vivo V80 Lite now available nationwide, with 3 reasons to own it

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Customers who pre-ordered the vivo V80 Lite can claim their devices in vivo stores nationwide, where customers lined up on October 17 to get their hands on the Guinness World Records-holding smartphone.

With the device now available for purchase, Filipinos can consider three practical reasons to own it: extended battery life, battery technology designed for demanding conditions, and durability for everyday use.

Priced starting at Php 24,999, the vivo V80 Lite arrives as the Philippines prepares for the effects of a strong El Niño event and continued hot weather. Its features address everyday concerns for users who spend long hours outdoors, commute daily, or need their phones to remain powered through interruptions to their routines.

1.  A large battery for days when power is uncertain

The Department of Energy and climate scientists have warned that the ongoing El Niño event could put additional pressure on the country's energy supply. The phenomenon is expected to peak between October and December 2026 and may persist into the first half of 2027, raising concerns about possible power disruptions.

The vivo V80 Lite features a 10,000mAh BlueVolt battery tested to last more than a day under specified usage conditions. Its reverse-charging capability can also supply power to compatible devices, including other phones and mini fans, offering an additional source of power when outlets are unavailable.

For commuters, outdoor workers, and households managing potential interruptions to electricity, a larger battery can help keep essential mobile functions available for longer without frequent charging.

2.  Battery technology built for demanding temperatures

Extreme heat during Super El Niño is another consideration for Filipinos who rely on their phones throughout the day. Heat can affect battery performance and long-term battery health, making battery design an important factor for people who regularly use their devices outdoors.

The vivo V80 Lite uses a second-generation semi-solid electrolyte battery designed to support stable, reliable endurance in demanding conditions. This can be particularly relevant for people who use navigation, messaging, mobile payments, and other essential applications while traveling or working outside.

While no battery is immune to the effects of extreme temperatures, the technology provides an additional consideration for users choosing a phone for daily use in a hot climate.

3.  Durability for everyday wear and tear

Beyond battery life, the vivo V80 Lite has undergone military-grade durability testing, alongside tests for drops, dust, water, scratches, and wear. These tests provide a basis for evaluating how the device is designed to withstand common challenges associated with daily handling and outdoor use.

For users who regularly commute, travel between locations, or carry their phones throughout demanding workdays, durability can help reduce concerns about routine exposure to everyday hazards. As with any smartphone, however, test results do not mean the device is indestructible, and users should follow the manufacturer's care guidelines.

“The vivo V80 Lite was developed with the realities of everyday life in mind, especially for Filipinos who depend on their phones from the start of the day until they get home. With its large battery, heat-focused battery technology, and tested durability, we want to give consumers practical features they can consider when choosing their next device,” said Liu Lu, vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director.

Customers who have yet to purchase the vivo V80 Lite can visit their nearest vivo physical store or shop through the vivo e-store and vivo Store app. The smartphone starts at Php 24,999.

vivo V80 brings galaxy-inspired look with Starwish Purple

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With its galaxy-inspired finish and light-shifting purple hues, the upcoming vivo V80 is set to bring a fresh design statement to the Philippine smartphone market, introducing Starwish Purple for a generation that sees personal style as an extension of self-expression.

The new colorway features vivo’s Laser Holographic Lithography technology, which creates its True 3D Stellar Design. Visible to the naked eye, the layered finish brings a galaxy-like effect to the back cover, revealing shimmering patterns and changing reflections as light hits the phone from different angles. The result is a look that shifts throughout the day, whether under the sun, indoor lighting, or the glow of city lights.

For Gen Z users who enjoy expressing their personality through fashion, accessories, and social media, Starwish Purple offers a distinctive detail that stands out without being limited to one look. Its reflective finish can also add a visual accent to everyday photos, making the phone part of the overall aesthetic.

The vivo V80 was first teased in a Facebook post by vivo Philippines featuring newly announced vivo Friends Jake, Jungwon, and Sunghoon of K-pop group ENHYPEN, giving fans an early look at the device ahead of its Philippine arrival.

The design extends beyond the color. The V80 features an upgraded, one-piece cold-carved glass build that combines a refined appearance with a silky-smooth feel. Designed to be comfortable to hold, the glass surface is also resistant to dust buildup, helping maintain its clean look through everyday use. A floating camera module adds definition to the back, complementing the layered galaxy-inspired finish.

The combination of visual texture and a smooth glass build gives the V80 a look that transitions easily from everyday routines to nights out, fitting into a lifestyle where smartphones are as much a personal accessory as they are a daily essential.

More details about the vivo V80’s Philippine launch are expected to be announced soon. Consumers can follow vivo Philippines on its official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X, or visit the vivo website for updates on the upcoming smartphone.

Missed the Primary Market Window? Why You Should Still Consider Investing in RTBs via GBonds

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Buy and sell guaranteed, low-risk investments like RTB32 with just a few taps on GCash

High-yielding, low-risk investments don’t pop up every day, so it’s best to strike when the opportunity presents itself. The Bureau of the Treasury recently issued the 32nd tranche of Retail Treasury Bonds (RTB 32), offering a rare opportunity to secure a 6.875% p.a. gross yield directly backed by the government.

While its primary offer period has officially concluded, the good news is you haven't missed out. RTB 32 is actively available in the secondary market for trading directly through GBonds on GCash. Standard transaction and convenience fees now apply, but the 6.875% p.a. gross yield still makes it a compelling option for building long-term wealth.

If financial jargon makes your eyes glaze over, think of RTBs this way: the government needs funds for national development. They borrow from you and are obligated to give your capital back, plus guaranteed interest, at maturity.

Here are the reasons why investing in RTBs remains an investment worth looking into:

· You’ll surely get your money back (until the maturity date)

Investing can feel daunting because of the market's unpredictable ups and downs. Stock prices and fund returns move with the market, but RTBs work differently. Its rate is fixed when you buy, which means you get guaranteed returns without staying up at night checking the market, as long as you hold it until the maturity date.

RTB 32 has a 2.5-year term, maturing on April 12, 2029. Hold it until then, and you get your full capital back, plus your guaranteed earnings.

· You can exit when life happens

Unlike traditional time deposits or other government-backed voluntary savings programs like MP2, which strictly lock up your funds or penalize early withdrawals, trading RTB32 on the secondary market means liquidity. If you need funds before the 2.5-year maturity, you can sell or cash out RTB32 via GBonds. Just keep in mind that you'll sell at the prevailing market price, which may be higher or lower than what you paid — and standard convenience and transaction fees will apply.

· You receive interest every quarter

Unlike fixed-income products that pay out at the end of the term, RTBs provide interest payments every quarter throughout the bond’s term. You can choose to reinvest those returns, add them to your savings, or use them for other financial goals.

· No need to stress over losing your investment

RTBs are securities issued directly by the Philippine government, which means the state is legally obligated to return your principal along with your interest. This makes RTBs a relatively low-risk way to grow your money. For Filipinos looking to diversify their portfolio beyond savings accounts, government securities can provide another way to put their money to work while earning fixed interest.

· You don’t need a massive amount to invest

RTBs are designed to be affordable for everyday Filipinos – without the need for large capital and complex paperwork. With RTB 32 on GBonds, you can start with a minimum of ₱5,000.

Buy and Sell RTB32 via GBonds on GCash

GCash users can buy and sell RTBs on their GCash app through GBonds, a marketplace that allows users to invest in government bonds with FREE top-ups and withdrawals and standard fees for buying or selling bonds.

Getting started and purchasing your first bond is easy. First, register by heading to the Invest tab on the GCash dashboard, selecting the GBonds icon, and answering the Risk Profile Questionnaire. Approval will take one (1) business day.

Once approved, tap ‘Top Up’ on your GBonds dashboard, enter your desired amount, which includes the minimum investment and fees, and confirm. Finally, to buy an RTB, select the desired RTB, click Buy, enter your total investment amount and fees, and confirm your order to buy your bond instantly.

To invest via GBonds, you must be a fully verified GCash user aged 18 or older with a verified email address, an updated KYC profile (within the past 3 years), and not a US resident or citizen.

Growing your wealth doesn't have to mean taking big risks, especially when rare opportunities for high-yielding, guaranteed earnings are on the table. Take charge of your financial goals today by locking in your guaranteed quarterly earnings—and let your money do the hard work for you.

Ben&Ben’s Leaves (Reimagined) submitted for 2027 Grammy Awards consideration

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The song carries special meaning for the band and its millions of followers, with its message of healing, forgiveness, and second chances

Ben&Ben plays to a sold-out Smart Araneta Coliseum at their Saranggola: The Concert where Leaves (Reimagined) was part of the setlist (PHOTO BY: JAIRA MOLO)

Multi-awarded folk-pop band Ben&Ben has submitted Leaves (Reimagined) for consideration at the 2027 Grammy Awards under the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category.

According to the band, bagging a Grammy Award has always been one of their dreams. They are thankful to be given the chance to take the first step toward this dream through the submission of Leaves (Reimagined) for consideration of the Grammy organization’s voting members.

Leaves (Reimagined) holds special meaning for Ben&Ben frontman Paolo Benjamin, who wrote the song, as it has helped him make sense of and overcome past hurts.

“Someone very close to me in the past hurt me in a very unexpected way, and I was faced with the choice to forgive or part ways. I chose to forgive,” he reveals. “This song will always hold deep meaning for me. It has been God’s way of saving me from my darkest thoughts countless times in the past, until now.”

“I hope that this grown-up version of the song will make people realize that forgiveness is an act that sets ourselves free, even if it’s extremely hard to do sometimes. Because as the new version says, it’s those closest to us that can hurt us the most. I hope that it encourages people to never give up on selflessly loving, even if it can get painful,” he adds.

The submission was made via the band’s label, Sony Music Entertainment Philippines. First Round Voting runs from October 12 to 22, and will determine the nominees across 100 categories. The official nominees will be announced on November 16, with the 2027 Grammy Awards taking place on February 7, 2027.

Ben&Ben recently released Nine, an album that they described as a love letter to their listeners and a celebration of their friendship. It features nine tracks, including reimagined versions of songs from the different stages of their journey together, including Leaves (Reimagined), as well as 2026 hit Saranggola and new song Harinawa.

The band played all tracks from Nine at their sold-out Saranggola: The Concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum earlier this month.

Why Michelin-starred chefs are obsessed with your go-to Taco Bell order

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If you have always loved Taco Bell for its bold flavors and undeniable craveability, you are in excellent company. While you might see your favorite order as the ultimate, unpretentious comfort food to cap off a long day, some of the world's most elite, Michelin-starred culinary minds view it as an absolute masterpiece of food engineering!

According to a recently published Wall Street Journal article titled “Top Chefs Have a Confession: They Love Taco Bell,” top high-end restaurant chefs in the US are openly confessing their deep obsession with the brand. These culinary masters praise the Taco Bell’s menu for achieving what they call the elusive "perfect bite", a precise, scientific harmony of contrasting textures and temperatures that even luxury, fine-dining establishments struggle to execute consistently!

Whether you are craving that specific crunch after a long day or celebrating the weekend with your crew, you have already been appreciating that exact same world-class flavor formula.

The article further highlights how these elite chefs rave about the clever balance between hot, seasoned beef and crisp, cool toppings, meaning that great food design doesn't have to be complicated. These food experts have effectively validated what Filipino foodies have been championing all along, that choosing Taco Bell is an appreciation for comfort food that simply hits the spot every single time!

The good thing is you know where to go whenever you’re in the mood for your go-to Tex-Mex fare! With Taco Bell's strong, highly accessible footprint across Metro Manila’s premier commercial and lifestyle hubs, satisfying your cravings is easy! You can find your flavor fix at on-the-go branches located in Gateway Mall and Cyberpark Tower in Araneta City, Cubao; Trinoma and SM Fairview in Northern Quezon City; SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City; Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City; Venice Grand Canal in Taguig City; and Ayala Circuit and One Ayala in Makati City!

Visit your nearest Taco Bell branch and dive straight into flavorful offerings like the Crunchwrap Supreme, Gordita, and Chalupa.

You can visit these branches anytime to experience an entire lineup of bold, crave-worthy products that hit those exact same high-level flavor profiles. Aside from the beloved Crunchwrap Supreme, you can dive into their other flavorful offerings like the pillowy, golden-fried Chalupa and the tender, ultra-meaty Gordita, among many others.

So, the next time you place your order at Taco Bell, hold your up head high because you are eating exactly like the world's best foodies!

Visit your nearest Taco Bell store for dine-in and take-out orders, or have your favorites delivered straight to your doorstep via the 8911-1111 hotline, Taco Bell Philippines’ official website at tacobell.com.ph, or through official delivery partners Grabfood, foodpanda, and Pickaroo (prices may vary)!

Don't miss the latest updates, offers, and deals from Taco Bell by following and giving the brand a like on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!