Developing Young Tech Talents is Crucial to Support the Growth of E-Commerce

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E-commerce continues to play a significantly important role in the Philippine market and is estimated to be worth US$12 billion by 2025. As more consumers turn to e-commerce, and as more businesses capitalize on the potential of the emerging digital economy, there is also a rising demand for qualified tech talents. According to Linkedin, tech roles make up the majority of “emerging jobs” in the region, with robotics engineer, cyber security specialist, and javascript developer roles making the job trend list.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, prepares and nurtures students and professionals for the digital landscape through its various talent development initiatives. One of these is the Shopee Apprentice Program which is an internship program designed to develop young tech talents into leaders through high-impact projects, specialized learning and development training, and mentorships led by Shopee leaders.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As the demand for tech roles rises, Shopee will continue to train and equip the next generation of leaders through initiatives like the Shopee Apprentice Program. We will ramp up our efforts to provide proper mentorship and a well-rounded work experience for individuals joining our internship program.”

These Participants of the Shopee Apprentice Program highlight how they gained significant professional and personal growth to jumpstart their careers in e-commerce.

For Kyla, the Shopee Apprentice Program was an enriching experience. With a specialization in data science and analytics and equipped with advanced coding skills, she created end-to-end training portals during her stint with the Shopee Business Intelligence Team.

 “Even though the entire program was held virtually, Shopee translated their work culture online which is a great factor in my whole experience as an apprentice. I learned a lot from my mentors and also improved my skills in terms of presentation, time management, and communication. The program encouraged me to step up and be more confident to drive better results with what I do. I am glad a lot of people supported me throughout my whole Shopee journey,” Kyla shared.

Lance, another Shopee Apprentice Program participant, said that his experience was eye-opening, improved his problem-solving skills, and helped him understand the industry better. He worked with the People Team and displayed exemplary standing not only when it comes to his studies but also with his work at Shopee. “With Shopee, I learned how to look at a multifaceted problem, break it down into its constituent parts, and build it back together to form a comprehensive, results-driven strategy. With this mindset, I was able to drive concrete impact by implementing workable solutions that will help drive the business forward.”

After finishing the program, Kyla highly recommends other individuals check out the program for growth and new learnings. “For those who want a career in e-commerce and tech, the Shopee Apprentice Program can definitely equip you with the necessary skills through their mentorships, training, and projects. You can definitely drive your own growth as well as bring value and positive impact to Shopee through this internship. If you are up for a challenge to do meaningful work, the Shopee Apprentice Program might just be for you,” Kyla shared.

For more information about the Shopee Apprentice Program, visit https://careers.shopee.ph/apprenticeprogram/. To check out other career opportunities at Shopee, check out https://careers.shopee.ph/.

Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Scan to Pay with ShopeePay. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Get your hands on the new, limited-edition Jollibee Funko Soda!

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Since the Jollibee Funko Pop debuted in 2018 as the first-ever local brand with its own Funko vinyl figure, the partnership between the two global brands have created widespread excitement and buzz from toy collectors and Jollibee fans alike. And this year, Jollibee and Funko continue to bring the fun and joy with another first – the limited-edition Jollibee Funko Soda!

Get your hands on the limited-edition Jollibee Funko Soda on the Jollibee App!

With this newest release, Jollibee joins the ranks of iconic global properties and brands such as Batman, Disney’s Steamboat Mickey, The Matrix, and Energizer Bunny with its own Funko Soda. It features a cute 4.25” Jollibee vinyl figure in a unique soda can packaging. It also comes with a collectible disc, and lucky customers even have the chance to get the Chase glow in the dark version.

The Jollibee Funko Soda is available on the Jollibee App for P790, with a minimum order of P200.

“We are very happy to launch the Jollibee Funko Soda and give our customers another premium novelty item to add to their growing collection. This is another first for the Philippines’ favorite bee and we are proud to share this milestone with our fun partners from Funko,” says Francis Flores, JFC Philippines Country/Regional Marketing Head and Jollibee Philippines Marketing Head.

The new Jollibee Funko Soda is available via the Jollibee Delivery App from September 24 to 26 in select Jollibee delivery stores. Customers can get it for only P790 with a minimum P200 food purchase. So, make sure to mark your calendar and order via the Jollibee App to get your hands on this limited-edition collectible!

For more information on the Jollibee Funko Soda, watch this video and visit Jollibee’s Official Facebook Page.

Discover the Best TECNO Mobile Smartphones for Online Learning

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All of these mobile devices are super affordable, priced below Php 10,000 each!

Now that classes are being held online, easy access to high-quality, affordable smartphones makes access to education much easier, too. Understanding the needs of its consumers, premium smartphone brand, TECNO Mobile, sees the importance of making reliable smartphones for online classes available to Filipino learners across all levels, at prices that are well within their budget.

Anyone in search of a smartphone that is capable of meeting the demands of online schooling can certainly find one among TECNO Mobile’s offerings. These smartphones are powered by fast processors and are equipped with large memory and storage capacities. With clear, big screens, they are great for viewing online lectures, and their large-capacity batteries allow students to learn and work longer, in between charging.

The best TECNO Mobile smartphones for online learners

TECNO Mobile continues to inspire the youth, and the young-at-heart, to continue pursuing excellence. These multitasking TECNO Mobile smartphones, all priced below Php 10,000 - from the Spark Series to POVA 2, and the Camon series - are built to help online learners shine and thrive in their virtual classes.

On September 30, Spark 6 Go and Spark 7 will become even more affordable, with the special Payday Offer at the TECNO Mobile Official Store in Shopee. Enjoy almost Php 800 off on Spark 6 Go, and get yours for only Php 4,699. Spark 7 will also go on sale for only Php 4,699 during the one-day sale.

Check out Spark 6 Go, packed with these awesome features that suit the needs of everyone:

●       A large 6.52” HD Resolution Screen that allows users to enjoy media content with ease

●       Built-in AI Dual Unlock Feature, capable of both face-unlock and fingerprint scanning

●       Camera with AI Beauty Mode and 18 AI Scene Detection features for outstanding images every time

●       5000 mAh battery that allows for up to 36 days of standby time, 24 hours of calling, 19 hours of web browsing, 25 hours of video playback, 125 hours of music, or 15 hours of gaming on a single charge

●       Audio Share that allows up to 3 Bluetooth speakers or 2 Bluetooth headphones to connect simultaneously

●       Aqua Blue, Ice Jadeite, Sky Black, and Mystery White colors

Spark 7 ignites inspiration through these key features:

●       A storage capacity of 3GB RAM + 64GB ROM for more space available for photos, music, videos, and files

●       HiOS 7.5 Operating System based on Android 11 with features that include WiFi Share, Phone Cloner and Smart Scanner

●       A 6000mAh battery for longer standby time, voice calling, web browsing, music and video playback, and even gaming. 

●       6.52” FHD+ Dot-notch Display with 720x1600 HD+ resolution to enhance your viewing experience

●       16MP AI Dual Rear Camera with quad flash and an 8MP Front Camera that lets you capture every wonderful moments and selfies with more details

●       Smile Shot, which detects your smile automatically to instantly take a photo

●       Ultrathin body with fin-shaped design for a superior hand feel

●       3 eye-catching colors – Magnet Black, Morpheus Blue, and Spruce Green

Here are the features of Spark 7 Pro, the smartphone that’s big enough for your dreams:

●       A huge storage capacity of 4GB RAM + 128GB ROM

●       Helio G80 – 2.0 GHz Octa Core Processor, capable of effortlessly running multiple apps at the same time

●       HiOS 7.5 Operating System based on Android 11 with features that include WiFi Share, Phone Cloner and Smart Scanner

●       5000mAh battery that offers a standby time of up to 14 days, up to 18 hours of voice calling, 16 hours of web browsing, 22 hours of music playback when using earphones, 20 hours of video playback or 16 hours of offline gaming

●       6.6” HD+ Dot-in Screen with 720x1600 HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate

●       48 MP AI Triple Rear Camera with Quad Flash - 48MP Main Camera, 2MP Bokeh Lens, and AI Cam – with Quad Rear Flash, plus an 8MP Front Camera with Dual Front Flash for the perfect selfie, even in low light

●       Smile Shot, which detects your smile automatically to instantly take a photo

●       Professional shooting modes for capturing every dream moment, including Super Night Shot, Timelapse, Video Bokeh, and 2K

●       Ultrathin body with fin-shaped design for a superior hand feel

●       3 eye-catching colors – Magnet Black, Alps Blue, and Spruce Green

Work hard and play hard with the TECNO Mobile POVA 2, which has:

●       A Helio G85 Gaming Processor , which unlocks intelligent resource management that ensures sustained performance and longer gameplay with its 2GHz octa-core processor. Heavy games load faster, the performance is smoother, and power efficiency is maintained to ensure uninterrupted game play.

●       A powerful 7000mAh battery with 18W dual IC flash charger that ensures longer playing time on the go.

●       A 6.9” 1080P FHD+ screen with an extremely sharp display that vividly shows every amazing game detail.

●       A 6GB RAM + 128GB Storage and  ET Engine for lag-free gameplay, eliminating screen jittering, and allowing  fully immersive gaming experience.

●       Game Space 2.0. Provides a unique user interface that enhances your gameplay by accelerating memory, network connectivity , CPU and GPU boost.

●       A Game Voice Changer feature that transforms voices in various ways, for an even more fun and exciting gaming experience.

●       Slim and modern design that is lightweight and easy to grip, perfect for hours of comfortable gameplay.

●       Enhanced artificial intelligence cameras for taking professional-quality photos, with a 48MP quad camera set up at the rear, and an 8-megapixel AI powered selfie camera.

 

C the best in you with the Camon 16 smartphone, equipped with:

●       A 48MP Ultra Quad Camera, with a four-camera lens combination for comprehensive smartphone photography - Bokeh Depth of Field Lens, AI Lens, Macro Lens, and 48MP Main Lens with a 79-degree wide-angle view

●       Ultra Night Lens with 1-second image processing that produces higher quality night images, aided by convenient anti-over exposure and AI portrait segment features

●       Huge RAM and ROM capacity of 128GB+6GB that enables users to enjoy entertainment on the go with thousands of saved songs and images, as well as HD movies and apps

●       18W fast charging, with advanced protection technology that ensures automatic regulation of charging inputs, helping to prolong the hardware and software of the device.

Capture the beauty of everyday life with Camon 17P, which has these key features:

●       A 48MP AI Triple Camera & 16MP Selfie Camera

●       Powerful Helio G85 processor

●       5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging

●       6.8” FHD+ 1080P that provides sharper and clearer display with a high screen refresh rate of 90Hz

●       Three colors available - Magnet Black, Spruce Green and Frost Silver

●        Priced at only P8,490

To find out more about these fantastic smartphones from TECNO Mobile, check out the TECNO Mobile Flagship store in Lazada (https://bit.ly/TecnoLazada) and Shopee (https://bit.ly/TecnoShp). Also visit the TECNO Mobile Concept Store at SM North Edsa Annex, along with other partner retail stores (http://bit.ly/TecnoStoresPH) for exclusive offers and special discounts.

For all the latest updates, follow TECNO Mobile Philippines on Facebook (facebook.com/TECNOMobilePH). 

 

DOT and TikTok launch #GandaMoPinas Campaign as local borders reopen

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The Department of Tourism has partnered with video-sharing social media app TikTok for the

#GandaMoPinas campaign, which will feature live video sessions with content creators

from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Photo from the Department of Tourism

With the easing of restrictions for leisure travel, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and video-making and sharing app TikTok have collaborated once again for a campaign that celebrates the beauty of the country’s islands through #GandaMoPinas.

“The DOT is using all channels to promote our reopened tourist destinations and this collaboration with TikTok is one way of enticing people to travel locally while reiterating the importance of following the minimum health and safety protocols when traveling,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

The joint DOT and TikTok campaign will feature the beauty of the Philippines through live video sessions with nine content creators from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The campaign will feature one content creator every day, from September 22 to 30, in a live TikTok session that highlights the beauty of his/her region or province through various tourism products like natural landscapes, tourist spots, local cuisine, activities, and local products. The content creators will showcase why #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines and how visitors can appreciate #GandaMoPinas through their province or region.

The following are the nine content creators and their schedule of Live TikTok sessions that will be streamed via their respective TikTok accounts:

 

LUZON

September 23 (Thursday) - Phoennella Tabamo (@phoennellapipay)

September 24 (Friday) - Maika Rivera (@riveramaika)      

September 30 (Thursday) - Queenee Pearl Mercado (@queeneemercado)                     

VISAYAS

September 25 (Saturday) - Bo Labra (@bo.labra)

September 26 (Sunday) - Christine Cuenco (@christinecuenco)   

September 27 (Monday) - Lynnell Jasper Lomosad (@chockieaviation)

MINDANAO

 

September 22 (Wednesday) - Sweet Manrique (@sweetmnrique)

September 28 (Tuesday) - Jazreel Villapaz (@jazvil.md)

September 29 (Wednesday) - JS Espejon Sanchez (@aja_js_sanchez)

 

The three content creators with the highest number of views during the live show will be recognized as TikTok Funfluencers—one from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Winners will be officially announced on October 4, 2021.

DOT’s previous collaboration with TikTok, the #SarapMagingPinoy challenge in-app garnered over 700 video entries with over 70M video views, and its main video on Facebook has garnered over 13M views.

For more updates on the campaign, please follow the DOT’s official TikTok page @TourismPhilippines and visit: https://bit.ly/3nzwqnj.

 

Zanjoe Marudo celebrates 15th year in showbiz with a new leaf in his artistry

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Zanjoe Marudo, well known as Dependable actor. Fine leading man. Stellar body of work. Understated talent.

He turns a new leaf in his artistry as he embraces 15th year in showbiz.  He’s not one to shy away from roles that challenge his experience and reveal his depth as an actor and as a person.

Now, as he celebrates his 15th year in the business, Zanjoe Marudo pushes the envelope further as the reliable leading man of his time.

He began his career after finishing as the 4th Big Placer of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition 1^[ in 2006. Zanjoe, also called as the hunky actor/model,  immediately showcased his promising acting skills through some appearances before finally landing his first leading man soap “Dyosa” in 2008. But one of his landmark projects in local TV was his title soap “Dream Dad” in 2014, which had him tugging on the heartstrings of many while revealing his softer side.

Gone were the days when he’s equated to just another good-looking actor in a network swimming with loads of those as Zanjoe managed to tick off feats after feats silently, year in, year out.

But one of his most important recognitions happened in 2017 when he was nominated under the Best Performance by Actor category in the 45th IEMMY’s (International Emmy) Awards for his performance in “Maalaala Mo Kaya: Anino.”

To celebrate all his achievements and to look back at his vivid years in the business comes an especially crafted documentary titled “Hanep, Kinse na pala! Zanjoe’s 15 years in showbiz.”

Not only will he be fondly remembering his journey, Zanjoe would also be celebrated by his dear family, seasoned co-actors, longtime friends, and esteemed mentors in the business such as Piolo Pascual, Angelica Panganiban, Jodi Sta. Maria, Angel Locsin, Bela Padilla, Toni Gonzaga and directors Ruel Bayani, Cathay Garcia-Molina, FM Reyes, Connie Macatuno, and Lauren Dyogi, among others.

Get to know more about Zanjoe on and off cam by catching the three-part documentary on Star Magic’s Official YouTube Channel on the following dates: “Hanep, Kinse na pala! Zanjoe’s 15 years in showbiz.” will premiere on Sept 26, Sunday 12nn , October 2 (ep2), and October 9 (ep3).

Meanwhile, this year alone has been and is bound to be an exhilarating one for Zanjoe as he continually adds more leaves to his flourishing laurel. His recent Best Actor nomination at the 2021 Gawad Urian for his stellar performance in the 2020 iWant Original Film “Malaya” is something distinctly special for him as it his first time to earn the nod of the country’s most prestigious award-giving body.

But, while he has long excelled in dramatic and comedic acting in the big and small screen, Zanjoe also let his guard down recently by showing another side of himself--one that taps on his interest in nature, laidback living, big bikes and good times with his dear friends. Hence, the birth of his vlog D’ LaZY Road Trip together with comedian Hyubs Azarcon and basketball player LA Tenorio some six months ago.

Proving that he is unstoppable, those who want to see more of his acting skills can expect to see him also delving into the big screen this year as he stars in “366,” the directorial debut of Bela Padilla.

However, the upcoming premier of the much-awaited, local adaptation of the American psychological drama “Doctor Foster” will definitely showcase the peak of Zanjoe’s artistry. Set to be one of the highlights of his 2021, the “The Broken Marriage Vow” by Direk Connie would have Zanjoe breathing life to the character of David Ilustre, an infidel husband to Jodi Sta. Maria’s character Dr. Jill. His weakness would eventually lead him to be lured by the mistress Lexy Lucero to be played by Sue Ramirez.

Now, as Zanjoe ushers in another year, he looks forward to uncovering his other potentials, digging deeper into his artistry, checking off more local and international award-giving bodies on top of the iEmmys, and fulfilling roles that matter--not just as a leading man--but as an actor who sends a powerful message through honest and unadulterated performances.