Rico Blanco continues winning streak with the release of his new single “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato)

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After receiving the prestigious Dangal Ng Musikang Pilipino at the 36th Awit Awards for his enormous contribution to the Philippine music scene and re-releasing “You’ll Be Safe Here” on streaming platforms for the very first time, Filipino alternative rock icon Rico Blanco continues to make headlines with the release of his new single, “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato),” via Sony Music Entertainment.

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The prolific hitmaker solidifies his place as one of the country’s greats with another pop-rock gem

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On “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato),” the prolific songsmith displays a mastery of the ‘love song’ genre with simplicity and finesse, evoking the feeling of winning the lottery after several tries in life and love.

“The chorus hook came to me first, and I immediately felt it would be a really fun song to play live or at a party,” Rico Blanco shares. “I kept imagining everyone dancing and singing along. A fun party song.”

Recorded at the Balcony Studio with the legendary Angee Rozul, the upbeat pop-rock ditty shows a sonic maverick still in his prime, tapping into new ideas with a sophisticated sheen. The track also marks the first time that the OPM veteran jammed and recorded a track face-to-face with fellow musicians since the pandemic, which includes accomplished and critically acclaimed producers/singer-songwriters Zild Benitez on bass and Tim Marquez on drums.

“Ang saya at sobrang bilis lang parang naglalaro lang kaming apat sa studio (it felt like we’re just playing around and having fun in the studio),” the multi-awarded artist explains.
“Iba pa rin talaga mag-record ng magkakasama sa isang kwarto (There’s nothing like recording together in a room).

“Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato)” serves as the follow-up single to last year’s “Palibot-libot,” an introspective synth-pop tune that reflects on the uncertainty of one-sided love. It will be part of a new album to be released sometime in 2024.

Aside from plans of releasing a brand-new record next year, Rico Blanco will be joining Bamboo Manalac, Mark Escueta and Nathan Azarcon for the Rivermaya: The Reunion concert, happening on February 17, 2024 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Pasay City. Tickets to the highly anticipated show will be available on November 17, 2023 via SM Tickets website and outlets nationwide.

Rico Blanco’s “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

SM painted the town PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, highlighted its solidarity with women, especially breast cancer patients and survivors, with various Pink Ribbon activities it co-hosted in October with partner organizations in various SM malls.

SM landmarks, including the ‘MOA Globe’ in SM Mall of Asia and ‘The Cube’ in SM Seaside City Cebu, were illuminated in pink throughout the month of October.

One of the activities highlighted in the Pink Ribbon October was the #StoriesMatter campaign. SM Cares amplified the voices and experiences of breast cancer survivors and warriors through the retelling of their stories in the hope that they serve as inspiration for all patients and their loved ones.

SM’s Pink Ribbon Month culminated with a touching ballet performance entitled the “Beautiful Girl: Odyssey of a Breast Cancer Patient.” In partnership with the Philippine Ballet Theater, the October 30 show was held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

SM Cares Program Director for Women and SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Corporate Compliance, Atty. Pearly Joan Jayagan Turley said “Tonight’s ballet is a salute to your beauty that no matter what happens to your physical attributes, whether you lose a part of your body, a hair, some friends along the way, at times you will be in despair but as long as you persevere, and have hope, love and faith you will always be a beautiful girl for your loved ones and in the eyes of god!” She further stated "let this show serve as a reminder of the incredible strength that resides within each one of us and as an opportunity to join hands in the fight against breast cancer.”

SM Cares is a strong advocate for enabling safe spaces that care for the welfare of women. The SM Pink Ribbon Month has been celebrated by SM since October 2017, with various programs such as access to free medical breast examination, motivational talks from breast cancer survivors and breast cancer awareness fora with health experts.

Learn How to Capture Photos Like a Pro During Your Holiday Travels with the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G

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Going on a trip for the holiday season is an immersive visual experience — and not just while you’re there. People today often use images posted on social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest as inspiration for vacation destinations. That's why it's no surprise that the travel photos influencers and content creators post online play a significant role in enticing many people to visit specific destinations.

Professional photographers and travel enthusiasts Mark Nicdao and Magic Liwanag share their best tips for capturing amazing shots when traveling in another country

OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G boasts up-to 3x Portrait Camera capabilities and Telephoto Lens

(Photo taken by Magic Liwanag using OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G)

The latest release of the OPPO Reno10 5G Series comes the flagship-level phone– the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G. It highlights its next-level imaging capabilities that allow users to shoot photos with #ThePortraitExpert standard.

Renowned photographers Mark Nicdao, who is widely hailed for his distinctive and inventive creative flair for his photography, and Magic Liwanag, one of the country’s top go-to fashion and A-list events photographer, attest to its camera system’s reliability in photography and share tips on maximizing your OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G camera. They’re both known to be part of the Reno League for years now so trust that they know the ins and outs of Pro Portrait photography.

Capture Flawless Travel Memories by Avoiding These Common Photo Mistakes

Ruined photos are a traveler's nightmare, and one commonly overlooked mistake they tend to make, professional photographer Magic Liwanag also noted, is failing to check their camera lenses for dirt before clicking the shutter. He says, “Sometimes we get too excited to take photos and videos that we forget our fingers do smudges to the camera lens. Good to know that The Reno10 Pro+ has a notification to remind us to clean our camera lens.”

Another valuable tip for travelers is to activate the photo grid. According to Magic, “I really think it helps to see your photos or videos captured and leveled already. Eliminating the time to crop and edit for straight horizons.” The OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G makes it easy to enable this feature within its camera settings.

Snap aesthetic content using OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G’s 50MP Main Camera

(Photo taken by Magic Liwanag using his OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G)

Maximize Lighting Performance with the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G

When traveling, many don’t realize the importance of lighting and how it affects the quality of our vacation photos. Magic lends his trick when it comes to dealing with varying lighting, “It helps when you know how to properly expose your subject. So, don’t forget to click on your subject and check the exposure slider (the one with the sun icon right next to your selected focus point); that’s the best way to get proper photos/videos exposed. You can also turn on HDR in the camera settings to aid with getting equally exposed scenes.”

Mark Nicdao, a seasoned photographer and enthusiastic traveler, shares insights on using lighting in travel photography. He says, “I long press the screen then pick where it’s going to be focused, then that’s when I adjust the brightness if it needs adjusting,” He even shared his favorite OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G feature for this situation, “the 64MP Telephoto Portrait Camera with OIS and 112° Ultra-Wide-Angle Camera always is my go-to when I’m traveling. Since the resolution is impressive all, I have to think is how and what I want to show in this photo”

Shoot landscape photography effortlessly using OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G’s Ultra-Wide-Angle Camera and Color Temperature Sensor

(Photos taken by Mark Nicdao using OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G)

Shoot with Confidence and Imaginative Perspective

Capturing the finest travel photos requires more than just a top-tier camera; it demands confidence and a unique perspective. While we often strive for perfection in every travel shot, remember that sometimes, you just need to seize the moment. Mark notes, “…sometimes it’s also great to give yourself an assignment just to keep your creativity being challenged and being sharpened.”

Capture the most mouthwatering food photos and entertaining scenes with ease.

(Photos taken by Magic Liwanag using his OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G)

“If you’re not sure, commit to a perspective. I normally always shoot horizontally and make sure I shoot at 4K in videos and use High Res in photo mode. I also make sure I have enough space to crop in vertically.” Magic shares about choosing the orientation for travel photos using his OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G. “Either way, just do both. You’re on vacation, so no pressure.” We couldn’t agree more.

The OPPO Reno10 Pro+ takes vibrant and clear images any time of the day and in any kind of lighting.

(Photo taken by Magic Liwanag using OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G)

Bring #ThePortraitExpert Anywhere and Create Beautiful Memories on the Go

The next-level imaging capabilities of the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G make the best travel companion for immortalizing new memories as you go. “With the telephoto capabilities of the Reno10 Pro+, get more out of the experience by using the telephoto lens. Getting more reach and new perspectives.” Magic agrees.

Take selfie photo with style using OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G’s 32MP Ultra-Clear Selfie Camera

(Photo taken by Mark Nicdao using OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G)

Mark gushes over his favorite travel photos taken using his OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G. He took this amazing photo while working on his painting in Venice.

“I saw this clock on the shelves and I was thinking of a self-portrait with the clock. It also served as an everyday reminder that the clock is ticking, and every second is crucial for my word. Meaning I really need the focus to finish everything that I signed on. I want to test the portal expertise of OPPO on this. And I wasn’t disappointed.” he recalls.

Another pro-level image result was taken while he was strolling in Lugano, “I saw how it just breaks the whole natural beauty of the place, this Liquid Metal sculpture absorbed the whole view in a very small scale through its reflection and at the same time it looked so surreal almost like a small tornado with its ripples, mirroring the lake on its backdrop.” he recollects. That proves professional-level photography is possible with the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G.

Reach New Heights in Your Travel Photos With the Oppo Reno10 Pro+ 5G

Don’t be left behind with all the amazing travel photos you can take using your own OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G. Buy it for Php 39,999 in all OPPO authorized stores nationwide, including in OPPO’s official e-commerce platforms Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, and get a chance to claim Ayala Malls Cinema vouchers, Google One Plus subscription, and exclusive photobooks of Nadine Lustre and Bea Alonzo.

Enjoy the Present with OPPO this Christmas

Spread holiday cheer and enjoy exclusive promos when you purchase OPPO smartphones this Christmas. Make the most out of special discounts and freebies, exclusive benefits and gifts, and exciting festivities until January 7, 2024 for a merrier, more meaningful celebration.

For more information on the rest of the OPPO Reno10 Series 5G, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

HONOR unveils Limited-edition HONOR 90 5G Peacock Blue, opens Experience Store in SM City Dasmariñas

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HONOR Philippines just opened its newest Experience Store in SM City Dasmariñas and officially unveiled the limited-edition HONOR 90 5G Peacock Blue! 

The highly-anticipated HONOR 90 5G Peacock Blue has officially arrived in the Philippines and was seen during the opening of the HONOR Experience Store in SM City Dasmariñas, located at the Level 2 Cyberzone. The new limited-edition color officially hit stores on November 15 and until supplies last, you can get a FREE HONOR Gift box worth Php 2,499 for every purchase.

HONOR Philippines PR Manager Pao Oga, Retail Sales Director Tom Yuan, GTM Manager Steven Yan, and Brand Marketing Manager Joepy Libo-on with EC Panda Store OIC Evelyn Enong 

 

“This is another momentous event for us, having back-to-back celebration with the opening of our HONOR Experience Store in SM City Dasmariñas and of course the unveiling of the much-awaited HONOR 90 5G Peacock Blue. The year is far from over and so are we so for our HONOR fans, stay tuned,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. 

 

The successful store opening was officiated by HONOR Philippines GTM Manager Steven Yan, PR Manager Pao Oga, Brand Marketing Manager Joepy Libo-on, and Retail Sales Director Tom Yuan with EC Panda SM City Dasmariñas Store OIC Evelyn Enong. 

 

HONOR 90 5G is now in stunning limited-edition Peacock Blue variant 

 

Launched in August this year, HONOR 90 5G prides its flagship triple camera system consisting of a 200MP Main Camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide and macro camera with a 112° field of view and a 2MP Depth Camera that helps the camera more accurately gauge distance. Supporting multi-frame fusion, noise reduction algorithm and pixel binning to achieve the light-capturing performance that is equivalent to having large 2.24µm pixels(16-in-1), the 200MP Main Camera produces excellent high dynamic range (HDR) photos and detailed, bright shots in low light situations. 

 

Its superb display supports the industry’s highest Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Dimming frequency of 3840Hz, effectively minimizing the strain it puts on users’ eyes when it is set at low brightness. The display also features Dynamic Dimming which simulates natural light to alleviate eye fatigue, as well as HONOR’s Circadian Night Display technology which filters blue light and promotes natural melatonin secretion to improve user sleep quality at night. 

  

 

The new limited-edition HONOR 90 5G Peacock Blue is now available for only Php 24,990 in all HONOR Experience and partner stores or online via Lazada (
https://bit.ly/3YAczVu), Shopee (https://bit.ly/45snjI6), and TikTok Shop (bit.ly/HONOR905G-TikTok). 

 

For more announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorphilippines/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/. 

vivo X100 Series China debut: Perfect fusion of photography & performance

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In the ever-competitive smartphone market, vivo once again takes the lead with its latest masterpiece, the vivo X100 series, leading the wave of technological innovation. This smartphone combines exceptional photography technology and outstanding performance to provide users with an unprecedented experience. 

The vivo X100 series seamlessly blends photography, performance, and battery life into a perfect combination. The vivo X100 Pro's ZEISS APO Floating Telephoto Camera, supporting the highest optical zoom, brings astonishing creativity and artistic flair, turning every photo into a masterpiece. The vivo X100 series is also equipped with the flagship-grade octa-core CPU, the MediaTek Dimensity 9300, capable of effortlessly handling everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking. Besides, the equivalent 5000-5400 mAh Large Battery and 100-120W FlashCharge give the X100 series excellent battery performance, which means the X100 series can bring users a longer-lasting and more enjoyable mobile phone experience.

The eye-catching exterior design

The X100 series draws its design inspiration from star trails, resembling the romantic Milky Way in space, and is touted as the "most beautiful flagship phone of the year." It features a centrally positioned large circular camera module with a quad-camera setup on the back, with the iconic ZEISS blue logo at the center of the lens. The outer ring of the lens module is encircled by an aerospace-grade mirror-finished stainless steel moon ring cloud stage, giving an overall feeling of "sun, moon, and stars, all within reach." The device's exterior is available in two color options, Asteroid Black and Startrail Blue, and exhibits subtle textures with a curved design that promises an unexpected tactile experience.

Unprecedented Photography Experience with vivo X100 Series

The vivo X100 series prominently features a "universal and widely adopted periscope telephoto" feature. The primary camera of the X100 has seen a significant upgrade, transitioning from the previous IMX866 sensor to the new Sony IMX920 sensor. Additionally, the X100 is equipped with the OV64B sensor, providing users with outstanding long-range and macro photography capabilities.

The X100 Pro not only upgrades the telephoto lens to the acclaimed "new benchmark for telephoto lenses" with the ZEISS APO Floating Telephoto Camera, featuring an unprecedented f/2.5 large aperture. This allows it to deliver the best image quality even in scenes ranging from 6X to 10X. Furthermore, it comes with the industry's most powerful, vivo V3 chip, which effortlessly supports 4K Cinematic Portrait Video recording, offering enhanced versatility and playability.

X100 Pro is equipped with a 50 MP ZEISS APO Floating Telephoto Camera, featuring top-notch correction over chromatic aberrations, an innovative periscope group structure, and ZEISS floating elements design. With a wide F2.5 aperture and high transmittance technology, it achieves CIPA 4-level* image stabilization, breaking the constraints of photographic scenes beyond delivering exceptional image quality. What is distant instantly appears before your eyes, and what is close reveals intricate details. Regardless of distance, light, or darkness, you are set free to convey your creative vision.

All rear cameras of the X100 Series meet ZEISS T* coating certification standards for lower reflectance and reduced stray light. Thanks to the newly upgraded T* coating, the result is clearer, purer, more authentic images.

Flagship-level Maximum Performance

The vivo X100 series is powered by the flagship-grade MediaTek Dimensity 9300 octa-core CPU, pushing performance to new heights. The Dimensity 9300 CPU employs a "full big core" design, featuring a 3.25GHz Cortex-X4 core, three 2.85GHz Cortex-X4 cores, and four 2GHz Cortex-A720 cores, coupled with the Immortalis-G720 GPU. There are no power-efficient cores; each core packs a punch. It's irresistible to be captivated by the remarkable performance of this smartphone.

Record-breaking Battery Life

The overall battery life of the X100 series has significantly improved, thanks to advanced battery technology. The X100 series offers users a more durable and enjoyable smartphone experience. In terms of battery capacity, the X100 comes with an Equivalent 5000mAh (TYP) battery and 120W wired charging, while the X100 Pro features a larger Equivalent 5400mAh battery capacity and efficient charging with a combination of 100W wired charging.

vivo X Series Development Review

In 2012, the first-generation vivo X1 was released, and at that time, it was the world's thinnest smartphone. It was also the first smartphone to feature a Hi-Fi professional-grade chip.

In 2020, starting with the vivo X50, vivo's high-end product iterations have been making significant strides.

In the first half of 2022, the launch of the X90 series once again solidified its position as the "5G flagship benchmark."

The launching of the vivo X100 series also signifies the great achievement of vivo throughout the years, including technology and products, meanwhile acting as a leading-edge role.

Corporate Strength

Over the past 28 years, vivo has remained dedicated to the telecommunications industry and technological innovation. Supported by a network of R&D centers in China (mainland and Taipei), Japan (Tokyo), and the United States (San Diego), vivo always focuses on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies, including 6G, AI, photography, industrial design, and other emerging technologies. vivo's global team of R&D professionals exceeds 13,000, with over 43,000 patent applications and more than 400 formulation technology standards. What's more noteworthy is that in 2022, vivo Communications Research Institute released three white papers, 6G Vision, Requirements and Challenges, Digital Life 2030+ and 6G Services, Capabilities and Enabling Technologies. vivo's self-developed multimodal integration heralds the arrival of the 6G era.

Furthermore, vivo has established a smart manufacturing network, which includes centers authorized by vivo, with an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones. This substantial production capacity enables vivo to meet global demand, showcasing its strength in the smartphone manufacturing sector.

In December 2020, vivo made a significant announcement at the Global Imaging Strategy Conference, officially becoming a global strategic partner with ZEISS. Additionally, both companies announced the establishment of a joint research and development team, the vivo ZEISS Joint Imaging Laboratory, serving as an innovative space and platform for their collaboration. This partnership seamlessly combines ZEISS's exclusive expertise in optical, optoelectronic, imaging, and imaging systems with vivo's expertise in smartphone technology, software, and system integration. vivo's approach to this collaboration focuses on deep and multi-faceted technical cooperation to enhance smartphone photography's "fundamental image quality” and bring professional photographers, professional cameras, and professional post-processing capabilities to everyday users. 

Moreover, vivo hasn't overlooked the needs of professional users and is striving to create a truly meaningful "professional video mode" for smartphone photography, rather than a simple parameter adjustment mode. Ultimately, vivo's goal is to simplify and systematize the photographic requirements of ordinary users, even conducting research into the varied photography demands and preferences of different demographics worldwide, to craft an imaging system that satisfies a broader audience.

In terms of security and reliability, adhering to the management concept of “quality is the baseline of products”, vivo continues to optimize the quality management system, implement strict product quality standards, and effective product safety management. vivo established a new Regulatory Compliance Laboratory in 2022 to strengthen radiation safety testing capability on products. vivo has obtained the first SAR Certificate in China, which proved that vivo had been recognized by the authority in terms of radiation safety of mobile phones. 

Also, vivo is the first in the mobile phone industry to obtain the CEIV Certificate for safe battery transportation. In 2022, vivo officially released the kMirror Trusted Engine to enhance users’ product safety experience with innovative technologies. Within one year, kMirror Trusted Engine had served more than 11.4 million users. vivo also released the vivo Transparency In Security And Privacy Protection White Paper to share the Company’s thoughts and practices on user security and privacy protection. It can be seen that vivo has been making continuous efforts to explore trusted product safety solutions.

Whether in the past, present, or future, vivo is committed to constant innovation and progress, striving to provide users with a more user-friendly and convenient experience.