Grab the best deals on Shopee’s Shake & Win TV Special on GMA’s Wowowin and Eat Bulaga this coming July 6 and 7. In addition to that, users can enjoy offers such as low-priced deals, free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend for featured stores, up to 90% off on selected products, and cash prizes:
In this time of pandemic, parents are looking at homeschooling as a learning option.
This July, learn about the WORLD’s FIRST EVER BlendFlex and TripTeach program!
Join Ms. Rossana Llenado, Founder and President of Ahead Education, and her team as they talk about how it can help you and your children face real-world challenges using the best attributes of traditional education, progressive learning, and homeschooling.
TripTeach is a learning approach that combines the structure of traditional education, the synergies of progressive learning, and the commitment of homeschooling.
From left to right: RCBC President Eugene Aceveda, Deparmtnet of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista, Land Bank of the Philippines President Cecilia Borromeo, Union Bank President Edwin R. Bautista, and Robinsons Bank President Elfren Antonio S. Sarte
Robinsons Bank joins six (6) other financial service providers (FSPs) in enabling cash assistance to reach Filipino families in a more efficient and expedient manner as the second tranche of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) subsidy is targeted to cater to approximately 12 million Filipino families.
With its nationwide presence and experience in commercial roll out Robinsons Bank, together with other FSPs was deemed compliant to partner with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the electronic disbursement of the SAP subsidy through e-wallets and online banking.
According to DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao, the electronic disbursement of the second tranche of the SAP subsidy is expected to start in the coming weeks.
RBank is taking adequate steps to ensure cash availability throughout the SAP disbursement period.
Beneficiaries who will be claiming their cash subsidies through Robinsons Bank can do so through any RBank ATMs or over-the-counter transaction in any RBank branch or from its subsidiary, Legazpi Savings.
Designated tellers and ATMs are allocated for the disbursement to avoid disruption of regular banking services. Longer queues and waiting time are expected during the payout period.
The shift to a digitized disbursement of the SAP subsidy aims to speed up the distribution to the beneficiaries. Additionally, the digitized payout is expected to better comply with health protocols to ensure the safety of Filipinos who will be receiving the payout.
The Bank will be catering to unbanked beneficiaries with almost 53% of them coming from the National Capital Region (NCR), and at least 41% of the beneficiaries coming from the Albay province.
Recognized as the Fastest Growing Commercial Bank in the Philippines for 2020, Robinsons Bank is the financial services arm of the JG Summit Group of Companies, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. It currently ranks 18th among universal and commercial banks in the country, with assets amounting to Php 131.088 Bn as of December 2019.
For inquiries and concerns, you may reach Robinsons Bank through its Customer Care Center at (02) 8637-CARE (2273) or domestic toll-free 1-800-10-637-CARE (2273); or visit its website at www.robinsonsbank.com.ph. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/robinsonsbank. Stay updated and join RBank’s Viber Community at https://bit.ly/RBankCommunity to know the latest announcements.
Pexels shows photos of families with straight couples, same sex couples, and interracial couples when you search for the term ‘family’
Pexels’ algorithm update gives LGBTQ+ couples equal presence, another step in strengthening its overall quest to improve representation for marginalized communities
Pexels, the multimedia library dedicated to sharing diverse, free stock photos and videos, announced that it has made a major update to its algorithm to increase visibility of content that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. This announcement follows Pexels’ previous partnership with Nappy in March of 2018 to highlight photos representative of diverse cultures and races. A company that values inclusivity at its core, Pexels has been on a mission to improve its search results to provide more well-rounded offerings since it launched in 2014 and was later acquired by Canva in 2018. Now, in light of Pride month, Pexels is permanently adjusting its algorithm for all relationship-based search keywords to deliver more diversity across genders and sexualities, giving presence to all types of relationships.
Searching for the term ‘couple’ on Pexels returns images representing all races,
genders and identities
Pexels sets itself apart from its competitors with its artful, high-quality and curated library that offers over two million photos and videos for free. Additionally, Pexels’ library is the first truly inclusive collection focused on diversity across cultures, ethnicities and genders. While other stock photo sites do have images to reflect diversity, these do not naturally surface in the search results.
To find these photos, users must use search terms that clearly indicate whether they want a photo of a straight or a same-sex couple. Pexels’ algorithm update is focused on inclusivity and prioritizing LGBTQ+ imagery, democratizing all images, not requiring a user to delineate between same sex or other descriptors. Search terms like ‘couple’ or ‘holding hands,’ that typically only return images of heterosexual couples, now yield photos representing all races, genders and identities, increasing visibility and encouraging mainstream use. In a space that is crowded with cisgender, heteronormative, and white-washed content, Pexels continues be a pioneer in supporting underrepresented communities. The company hopes to empower its own community to tell better stories and inspire other stock photo sites to do the same.
“As one of the premier free photo and video libraries, we understand the power a photo or video can have,” said Monica Silvestre, Head of Community at Pexels. “Media has the power to make or break ideologies, challenge the status quo and humanize experiences. Images fuel stories and create movements, and it’s our responsibility as a global platform to act as a force for good; a force that helps power progress. This is why we’re improving our learning algorithm. The next time someone searches for “couple” or “love” they will find refreshing content that reflects life as it really is around us—straight couples, same sex couples, interracial couples, non-binary folks and more.”
In addition to the algorithm update, Pexels has amped up its efforts to partner with creators and companies that prioritize images and videos that challenge relationship norms and offer LGBTQ+ perspectives. The team will continue to adjust how its algorithm learns, making it intentionally calculate equal representation in order to offer its users choices they might not have previously considered. Pexels also employs a team of curators to specifically view, tag and boost submitted images to ensure the highest level of diversity and equality across the platform. Pexels encourages all photographers and creators to upload their LGBTQ+ photography to the platform.
For more information about Pexels, please visitpexels.com.
MANILA, Philippines, July 2, 2020 — The start of the schoolyear in the Philippines is an event that parents and their school-age kids await with plenty of excitement and bits of anxiety. This year, however, with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) still lurking in our midst, apprehension overshadows anticipation.
Blended/Distance learning was proposed by the Department of Education (DepEd) as an alternative to the traditional face-to-face classes in a physical school. An educational strategy that enables students to attend learning sessions in the safety of their homes, the Blended/Distance learning can be managed through printed modules being delivered to the homes of students or picked up by their parents; online learning resources such as the DepEd Commons; and television or radio-based instruction.
To prepare for the coming schoolyear, Teacher Eric Lasam has been working from home since the first day of June. He is studying a module that contains sample activities such as powerpoint presentation, videos, simulations and other online teaching strategies.
“We are preparing for the modular instruction as well as online classes for the blended learning approach,” said the affable MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health) teacher.
For the modular approach, teachers will be formulating lessons that contain activities and review questions for students.
The public high school is currently conducting a survey among parents and students on their learning preferences – the choices being online, modular, radio, and tv.
Teacher Eric’s 17 years stint in the noblest profession has acquainted him with the tough lives that most public school students endure which underscore the need to take a flexible approach to learning under COVID conditions. “For example, not all students have their own gadgets nor an internet connection at home, how can they learn properly if we hold our classes online?”
Like other schools in the country, they have adopted the non-face-to-face interaction. Enrollment, he said, is conducted online, but parents have the option of sending their children’s required documents through a drop box located at the school’s guard station. Last March, when the ECQ was ongoing, students graduated through online ceremonies via the school’s Facebook page.
In elementary school, Teacher Helen Dichoso related that they too are actively preparing for blended/distance learning: “We are devising modules and worksheets for every subject area, while also getting ready for the online strategy.”
She said enrollment is likewise held online but parents have to fill up a form that they return through a designated dropbox.
In the public school where she teaches, parents and their children are also asked to choose in a survey whether they prefer modular, online, radio or tv type of instruction. For Teacher Helen, who teaches Technology and Livelihood Education at Grade 6, the modular approach might be more doable because many students do not have gadgets nor an internet connection in their homes.
To provide a more meaningful learning and teaching experience for dedicated teachers like Helen and Eric and their students amid the challenges of the current crisis, leading telco and digital services provider PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications are working with the DepEd to support its blended learning strategy. The two companies are focusing their efforts on improving the digital tools and solutions for the education system in the country.
According to PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan, “We are part of the technical working group of the DepEd, working on digitalizing the education ecosystem.”
PLDT has recommended a broad range of digital solutions to the DepEd. These include learning management systems, digital infrastructure and connectivities, wireless and fiber plans, and digital devices for the 1.2 million teachers and 32 million students in the country.
It has also proposed the use of the satellite broadcasting systems of Cignal for use in blended or distance learning.
To complement these technology solutions, Smart has offered to help teachers in using an innovative learning system called the Dynamic Learning Program which can be effectively used in modular, online and on-air learning settings.
“We want to ensure that no student and no teacher – public or private – is left behind,” Pangilinan said.
Together with the DepEd, PLDT-Smart is helping redefine the future of learning for Filipino schoolchildren nationwide. You may watch its latest online video here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=303047017547325
To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://beta.pldt.com/covid19/
From June 22 to July 7, users can enjoy sitewide free shipping, big discounts, and exclusive offers from premium brands
MANILA, JULY 2, 2020 – It is a grand fiesta! Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta with huge discounts and fantastic promotions. Running from June 22 to July 7, 2020, Filipinos can look out for deals such as ₱7 deals, free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend for featured stores, up to 90% off on selected products, and cash prizes.
Here are seven things to look forward at Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta:
₱1.9 million in cash prizes up for grabs on July 7 On July 7, Shopee-holics can stand a chance to win cash prizes of up to a total of ₱1.9 million. Shoppers need to tune in to the following Shopee TV specials in order to win:
Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta: Shake & Win at 11:30 AM on Shopee Live and at 12 NN at Eat Bulaga GMA
Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta: Shake & Win TV Special at 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Wowowin GMA
Free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend On July 7, users can avail of free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend all day sitewide from 12:00 AM to 2:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Shopee will also offer free shipping vouchers from the main campaign microsite which is accessible from the homepage.
Amazing ₱7 deals Shopee-holics can buy high-value products for as low as ₱7. On July 7, users can score a Nintendo Switch Labo Variety Kit Bundle, a Platinum KS-10 Plus Junior 2 Karaoke Player, and an ACE 32″ Slim LED TV for only ₱7.
Exclusive Discounts up to 90% off Users can get huge discounts on various products from categories like beauty, electronics, fashion, groceries, and health & personal care. Users can enjoy exciting discounts up to 90% for items, including a Knight Black WaterProof Sport Watch, a Transcend SD Card with 128GB of memory, a JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker, and a 33 cm-Inflatable two-ring swimming pool.
Big prizes on Shopee Candy
Filipinos can win amazing prizes when they play the new in-app game, Shopee Candy. Users can stand a chance to win Shopee coins, cashback vouchers, and exclusive rewards, including a Nextbook Flexx 11 2-in-1 laptop and a Huawei Nova 3.
Convenience and bigger savings with ShopeePay
Shopee users can enjoy greater convenience and cost savings with ShopeePay. Users can enjoy special promotions and discounted offers when they pay via ShopeePay. Shoppers can check out more of the ShopeePay deals and 7.7 promotions here (https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay).
Exciting deals and promotions from leading brands Users can look for exclusive offers and up to 90% off on products from leading brands such as Globe, Pampers, Nestle, Unilever, Maybelline, Wyeth, and The SM Store.
Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are excited to launch another campaign that lets our users shop conveniently and lets them save more. With the Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta, users can shop, play, redeem amazing rewards, and win cash prizes right in the comforts of their own homes. We understand the many challenges Filipinos face as they embrace the new normal, and we commit to provide them with bigger and better offers. Shopee will continue to innovate our platform to serve our users better and elevate the online shopping experience for all.”
The fight against COVID-19 is far from over. Until a safe and effective vaccine is found for COVID-19, Splash Corporation believes the private corporate sector should continue to help the government curb the spread of this disease and keep people safe. As part of their continuing COVID-19 initiative, Splash Corporation has been supplying medical institutions and frontliners in Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with Hygienix alcohol and Hygienix soap to ensure that their disinfectant requirements are sufficient. These donations are coursed through Splash sales personnel on the field and delivered with the help of Splash official distributors. Splash’s target is to finish delivering 80 gallons of alcohol and 5 cases of soap to each of the 40 hospitals in their list this July.
Splash Corporation also donated Hygienix alcohol and Hygienix soap to several Manila based civic organizations. Splash Corporation hopes that their donations to ABS CBN Foundation, I am Hope, Safe Shelter, and World Vision will help these organizations in their respective campaigns and programs in the fight against COVID-19.
According to Mr. Marco Nieto, Splash Corporation SVP and General Manager of Philippine Operations and International Operations, “Splash Corporation donated Hygienix alcohol and soaps to the hospitals and organizations as our way of helping prevent the spread of the virus by protecting our frontliners who are tirelessly working to save those who are afflicted by COVID-19.” The battle against the pandemic may not be over but if frontliners continue to receive the help and support they deserve from businesses and private individuals, their fight could be easier––and may soon be won.
PLDT recently turns over food supply donations to some families in Brgy. Mambaling, Cebu.
MANILA, Philippines – PLDT Inc. recently donated food supplies and vitamins to over 1,000 families in Cebu City and Malabon City adversely affected by the COVID-19 in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
“Urban poor families are some of the most vulnerable at any given time, more so in this period of uncertainty and hardship. Thank you to PLDT for choosing to allocate its Motolite PBSP Balik-Baterya funds to support our COVID-19 campaign. The provision of food packs is incredibly important in minimizing the adverse impact of job losses and suspended economic activities. Our communities are grateful for PLDT’s generosity and solidarity,” said PBSP Deputy Executive Director Elvin Ivan Y. Uy.
Families in Brgy. Mambaling, Cebu City received food packs containing vegetables, crops, onion and garlic and canned goods. Condiments, germicidal soap, as well as Cebuano-translated info sheets about COVID-19 are also included in the food pack donations. In addition, 450 boxes of Vitamin C were also distributed.
To support over 40 farmers and fellow farm laborers, all the vegetables were sourced locally from barangays Tabunan, Gaas and Sudlon 2 in Cebu.
Some families in Catmon, Malabon also receive food packs from PLDT.
In Malabon City, PLDT distributed food packs containing rice, eggs, dried fish, dressed chicken and vegetables to the indigent families surrounding Catmon Integrated School, which is among the beneficiaries of the Company’s school-building programs. The families are from PBSP-assisted homeowners associations.
“PLDT recognizes the power of unity in these trying times, and we are truly grateful for our partnership with the PBSP as well as on-ground organizations in Cebu and Malabon, who enabled us to reach out and touch the lives of these families in need,” said PLDT Community Relations Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera.
PLDT’s donations were taken from its Balik-Baterya funds, PBSP’s institutional environmental program which involves the collection, proper recycling and selling of used acid-lead batteries to fund various corporate social responsibility projects. PLDT, as its pioneer supporter, remains to be the Program’s top donor.
PLDT and PBSP’s efforts to fight COVID-19 goes all the way back at the onset of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, when the Company donated P1M to the Bayanihan Musikahan, which was used to fund food packs for 1,300 families in various underprivileged communities in Metro Manila.
To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://beta.pldt.com/covid19.
MANILA, 1 July 2020 – Twitter is the best place to find out #WhatsHappening on the latest news, culture, and entertainment. As the newest and top-trending Thai Boy Love show, 2gether: The Series, finally hit the Phillipine shores via iWant this June 28, Filipino fans fired up Twitterverse to express their thoughts and reaction on its pilot episode. The hashtag #iWant2GetherPHEp1, even made it to the 4th spot of the Philippine trends on the same day.
2gether: The Series, starring Thai heartthrobs Bright Vachirawit (@bbrightvc) and Win Metawin (@winmetawin), is an adaptation of the 2019 Thai novel of the same name and tells the story of Tine Teepakorn and Sarawat Gintithanon, two college boys who entered a fake relationship which later developed into a real one. The unique take on the romantic genre and #BrightWin’s undeniable chemistry to boot captured the hearts and attention of Filipino viewers.
It is also the first Tagalized Thai boy love series to air on iWant streaming service. With this, fans made sure to express their kilig and all-out support on Twitter by using hashtags such as #iWant2GetherPHEp1, and #iWant2GetherPHEp2. Here are the top 2gether-related hashtags in the Philippines in June 2020.
done watching ep 1 and i could say that “nothings change”. they nailed it!! I literally smile and giggle while watching this series before and until today nandito pa din yung kilig. Lets give them a round of applause! ???#iWant2GetherPHEp1pic.twitter.com/rpg4gOnd4M
The dubbing also met with positive reactions from Filipino fans. They openly expressed their satisfaction in seeing the show with a local flavor as Tine and Sarawat converse in Tagalog.
Prior to the pilot episode, #BrightWin got up close and personal with their Filipino fans in the #BrightWin2GetherLive Mediacon held last June 26. Fans were encouraged to Tweet #AskBrightWin2gether and five best Tweets were selected and answered by no other than the lead stars themselves.
The hashtag #BrightWin2GetherLive also topped the Philippine trends. Everyone was hyped up as Bright and Win mentioned that they would like to visit the pristine waters of Boracay and Cebu and get a taste of Filipino dishes such as adobo and lechon.
Commenting on the success of the livestream event and other local show broadcasts on Twitter, Carl Cheng, Head of Entertainment Partnerships, Southeast Asia & Greater China at Twitter said,
“Entertainment is a key vertical for Twitter in the Philippines, and we are glad that despite the pandemic, new shows and programs provide sources of entertainment for Filipinos. We expect that livestream and other video content on Twitter will further boost conversations on the platform and interaction among people as well.”
Never miss an episode of 2gether: The Series on iWant and Tweet your favorite fun and kilig moments from the show along with the hashtag #2getherTheSeriesPH!
Nowadays, with people spending most of their time online, some have become dependent on electronic devices, especially smartphones, to keep them connected with friends and loved ones, and to conveniently pursue and enjoy their lifestyles.
And with different activities—messaging on various platforms, posting on social media, surfing the internet, buying from online stores, listening to music, watching movies and videos, and playing online games—keeping people busy on their smartphones wherever they may be, it would truly be disappointing to get a low battery warning, or the handset going “dead”.
Thankfully, the latest V19 Neo is powered by a 4500mAh lithium-polymer (Li-Po) battery, one of the largest capacities in its price range, to keep vivo’s flagship midrange smartphone running in optimum performance, longer.
With its long-lasting Li-Po power source, the V19 Neo can accommodate Google, Gmail, Facebook, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, and other heavily used applications that can typically drain a standard battery.
The 4500mAh battery can also smoothly run the V19 Neo’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 AIE octa-core processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM, making for fast app launches, better navigation and multi-tasking; and enabling users to play their favorite graphics-heavy mobile games for hours.
The handset is also equipped with AI Turbo, Center Turbo, Game Turbo, Net Turbo, Cooling Turbo, and ART++ Turbo. These multi-turbo functions offer an elevated and exciting gaming experience especially when playing PUBG Mobile, NBA 2K, Mobile Legends, Fortnite, or other favorite RPGs, shooters, SIMS, puzzle, strategy, racing, sports, and augmented reality games that will keep gamers up all night.
With a battery that powers up hours of game time, the V19 Neo also features an Ultra Game Mode which makes for totally undisturbed playing, blocking messages and alerts, so one can be fully immersed and engaged with the game.
And when the battery is about to be depleted, users can rely on the V19 Neo’s 18W dual-engine fast charging technology to juice up the 4500mAh power source in a flash, so they can quickly get back to winning their game.
Aside from its high-capacity battery and fast-charging technology, quadcore processor, and game modes, vivo’s flagship midrange smartphone also boasts of an Ultra O AMOLED capacitive touchscreen which makes the gaming experience even more thrilling.
The 6.44-inch FHD+ screen brings out the games’ vibrant and authentic colors without causing unnecessary eyestrain. Its low brightness anti-flicker technology also provides added protection for the eyes, especially when playing in low-light and dark conditions.
