Heads Up! There’s a New Way to Pay in the Philippines — And It Happens with One Tap of Your Smartphone

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GCash continues to bring future-forward innovations to the Philippines with the official launch of GCash Tap to Pay, a contactless payment system that lets users of the app pay merchants with just one tap of their smartphone. Now available to Android users, GCash becomes the first e-wallet in the country to enable NFC-powered payments, allowing users to log in to the GCash app, tap and pay at any Mastercard accepting POS terminal nationwide.

While Tap to Pay technology has long been the norm in major cities around the world, offering speed and convenience, this marks the first time such a seamless, NFC-based payment experience is being made widely accessible in the Philippines through a local e-wallet. With this innovation, GCash not only brings global payment standards to Filipinos but also reinforces its position as the country's top fintech platform, continuously innovating to allow its users to level up their lives.

Tap into quicker - and safer - payments, accepted at millions of local and international stores through GCash and its partner, Mastercard.

From navigating morning grocery runs, commuting around the metro, to late-night dinner runs, errands, and schedules can already be difficult enough to manage, the last thing you need is the added burden of figuring out if you have enough cash to last you through the day.

GCash Tap to Pay is designed for ultimate convenience with quicker payments powered by Near Field Communications (NFC) technology. This allows devices in close proximity to exchange data securely. Each payment uses authentication protocols to verify user identity, while all transmitted data is encrypted, making transactions resistant to tampering and fraud. With this, GCash ensures that users enjoy a frictionless and protected payment experience every time.

Tap to Pay works at any terminal that accepts Mastercard payments, both locally and abroad. This partnership allows users to enjoy the same seamless tap-and-go experience wherever they go, even when traveling internationally, where it can be a huge hassle to be weighed down by a wallet filled with foreign coins, bills, and multiple cards.

Through this innovation, GCash eliminates the various everyday hassles by simplifying the payment process; just tap your phone, and you’re good to go. There’s no need to scan a QR code or fumble through your spare change, because all you need to pay for your morning cup of coffee or your unexpected grocery run is your smartphone – and no additional fees!

Experience payments in a tap today

Ready to experience effortless and secure payments? Activate GCash Tap to Pay and enjoy transactions in just one tap. Here’s how you can activate and use GCash with your phone:

One-Time Setup: How to Activate GCash Tap to Pay

1. Under “Settings”, open “Connections”
2. Enable “NFC and contactless payments”.
3. Log in to your GCash app.
4. Tap “Tap To Pay”.
5. Agree to the stated terms and conditions.
6. Your “Tap To Pay” feature should now be activated!

How to use GCash Tap To Pay

1. Log in to your GCash app
2. Tap your phone on the store's POS terminal. Done!

Experience it for yourself today and download the GCash app on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Zoom beyond expectations with vivo X200 FE's 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera

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In a world of next-level content, is your camera up to the challenge?

These days, photography isn’t just about what fits in the frame. It’s about what the power of zoom unveils through crisp detail, true depth, and striking focus. And that’s exactly what the vivo X200 FE was made for!

Engineered for precision at a distance, this smartphone makes faraway moments feel up close, without having to move a single step.

With its powerful 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, it can lock in every detail. Whether you're shooting from the back of the crowd or across the street, best believe, every shot stays sharp and share-worthy.

Designed for creators who demand absolute clarity from extreme distances, the vivo X200 FE combines professional-grade optics and intelligent imaging technologies in a compact, lifestyle-friendly design.

Discover the city with every zoom

Every city tells a story through its towering skyscrapers, striking architecture, and the raw energy of everyday street life.

From across the lane or high above, the vivo X200 FE that can zoom up to 100x makes every shot look like you're just right there! You can capture the skyline from afar, focus on the fine details of architectural design, or freeze a fleeting moment on a bustling corner, all without losing clarity or aesthetic.

Even better? Its AI Telephoto Enhance feature boosts every photo with richer colors and sharper details!

So whether you're an urban explorer or a casual shooter, the vivo X200 FE's telephoto power lets you see the city your way, one focused frame at a time.

Front-row feels, wherever you are

Concerts, live shows, festivals — these moments are fast, bright, and full of energy. Now, so are your photos.

With the vivo X200 FE’s Stage Mode, capturing live performances is a breeze. Whether you're in the crowd or seated far back, you can still shoot like you’re front row.

1x

3x

10x

Thanks to an advanced telephoto sensor, self-developed algorithms, and custom tuning, the X200 FE captures facial features with lifelike precision, even from a distance.

Expect accurate colors, soft tones, and just the right pop of saturation. From dramatic lighting to bold stage outfits, every scene comes through with striking realism.

The X200 FE effectively retains the stage's vibe while preventing overexposure. From spotlight shots to ambient lighting, it preserves the emotion and excitement, just as you felt it.

From everyday to extraordinary, see it all with the vivo X200 FE. Get this now for Php 44,999 at all vivo physical stores nationwide or online via vivo website.

CHERRY Kicks Off “Rain & Rhythm” Promo: Enjoy Up to 40% Off on Select Speakers!

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Let the rainy weather come with a rhythm! CHERRY Philippines is welcoming the cool season with its latest in-store promo, “Rain & Rhythm: Rainy Days, Rhythmic Deals,” happening from August 1 to September 9, 2025.

Consumers can enjoy up to 40% off on select CHERRY speakers—perfect for indoor jam sessions or setting the vibe while relaxing at home.

·         CHERRY Groove Speaker: From PHP 590.00 now only PHP 530.00

·         CHERRY Groove Pro Speaker: From PHP 1,400.00 now only PHP 1,260.00

·         CHERRY G2 Speaker: From PHP 500.00 now only PHP 299.00

·         CHERRY Kingbee Speaker: From PHP 1,000.00 now only PHP 599.00

·         CHERRY Levitating Speaker: From PHP 5,190.00 now only PHP 3,100.00

Shop in-store only and score these limited-time deals before the rhythm ends! Whether you're curating your rainy-day playlist or upgrading your home audio setup, CHERRY has got the perfect sound companion for you. Don’t miss out—grab your favorite CHERRY speakers and let the music carry you through the season.

The promo is available in the following CHERRY Concept stores and kiosks: SM Fairview, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall, SM Bacoor, SM Dasmarinas, SM Ecoland Davao, Robinsons Novaliches, and Robinsons Manila.

For more information, visit:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherryphilippines.official/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherryphofficial/

So Light, So Strong: vivo X Fold5 arriving this August

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Get ready to experience innovation like never before. vivo has confirmed that the vivo X Fold5, its most advanced smartphone yet, will officially launch in the Philippines this August. This is vivo’s first foldable smartphone to arrive in Southeast Asia.

Packed with cutting-edge features and premium design, the vivo X Fold5 redefines what a foldable phone can be. Here are four reasons why the X Fold5 is the foldable to watch this year.

1. The slimmest and lightest foldable from vivo yet

Tired of bulky foldables? The vivo X Fold5 introduces a whole new level of sleekness. It weighs only 217 grams and measures just 4.3 millimeters when unfolded. That is as thin as two stacked coins, making it one of the most comfortable foldables to hold and use all day.

At the heart of this innovation is vivo’s new 2nd-Gen Armor Architecture with Carbon Fiber Support Hinge. Designed with a rotating sliding structure, it reduces the pressure on the screen and helps eliminate the crease often seen on other foldable devices. The hinge is made of aerospace-grade steel with embedded carbon fiber metal nuts, increasing toughness by 47.3 percent compared to the previous generation.

2.  Durable beyond expectations

Built to handle real life, the vivo X Fold5 is the first and only foldable in the world with triple protection ratings. It is certified with IPX8, IPX9, and IPX9+ water resistance, plus IP5X dust resistance. Whether in heavy rain or dusty roads, this phone stays protected.

It has also passed a 600,000 fold test, proving its long-term durability. Even in cold environments as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, the X Fold5 keeps performing. You can enjoy up to 20 hours of voice calls, 7 hours and 35 minutes of GPS navigation, and over 4 hours of photography even in extreme conditions.

3. Massive battery for all-day productivity

Professionals will love the vivo X Fold5’s 6000mAh BlueVolt battery. Thanks to the combination of fourth-generation silicon anode and second-generation semi-solid battery technologies, the X Fold5 delivers top-tier energy density while maintaining its slim profile.

Whether you are working, creating, or streaming content all day, you can count on this foldable to keep going without frequent charging.

4. Flagship imaging power with ZEISS optics

The vivo X Fold5 features a co-engineered camera system with ZEISS, giving users a photography experience unlike any other foldable. It includes a 50 megapixel ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera and vivo’s in-house image processing algorithms that produce professional-grade photos instantly.

Expect vivid colors, clear details, and stunning portraits that are perfect for social sharing or creative projects.

The vivo X Fold5 doesn’t just catch up with traditional flagships, it also sets a new benchmark. With powerful specs, next-gen design, and unmatched versatility, this foldable signals a major shift: foldable phones are no longer experimental, they’re also essential.

This August, Filipino consumers will be among the first in Southeast Asia to experience the foldable revolution firsthand.

Stay ahead of the curve. Follow vivo Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X or visit vivoglobal.ph to get the latest updates on the vivo X Fold5’s launch, pricing, and availability.

Omega Healthcare Expands Collaboration with Microsoft to Accelerate Generative and Agentic AI Capabilities, Leading RCM Innovation

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The AI solutions incorporate Microsoft Azure’s intelligent automation engines that are seamlessly integrated across the ODP, supporting the full revenue cycle: patient access, mid-cycle operations, and back-end processes

Omega Healthcare, a leading provider of technology-enabled RCM services, announced an expanded collaboration with Microsoft to further enhance its advanced AI capabilities across the revenue cycle. Through the integration of Microsoft Azure cutting-edge AI models through Azure AI Foundry, and the company’s proprietary Omega Digital Platform (ODP), Omega Healthcare launched more than 20 generative and agentic AI solutions to help healthcare organizations enhance revenue cycle operations and improve financial performance.

Since establishing the relationship with Microsoft in 2023, Omega Healthcare has rapidly deployed these solutions leveraging intelligent automation within its ODP framework helping healthcare organizations automate complex workflows, such as correspondence processing, appeal filing, denial management, and call center support—while increasing accuracy, compliance, and profitability for its customers.

“By combining the strength of our RCM and healthcare expertise with Microsoft’s advanced large language models, we are unlocking new efficiencies, previously considered by the market as too complex to automate,” said Anurag Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder, Omega Healthcare. “We are bringing scalable, tech-enabled services without requiring healthcare leaders to take on large, risky technology investments, freeing them up to focus on what matters most – delivering exceptional patient care.”

“Omega Healthcare is one of the most innovative partners we’ve worked with in applying Microsoft Azure AI Foundry capabilities – including Azure OpenAI in Foundry Models – to revenue cycle management and other real-world healthcare challenges,” said Elena Bonfiglioli, General Manager, Worldwide Healthcare at Microsoft. “Their ability to translate AI innovation into practical, high-impact solutions across the entire revenue cycle and beyond, has positioned them as a clear leader in tech-enabled RCM transformation.”

The AI solutions incorporate Microsoft Azure’s intelligent automation engines that are seamlessly integrated across the ODP, supporting the full revenue cycle: patient access, mid-cycle operations, and back-end processes. These modules combine advanced AI models in Azure AI Foundry with Omega Healthcare’s deep domain expertise to automate routine processes, such as medical coding and integrate with ODP’s AI/ML models to support key services for customers, such as clinical documentation improvement (CDI), denials management and prevention. For example, ODP can automate routine tasks across the revenue cycle, including standard denial processes, evidence retrieval, and appeal submission. Key outcomes include up to 75% reductions in AR follow-up days, faster resolution times, and improved compliance.

Omega Healthcare has also launched additional solutions for payers unleashing new potential for retrospective HCC coding automation and has deployed solutions for areas like data curation for life sciences.

“The possibilities are endless as we continue building new AI-powered capabilities across the healthcare ecosystem in collaboration with Microsoft and our customers,” added Mehta.

Highlighting the additional promise for the future of AI innovation in healthcare, a recent Everest Group survey, concluded an overwhelming majority (85%) of senior healthcare executives surveyed believe AI will improve efficiencies in RCM operations over the next five years.

“We are thrilled to be a pioneer in driving RCM transformation,” emphasized Mehta. “Our customers are already experiencing the benefits of generative and agentic AI and are excited about future developments as we work together and continue to innovate.”

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About Omega Healthcare

Founded in 2003, Omega Healthcare Management Services® (Omega Healthcare) empowers healthcare to thrive via intelligent solutions that optimize revenue cycle operations, administrative workflows, care coordination, and clinical research on a global scale. The company works with providers, payers, life science companies, medical device manufacturers, health technology firms, researchers, and industry partners to amplify teams with robust technology, specialty expertise, and operational support. Omega Healthcare serves 350+ healthcare organizations with 35,000 skilled workers in the United States, India, Colombia, and the Philippines. For more information, visit www.omegahms.com.