Shopee extends aid towards Typhoon Agaton Victims together with brand partners and Shopee Xpress

Tweet

Last April 24, Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, together with its logistics arm Shopee Xpress, teamed up with NORVIC Drugs Corporation and NutriAsia to collect and deliver sanitation kits and refreshments to Visayans affected by Typhoon Agaton. These donations were repacked and distributed by Shopee Xpress volunteers in the area.

For those looking to help victims affected by Typhoon Agaton, Shopee invites users to donate through its partner charities found on the app.

Are You Ready for the Most Powerful A Series Yet? OPPO sets off to launch the Designed to be Powerful– OPPO A96

Tweet

Get ready to power up your game as the global smart device brand OPPO prepares to officially launch the newest and the most powerful addition to its A-Series line in the Philippines.

Built with a durable yet stylish design equipped with a long-lasting battery, powerful hardware, and software for superior performance, the Designed to be Powerful OPPO A96 promises to deliver a versatile and powerful smartphone for your daily grind.

"Time and time again, the A-Series has been the go-to smartphone of mobile gamers, which is why OPPO levels up this line to continue providing everyone with a device they deserve. For years, we have been committed to delivering true value-for-money smartphones with uncompromised and superior performance for gaming and even productivity of Filipinos. As it is designed to be powerful, we hope the OPPO A96 would be a testament to our commitment," said Chiqui Tapawan, Head of Marketing Communications of OPPO Philippines.

The Most Powerful A-Series to Date

With the OPPO A96, OPPO gears up to quench the thirst of mobile gamers for bigger storage, powerful battery, and a faster and reliable smartphone, powering up their gaming experience to the next level.

Packed with a battery capacity of 5000mAh and 33W SUPERVOOCTM flash charging, the #DesignedToBePowerful device is powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 680 4G Mobile Platform with 8GB + 256GB large memory and storage for a superior and smooth gameplay experience. 

OPPO A96 also leverages ColorOS 11.1 for efficient and effortless performance. With 1080x2412 FHD resolution, it supports a 6.59-inch Color-Rich Punch-Hole Display with a 90Hz refresh rate to provide an immersive viewing experience.

Besides its powerful features that enable superior performance, OPPO A96 is integrated with a 16MP Front Camera and rear dual camera setup, consisting of a 50MP Main Camera and 2MP Bokeh Camera. It comes with the OPPO Glow Design for a trendy look that is scratch and fingerprint-resistant and is available in two eye-catching colors: Starry Black and Pearl Pink.

OPPO is set to launch the #DesignedToBePowerful OPPO A96 on May 4, 2022, in the Philippines.

To know more about the OPPO A96, visit the OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.

Attracting world-class talent with world-class challenges, and innovating nonstop for a greener intelligent world

Tweet

[Shenzhen, China] Huawei kicked off its 19th annual Global Analyst Summit in Shenzhen. Huawei's Rotating Chairman Ken Hu said that the company will continue to boost investment in innovation to build new products and enhance and accelerate new technologies.

Ken Hu, gave a keynote on Huawei's approach to innovation and building a greener intelligent world. "At Huawei, when we talk about innovation, the first thing we think is people. We hope to attract world-class talent with world-class challenges, and work together to push the limits of science and technology," said Hu, referring to the Top Minds recruitment program that the company launched on its website yesterday.

"We don't care where you’re from, where you graduated, or what you studied,” he continued. “As long as you have a dream for the future and believe you can make it happen, we want you to come and join us. We provide world-class challenges, a powerful platform, and all the resources you need to explore the unknown."

Ken Hu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, speaking at HAS 2022

Hu went on to discuss the specific initiatives that Huawei is working on to realize its vision for the future. "We are currently focusing on three areas: strengthening our approach to innovation, equipping all industries with the tools and knowledge they need to go digital, and helping build a low-carbon world."

The following is a summary of these three initiatives.

Innovating nonstop and advancing the industry:

• In terms of connectivity, Huawei continues to drive the industry forward. The company announced its vision to enable 10 Gbps connections everywhere with 5.5G and F5.5G, the next evolutions in wireless and fixed networks. Together, these will support a broader range of niche network requirements, including a more immersive experience in homes as well as the low latency and high reliability needed for industrial control scenarios.

• In terms of computing, Huawei is redefining system architectures for individual nodes, foundational software, and data centers in an effort to significantly increase system performance and energy efficiency.

• In cloud services, Huawei is building MetaStudio, a cloud-based, end-to-end digital content pipeline that will greatly expedite digital content production.

• In terms of devices, Huawei aims to provide consumers with a user-centric intelligent experience in all aspects of their lives – what the company calls a Seamless AI Life experience – effectively accelerating the convergence of the physical and digital worlds.

Diving into digital transformation to create new value for customers:

• Huawei is adapting its products and product portfolios to different industrial scenarios. At the same time, it will start pre-integrating and pre-verifying products, doing all the complex work beforehand to make digital transformation easier for its customers and partners. With Huawei Cloud as the foundation, Huawei aims to provide "Everything as a Service", turning infrastructure, technology, and expertise into cloud-based services, and making cloud migration easier for customers in different industries.

• Huawei is also building integrated teams that focus on specific industries, bringing a specialized group of experts closer to customers' business challenges and more tightly incorporating horizontal resources, i.e., products and capabilities from partners. The goal is to provide targeted digital transformation solutions for each industry and respond more rapidly to customer needs.

Optimizing power supply and consumption with digital technology to enable low-carbon development:

• Huawei is redefining the PV sector with AI, cloud, and other capabilities to boost the generation of renewable energy.

• Huawei is also developing system-level low-carbon solutions for green ICT infrastructure, focusing on wireless base stations and data centers.

Moving forward, Huawei is taking active steps to boost its business resilience and ensure steady development. "We have to keep the ball rolling through nonstop innovation, creating value for customers and society," said Ken Hu. "We look forward to working more closely with our customers and partners to build a greener intelligent world."

In addition to its innovation strategy, Huawei also shared its far-reaching vision for the future and some of the exploration it's doing to get there. Dr. Zhou Hong, President of Huawei's Institute of Strategic Research, said that "everything we imagine today is very likely to be too conservative – too little – for tomorrow. We have to meet the future with bold hypotheses and a bold vision, and throw caution to the wind as we push to break through bottlenecks in theory and technology. This is the only way forward."

Here in the Philippines, Huawei also had several programs for cultivating the local ICT talents, such as ICT Academy, Seeds for the Future, covered the Philippines for years, benefited over 9000 ICT students, according to Daniel Guo, the Vice President of Huawei Philippines.

In the event, Dr. Zhou outlined ten challenges that Huawei hopes to address moving forward.

Two scientific questions:

• How do machines perceive the world, and can we build models that teach machines how to understand the world?

• How can we better understand the physiological mechanisms of the human body, including how the eight systems of the body work, as well as human intent and intelligence?

Eight tech challenges:

• New sensing and control capabilities, e.g., brain-computer interfaces, muscle-computer interfaces, 3D displays, virtual touch, virtual smell, and virtual tast

• Real-time, unobtrusive blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart monitoring, and strong AI-assisted discoveries in chemical pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and vaccines

• Application-centric, efficient, automated, and intelligent software for greater value and better experience

• Reaching and circumventing Shannon's limit to enable efficient, high-performance connectivity both regionally and globally

• Adaptive and efficient computing models, non-Von Neumann architectures, unconventional components, and explainable and debuggable AI

• Inventing new molecules, catalysts, and components with intelligent computing

• Developing new processes that surpass CMOS, cost less, and are more efficient

• Safe, efficient energy conversion and storage, as well as on-demand service

Feel safer for longer with the new Nokia G21

Tweet

Offering the most security updates at its affordable price point, the latest G-series phone also comes with unrivalled three-day battery life

Pair Nokia mobile with the newest additions to Nokia earbuds and headphones lineup

• Love it: three-day battery life and improved performance
• Trust it: twice as many security updates as competition[i]
• Keep it: brand new design with legacy durability and freshness for years thanks to regular updates

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces the newest member of the G-series family, the Nokia G21. Challenging affordable smartphones, it comes with an impressive three-day battery life and 50 percent[ii] better display refresh for an extra smooth experience.

Sancho Chak, general manager for Philippines, Hong Kong and Thailand, HMD Global:

“Our mission from day one has been to make quality mobile technology accessible to everyone around the world. Since we introduced the G-series globally and in the Philippines last year, we’ve enhanced each new addition that has followed in every way[iii] - the Nokia G21 encompasses all our hard work. And not only today, but for years to come thanks to our regular software updates and quality materials. We believe in connecting the world without costing the earth. We want to empower Filipinos to feel good about keeping their smartphone for longer and combat the upgrade culture so we can all reduce our carbon footprint.”

 

Unrivalled protection for mobile technology that lasts for longer

Three years of monthly security updates and offering more updates than most smartphones in this price range means the Nokia G21 will work seamlessly in the background to protect users, so they can go about the day worry-free.

 

Introducing Mask mode to affordable smartphones – available for the first time on the Nokia G21, it ensures the convenience of face unlock is never disrupted – keep user data safe with or without a protective face mask. The device is also ready for Android 12^TM, so users may always have access to the latest features and have a smartphone that can be kept for longer.[iv]

Supported by industry-leading partners for best-in-class experiences, the Nokia G21 comes pre-loaded with Spotify and ExpressVPN. Spotify will give Nokia smartphone owners access to 70 million tracks and 3.2 million podcasts out of the box.[v]  For enhanced privacy and added peace of mind, ExpressVPN will be available on all new Nokia smartphones with a 30-day free trial.[vi]

 

A smartphone that gives users freedom to do more

Channelling the Nokia feature phone legacy to the world of smartphones, the Nokia G21 makes battery life, a common pain point for consumers, a thing of the past.[vii] With unmatched three-day battery life,[viii] users can go on a full weekend getaway without a charger. Fans can turn on the all-new bespoke Super Battery Saver mode to make the phone last even longer[ix] – available exclusively on selected Nokia phones. Users can even choose where exactly the energy savings are made, so they can still access key features that are needed. The Nokia G21 allows this feature to be switched on at 20 percent, rather than waiting until the battery dips down to 10 percent, as per the standard Android solution, enabling users to prolong it even further. When the time to fuel up arrives, 18W fast charging ensures users won’t have to wait long to get going again.

 Fast response for increased productivity and immersive entertainment

Unlocking the power of 90Hz for the first time in G-series, the improved refresh rate makes scrolling and typing even more fluid, and photos look smoother. From reading the news to drafting emails, the improved response to touch brings an even more seamless experience. For the first time, users can now stream Netflix in HD making for optimum streaming of all the fan favourite movies and TV shows on-the-go on the Nokia G21. 

 

Breathtaking photography

Delivering beautiful detail even in low light, the Nokia G21 has 50MP triple-lens camera that fully equips anyone to create professional-looking photography. On the front is the AI smarts to ensure that evening selfies will have just the right amount of light and clarity.

 

New design, same Finnish durability

Introducing an all-new design, the Nokia G21 is thinner and more ergonomic. Made from tough polycarbonate, the new design honours the durability and Nordic excellence one can expect from a Nokia phone whilst bringing a refreshed look to the range. For extra peace of mind, the Nokia G21 Clear Case will show off the phone’s beauty. It is made from 100 percent recycled materials and can also be recycled after use.

Find comfort and clarity with latest Nokia accessories lineup

HMD Global brings five new accessories to Filipino fans to perfectly match their Nokia devices – the Nokia Comfort Earbuds Pro, Nokia Clarity Earbuds+, Nokia Wired and Wireless Headphones and Nokia Go Earbuds² Pro.

 

Nokia Comfort Earbuds Pro

Championing in-ear comfort and noise cancellation, this new accessory sports ANC noise cancellation technology and provides up to seven hours of noise-cancelled playback time on one charge. Made with natural ergonomic design and unique comfort ring, the Nokia Comfort Earbuds Pro lets users enjoy superbly balanced sound reproduction.

 

Nokia Clarity Earbuds+

For quality sound, longer playback and zero interruptions, the Nokia Clarity Earbuds+ come with dual mic ENC Technology and an Active Noise Cancellation mode to keep background sound to a minimum. Its 13mm device driver delivers superior balanced sound quality, plus users can enjoy up to 20 hours of playback and its super-light design built for comfort.

 

Nokia Wired and Wireless Headphones

Both the Nokia Wired and Wireless Headphones are for fans who enjoy big bass with a comfortable fit. Users can enjoy the pumping bass and powerful sound through the accessories’ lightweight foldable design and comfortable cushions. Moreover, the Nokia Wireless Headphones is capable of delivering up to 60 hours of playback. Perfect companions for listening while on the move.

 

Nokia Go Earbuds² Pro

Letting users immerse in rich bass and balanced sound, the Nokia Go Earbuds² Pro have a balanced 10 mm drivers to get the most out of one’s music. Its environmental noise cancelling feature keeps the user’s voice clear and be heard more clearly on calls. The earbuds have low latency mode that lets fans stay in the zone in games and videos with less audio lag and they can keep going all day with up to 24 hours of charge case battery power. Fans can enjoy the sweat and splash resistant built that’s tough enough for rainy days and active workouts, all in a snug fit and secure design for maximized comfort. 

Pricing and availability

The Nokia G21 is now available for pre-order in Nordic Blue (navy) colour variant and in 6/128 configuration for Php 9,990. Grab yours at the Nokia mobile Shopee store.

 

The Nokia Comfort Earbuds Pro, Nokia Clarity Earbuds+, Nokia Wired and Wireless Headphones and Nokia Go Earbuds² Pro will be available soon in all Nokia mobile official stores and authorized resellers online, and physical stores nationwide.

Health experts call for review of pneumo vax strategy for greater access and protection vs leading children’s killer disease

Tweet

Medical experts led by researchers from the University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UP-CPH), the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Tropical Medicine and Public Health Regional Centre for Public Health, Hospital Administration, Environmental and Occupational Health (SEAMEO TROPMED Philippines), called for a review of the 10-year-old pneumonia vaccine strategy in order to protect children against one of the leading killer diseases for kids. The Philippines is ranked 5th worldwide in having the most number of pneumonia deaths.

In a recent forum, UP-CPH Dean and Centre Director Dr. Vicente Belizario, Jr. said that there is a need to revisit the national strategy for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and update the national formulary in the country which can affect the response to the continuing public health challenge posed by pneumonia.

“A strong national immunization program is one that is open to new scientific evidence for continuing enhancement of policy and service delivery,” he pointed out.

The highlight of the forum was the dissemination of the results of a new UP-CPH study which concluded that “a reassessment of PCV use in the National Immunization Program (NIP) with the inclusion of all three pneumonia vaccine formulations may be warranted.”

"We now have PCV choices that will provide us greater access and protection for more Filipino children. So let us have new available evidence for our health policy and decision-makers to consider when they reassess our vaccines being included in the NIP,” said research project leader and UP-CPH Department of Medical Microbiology Assistant Professor and Chair, Dr. Maria Margarita Lota.

Health experts representing the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, and the Vaccine Solidarity Movement joined the forum where considerations for all three WHO recommended PCV vaccines were proposed for the NIP based on current evidence.

The University of the Philippines College of Public Health (UP CPH) recently held the webinar “Opportunities to Access Pneumococcal Vaccine in the Philippines” on creating greater Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) coverage for the country. Upper row, from left: Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director, Philippine Foundation for Vaccination and Convenor of the Vaccine Solidarity Movement; Dr. Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr., Dean and Centre Director, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila, SEAMEO TROPMED; and Dr. Maria Rosario Z. Capeding, Pediatrician, Infectious Disease Specialist, Asian Hospital and Medical Center. Bottom row, from left: Dr. Maria Margarita M. Lota, Project Leader, Assistant Professor and Chair, Department of Medical Microbiology, UP-CPH; and ANC anchor and event moderator Mimi Ong.

Revisiting vaccine strategy

Since 2009, vaccines have been available for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants and children from 6 weeks up to 2 years of age. However, pneumococcal pneumonia remains to be the number one cause of death in infants and young children under five, and third overall across all ages, next only to cardiac diseases and cancer. According to UNICEF, pneumonia takes one child every 39 seconds.

The three WHO-approved vaccines---PCV13 and two kinds of PCV10: PHiD-CV and SIIL-PCV--- differ in their direct protection to serotypes or variations of the bacteria. PCV13, the NIP’s current vaccine, was recommended by the Formulary Executive Council in 2014 based on the locally relevant serotypes. However, according to WHO, evidence suggests that there has been a substantial change in the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease; this provides the basis for a review of the choice of vaccine with possible consideration of the ones that offer proven direct protection against the prevailing serotypes.

“Epidemiology is changing all the time,” said Dr. Rose Capeding, Pediatrician and Infectious Disease Specialist at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center. Her presentation included epidemiological data showing that in 2020, 100 serotypes of the bacteria that cause pneumococcal pneumonia have been identified.

The value of direct protection

The study added that direct protection is better than cross-protection, which is offered by a vaccine to serotypes of the same species but with minor differences in their genetic makeup. “Direct protection against current pneumococcal serotypes is more effective than cross-protection, and WHO recommends direct inclusion of specific serotypes for vaccines in certain settings,” said Lota.

The study also considers the economics of PCVs, citing the “potential savings from using a new and possibly more cost-effective formulation, the cost of averting resistant serotypes, and the availability of a new PCV with a different but comparable serotype coverage and lowest vaccine price.”

“Knowing all the evidence for the three PCVs, we can see that they are comparable. This means that we can now include these three choices so we can have greater access and availability for the NIP as well as for the private sector,” said Lota.

The UP-CPH study recommended that the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), the DOH’s independent advisory board on funding health interventions and technologies, may consider doing its own survey. It cited as reasons “new formulations with a lower vaccine price and a different rate of reduction in the number of cases and deaths averted.”

Global parity

Ultimately, the accessibility of all three WHO-approved PCVs in the country and the advantages they bring can elevate the healthcare system in the Philippines to be at par with other GAVI-vetted countries that have all three WHO-approved vaccines in their national formularies.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination and Convenor of the Vaccine Solidarity Movement, emphasized the importance of immunization: “Prevention tops everything else. If you prevent disease, you will prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed. Immunization is at the core of disease prevention. If we focus more on primary healthcare which includes vaccines, we can prevent diseases. We start at the pediatric level,” she said.

Earlier, Congress signed House Resolution (HR) 2492 which called for an investigation of pneumonia vaccines in the country and the economic implications of using only PCV13, when a less expensive option, PCV10 with two formularies, is also available. The WHO had declared that both PCV 10 and PCV 13 are at parity and not inferior to each other. However, to date, only PCV13 is currently available in the Philippine National Immunization Program.