March 2, 2024

Social media influencers take on challenge to be Creators #ForEveryChild to protect children from online abuse and exploitation

As the country wraps up this year’s Safer Internet Month, UNICEF Philippines awarded the first-ever annual badge of recognition to digital influencers who accepted the challenge to be Creators #ForEveryChild. They have lent their unique creative platforms and reach to fight for the rights of every child in the country, especially the most vulnerable to online abuse and exploitation.

(Left to Right): Creators #ForEveryChild Anina Rubio, AJ Bacar, Cat Triviño and Buji Babiera together with UNICEF Philippines Advocacy and Communications Chief Lely Djuhari (center)


The Creators #ForEveryChild -  AJ Bacar, Anina Rubio, Buji Babiera, Cat Triviño, Ginger Arboleda, Inka Magnaye, Jing Ruiz, Karl Bautista, Raco Ruiz, Reb Atadero, Riyan Portuguez - received the badge and certificates of appreciation during the Safer Internet Convention on Digital Responsibility held by UNICEF today. These influencers’ have contributed to ending online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including abusive and exploitative materials. This is very timely, as most Philippine children and young people look up – some of them exclusively - to social media influencers for informative content.

This year’s theme calls on everyone to prevent this scrouge and work with Government to step up implementation of Republic Act 11930, otherwise known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material Act, that strengthens the country’s response and protection of children to online predators. According to a UNICEF-ECPAT-Interpol Disrupting Harm study, 20 per cent of children, 12 to 17, reported being victims of this abuse in 2021. Unfortunately, due to stigma, disclosure is disproportionately low - despite various reporting channels. Only 0-4 per cent of victims ever reported, and only 0-3 per cent know how to report to the police or to helplines.   

The convention was attended by close to 100 children and youth who co-developed a Digital Responsibility Programme which aims to increase the capacity and protective behavior of learners and teachers in navigating online and digital platforms. It was organized by the Positive Youth Development Network, the Department of Education and the local government units of Valenzuela City and Angeles City with UNICEF support. 

UNICEF Philippines underscores the importance of adults and children in growing their understanding of their digital responsibility. Safer internet Month is helping build youth, parent and caregiver’s digital literacy or the skills they need to live, learn, and work in a society where information is increasingly channeled through digital technology and social media. Ultimately, the collective effort will maximize the positive experience that children and young people can get from the internet, while preventing all forms of online abuse and exploitation. 

New Survey Reveals Filipino Emergency Medical Professionals Often Overlook Life-Threatening Brain Condition


A new survey commissioned by Encephalitis International, the peak global body for encephalitis, reveals that Filipino emergency medical professionals often overlook encephalitis, a life-threatening neurological condition characterized by brain inflammation, despite the presence of common symptoms. Survey results showed that over half (54%) of local respondents did not consider infectious encephalitis, and three-quarters (74%) did not consider autoimmune encephalitis as a diagnosis when presented with a list of accepted symptoms for each condition. The survey findings are released in line with World Encephalitis Day on February 22, 2024.

Moreover, despite encephalitis leading to death in up to 40% of cases, 66% of the respondents did not consider death as a potential patient outcome resulting from delayed recognition and treatment.

"In the wake of these alarming survey findings, it is clear that much more must be done to bridge the gap in encephalitis awareness and expertise. Encephalitis International is determined to increase this awareness among medical professionals through the development of globally accessible training programmes which will provide the tools for them to better recognise and treat encephalitis. Of course, we cannot do this alone and will continue to work alongside international entities, such as the World Health Organization, to elevate encephalitis as a global health priority,” shared Dr. Ava Eason, Chief Executive of Encephalitis International.

The condition can happen to individuals of any age, sex, and ethnicity, with symptoms varying depending on the type. Symptoms of infectious encephalitis encompass altered consciousness, behavioral changes, fever, and headaches, while autoimmune encephalitis presents with memory issues, psychiatric symptoms, altered consciousness, and personality changes.

With the risk of death or permanent brain impairment when the disease strikes, first responders are essential in promptly considering encephalitis during health emergencies to mitigate the worst-case patient outcomes.

Misdiagnosis in patients leads to worse patient outcomes

The survey results reveal the reality for encephalitis patients in the country. Roschelle Del Rosario, caregiver based in Bulacan and mother to 23-year-old patient named Alex, shared their struggle with his rapid symptom progression despite medical intervention. Initially experiencing insomnia, hallucinations, agitation, personality changes, appetite loss, and seizures, Alex was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, a second opinion in May 2023 revealed autoimmune encephalitis.

But diagnosis was just the beginning. Alex's health rapidly declined, leading to a four-and-a-half-month coma following the misdiagnosis. Roschelle highlighted the extensive research required into treatment options., which due to limited local resources, is largely dependent on international organizations like Encephalitis International, who is committed to funding research that aims to advance recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition as well as rehabilitation and quality of life of all people affected and their families..

“Alex had his whole life ahead of him as a graduating college student and the top of his class when his symptoms appeared. Today, he's a fighter battling encephalitis. He's overcome his comatose state and is even able to use his mobile phone again after losing his cognitive and motor skills due to the disease. Eight months into this journey, he still faces significant challenges like hallucinations and memory loss. Sometimes, you'll talk to him and the next second, he'll ask who you are. It's a tough road, but we still consider ourselves fortunate because, even though treating encephalitis in the country is difficult, we've found dedicated professionals who are willing to help and learn more about this disease so Alex can regain his health and have a chance at a normal life again,” shared Del Rosario.

Supporting emergency medical professionals with training for diagnosis

Further survey results found that only (35%) a third of local emergency medical professionals surveyed strongly agreed that their training had given them the confidence to recognise encephalitis. More than three-quarters (79%) somewhat or strongly agreed that they would benefit from more training.

Dr. Ferron Ocampo, an Adult Neurology Fellow of the Philippine Neurological Association and an advocate for encephalitis awareness, recognizes the challenges regarding the lack of training in encephalitis recognition and management in the country due to its rarity. Priority in resource allocation, including education and training, is given to more common conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, Dr. Ocampo stresses the importance of advocating for encephalitis awareness because this condition needs immediate attention, as delayed diagnosis can lead to worsening of the patient's condition and serious consequences if not treated promptly.

“Encephalitis is a neurological emergency that can have devastating consequences if not diagnosed and treated promptly. However, not all medical professionals are aware of the symptoms and are confident in managing them. As we celebrate World Encephalitis Day, various international and local stakeholders should collaborate to prioritize providing training and resources to medical professionals worldwide in order to enhance encephalitis detection, diagnosis, and treatment,” Dr. Ocampo shared.

In line with this urgent need for education, Encephalitis International is launching its largest fundraiser yet, "Don’t Delay. Give Today." This initiative aims to promote early recognition and treatment to prevent death and disability from encephalitis by developing accessible, accredited training modules to provide more robust information and training on encephalitis. Emergency medical professionals in the Philippines and globally can access training opportunities by signing up for free professional membership.


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Encephalitis International

Encephalitis International is a multi-award-winning charity and the leading global resource providing support and information, raising awareness of the condition, and collaborating in research.

Since its launch in 2014, World Encephalitis Day has reached over 406 million people worldwide.

March 1, 2024

Justin Timberlake drops new track “Drown”



Multi-award-winning artist Justin Timberlake releases his new track “Drown” via RCA Records/Sony Music Entertainment.

Written by Timberlake, Louis Bell (Taylor Swift, Post Malone), Henry Walter, Amy Allen, Kenyon Dixon and produced by Louis Bell, Cirkut (Maroon 5, The Weeknd), “Drown” marks the American pop star’s second single release ahead of his upcoming sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was, which drops on March 15.

Justin recently teased his fans on Instagram with a clip featuring the snippet of the track. The Cry Me A River superstar previewed the emotional track with a short, stripped-down performance while seated at a piano.

Renowned musician, actor, and entertainer Justin Timberlake also announced the long-awaited European and UK leg of his momentous The Forget Tomorrow World Tour with thirteen new shows in 8 countries. Produced by Live Nation, stops include performances in Poland, Germany, Belgium, the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and France.

The tour now includes a significant 67 global shows spanning from April through December of this year. In North America, 22 performances have already sold out, and over 550,000 tickets have sold for the U.S. shows.

Additional cities and date information to follow. For complete tour and ticket information, visit his official website.

Last month, Timberlake dropped his single and music video “Selfish,” which garnered over 57 million worldwide streams and over 14 million views on YouTube. Justin Timberlake also made a special musical guest performance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where he performed his single “Selfish” and “Sanctified.” Additionally, Timberlake announced his highly anticipated sixth studio album Everything I Thought It Was, which is set to be released on March 15th (pre-order album HERE).



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ABOUT JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

Justin Timberlake is a multi-talented entertainer, recording artist, record producer, songwriter and actor. Throughout his career, he’s sold over 54 million albums and 63 million singles globally, and a further 70 million records as the lead vocalist of *NSYNC. Justin has won ten GRAMMY Awards across the pop, dance and R&B genres, including his successful solo albums Man of the Woods, The 20/20 Experience, FutureSex/LoveSounds, and his debut solo album, Justified – as well as his collaborations with Jay-Z. He’s garnered over 23 billion audio and video streams globally and won four Emmy Awards for his memorable stints on “Saturday Night Live.” On the big screen, he’s lent his voice to DreamWorks’ animated franchise phenomena TROLLS, including the third installment, 2023’s TROLLS BAND TOGETHER. His hit record “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” from TROLLS was nominated for “Best Original Song” at the 2017 Academy Awards.

Follow Justin Timberlake:

Official Website | Instagram | YouTube

Justin Timberlake’s “Drown” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment/RCA Records.

February 29, 2024

realme 12 Series 5G set to launch in PH on March 7, blind pre-order starts March 1

Prepare to #BeThePortraitMaster with realme’s latest flagship-level smartphone cameras


The realme 12 Series 5G is expected to launch on March 7, 2024 as the latest release under realme's Number Series. It comprises two new smartphones, the realme 12 Pro+ 5G and realme 12+ 5G.

Following the Number Series' direction to provide flagship-level smartphone cameras, realme has combined innovative camera technology, luxurious design, and powerful performance in these new devices.

Flagship-level cameras

To give an idea of what to expect, realme has integrated Periscope and Sony lenses to give the realme 12 Series 5G the best camera yet in the Number Series.

Specifically, realme has developed two main camera systems for each device: a 64MP Periscope Portrait Camera, 50MP Sony IMX890 and 8MP 112° Wide Angle for the realme 12 Pro+ 5G; and a 50MP Sony LYT600 OIS Portrait Camera, 8MP 112° Wide Angle, and 2MP Macro for the realme 12+ 5G.

These master-level camera systems allow users to easily take pleasing photos at par with those of skilled photographers and cinematographers. With the realme 12 Series 5G, the Squad can capture the beauty of life at any time with just one click, empowering them to #BeThePortraitMaster.

Luxury watch design and stunning colorways

The realme 12 Series 5G are eye-catching devices thanks to their beautiful craftsmanship inspired by luxury watch designs co-developed by well-renowned watch designer Ollivier Savéo.

Both the realme 12 Pro+ 5G and the realme 12+ 5G are embellished with Premium Vegan Leather, Polished Sunburst Dial, and 3D Jubilee Bracelet. However, the realme 12 Pro+5G also has a Golden Fluted Bezel circling its camera while the realme 12+ 5G has Polished PVD Edges.

To complement the luxurious design of the realme 12 Series 5G, both devices are available in two sophisticated colorways that represent a refined and stylish lifestyle. The realme 12 Pro+ 5G comes in Submarine Blue and Navigator Beige while the realme 12+ 5G comes in Pioneer Green and Navigator Beige.

Price announcement

The Number Series is realme’s premium mid-range smartphones, perfect for young professionals looking for a sophisticated smartphone that can keep up with their stylish lifestyle.

The Squad should definitely set their alarms on March 7 to catch the price announcement and tune in to the official livestream of the launch event at 6:00PM on realme’s official Facebook and YouTube pages.

Pre-order details

For those who want to cop the realme 12 Series 5G as early as possible, they can sign up for the blind pre-order period by visiting any realme stores nationwide from March 1-7, 2024.

During this time, awesome TechLife products will be given away for FREE along with the brand-new realme 12 Series 5G devices.

By pre-ordering the realme 12 Pro+ 5G, the Squad can get a TechLife 4.5L See-Through Air Fryer worth P2,799.00 while the realme 12+ 5G comes with either a TechLife High-Speed Hair Dryer or TechLife 4L Digital Rice Cooker worth P2,399.

Meanwhile, the first selling period will start from March 8 until March 17 and freebies are still available only until supplies last.

Keep posted on the realme 12 Series 5G by visiting the realme official Facebook page or website.

Explore Logitech’s Exciting 3.3 Gadget Deals on Shopee - Up to 44% off + discount vouchers + Sodexo gift checks and more on select items


Get ready to grab the thrilling tech deals that await you this March 3 with Logitech’s 3.3 Double Digit Sale. Logitech, the world leader in PC and gaming peripherals, is offering a selection of its premium-quality goods at a discounted price. You can choose from a range of electronics and accessories to take your gaming and productivity experience to the next level. 

Enjoy exclusive offers such as discount vouchers up to 44% off on the Logitech official store or 37% off on the Shopee Logi G store, plus Sodexo gift checks, and many more. 

Be sure to check out this list to see what Logitech has in store for you.

Logitech H390: Look good, hear better

Listen to your favorite tunes and enhance your quality of work with the Logitech H390 USB Computer Headset. Its fine-tuned 30 mm audio drivers give you pristine audio quality that’s perfect for online calls and meetings, music, and more. 

The simple plug-and-play USB connection makes it easier to start and end every session and control the volume and mute calls conveniently. Its 1.9-meter cable length also provides you the perfect balance of moving around comfortably without dealing with long tangled cords. 

It features a noise-canceling microphone that can be easily tucked away when not in use. It is also adjustable, allowing you to capture voice and sounds more effectively for clear and direct communication. 

This stylish and sustainably-made headset also rests comfortably on your head with its leatherette ear cushions fitting snugly on you for hours on end. The adjustable headband is swivel-mounted, giving you a full range of motion without disrupting the audio.

Logitech Z333 Speaker System with Subwoofer: Rediscover the depth of sounds

Elevate your gaming experience and listening sessions to a whole new level with the Logitech Z333 speakers, designed to convey richer and more immersive audio. This subwoofer speaker specializes in delivering low frequencies, producing rich bass sounds and delivering maximum loudness.

It boasts an 80 watts peak and 40 watts RMS power system with two satellite speakers accompanying the large subwoofer. These produce deep acoustics that add another layer to your choice of games, music and videos.

Easy to set up and access, the speaker can accommodate up to two compatible devices via the 3.5 mm and RCA inputs that can easily switch between different sound sources. The dedicated control pod also allows quick access to the volume, power and a headphone jack port. You can also adjust the level of bass to your liking through the control knob at the back of the subwoofer.

Logitech MX Master 2S: Expert multitasking at your fingertips



For those who need a fluid and seamless companion for their everyday tasks, the Logitech MX Master is the perfect device for you. 

With its innovative features and ergonomic, stylish design, it maximizes productivity, precision and comfort for long hours of work.

The premium mouse utilizes Logitech Flow, a state-of-the-art technology that allows users to switch between two computers for easier navigation and copy-pasting. It is specifically designed for professionals and power users who like to work on multiple projects at once. 

This multi-window feature enables a continuous and uninterrupted workflow. 

Staying true to its efficiency, the MX Master 2S can be paired up to three devices and switch between them easily with a simple click of a button. It can connect to devices using the included Logitech Unifying Receiver or through Bluetooth. 

The incredibly fast recharge time is also a plus. Just plug it into a micro-USB port from your computer after just 3 minutes, it’s ready to go! A full charge can last you about 70 days’ worth of usage. It also boasts a 4000 DPI precision sensor for pinpoint tracking that works on virtually any flat surface.

Logitech MK215 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo: Affordability meets productivity

A great bargain you wouldn’t want to miss is the Logitech MK215 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo. The MK215 uses Logitech’s Advanced 2.4 GHz Wireless tech for fast data transmissions with no delays and a 10-meter connectivity range. Both devices have a plug-and-play feature that removes the need for additional software installation, letting you start work immediately. 

The space-saving keyboard features the standard range of keyboard keys including a full-size number pad. On the other hand, the optical mouse conforms comfortably on your hand with HD tracking and smooth responsive cursor control. These devices are battery-powered and have an auto sleep function to maximize battery life.

Logitech Wave Keys: No pressure, all comfort

The interesting curvature of the Logitech Wave Keys is sure to pique anyone’s attention. Developed and tested with The Logi Ergo Lab, this ergonomically designed keyboard follows your hands’ natural position, providing you relief, familiarity and efficiency. 

The soft, three-layer cushioned palm rest promotes wrist support, further adding to the overall comfort it provides. The compact frame allows you to bring your mouse closer to your body, thereby making workflows feel easier and more natural.

Found the deal for you? Save the date and don’t miss out on the Logitech 3.3 sale on Shopee. Visit the Logitech website and official Facebook Page to see more product offerings and future promotions.

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