Half Court Group and Uratex Dream All Set to Represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Half Court World Final in New York

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The Philippines is gearing up for game day as the winning Red Bull Half Court teams, Half Court Group and Uratex Dream, head to New York representing the country at the Red Bull Half Court World Final. Months after they earned their wings and secured their respective spots in the competition, both teams are ready to put on a show for the global stage.

Ezra Acayan / Red Bull Content Pool

Sam Harada, Kaye Pingol, Eunique Chan, and Afril Bernardino of Uratex Dream are challenging for the title as Red Bull 2024 Half Court World Champion for the women’s division. Meanwhile Chester Saldua, Matt Salem, Jordan Bartlett, and Gryann Mendoza of Half Court Group, who are playing for the men’s division, have been laser-focused on getting back into the swing of the 3-on-3 streetball tournament. The team has emphasized the importance of staying to shape, anticipating a fast-paced game full of pressure.

“Our outside shooting and speed will always be our main weapons,” said Half Court Group’s Coach Mau Belen. “In practice, we make sure to improve these two skill sets and use (them) efficiently in order to help us win games.”

Coach Belen added, “We are trying to focus on positioning better inside the court, so we’ll give ourselves a chance to keep the ball alive and maintain an even count on possession against the other teams.”

Ezra Acayan / Red Bull Content Pool

Asked about what they expect to be their biggest challenge during the competition, the coach shared, “We have addressed every physical and mental challenge we are about to experience during the tournament, but one thing we can’t really prepare for is the jetlag (that) the players will have (from) traveling to the other side of the world. This is something we hope wouldn’t put us in a big disadvantage.”

On the team’s chemistry, Coach Belen claimed, “The team has been together for (about) over a year now, so familiarity and chemistry are not really something we’ve had to cover. But, I’ve seen a lot of maturity in their game, and it’s something I’m excited to see in New York.”

Ezra Acayan / Red Bull Content Pool

The team’s coach also said that she constantly reminds the players the value of simply enjoying the game. “I constantly emphasize (to them to) enjoy each game and the whole experience because we will never know when we’ll have this kind of chance again.”

Coach Belen shared that the loss from last year’s World Final in Serbia shaped her mindset and coaching heading to this year’s World Final. The coach said, “As a leader I (made) sure that I improve my coaching ability in order to match the high-level competition in the World Final. Learning the game intentionally and intensively has been my promise to myself since the loss against Dominican Republic last year.”

Looking ahead to the competition, both Philippine representative teams share the enthusiasm for the challenge and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of representing the Philippines in a global street basketball. Coach Mau also expressed her aspirations for Half Court Group at the World Final this year. “I hope we as a team have had that chance to evolve and mature on and off the court.”

National Pride on the Court

Red Bull Half Court is all about scoring buckets and playing tight offense. As the World Final approaches, the Philippine representatives assured supporters that they are more than ready to showcase their skill for streetball. The competition will be fierce as the teams go up against the top streetball teams from 25 countries across the world, but both teams are up for the challenge.

Support Half Court Group and Uratex Dream as the athletes take on the best street basketball players from all over the world. Don’t miss the Red Bull Half Court World Final happening on October 19 to 20 at New York City, USA.

Follow their journey at the Red Bull Half Court World Final and stay tuned for the latest updates. To find out more, visit the official Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok )

BPSF gives a meaningful support for local cinema workers. Ang Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair: A beacon of support during the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival

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Marking a significant and enjoyful event for cinema workers availing of free services from various government agencies, receive financial assistance and sacks of rice at the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair with a theme "Paglinang sa Industriya ng Paglikha (AKAPin ang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino)" at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, Oct. 13 Sunday and also on Monday (Oct 14.)

In conjunction with the grand celebration of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), a landmark event known as the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair was held for cinema workers at the Philippine Sports Arena on October 13-14. This initiative, spearheaded by the leadership of the MMFF and its principal stakeholders—the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), and AKTOR—aligned with the festival's commitment to bolster the flourishing Philippine cinema industry by directly supporting its backbone: the cinema workers.

The fair is established on the foundation of delivering Mabilis, Maayos, Maginhawa, at Masayang serbisyo publiko, featuring 23 participating agencies that will provide over 100 programs aimed at enhancing the welfare and growth of industry members.

This pioneering initiative is anchored in the Bagong Pilipinas vision promoted by President Marcos, marking a significant step towards recognizing and advocating for the cultural and economic contributions of the creative arts industry to the nation.

Organized under the visionary leadership of House Speaker Atty. Martin G. Romualdez and in strategic partnership with the MMFF leadership , and stakeholders. The Serbisyo Fair was crafted to bridge government services and benefits more closely to those who contribute tirelessly behind the scenes of the film industry. Spearheading this momentous event were MMFF's Chairman, Atty. Romando Artes; MOWELFUND Chairman, Boots Anson Roa, alongside President and CEO, Rez Cortez; and from the FDCP, Chairman Joey Reyes with Executive Director III, Daniel David Morales, guiding the charge.

"The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair is a pivotal step in ensuring that our cinema workers are recognized, celebrated, and above all, supported," stated Atty. Romando Artes during the event's opening ceremony. "Through the collective efforts of the MMFF, MOWELFUND, FDCP, FAP, and AKTOR, we bring forth an era where the government's helping hand is more accessible to the people who form the backbone of our country's cinematic ventures."

Over two days, thousands of cinema workers availed themselves of various government services and benefits, which were specifically tailored to address their unique needs and concerns. The fair not only served as a platform for assistance but also strengthened the sense of community within the industry by providing novelties such as workshops, health consultations, and entertainment segments.

Boots Anson Roa, Chairman of MOWELFUND, emphasized the fair's role in uplifting the lives of cinema workers. "This is more than just an event; it's a testament to our continuous commitment to enhancing the welfare of every individual who contributes to the magic of Philippine cinema," she remarked.

The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair sets a benchmark for future initiatives aiming to support local cinema workers. Through collaboration and unified support, the MMFF and its stakeholders demonstrate an unwavering dedication to the prosperity and well-being of the film industry's unsung heroes, laying down a solid foundation for their recognition and security.

HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” Officially Launches: The World’s Leading Dual OLED Display with GENIUS Keyboard, Next Breakthrough of More Than PC!

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HUAWEI Philippines has officially announced the availability of the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2”, along with the Genius design keyboard, HUAWEI Glide Keyboard in the Philippines. This tablet not only features innovative Tandem OLED PaperMatte Technology but also comes with the upgraded GoPaint app, providing exceptional hardware and software support for professional creators. Committed to delivering a “More Than PC” experience, Huawei aims to make tablets a viable substitute for traditional computers.

A Never-Seen-Before GENIUS Keyboard: HUAWEI Guild Keyboard

Most tablets lack a dedicated slot for storing a stylus, making it cumbersome to carry and manage. Even when tablets do include a storage slot, they often don’t provide charging capabilities, leaving the stylus depleted when needed. The all-new HUAWEI Glide Keyboard addresses this issue with its innovative storage and charging design for styluses. Simply placing the stylus in the slot initiates automatic pairing with the tablet, eliminating the need for repeated pairing, and remains charged, ready for use even after extended periods of inactivity.

True to its name, the HUAWEI Glide Keyboard is engineered to enhance input and creation with a flexible adjustment. When using the tablet for drawing, the keyboard’s bottom edge stays elevated above the touchpad, ensuring stability and preventing any interference with the keyboard, regardless of the strokes or gestures employed. It also features skin-soothing materials designed to withstand daily stains, spills, and mishaps, including tea, coffee, cooking oils, condiments, and even lipstick.

The World’s Leading Display Technology: Innovative Tandem OLED PaperMatte Display

The 12.2-inch display of the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” is one of its most striking features. It uses HUAWEI’s unique Tandem OLED display, which achieves a spectacular peak brightness of 2,000 nits, ensures the dramatic contracts between light and dark regions, and a consistently clear view, whether it’s under the glow of indoor lighting or the sun. The unique nano-level pixel stacking technology bolsters the service life of the display 3 times longer compared with a traditional single-layered OLED display. An exclusive pixel isolation layer precisely controls the amount of light emitted by the display, optimizing power efficiency by 33%, so that content remains crystal clear even under direct sunlight.

The screen boasts a 2,000,000:1 ultra-high contrast and a 2.8K resolution, combined with a four-sided equidistant design, and applying ultra-narrow 4.6 mm bezels, achieving a 92% screen-to-body ratio – making it one of the tablets with the narrowest bezels in the industry. With a 144Hz refresh rate and 480Hz touch sampling rate, it delivers a smoother and more seamless regardless of whether you’re drawing, web browsing, or scanning through text.

Not only does this screen excel in display quality, HUAWEI claims that its PaperMatte display is easier on the eyes than a typical tablet display. Through a myriad of patented technologies and nano-level techniques designed to reduce eye fatigue, HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” has obtained SGS’s Low Visual Fatigue Premium Performance 2.0 Certification, further enhances the eye protection performance, ensuring user comfort during extended use.

Art on the Go: Experience the Next Level with GoPaint

The HUAWEI-developed painting app, GoPaint app, has been recognized by many users in previous releases. Users appreciate the wide range of brushes and tools, which allow for a high degree of creative flexibility. This time, the GoPaint app on the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” lives up to digital artist expectations, now upgraded and more powerful.

The GoPaint App features several unprecedented tools including Fluid brushes, which let you create stunning blending effects, mimicking the way liquid pigments like ink and watercolor naturally blend. The Fluid brush naturally adjusts its blending effect based on the realistic texture canvas, making the canvas the perfect medium for writing, paintings, calligraphy, and a range of other creative endeavors, to cater to a range of different needs.

Last September, HUAWEI launched the GoPaint Worldwide Creating Activity 2024. This year, the initiative is centered around the theme “Creative by Nature,” inviting artists to capture the beauty of nature, exploring the limitless possibilities of the GoPaint App. Interested participants are encouraged to submit a variety of pieces, whether it’s a sci-fi artwork, a fashion design, narrative art, digital watercolor or ink pieces. Submissions are accepted until December 31, 2024.

An expert jury panel will choose the top 20 entries. The winners will each receive $1,000 and the opportunity to showcase their artwork on a global stage through exhibitions, events, and HUAWEI’s social media pages. The winning pieces will also be featured on HUAWEI apps and merchandise. Winners will also have the chance to share the stories behind their winning artworks in video features and exclusive interviews. Visit the official Global Worldwide Creating Activity 2024 website to find out more.

An Artistic Design: Thin and Light Golden Silk Design

The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” has also reached a new standard in exterior design, boasting a wholly unique “Golden Silk” rear cover design. In order to produce this unique “Golden Silk” design, each device is meticulously polished over a thousand times. Its lustrous gold color variant features an ultra-thin 0.5mm aviation-grade glass fiber, to ensure beauty and strength, and techniques like ink printing, multiple optical layers, and multiple transfer printings produce a texture that is reminiscent of elegant silk.

Weighing only 508g and with a thickness of just 5.5mm, making it the brand’s thinnest and lightest 12.2-inch tablet, easy to hold and manipulate with one hand.

Unleash Office Excellence: PC-Level Performance in Your Hand

The PC-Level WPS Office apps offer robust office capabilities with features like a PC-level UI layout, comprehensive editing tools, and advanced demonstration functions. The intuitive menu design ensures that users familiar with the PC version can seamlessly transition to the tablet apps without needing to relearn or adjust their work habits. These tablet apps support advanced features, including video insertion in Presentation, Pivot Tables in Spreadsheet, and custom headers and footers in Writer, making task management more efficient. Notably, the integration of Huawei Print in these apps allows for quick previews and printing directly from the document screen with just a tap on the toolbar. These features collectively provide all the necessary tools for creating professional-quality documents and presentations.

Extraordinary Flagship Tablet with More Than PC experience

Thanks to its innovative step architecture, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” is equipped with a 10,100mAh large battery that supports industry-leading 100W SuperCharge. HUAWEI SOUND quality is delivered through custom 8-driver array speakers and a largest-ever 3.5 cc rear chamber, providing the strongest sound performance in a 12.2-inch tablet.

With its outstanding hardware configuration and innovative software features, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” sets a new benchmark for tablets. Whether in display quality, eye protection, design, or office and creation experience, this tablet demonstrates powerful capabilities. Coming in as a PC-Like bundle, HUAWEI Glide keyboard and HUAWEI M-Pencil (3rd Gen), for users seeking ultimate display effects, work-on-the-go, efficient creative experiences, the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” is undoubtedly an ideal choice.

Unleash your creativity and experience productivity like never before with the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” WIFI 12GB+512GB, now available in the Philippines. Prices start at PHP59,999. Grab the tablet from October 11 to October 31 and take home an exclusive bundle including the HUAWEI Watch GT4 41mm (valued at PHP8,999), HUAWEI Glide Keyboard (valued at PHP9,999), HUAWEI M-Pencil (valued at PHP5,999), PC-Level WPS Office (valued at PHP4,999), and HUAWEI Bluetooth Mouse (valued at PHP1,899).

This exclusive offer is available on Shopee, Lazada, Tiktok, HUAWEI Online Store, and HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide.

To learn more about the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2”, visit Huawei’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).

Celebrating Global Creativity: OPPO imagine IF Photography Awards 2024 Winners Announced

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SHENZHEN — OPPO today announced the winners of its second annual imagine IF Photography Awards, a global competition celebrating creativity and innovation in mobile photography. Launched in January and closed for submissions in July, the competition saw over 1 million entries from 81 countries and regions. Including China, India, Mexico, Columbia, and Egypt were among the top five countries in terms of submissions. OPPO will showcase winning works at Paris Photo, the largest international art fair in November.

"Exceptional photographs have the power to preserve cherished emotions, even in the most seemingly mundane of moments, transforming them into timeless memories," said Pete Lau, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of OPPO. Alec Soth, Magnum Photos member and competition judge, added, "Photography is esteemed as an art form that blends a multitude of techniques, not merely capturing stunning sights but also evoking profound emotions and resonating with power,"

Master, Silver, and Bronze Winners: Capturing Cherished Emotions

This year, fifteen photographers have been honored with Master, Silver, and Bronze Awards, while the Master Award went to Liang Xibing for his evocative work. His awarding entry, ‘Summer by Hutuo River,’ captures the fleeting joy of childhood with masterful use of light and movement. As the OPPO imagine IF Master, Mr. Liang Xibing will receive a grand prize of USD 24,000 and be appointed as an OPPO Photographer, enjoying priority access to various OPPO events.

Master Award: ‘Summer by Hutuo River’ by Liang Xibing (China), shot on OPPO Find X7 Ultra

In ‘Wandou and Her Teddy Bear’, Silver Award winner He Huapei, he captures a touching bond between a child and her toy, a testament to OPPO’s advances in mobile imaging. Through this heartwarming image, the judges expressed their amazement at how tools like the OPPO Find N3 Flip can empower photographers to capture professional-quality images with vivid detail and atmosphere. For Bronze Award-winning entry, ‘The Peaceful Bond’ by Shailendra Singh, the judges compliment the space of imagination it creates. Resonating with Alec Soth's earlier remark, the judges also found the image reminiscent of both a movie poster and a drawing, with one commenting, "Looking at this photograph makes me want to watch the movie."

Left: Silver Award :“Wandou and Her Teddy Bear” by Huapei He (China), shot on

 OPPO Find N3 Flip

Right: Bronze Award :“The Peaceful Bond” by Shailendra Singh (India), shot on

OPPO Find N3 Flip

Honorable Mentions: Inspiring Diversified Creativities

With 36 Honorable Mentions across nine categories, including Landscape, Portrait, Colours, Unfading Moment, Fashion, Snapshot, Light, Travel, and Collection, the competition celebrated a diverse range of creativity that pushed the boundaries of mobile photography. From vivid landscapes to intimate moments, the works transcend traditional artistic limits. Furthermore, for the first time this year, the competition introduced five Youth Special Awards, specifically designed to acknowledge and celebrate the inspiring talents of the emerging generation.

Left: Colours Category, “La Morena” by Juan Antonio López García (Mexico), 

shot on OPPO Reno 7

Middle: Portrait Category, “Unspoken Bond” by Hana Galal Gad (Egypt), 

OPPO Find X7 Ultra

Right: Youth Special Award, “Free and Easy in the Open” by Huan Ahei (China),

 shot on OPPO Find X7 Ultra

Photography for Everyone: The Power of a Click

At its finest, mobile photography embodies accessibility, ease, and spontaneity, allowing anyone to turn moments into lasting works of art. With the theme “Beyond the Image, Beyond Imagination,” OPPO reaffirms its commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation and empowering creativity on a global scale.

As the global partner of the largest international art fair, Paris Photo, OPPO will showcase winning works from the OPPO imagine IF Photography Awards 2024 at the upcoming exhibition in November. To explore the winning works and learn more about the OPPO imagine IF Photography Awards, please visit https://imagine-if.oppo.com/en/.

vivo V40 Lite is coming soon with stunning Titanium Silver finish

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The much-anticipated vivo V40 Lite 5G is set to launch on October 19, 2024, and it's already creating a buzz with its flagship-worthy design, metallic high-gl oss frame, premium diamond-shaped camera, and industry-leading slim, lightweight build.

Topping the list of must-see features is the Titanium Silver finish, a true showstopper that blends luxury and technology into one sleek package.

The Titanium Silver variant stands out with its Diamond Starry Texture, which sparkles beautifully when light hits it, making the phone as striking as a starry night.

https://web.facebook.com/vivo.philippines/videos/557087660057758]

Here’s the exciting part! The Titanium Silver color shifts to green when exposed to sunlight or UV light in just three seconds, and it returns to its original hue within a minute indoors. It’s like having two phones in one, adding a new level of sophistication to your everyday style.

The design story doesn't end there though. The vivo V40 Lite also comes in two more stunning color options: Dynamic Black and Dreamy Violet.

Titanium Silver

Dynamic Black

Dreamy Violet

The Dynamic Black model has a subtle purple tint under light, creating an air of mystery and elegance. The Dreamy Violet, on the other hand, showcases vivo’s exclusive 3D Petal Texture, which offers a soft, dreamy appeal that will surely catch attention.

One of the most unique elements of the vivo V40 Lite is its innovative Cushion-Cut Diamond Camera Shape. Moving away from traditional camera designs, this shape mirrors the elegance of a cushion-cut diamond, blending classic refinement with a modern twist. The new geometric camera design positions the vivo V40 Lite as a true style statement.

Despite all this design innovation, the vivo V40 Lite 5G is incredibly light and slim, measuring only 7.79mm in thickness and weighing just 188g. It’s crafted for comfort and style, making it the perfect accessory for those who are always on the go but never want to compromise on elegance.

Set your reminders for October 19, 2024 - that’s when the vivo V40 Lite 5G will officially be available. With its Titanium Silver, Dynamic Black, and Dreamy Violet color options, paired with its Cushion-Cut Diamond Camera and ultra-slim design, this phone is bound to be a favorite among tech lovers and fashion-forward users alike.

Stay tuned for more updates on the launch, and keep an eye on vivo’s website and social media channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for the latest details. Don’t miss out on this stunning new addition to the vivo family!