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Showing posts from May, 2026

GCash Cuts Remittance Barriers, Allowing Middle East Foreign IDs for Account Activation

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To expedite access to essential digital financial services for Filipinos abroad, GCash now supports the use of foreign-issued IDs: Emirates ID (UAE), Iqama ID (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Civil ID, and Qatar Residency Permit for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East for account verification. This enhancement helps streamline the onboarding process, allowing eligible users to complete verification more efficiently and access services faster, subject to standard security and eligibility checks.   Previously, applicants were required to submit additional documents to help establish ties to the Philippines, often involving manual email exchanges and extended processing times. For OFWs managing demanding work schedules, limited connectivity, and time constraints, these additional steps frequently delayed full account activation and limited timely access to essential financial services, with verification requirements varying by individual circumstances.   With the updated fl...

ASUS Business Philippines Accelerates Enterprise Efficiency with New AI-Powered ExpertBook G2 Series

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MANILA, Philippines — ASUS Philippines Corporation today announced the official Philippine availability of two new AI-powered business laptops: the ASUS ExpertBook P5 G2 and the ASUS ExpertBook P3 G2. Together, these devices bring next-generation AI computing to Filipino executives, hybrid professionals, small and medium enterprises, and digital nomads — combining powerful on-device AI performance, enterprise-grade security, and military-grade durability built for the demands of how Filipino professionals actually work in 2026. ASUS ExpertBook P5 G2: Maximum AI Performance for Power Users The ASUS ExpertBook P5 G2, available in 14-inch, is the AI laptop for work in the ExpertBook P Series — designed for power users in corporate, senior professionals, and SME leaders who demand the highest level of AI performance from their primary work device.   Exceptional AI Performance for Work Powered by up to the AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX processor with 55 NPU TOPS of dedicated neural processing, th...

GCash Cracks Down on Fake Job Offers and Online Task Scams

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GCash is intensifying its efforts against task scams and other forms of social engineering fraud as digital scam syndicates become increasingly sophisticated across the country.   Task scams often involve fraudsters posing as recruiters, merchants, or online platforms that promise easy earnings in exchange for completing simple online tasks. Victims are later manipulated into transferring funds under the false promise of higher commissions or withdrawals.   To help you stay safe, remember: ·        Mind the "Unsolicited" Invite: Professional recruiters typically use official platforms. Be cautious of job offers that arrive unexpectedly via email, SMS, or cold call offers. ·        Credentials Matter: Authentic employers are interested in your skills and will usually ask for a CV or a brief interview. If an offer requires "no experience" and "no resume," it’s best to verify the source. ·   ...

8,000mAh in a 7.42mm Body? The TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G Has Officially Landed in the PH!

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES — May 23, 2026 — TECNO Mobile Philippines today officially launched the POVA Curve 2 5G, the newest addition to its popular POVA lineup, nationwide. Engineered for the gogetting generation, the device debuts with the brand mantra “Power That Never Drops” — a promise delivered through a massive 8,000mAh battery and a dualchip signal enhancement system that keeps users connected no matter where they are. With a footprint of only 7.42mm in thickness and a weight of just 195g, the POVA Curve 2 5G is the world’s slimmest curveddisplay 5G smartphone equipped with an 8,000mAh battery. Inside this remarkably slim chassis lives a powerhouse that redefines what users can expect from a midrange 5G phone. Unstoppable Battery, Uncompromised Design The headline feature of the POVA Curve 2 5G is its industryleading 8,000mAh mega battery, capable of delivering up to three days of typical usage on a single charge — 72 hours of continuous use, 103.4 hours of music playback, 33.8 hou...

PLDT, Smart Provide Mental Health Support to Quezon City Responders

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In times of crisis and emergency, Quezon City’s frontliners keep communities safe and protected. But who ensures that these frontliners remain strong, supported, and ready when called upon to serve?  PLDT and Smart, in partnership with the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), recently conducted a holistic stress management workshop for the emergency response frontliners of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QC DRRMO) and Quezon City Citizens Services Department (CSD). The initiative reinforces a shared commitment to strengthening resilience and safeguarding the mental health of those on the frontlines of crisis response. This is part of the broader initiative of PLDT and Smart through its #KonektedForResilience advocacy program that focuses on community resilience and disaster preparedness. The workshop centered on key challenges faced by responders, including burnout, secondhand traumatic stress, and the cumulative emotional toll of emergency wo...

HUAWEI’s New WATCH FIT 5 Series Delivers Pro-Level Sports and Health Analytics for PHP 8,999

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Manila, Philippines (May 22, 2026) — HUAWEI, the number one smartwatch and wristband company in the Philippines, has set the new benchmark for accurate and comprehensive sports and health tracking with the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series. Now available in the Philippines, the series starts at PHP 8,999. Blending advanced sports analytics and comprehensive health monitoring, the latest smartwatch series empowers users to turn everyday moments into opportunities for movement, wellness, and self-improvement — all with a wearable built to keep up with modern lifestyles. Sophisticated, Detailed Design, and Vibrant Colors The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro comes in premium Black, White, and Orange colorways, with the Orange edition featuring the breathable HUAWEI AirDry Woven Strap for added comfort. The White edition pioneers the use of Aerospace-Grade Nanoceramic Metal, delivering a warm, scratch-resistant ceramic texture. Meanwhile, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 offers stylish everyday wear in Black, White, P...

OPPO A6s 5G: The 7,000mAh Battery That Lets You Put Your Power Bank Away

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Smartphones today have evolved far beyond simple communication tools, they’ve become powerful, all-in-one companions that can handle almost anything, even stepping in as a power bank when needed.  That’s where the OPPO A6s 5G comes in. Designed for modern users, it features a massive 7000mAh battery that keeps you going longer with less worry. Paired with fast charging and practical features like Reverse Wired Charging, it doesn’t just keep up, it also supports your day seamlessly, so you stay powered, connected, and in control. Power Through the Day with a 7000mAh Large Battery Beyond just lasting longer, the OPPO A6s 5G is built to deliver a consistently reliable, all-day experience that keeps up with your pace. It allows users to stay immersed and uninterrupted  without constantly checking your battery percentage. Thanks to the 7000mAh battery, you can enjoy up to 29.73 hours of YouTube video playback, 10.57 hours of WhatsApp video calls, and over 24 hours of calls on a sin...

GAB Passes Resolution Exempting Foreign Esports Players from Mandatory Drug Testing

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES — May 19, 2026 — Officials from the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) made a courtesy visit today to Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Atty. Francisco J. Rivera to discuss the implementation of GAB Resolution No. 2026-13, a policy designed to boost the local esports industry. The recently passed Resolution exempts foreign professional esports players from mandatory drug testing as a requirement for the issuance of a professional GAB license, replacing it with a Special Esports License (SEL) valid for the duration of a specific tournament (not exceeding 30 days). This policy seeks to address the decline in international esports events hosted in the country since 2017, while streamlining procedures and providing greater ease of access for foreign esports professionals seeking to compete in the Philippines. A Vibrant Outlook for Philippine Esports With the easing of these restrictions, both GAB and PESO project a significant resurgence in loca...

PLDT Enables Digital Shift for Parañaque MSMEs

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For Fel Roslin, co-owner of Felchie’s Ice Cream House in Parañaque, modernizing the business was not just about adopting new tools—it was about choosing the right partner. "I told my wife that we had to partner with a company that is accessible and dependable," Roslin shared. “With technology now supporting marketing, accounting, and operations, it really matters who you work with.” That perspective reflected the spirit of MSME Day in Parañaque City, which gathered local entrepreneurs—from early-stage founders to business owners ready to scale—to help bridge current business challenges with the demands of an increasingly digital marketplace. Led by the PLDT Group’s B2B arm, PLDT Enterprise, MSME Day in Parañaque City featured a learning session on PLDT and Smart’s #BeCyberSmart module to help entrepreneurs strengthen their online safety as they grow their digital presence. Parañaque business owners also took part in discussions covering financial literacy, business messaging ...

Garmin’s New Approach G82 Tracks Everything from Driving Range Power to Putting Tempo

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MANILA, Philippines  – Garmin has unveiled the all new Approach® G82, a launch monitor and advanced GPS handheld. This seamless golf tool features expanded radar metrics to help golfers fine-tune their swing and introduces putting metrics to improve consistency on the green. This launch comes as Garmin continues to see strong momentum in the sport globally, with golfers under 20 increasing by 76% and those aged 20-29 by 53%. This growth is matched by performance gains as shown in its latest Trends in Golf Data Report, as golfers who used a Garmin launch monitor or simulator in the past year have improved their scores by an average of 4.4 strokes after six months – highlighting how access to performance data can drive real results.    “We’re thrilled to introduce the Approach G82, with our largest golf handheld display making it easier than ever to see your metrics and the lay of the land. It’s the ultimate pre-round warmup tool that doubles as an intuitive virtual caddie ...

FinTech Future: GCash Outlines the Role of Responsible AI at the 2026 National Innovation Day

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Responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) is critical in driving inclusive and sustainable growth, as it can address persistent gaps in financial access and literacy, particularly in a mobile-first yet risk-exposed region like Southeast Asia. This was the key message of GCash, the country’s leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, as it joined policymakers and industry leaders at the 2026 National Innovation Day.   Held at the Diamond Hotel Manila, the event, organized by the Depdev National Innovation Council in partnership with ASEAN, brought together key stakeholders under the theme “AI for Growth, Opportunity, and Sustainability in ASEAN (AGOS)”, focusing on how emerging technologies can be scaled safely across the region.   During the discussions, Mynt chief data officer Sara Venturina highlighted how GCash is leveraging data and AI to help deliver equitable fintech access to Filipinos. “If we don’t u...

SMEs Fuel Southeast Asia’s Path to Becoming World’s Second-Fastest Growing E-Commerce Market

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Singapore, 18 May 2026 –  2C2P by Antom, Southeast Asia’s leading full-suite payments platform, released the latest study conducted by market intelligence firm IDC, revealing that the Southeast Asia e-commerce market is on a strong upward trajectory and is projected to become the second fastest-growing e-commerce market in the world with a 13.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2029, behind only India.  Digital payments continue to dominate e-commerce growth, with Mobile Wallets and Local Payments seeing growing popularity for most of SEA The independent study commissioned by 2C2P and Antom, “How Southeast Asia Buys and Pays 2026: Unlocking SMEs’ Potential”, shows that SEA’s e-commerce market is projected to increase by 85.4% to hit US$289.8 billion by 2029.  Digital payments are projected to account for 97% of total e-commerce transactions by 2029, up from 89% in 2024. The strongest growth is expected in domestic payments (real-time payments and local ban...

Next-Level Mobile Power: OPPO Brings the Find N6 and X9 Series to Filipino Tech Fans

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A new era of luxury innovation arrives today as OPPO officially debuts its crowning achievement, the Find Series, across the Philippines. This landmark launch unveils the OPPO Find N6, OPPO Find X9 Ultra, and OPPO Find X9s, a trio of masterpieces engineered to surpass the conventional flagship standard.  Moving far beyond ordinary technology, the Find Series delivers three distinct expressions of ultimate prestige, offering bespoke technological marvels meticulously curated to complement the refined lifestyles of those who lead, innovate, and create. OPPO Find N6: The Prestige Flagship for Productivity and Innovation Crafted for tech-forward professionals and modern leaders, the OPPO Find N6 represents the absolute pinnacle of luxury innovation, unyielding productivity, and elite craftsmanship in a sophisticated foldable form factor. At the absolute center of this monumental experience is an engineering marvel: the revolutionary Zero-Feel Crease. By entirely erasing the visual and ...

HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series Setting New Benchmarks in Health Insights—Launching PH-Wide This May 22

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Manila, Philippines (May 15, 2026) – HUAWEI, the leading smart wearable brand globally and in the Philippines, has officially unveiled the all-new HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series. The next-generation smartwatch combines accurate sports tracking, comprehensive health monitoring, and AI-powered personalized coaching, available in the Philippines this May 22.  Exquisite Titanium-Tough Craftsmanship and Everyday Fashionable Comfort As the benchmark in sports precision and holistic health monitoring, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Series redefines what a smartwatch can deliver. The HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro elevates the aesthetic with a 1.92-inch 2.5D sapphire glass display encased in a rugged titanium alloy bezel weighing only 30.4 g. Pushing boundaries further, the HUAWEI WATCH FIT 5 Pro White edition pioneers the Aerospace-Grade Nanoceramic Metal that boasts exceptional wear and scratch resistance. Whether working at a desk or navigating through deep terrains, the design ensures users barely feel the...