Let’s talk about sex with Durex’ SEXducated

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In the past few years, Filipinos have started opening up and talking about sex and how it is an important conversation to have in order to engage in safe, healthy, and satisfying sexual activities. But despite the inroads that have been made in normalizing conversations about sex, barriers remain when it comes to discussing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as the feelings of shame and stigma remain which prevent people from accessing information and resources that can help Filipinos develop safe sex habits.

The lack of access and conversation contributes to the continued rise in the number of people who test HIV-positive in the country. July 2021 data from the HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) showed that 1,045 Filipinos tested HIV-positive while 60 people died of AIDS-related complications. This means 33 people tested positive every day from January to July 2021.

HIV cases in the Philippines continue to rise especially for youths aged 15-24 years old

Faced with these numbers, Durex continues to strengthen its mission to promote safe sex with its new SEXducated video series available on the Durex Facebook and YouTube channel.

SEXducated with Durex

Targeted toward millennials and Gen Zs, singles, and stay-at-home couples, the SEXducated with Durex video series is a fun and creative treatment to lessons on practicing safe sex. The show gives light to HIV awareness and how to improve one’s overall sexual health.

“It’s part of our responsibility as a brand to empathize with our consumers’ needs and give them safe and practical solutions,” said Matt Davis, Reckitt Marketing Director. “Through SEXducated with Durex, we aim to provide a safe space and have a thoughtful discussion on topics that beg to be talked about.”

Singles and young people can learn from the boys of Boys Night Out (Sam YG, Slick Rick and TonyToni) and Elijah Canlas as the four debunk HIV myths with hard facts. They can also learn from Dr. Kilimanguru, as he addresses need-to-know information about HIV. While couples can find ways to rekindle their relationships as they explore the topic of seeking pleasure through intimate acts with Dr. Rica Cruz.

With Durex’s SEXducated series, Boys Night Out and Elijah Canlas debunk HIV myths and learn hard facts about safe sex

Dr. Kilimanguru or Winston Kilimanjaro Tiwaquen is a doctor who gained fame on TikTok for his medical advice videos known for being easy to understand and entertaining because of his use of hugot lines and jokes. Through his videos, delivered in colloquial Filipino, viewers learn about the simplest medical issues from the common cold to HIV, and even COVID-19. Meanwhile Dr. Rica Cruz is a sexologist and media personality whose expertise is on sexual pleasure and sexual behaviors. Dr. Rica believes that sexual ownership is sexier than sex.

Together with Dr. Kilimanguru and Dr. Rica Cruz, viewers learn need-to-know facts about HIV and having sex safely, intimately, and pleasurably

Protection, Preparedness, and Education (PPE)

Enabling Filipinos to “Always Come Prepared,” Durex fulfills its role as a responsible brand through ongoing partnerships with various organizations. To date, Durex is distributing condoms to the beneficiaries of the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM), San Lazaro Hospital - Nagasaki University Collaborative Research and Laboratory, Positive Action Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PAFPI), Pasig City Government, Sustained Health Initiatives of the Philippines (SHIP), The Red Whistle, and LoveYourself, Inc.

The need to connect is very human and so is the need for open conversation about something as natural as sex. And with the isolation possibly triggering more intense feelings, it’s important to protect oneself from risks that can be otherwise prevented.

With its SEXducated campaign, Durex encourages Filipinos to always come prepared and enjoy sex safely. Learn more about practicing safe sex with Durex via their Facebook page.

Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Home with These Must-Have Filipino

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Ring in the festivities with big discounts and exclusive promos at Shopee’s 11.11 Big Christmas Sale

Yuletide is celebrated in most parts of the world, but there’s nothing quite like a Pinoy Christmas. We celebrate it longer than most countries—for over a hundred days, in fact.

What makes a Pinoy Christmas so special? For Filipinos, it’s the sumptuous holiday spread, twinkling lights and decor, meaningful gifts, and Christmas carols, all made even more special with precious memories of enjoying them with our loved ones.

To make this year’s Christmas celebrations even more memorable, stock up on Pinoy Pasko essentials below at Shopee’s 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, Shopee’s biggest sale of the year:

Deck the halls and fill your home with holiday cheer using colorful Christmas trees and lights. After hanging up your parols, don’t forget the star of the show—the Christmas tree. Homehuk Hakone Christmas Tree stands 1.8 meters tall, perfect for smaller rooms. Decorate it with a string of multicolored Firefly Christmas Lights, which runs on seven watts and lights up with eight different effects.

When it comes to Filipino holiday parties, the hapag-kainan is always the focal point. Filipinos forge stronger bonds over meals, after all. It’s when we reconnect with our loved ones, share milestones, and crack jokes. For that big holiday spread, prepare a mouthwatering serving of naturally smoked Swift Festival Ham and top it off with a honey pineapple glaze. Next, cook some spaghetti with Royal Pasta + Spaghetti Sauce, which comes in a sweet flavor Pinoys will love, and plenty of chopped hotdogs.

A truly Pinoy Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a lot of music. Belt out your favorite hits with the whole fam using Platinum Karaoke, which comes with thousands of songs and two wired microphone input jacks. Or play classic holiday tunes in the background with Zeus x Fujisan Desk Speakers. These bluetooth speakers feature 60 watts of bold sound and a strong bass.

One sure-fire way to make holiday parties even more fun? Dress up in themed apparel. Slip on a pair of cute and comfy BEAR LEADER Cotton Socks, which come in a variety of Santa Claus- and snowman-themed designs. For a cool, casual look, go for MetroSunnies Sunglasses. This pair features a holiday-ready color, stylish cat eye frame, and UV protection lens.

For more deals at the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, visit https://shopee.ph/m/christmas-sale. New to Shopee? This 11.11, it’s the perfect time to join! Enjoy big savings on your first purchase with exclusive promos for new users such as free gifts, free vouchers, and ₱1 deals. Invite your friends and family to join Shopee as well for a safe, fun, and rewarding shopping experience.

You can also use ShopeePay to buy load, pay bills, and scan to pay at thousands of merchants nationwide. Get up to 50% discount on load for all networks. Pay your bills with ShopeePay to avail of the special 30% cashback this Oct 30 Payday Sale. You can use it to pay Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, BPI, and a growing list of partner billers. Lastly, buy ShopeePay ₱1 Deals on the app and enjoy exclusive discounts when you pay via ShopeePay QR at Puregold, Potato Corner, Bonchon, Fruitas, and other partner merchants. Make sure to activate your ShopeePay wallet and cash in through online banking, debit card, and over-the-counter partners to enjoy these exclusive perks.

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

SB19 addresses critics on the arcade game-inspired music video of “Bazinga”

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The globally renowned pop group takes the visuals to the next level with themes of graffiti, gaming, and superhero noir

Filipino pop supergroup SB19 has officially dropped the music video for" Bazinga," the third single off their critically acclaimed EP, Pagsibol. 

Set in an underground combat zone, the music video shows the multi-awarded quintet defeating their enemies in an Arcade combat game. In true SB19 fashion, it also doubles as an up-in-arms statement against the unwarranted criticisms hurled at the P-Pop group since the beginning of their music journey.

The song itself is written as a response to the hostility that is rapidly proliferating on the Internet, and a wake-up call for the band to focus their energy instead on meaningful expressions of art and music, and the love that they’ve been getting from fans all over the world. “One way to lighten the load is by writing a song that proves that we won’t back down to the negative comments and we’ll persevere,” the chart-topping boyband shares in a statement. “As it says from the lyrics, ‘Hate niyo’y gasolina’ - we continue to flourish and emerge as better individuals, despite the hostility.”

The “Bazinga” MV is directed by Jonathan Tal Placido, and co-directed by Chapters, the production team behind their post-apocalyptic “What?” video. SB19’s very own Justin de Dios also heavily contributed to the concept of the material, which blends themes of graffiti, gaming, and superhero noir against a chaotic but visually interesting anti-establishment backdrop.

The release of the music video comes off the heels of SB19’s nomination at the prestigious MTV Europe Music Awards for Best Southeast Asia act. According to SB19, being nominated alongside the region’s biggest names is already an achievement, and makes them work even harder to put the Filipino music on the international map.

“The BBMA nomination was a big, big thing for us already. Now being nominated for the EMAs, which is another prestigious and well-known award-giving body, has us so overjoyed,” SB19 says. “And being backed up by our loved ones, and A’TIN, further motivates us to keep pushing on. We hope to keep up the traction and to hit our goals of introducing Philippine music globally.”

Aside from their notable achievements, the envelope-pushing pop ensemble and their label, Sony Music Philippines, will be releasing an exclusive line of merch slated to drop before Christmas. A representative from the label shares that the project stands out in terms of visuals, packaging, and presentation, and is aligned with the group’s global appeal and branding. “This line of merch is different from those previously available, and it went through a lot of revisions and quality checks to ensure that the products are top-notch. The look and feel is premium, plus fans can’t get these items anywhere else.”

SB19 will also headline Our Zone 2021: Anniversary Concert, featuring performances, games, special guests, and surprises. The special event, which will stream live on 27 Nov 2021 (Sat) 5PM PHT and 28 Nov 2021 (Sun) 5PM PHT, marks the Pinoy boyband’s third-anniversary celebration. Tickets are available at ktx.ph and www.sb19ozone.com.

The ”Bazinga” music video is out now. Watch the music video here.here

TikTok, Home to Rising Local Artists and Popular Personalities Who Were #DiscoveredOnTikTok

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TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, has seen many creators who have been #DiscoveredOnTikTok, go on to create amazing opportunities for themselves, especially in The Philippines. These creators have successfully grown their careers and tapped on multiple avenues such as becoming recording artists, entrepreneurs and even personalities in local media.

To further inspire the community to keep on creating unique content, TikTok is collaborating with these TikTok-grown talents through the #DiscoveredOnTikTok campaign, where top TikTok creators share how they started their TikTok journey, how this has allowed them to grow both online and offline, and how the platform has helped them broaden their reach for their advocacies and thrive in their respective careers.

Watch the campaign video below:

Get to know some of these amazing creators who were #DiscoveredOnTikTok.

The Voice of Your Dreams

Inka Magnaye is the voice behind many iconic Filipino commercials. She started out on TikTok sharing her belly dancing videos, Mafia Point of View (POV) duets, and behind-the-scenes clips that show how she records her voiceovers. When people discovered that she was the voice talent behind so many popular commercials and the in-flight voice of the Philippines' flagship airline, she quickly rose as one of the most recognizable creators on the platform, and has since become a sought-after talent and host for events. Inka recently launched her successful podcast, Sleeping Pill With Inka, as well.

Random Girl of SM Megamall

Zendee first got a taste of internet stardom when she went viral as a random girl singing in SM Megamall, and then invited to appear on The Ellen Degeneres Show. She has experienced several opportunities as a singer over the years but what ultimately helped launched her career as a performer was her viral parody of the popular #TalaChallenge on TikTok in 2020. Zendee has cited TikTok as one of the major pushes for her own musical journey, and the perfect platform for her to showcase her talent as a singer. At present, she has been able to work with big brands and hosts the online companion show of the "videoke" reality game show, Sing Galing.

Banana Queen

Joyce Glorioso, who goes by @joyang.tv on TikTok, has been passionate about performing ever since she was young. A cook by profession, she became TikTok famous after sharing videos of herself dancing with a deadpan expression. In this video, TikTok users spotted bananas hanging from the ceiling of the kitchen where her videos were filmed. She has since been dubbed "Banana Queen" by her followers. Joyce has recently gotten noticed by local media for her funny TikTok videos, and she was even offered a part in the upcoming adventure series, Lolong, which will air in the Philippines on GMA.

The Pharmacist

Arshie Larga is a local pharmacist working at his family-owned pharmacy who gained millions of views and followers on TikTok because of his educational videos that explain healthcare topics covering misinformation on medication, vaccines and COVID-19. He started making TikTok videos with the goal of educating the public, providing his audience with correct information in a span of one minute. He is known for being considerate and generous to his real-life customers, showing day to day clips of taking the time to educate his customers and answering their questions, breaking the notion that medical professionals are intimidating and difficult to talk to. Since being discovered on TikTok, Arshie has been invited to speak at multiple medical webinars, and has also been interviewed several times by local media outlets. He is often referred to as an inspiration to younger audiences and aspiring pharmacists.

The Doctor

Dr. Kilimanguru is one of the most popular educational creators on TikTok and was one of the winners of the Top Creative award at the first TikTok Awards in the Philippines. He had aspirations of becoming an actor but chose to pursue medicine instead after realizing that there were very limited opportunities for actors in his hometown. For the past year, he has used social media as a creative outlet for his performances.  However, after joining TikTok, he has amassed millions of views and has since been interviewed on different TV programs about his TikTok journey. His claim to fame is his educational content that features simple explanations for different illnesses and health conditions, from aneurysms to Covid-19. Dr. Kilimanguru always finds ways to inject humor into his TikTok videos too, making his content even more entertaining and relatable to users.

Inspiring a Generation of Confident Filipinas

Ayn Bernos is considered as one of the most recognized TikTok creators in the Philippines. A proud morena, she first joined the app to promote self-love by showing snippets of her day, sharing affirmations, and confidently posting different aspects of her life from beauty to fashion. Continuing her advocacy outside the platform, Ayn has also successfully launched a podcast and a fashion label which both focus on empowering Filipina women who do not fit the typical beauty standards. She has also made waves as one of the Top 30 finalists at the recent Miss Universe Philippines competition, which earned her the nickname, "TikTok Star to Miss Universe Philippines aspirant" in various media interviews.

The Musician 

JMKO is among TikTok's discovered talents who have successfully risen to fame through the platform. TikTok has been very important in his music journey. On TikTok, he has caught the attention of both local and an international audience with his amazing song covers and crazy "popcorn" duet videos, helping him gain millions of followers and views in a short period of time. Through TikTok's partnership with Himig Handog, one of the biggest songwriting competitions here in the Philippines, he achieved one of his music career goals and was selected as a song interpreter amongst top artists in the industry. He has now released an EP, "Prelude" and has been a recurring performer in ABS CBN's entertainment variety show, "ASAP".

Creating Content with Pride

LGBT comedian, Sassa Gurl, started going viral on TikTok because of her funny Filipino and nostalgic content featuring day-to-day situations that are highly relatable to many audiences in the Philippines. Sassa Gurl is quickly becoming a household name and a meme icon for Gen Z Filipinos. Just recently she has graced the cover of local magazine, Village Pipol's Pride Month issue.

Get to know more about our creators and their stories here. You too, can be #DiscoveredOnTikTok when you share your original, unique, and creative content! Download the app on your iOS and Android devices to get started.

The most affordable 5G Nokia phone is here: Grab the Nokia G50 first on Shopee

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Pair the future-proof Nokia G50 with the new Nokia Comfort earbuds

· Love it: Timeless design with two-day battery life[i] bringing real value to the world of 5G

· Trust it: Award-winning durability[ii] combined with industry-leading security from Finland[iii]

· Keep it: Nokia mobile’s signature quality build and regular updates that keep the phone fresh for many years to come

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces a new member of the G-series family and the most affordable 5G Nokia smartphone yet — the Nokia G50. It packs the signature Finnish quality for a phone that can go the distance and users can love, trust and keep for longer, all for an accessible price.  

 

Get the superfast 5G for less

Get early dibs on the Nokia G50 exclusively on Shopee. The Nokia G50 is already available for pre-order on Shopee for only Php13,990 from November 1 to 7 only. Shopee exclusive selling dates start on November 8 and will last until November 14.

 

A future-ready phone that’s also great for today, the Nokia G50 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 Mobile Platform and boasts two-day battery life and 18W fast-charging technology. It also packs a 48MP triple-lens camera with AI.

Sancho Chak, general manager for Philippines, Hong Kong and Thailand, HMD Global:

“Aside from customer demand, we at HMD Global saw the growing 5G deployment across the country as an opportunity to bring Filipino fans a reliable technology that’s better for the pocket and the planet. The Nokia G50 has a superior build quality, modern features and stunning design that’s accessible at a friendly price point. It comes with software security updates so fans can use them for much longer. Through this new 5G phone, we strengthen our Love It, Trust It and Keep It philosophy, encouraging people to buy devices less frequently in line with our goal of reducing carbon footprint and countering the upgrade culture across regions.”

 

Benefit from superfast 5G for less

5G networks are expected to cover 40 percent of the world’s cellular service by 2024 and handle 25 percent of all mobile traffic data[iv]. Nokia G50 is a phone that’s equipped for what’s to come. Featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 MP that’s designed to optimise future technology, it’s future-proofed with 5G for tomorrow.

 

A smartphone that considers the future

Whether it’s today or two years from now, you can count on Nokia G50 to be up to date with the latest software. It’s already prepared to welcome Android 12 and beyond, so you always have access to the most modern features. The monthly security updates are guaranteed for at least three years, so your best ideas and favourite moments are protected for your complete peace of mind. Handled in a Finland-based data centre your data is protected by strict European regulations with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as foundation.

 

Nordic excellence to see and feel

With its two-day battery life, fans can trust that the Nokia G50 will see them through even in the most demanding and busy days. Plus, with 18W fast-charging technology, users won’t waste any time waiting by the outlet. For extra reassurance, the Nokia G50 also comes with one-year warranty for parts and services at no extra cost.

 

Staying true to its roots, the Nokia G50 has the build quality[v] Nokia phones are known for and features a classic, timeless design. Whether you’re upskilling with online videos or absorbing scenes from Planet Earth, the content will be crisp and clear on the 6.82” HD+ display.

 

Capture the beauty of the world in stunning detail

Featuring a 48MP triple lens camera with AI smarts, the Nokia G50 will fully equip fans to capture life’s moments from nature’s wonders to times with loved ones in any lighting setup.

 

Besides creating breath-taking pictures, users can also personalise photos with the watermarking feature. Perfect selfie moments will not be missed, thanks to video stabilisation technology that ensures steady frame shots.

 

Experience maximum in-ear comfort with Nokia Comfort earbuds

Nokia smartphones are best paired with the new Nokia Comfort Earbuds. They provide up to 9.5 hours of comfortable listening on one charge, allowing users to enjoy playlists or videos to their heart’s content.

 

Thanks to the earbuds’ natural, ergonomic design and unique comfort rings, they can sit securely in the users’ ears with a soft and lightweight feel. The superbly balanced audio lets fans immerse in their favourite tracks with the highest available quality.

Trusted partnerships for best-in-class experiences

Spotify will give the Nokia G50 owners access to 70 million tracks and 2.9 million podcasts out of the box. Offering additional control over users’ online privacy, ExpressVPN will be available on the Nokia G50 with a 30-day free trial.  Visit Spotify and ExpressVPN pages for more exciting details on these treats.

The Nokia G50 and Nokia Comfort earbuds bundle

Available in majestic Midnight Sun and stunning Ocean Blue colour variants, the Nokia G50 comes in 6/128GB configuration. Exclusively on Shopee, the Nokia G50 is bundled with the Nokia Comfort earbuds for the first 100 customers only. Once the order for Nokia G50 is fulfilled, a unique code, which is valid for one-time use only, and instructions on how to claim the Nokia Comfort earbuds will be sent to the customer’s email. Buyers will be redirected to Nokia earbuds SKU to place the order. Upon checking out on the Shopee App, customers must enter the unique code from the email to claim the bundle for free. 

The clock is ticking! Pre-order the Nokia G50 now on Nokia mobile official store on Shopee.

 

 

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[i] Based on a real-life usage test by HMD Global. See more info at www.nokia.com/en_us/phones/nokia-G-50

[ii] Nokia phones follow a rigorous manufacturing standard that is known as one of the toughest in the world. HMD Global has received 24 recognitions which showcase the durability and reliability of Nokia phones.

[iii] Nokia phones lead the global rankings based on software, security, build quality for second year in a row – Counterpoint, Q4 2020: https://www.counterpointresearch.com/nokia-phones-lead-trust-rankings/

[iv] https://www.vxchnge.com/blog/5g-statistics

[v] HMD Quality standard tests includes over 50 tests just for hardware durability, including force measurements, vigorous tumble, wear and scratch, fatigue tests and more.​