6 Things to Know about the ASUS Vivobook S 14 Ultraportable AI Laptop

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Now available in the Philippines, here are some things to know about the effortlessly thin and light 14" Vivobook, now powered by the AI-enabled Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2)!

Announced last October 10, 2024, the new ASUS Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA) is the ultra-sleek, thin and light laptop that redefines on-the-go efficiency. At just 1.39 cm slim and a featherlight 1.3 kg, this AI-powered, Intel Evo™-certified Copilot+ PC is the perfect partner for students, professionals, and casual creators alike. With smart features for effortless productivity, seamless entertainment, and more, it’s time to take your daily hustle to new heights with this one-of-a-kind ultraportable ASUS AI Laptop.

Read on to discover why the Vivobook S 14 is the best laptop for those who need power, style, and ease wherever they go:

#1: Ultraportable Performance for On-the-Go Productivity

The new Intel Evo-verified ASUS Vivobook S 14 is thinner and lighter than ever, with a stylish all-metal chassis that's just 1.39cm thin and weighs 1.3kg. As well as offering superb portability and a minimalist aesthetic, the Vivobook S 14 ensures maximum mobility without compromising performance. It features an incredible battery life of up to 27 hours, allowing you to work and play all day without needing to recharge. This extended battery life is perfect for busy professionals and students who need a reliable device for long hours of use.

#2 Powered by Intel Core Ultra Processors & 

Advance AI Capabilities

At the heart of the Vivobook S 14 is the latest Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2), offering up to a 35-watt TDP for exceptional performance. The built-in 47 TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU) enhances power-efficient acceleration of modern AI applications, ensuring superior performance and intelligent multitasking. This allows for smoother video calls, faster data processing, and improved overall system efficiency.

#3: Always Innovative with Copilot and ASUS AI Apps

The ASUS Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA) revolutionizes productivity with its Copilot+ PC* features, offering seamless access to AI-powered tools and personalized recommendations. With the dedicated Copilot key, users can instantly activate Windows 11's intelligent apps, streamline their workflows, and optimize system performance. These features ensure efficient multitasking, intelligent task management, and enhanced user experiences, making it the ultimate tool for modern professionals.

The ASUS Vivobook S 14 also integrates cutting-edge ASUS AI applications that offer personalized user experience, enhance security, and improve overall system efficiency. Video calls are more productive with the innovative ASUS AiSense IR camera, which makes sure users always look their best, and AI noise-cancelation technology reduces background noise for microphone and audio.

Easily collect photos, videos, and audio from various devices and cloud platforms, and organize and categorize them according to your preferences with ASUS StoryCube. AI helps you effortlessly identify different people or scenes automatically. Whether you’re capturing or documenting daily moments, StoryCube offers convenience wherever you are.

* Copilot+ PC experiences are coming. Requires free updates available starting later this year. Timing varies by device and region. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs

#4: Stunning and Immersive with the ASUS Lumina Display

The Vivobook S 14 boasts a world-leading 14-inch ASUS Lumina OLED display with up to 3K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. This ensures incredibly sharp and smooth visuals, making it ideal for video editing, gaming, and streaming. The 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and VESA DisplayHDR™ True Black 600 certification deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing a cinema-quality viewing experience that is easy on the eyes with recognized eye-care features by TÜV Rheinland.

#5: Effortlessly Ergonomic and Stylish

The Vivobook S 14 features an ASUS ErgoSense keyboard with customizable single-zone RGB backlighting, ensuring a comfortable typing experience. The large ErgoSense touchpad with smart-gesture support enhances navigation and productivity. Its minimalist, high-end aesthetics make it a stylish choice for users who demand both functionality and flair.

The laptop includes a full complement of I/O ports, including Thunderbolt™ 4 ports, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, HDMI® 2.1 (TMDS) port, an IR camera with a physical shutter for privacy, and a lay-flat 180° hinge for easy collaboration. The Harman Kardon-certified stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos® provide immersive audio, perfect for both work and entertainment.

#6: AVAILABILITY AND PRICING

The ASUS Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA), in Neutral Black, is now available for PHP 82,995 at official ASUS Stores and Retailers. It comes with a free lifetime license for Microsoft Office, and a complementary 1-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Basic, which includes 100GB of cloud storage and access to Office apps and files across multiple devices. The Vivobook S 14 is also eligible for the ASUS 4A Service and Quality warranty package, with 2 years international warranty.

Specifications

ASUS Vivobook S 14 (S5406SA)
CPU	Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor (Series 2) with Intel® AI Boost NPU up to 47 TOPS
Display	14" 16:10 FHD (1920 x 1200) ASUS Lumina OLED slim-bezel NanoEdge display with 87% screen-to-body ratio, up to 600 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, DisplayHDR™ True Black 600 certification, 60Hz refresh rate
Operating system	Windows 11 Home support Copilot app
Graphics	Intel® Arc™ Graphics
Main memory	16GB LPDDR5X 8533MHz RAM with Memory Allocation Management
Storage	1TB PCIe® Gen 4 SSD
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 7(802.11be)  Bluetooth® 5.4
Camera	FHD IR camera / ASUS AiSense camera with Windows Studio effects to supports background blur, eye contact correction, automatic framing, and ASUS 3DNR
I/O ports	2 x Thunderbolt™ 4 Type-C® with support for 4K external displays and up to 40Gbps data transfers 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x HDMI® 2.1 (TMDS)  1 x MicroSD card reader 1 x Audio jack
Keyboard	ASUS ErgoSense keyboard with dedicated Copilot key Customizable single-zone RGB backlight with Windows Dynamic Lighting Noise-reduction technology
Touchpad	Enlarged 129 x 84mm ASUS ErgoSense touchpad
Audio	Built-in speakers Smart amplifier technology  Built-in microphone with ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Technology Harman Kardon certified Dolby Atmos® certified
Battery	75Wh and ASUS USB-C® Easy Charge
AC adapter	65W adapter  Adapter Output: 5V~20V, 65W Adapter Input: 100~240V AC, 50 / 60Hz universal
Dimensions	310.5 x 221.9 x 13.9~15.9mm
Weight	Approx. 1.3kg

 

COMCO Mundo concludes its Mission 2024 with the launch of landmark advocacy projects with IABC Philippines, Save the Children and other NGOs

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Global award-winning and powerhouse communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is ending the year strong with its commitment to its Mission 2024 initiative through the launch of milestone advocacy projects with various industry and non-government organizations (NGOs).

This initiative highlights two major projects: the Save the Children #LahatDapatSafe campaign, which promotes child and family safety during natural disasters, especially around the holiday season and The Communications Olympiad, in partnership with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, a training and education program for the skills development of the next generation of communications practitioners across the country.

This was announced during the Movie Night with COMCOmigos 2024, COMCO Mundo's traditional holiday treat for its community comprised of media, bloggers, content creators, influencers, brand representatives, industry colleagues, and members of the Camp COMCO Alumni Society. With Century Tuna as major sponsor; Century Tuna Nuggets, MIDEA, SAMSUNG and URATEX Monoblock as sponsors; ASEANA, Lamoiyan Corporation, LENOVO, Sunlife Global Solutions and Teleperformance as supporters; IABC Philippines and Save the Children as industry partners; and SEA Wave Pop Culture Magazine and SEA Wave Pilipinas as media partners, this year's Movie Night with COMCOmigos screened the highly anticipated movie adaptation of the musical, “Wicked”.

#LahatDapatSafe Campaign with Save the Children

The #LahatDapatSafe Campaign by Save the Children aims to mobilize the public to support emergency relief efforts for natural calamities and promote disaster preparedness, particularly during the holiday season when intense tropical storms are more commonly worsened by climate change. Through donations and active participation, supporters of the cause can provide emergency kits and living essentials such as food, water, and shelter, ready to be distributed to vulnerable families. Working with them can help children achieve resilience and support in education to ensure that their development continues even after being affected by natural disasters. COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises partnered with Save the Children to intensify the appeal for support for this much needed initiative.

Interested organizations and individuals may visit http://bit.ly/LahatDapatSafe to know more about the campaign and how to extend their support.

The Communications Olympiad with IABC Philippines

COMCO Mundo, together with its training and education unit COMCO School of Communications and advocacy arm Citizen COMCO Advocacy Movement, has partnered with premier business communications organization IABC Philippines to formally mount the Communications Olympiad. The initiative is a learning program that will provide a platform for collegiate students across the country to learn more about the professional practice of communications, adapt the necessary knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the industry, and how to use their roles as next generation of communicators to address important social issues and support causes that matter.

The Communications Olympiad will formally open in January 2025 with an inaugural theme anchored on environment and sustainability, a cause fully championed by IABC Philippines. The initiative will hold a series of roadshows, webinars and a summit for participating schools and students of Communication Arts, Mass Communication, Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing Communications, Journalism and other related disciplines. It will culminate in an actual Olympic-like competition for communications where schools and their students will vie for bronze, silver and gold medals for different categories, and the Grand Championship for the overall winner. Interested schools, students, sponsors and organizations may email communicationsolympiad@comcomundo.com or tune in to the Facebook page of COMCO Mundo or IABC Philippines for more information and updates.

Upcoming Projects with Make-A-Wish, Philippine Eagle Foundation and COMCO’s Southeast Asia Affiliate Network

Citizen COMCO has been at the forefront of the group’s various advocacies such as children, youth and education; wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability; indigenous culture and national heritage; social entrepreneurship; and the Southeast Asian integration, since 2016. The team’s advocacy arm has made several partnerships with reputable non-government and development organizations that shared long-lasting impact to its beneficiaries. This coming 2025, COMCO is onboarding two more organizations to its roster of NGO partners to launch and mount landmark advocacy projects. They are the Philippine Eagle Foundation which aims to provide ecological conservation efforts that encompass wildlife protection and environmental reinforcements, and Make-A-Wish Foundation which is focused on supporting the psychosocial well-being of terminally ill children and fostering their healing.

Together with COMCO Mundo’s affiliate network in Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, the coalition of independent communications agencies formed and led by COMCO is also embarking on a regionwide advocacy program that will help address important social issues affecting the region and support causes that will drive its mission of #OneSoutheastAsia integration. The coalition will have a summit in Manila in early 2025 to reinforce this commitment and fully rollout the group’s projects.

Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, COMCO Mundo’s Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder

“Igniting social change is at the forefront of our work and is part of our DNA. From supporting children on their right to safety this holiday to using communication as a tool for sustainable action, we work as a team to provide the best livable standard that does not only benefit us but impact the world we live in. We will continue the cause and keep our battle cry of Mission 2024 heard and seen, now and beyond, making a difference through Meaningful Storytelling, in which the COMCO brand is known for,” said Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, COMCO Mundo’s Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder.

Stay updated with COMCO Mundo by visiting www.comcomundo.com or following

fb.com/comcomundo on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcomundo on LinkedIn, and

@comcomundo on Instagram.

Golden Haven Celebrates the 1st Anniversary of Its Pet Crematorium, Announces Expansion

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Golden Haven, a leader in memorial care services in the Philippines, celebrates the first anniversary of its pet crematorium this October 2024. Known for providing dignified memorial care to Filipino families, Golden Haven’s comprehensive services include memorial parks, columbariums, chapels, crematoriums, and mortuary services. Expanding into pet cremation, Golden Haven has now brought its compassionate approach to honoring beloved pets, making it the first memorial care provider in the country to venture into pet memorialization.

Golden Haven celebrates the first anniversary of its pet crematorium this October 2024, its compassionate approach to honoring beloved pets.

The pet crematorium journey began at Golden Haven’s flagship branch in Las Piñas, situated along the C5 Road Extension in Global South. As the initial site for this service, it established a warm, respectful environment where pet families could honor their departed fur babies with the same dignity and care that Golden Haven extends to human memorials. Within a year, the service has seen an overwhelming demand, underscoring the essential need for respectful and loving farewells for pets.

Golden Haven is the first memorial care provider in the country to venture into pet memorialization, through its Pet Crematorium.

Recognizing the importance of pet cremation for Filipino families, Golden Haven is launching new pet crematoriums across the nation by year’s end. This expansion ensures more communities can access these services, making it easier for families to honor their pets without the stress of traveling long distances. “As we celebrate this milestone, we’ve seen how vital it is to support families grieving their pets. Our aim is to provide comfort and closure while honoring pets in a dignified manner,” shares Ms. Analyn Anero, Division Head of Golden Haven Chapels and Crematorium.

The pet crematorium service also features thoughtful touches, including free pickup within a specific radius, and options for families to hold a viewing for their pets in a comforting, serene space. Pets are gently bathed and prepared with care, providing families a final, loving memory before their beloved pets cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Golden Haven’s seamless service network for pet cremation extends to partnerships with veterinary clinics, pet grooming providers, and pet accessory shops, creating a supportive community for pet parents. In line with its dedication to responsible pet parenting, Golden Haven even organizes an annual “Pawsome Day” event, celebrating the bond between families and pets—a tradition established even before launching its pet crematorium services.

In its commitment to compassionate service, Golden Haven also facilitates the donation of items left by fur parents, redistributing these belongings to animal welfare organizations. This thoughtful initiative, combined with affordable service options, underscores Golden Haven’s mission to support pet families across every step of their journey.

Golden Haven’s holistic approach to memorial care for both people and pets, combined with its continuous drive for innovation, further solidifies its status as the leader in the industry—a position that has earned it the title of the “Gold Standard in Memorial Care.” For more information about Golden Haven’s pet cremation services and other offerings, please visit www.goldenhaven.com.ph, reach out via social media, or contact 09998864176 / 09190790205.

PCX Solutions report shows Philippines’ new EPR Law making an impact on plastic pollution

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The majority of large plastic producers met or exceeded targets in first year

New EPR Law creates recycling livelihood for communities

 

The Filipino people, economy, and environment have been heavily hit by the escalating plastic pollution crisis. The nation, which is made up of thousands of islands with a limited and fragmented waste management infrastructure, is one of the world’s largest contributors of marine plastic litter. This is made worse by the ‘sachet economy’, where brands deliver goods in small units that are affordable for the majority of the population.

Two years ago, the Philippines rolled out one of the world’s most ambitious laws on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which holds manufacturers accountable for waste resulting from their products and packaging to enable a circular economy. That act, which lapsed into law in 2023, requires companies with at least one hundred million pesos in assets to take responsibility for an increasing percentage of their plastic footprint, rising from 20% in 2023 to 80% in 2028.

A case study published by PCX Solutions, “Extended Producer Responsibility in the Philippines: Early Learnings and Insights for Emerging Markets Battling Plastic Pollution”, shows that while it’s still early days, the country’s approach to EPR is showing promising results.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau estimates that 2,130 businesses fall into the current Obliged Enterprise scope. The DENR-EMB reports that as of August 2024, a total of 947 companies had registered an EPR program. Together, those companies enabled the recovery and diversion of 163,000 metric tons of post-consumer plastic packaging waste in 2023.

While not all Obliged Enterprises complied in the first year, continued education efforts aimed at raising awareness and compliance levels are ongoing. Companies that don’t comply also face escalating fines, and ultimately the loss of their business license for repeated offenses. The majority of the largest plastic packaging producers have complied, and many went beyond the minimum 20% recovery target for 2023, indicating strong support among the country’s largest Obliged Enterprises.

There are still significant milestones to unlock, like dealing with decades of legacy plastic pollution; enabling policies to create the supply and demand for recycled materials and to reduce and eliminate unnecessary plastic packaging; further mechanisms and guidance to achieve social inclusion and just transition; and national standards to establish transparency, credibility and accountability, according to PCX Solution’s analysis.

But enacting and implementing EPR has allowed the country to see immediate results, start constructive discussions, realize and understand the gaps, and gather support from stakeholders through an inclusive and systematic approach, PCX Solutions says in its report.

“This case study offers insights and analysis for other developing countries in a similar situation to boldly and urgently address the problem, and for negotiators of the UN plastics treaty to consider innovative approaches and voices from the Global South,” said Stefanie Beitien, Managing Director of PCX Solutions.

There are already well-established EPR regimes in a number of developed markets, including Europe, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, which typically involve government funded collection, sorting and processing of plastic waste.

The Philippines has taken a pragmatic approach and crafted an accessible law that makes these goals achievable. There are six upstream measures that can reduce their footprint, such as the use of recycled content, reusable packaging or refilling, and six downstream measures to recover their footprint, and plastic crediting is one of them.

“The Philippines’ approach shows that a market-based mechanism like credits, which facilitates the cleanup of plastic waste and encourages the private sector to invest in waste infrastructure, can play a pivotal role in supporting EPR laws - particularly in emerging markets that lack collection and recycling systems,” said Nanette Medved-Po, Founder of PCX Solutions.

Joseph Anthony Montecillo launches collection of horror fiction

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Writer Joseph Anthony Montecillo is celebrating the release of his debut collection of short fiction, In the Blood and Other Stories. A launch event marking the occasion is set to be held at Palm Tree Abbey, November 24, from 4-7 PM. The launch will include a program with first come, first served limited seating, followed by a book signing open to all attendees. Copies of the book will also be available to purchase at the venue at a discounted rate.

In the Blood and Other Stories is the debut collection of Joseph Anthony Montecillo with UP Press.

Published by the University of the Philippines Press, the collection collates fourteen of Montecillo’s short stories released over a decade of writing. This is the first time the stories have been collected into a single volume. All the stories had previously been published in anthologies such as the Philippine Speculative Fiction series or magazines such as Philippines Graphic or The Sunday Times Magazine.

Included in the collection are the titular story, “In the Blood,” about a mother trying to keep her sons from following in the steps of their serial killer father. In “Pressure and Release,” the stress of an EDSA traffic jam finally overwhelms an everyday bus driver. In “The Forgotten Bones,” a man who lives in a cemetery has an unexpected experience between the rows of tombs.

Joseph Anthony Montecillo signing copies of his book at the UP Press store.

“I’ve been fascinated by horror for as long as I can remember,” said Montecillo. “It’s always appealed to me and it’s no shock that my work moved in that direction through the years. I hope that this collection makes for an exciting addition to the long tradition of horror here in the Philippines.”

Joseph Anthony Montecillo made his first professional fiction sale at the age of 12. In the time since, he has published over 20 short stories, many of which feature dark or macabre subject matter. Outside of his writing ventures though, he regularly performs as a stand-up comedian around Metro Manila.

Joseph Anthony Montecillo is a writer and comedian who recently released his first book 

with UP Press.

For Montecillo, the connection between the two is natural. “I’m far from the first comedian to work in the horror field,” he said. “Both deal in instant feedback and the goal of leaving an intense and immediate sensation upon the audience. They go hand in hand in a lot of ways, and sometimes that comes across in a few stories in the collection.”

In the Blood and Other Stories is now available for purchase from UP Press’ on campus and online stores, as well as their stores on Shopee and Lazada.