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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Visa Philippines) |
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, in its continuous efforts to empower athletes and build a more inclusive world through sport, has been a partner of the Olympic Movement since 1986 and was the first global partner of the International Paralympic Committee in 2002. For the Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Visa has facilitated GCash, the number one finance app in the Philippines, to offer GCash Visa Card customers the opportunity to win a trip for 2 to France to watch the Paralympic Games live.
The campaign, currently running until May 31, 2024, allows GCash Visa cardholders to enter into the raffle upon meeting the program’s requirements where 3 winners will ultimately be announced on June 30, 2024 as the lucky cardholders who will be flown to Paris, France and get premium access to Paralympic Games events and branded merchandise, courtesy of Visa. GCash President and Chief Executive Officer Martha Sazon stated, “As a champion of inclusion, GCash is dedicated to empowering all Filipinos, especially those underserved like Persons with Disabilities (PWD). Every Filipino, regardless of their circumstances, can access GCash — paving the way for financial progress. Thanks to Visa, we can support the 2024 Paralympics Games in Paris as the only partner from the Asia Pacific region. We will be sponsoring 3 of our GCash Visa Card customers to fly to Paris and enjoy the games live. We are proud to advocate for the rights and recognition of persons with disabilities on a global platform.”
Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeff Navarro said, “We are proud to facilitate GCash in this exclusive campaign for their cardholders that spotlights how important it is for all stakeholders to work hand in hand to support financial inclusion for everyone, everywhere. By promoting dialogue, raising awareness of existing Visa services, developing new technologies for individuals with impairments such as voice-activated and Braille ATMs, extending issuance, and connecting with Visa’s global network of financial institutions, Visa provides this global community of PWDs with greater access and choice. The GCash Visa Card winning customers will enjoy the exciting Paralympic sporting events in Paris as a once in a lifetime experience that we hope they will cherish forever.” The Paralympic Games Paris 2024 will be held on August 28-September 8, 2024 with 549 events in 22 sports, including a record 236 medal events for women. These games mark the first time Paris will host the Paralympics in its history and the second time that France will host the Paralympic Games after the cities of Tignes and Albertville joint hosted the 1992 Winter Paralympics.
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Samsung Showcases Innovative AI TV Technologies At 2024 Southeast Asia Tech Seminar
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| Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Picture Quality Solution Lab's Haylie Jung (right) explains that the 2024 Neo QLED 8K incorporates the new and powerful NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor to support AI-backed features such as 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro. (Image Source: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.) |
Samsung Electronics, the world’s leading TV manufacturer for 18 consecutive years, has commenced this year’s 2024 Southeast Asia Tech Seminar in Bangkok, Thailand. Held last April 23-24, 2024, Samsung showcased its cutting-edge 2024 lineup featuring AI-powered technologies that offer enhanced picture, sound, and customization. Since 2012, Samsung’s global Tech Seminar sessions have served as a platform for sharing detailed information and exclusive product experiences. As part of its ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All’ vision, Samsung plans to present innovations that deliver industry-leading viewing experiences and user-friendly features.
The 2024 Southeast Asia Tech Seminar in Bangkok followed a successful series kickoff in Frankfurt, Germany this February. At this event and upcoming seminars in regions such as Latin America, Samsung will present new TV and monitor technologies as well as lifestyle products which includes the following:
• Samsung’s 2024 Neo QLED 8K includes the latest NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor, which enables a vivid and more precise picture through its 512 neural networks — eight times as many as its predecessor. It supports features like 8K AI Upscaling Pro and AI Motion Enhancer Pro for the best Neo QLED 8K visuals to date.
• The 2024 Samsung OLED TV upscales content to 4K resolution thanks to the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor, and features OLED Glare Free technology. Certified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the technology reduces light reflection on the screen to provide a more immersive viewing experience with fewer distractions.
• Music Frame is a new lifestyle product that functions as a frame-shaped speaker. It can be used as a frame on the wall by inserting images or photos into its replaceable photo frame.
• Samsung Knox, applied to Samsung TV, achieved a ‘Common Criteria’ certification, recognized by 31 countries last February 2024 as strengthening TV security measures in terms of software and hardware.
“We are not only showcasing the differentiated AI TV technology from competitors but also doing our best to protect customer’s various personal information,” said Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business Yongjae Kim.
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Repertory Philippines Appoints Esteemed Actor Jeremy Domingo As New Artistic Director
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| Jeremy Domingo, Repertory Philippines' newly appointed Artistic Director (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Repertory Philippines) |
Repertory Philippines (REP) has appointed Aliw award-winning and seasoned actor Jeremy Domingo as its new Artistic Director, bringing his extensive experience and unique outlook to the current theater landscape, grounded in his time on stage, in the academe, and other fields of entertainment. Domingo has been part of the REP family since its 41st Season in 1990, gracing the stages of iconic venues from the Insular Life Theater to Onstage Greenbelt in over 120 productions. His long list of stage credits includes Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, classic plays such as The Dresser and A Comedy of Tenors, Shakespearean dramas like A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing, and musicals My Fair Lady and Little Shop of Horrors. Outside REP, he also joined productions of The King and I and The Sound of Music. Apart from his work on the stage, Domingo will also serve as the assistant director for REP’s first-ever jukebox musical and the 87th season’s closing production Going Home to Christmas featuring the music of Jose Mari Chan.
Since 2013, the theater stalwart has also been a faculty member at Meridian International (MINT) College, REP’s institutional partner for the recently concluded knowledge sharing program The Bridge Project and for its upcoming 2024 Summer Acting Workshops. At MINT, Domingo serves as a mentor for young talents in theater and entertainment. The multi-hyphenate has also fulfilled roles as an event host and voice-over announcer for radio, film, and TV, allowing him to explore different aspects of performance and further master his craft. According to REP President & CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio, Domingo’s breadth of expertise in and outside of theater can help usher REP to a new chapter, especially now that it’s moving to Eastwood City later this year. She shares, “Jeremy is no stranger to REP’s 57-year history. As a long-time part of REP, he best understands our mission to enrich lives through the power of theater and to also serve as a training ground for the next generation of theater actors. His dexterity in various forms of entertainment and success in these fields provide him a fresh perspective as our new Artistic Director, which will empower REP to further reach more audiences.”
Domingo embraces the challenge and acknowledges the “paradigm shift” in Philippine theater brought by a growing and more inclusive theater community and the influence of social media in attracting a larger and younger demographic. “We at REP are more than excited to take new root in Quezon City and reintroduce our acclaimed brand of English comedies, dramas, musicals, and classics to audiences, old and new alike. We continue our mission of training the Filipino actor to be a triple-threat performer: adept at acting, singing, and dancing, through performing arts workshops and a full annual roster of plays," says Domingo. Domingo will start his new role on June 1, 2024 coinciding with REP’s preparations for its second production, the romantic comedy musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.
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realme Philippines Contributes To Rehabilitation Efforts Of PAWS
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/realme Philippines) |
To champion animal welfare, realme Philippines has taken a step forward by donating to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a distinguished non-governmental organization committed to the rights and well-being of animals. In partnership with local pet supplies brand Petsup, both companies contributed Php100,000 in monetary aid alongside Php50,000 worth of realme products and an additional Php50,000 worth of Petsup items. realme Philippines representatives, together with members of Petsup, visited the PAWS headquarters in Quezon City last April 30, 2024 to personally deliver the donations and gain firsthand insight into the organization’s operations.
PAWS expressed gratitude and emphasized that company donations support their programs, especially the rehabilitation of their animal shelters and the rescue efforts for animals suffering cruelty and neglect. “Usually, people say that only animals can love you unconditionally. [By] helping these animals, you’ll see in their eyes that they are not damaged goods, and they need people like you to help them support their rehabilitation,” said PAWS Education Officer Sharon Yap. To create positive change, Yap said that pet owners should practice spaying and neutering for their pets and encourage others to do so, stating, “You can start by being responsible pet owners and having a lifetime commitment to your pets. And if you cannot give monetary donations, you can donate your time by volunteering here at the organization.”
realme Philippines Communications Lead Patricia Gonzales hopes the collaborative initiative will inspire others to take action regarding the country’s concerning cases of animal cruelty. Gonzales added, “Our collaboration with Petsup and PAWS shows our commitment to fostering a community that values empathy and kindness towards animals. We hope that our donation, especially the brand new units of realme Note 50, will help streamline the activities and efforts of PAWS.” Using their platforms and resources, realme and Petsup have significantly impacted the lives of numerous animals and highlighted the importance of advocating for animal welfare and contributing to causes that promote compassion, empathy, and social responsibility towards animals.
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Xtreme One Entertainment Partners With TrillerTV To Stream XFC Events Worldwide
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| (Image Source: TrillerTV/Xtreme One Entertainment Inc.) |
Xtreme One Entertainment Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary XFC Global Inc. are proud to announce a yearlong media rights distribution agreement with global premium sports and entertainment streaming service TrillerTV (formerly FITE) to stream the organization's live XFC mixed martial arts (MMA) events. With over 8 million registered users, XFC will take advantage of Triller's pay-per-view promotional capabilities across numerous platforms including promotion on the home screen of over 7,000 smart TV models.
"Building off the success of XFC50, we're pleased to team up with Triller TV and secure a broadcast agreement for the next year of XFC events. Fans can watch TrillerTV from any device, anywhere, and the platform is a recognized leader in combat sports streaming. Tune in May 31st for XFC Grand Prix II live from Detroit and see the passion of our fighters and the sport of MMA," said Xtreme One Entertainment President Doug Kuiper. The global broadcast agreement between TrillerTV and XFC begins XFC Grand Prix II on May 31, 2024 live from Detroit, Michigan and exclusive to any device using TrillerTV whether it be a mobile, OTT or a SmartTV app or via the TrillerTV.com website. TrillerTV and XFC are offering an early-purchase discount for XFC Grand Prix II of US$19.99 if purchased by May 29, 2024 and then $24.99 following. XFC Grand Prix II will feature a main event between heavyweights Alex Nicholson and Carl Seumanutafa, a featured bout with Pearl Gonzalez and Rainn Guerrero, and Michigan-based MMA talent such as Collin Anglin. The fight card includes a mix of veterans from the UFC, Bellator and the PFL, along with up-and-comers and the next generation of MMA champions.
"XFC is a top MMA brand that features compelling fighters in their events. We're looking forward to a convivial distribution partnership this year filled with exciting talent," said TrillerTV Chief Marketing Officer Kim Hurwitz. The livestream will be supported by an all-star team of commentators. At the front is veteran sports reporter and broadcaster Ronnie Duncan calling the blow-by-blow action, joined on color commentary by Jessica Aguilar, a UFC and Bellator combatant who stepped into the cage 30 times during her pro MMA career. Actor/comedian/sports commentator Jonny Loquasto will handle back-of-the-house announcing while Detroit's own Rhyan Neco completes the team as ring announcer. XFC and MMA fans can visit XFCFight.com for more information and for exclusive XFC-licensed merchandise. The XFC Fan Shop is now live, access directly at https://xfc.axomo.com or through the tab on XFCFight.com.
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Green And "Gento": SB19 Joins Puregold's All-Star OPM Lineup
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| Premier P-Pop sensation SB19 comprising of Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken and Justin officially joins the Puregold's all-star OPM ambassador lineup. (Image Source: Business Mirror/Puregold Price Club Inc.) |
Puregold has officially confirmed its collaboration with P-Pop sensation SB19, much to the excitement of every A’Tin across the Philippines. The group, often hailed as the “Kings of P-Pop", teased the collaboration for weeks prior to Puregold’s official announcement made through Instagram posts and stories of them having fun riding Puregold shopping carts. SB19 comprising of Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken, and Justin has been at the forefront of the P-Pop movement. Their journey, from their debut marked by rigorous group training sessions to their current status as world-class performers, affirms how immense talent and dedication can drive anyone to succeed. Today, SB19’s music resonates with fans not just in the Philippines but across the globe, attesting to their international appeal.
The past year, however, was not without challenges. Following the release of their latest album, Pagtatag, and while on their first world tour, SB19 had to grapple with the stress and loneliness of being away from home. The group also left their previous management and started their own — a massive undertaking in terms of artistic independence and freedom. Undeterred by the speed bumps, the SB19 hopes to use such learning experiences in making their most intense and genuine art to date. Through a collaboration with Puregold, SB19 hopes to tell their panalo story of strength and resilience and remind every Filipino of the same fortitude that resides in their heart. Alongside Flow G, BINI, and SunKissed Lola, SB19 is a shining example of the growth and triumph of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Puregold, in its commitment to supporting local music, is set to sustain this trend with its upcoming musical projects.
