offices,” said BTI Payments Country Head Dan Ibarra.

“We aim to support the growing Philippine market with decades of experience in payments solutions. We are looking forward to collaborate with Converge and BTI Payments PH to enhance processes that will provide better customer service,” said Peter Blackett General Manager, Strategic Development & Asia of BANKTECH, and Director of BTI Payments Philippines.

BTI payments is a wholly owned subsidiary of BANKTECH, a top provider of ATM and payment technology in Australia and Asia for the past 25 years.

Bigger and better Get Reel Film Festival 2020 now accepts entries

World-class leather accessories brand McJim Classic Leather brings back Get Reel Film Festival 2020, a bigger and more challenging edition of last year’s successful Get Reel Mobile Shorts Film Festival.

This time around, the competition is accepting entries that touch on the theme, “Filipino Values Beyond Generations.”

The 2020 Get Reel Film Festival is upping the ante with two brand-new categories: the Main Competition for professional and amateur filmmakers using digital cameras and the Brand Digital Ads category for innovative ads for McJim Classic Leather. These will complement the Mobile Shorts Competition for users of mobile phone cameras.

Professional and amateur filmmakers now have more opportunities to showcase their talents and share stories displaying the timeless values of the modern Filipino gentleman.

The winning entries from the 2020 Get Reel Film Festival will join the prestigious group of notable films from last year’s Mobile Shorts Competition: Dylan Ray Talon’s Walang Hanggang Ligaya Sa Una Mong Ngiti; James Edward Golla’s May Love Life Na Si Pepito Jr.; and John Carlo Balasbas Tarobal’s Champion, which all garnered critical acclaim for their inspiring stories and excellent filmmaking.

Cash prizes and trophies await the festival winners.

Chris Cahilig, award-winning filmmaker and festival director, says, “Through the powerful medium of filmmaking, a brand breaks into the new media to advance its social cause and deliver good value and entertainment to its audience.”

Cahilig’s hope is for the festival to provide a platform for aspiring filmmakers. “Get Reel Film Festival 2020 aims to inspire more filmmakers to create moving, relatable, and distinctly Filipino narratives that will be screened online,” he says.

The festival is open to all Filipino filmmakers from around the world. All entries to the Main Competition and the Mobile Shorts Competition must have a minimum length of two (2) minutes and a maximum length of ten (10) minutes, including opening and closing credits. Films of all genres are qualified to participate.

The selected films will be eligible for eight awards: The McJim Prize for Best Short Film (P50,000); 2nd Prize for Best Short Film (P30,000); Best Director (P25,000); Best Inspirational Story (P10,000); Best in Cinematography (P10,000); Best Actor (P10,000); Best Actress (P10,000); Best Screenplay (P10,000); and the Get Reel Viral Film Award (P10,000). Winners will be chosen for both the Main Competition and the Mobile Shorts Competition.

Entries to the Brand Digital Ads category must have a maximum length of sixty (60) and depict a modern Filipino gentleman as the lead character. The select brand digital ads will be eligible for the following prizes: 1st Prize (P100,000); 2nd Prize (P50,000); and 3rd Prize (P25,000).

All films submitted should be recorded and edited in not less than 720 HD format, but using 1080 HD is highly recommended. Only digital submissions emailed to mcjimtv@gmail.com will be accepted.

All submitted films must use any McJim Classic Leather accessories (bags, belts, wallets) as an organic part of the narratives.

A panel of judges will determine the finalists and winners through a deliberation. The results will be final and irrevocable.

No film entry shall be an imitation or plagiarized version of any copyrighted work. Get Reel Film Festival and its organizers will not be responsible for any copyright infringement committed by the participants.

The deadline for submission is on May 20, 2020. The finalists will be announced on June 15, 2020, and the winners will be awarded on July 15, 2020.

Participating filmmakers must be willing to have their works posted on various social media accounts of McJim Classic Leather and its agency, Insight 360 Consultancy Services, Inc.

February 5, 2020

Unleash Your Inner Fashionista with Up to 90% off during Shopee’s Fashion Fair

Trendsetters, get ready for Shopee’s Fashion Fair on February 6. Cop the latest and hottest fashion pieces at up to 90% off their original price. Shopee’s Fashion Fair boasts a wide selection of clothing pieces from the biggest fashion brands.

Check out these items you can cop on February 6:

1. Peculiar Wayfarer Sunglasses

Get ready for summer by having the Peculiar Wayfarer Sunglasses in your bag. These sunglasses offer UV protection and come in a range of colors. Grab a pair for only ₱199 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

2. Silver Kingdom Necklace Pendant

Elevate your look by pairing the Silver Kingdown Necklace Pendant with evening gowns and semi-formal dresses for a glam night out. Score this showstopper necklace for only ₱168 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

3. Silver Kingdom Forever Love Necklace

Share the love this coming Valentine’s Day with Silver Kingdom’s Forever Love Necklace. It flaunts a delicate infinity heart design made of genuine Italian silver, making it a great surprise for your loved one. Grab this piece for only ₱209 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

4. Silver Kingdom Heartbeat Couple Rings

Match with your special someone with Silver Kingdom's Heartbeat Couple Rings. These rings are made with a non-tarnish hypoallergenic material and can be embellished with a dainty crystal for that extra sparkle. Get these for only ₱408 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

5. Penshoppe Corduroy Dress

Get that fresh and laid back look with Penshoppe’s Corduroy Dress in Camel. This dress is perfect for school or the office, but throw on a jacket and transform your outfit for a night out with friends! Grab this show-stopper for only ₱599 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

6. Penshoppe Striped Resort Shirt

You can never go wrong with a little bit of color. Stand out with Penshoppe’s Striped Resort Shirt, with its different colors, hues, and drop shoulder design. Get this piece for only ₱499 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

7. Mikana 18k Gold Plated Kotonoha Pendant Necklace

Add a little sparkle in your life with the Mikana Kotonoha Pendant Necklace. This necklace is sure to catch anyone’s eye with its 18 karat gold plated pendant, and cubic zirconia crystals that dazzle like diamonds. Grab this stunner for only ₱269 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

8. Mikana 18k Gold Plated Fuyumi Drop Earrings

Complete your look with this flawless pair of earrings. Mikana’s Fuyumi Drop Earrings boasts large cubic zirconia crystals, and hypoallergenic metalware.

Score these must-have for only ₱229 at Shopee’s Fashion Fair!

Find out more about the Shopee’s Fashion Fair at https://shopee.ph/fashion-fair.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Converge ICT cited as Philippines’ Fastest Growing Fiber Internet Service Provider

Converge ICT Solutions, the broadband services provider behind the country’s first pure end-to-end fiber internet network, has been cited as the ‘Fastest Growing Fibre Internet Service Provider’ by the International Finance Awards.

Dennis Anthony Uy, President and CEO, Converge ICT Solutions and Grace Uy, Chief Resources Officer, Converge ICT Solutions.

The recognition comes from London-based global business and finance magazine, International Finance. According to the publication, Converge ICT is recognized to be true to its mission to upgrade the overall digital experience of the country. International Finance also lauded the company’s growth from the grassroots to become a budding powerhouse provider of pure end-to-end fiber internet.

Since the launch of Converge ICT’s fiber packages, the Philippines saw a steady and noticeable internet speed improvement. According to the world-renowned digital delivery network Akamai, the Philippines’ average internet speed in the third quarter of 2016 was only at 4.2Mbps. By the first quarter of 2016, the average download speed in the Philippines has increased by 135.90 percent to 18.66Mbps, Akamai reported.

One of the most recent milestones of Converge ICT is the introduction of the country’s first 400Gbps backbone to augment existing domestic network capacity. This allows 400G per channel at 64 channels or the equivalent of 25.6Tbps at capacity.

The backbone is considered a boost to major businesses and institutions such as business process outsourcing companies and financial institutions, which require high capacity connectivity or bandwidth. The rollout also allowed individual subscribers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to enjoy faster connection without any data cap for high bandwidth capacity.

Converge ICT has received the award last January 31, 2020 at Waldorf Astoria, Bangkok, Thailand.

Alanis Morissette Live In Manila on April 6!

Alanis Morissette to be here in Manila this coming April to give you hits like Ironic!

Music fans are in for a treat as seven-time GRAMMY winner Alanis Morissette returns for a one-night concert on April 6 at the Mall Of Asia Arena, celebrating 25 Years of Jagged Little Pill, her most iconic breakthrough album.

Since 1995, Alanis Morissette has been one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians in contemporary music. Her deeply expressive music and performances have earned vast critical praise. Morissette’s 1995 debut, Jagged Little Pill, was followed by nine more eclectic and acclaimed albums. She has contributed musically to theatrical releases and has acted on the big and small screen. Outside of entertainment, she is an avid supporter of female empowerment, as well as spiritual, psychological and physical wellness. In 2016, Alanis launched Conversation with Alanis Morissette, a monthly podcast that features conversations with a variety of revered authors, doctors, educators, and therapists, covering a wide range of psychosocial topics extending from spirituality to developmentalism to art. On December 5, 2019, Jagged Little Pill, The Musical, made its Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. Also in December 2019, Alanis released her newest song, Reasons I Drink. The track comes off Alanis’ highly anticipated ninth album, SUCH PRETTY FORKS IN THE ROAD, due out May 1st. For more information, see www.alanis.com.

Alanis Morissette’s hits include You Oughta Know, Hand In My Pocket, Ironic, You Learn, Head Over Feet, All I Really Want, Thank U, Mary Jane, Uninvited, Perfect, Forgiven, Right Through You, Wake Up, and more.

Alanis Morissette 2020 Live In Manila is presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with TAP Go: Stream Sports Anywhere!

Tickets go on sale starting February 5 at 12nn via www.smtickets.com and all SM Tickets outlets. For inquiries, please call (02)8470-2222 or 0917-149-5959.