realme Philippines Official Store emerges as no. 1 top-selling mobile store during 9.9 Big Brands Sale

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realme, the country’s no. 1 smartphone brand for Q2 2021 continues to strengthen its foothold in the e-commerce landscape as proven by a successful performance during the recently concluded 9.9 sale on Lazada and Shopee.

From September 9 to 11, the brand rolled out discounts of as much as 50% OFF on realme smartphones and TechLife products, along with other offers such as free shipping and shopping vouchers.

After the three-day Lazada Big Brands Sale, the realme Official Store emerged as the no. 1 top selling mobile store, while the brand ranked no. 2 in terms of overall mobile sales. realme achieved a 65% growth from last year’s 9.9 performance on the platform.

On the other hand, realme also achieved strong numbers during the Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day, recording a 142% year-over-year growth. The e-commerce platform also reported that the brand ranked no. 2 in the overall mobile brand category, and no. 3 in the audio and wearables category.

Among the best-selling realme smartphones recorded is the well-loved C-Series: realme C11 2021, realme C25S, and realme C21Y. The realme C11 2021 in particular proved to be the unbeatable mobile contender as it became the fastest smartphone to sell out during the sale, having been wiped out in under 30 minutes.

realme’s AIoT products also performed well on both platforms with the realme Buds Q2, the realme Buds Classic, and the realme Powerbank 2i emerging as the best-selling realme TechLife units.

These 9.9 sale achievements came on the heels of realme’s other milestones in the AIoT category. Global research firm Canalys recently reported that realme emerged as the no. 1 watch vendor in the Philippines with a 49% unit share and a whopping 2,286% annual growth.

Similarly, the brand was also hailed by the research firm as the no. 1 True Wireless Stereo (TWS) vendor, accounting for 30% market share with a 613% annual growth in the category.

This recent success underscores the three-year-old brand’s commitment to providing the best digital experience to every Filipino. 

“With every milestone we achieve, we are reminded of the tremendous support and loyalty of the whole realme community including our fans, partners, and employees across the nation. We are truly grateful for the love of our Squad, and rest assured, we will continue to disrupt the industry with quality products and services for our Filipino fans”,shares Austine Huang, realme Philippines’ VP for Marketing.

For more info and updates, be sure to follow realme on Facebook at facebook.com/realmePhilippines, @realme_PH on Twitter, and @realmephilippines on Instagram. #realmePH

Why “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) songs are the perfect hype songs for Pinoys

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ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother,” which has played a big factor in the lives of Filipinos through iconic moments and talented personalities since 2005, is also home to popular songs that can give you a boost when you need some positive vibes. 

The songs don’t just scream Pinoy pride, they also underscore the importance of being true to one’s self, forging strong connections with other people, being brave, and never giving up on chasing dreams. With the return of "PBB" for its 10th season, a new theme song will definitely capture the heart of Filipinos.

As we Filipinos continue to face different challenges with the enduring pandemic, sometimes all we need is to listen to good music to get us through the day.

Check them out here and be sure to stream them, start!

1 “Pinoy Ako” by Orange and Lemons

When “PBB” premiered in 2005, the hit Orange and Lemons’ song skyrocketed in music charts and dominated the airwaves for a long time. Most Filipinos still know the song by heart and dance to it as it is a global Pinoy anthem for empowering Filipinos to show their talent to the world.

“Ipakilala ang iyong sarili/ Ano man sa iyo ay mangyayari/ Ang lagi mong isipin/ Kayang kayang gawin”

2 “Kabataang Pinoy” by Itchyworms

When “PBB” introduced a teen edition, “Kabataang Pinoy” made a huge splash. It became the perfect theme of every youth event for its high-energy music and great lyrics that encourage the Filipino youth to do their best as they are the future of the country.

“Hamon sa buhay handang daanan/ Kaya namin 'yan/ Ipaglalaban namin ang nararapat/ At tamang gagawin”

3 “Sikat Ang Pinoy” by Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga 

Sam and Toni became a hit love team in the mid-2000s for their undeniable chemistry. It was no wonder why Big Brother also asked his ex-housemate and host to help sing the theme of the  “PBB” celebrity editions. Titled “Sikat Ang Pinoy,” the song is an ode to “Pinoy Ako” and also puts the spotlight on Filipino talent that is recognized worldwide.

“Pinoy laging maaasahan/ Kailan ma'y 'di ka iiwan/ Handang tumulong sa iyo/ Ano man ang pagdaanan mo”

4 “Otso Na” by Toni and Alex Gonzaga 

Besides hosting the eighth season of “PBB,” sisters Toni and Alex also sang the theme song for “PBB Otso” that was aptly titled “Otso Na.” The catchy song was a bop among fans as it highlights the enduring connection of “PBB” and its loyal fan base. "Otso Na" also cleverly plays on the number eight to higlight the lasting bonds formed inside the "PBB" house.

“Maraming masayang nangyari sa samahang nabuo/ Nawa'y palagi lang maging maligaya/ Higit pa sa walang-hanggang pagsasamang kay saya”

5 “Connected Na Tayo” by Jem Macatuno, Shawntel Cruz, Kiara Takahashi,  and Lie Reposposa

“PBB” is truly a home of songwriters. For “PBB Connect,” “PBB Otso” housemates Jem, Shawntel, Kiara, and Lie got to write and sing the show’s theme song despite quarantine restrictions. “Connected Na Tayo” is all about pursuing dreams together, making it a fan favorite.

“Tara na, abutin ang pangarap/ Di papipigil sa bawat hakbang/ Sa saya at kalungkutan/ Di ka iiwan/ Dahil connected na tayo”

6 “Pinoy Tayo” by Rico Blanco 

For its 10th season, “PBB” collaborated with OPM icon Rico Blanco to reinvent the famous “Pinoy Ako” song. Titled “Pinoy Tayo,” the new the theme song of the upcoming season still echoes the message of the original hit with new lyrics and a refreshed arrangement – a perfect song to give you that much needed boost in whatever challenge you’re facing.

“‘Pakita mo ang tunay at kung sino ka/ Mayro’n mang masama at maganda/ Wala namang perpekto/ Basta’t magpakatotoo”

Stream “Pinoy Tayo” by Rico Blanco on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel. Watch Rico’s “Pinoy Tayo” performance on “ASAP Natin ‘To” on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel. 

BPI Foundation reforests 170 hectares of land in Nueva Ecija for BPI’s 170th anniversary

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BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, has started to reforest 170 hectares of land in Pantabangan, Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Nueva Ecija through its Lakbay Luntian initiative as part of the Bank’s 170th-anniversary celebration in August.

Beneficiaries from the Kalanguya and Bugkalot tribes plant the seedlings on behalf of BPI employees.

“In previous years, we held nationwide volunteer activities as part of our anniversary celebrations. This year, we aligned with the Bank’s 170th-anniversary theme and reinvented how we do volunteer work and give back to our communities as one BPI,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.

Lakbay Luntian is the first-ever virtual tree planting initiative organized by BPI Foundation, in partnership with eco-social enterprise Bambuhay and Ayala Corporation’s Kasibulan Project, a long-term program on reforestation and forest protection. This is part of the Balik-Kalikasan program, which aims to preserve and restore rainforests across the country while equipping local communities with sustainable alternative livelihood and strengthening every Filipino’s commitment to protecting the environment through reforestation.

Through the collaborative efforts of BPI employees and BPI Foundation, a total of 68,000 bamboos and trees will be planted in Nueva Ecija. This will also help offset BPI’s total carbon emissions for the year 2020, while providing sustainable livelihood to 17 Indigenous People (IP) families in the area.

“Our BPI employees have shown that amid the pandemic, the Bayanihan spirit remains very much alive in all of us,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco. “Remember that we have not survived 170 years by remaining still. It’s been 170 years of constant reinvention, progress, and thinking to do good for our friends, neighbors, clients, and colleagues.”

To know more about BPI Foundation and its initiatives, visit https://www.bpifoundation.org.

Eight singers fight for their dreams in 5th "Tawag ng Tanghalan" finals on "It's Showtime"

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The life of one of eight singers from different parts of the country will change forever as they battle it in the fifth "Tawag ng Tanghalan" grand finals this Saturday (September 18) on "It's Showtime"

Find out who among finalists Reiven Umali, Froilan Cedilla, Psalm Manalo, Gem Christian, Adrian Manibale, Anthony Castillo, Lorraine Galvez and Aixia Mallary will follow the footsteps of Noven Belleza, Janine Berdin, and Elaine Duran, and JM Yosures.

The new champion will win P1 million, a brand new house and lot from Camella worth P2.3 million, a recording contract with ABS-CBN Music, a management contract under Star Magic's Polaris, and a trophy designed by Toym Imao.

During the first round, the finalists are set to showcase their chosen 'pangmalakasang' song. At the end, only the three finalists with the highest scores from the judges will move on to the last round.

Like the past 'Huling Tapatan,' the three remaining finalists will perform a medley of their musical influences. Compared to the first round, half of the scores of the contestants will come from the votes of the viewers. The finalist who garners the highest combined scores from the judges' scores and votes from the madlang people will take home the fifth "TNT" grand champion title.

Who among the eight finalists will prevail? Don't miss the intense battle in the 'Huling Tapatan' of "Tawag sa Tanghalan" on "It's Showtime" on A2Z channel on free TV and digital TV boxes, Kapamilya Channel on cable and satellite TV, Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, and on the iWantTFC app (iOs and Android) and on iwanttfc.com. Viewers outside of the Philippines can also catch it on The Filipino Channel on cable and IPTV.

GCash now has 60,000 cash-in partners, widest network nationwide

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GCash now has the widest nationwide network of 60,000 cash-in partners

Need to send money, buy prepaid load, or order food, but your GCash funds are running low? Now, it’s easier to cash in to your GCash account as the country’s undisputed no. 1 e-wallet app, expands its network of merchants to a total of 60,000 active cash in doors nationwide.

To reach more Filipinos nationwide, GCash has recently partnered with 9 more leading brands to establish additional cash-in kiosks at (number) of these companies’ branches: ExpressPay, DA5, Panalo Express, SouthStar Drug, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Robinsons Easymart, and No Brand. In addition, customers may conveniently cash in their GCash wallets through top outlets, such as SM, Palawan Pawnshop, Villarica Pawnshop, Ministop, Puregold, and Cebuana Lhuillier.

“Our goal is to make Filipino lives better every day,” said Martha Sazon, GCash president and chief executive officer. “Our cash in outlets is one of the essential solutions that GCash offers consumers, especially during the pandemic. With 70 percent Filipinos still unbanked, it’s always been our goal to expand our partner merchants to house more cash in outlets all over the Philippines, making topping up GCash wallets accessible to more Filipinos.”

With more cash in partners all over the country, GCash users will have lesser trouble in finding the closest outlets to them — giving them an opportunity to enjoy the many useful services on the app. For instance, for all their lifestyle and essential needs, they can browse through GLife, the e-commerce feature within the GCash app that allows users to shop exclusive deals from 35 brands across retail, food, gaming, entertainment, and transport.

GCash also aims to add more Cash In Doors in the future. Previously, GCash reached another milestone: GCash’s active user base is now at 46 million – a more than 20 million increase from January 2020.

With more Filipinos shifting to digital wallets, GCash is continuously looking for more ways to best serve its customers while staying safe.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.