Rain won't stop the vivo Y31d

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July marks the peak of the rainy season and tropical cyclone activity in the Philippines, bringing frequent downpours, flooding, and weather-related disruptions across the country. As wet conditions become more common, smartphones have become essential tools for communication, navigation, emergency updates, and access to digital services, making device durability increasingly important during severe weather.

Exposure to rain, splashes, and moisture can affect touchscreen responsiveness and increase the risk of water-related damage, potentially disrupting access to critical information when connectivity matters most. For consumers navigating unpredictable weather, devices designed with water protection and reliable touch performance can help maintain uninterrupted use.

The vivo Y31d addresses these challenges with its IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance as well as features designed for the rain, including Wet-Hand Touch and One-Tap Water Ejection and Dust Removal.

The device’s Wet-Hand Touch feature enables the screen to recognize touch input even when the user’s hands or the display are wet from rain, sweat, or splashes. This allows users to continue performing essential tasks such as checking messages, booking transportation, or using navigation tools in damp environments without significant interruption.

The vivo Y31d also carries IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings, offering protection against dust ingress, rain exposure, and high-pressure water jets. The device can also withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for as long as 30 minutes, providing additional durability for outdoor use and daily commuting during the rainy season.

To support long-term device maintenance, the smartphone includes One-Tap Water Ejection and Dust Removal. The feature uses calibrated vibrations to help remove residual water and dust from the speaker and charging port after exposure to moisture or debris, helping preserve audio quality and charging performance.

The vivo Y31d is available in Glow White and Starlight Grey starting at Php 12,999. Available in three variants with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, get it in vivo e-store, Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and authorized vivo stores nationwide.

SAMA Philippines Gives Local SMEs a Gateway to Regional Growth in SEA

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The Strategic Asia Marketing Alliance (SAMA), a network of independent marketing agencies across Southeast Asia, has launched its Philippine chapter, giving homegrown and mid-size Filipino brands an accessible way to expand across the region without taking on network agency overhead or navigating each new market alone. 

The SAMA Philippine chapter seeks to address a long-standing gap in the Philippine business landscape. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up the vast majority of Philippine businesses, generating millions of jobs and contributing up to 40% of the country’s GDP. Despite their scale and economic importance, many of these businesses remain largely domestic. Expanding into other Southeast Asian markets often requires engaging global network agencies with high fees, or navigating unfamiliar markets independently with limited support. 

SAMA Philippines provides a more direct path forward. The organization offers a single, trusted local partner that connects brands to a network of independent agencies across Asia-Pacific markets, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. Each partner agency brings deep expertise in its home market, enabling brands to execute campaigns grounded in local culture and consumer behavior rather than relying on standardized regional approaches. 

This model allows Filipino brands to maintain strategic consistency while adapting execution to the realities of each market. By organizing around local depth rather than network size, the alliance provides a practical alternative to traditional agency structures. 

The Philippine chapter was launched under the theme "Sama-Sama, Halo-Halo," drawing on the structure of the Filipino dessert as the organizing logic of the alliance: many distinct ingredients, each whole and keeping its own flavor, brought together in one glass. The metaphor holds in practice: SAMA's member agencies are independent, chosen for their depth in their respective markets rather than being absorbed into a single structure. The alliance makes them accessible through one entry point. 

“SAMA changes the way Filipino businesses can approach regional growth,” said Enya Reyes, Country President of SAMA Philippines. “Instead of assembling separate partners market by market or paying for a regional network they may not fully use, brands can now work with one Philippine team that connects them to proven local specialists across Southeast Asia. This makes expansion more deliberate, more efficient, and more achievable for companies that are ready to scale.” 

Digital transformation leader and keynote speaker Donald Lim echoed this perspective, sharing his experience of expanding a Filipino brand beyond its home market.

“The next generation of Philippine growth will come from more Filipino companies successfully expanding beyond our borders. Our entrepreneurs already have the talent, innovation, and products. What they often lack is trusted market access and reliable local partners. SAMA helps bridge that gap by connecting Philippine businesses with experienced agencies across Southeast Asia, making regional expansion more practical, less risky, and ultimately more achievable. When more Filipino companies succeed across ASEAN, we strengthen not only individual businesses but the competitiveness of the Philippine economy as a whole.” 

Supporting this model is a group of founding member agencies in the Philippines, each contributing distinct expertise across the marketing industry. 

These include BBX Collab, a creative marketing agency; Blogapalooza, an influencer marketing firm; Curiosity, a design research consultancy; Evident Integrated Marketing and PR, a purpose-driven marketing and communications firm; Inventie Marketing Services, a digital marketing agency; LiveCatch PH, a broadcasting and media production company; M2.0 Communications, a data-driven public relations agency; and RedAnts Media Inc., a multimedia production and events management company.

Together, these agencies reflect the structure behind SAMA’s regional approach: independent specialists, each strong in their own discipline, working in coordination to support brands as they expand into new markets. 

Strategic Asia Marketing Alliance - SAMA

Invitation for Galaxy Unpacked July 2026: A New Shape Unfolds

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On July 22, Samsung Electronics will host Galaxy Unpacked in London, U.K. — a city that moves forward, not by chasing trends, but by setting them.

Join us as we unveil the newest additions to the Galaxy portfolio, which has defined the foldable category. Combining intelligent capabilities with innovative form factors, the next generation of Galaxy devices are set to deliver more personal and adaptive experiences and set a new standard for the AI era.

The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom and Samsung’s YouTube channel beginning 9:00PM Philippine Time.

Make sure to register and complete the form at https://samsung.com/ph/unpacked to get a ₱2,000 e-voucher and a chance to win the newest Galaxy device.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-261104, 261688 Series of 2026

Pitik Queen Shows How to Lock In More Everyday Savings With the Upgraded GrabUnlimited

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With the upgraded GrabUnlimited, Filipino consumers need not tighten their belts to enjoy savings across food, groceries, and rides for only Php 48 per month through the annual plan

We all know the feeling. You want to order food, restock groceries, or book a ride, but the budget voice in your head says, “Tipid muna.”

GrabUnlimited makes that decision a little easier.

In Grab’s newest online video, viral social media sensation and Pitik Queen Ian Mark Kamangkang puts his signature tight belt and dance moves to good use, turning a familiar Filipino budgeting habit into the campaign’s main story.

Known online for cinching his belt and breaking into his now-iconic moves, Ian Mark brings humor to a very relatable dilemma: when the budget feels tight, should everyday conveniences like food delivery, groceries, and rides be the first to go?

GrabUnlimited offers a different answer. Instead of tightening their belts to cut back, users can make smarter Save Moves that help them lock in more value across the Grab app.

The upgraded GrabUnlimited gives subscribers more ways to save across the Grab ecosystem, from food and groceries to rides and rewards. For only PHP 48 per month through the annual plan, users can lock in year-round perks designed for everyday needs.

For GrabFood, savings are now easier to unlock. The minimum order value for discounted delivery has been lowered from Php 475 to just Php 390, allowing GrabUnlimited members to enjoy up to Php 49 off on delivery fees with a lower spend requirement. Members can also get 20% off on food orders from participating merchants, making daily meals, cravings, and group orders easier on the wallet.

GrabUnlimited now also includes GrabMart delivery discounts, giving members up to Php 80 off on delivery fees for groceries, pantry staples, household items, and other everyday essentials. It is a timely upgrade for users who want to save not only on food delivery, but also on the things they regularly need at home.

Furthermore, Grab is rolling out Top-Up Packs, giving GrabUnlimited members access to preferential rates and discounts at participating GrabFood restaurants and GrabMart stores. For a minimal upfront fee starting at PHP 29, subscribers can purchase restaurant- or store-specific voucher bundles from participating brands and unlock up to PHP 1,500 in extra savings.

GrabUnlimited members will also continue to enjoy transport perks, including 8% off GrabCar rides with a minimum fare of PHP 99 and an increased maximum discount of PHP 70. Members also exclusively earn base GrabCoins on all cashless transactions, helping them collect points faster and unlock more savings across the app.

The upgraded subscription comes with a more budget-friendly annual plan that brings the cost down to only Php 48 per month. For users who regularly order, shop, or book rides through Grab, the annual plan offers a practical way to lock in savings before the spending even begins.

With GrabUnlimited, Grab is giving Filipino users more ways to make everyday convenience feel more sulit. Whether it is a weekday lunch, a grocery run, a ride across the city, or a planned purchase from a favorite brand, the subscription helps users stretch their budget without giving up the services that make daily life easier.

As Ian Mark Kamangkang shows in the campaign, tipid does not always mean saying no. With the right Save Moves, it can also mean knowing where to get more value out of every peso.

Digital public service in action: LTFRB delivers fuel subsidy to public transportation drivers through GCash, enabling more efficient and accessible government assistance

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More efficient delivery of ayuda through digital disbursement, streamlining the process by eliminating long queues and commutes

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have partnered with GCash to enable fuel subsidy disbursements benefiting drivers of public transportation nationwide.

DOTr, LTFRB, and GCash partner to streamline fuel subsidy disbursements for Filipino transport workers nationwide.

Under this program, eligible beneficiaries receive fuel assistance directly via their GCash e-wallets. This streamlined approach ensures aid reaches transport workers with greater speed, security, and transparency than traditional manual methods, while eliminating the need for beneficiaries to travel or wait in long queues.

The initiative was launched in response to rising global fuel prices, driven by ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East, which have placed significant financial pressure on PUV drivers and operators who depend on daily income to sustain their livelihoods and operations.

"GCash is committed to working with the government to ensure that digital financial infrastructure advances equitable access to essential services and upholds the dignity of every Filipino. In partnership with the LTFRB, this initiative demonstrates how digital subsidy disbursement can remove structural barriers, such as long queues and manual processes, while strengthening transparency and accountability in delivering government support to Filipinos,” said GCash B2B sales head, Cleo Celeste Santos.

Qualified beneficiaries verified by LTFRB

The LTFRB verified the credentials of public transportation drivers nationwide. The fuel subsidy will be disbursed directly to the fully verified GCash account.

Here’s how to check if you are part of LTFRB’s recipient list:

Step 1: Verify if you are on the list through LTFRB

To confirm if you are on the list of beneficiaries, please call LTFRB at 0956-761-0739 through Viber.

Step 2: If you are included in the LTFRB fuel subsidy beneficiaries, select your payout option.

● Eligible drivers choose their preferred bank or e-wallet to receive their funds.

● For those who selected GCash, LTFRB will disburse the fuel subsidy directly to the verified GCash account.

Step 3: If you do not have a verified GCash account yet, here’s what you need to do:

● Open the GCash app. Tap Profile, then tap Verify Now.

● Select a valid government ID: You may use your Driver’s License or any of the following: LTO Driver’s License, physical, digital or paper version of the National ID (Philsys), HDMF (Pag-Ibig Loyalty Plus), Philippine Postal ID, PRC ID, UMID, SSS ID, Philippine Passport

● Please ensure that your ID is not expired or damaged.

● Scan your government ID. Ensure that the ID you submit is valid (not expired), clear (undamaged), and the ID (not a photocopy, xerox, or just a photo of the ID).

● Take a selfie within the app and provide the required information.

● Wait for the message confirming that you are now fully verified.

Step 4: Wait for the SMS confirmation confirming LTFRB’s fuel subsidy disbursement

● Eligible fuel subsidy recipients will receive SMS confirmation from GCash confirming LTFRB’s aid disbursement

● Check your GCash app if the aid fund has been received.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: GCash will never send a link or ask for your OTP (One-Time Password) to access the fuel subsidy.

This partnership lays the groundwork for a scalable Disbursement Service platform that will support bulk and scheduled payouts, role-based governance approvals, and automated audit reporting, strengthening LTFRB's capacity to administer future subsidy programs more efficiently.

GCash reaffirms its commitment to serve as a platform for public good, ensuring that government assistance reaches the hands that need it most, faster and more reliably than ever before.

Drivers can verify their eligibility for the LTFRB fuel subsidy by checking the official beneficiary list through the LTFRB Official Facebook Page (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-LTFRB) or by contacting their regional LTFRB office. Eligible beneficiaries are usually registered PUV drivers and operators with valid franchises and updated LTFRB and LTO records. Drivers may need to present valid IDs and franchise documents, and those not included in the list may request record validation through LTFRB.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.