Samsung Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G: Awesome Innovations and Security Engineered for Everyone

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 With upgraded security features and a more vivid viewing experience, the new Galaxy A series devices democratize mobile experiences for all

SEOUL, Korea – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. unveiled the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G, two smartphones that demonstrate Samsung’s ongoing commitment to making the best of mobile innovations available to everyone. Both devices come with extensive security features such as Knox Vault, as well as new photography capabilities inspired by Galaxy’s flagship camera innovations and a stunning display that adjusts to users’ surroundings with Vision Booster.

“With the Galaxy A series, we are expanding our latest technologies to a wider audience so that more people can benefit from them,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited to open up even more possibilities on the Galaxy A series this year, including offering Samsung Knox Vault for the first time on this lineup. We’re proud to enable Galaxy A series users to safely and reliably enjoy outstanding mobile experiences.”

An Entertainment and Creativity Hub with Versatile Photography and Stunning Display

With enhanced Nightography, Galaxy A55 5G takes clearer and more vibrant photos even in poor lighting conditions. That means every nighttime photo can reach awesome new levels. Galaxy A55 5G’s advanced AI Image Signal Processing (ISP) produces stunning low-light images never seen before on Galaxy A series. It’s not just scenery that looks amazing. Night Portrait mode and 12-bit HDR video ensure the people in every image look great so that capturing memories with friends and family is never dependent on the perfect lighting.

Both Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G offer the incredible photography capabilities that Samsung Galaxy is renowned for, including features such as optical image stabilization (OIS) and video digital image stabilization (VDIS) that keep photos and videos crisp even when filming on the go.

The new devices also continue the Galaxy A series’ tradition of making fun and immersive mobile experiences accessible to all. Users can enjoy watching the latest shows or browsing social media with Super AMOLED displays, showing astonishing clarity in Full High Definition. They can also count on the 6.6-inch^[1] screen on both the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G looking clear and bright in a range of light conditions thanks to Vision Booster.

Democratizing Samsung’s Most Powerful Security Innovations to Intelligently Protect More Customers for Longer

This year Samsung  is bringing one of its most innovative flagship security features,  Samsung Knox Vault  to Galaxy A series users for the very first time, including  on the new Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G. A hardware-based and tamper-resistant security solution, Samsung Knox Vault offers comprehensive protection against both hardware and software attacks by constructing a secure execution environment that is physically isolated from the system’s main processor and memory. It can help protect the most critical data on a device, including lock screen credentials, such as PIN codes, passwords and patterns. Samsung Knox Vault also protects device encryption keys, encrypting users’ private data stored in the device. Only a user who has the correct lock screen credentials can access their data, even if the device is lost or stolen.

The Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G are also secured by Samsung Knox, Galaxy’s multi-layer security platform. One of the most trusted security platforms in the world, Samsung Knox is designed to safeguard critical information and protect against vulnerabilities with end-to-end secure hardware, real-time threat detection and collaborative protection, taking a holistic approach across the entire Galaxy ecosystem.

For even more ways to stay protected, the Galaxy A series offers Auto Blocker, an opt-in package of additional security measures. When switched on, Auto Blocker can block app installations from unauthorized sources, provide app security checks^[2] to scan for potential malware and block potentially malicious commands and software installations to your device while connected by USB cable. New Galaxy A series users will also have access to Galaxy’s Security and Privacy Dashboard, making it easier than ever to see and control what is happening to their data and withdraw any permissions whenever they choose. They can also enjoy Private Sharing (part of Quick Share), which enables the secure and encrypted sharing of private files containing important personal or financial information. To ensure confidentiality, users can control the recipient’s access permissions and the file’s expiration date, while also choosing to limit screenshots or downloads.

The new Galaxy A series smartphones demonstrate Samsung’s commitment to ensure Galaxy devices remain secure and up-to-date for longer. With the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G, users will continue to benefit for up to four generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and five years of security updates, optimizing the lifecycle of the devices by keeping them equipped with all the latest Galaxy and Android features.

Seamless Connection with the Ever-Expanding Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem

The Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G are fully compatible with the Galaxy ecosystem giving users a smooth and integrated experience across a range of Galaxy devices. Users can keep up with their fitness goals by connecting Galaxy Fit3 or Galaxy Watch6 to their Galaxy A series smartphone. And, thanks to Auto Switch, incoming calls will be automatically switched to connected Galaxy Buds FE for enhanced convenience.

An Awesome Experience Awaits this Summer

So go ahead and #CreateAwesome with the Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G, available starting March 18! Get the Galaxy A55 5G for ₱24,990 (8+256GB) while the Galaxy A35 5G can be yours for only ₱20,990 (8+256GB). A 128GB option will be available exclusively in Globe Telecom and Smart Communications. You can also enjoy awesome freebies when you buy from March 18 to April 18, 2024 - get a Free Buds FE worth ₱5,490 and a Free Travel Adapter worth ₱1,190 with every purchase.*

You can buy your Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G and avail of this limited time offer through all authorized Samsung Retail, Online, Experience Stores, and Operator Partners alongside Flexible Payment and Trade-In, Trade-Up offers and other running nationwide promotions.*

To find out more about the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, Galaxy A35 5G and other Galaxy smartphones, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Mobile Press and Samsung.com. 

*Terms and conditions apply. DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-187533 Series of 2024 and DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-187534 Series of 2024.

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[1] Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.6-inch in the full rectangle and 6.4-inch with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.

[2] Currently not available on US carrier models.

Caltex Renews Partnership with GabLil as Caltex Rewards Ambassadors

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Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), recently launched a new campaign with celebrity couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos (GabLil) as the brand’s official Caltex Rewards ambassadors.

This exciting campaign, May Point Ang Biyahe, highlights the fun and joy of traveling and encourages Filipino motorists to fuel up with Caltex to earn and accumulate Caltex Rewards points for a more rewarding and fulfilling journey.

With the launch of the May Point Ang Biyahe campaigns comes a new music video featuring Gabbi and Khalil (GabLil). The lyrics are all about the benefits customers can get when they use Caltex Rewards. This energetic production showcases the thrilling rewards for motorists, including fuel discounts, dining perks, shopping delights, and much more—all set to the beat of a lively and catchy jingle.

"We wanted to have ambassadors who represent what Caltex Rewards means for motorists. With GabLil as our ambassadors, we aim to create a more vibrant and positive image for the brand," said CPI Country Chairman Billy Liu.

“Gabbi and Khalil embody the adventurous, on-the-go and fun-loving spirit of both the Caltex brand and the Caltex Rewards program. As a couple, they align with the goal of Caltex Rewards, which is making journeys easier, happier and better. We look forward to working with them and seeing where this collaboration takes us,” Liu added.

“We’re so happy to be part of the Caltex family. We’ve always fueled up at Caltex so it’s an honor to finally represent the brand that we both truly love. We would like to thank Caltex for welcoming us with warmth and open arms,” the couple remarked.

Sign up to be part of the Caltex Rewards Program through the CaltexGO app or the Caltex website. You may also visit the official website for more information about Caltex and its promotions. Watch the recently launched music video in this link.

Pru Life UK’s newest product guarantees 4% annual cash payout for 7 years

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Customers also get 100% cash back and up to 125% coverage with PRULove Wealth

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK launches a new product designed to provide Filipinos life insurance coverage while also allowing them to earn returns with rates comparable with those from a high-yielding time deposit. PRULove Wealth uniquely offers 4% annual cash payout, 100% cash back, and up to 125% insurance coverage.*  

Regardless of market conditions, customers can rely on a guaranteed 4% annual payout based on the single premium paid. PRULove Wealth complements their traditional bank deposit and fixed income-generating financial assets. The steady earnings assure them and their families cash to celebrate life's milestones, boost personal savings, and provide an extra layer of financial cushion.  

Customers’ principal money is secured with 100% cash back guarantee or return of the premium paid if the insured is still around after the 7-year insurance coverage period or maturity of the policy. The cash back gives comfort to families of a stable financial future. 

The life insurance coverage of up to 125% based on the single premium gives the customers wealth protection for their families. Whatever happens to the insured, the beneficiary gets the whole proceeds up to 25% higher than the principal.*  

"PRULove Wealth solidifies our unwavering commitment to being the Filipino families' most trusted partners and protectors by providing financial solutions that address their evolving needs. With the guaranteed benefits of our new product, we aim to help more customers achieve financial protection and their wealth aspirations,” shares Allan Tumbaga, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer & Marketing Officer.  

PRULove Wealth can help customers who want a convenient one-time pay life insurance product that reaps an uninterrupted flow of cash and secured legacy without worrying about market volatility. 

Pru Life UK maintains its industry's top position in New Business Annual Premium Equivalent & total Premium Income from Variable Life Insurance products according to the Insurance Commission’s Life Insurance Sector Quarterly Statistics for Q3 2023.   

Its wide range of products is accessible through its over 42,000 digitally-empowered agency force and like-minded ecosystems and digital partners. 

To know more about PRULove Wealth, talk to a Pru Life UK agent today or visit www.prulifeuk.com.ph.    

*4% payout and 125% insurance coverage based on single premium paid.​

Product terms & conditions including on cash back apply.​

Limited time offer and subject to availability.​

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About Pru Life UK

Established in 1996, Pru Life UK is the pioneer of insuravest, or investment-linked life insurance products, in the Philippines and is one of the first life insurance companies approved to distribute US dollar-denominated investment-linked life insurance policies in the country. Since its establishment, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 170 branches and general agency offices in the Philippines, with the largest life insurance agency force with more than 42,000 licensed agents.

The company ranks #1 for New Business Annual Premium Equivalent and Total Premium Income from Variable Life Insurance Products according to the Insurance Commission’s Life Insurance Sector Quarterly Statistics for Q3 2023. Pru Life UK is headquartered in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City

Pru Life UK and Prudential are not affiliated with Prudential Financial, Inc. (a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America), Prudential Assurance Company (a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom), Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Company, Prudentialife Plans, Inc. or Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc. (all Philippine-registered companies). Pru Life UK is a life insurance company and is not engaged in the business of selling pre-need plans. For more information: www.prulifeuk.com.ph

New UK Visa Application Centre launched in Manila

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●       UK visa customers can visit the new and upgraded centre from Monday to Friday, between 7AM to 4PM to apply for all categories of UK visas.

●       Customers get a range of optional services to choose from including Premium Lounge, Prime Time Appointments, Keep My Passport, and SMS Alerts among others.

●       Customers can also apply for their UK visa from a location of their choice through our optional On Demand Mobile Visa (ODMV) service.

To offer an enhanced visa application submission experience to UK visa customers in Manila, Philippines, Mr. Alistair White, British Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines, inaugurated the new and upgraded UK Visa Application Centre in Manila on 08 March 2024, in the presence of Mr. Julian Salisbury, Assurance and Integrity Manager for Asia Pacific, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Head-Australasia, VFS Global.

The new UK Visa Application Centre in Manila located on the 6th Floor of the Makati Circuit Corporate Tower Two will offer customers a more comfortable and relaxed visa application submission experience. This spacious facility, equipped with modern amenities and services, will have the capacity to process a higher volume of visa applications per day, and enhance the customer experience by making the customer journey even more smooth and seamless.

Mr. Alistair White, British Deputy Ambassador to the Philippines, said, "This new and improved visa application centre (VAC) located at the city center is easily accessible by public transportation, providing our customers with added convenience to ensure they have a smooth start to their journey to the UK, whether that’s to visit, work or study at one of our world-leading institutions. In 2023, UKVI issued around 77,500 visas to Philippine nationals. This was a 24% increase from the numbers we saw issued in 2022. As always, we’re excited to welcome more travellers this year, as the UK stands as a key travel destination for many in the Philippines.”

Spread across 3,300 square feet, this centre offers 10 submission counters with a capacity to process over 300 applications per day. The new center also provides a newly designed state-of-the-art Premium Lounge as one of the optional services for UK visa customers.

Mr. Kaushik Ghosh, Head - Australasia, VFS Global, said, "VFS Global has shared a long-standing relationship of trust with the UK Government since 2003, and this new Visa Application Centre is a reflection of the strong partnership we share. This centre in Manila will play a crucial role in effectively catering to the growing demand for travel to the UK. We are confident that this new Visa Application Centre will enhance customer experience by making the visa application process even more smooth and seamless, thereby helping us better serve travellers to the UK better.”

The visa application centre also offers a host of optional services that include the Premium Lounge service for end-to-end personalised assistance throughout the application process, Prime Time Appointments to allow submission of visa applications beyond regular working hours, and the Keep My Passport service to allow applicants to retain their passports while their applications are being assessed, and only submit them once a visa decision has been reached. Similarly, Courier Return service facilitates delivery of the processed documents to the registered address, while SMS Notifications can help in giving updates at each step of the application journey.

Additionally, UK visa customers can apply for their visa from any preferred location – home or office -- by opting for our On Demand Mobile Visa (ODMV) service.

VFS Global operates UK Visa Application Centres across two cities in Philippines – Cebu and Manila. This new Visa Application Centre in Manila will cater to UK visa applicants including study, travel, business, and others.

VFS Global, which has been a trusted partner for the UK Government since 2003, won the global contract for overseas UK visa and Citizenship services last year. As part of the contract, during 2024, VFS Global will deploy 240 Visa and Citizenship Application Service (VCAS) Centres for the UK in 142 countries across Africa & Middle East, Americas, Australasia & Europe, China & Taiwan, and Asia & Asia Pacific regions. These centres will accept all categories of visa applications as well as UK passport applications in some locations. Combined, these new centres are estimated to process 3.8 million applicants every year.

For more information, please visit https://visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/gbr/.

About VFS Global

As the world’s leading outsourcing and technology service specialist, VFS Global embraces technological innovation including Generative AI to support governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, increasing productivity and enabling them to focus entirely on the critical task of assessment.

With a responsible approach to technology development, adoption and integration, the company prioritizes ethical practices and sustainability while serving as the trusted partner to 67 client governments.  Operating over 3,300 Application Centres in 150 countries, VFS Global has efficiently processed more than 280 million applications since 2001.

Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and backed by majority shareholder Blackstone, along with the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, VFS Global is committed to creating value for all stakeholders and leading in responsible, innovative solutions making government services more effective and efficient.

DTI PTTC-GMEA awards top graduates of the inaugural Obra Design Masterclass for Furniture Industry

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The Department of Trade and Industry’s Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) has recognized the top designers among the 52 graduates of the very first Obra Design Masterclass, a design and product development mentorship initiative to uplift local talent within the furniture and creative industries.

Participants of the Obra Design Masterclass unveiled their exceptional furniture, lighting, and decor designs at the prestigious 32nd Philippine International Furniture Show (PIFS) held from March 7 to 9, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.

The Obra Design Masterclass honorees are:

Best Furniture Design: Apollo Coffee Table by Reimer Neil Bonghanoy (Cebu)

1st Runner-up: Heron Parasol by Luzel Andrea Alconera (Cebu)

2nd Runner-up: MORF (Modular ORganizer Furniture Set) by Dean Gabriel Lusung (NCR)

3rd Runner-up: Obrang Baybayin by Chester Gazzingan (NCR)

4th Runner-up: Hiraya Bar by Basil Rico Gahi (Cebu)

 

Best Decor Design: Pangolin Sauce Bowl by Jay Chadly Pulan (Cebu)

1st Runner-up: Orbito Tray by Reimer Neil Bonghanoy (Cebu)

2nd Runner-up: Kyrie Screen Divider by David Paras (Cebu)

 

Best Lighting Design: Zephyrus by Matthew David (Pampanga)

1st Runner-up: Socorro by Josh Matthew Flores (Cebu)

2nd Runner-up: Orbital Corners by Maria Catherina Agregado (Pampanga)

The three-month Obra Design Masterclass program was simultaneously conducted in Manila, Pampanga, and Cebu. The program aimed at addressing key industry challenges, such as the emigration of skilled professionals, market competitiveness, and the rising costs of materials, through empowering local talent, by seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies, sustainable materials, and innovative creative processes.

“The Obra Design Masterclass enriches the Philippine furniture industry by upskilling designers and crafters capable of making a significant impact on the global stage. Scholars with design backgrounds, architects, and industrial designers, among others, were guided by seasoned mentors on key concepts such as mindset development, design thinking, material selection, and assembly techniques, which were valuable in producing prototypes worth selling to the international market," PTTC-GMEA Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera stated.

Under the guidance of renowned figures from the furniture design industry, including Ronald Rommel Viloria, Josef Crisanto, Eric Paras, Stanley Ruiz, Rey Soliven, Dem Bitantes, Vito Selma, Estela Ocampo-Fernandez, and Christine Manguerra, and key industry partners such as the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP), Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF), and Pampanga Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (PFIF), graduates mastered not only design and craftsmanship but also vital business and communication skills necessary for transforming their creative concepts into tangible pieces.

The designs will be showcased at Obra Pop-Up: A PTTC-GMEA Showcase of Obra Scholars & Prototype in the PTTC-GMEA lobby area in Pasay City from March 11 to 12, 2024, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Furniture designers, enthusiasts, and students can visit for free to check out the scholars’ brilliant designs of furniture, lighting, and accessories.

The Philippine International Furniture Show was organized by Next One Now in collaboration with CFIP, CFIF, PFIF, and Global-Link MP Events International Inc. It ran alongside Interior & Design Manila, organized by Global-Link MP Events International Inc., with the support of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, Philippine Institute of Architects, and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc., highlighting the synergy within the Philippine design community.

 

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ABOUT DTI PTTC-GMEA

The Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) is a government agency under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that provides training and capacity-building programs to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines. PTTC-GMEA aims to enhance the competitiveness and productivity of MSMEs through skills development, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities.

For more information, visit www.pttc.gov.ph.