By: PR, MANILA, 17 June 2021 – The province of Cebu, which is open for travel and tourism, heartily welcomes tourists from the National Capital Region. “The Gateway to a Thousand Journeys” makes it easier,more affordable, and convenient for travelers to set foot in the island once they secure their travelrequirementsin advance, such as their confirmed hotel bookings, S-PaSS registrations, and 2GO Traveltickets. “With Cebu’s less stringent community quarantine, visitors can enjoy luxurious island resorts in Mactan; stroll the unspoiled white sand beach of Bantayan; go on a canyoneering adventure in Kawasan Falls; dive and see the rich marine life in Malapascua; watch dolphins and whale sharks in Oslob; and have a unique sardine run experience in Moalboal. They can book their voyages to Cebu, and immediately start their vacation onboard 2GO Travel,” 2GO Assistant Vice President for Marketing Blessie Cruz said. For as low as ₱399, the Philippines’ premiere sea travel provider, can take their passengers from Manila all the way to the historical Queen City of the South aboard its newest ship, MV 2GO Maligaya. The traveling public can start booking their promo tickets today until June 20, 2021 to travel from July 15 to December 15, 2021. The discounted rate also applies to Cebuanos who are planning to sail from their hometown to the nation’s capital, including passengers from Manila to Bacolod, Coron, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Puerto Princesa and vice versa. “It’s fun and it’s safe with 2GO Travel. We amplify the passenger experience by upgrading our fleet, our terminals, and our onboard accommodations and amenities. At 2GO, we strictly implement and comply to health and safety protocols imposed by the government, while aiding our passengers to adhere to travel advisories,” Cruz added. In addition, tourists from Batangas and Caticlan and Roxas (and vice versa) can avail tickets for only ₱299, while routes from Manila to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamiz, Zamboanga and vice versa are for ₱499. All tickets are inclusive of accommodations and 50 kg baggage allowance, exclusive of meals and other fees, and subject to free unlimited rebooking. To book and rebook your tickets, please visit 2GO Travel’s website, https://travel.2go.com.ph/, call our hotline (02) 8 528 7000, email us at travel@2GO.com.ph, or visit any 2GO outlet, authorized agent, and SM Business Center near you!     ABOUT 2GO TRAVEL 2GO Travel is one of the largest premier sea travel providers in the Philippines. It constantly strives to push boundaries in providing travelers a wide selection of reasonably-priced hotel accommodations, tours, and event packages to make for unforgettable trips. 2GO Travel is backed by over 148 years' worth of combined history in the travel industry, making it a local leader in setting sea travel standards and trends. The company is present in more than 2,000 outlets nationwide, operating in 18 ports of call in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to bring you easy, comfortable, and economical travel-whether you are bound for the sunny beaches of Boracay, the gastronomic wonderland that is Cebu, or the alluring pockets of paradise in Palawan. By integrating its fleet with top-notch tours and accommodations, breathtaking destinations, and warm hospitality from an experienced and dedicated crew, 2GO Travel continues to redefine sea travel in the best ways possible so you can be rest assured that for every trip you plan with us, you are always #Ready2GO. ABOUT 2GO GROUP, INC. 2GO Group, Inc. is the Philippines’ largest integrated transportation and logistics provider, at its core has five business units, namely, 2GO Sea Solutions, 2GO Special Containers, 2GO Logistics, 2GO Distribution, and 2GO Express.  

By: PR, With the global energy storage system market expected to reach $17.9 billion by 2027 1 , battery energy storage systems (BESS) are emerging as the strongest solution to increase grid flexibility and reliability. With rapid growth rates of 31.4 percent CAGR by 2027 1 projected, countries around the world are increasingly switching to BESS to drive greater grid reliability and broader adoption of renewable energy sources. Battery energy storage systems are particularly suitable for regions that are impacted by grid instability, such as the Philippines. To help improve grid performance in the country, SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMC), one of the major suppliers of power to the national grid in the Philippines, has partnered with ABB to install BESS facilities as part of its nationwide BESS Project, the region’s largest BESS project. As part of a multi-million-dollar contract won in 2019, ABB will support two 20MW sites which will be installed by June 2021, with a further 40MW site in July 2021. The remaining sites will be completed in 2022. Alessandro Palin, President of ABB's Distribution Solutions Division explains: “Battery energy storage systems are transforming the market, driving wider adoption of renewable energy solutions, and helping to improve grid performance across the globe. In support of ABB’s 2030 sustainability commitments, pioneering solutions like the one in the Philippines will ensure that grids are more stable and will satisfy the reliability challenges associated with moving to a stronger mix of renewables.” This project will support the Philippines’ ambitious plans to build a more sustainable future for its communities, by decarbonizing energy generation and ensuring that 54 percent of its energy mix comes from renewables by 2040 2 (a sizeable increase from 29 percent of renewables in 2019). To meet these targets, the country faces several challenges to ensure grid stability, including the length of power lines required to connect the diverse archipelago, as well as intermittent energy supply from wind and solar, which needs storage to act as a frequency regulator. ABB has provided a packaged BESS solution to strengthen the reliability and stability of the local grid on Luzon, the largest and most populous island in the archipelago, and the island of Visayas. Both these fast- developing regions will benefit from BESS as part of the government’s ‘Build, build, build’ program that aims to establish a ‘golden age of infrastructure’ to boost industry and tourism. The solution is designed to avoid large frequency deviations which can result in costly equipment damage and disruptive power system failure. The Philippines project uses ABB’s proprietary software platform ABB Ability™ Zenon to act as the intuitive interface to the BESS, allowing users to make real time decisions based on grid parameters to ensure performance stability. To satisfy the complicated needs of the scheme and ensure easy and quick installation, ABB developed a complete solution that uses standardized building blocks that are scalable and modular. The building block ABB SUPPLIES SOUTHEAST ASIA’S LARGEST BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM 2/2 designs include an integrated combination of Energy Storage Modules and power distribution equipment, that can be increased or reduced in capacity to suit specific site location requirements. The BESS includes the provision of battery enclosures, ABB EcoFlex eHouse, UniGear ZS1 medium-voltage switchgear, integrated skid units, transformers and inverters in one single skid, with a connection to the grid. Installation and energization periods were reduced by up to 30 percent, as all equipment was delivered fully integrated and pretested before arriving on site. Adopting this philosophy also ensured a reduction in site works and associated costs for the customer. Palin concludes: “By combining the knowledge of our Packaging and Solutions Global Execution team, based in Manila, with the local grid knowledge of the SMC team, we are proud to support the most ambitious BESS project in South East Asia.” ABB plans to use learnings from these installations to implement further high-profile BESS projects across the globe. ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com ABB’s Electrification Business Area is a global leader in electrical products and solutions, operating in more than 100 countries, with over 200 manufacturing sites. Our 50,000+ employees are dedicated to transforming how people live, connect and work by delivering safe, smart and sustainable electrification solutions. We are shaping the future trends of electrification, differentiating through technological and digital innovation while delivering an outstanding experience through operational excellence for our customers across utilities, industry, buildings, infrastructure and mobility. For more information visit https://go.abb/electrification                            

By: PR, Living up to its commitment to provide jobs that matter across the country, leading online job portal JobStreet is going hyperlocal as it launches its dedicated microsite for Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao as well as its upcoming virtual career fair with the selected Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Offices in time for the upcoming Labor Day.  The initiatives also help boost the job market in provinces as the public is encouraged to decongest Metro Manila following the on-going pandemic.  Jobseekers from Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao can now browse thousands of jobs available in their locality through the respective microsites. Candidates can also learn from work-life guides and advice from JobStreet’s career hub which will be written in their local dialect.   “Many Filipinos recently returned to their provinces because of layoffs or the new work from home arrangements and this caused a shift in the labor market. We’ve also observed that candidates from major provinces have increased their activities in terms of platform website visits, which is why we really targeted to promote local employment and provide them valuable support in their career through their own dialect,” said JobStreet Philippines Country Manager Philip Gioca. Hyperlocal microsites The microsite for Cebu offers opportunities from the top industries namely Call Center/IT-Enabled Services/BPO (12.5%), Manufacturing/Production (7.6%), Healthcare/ Medical (6.5%), Education (5.5%), and Construction/Building/Engineering (5.2%). The average salary reported in Cebu is Php 31,487.  Candidates from Davao can apply for jobs with an average salary of Php 28,500 as top industries continue hiring such as Call Center/IT-Enabled Services/BPO (8.7%), Healthcare/Medical (7.8%), Education (7.2%), Food & Beverage/Catering/Restaurant (5.6%), and Retail/Merchandise (5.3%).  Meanwhile, thousands of jobs are also found in Iloilo microsite with an average salary of Php 27,370. Top industries include Healthcare/Medical (13.6%), Call Center/IT-Enabled Services/BPO (9.2%), Education (8.3%), Construction/Building/Engineering (5.6%), and Food & Beverage/Catering/Restaurant (5.3%).  As of 2021, JobStreet earned a 13% growth in average platform visits from Cebu, 56% from Davao, and 44% in Iloilo. Moreover, hirers from the said provinces are gradually picking up. Based on JobStreet Database as of March 2021, job offerings based in Central Visayas grew by 9% from a sharp decline in 2020. Western Visayas recently jumped to 44% increase in job openings, while Davao Region is also recovering with 26% job postings this year.      Ensuring that the initiative will be advantageous for both local hirers and candidates, JobStreet is also establishing a local team in each province to accommodate queries.  Labor Day Virtual Career Fair  JobStreet continues to support the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in providing livelihood among Filipinos during this period. Following the success of the recent Virtual Career  Fair, JobStreet partners with selected DOLE regions to launch another Virtual Career Fair on May 1 to 3.  Over 100 companies from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have participated in the upcoming Virtual Career Fair, offering thousands of jobs nationwide. Candidates from different regions will also have a chance to experience engaging features such as live chats, on-the-spot interviews with HR representatives, and companies’ virtual booths. In addition, DOLE Regional Offices will accommodate concerns and questions from candidates via chat in the platform.  Jobseekers can join the online raffle as JobStreet goes live on its official Facebook Page on the first day of the Virtual Career Fair on May 1 at 5:00PM. “We appreciate DOLE and the participating regions for trusting to partner with JobStreet in this initiative. We’re hoping that the Virtual Career Fair would be able to reach out to more jobseekers across the country who are looking for opportunities at this time,” shared Gioca. The Virtual Career Fair is now open for pre-registration through http://bit.ly/JobStreetDOLEVCF.  Provincial microsites are also accessible via http://bit.ly/JobStreetIloilo, http://bit.ly/JobStreetCebu, and http://bit.ly/JobStreetDavao. About JobStreet  JobStreet is a leading online job board presently covering the employment markets in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. JobStreet currently services over 230,000 corporate hirers and over 15 million jobseekers in its database. 

By: PR, If there was one thing we learned from 2020, it’s making sure that health is a top priority. The rising number of cases and deaths caused by the pandemic served as a wakeup call for Filipinos to safeguard their family's wellbeing.   In a recent online event held for the media, AIA Philam Life tapped its protection ambassadors Gary Valenciano, his son Paolo Valenciano and wife Sam Valenciano, to share their personal stories of protection and the importance of passing on the legacy of protection to the younger generation.   Protection is at the core of AIA Philam Life’s mission—to race against risk and protect every Filipino family and empower them to live healthier, longer and better lives. In fulfillment of this mission, AIA Philam Life launched innovative products within the last two years, referred to as the Protection Trinity, designed to help address the basic protection needs of Filipinos: life, critical illness, and medical.   AIA Critical Protect 100 was launched in 2019, providing coverage from 100 critical illnesses, from age 0 to 100. Within the same year, AIA All-In-One was introduced—an affordable non-participating whole life insurance plan which provides financial protection from death, accident, disability, and critical illness, offering comprehensive and guaranteed protection benefit against risks (including natural calamities and riding public transportation) that may be experienced now or in the future.   Last year, the trinity was completed with the launch of AIA Med-Assist, designed to help manage the financial burden of Filipino families due to unexpected medical expenses. AIA Med-Assist bridges the expense gap between HMO and life insurance coverage to ensure savings remain untouched despite hospital confinement for more than 12 hours.   To further strengthen its Protection Trinity portfolio, AIA Philam Life recently launched the newest addition, AIA Health Cover, a peso-denominated variable life insurance plan which provides all-around health and critical illness protection. Tennyson Paras, AIA Philam Life Head of Products, explains, “In developing AIA Health Cover that offers comprehensive health and protection benefits, we give Filipinos a product that can cover them in case they are diagnosed with any of the 91 critical illnesses or get benefits like a daily allowance if they are hospitalized for at least 24 hours.”   Leo Tan, AIA Philam Life Chief Marketing Officer, shares the rationale for the development of the Protection Trinity portfolio, “With the huge protection gap in the country coupled with the low insurance penetration rate, there’s a lot of work to be done in the fulfillment of our mission of racing against risk, and developing the Protection Trinity products was one of the best ways we can achieve that. This is the basic financial need that Filipinos have not been paying attention to these past few years, and with the pandemic bringing into focus the importance of protection, we want to make sure we are offering them the best and complete suite of products to meet that need. By making sure that we have the right products, we go a long way in helping our customers live Healthier, Longer and Better Lives.”   Know more about AIA Health Cover and AIA Philam Life’s protection products by visiting the AIA Philam Life website at philamlife.com, Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AIAPhilamLife/, email philamlife@aia.com or call (02)8528-2000.

By: PR, THE Securities and Exchange Commission – Cagayan de Oro Extension Office (SEC-CDOEO) reminds all corporations for the submission of Audited Financial Statements (AFS) which is due this June 30, 2020. The Northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions’ Stock and Non-Stock corporations whose fiscal year ends November 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019 are obliged to submit their AFS together with the General Information Sheet (GIS) otherwise corresponding penalties will incur.       Atty. Renato V. Egypto, Director for SEC-CDOEO in a statement reminds all corporations to file and submit their reports “For all corporations, it is best to file early as now for us to avoid crowd or mass gathering. The SEC-CDOEO has been open to accept submissions since the occurrence of pandemic in the region”.       SEC-CDOEO accepts walk-in submissions from Monday to Friday (8:00AM – 5:00PM). Preemptive measures are observed in the office and thus, clients are directed to follow.       For areas with travel restrictions, clients may send their reports via courier with mailing address: SEC Bldg., Tomas Saco Del Lara Sts., Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City.       Sending through e-mail (soft copies) is also accepted however will be deemed as partial submission considering that hard copies will complete the requirements. With this, electronic signatures, and unnotarized documents are temporarily allowed. Reports have to be submitted through reports_cdo@sec.gov.ph.       This submission is in pursuance to the Revised Corporation Code, under Sec. 177 (a) which requires all corporations to submit their annual financial statements to be audited by an independent Certified Public Accountant, however, if total assets or total liabilities of the corporation are less than Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 600, 000.00), the financial statements shall be certified under oath by the Corporation’s treasurer or chief financial officer.       The reportorial requirements shall be submitted annually and within such period as may be prescribed by the Commission.       The AFS other than the consolidated financial statements, shall have the stamped “received” by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) or its authorized banks, unless the BIR allows an alternative proof of submission for its authorized banks (e.g. bank slips).       Late filings shall have corresponding penalties as imposed by the Commission guidelines, and/or may place the Corporation under delinquent status in case of failure to submit the reportorial requirements three (3) times, consecutively or intermittently, within a period of five (5) years. The Commission shall give reasonable notice to and coordinate with the appropriate regulatory agency prior to placing under delinquent status companies under their special regulatory jurisdiction.

By: PSA PR, RESULTS of the April 2020 Labor Force Survey shows that unemployment rate in the region registered at 11.1 percent. This is the highest recorded unemployment rate since 2005. Unemployment rate in January 2020 was reported at 3.2 percent while April 2019 unemployment rate posted at 5.0 percent.   In terms of magnitude, the total number of unemployed individuals as of April 2020 reached to 236,000, higher than the recorded unemployed persons in April 2019 at 121,000. In other words, there are 115,000 more individuals who are unemployed as of April 2020 as compared to the same period in the previous year which reflects the impact of CoVID-19 economic shutdown to the labor market.   The region's unemployment rate is lower than the national average of unemployment rate at 17.7 percent. The region also posted the lowest unemployment rate among the 17 regions.   Employment rate in the region fell to 88.9 percent in April 2020 from 96.8 percent in January 2020. In April 2019, employment rate registered at 95.0 percent. This translates to a decrease in the employed persons by around 400 thousand, that is, from 2.3 million employed persons in April 2019 to 1.9 million persons in April 2020.   The region, however, recorded the highest employment rate among the 17 regions of the country.

By: , THE Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), the consumer banking arm of the Metrobank Group, recorded a net income of PhP646.2 million for the first quarter of 2020. Net interest income grew 21.8% to PhP3.2 billion versus the same period last year while net service fees reached PhP458.1 million. Net Income for the first quarter of 2020 is lower by 5.1% on increased credit provisioning. Total loan portfolio as of the first quarter of this year grew by 3.6% to PhP165.0 billion coming from the strong demand in the first two months of this year prior to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period. This contributed to total assets growth of 1.8% year-on-year to PhP240.3 billion. Low-cost deposits improved by 10.2% reaching PhP60.6 billion. Gross non-performing loans is stable at 3.7%. PSBank’s balance sheet remains strong with capital of PhP34.8 billion. The Bank’s total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 17.2% is well above the regulatory minimum of 10%. “PSBank has a strong balance sheet and capital position coming into this unprecedented situation. Cognizant of the potential impact of the pandemic to the economy, we decided to exercise prudence by increasing provisions to 150% versus previous year. During the quarantine period, the Bank continued to operate 80% of its branches while keeping in place precautionary measures to ensure that our customers and employees are safe. Both customer and IT support were further strengthened to keep our online banking services available 24/7, this being the alternative banking channel during these times,” PSBank President Jose Vicente Alde said. To assist customers during this period, the Bank put together an easy-to-use ‘Quick Customer Enquiries’ module in its website which shows information on daily branch schedules, fraud protection tips, loan payment grace periods, and how-to guides on banking services. PSBank ensured the availability of safe and convenient digital banking services for customers to still do their banking transactions: Check deposit using the PSBank Mobile Check Deposit facility launched in September 2019; Mobile and Online fund transfers via InstaPay and PESONet;  PaSend for mobile cash remittances withdrawable from over 1,000 combined PSBank and Metrobank ATMs nationwide; payment of bills via mobile or online; and 24/7 cash availability in PSBank ATMs. PSBank likewise made it easy for customers to reach the bank through various communication platforms: Chatbot “ISSA” via FB Messenger (Interactive, Speedy & Simpleng Assistant) for quick queries; “LiveChat” if customers wish to interact with our Customer Associates; and our 24/7 Customer Experience Hotline for phone-in concerns. (PR)

By: , The Philippines, in a best-case scenario, will likely lose some $4.5 billion (P228 billion) in cash remittance inflows from migrant Filipino workers this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACTS-OFW Coalition of Organizations said on Sunday. “Without the pandemic, we would have expected the aggregate incoming cash transfers from Filipinos overseas to grow by $1.5 billion (or by five percent) this year,” said ACTS-OFW chairman Aniceto Bertiz III. “However, on account of the severe global economic devastation caused by the pandemic, we now project total remittances to reach only $27 billion this year, or down by $3 billion from $30 billion in 2019, assuming the best possible outcome,” Bertiz, a former member of Congress, said. Bertiz said migrant Filipino workers in the following sectors around the world are bearing the brunt of the economic destruction and job losses: ·      Shipping (both merchant and cruise operations) and shipping-related support services; ·      Aviation and aviation-related support services (including crewing operations, aircraft maintenance and catering); ·      Travel and tour operations; ·      Hotels, resorts and restaurants; ·      Gaming; and ·      Oil, gas and energy exploration and development (including related construction). “The foreign labor markets for Filipino workers – except for medical professionals and technicians – will shrink considerably this year, as the global economy declines,” Bertiz said. The collapse of crude oil prices to $20-$25 per barrel is foreseen dampening to a large extent the demand for Filipino workers – from engineers to construction workers – in the Middle East, Bertiz said. The kingdoms in the region heavily dependent oil and gas income are anticipated to spend less aggressively on new public infrastructure, according to Bertiz. “The global economic recession will also reduce the demand for Filipinos sailors as shipping traffic sinks,” Bertiz said. The Philippines is the world’s second-largest supplier of licensed ship officers and the top provider of unlicensed ship ratings or non-officer crew. Some 450,000 Filipino sailors serve on ocean-going bulk carriers, container ships, oil, gas, chemical and other product tankers, general cargo ships, pure car carriers and tugboats around the world. Global ports operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICSTI) earlier reported that shipping container volumes across its terminals in 20 countries fell by 10-15 percent in March alone, and are expected to decline further in April. Meanwhile, Bertiz said ACTS-OFW is counting on the government to provide financial assistance to Filipino workers overseas who have lost income under the “no work, now pay policy” of their employers. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration last week began accepting online applications for the $200 (P10,000) cash aid for Filipino workers abroad “who have experienced job displacement due to the host country’s imposition of a lockdown or community quarantine.”

By: , Sharp AQUOS - Two Decades of Excellence, Quality, and Innovation   Sharp Philippines’ AQUOS LCD TV has entered its 20th anniversary. And what a better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than to launch a new series of 4K TVs? These upcoming LCD TVs remind us how much Sharp has innovated their products over two decades of providing quality entertainment products.   It felt just like yesterday, but 2001 was the pivoting point of Sharp when it turned its tube TVs into LCD TVs. Gone are the days when we had to hit the tube to get a clearer image; with the newest line-up from Sharp, all you have to do is power the device, sit back, and relax.   Sharp PH officially unveils a 70-inch 4K Smart Android TV with Google voice assistant and Google Duo for video call!   Since cinemas and theaters are still closed, it is a wise thing to invest in your home entertainment. A TV upgrade will definitely come in handy when you want to unwind with your loved ones after a tiring day at work. Who needs to go out for movies if you feast your eyes and ears on an immersive experience?     What are the top features of Sharp 4K SMART ANDROID TV 4T-C70CK3X? Hunting for the best TV to buy this year? Look no further as Sharp is bringing a new 4K TV in the Philippines with a 70-inch display, Dolby Audio, Chromecast built-in, and more! It's one of the company's innovative televisions that are equipped with tons of features. Let's look at the highlights below: Sleek and modern design When it comes to TV sizes, we just have one tip for you: Go big or go home. This TV boasts 70-inch screen goodness so it's like watching your favorite series and movies in your mini-cinema. Aside from that, it sports a minimalist design built with a super narrow bezel, making eyes focus more on the display. Richer in details The most obvious benefit of TVs with 4K resolutions is that their pictures have more detail and sharpness. After all, their 3840 x 2160 pixel counts equate to four times the resolution of the full HD pictures most of us are used to. Every hair on people’s heads, every leaf on every tree, every blade of grass on a football pitch, every star in the sky. Coupled with Sharp's AQUOS processor, viewing quality is enhanced to the optimal level. The manufacturer also emphasizes it can deliver outstanding picture quality because of X4 Master Engine Pro II. Basically, you’ve got an experience many describe as more like looking through a window than watching a TV. Dual speakers with Dolby Audio support Sound is important because of many things. It engages the audience, evokes emotional responses, emphasizes what’s on the screen, and is used to indicate mood. Thankfully, this 70-inch 4K Smart Android TV from Sharp is equipped with speakers with Dolby audio on both sides. As a result, you get crystal-clear sound effects with a surround-sound quality   Thousands of useful apps from Google Play Downloading all your favorite apps and games would be a smart way to maximize your television. By doing this, you can enjoy them on the big screen with easy access from your custom Android TV home screen. In addition to this, you can conveniently use this Sharp TV for video conferencing with teammates, family, or friends due to the inclusion of Google Duo.   Remote control with built-in voice assistant How does Google Assistant provide you a smarter viewing experience? One way is by giving you quick access to your shows and other media. In searching for content, this feature is handy since you don’t need to look through all your streaming apps yourself. Moreover, you can easily get answers on screen if you're performing a search on Google. You can also control other smart devices inside your home with this voice assistant. These are just a few features that the Sharp 4K Smart Android TV 4T-C70CK3X boasts. Stay tuned for its local pricing and availability. For updates, you may follow Sharp Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.   Father’s Day Exclusive Promo In celebration of Father’s Day, Sharp offered an exclusive promo for all fathers. For every purchase of selected products, you’ll get a wide variety of freebies. Visit and follow Sharp’s official Facebook page for more details.

By: , The effects of COVID-19 are felt to this day most especially economically. People lost their jobs, some needed to close shop after years of existence, others are barely surviving. Needless to say, numerous people found themselves working double to make up for income losses. Challenging as it may be, there is a silver lining as the situation proves how resiliency will get one by. This story is evident in the world more so in the Philippines.  Not only are Filipinos known to be a friendly race; Filipinos are also popularly known to be hardworking. For some reason, the more physical the job, the more effort has to be exerted. Often do we hear the term “Push lang ng push!” Push to keep going, push to finish the task, push not to quit. Pushing the body strength reflects a strong and determined attitude translating that Filipinos will go through great lengths in order to provide for themselves and their families.  With the pandemic, the roster of heroes has evolved from the National Heroes that we know, to the OFWs, and now the Delivery Riders, Service Crew, Medical Front liners, who all spend long hours to cater to the needs of many. And do they deserve the recognition! Real life Lodi! But wait! We can also here them say, “Tao lang po! Kapuy!”  No doubt that the challenges faced in the past year have already caused some concerns on one’s health and bodies especially for this type of workers. Imagine traversing the roads all day to get packages from one point to another, standing countless hours to check patients here and there, pushing the body never ends. Body aches and pains are inevitable though often ignored. Inasmuch as the motivation to go on is there, these manifestations of long working hours also take a toll on the bodies to a point that ignoring it no longer becomes an option. Fortunately, a product that can be brought to work, what can be called a “work buddy”, is available. Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax), from the same makers of Vice Ganda’s endorsement Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action), is ready for the hardworking Filipinos.  There is no stopping the hustle because Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax) provides upto 12 hours pain relief from body pain and arthritis vs. plain Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. This will allow long hours of non-stop work required to provide for the family.  Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax) associate marketing manager Toby Manlapat shares, “The effects of the pandemic are making us work doubly harder so becomes even more important to relieve our bodies from aches and pains to go through the daily grind and allow us to be in a good condition to deliver our tasks and provide for the family. Push!” Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax) is manufactured by the global pharmaceutical company Bayer. Available in leading drugstores in Luzon (Dagupan and Pampanga), Visayas (Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod), and Mindanao (Davao, Cagayan De Oro, General Santos, Zamboanga). Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax) may also be availed nationwide via Southstar Drug Online (Sarimax for Southstar)  and Watson’s Online (Sarimax for Watsons). Naproxen Sodium is the generic name of Sarimax. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.    ASC Ref. No. B114N053121SS      

By: , Isa ka ba sa libu-libong mga Pilipino na parating naghahanap ng malapit na ATM o bangko?   Inilunsad na ng Robinsons Bank ang RBankMo agency banking facility kung saan nakipag-partner sila sa mga piling Premiumbikes store para makapaghatid ng basic banking services sa mga Pilipino lalo na sa mga lugar na walang malapit na bangko.   Hindi mo na kailangang lumayo pa basta't may malapit na Premiumbikes store sa bahay niyo!   Sa RBankMo, maaari ka nang mag-withdraw gamit ang kahit anong Bancnet ATM card, mag-deposit sa iyong Robinsons Bank savings account at magbayad ng bills.   At kung wala ka pang savings account, pwede ka na rin magbukas ng iyong sariling savings account sa RBankMo basta't may dalang isang (1) valid ID.   Sa kasalukuyan, mayroong 50 RBankMo branches sa Premiumbikes at inaasahang madadagdagan pa ito hanggang 200 branches sa mga susunod na buwan.   Siguradong hindi mo na kailangang lumayo para mag-bangko, dahil ang RBankMo, malapit sa’yo!   Sa pagsulong ng financial inclusion, tinitiyak ng Robinsons Bank na patuloy na mabibigyan ng access ang bawat Pilipino sa mga serbisyong pang-pinansiyal.   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. The Bank is recognized as the Fastest Growing Commercial Bank in the Philippines for 2020 by the Global Business Outlook; and the Best Commercial Bank in the Philippines for 2020 by the International Business Magazine. RBank was also recognized as an Outstanding Employer at the PH Best Employer Brand Awards 2020.    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/ and join our Viber Community at www.bit.ly/RBankCommunity to get the latest updates.

By: , Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) Chairman and CEO, Architect Romolo V. Nati, has been invited to participate as a speaker at the 15th Philippine European Studies, with the theme "The Mask We Share: Advancing the Individual's Role in the Collective Climate Action in the Time of Pandemic” to be held on April 17, 2021, via Facebook live show.      The event program has some very prominent speakers lined up such as Dr. Marilen Balolong, Associate Professor for Public Health at UP Manila, Ms. Rio Grace Otara, Youth Programme Officer at United Nations Population, and Mr. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele Former IPCC Vice-Chair (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).      This event will address a mutually and beneficial common feature between the Philippines and Europe. As an expert in green and sustainable architecture, Arch. Nati is expected to emphasize the advantages of promoting sustainable buildings in secondary and tertiary cities explaining that aside from reducing the overall impact on the environment and on human health.      Arch. Nati believes that green buildings are the key for property developers to achieve sustainable urban development in an environmentally friendly manner. Such structures are defined as environmentally responsible and resource-efficient over their full life cycles and proven to be cost-effective with reduced energy requirements.      Current IDC’s green projects, Primavera City, in uptown Cagayan de Oro, and the latest high-rise eco-friendly Miramonti Green Residences in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, has been awarded as Best-Development Mixed-use Development in the Philippines, by the International Property Awards-Asia Pacific, a highly acclaimed award in the worldwide property industry.      With today’s demand for sustainability, IDC has always been a company that stood by its design philosophy in committing to build sustainable real estate projects in harmony with the environment to bring value to investors, end-users, and the community.