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| Present to sign the Memorandum of Agreement between Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) and the Sto. Tomas Batangas LGU for the Adopt-A-River Program (L-R, seated): Sto. Tomas City, Batangas Mayor Atty. Arth Jhun Marasigan; PCPPI Chief Environmental, Social and Governance Officer Atty. Carina Bayon; Sto. Tomas City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Eric Velasco (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc.) |
Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) — the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of PepsiCo beverages in the country — recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and the local government (LGU) of Sto. Tomas, Batangas for the Adopt-A-River Program as part of the company’s long-term environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. Under this partnership, PCPPI’s Southern Tagalog Region Operations (STRO) team will reinforce community engagement and sanitation efforts to keep the Dipangla Creek clean and free of obstructions. The said creek is a 300-meter stretch located at Brgy. San Miguel, beside the STRO plant in Sto. Tomas.
“The partnership to protect the Dipangla Creek through the Adopt-A-River Program is an essential part of our commitment to promote responsible water stewardship across our operations. This is aligned with our goal to create a positive impact on society with programs focused on responsible and ethical operations, employee and community empowerment, and environmental sustainability,” said PCPPI Chief Environmental, Social and Governance Officer Atty. Carina Bayon. PCPPI will ensure the weekly deployment of team members to conduct the collection of solid wastes, maintenance, and upkeep of the project area. It will also monitor the execution of weekly cleaning, overgrown vegetation cutting, and collection of accumulated residual and non-residual garbage along the river stream. Furthermore, PCPPI will put up vertical gardens along the Dipangla Creek stream in support of the enhanced National Greening Program.
Aside from the Adopt-A-River Program, PCPPI STRO has been actively supporting other environmental initiatives led by LLDA and the Sto. Tomas LGU through the years. In September 2021, STRO provided assistance to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) during the cleanup activity held along San Juan River traversing Brgy. San Vicente. In July 2022, STRO celebrated PCPPI’s anniversary by participating in the National Arbor Day Tree Planting Activity of the Sto. Tomas CENRO. The plant also received a Certificate of Appreciation for its donation of 200 narra tree seedlines. In addition, STRO supported CENRO’s “Operasyon Linis Ilog” activity, in celebration of the Philippine Environment Month in June 2023. “PCPPI will continue to strengthen our partnerships with the local government and other key community stakeholders to further our environmental sustainability commitments and contribute to the development of the towns and cities where we operate,” Atty. Bayon added.
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A Bittersweet Reunion And Farewell In The Itchyworms' First Ever Canadian Tour
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/The Itchyworms) |
The Itchyworms, one of the Philippines’ most beloved bands, are hitting the road for their first-ever Canadian tour this November 2024 with their “Akin Ka Na Lang Canada” tour. The highly anticipated tour promises to be a memorable experience for fans across four cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto. The tour also marks a special reunion with the band’s original guitarist Chino Singson who is now based in Vancouver. Chino, who migrated to Canada in 2022, last toured with the Itchyworms in the US in March 2023. After a year away, he’s back on stage with the band he helped create, bringing with him the magic that fans have missed.
While the tour celebrates Chino’s return, it also serves as a heartfelt farewell to the band’s newest member Mikey Amistoso. Mikey, who joined the Itchyworms in recent years, has brought fresh energy and talent to the group. This tour marks not only his last performances with the band but also his own migration to Toronto, making it an emotional and unforgettable experience for both the members and their fans. The Canadian tour is part of the Itchyworms’ ongoing commitment to bringing their unique sound to audiences beyond the Philippines. The band's “Akin Ka Na Lang Canada" tour follows series of successful international shows including performances in Australia, Japan, and Qatar. This venture into Canada is another step in their journey to share Original Pilipino Music (OPM) with the world. The Itchyworms' Akin Ka Na Lang Canada tour will take place on the following dates and venues:
• November 1, 2024: Vancouver – The Centre in Vancouver For Performing Arts
• November 3, 2024: Calgary – The Palace Theatre
• November 8, 2024: Winnipeg – Club Regent Event Centre
• November 10, 2024: Toronto – The Concert Hall – 888 Yonge
Tickets for The Itchyworms' "Akin Ka Na Lang Canada" tour can now be purchased via Simpletix and Ticketmaster. This historic tour is brought to you by Vibeant and WAM Records who have joined forces to bring the Itchyworms’ unique blend of OPM and rock to Canadian shores. Join the Itchyworms for a night of music, memories, and a celebration of the past and future. This tour promises to be a mix of joy, nostalgia, and heartfelt goodbyes — a true Itchyworms experience you won’t want to miss!
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Xiaomi Unveils Smart Band 9: Your Style, Your Pace
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| Xiaomi Smart Band 9 (Image Source: GIZGUIDE/Xiaomi) |
Xiaomi, a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by an Internet of Things (IoT) platform at its core, proudly unveils Xiaomi Smart Band 9 in the Philippines, a groundbreaking device that redefines personal wellness and style in wearable technology. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 boasts a sleek design, offering an extensive suite of wellness features.
With a 16% improvement in heart rate monitoring accuracy, the band provides reliable all-day heart rate and SpO₂ tracking, as well as a 7-day resting heart rate monitoring. Users can also get to know their stress levels and vitality scores to help manage daily wellness. In addition, its sophisticated sleep tracking capabilities provide an in-depth sleep insight report after 7-night above-wear, covering sleep schedule, sleep continuity, naps, all-day stress, and exercise before bed, providing personalized recommendations for enhanced sleep quality..Powered by a robust 233mAh battery, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 delivers up to 21 days of continuous usage, making it an ideal companion for active lifestyles. Its vibrant 1.62-inch AMOLED display boasts a 50% increase in peak brightness, reaching up to 1,200 nits, which guarantees clear visibility even in bright outdoor environments.
Supporting over 150 sports modes, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is equipped with specialized features for running and cycling including 10 on-wrist running courses and metrics such as VO₂ max and recovery time, all designed to enhance training efficiency and optimize performance. Blending fashion with functionality, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is available in five body colors: Glacier Silver, Midnight Black, Arctic Blue, and Mystic Rose, with the new Titan Gray joining soon. These are complemented by a frosted aluminum alloy frame, offering a sophisticated look that can be paired with a range of versatile accessories to suit any occasion. Xiaomi Smart Band 9 will be available on Xiaomi’s official Shopee store for an SRP of Php1,999 and in all authorized Xiaomi stores nationwide starting August 29, 2024.
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Meet The PH Finalists Of 2024 YouTube Works Awards Southeast Asia
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/YouTube) |
Among hundreds of entries submitted by various brands and organizations, YouTube, in partnership with research firm Kantar, officially releases the slate of Philippine finalists for the 2024 YouTube Works Awards Southeast Asia. After an extensive evaluation, the following campaigns have been shortlisted by the Philippines’ YouTube Works Awards jury panel for the final deliberation round:
• Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink – A Strong Child has the strength to learn in life
• CoCo Tea – Cool
• Dove Shampoo – Dove Creator2Cart: Power of Creative Partnerships and Personalized Content
• Great Taste Cream-O – Enjoy creamy aromanamnam with the NEW Great Taste Cream-O coffee
• GCash – "GSafeTayo", "Tara, Summer Na!”, GCash Spotlight
• Grab – Niel, Sorry, Valentine’s Day
• L'Oreal Paris – #ImWorthIt
• McDonald’s – Better Chicken McDo, Kami Naman, MaNight Classroom
• MAGGI MAGIC SARAP – MAGGI MAGIC SARAP COOK WITH MAGIC
• Nido 3+ – Mom, you’re my #1
• NESCAFÉ – NESCAFÉ Kape’t Bisig
• Jack ‘n Jill Nova – NOVAmazing Moments
• Samsung – Samsung S24 Launch
• Selecta Philippines – SB19 x Selecta #MaPaSelectaMuna
• TNT – TNT Sim Registration
Local winners of this year’s awards will be announced in September 2024 and Southeast Asia (SEA) winners will be announced in the finals event in Bangkok, Thailand on October 3, 2024. The awards will also give spotlight to other top campaigns from across SEA that have also demonstrated superb wit and remarkable impact in the digital marketing space on YouTube. “A huge congratulations to the Filipino marketers and visual storytellers whose incredible work has earned them a coveted spot as finalists in this year’s YouTube Works Awards Philippines! We’re excited to find out who the local winners are and for them to proudly represent the country on the Southeast Asia stage this October,” said Google Marketing Head for Philippines, Vietnam, and South Asia Frontier Markets Gabby Roxas.
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Smart Now Lets Prepaid Subscribers Borrow Load Via Loan-A-Load Service
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| (Image Source: Rappler/Smart Communications Inc.) |
Mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has unveiled Loan-A-Load, an innovative service that enables subscribers to borrow data, especially when they are running out of data allocation. Initially available to Smart Prepaid users on Android devices, Loan-A-Load packages start at 100 MB Open Access Data for Php5, 200 MB Open Access Data for Php10, and 300 MB Open Access Data for Php15, all valid for one day. This gives subscribers the flexibility to accomplish their essential online tasks when needed.
To avail of the service, customers must simply turn on their Smart mobile data with WiFi turned off, opt for Facebook Free Mode, and have their mobile number linked to their Facebook account. On the Facebook Mobile Center, subscribers may choose their preferred Loan-A-Load package then click ‘Confirm'. “Now that we’ve shifted most of our activities online, online connectivity has become essential. With Loan-A-Load service, we want to ensure our subscribers can stay connected whenever and wherever they need it the most — even if they have run out of load,” said Smart First Vice President for Prepaid Marketing, Content and Business Development Lloyd R. Manaloto. “Smart is proud to offer this service to our subscribers, as it leads the way in delivering solutions that truly improve our users’ daily lives,” said Smart Vice President and Head of Innovations and Digital Services Jerome Y. Almirante.
Loan-A-Load is particularly useful when traditional top-up services are inaccessible such as during natural disasters or emergencies. Subscribers can quickly borrow data to stay informed and connected with loved ones. Loan-A-Load may also cater to students and professionals who rely on mobile data for online classes or remote work, ensuring they don’t miss important sessions or deadlines due to a lack of data. The Loan-A-Load service may only be used by the borrower one at a time. Borrowers should also not have an existing loan balance and have been active on the Smart network for at least 30 days. As soon as the borrower has paid off his or her previous loan, he or she may use the service again. ‘Loan-A-Load’ is powered by Smart’s superior mobile network, recently recognized for delivering the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage Experience by independent network analytics from Opensignal.
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SB19 Drops THE FIRST TAKE Versions Of "GENTO" And "MAPA" On Digital Music Streaming Platforms
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| Pinoy pop royalty SB19 on THE FIRST TAKE (Image Source: Billboard Philippines/THE FIRST TAKE) |
P-Pop royalty SB19 continues to captivate music fans from all over the world with the release of “GENTO” and “MAPA” from THE FIRST TAKE sessions on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment. The new versions feature the award-winning group’s performances at THE FIRST TAKE, a popular YouTube channel with nearly 10 million subscribers under its belt. The show’s format features Japanese and international music guests performing a song in one take, filmed with shots of the artists and a microphone against a minimalist and usually white backdrop.
To date, THE FIRST TAKE renditions of “GENTO” and “MAPA” have amassed more than 4.5 million views on YouTube, becoming one of the most viewed performances from an Asian pop group/band. In a collective statement, SB19 shares, “We’re eternally grateful to THE FIRST TAKE for giving us an opportunity to showcase our work on a platform known not just for its massive global following but for elevating the audio-visual experience of music fans with much-needed authenticity and rawness. The performances really challenged us to work within our limitations and deliver with the best of our abilities. We’ve always considered performing as a sanctimonious process that deserves utmost preparation, love, and respect. Constantly reminded by THE FIRST TAKE that we can only perform the songs once, we had to reconnect with our roots and embrace the beauty of spontaneity.”
SB19 is the first Southeast Asian group and the first Filipino artist to be invited on the globally renowned platform which also served as host to several acclaimed performances by other artists such as aespa, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, Hitsujibungaku, MANESKIN, ITZY, (G)-I-DLE, imase, Maluma, and more. For THE FIRST TAKE version of “GENTO", SB19 delivered a genuinely compelling performance that highlights the five-piece act’s incredible talent and range in harmonizing, singing, and rapping. The chart-topping hitmakers also took musicality on a different level with their rousing version of “MAPA” which SB19 redressed with a soaring arrangement and an inspiring gospel-infused delivery.
