Filipinos invited to experience the natural goodness of European organic dairy

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There's something remarkable about European organic dairy that sets it apart. With a strong commitment to adhere to the high production standards mandated by the European Union (EU), European organic dairies produce food with deep respect for animals, the environment, and consumers. These products are crafted through natural and sustainable farming practices, ensuring they are free from artificial additives, hormones, GMOs, pesticides, and other artificial agents. Rich in essential nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamins B2 and B12, European organic dairy products offer a wholesome and nutritious choice for families across the globe.

(Left to Right): Panelists Dr. Noel Lumbo, Rae Cay, Dr. Joey Cuayo-Estanislao, Jo Sebastian, Kelly Misa, and Tom Alonzo shared their insights on the benefits of organic European Dairy

Europe, especially Denmark, stands out as a leader in the organic dairy industry, not only pioneering the adoption of organic production regulations but also striving to share the natural goodness of European organic dairy products worldwide. Last year, the Danish Dairy Board (DDB), an inter-brand organization representing dairies in Denmark, launched a three-year educational campaign supported by the EU called EU Organic Dairy PH in the Philippines. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the benefits of European organic dairy and inspire informed consumer choices. Now in its second year, the campaign is set to host various activities in the coming months, including product sampling and VIP Consumer Classes.

From pasture to plate

To kick off the second year of the campaign, DDB hosted the From Pasture to Plate: Choose Organic European Dairy launch event on August 13, 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Garden Pavilion. The event featured tastings, engaging discussions, and educational sessions that explored the production process of organic dairy in Europe, the role dairy plays in sustainable nutrition, and the positive impacts of organic dairy production.

Jo Sebastian, a registered nutritionist-dietician, said, “In the journey toward better health and sustainability, it's crucial to make mindful and nutritious choices about what we eat. Organic dairy, with its numerous nutritional benefits, isn’t merely a trend—it's a powerful step toward a healthier and more sustainable future for us and our planet.”

During the event, attendees enjoyed a selection of delectable bites made with European organic dairy products. They also gained valuable insights on food, health, and wellness from Dr. Noel Lumbo of the National Organic Agriculture Board and pediatrician Dr. Joanna Cuayo-Estanislao. Additionally, mom influencer Kelly Misa shared her personal journey of integrating organic choices into her family’s lifestyle, providing both inspiration and practical advice.

Creating more goodness

In the upcoming months, consumers across Metro Manila and nearby provinces can indulge in product sampling activities featuring European organic dairy products. These will take place from August 16, 2024 to January 2025 at leading supermarkets and grocery stores, offering everyone the opportunity to experience the quality and flavor of European organic dairy from Denmark firsthand. Meanwhile, the VIP Consumer Classes, slated for September 2024, will offer a series of fun and educational sessions where participants, including kids and families, can learn more about organic dairy from Europe while enjoying interactive workshops, games, tasting sessions, and more.

Mr. Lars Witt Jensen, Senior Marketing Manager at the Danish Dairy Board, said, “We are thrilled to bring the message of organic European dairy to the Philippines, especially as more Filipinos seek the best options for their health and the planet. Through our campaign, we hope to empower Filipino consumers with the knowledge and benefits of choosing organic dairy. Our goal is to highlight not only the nutritional value of these products but also their role in promoting sustainable practices and animal welfare. By choosing organic dairy, consumers are making a positive impact on their health, the environment, and the future of food."

The event showcased the delicious organic European Dairy products available in the Philippines.

Stay tuned for updates on the EU Organic Dairy PH’s upcoming events by following EU Organic Dairy PH on Facebook and Instagram or visiting eu-organicdairy.ph.

ASUS Philippines Launches New AI PCs with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Processors: Vivobook S 16, TUF Gaming A14, and ProArt P16

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ASUS Philippines today announces the latest additions to its AI PC line-up from the Vivobook, TUF Gaming, and ProArt series, powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors. These new devices deliver top-tier performance for productivity, gaming, and content creation, showcasing ASUS's commitment to innovative AI experiences. Designed to cater to all types of modern users, these ASUS AI PCs aim to reclaim more personal time by streamlining tasks and improving efficiency, deliver a more immersive gaming experience, and enable smoother, faster, and more immersive workflows.

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Specs, Availability, and Prices of ASUS’s Latest AI-ready Laptops powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300

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The Latest AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series Processors

The AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors, built on the cutting-edge Zen 5 architecture, represent a significant leap forward in mobile computing. These processors feature up to 12 high-performance cores and 24 threads, delivering exceptional multitasking capabilities and responsiveness. The integration of AMD’s RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture ensures superior visual performance, making these processors ideal for both productivity and entertainment. Additionally, the Ryzen AI 300 Series includes a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with up to 50 TOPs of AI processing power, enabling advanced AI applications and enhancing user experiences across various tasks.

ASUS Vivobook S 16: Super AI. Stunning style.

ASUS proudly introduces the new Vivobook S 16 (M5606), a reimagined model in the Vivobook S series designed to combine premium aesthetics with exceptional performance. The Vivobook S 16 features an elegant all-metal chassis, measuring just 1.39 cm thick and weighing a mere 1.3 kg. Powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 processor with a built-in NPU capable of 50 TOPS of AI performance, AMD Radeon® graphics, up to 24 GB of memory, and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, this laptop ensures both exceptional portability and uncompromising performance. Additionally, its 75 Wh battery offers up to 14 hours of battery life, with fast charging and ASUS USB-C Easy Charge support.

In addition, ASUS Memory Allocation Management technology lets users customize VRAM capacity for the iGPU. This feature is designed to optimize performance for gaming, creative, and AI applications, allowing for smoother gameplay, faster rendering times, and more efficient AI processing.

StoryCube syncs media files across devices and the cloud, acting as a comprehensive file-management assistant. It provides quick access to files by location, timeline, or custom tags and uses AI to automatically categorize people and scenes, saving you time and enhancing your creative workflow. Additionally, the laptop features Adaptive Dimming and Adaptive Lock, which adjust screen brightness and lock the screen based on your presence. Improved AI Noise Cancellation reduces background noise during calls and meetings, ensuring clearer communication.

The Vivobook S 16 is equipped with a stunning 16-inch 3.2K 16:10 120Hz ASUS Lumina OLED display, providing a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA DisplayHDR True Black certification, and TÜV Rheinland eye care certification. The laptop also features an ASUS ErgoSense RGB-backlit keyboard with a dedicated Copilot Key for quick access to Windows 11 AI-powered apps and Windows Dynamic Lighting for customizable lighting effects. Connectivity options include a USB4 Type-C port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) port, a MicroSD card reader, and a 3.5 mm audio jack, ensuring seamless integration with external devices.

TUF Gaming A14: AI-enhanced Gaming and Productivity

Introducing the TUF Gaming A14 (FA401), the first 14-inch model in its TUF Gaming lineup. This ultraportable powerhouse weighs just 1.46 kg and is 1.69 cm thick, yet it supports up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU with a 100 W maximum TGP, delivering an exceptional gaming experience. The A14 also features dual-channel LPDDR5 memory and two M.2 2280 SSD slots, providing ample storage options. USB power delivery ensures easy on-the-go charging with wide compatibility via USB-C.

The TUF Gaming A14 is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 processor, boasting 12 cores, 24 threads, and a built-in NPU capable of 50 TOPS of AI performance. This makes it ideal for AI-driven tasks such as eye-gaze correction and using Windows Copilot tools like email summarization with lower power consumption. The future of computing has artificial intelligence at its core, and local AI performance will become crucial to avoid long wait times and high costs in the cloud.

Additionally, the NVIDIA RTX AI platform enhances over 500 AI-powered games and applications, including photo and video editing, image generation, and programming. Gaming features like DLSS Super Resolution, Frame Generation, and Ray Reconstruction ensure excellent performance on the 2.5K 165 Hz NVIDIA G-SYNC-compatible display. The TUF Gaming A14 is designed to meet the needs of gamers and professionals alike, offering a perfect blend of power, portability, and advanced AI capabilities.

ProArt P16: Creativity Unrivaled, Anywhere

The latest addition to the ProArt laptop line-up, the ProArt P16 (H7606) is a 14.9 mm-thin and 1.85 kg-light powerhouse that unleashes boundless creativity. This NVIDIA Studio-validated laptop packs a GeForce RTX 40 Series Laptop GPU, providing powerful graphics and 321 TOPS advanced AI performance. It also features up to a 50 TOPS AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, delivering exceptional processing power. With an advanced thermal design for peak performance, up to 32 GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, it effortlessly handles demanding tasks. Its 4K ASUS Lumina OLED touchscreen ensures precise color accuracy for flawless proofing, while versatile I/O ports allow seamless connections to all the user's peripherals.

With AI-enhanced creative features such as the exclusive StoryCube and MuseTree apps, along with the ASUS DialPad, a dedicated Copilot key, and a long-lasting 90 Wh battery, ProArt P16 (H7606) transforms any setting into a fully-fledged creative studio.

Availability and Pricing

The slim and light Vivobook S 16 (M5606) is priced at PHP 84,995. It comes with a free lifetime license for Office 2021 Home & Student and a complimentary 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Basic, which includes 100GB of cloud storage and access to Office apps and files across multiple devices.

Ideal for on-the-go gamers, the TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) is available for PHP 104,995 and includes a free TUF Gaming-exclusive backpack.

Both the Vivobook S 16 (M5606) and TUF Gaming A14 (FA401) are eligible for the ASUS 4A Service and Quality warranty package. These models will be available starting in August at ASUS and ROG Exclusive Stores, as well as Authorized Resellers nationwide.

For professional creators, ProArt P16 (H7606) will be priced at PHP 199,995.00 and will be available soon with the ASUS 4A Service and Quality warranty package. Inquire at an ASUS Exclusive Store, or  Talk to an Expert now to reserve a unit.

Miss Universe PH 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo bares all in Metro.Style cover

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Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo talks about staying connected with her loved ones and being her best self in Metro.Style’s latest digital cover story.

Photo By Dookie Ducay

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The Bulaceña stunner talks about home, family, and growing up in every sense of the word as she becomes super charged for an exciting journey ahead

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Chelsea impressed the whole nation with her performance in Miss Universe Philippines’ swimwear and eveningwear segments. But it was her Q&A about overcoming restrictive beauty standards that captured the hearts of Filipinos and ultimately secured her the win.

Photo By Dookie Ducay

Speaking to Metro.Style, Chelsea candidly talks about being away from her family in Bulacan, especially now that her Miss Universe journey is running at full speed. A lesson that she learned from her Miss Universe Philippines stint is the importance of maintaining connections with loved ones.

“(I always) value the time with the people who are really close to my heart,” she tells Metro.Style. When away from home, Chelsea makes sure to keep in touch with loved ones via landline, mobile, or the internet with reliable connection powered by PLDT Home. The new PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 with speeds of up to 100 Mbps and unlimited landline and mobile calls covering 5 Smart/TNT numbers in the family allows her to go all out with stories and updates for her loved ones – providing her no limits as she inches closer to her dream.

Photo By PLDT Home

During her Q&A at Miss Universe Philippines 2024 most especially, Chelsea mentioned her mom to be instrumental in building her self-confidence – with constant reminders to believe in herself. Being the first Filipina of African descent to represent the Philippines, Chelsea not only aims to bring representation and diversity to the international pageant, but also to inspire women as her mom did.

Chelsea shows that staying connected with people who lift you up will bring out your best self. It’s also proof that your best self starts at home – with family and friends who have always been there since the beginning. Now, it’s her turn to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to empower women not just in the Philippines but from around the world.

Read Metro.Style’s cover story on Chelsea Manalo here. Know more on who have always been there for her through her journey — and how she relies on PLDT Home to connect with her loved ones, fulfill her advocacies, and ultimately conquer her dreams here:

Just like Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo, you too can be your best self at home by subscribing to PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, designed to give customers the best value for their money. Go super charged as you enjoy unlimited Fiber connection with speeds of up to 100Mbps, unlimited entertainment with Cignal, and unlimited calls to Smart/TNT all in one plan!

Never miss a connection with your friends and family. To know more about the PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, visit pldthome.com/fiber for more details.

Investing in Your Whole Self: How Filipinos Can Save for a Better Future

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In the rigors of daily life, it can be easy to neglect the basics of physical and mental well-being. Between work, family responsibilities, and the rising costs of living, finding the time and resources to protect your financial well-being also often falls by the wayside.

A recent Manulife study shows that Filipinos surveyed are increasingly concerned about maintaining their physical, mental and financial well-being in years to come. The 2024 Manulife Asia Care Survey revealed that while Filipinos have high aspirations for the future, increased costs of living impact their confidence, especially when it comes to their finances.

As Filipinos navigate economic challenges today, most of them are already looking into planning for the future, including securing financial safety nets, such as having passive income (43%), building emergency savings (39%), and finding ways to attain financial freedom (32%) after retirement. However, these goals are perceived to be difficult to attain due to the rising healthcare costs (82%), threats of inflation (81%), and economic slowdown and recession (78%).

"Many Filipinos are grappling with a number of challenges that are impacting their ability to feel secure about their overall well-being within the next decade, including their financial confidence," said Grace Mallabo, Chief Health and Products Officer, Manulife Philippines. "It goes to show that a holistic approach to health and wellness—one that addresses physical and mental well-being, as well as financial preparedness—is very important."

One way to give you and your families peace of mind to focus on living your best lives at present is by preparing for the future through a reliable savings and life insurance plan. Whether it is ensuring that your family is cared for in the event of an unexpected health emergency, or building savings to help fund your dream retirement, your child’s education, or your passions, protection plans like Manulife’s Freedom can serve as a valuable safety net through life's ups and downs.

Freedom offers guaranteed cash payouts – 10% of your face amount – which customers can choose to receive every two years after full payment, or they can opt to leave it to accumulate until maturity. It also has a guaranteed one-time cash benefit, either after 20 years or at age 65; as well as guaranteed life insurance protection equivalent to 200% of the policy’s face amount.

China Bank and China Bank Savings customers can also enjoy the same guaranteed benefits with Manulife China Bank Life’s Assure Max.

More than the financial shield that comes with insurance, building an emergency fund, sticking to a budget, and making sound financial decisions are also valuable on your road to holistic wellness.

Achieving a more financially secure future may not always be easy, but it is a worthwhile journey that can provide long-term benefits. By taking proactive steps for your physical, mental, and financial well-being today, you can live a worry-free present and tomorrow.

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About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife’s Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country’s leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world’s largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website www.manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

About Manulife China Bank Life

Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp. is a strategic alliance between Manulife Philippines and China Banking Corporation (China Bank). It provides a wide range of innovative insurance products and services to customers of China Bank as well as the bank’s thrift arm, China Bank Savings (CBS). MCBL aims to ensure that every client receives holistic life, health, and wealth solutions to address his or her individual needs.

Since opening in October 2007, the company has grown into a business of significance for both Manulife and China Bank. The two strengthened their partnership further in 2014 when China Bank raised its equity stake in MCBL to 40%. MCBL is setting its sights on its next growth phase and reaffirming its mission to be the biggest, most professional bancassurance company in the industry that delivers extraordinary customer experience.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

HONOR 200 Pro is Sold Out, to restock soon

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Due to extreme demand, the AI Portrait Master HONOR 200 Pro sold out not long after its launch

With a guarantee of restocking soon, leading global smartphone devices provider HONOR announced that the flagship killer smartphone HONOR 200 Pro is officially sold out. The AI Portrait Master has been capturing the hearts of Filipinos since its launch and the wild first day sale last July 27, 2024.

“This is a good problem for us, to be honest. Filipinos are getting more and more meticulous now in choosing their smartphones and it’s such a delight to see that they trust us. We are very confident with the performance of HONOR 200 Series and we will for sure replenish our stocks nationwide,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

Redefining AI Portrait Photography

The HONOR 200 Pro redefines smartphone portrait photography with its studio-level Portrait Camera set-up. It features a 50MP Portrait Main Camera with dual stabilization (OIS + EIS), ensuring clear and detailed images even in challenging lighting and motion-intensive scenarios. Equipped with a flagship-level 1/1.3-inch Super Dynamic H9000 Sensor, the device delivers excellent light sensing capabilities and HDR support. The HONOR 200 Pro also includes a 50MP Telephoto Camera equipped with a customized Sony IMX 856 Sensor, enabling stunning zoomed portraits with remarkable sharpness and clarity. Additionally, the device boasts a 50MP Portrait Selfie Camera that offers automatic FOV switching, producing exceptional selfies in any lighting condition.

Get your hands on the AI Portrait Master! HONOR 200 and HONOR 200 Pro are now available in-store nationwide priced at Php 24,999 and Php 29,999 respectively. Drop by any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores, or online via Lazada https://bit.ly/Laz_H200Series_PR, Shopee https://bit.ly/Shop_H200Series_PR, and Tiktok Shop https://bit.ly/TikTok_H200_PR.

Interested in other HONOR devices?

While it might be hard getting the in-demand HONOR 200 nowadays, you can get other HONOR devices for up to Php 14,000 off this Back-to-School Payday Sale on Lazada https://bit.ly/LazadaHONORPayDaySale, Shopee https://bit.ly/ShopeeHONORPayDaySale, and TikTok Shop https://bit.ly/TikTokHONORPayDaySale.

To know more about the complete lineup of HONOR devices available, you may visit HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.