September 2022

PHILIPPINES (September 5, 2022) — Wargaming, publisher and developer of the naval multiplayer free-to-play game World of Warships, is launching World of Warships: Legends for Android and iOS in Philippines and Canada, where players will be able to experience the full spectrum of naval exploits available in the console game, using their smartphones and tablets.

 

 

A sea of opportunities

 

Helm destroyers, cruisers and battleships and enjoy all sides of World of Warships: Legends, including campaigns, seasonal modes, whole national fleets, and commanders, all in the palm of your hand! This September update will also feature both console and mobile players meeting together in Ranked battles for the first time. Help or defeat each other on the battlefield no matter what device you have!

In order to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the area for its second iteration of the Shopee University Roadshow and Shopee Kumustahan, which is motivated by its mission to make e-commerce accessible to everyone, Shopee collaborates with local government units (LGUs) in Cebu. These two events gave MSMEs information on how to launch their e-commerce ventures and expand their enterprises online.

Through its partnership with the cities of Mandaue, Cebu, Talisay, and Lapu-Lapu, Shopee aims to reach more Filipinos across the Philippines, and make the online selling and shopping experience easier, more convenient, and more seamless for everyone. As part of its efforts to push this objective forward, Shopee has also established more Shopee Xpress hubs within the region to expand its serviceable areas and provide local sellers with opportunities to reach more buyers nationwide.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said “We are grateful for our partnership with Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City, and Cebu City that has enabled us to reach even more MSMEs across the Philippines. Through more partnerships and hub expansions, we will continue to help digitize even more Cebuano MSMEs through more iterations of the Shopee University Roadshow and Shopee Kumustahan. We are committed to supporting local MSMEs as they bring their businesses online, wherever they may be.”

Shopee Philippines Seller Communications and Education Lead Mia Mendoza, Shopee Philippines Seller Coach Mik Baluyot, Ithra Jewelry shop owner Hilaire Labalan, and BigGrocer Food & Grocery shop owner Azela Jane Taladua at the Shopee Kumustahan event in Cebu 

The Shopee University Roadshow is a masterclass that educates MSMEs nationwide on how to drive their businesses forward through e-commerce and onboard into Shopee. By equipping them with the right tools and knowledge, MSMEs learn how to generate more sales and grow their buyer base. To help sellers learn through mutual sharing of experiences, the Shopee Kumustahan engages Shopee sellers in a casual gathering for them to exchange personal insights, advice, and best practices. Through these seller-focused events, Shopee strengthens its commitment to support MSMEs and digitize all kinds of businesses in the most seamless way possible.

If you’re looking to grow your business online, Shopee invites you to start your online selling journey with them today. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Imagine that your favorite or go-to appliance at home goes above and beyond your expectations. As a result of the pandemic’s present issues, more individuals are interested in functional products that offer excellent value for money. Sharp strives to make products that not only fulfills their intended function but also provide customers with an outstanding experience that oozes quality, dependability, and durable goods. 

Sharp is widely recognized for producing high-quality products that meet or exceed expectations. Among these are its cutting-edge small appliances, which are created to offer more than just the norm with their numerous functions, ensuring that each customer’s time and value for money are maximized. With so many different types of appliances in the market, the following products deserve some attention, especially in the age of the new normal. 

Customers seek goods that will benefit them in several ways as household demand increases. You don’t have to worry about maximizing space at home with these value for money Sharp products because of its multifunctional use and ideally suit all types of lifestyles. 

1. Apple Rice Cooker – KS-P8MF-WH/GR (SRP P1,998)

This distinctive rice cooker in the shape of an apple is a really useful find because it not only gives you the best cooked warm rice, but also has a cute design that will look great in your fashionable home. There are two colors available: White and Green. It has a 0.7-liter capacity, which is enough to cook up to 4 cups of rice. It also contains 1.5 mm Inner Pot with nonstick coating that makes cooking, and cleaning simple. This unique one-push pot may keep food warm longer and reduce food spoiling. Additionally, it keeps rice warm for up to 12 hours, making it the ideal option. This product is a solid investment because it offers a variety of cooking options, including the ability to steam vegetables and cook rice. You can also use it to create the best homemade soups and veggie dishes. 

2. Microwave Oven with Grill – R-61E(S) 20 L Capacity (SRP P4,198)

This innovative Sharp product is unquestionably essential! Did you know that microwave oven can be used for more than just reheating food? They are also ideal for quick cooking. With its cooking, re-heating, and grilling features, this microwave oven gives you the best of both worlds. Sharp’s microwave oven contains everything you require, so you don’t have to worry about using numerous appliances at once. Additionally, it has a stylish top swing handle that makes opening the door simpler. Also, it has a 2-way defrost mode that gives you the choice of appropriate defrosting by weight or time. Furthermore, it has a child lock safety feature for unattended use by kids at home. 

3. Minibar (Personal Refrigerator) – SJ-PL05AS-GY 1.7 cu.ft (SRP P7,598)/ SJ-PL10AS-GY 3.5 cu.ft (SRP P9,598)

Owning a refrigerator of your own will help you make the most of your space. You can store your beauty products and other items in addition to your personal food and drinks. Its small size makes it simple to set up in bedrooms or even hotel rooms. The condenser coil is covered and shielded from dirt thanks to its clean back design, which increases its usability. Additionally, it uses R600a refrigerant, which makes it safer for the environment, and includes adjustable feet to help level the unit on the ground. A bigger storage capacity of 3.5 cu.ft is also offered for the product. 

4. Chest Type Freezer – FRV-152 5.3 cu.ft (SRP 13,998) / FRV-212 7.5 cu.ft (SRP 15,998) / FRV-102 3.6 cu.ft (SRP 12,498)

Sharp’s versatile chest freezer will undoubtedly make life simpler and easier for you. Maintaining the freshness of vast quantities of food and other products while storing them will no longer be a challenge. This freezer serves two purposes: it may be used to store food for your own requirements while also meeting the demands of your small business. Depending on your demands, it features dual function that can be changed from a chiller to a freezer. Also, quick freezing reduces the time required for freezing by maintaining the freezer’s interior temperature between -24 and -28 degrees Celsius. Plus, it has a caster wheel function for improved movement and an inner liner made of aluminum for quick and even temperature distribution inside the compartment. There are also 3.6 cu.ft. and 7.5 cu.ft. versions of this appliance. 

Sharp continually seeks to improve the lives of the Filipino family with its useful products. These well-hyped products will undoubtedly make the most of out of the space in your home and serve as your constant, dependable partner in creating a comfortable environment. Sharp will continue to innovate and create high-quality goods for its customers everywhere. 

The mentioned models are now available at leading stores nationwide including Official Sharp Flagship Store on Lazada and Shopee. For more information, please visit https://ph.sharp/.

Ex-lovers Bea Lorenzo and Paolo Benjamin star as a couple enduring the harrowing process of a breakup in the music video of Ben&Ben’s international single “The Ones We Once Loved.”

Based on the former couple’s real-life story, the visuals take an intimate look at how healing starts with owning up to one’s mistakes, apologizing for the pain committed during the relationship, and taking steps to forgive yourself in order to completely move on.

“We recognize that it is quite rare to attain the kind of closure that Pao and Bea have, and much more so create a piece of art that gives respect and honor to the relationship that has passed,” shares Ben&Ben in a statement. “Everyone in the team really gave it their best to amplify that message to all who watch the MV: that closure, even if it is a painful process, is cathartic.”

The MV follows the journey of acclaimed singer-songwriter and artist Bea Lorenzo and ex-boyfriend Paolo Benjamin as they navigate the ups and downs of a relationship, part ways to restore the sense of self, and let go of any resentment and anger towards each other with newfound learnings in life and love.

With the storytelling coming from a place of unapologetic poignancy, music video director Niq Ablao values the message of the song, particularly the importance of “making amends with one’s self, and the person on the other end of the grieving process.”


Ablao has been a long-time collaborator of the band, having directed the MV of “Paninindigan Kita,” which stars Ben&Ben’s very own Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma, and “Upuan,” which features Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. “She is one of the most accommodating, and kind directors we’ve worked with,” Ben&Ben adds. “We admire her gift for capturing the nuances of human emotion on film.”

“The Ones We Once Loved” serves as Ben&Ben’s official single in support of their Philippine send-off concert and North America/Canada Tour in 2022. Released last week, the song has already racked up more than 3 million streams on Spotify and YouTube combined.

Ben&Ben’s “The Ones We Once Loved” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. 

Return to the plane where it all began for the first chapter of Magic: The Gathering’s new multi-set saga called Dominaria United!

Wizards of the Coast will be releasing Dominaria United, the latest set for the world’s best trading card game, Magic: The Gathering (MTG), for tabletop on 9 September. The first of a multi-set storyline taking place within Magic’s original plane, Dominaria, the new set foreshadows a climactic showdown of heroes and villains in a world on the brink of invasion. The set, coinciding with the launch of MTG’s 30th Anniversary celebration, contains 281 cards.

 

Exclusively for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, players who pre-order at least PHP5600[1] on Dominaria United products can receive a limited-edition Token collectable. The token is the first of a three-part series set, with varied transparency, and the full series will form a battlefield mural. Each customer will be entitled to one token only. More details will be available on Magic: The Gathering’s Facebook page.

An apocalyptic threat stirs within Dominaria, and an ancient yet familiar enemy has at last revealed itself. Led by the Praetor Sheoldred, the Phyrexian army is hellbent on invasion after many years in the shadows. With the return of fan-favourite Planeswalkers Karn, Ajani Goldmane, Liliana Vess and Jaya Ballard, Dominaria United sees the beginning of an insidious invasion which threatens not just the destruction of Dominaria, but the entire Multiverse.



Significant not only for its world-defining story arc, Dominaria United also kicks off MTG’s 30th Anniversary celebrations. Starting from Dominaria United and continuing through to the next eight Standard set releases, Wizards Play Network (WPN) stores will receive 3-4 foil retro-frame promos showcasing classic cards from throughout MTG’s history. These can only be received by players who attend Prerelease events.

Dominaria United will also continue a fun way to experience Magic with the return of set integrated Jumpstart booster packs. Suited to both newcomers and veterans looking to play matches on the go, Jumpstart is an exciting method of quick deck building designed to get players casting spells from the moment they open their boosters. Each pack, showcasing 10 unique themes from Dominaria’s world, will contain 20 cards that can be combined with any second Jumpstart booster for a rapid, limited-lite format of play.

The celebrations don’t end there. A treat awaits players who score themselves Dominaria United’s collector boosters with Lost Legends: a throwback to Magic’s origins where cards pulled directly from the 1994 ‘Legends’ set can be opened. Over 240 cards of any rarity are up for grabs from Legends, from Elder Dragon Nicol Bolas to the classic Moat.

Magic’s original fantasy setting will additionally be showcased with stunning Stained Glass Full Art Lands, Legendary creatures, Planeswalkers, and frightful Phyrexian cards. Each will be available in foil and non-foil treatment within Set, Draft, and Collector Booster packs.



Dominaria United will be available as Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Jumpstart Boosters, Commander decks and Bundles.

P-Pop Kings SB19 make a spectacular entrance with the release of their eagerly awaited single, “WYAT [Where You At].” Produced by SB19’s very own Pablo and his real-life brother Josue, the catchy new track delivers another show-stopping moment that cuts across boundaries and generations.


According to the Billboard chart-topping quintet, “WYAT” is a song that chronicles the reconnection of a bond after a very challenging phase in life. “We’ve been performing for almost half of our lives together, and due to the pandemic, our world was suddenly put on hold,” shares Pablo. “I felt a disconnection among the group brought about by the lockdown, and I’ve wanted to reach out to them through this song.”


Propelling their artistry forward with a masterful blend of disco, electronic, and pop music, the five-member hitmaker sets the tone for a new era by incorporating the elements of the past with accessibility that is relatable to the present time. As Josh puts it, “Our team often tries to do something different from what we’ve done before; we’re always evolving.”


“WYAT” first made rounds during SB19’s sold-out online concert Our Zone last year, and was re-recorded at Pablo’s studio for a fuller, more polished touch. It marks their first official release after being on a hiatus since launching their 2021 EP, Pagsibol.


The infectious bop is accompanied by the release of a music video that is built around the themes of time travel and connection. Joyriding through history with shiny, retro-spiked colors and exciting visuals, the MV stays true to the vision of the song—thanks to Justin de Dios’ creative direction and the group’s collaborative contribution to the brainstorming process.


“Everything we put out is connected,” Justin says. “It all started from the teaser during the present day then we went back to the past, from the 50s (diner) to 70s (roller disco) to the 90s (arcade) and back to the present.”

SB19 ‘WYAT’ cover art

To mark the arrival of “WYAT,” the Filipino pop phenoms are set to embark on their biggest local and international tour to date. WYAT [Where You At] Tour kicks off on Sept. 17 at the Araneta Coliseum, to be followed by a series of shows in Clark, Cebu, Davao and more.


In the following months, the tour extends globally as SB19 heads to multiple countries – US, UAE, and Singapore to name a few. International A’TIN can expect SB19 to drop by their city starting October 2022.


For more information about SB19’s series of shows, check out the updates on their social media accounts.


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SB19Official
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SB19Official
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/SB19OfficialYT


SB19’s “WYAT” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video here.

From September 1 to 8, visit OPPO Brand Stores, authorized dealers, OPPO Official Stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop to pre-order the newest Portrait Expert and get incredible freebies

This is not a drill! The moment you have been waiting for has finally arrived. From September 1 to 8, pre-order the all-new OPPO Reno8 Series 5G via OPPO Brand Stores, partner dealers, and OPPO Official Stores on leading e-commerce sites to be among the first to experience the ultra-clear night in portrait.

Get awesome freebies when you pre-order now!

Retailing at PhP 27,999 for the OPPO Reno8 5G and PhP 19,999 for the OPPO Reno8 Z 5G, respectively, the newest Portrait Expert comes with exciting freebies. 

If you order through OPPO Brand Stores and OPPO Official Stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop, you can take advantage of the free OPPO Enco Buds with the OPPO Reno8 Series 5G. Shopee and Lazada shoppers can also gain a raffle entry to get a chance to win an OPPO Pad Air. 

Meanwhile, a free ES300/350 Robot Vacuum plus a PhP 300 Sodexo voucher await those who will pre-order the all-new Portrait Expert via Globe. The OPPO Reno8 5G is available in Plan 1999 with free cashout, and the OPPO Reno8 Z 5G is available for Plan 1799 with free cashout.

If you are pre-ordering through Smart, you can avail of the OPPO Reno8 5G in Plan 1499 with PhP 2110 Cashout and free OPPO Enco Buds. The OPPO Reno8 Z 5G is also available in Plan 999 plus PhP 2500 Cashout and a free IPEGA game grip.

For OPPO Brand Store orders, you can use Home Credit as the payment method, payable for up to 18 months. You can get the OPPO Reno8 5G for as low as PhP 1,088 per month and the OPPO Reno8 Z 5G for a minimum of PhP 777 each month.

If you use your credit card, the Portrait Expert is available in 6 /12 months installments with zero percent interest.

Experience ultra clear night in portrait 

Dubbed the Portrait Expert, OPPO built the Reno8 Series 5G with a flagship portrait system and other innovative flagship-grade features, that can enable users to capture their best moments from day till night. 

It boasts of its dual Sony Flagship sensors, enabling you to capture the ultra-clear night in portrait. It includes a Sony IMX709 32MP sensor in its front camera and a Sony IMX766 50MP sensor in its rear camera.

These are supported by advanced imaging features, such as Ultra Night Video for high-quality images in dark environments, Ultra Night Portrait for quick and continuous night picture taking, and Portrait Mode to capture images with bokeh flare effects.

Aside from its flagship cameras, the OPPO Reno8 5G also carries a 4500mAh battery, equipped with 80W SUPERVOOC super fast-charging technology. 0- 100% in about 28 mins. It is built with MediaTek Dimensity 1300 5G 6nm chip octa-core, complemented by 8GB of RAM, 256GB of ROM, and an operating system of ColorOS 12.1.

As it showcases a streamlined unibody design, it is available in two stunning colors: Shimmer Gold and Shimmer Black.

Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno8 Z 5G features a 16MP front camera and a 64MP AI Triple Rear Camera. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Mobile Platform, integrated with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of ROM. As it leverages a 4500mAh battery supported by 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging technology, it adopts an ultra-slim body design with two striking colors: Dawnlight Gold and Starlight Black.

For updates and detailed pre-order offers of the OPPO Reno8 Series 5G, visit OPPO’s official website at https://www.oppo.com/ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines. You can also check OPPO’s official stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. 

Don’t forget to use the official hashtags when posting about this latest Portrait Expert: #OPPOReno8 #ThePortraitExpert 

Partnerships between the fintech sector and Local Government Units (LGU) and the public sector should be strengthened in order to better serve the unbanked population, ensure financial inclusion, speed up innovations, and eventually achieve economic growth.

This year’s conference with the theme “Innovative and Inclusive: The Future of Digital Financial Services” made a bigger splash this year with a hybrid set-up held at the SEDA Hotel in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and streamed simultaneously online via Zoom, with public sector partners and members of the media in attendance.

During the event, industry leaders and top government officials, led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla, gathered in one venue to share crucial insights on the future of digital financial services.

“The Philippines has made progress in digitizing retail payments while broadening financial inclusion. Recently, the BSP observed that more Filipinos are choosing to pay through digital means. In fact, the share of digital payments to total retail payment volume in the country grew from 20.1 percent in 2020 to 30.3 percent in 2021. The government continues to lead the path to digitalization with 96.7 percent of its total payment transactions and disbursements already in digital form,” Medalla said.

Given the rapid growth of digital payments and services, the conference also put a spotlight on how LGUs can integrate safe online payments into their services.

“The adoption of digital payments by the local government is, I think, really, the best way to expand the digital space in the country – where the local government really opt for e-wallets and payments in paying taxes or business registration. That’s something that LGUs can do a lot more,” Department of Trade and Industry assistant secretary Mary Jean Pacheco shared.

In her speech, GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon acknowledged that there’s still a long way to go to fully achieve financial inclusion.

“There’s still so much more we can do. We ask for your support once again as we continue to work to make a positive impact in the lives of Filipinos, especially those who need our help the most. We look to you, our partners, as we continue together onward and upward with a shared vision of a better future for Filipinos.” Sazon said.

Addressing the importance of partnerships between public and private sectors, GCash chief customer officer Winsley Bangit also said that joint effort from these sectors is crucial in its pursuit of finance for all.

“At GCash, we remain steadfast in being a partner with the central bank’s drive for financial inclusion as well as digitalization. And of course, your presence here today really shows that the partnership between private and public sectors are really important in nation building, in making sure that nobody gets left behind, especially sa economic recovery ng ating bansa. More and more Filipinos are realizing the benefits of digital payments, specifically 66 million Filipinos or around 4 out of 5 adults now put their trust in GCash”, Bangit said.

While more and more Filipinos are becoming more receptive to digital financial services, GCash also takes this as an opportunity to continue improving and innovating its services. For instance, beyond convenient digital payment options, GCash also offers millions of Filipinos a wide range of financial services from insurance to investment, and loans, and lifestyle needs with GInsure, GInvest, GLoan, GGives, GLife, and so much more.

In terms of reaching more communities, including micro, small, and medium enterprises, tricycle drivers, and market vendors which have a big contribution to the acceleration of economic growth of the country, GCash also helps in easy access to cashless payments through the promotion of the government’s Paleng-QR Ph initiative.

Through continuous collaboration with LGUs and the public sector, GCash remains firm in its mission of making financial inclusion a reality for all Filipinos – building a reliable digital ecosystem that fosters sustainable economic growth.

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

 BPI Direct BanKo Financial Inclusion and Microfinance Head Rodolfo Mabiasen, Jr., BPI Direct BanKo President Jerome Minglana, Philippine Trade Training Center Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera, and BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the BPI SEAL-SEGA program during its launch at the PTTC Building in Pasay City.

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), sealed a partnership with BPI Direct BanKo, the microfinance arm of BPI, the Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA), and the Department of Trade and Industry – Regional Operation Group (DTI-ROG) to empower micro and small enterprises (MSEs) through its Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab – Business Expansion thru Training and Application or SEAL-BETA program.

BPI SEAL-BETA is a comprehensive integrated training program designed exclusively for qualified micro and small enterprises affected by the pandemic that seek to rebuild and expand their businesses. It aims to equip MSEs with a resilient outlook on business, and to assist entrepreneurs in creating their sustainability plans and in rebuilding and expanding their businesses through access to loans from BPI Direct BanKo.

In 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that 99.51% of all businesses across the country belong to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. Micro enterprises account for 88.77% or 850,127 of the total MSMEs.

The representatives of BPI Foundation, BPI Direct BanKo, and PTTC together with the micro enterprises present during the launch of SEAL-SEGA.

For this pilot run, SEAL-BETA will focus on micro enterprises located in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Eastern Visayas, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the National Capital Region (NCR). “Micro and small enterprises play a crucial role in our country’s economic development”, said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo. “With the recent resumption of economic activities, it is our social responsibility to provide support to the ailing MSME sector. The BPI SEAL-BETA program aims to capacitate and help qualified micro and small enterprises expand and grow their businesses amid this ongoing pandemic.”

According to DTI-PTTC Executive Director Nelly Nita N. Dillera, this partnership is among DTI’s initiatives to design programs that will help micro enterprises survive the pandemic and support them to thrive during these challenging times. “Skills shift is not a challenge but it should be seen as an opportunity,” she said.

Ensuring that micro enterprises will be financially capable, BPI Direct BanKo is committed to providing easy, convenient, and affordable loans to fund their operations and help them grow their business.

“Ang access to finance ay kadalasang hindi available para sa mga maliliit na negosyante. Kaya nais naming ipaalam sa mga micro entrepreneurs na nandito ang BanKo, ang micro-finance arm ng BPI, at meron na kayong ka-partner sa pagkuha at pag-access sa dagdag na kapital para sa inyong negosyo, (Access to finance is often not available for micro entrepreneurs. We want to inform you that BanKo, the micro-finance arm of BPI, is here, and that you now have a partner in accessing additional capital for your business,)” said BPI Direct BanKo Financial Inclusion and Microfinance Head Rodolfo Mabiasen, Jr.

There will be 250 MEs who will participate in the 8-week boot camp. They will then showcase their plans through a business pitch to an esteemed panel of judges. All qualified MEs may avail of a loan from BPI Direct BanKo.

The business challenge is open to micro entrepreneurs who are 25 years old and above, and whose enterprise’s asset size is Php3 million and below. Meanwhile, the training will start on September 7, 2022.

To know more about the SEAL-SEGA program, visit https://bpifoundation.org/page/bpi-seal- beta and follow BPI Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.