PLDT, Smart cited as PH’s fastest in Ookla Speedtest Awards

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PLDT group wins twin country awards for top mobile and fixed network

PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have been cited for being the country’s fastest fixed and mobile networks for Q1-Q2 2018, respectively, by Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis.

Ookla said Smart achieved a Speed ScoreTM of 14.98, with average download speeds of 17.25 Mbps and average upload speeds of 7.65 Mbps, based on 2,118,464 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest® on LTE-capable devices in the Philippines for Q1-Q2.

On the other hand, PLDT achieved a Speed Score of 17.31, with average download speeds of 22.84 Mbps and average upload speeds of 23.45 Mbps. The fixed network award is based on 29,076,090 user-initiated Speedtest nationwide for the same period.

Initial data included in Ookla’s country reports showed Smart posting big leads in key cities like Quezon City, Makati and Manila, for example, while PLDT is way ahead in Quezon City, Pasig and Manila.

In Quezon City, for example, Smart posted a Speed ScoreTM of 24.09 Mbps, more than twice the speed of the competing network. This reflects the results of the major network upgrade activities that Smart recently undertook in the city, including the activation of LTE-Advanced and carrier aggregation.

For mobile, the Speed Score incorporates a measure of each provider’s download and upload speed to rank network speed performance. Tests used to calculate the Speed Score exclusively come from ‘modern devices’, which are devices capable of connecting to the market’s fastest, generally available technology.

For fixed, Ookla assesses the best network speeds attained across a given network, accounting for tests that are taken on various Speedtest applications that connect to a fixed network, including tests taken on mobile phones over a Wi-Fi connection. Each top carrier accounts for at least 3% of the sample size in the geographic area.

Historic capex

The awards come as PLDT continues to invest historic levels of resources to support network transformation which is estimated to amount to US$ 5 billion from 2016 to 2020, with capital expenditures expected to reach P58 billion this year. 

Alongside Smart’s ramped-up Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) roll out, PLDT is also aggressively rolling out its fiber broadband service, which also supports the stepped-up deployment of the mobile network by providing high-capacity links for cellular base stations.

“This award is proof that our investments in upgrading our network to improve the mobile internet experience of Filipinos all over the country are paying off,” said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT and Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering. 

“Improved connectivity has had a direct impact on the Filipino way of life, enhancing the lives of residents and travelers alike, boosting incomes of local businesses, and empowering individuals, organizations and local governments,” Tamayo added.

The results of the analysis by Ookla confirms that PLDT and Smart achieved the fastest overall fixed network speeds and the fastest overall mobile speeds in the Philippines, respectively, during the time period.

“With millions of tests taken using Speedtest every day, Ookla has developed a robust and comprehensive view of worldwide internet performance. It is our pleasure to recognize Smart as the Fastest Mobile Network and PLDT as the Fastest Fixed Network in the Philippines based on our rigorous analysis. This award is a testament to PLDT and Smart’s exceptional performance, as experienced by their own customers, in Q1 and Q2 2018,” said Jamie Steven, Executive Vice President at Ookla. 

Ramped-up LTE roll-out

Smart is accelerating its deployment of LTE, LTE-A and carrier aggregation across the country as part of Smart’s efforts to improve mobile data experience nationwide. It is on track toward to fulfill its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover 90% of the country’s cities and municipalities with mobile data service by the end of this year.

LTE is the best technology to help bring fast, affordable and reliable mobile internet services to as many customers as possible. It is also quickly upgradable to LTE-A, which can provide even greater capacity and speeds to users with capable smartphones.

“On mobile, as shown by the experience of other countries, the network roll-out must be accompanied by the adoption of LTE-Advanced-capable mobile phones and devices,” Tamayo said.

Smart is doubling the number of LTE base stations to about 17,700 nationwide and raising the number of LTE-equipped cell sites to more than 6,800 by the first quarter of 2019, using frequencies that are compatible with CA-capable smartphones available in the market today.

Meanwhile, as of the first quarter of 2018, PLDT has broadened the coverage of its fiber-powered broadband network to 4.4 million homes passed, up from 4.0 million at end-2017. In the same period, PLDT also increased its capacity to 1.4 million lines from about 1.0 million and raised its total fiber footprint to about 187,000 kms.

PLDT’s fiber roll out includes both fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and hybrid fiber technologies that will deliver fiber-speed broadband to virtually all DSL subscribers by 2019. 

About Ookla

Ookla, the company behind Speedtest®, is the global leader in fixed broadband and mobile network testing applications, data and analysis. Over ten million tests are actively initiated by consumers each day across all Speedtest platforms, with over 20 billion completed to date. As a result, Ookla has the most comprehensive analytics on worldwide internet performance and accessibility. Ookla solutions have been adopted by a significant number of internet service providers and mobile carriers worldwide and have been translated into over 30 languages for use by thousands of businesses, governments, universities and trade organizations. Ookla's headquarters are located in Seattle, WA with additional offices in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at www.ookla.com.

Botanika Nature Residences takes home top prize at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2018

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Botanika Nature Residences by Filigree took home the Best Apartment Philippines Award with a five star rating from the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2018—an award-giving body of the esteemed International Property Awards, a celebration of the highest level of achievement by companies in the real estate sector. The award held in Bangkok is but an affirmation that the concept behind the upscale garden resort-inspired condominium located in the dynamic Metro South is truly exceptional and world-class. The nominated properties in the Asia Pacific Property Awards are judged by an independent panel of 80 industry experts, focusing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability.

During the awarding ceremony were (from left) president and founder of International Property Awards Mr. Stuart Shield, Filigree assistant marketing manager Rula Gongora and senior project development manager Sherilynne Santos, and Mr. Giovanni Marzo of Salice.

With this award, coupled by the recent bestowment of a 3-star rating for design from the Philippine Green Building Council in the first quarter of this year, Botanika Nature Residences can now truly lay claim to being at par with the world’s ultra high-end and green oriented residential towers, in keeping with its commitment to sustainability, a feat yet to be matched by similar developments in Manila and country at large.

Behind the achievements of the Botanika Nature Residences is the project development team and the noted consultants who were brought on board for their expertise: Leandro V. Locsin Partners as Architects of Record; Architecture International as International Architectural Consultant; Singapore-based AECOM as Landscape Consultant; and Miaja Design Group for interior design—all recognized names in their respective fields, with an impressive portfolio of projects between them. 

Furthermore, with Botanika’s inimitable architectural design direction, its first-class amenities, and of course its generously-sized condominium units, it comes as no surprise that it has caught the attention of such reputable and prestigious industry bodies—both here and abroad—thus garnering accolades  and the recognition it truly deserves. 

Botanika, a premium 13-storey low-density residential development, is purposely designed to have an iconic leaf shaped structure and is intentionally set wide apart with a towering atrium at the core—highlighted by a calming running water feature plus a scenic elevator for unhindered views. This unique design concept allows for natural light and ventilation to stream in, which in turn nurtures the lush central space while reducing energy and water consumption, an innovative feature not found in other upscale developments. The unique terraced layout of the towers also assures residents of privacy and exclusivity, and unobstructed views of the green expanse beyond.

Amenity-wise, of note are the tiered kiddie and lap pools surrounded by a lush landscape complete with a sun deck, outdoor and indoor play areas for kids, an amphitheater, a business center, and a library—no stone was left unturned for the sheer delight of residents. 

Finally, Botanika’s condominium units—ranging from two bedroom suites, three-bedroom flats, three-bedroom Garden Bi-level units, five-bedroom Garden Bi-level units, and a grand penthouse, with sizes ranging from 123 to up to 343 sqm.—are as remarkable and expansive as they can get, a result of superior space planning and by keeping in mind the needs of homeowners.

“The recognition from the prestigious Asia Pacific Property Awards is a confirmation that the direction we’ve set forth for Botanika Nature Residences is indeed world-class,” says Kate Ilagan, Filigree head. “This serves to inspire all of us who were behind the project, and we intend to continue this level of excellence across all our luxury developments.” Botanika has also welcomed some of its residents with its ready for occupancy status.

For details, visit http://www.botanika.com.ph  or call (02) 880 2868.

MONSTERS LURKING IN THE DEEP - Real-life sea creatures have long captured the imagination

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The marine world continues to be a source of folklore given that a whopping 95 percent of the planet’s oceans remain unexplored, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Unsurprisingly then, many creatures living beneath the waves have inspired monstrous fantasies, from the kraken mentioned in Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby-Dick, to the Leviathan of biblical scripture.

The most famous of these aquatic myths is the mermaid, thanks to stories such as Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid made famous by the animated film of the same name, as well as other pop cultural gems such as the 1984 movie Splash. These half-fish, half-human hybrids, unfortunately, weren’t always the demure creatures often depicted in today’s fiction.

In British folklore, mermaids were associated with doomed ships and stormy seas, which was why seafarers in the past avoided sailing in areas where they thought they saw these creatures. The English pirate Blackbeard once recorded an encounter in his logbook, which described how he and his crew had sighted these demi-humans in so-called “enchanted” waters.

While not fearsome-looking, mermaids might have conjured fear from sailors because of their association with another mythical beast, the siren. In Homer’s The Odyssey, sirens were winged women that sang hypnotic songs to lure sailors to their deaths. Over time, these attributes were passed down to mermaids, becoming part of their threat as much as their charm.

Speaking of charm, not all sailors believed mermaids were pretty. One of them was Christopher Columbus. The Italian explorer claimed to have witnessed these creatures while exploring the Caribbean and described them to be half as beautiful as the ones in paintings. That might have sounded mean, but only because what he and sailors at the time had been seeing were the gentle manatee or its cousin, the dugong. Both possess broad, mermaid-like tails as well as upper-body features that make these marine mammals easily mistaken for lumbering humanoids from afar—not quite the slender merfolk of fantasy.

The enchanting mermaid remains in our imagination reflecting our innate fear and desire for the unknown. In the American drama series Siren, this fear and desire come to life when mermaids suddenly surface to cause chaos in the fictional coastal town of Bristol Cove. Ever wondered how the world would react today if folklore turned out to be real? Catch the popular American drama series Siren every Monday at 9:45PM first and exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment.

Other than mermaids, many popular nautical beasts also have their origins in real animals. One is the mighty kraken, which may have been based on sightings of the giant squid or the much larger colossal squid—both of which have been caught in video when they suddenly appeared off the coast of Japan and Antarctica, respectively. Another is the slithering sea serpent. Whether it’s the World Serpent of Norse mythology or the Ancient Greek monster Cetus, these creatures may have been inspired by sightings of the largest bony fish alive today, the oarfish.

Blue Ant Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37 (SD) and 313 (HD).

Follow Blue Ant Entertainment at www.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment/, @BlueAntEnt on Twitter, and @BlueAntEntertainment on Instagram for more updates.

#PlayMusicTogether for #AcerDay 2018 with Moira dela Torre, IV of Spades, and the G-Force

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Acer,  kicked off its annual Acer Day celebration themed “Play Music Together” last July20  at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center doubled as a concert and dance show featuring Moira dela Torre and IV of Spades, both youth music icons of today, as well as renowned dance troupe the G-Force. 

Introduced last year, Acer Day, the global leader in computer hardware technologies, saw its beginnings in 14 countries across Pan-Asia Pacific. This year, the celebration grows as 20 countries in the region join in on the fun. Aside from the Philippines, Acer Day 2018 will be kicking off in Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

In keeping with its global theme “Play Music Together”, Acer Philippines echoes the message that music is one of the most powerful forms of expression and communication. As a testament, the Acer Day Launch Event brought together Moira Dela Torre and IV of Spades, 2 artists that are making waves in the music industry today, for an unforgettable duet that’s sure to be one for the books.

Of course, doubling down and making the music truly come alive was the G-Force dance troupe, who delivered a live show-stopping performance of the Acer Day dance to delight the crowd.

 

“Music has been around for decades, and yet it manages to stay youthful, trendy, and innovative,” shares Sue Ong-Lim, Sales and Marketing Director of Acer Philippines. “In a way, this mirrors how Acer regards technology, in that it should always be fresh, modern, and inventive in terms of its design and capabilities.” 

Moira dela Torre #PlayMusicTogether @ #AcerDay 2018

G-Force #PlayMusicTogether @ #AcerDay 2018 

IV of Spades #PlayMusicTogether at #AcerDay

The event-turned-concert show also saw the announcement of the many activities and promos Acer Philippines has in store to properly celebrate the leading tech brand’s Acer Day celebrations. 

Treats and Prizes Await

The music plays on until September as Acer rolls out a series of events where customers may catch their favorite artists and score awesome treats and discounts! 

Make Your Mark and Earn Cool Points

Swinging into full gear on July 20 is the Acer Day website – a platform through which customers from all over the world may complete tasks and challenges to get the chance to score gifts and giveaways such as free travel to Taiwan for two (2) and Acer laptops!

On top of that, from August 3 until September 17, more discounts are in store for those who visit and complete the first challenge at any of the 33 Acer Concept Stores. By doing the Dance challenge in the Acer shirt and cap, and sharing it on Facebook and tagging 30 friends, customers get P1,000.00 off their purchase for any qualifying Acer product! Even bigger, those who successfully complete all challenges may happily slash off P 5,000.00 outright from their purchase of any Swift, Spin, Nitro, and Helios model! 

Acer Day Music Video Fest

Formally announced at Acer Day Launch Event, Php 500,000.00 is up for grabs for both amateur and professional dance groups out there! By simply following the Acer Day signature dance by the G-Force, your group gets the chance to be one of the 3 finalists (who will each get P 100,000.00 each), and eventually compete for the grand prize!

Acer Day Digital Concert in partnership with Wish FM 107.5

Fans of Moira and IV of Spades are also in for a treat as the collaborating artists do an encore of their appearance aboard the Wish FM 107.5 bus towards the end of August! 

For more information and updates on the different activities and promotions, simply visit the Acer Philippines Facebook Page or the Acer Day website at http://acer-day.com/ph.

Shop and talk at a Piip of a button

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In an age where technology has taken over the way we live, work, and even experience, lifestyles have become more accustomed to the conveniences that these innovations have to offer. From smartphones to Internet of Things-enabled services, lives have been transformed so that we can do twice as much in half the time.

As such, mobile applications have been introduced and designed to make the world closer to our fingertips. We have apps that make communication with someone from across the globe and in a different timezone easier. We also have apps that help us organize schedules, keep track of our fitness goals, and send us the latest updates may it in news or promotions. But most importantly, we now have apps that bring us one of our basic needs as human beings -- food!

At a Piip of a button, we get access to a long list of menu from almost all of the restaurants in the metro. Make reservations in no time, and even have take-outs or the groceries delivered right in front of our doorstep. But what if there was a way to take it a step further and making things easier and simpler?

“We at Piip have been constantly looking at the available services in the market and compare them to the performance of our own app. Piip goes beyond shopping for great deals because we have opened a direct line between consumers and our merchants via instant messaging. From food and beverage, we ventured into entertainment through a special promotion for the first screening of Ant-Man and the Wasp last July 4, 2018 at the Gateway Cineplex, Araneta Center, Cubao. Seeing how well-received this recent promo was, we strongly believe that Piipsters can get everything at a Piip of a button,” said Piip Mobile AG Founder and CEO Alexander Spörri.

With the Piip Mobile app, all these innovations come together in creating a whole new level of digital customer experience. Piip exposes consumers to the latest and nearest promos and discounts in real-time with its location-based feature. It is designed to be a platform for Piipsters to directly communicate with merchants for orders, reservations and product inquiry through its instant messaging (IM). Deals can also be shared in-app with other Piipsters and notifications are customizable based on the merchants they like and follow, making it an all-around partner for shopping convenience.