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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Lenovo) |
At Lenovo’s annual Tech World innovation event, Lenovo and FIFA have revealed the multinational company as Official FIFA Technology Partner – FIFA’s top tier sponsorship category – in a deal that includes the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico, and the United States and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Brazil. The two tournaments will provide the perfect platform for Lenovo to further grow its global brand among fans of the world’s most popular sport and, more importantly, deliver integrated and innovative technologies that will make football more accessible and more engaging for all, growing the game around the world.
Lenovo’s products, services and solutions, including its emerging suite of innovations that both leverage and power AI (Artificial Intelligence), iconic ThinkPad laptops, tablets, Motorola mobile phones, and servers, will be integrated into the 2026 and 2027 tournaments. The technology will power improved fan experiences in stadiums and global broadcasts, power enhanced analytics, and democratize data across all global football-playing nations. Lenovo Chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang commented, “As one of the world’s leading technology companies, we’re delighted to partner with the world’s most global and popular sport. Lenovo will be powering the largest sporting and entertainment events in human history – events with more viewers, more nations participating, and an unprecedented global demand for data processing and technology. Lenovo is proud to support FIFA’s vision of leveraging technology to elevate the game, enhance the fan experience worldwide, and foster innovation that levels the playing field. We’re excited that our cutting-edge technology and AI innovation will take center stage in the upcoming tournaments, demonstrating to the world the transformative power of smarter technology.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino added, “At FIFA, we are committed to growing the game globally and making football accessible for all – and we are excited to welcome Lenovo to our journey, and to work with them to implement technologies, innovations and programmes that spread our sport. Data and technology combined helps us to know fans better, and we will use it to create unparalleled and unforgettable fan experiences at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. In Lenovo, we have a partner who will support us as we evolve and innovate, investing in digital technology and artificial intelligence for future generations.” The landmark partnership marks the first deal between Lenovo and FIFA and builds on Lenovo’s heritage in powering the technology that has and continues to underpin many flagship global sporting properties.
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PLDT, Smart Train Persons With Disabilities In Visayas On Tech Entrepreneurship
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| (Image Source: Business Mirror/PLDT Inc.) |
PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), together with Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV) and NORFIL Foundation Inc., continue to enhance the digital skills of persons with disabilities in Visayas. The group recently conducted its Digital Business Basics Training (DBBT) in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique and Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. “Many persons with disabilities now have access to technology and connectivity. Our goal in PLDT and Smart is to assist them in leveraging technology to improve their lives. We hope that the knowledge the participants gained from this training will be beneficial to them and enable them to contribute to their communities,” said PLDT Head for Panay and Palawan Dane Macapagal.
DBBT is a week-long digital training that seeks to equip persons with disabilities with the digital skills and tools necessary to establish or grow their business online. Since 2023, PLDT, Smart and ATRIEV have brought the DBBT to five towns in Central and Western Visayas and trained more than 100 persons with disabilities. At the training, participants learned about the basics of financial management, e-commerce platforms, social media marketing, and internet safety, among others. Smart also presented its retailer program and the Maya Business App, providing other livelihood opportunities to persons with disabilities. Edcel Basañes, a person with psychosocial disability and participant from the San Jose de Buenavista run, was grateful to participate in the workshop, sharing, "The training covered many interesting topics, and it was great to learn something new every day. I also appreciate our visually impaired instructors, who were very skilled in conducting the training despite their limitations. So far, this has been the most memorable training that I have experienced."
“I am delighted to witness our participant’s perseverance and dedication to completing this digital upskilling initiative. We thank ATRIEV and its partner institutions because this would not be possible without the combined efforts of the LGU and organizations that truly care for our persons with disabilities,” said Leosam Antonio, Persons with Disability Affairs Office Focal Person at Bayawan City Social Welfare and Development Office. This initiative forms part of PLDT and Smart’s IDEATE program or Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology which is aligned with the group’s commitment to help the country attain the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal (UNSDG) No. 10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.
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Watsons Brings Vaccine Education In A Fun And Engaging Way With SPIT Manila And Medical Experts
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| (L-R): Dr. Winston Kilimanjaro “Dr. Kilimanguru” Tiwaquen; Philippine Vaccination Foundation Board Member Dr. Cristina Alberto, M.D.; Dr. Gilinezabel De La Fuente, M.D., from the Community Pediatrics Society of the Philippines; Philippine Digital Medicine Society Trustee Dr. Nicole Anne Buenavista; Watsons Philippines Customer Director Jared De Guzman; Watsons Philippines Senior Assistant Vice President for Marketing, PR and Sustainability Sharon Decapia (Image Source: Watsons Philippines) |
Watsons, the leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer in the Philippines, recently held an engaging vaccination awareness event in partnership with the popular improv group SPIT Manila titled “As A Matter Of Vaxx: Get Your Vaccine Facts Straight” which took place last October 15, 2024, at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza. The program kicked off with a panel discussion featuring esteemed medical experts who shared their insights on the crucial role of vaccines in preventing diseases and maintaining public health including Dr. Minette Claire Rosario, M.D., Chair of the Adult Immunization Committee (2019-2023) of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases; Dr. Cristina Alberto, M.D., Board Member of the Philippine Vaccination Foundation; Dr. Gilinezabel De La Fuente, M.D., from the Community Pediatrics Society of the Philippines; and Dr. Nicole Anne Buenavista, Board of Trustee of the Philippine Digital Medicine Society. The discussion was facilitated by medical content creator Dr. Kilimanjaro Tiwaquen, popularly known as Doc Kilimanguru. Brand partners from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Exeltis, Pfizer, and Unilab were present to support the event.
The experts provided valuable information on the benefits of vaccines, addressing common misconceptions and myths surrounding immunization. They emphasized that vaccines help in creating a healthier community as they are safe, effective, and necessary to protect against illnesses such as flu, pneumonia, HPV, shingles, and hepatitis B. By debunking misinformation and presenting accurate facts, the doctors aimed to equip the audience with a better understanding of why vaccines are a vital component of public health. Following the insightful discussion, SPIT Manila brought a dynamic and engaging approach to the topic of vaccination through interactive skits, fun segments, and audience participation. The improv group made the serious topic of vaccination more relatable, ensuring attendees absorbed the key messages in an engaging and enjoyable way. Actress and comedian Rufa Mae Quinto has also graced the event and joined the group’s performance. “Vaccinations are a crucial line of defense against outbreaks. Getting vaccinated is a simple, safe, and effective way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community. This is the message we wanted to drive home with this initiative. We hope that by bringing medical experts and engaging acts from SPIT Manila together, we can encourage more people to get vaccinated and help dispel common misconceptions and myths surrounding immunization,” said Watsons Philippines Customer Director Jared De Guzman.
Check the vaccination schedule and book your appointment online at https://os.watsons.com.ph/VASS_UI/AppointmentBooking. You can also inquire via Watsons’ official Facebook Messenger and book appointments at select Watsons stores, with options available for walk-ins. Available vaccines include 2024 Flu, Pneumonia 13, Pneumonia 23, HPV4, Shingles, and Hepatitis B. Healthcare needs? Find it at Watsons! Shop for vitamins, supplements and medicines offline and online by visiting any of the 1,100+ Watsons stores nationwide or by downloading the Watsons app at http://bit.ly/WatsonsMobileApp.
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Acer Ambassadors SB19 And G22 Take Taiwan By Storm
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| Acer Philippines brand ambassadors G22 and SB19 inside Acer's global headquarters during their visit to Taiwan (Image Source: Manila Standard/Acer Philippines) |
SB19, comprising of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin, and G22, comprising of AJ, Alfea, and Jaz, visited Taiwan as part of their activities as brand ambassadors for Acer Philippines. Inside its global headquarters in the said country, Acer awarded special honorary employee titles to the two P-Pop groups as a way of expressing its gratitude for their contribution to promoting the brand in the Philippine market. While in Taiwan, SB19 guested in “Atom Boyz 2", an idol survival show and visited the Shilin Night Market with He Yankai, Huang Chongjun, and Li Jiahao where the three Taiwanese idols took SB19 to taste classic Taiwanese delicacies such as candied haws, chicken cake, stinky tofu, and sweet potato balls and played games in the night market. G22, on the other hand, also appeared in “Atom Boyz 2" and performed in “Super Entourage", a variety show hosted by the Taiwanese TV show host and singer Jacky Wu and his daughter Sandy Wu.
“The visit of SB19 and G22 to Taiwan was a huge success, showing how limitless their potential is. Their songs and popularity have reached other countries too. We are very proud to have them as our ambassadors,” said Acer Philippines Managing Director Sue Ong Lim. “One of the reasons why our ambassadors visited Taiwan is for a very special project coming out soon. Please expect big things from us this holiday season,” said Acer Philippines Senior Marketing Manager Princess Laosantos. Known as the “Kings of P-pop", Pablo of SB19 collaborated with G22 for a stirring rendition of “Limitless", the theme song for Acer Day 2024, held last August, which talks about an individual’s limitless potential.
According to the latest market research data, Acer secured a 36% market share in the Philippine personal computer market in August, maintaining its leading position. From January to August this year, Acer accumulated a total market share of 32%, firmly holding the top spot and demonstrating strong market competitiveness. Additionally, Acer’s notebook computers performed remarkably well, achieving nearly a 40% market share in August, highlighting Acer’s leadership in the Philippine computer market. For more information about Acer, follow Acer Philippines on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram or visit www.acer.com.
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Shanaia Unravels The Dark Secrets Of The Underworld In iWantTFC Original Movie "The Gatekeeper"
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| Next Gen Multimedia Star Shanaia Gomez is antiques dealer Cita Mendoza who is set to unravel the dark secrets of the underworld in the iWantTFC Original Movie "The Gatekeeper", now streaming for free and on-demand. (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Unravel the horrific pits of the abyss as Next Gen Multimedia Star Shanaia Gomez unlocks the gates of the underworld in the newest horror original "The Gatekeeper", now streaming for free and on-demand on iWantTFC. In her first lead role, Shanaia plays the antiques dealer Cita Mendoza whose life is about to take a drastic turn when she comes across a strange cabinet owned by a dead priest that apparently serves as an ark holding troubled spirits from the depths of hell. With the help of newfound acquaintances, Cita tries to uncover the mysteries behind the underworld's gateway to Earth as she also tackles her troubled past, worsening her ongoing paranoia. From the creative minds behind the award-winning biopic "Quezon's Game" Matthew and Dean Rosen, the new iWantTFC horror Original is unlike other local flicks of the same cerebral genre, focusing this time on the blending of Hebrew myth and biblical references into Filipino folklore.
Director Matthew Rosen then added that the film took years to make, stemming from his initial visit to the Holy Land of Jerusalem in the '80s. In a prior interview, Matthew said, "I've been working on it since 1984 and it took a lot of research. There's a lot of stuff to get your head around through it. From the initial discovery that I had in the Holy Land of something mystical that happened 3,500 years ago. I have had to research it because it's not very commonly known." Meanwhile, viewers have praised "The Gatekeeper" for its unique take on the horror genre, as well as Shanaia's portrayal in her first lead role. "Nakakaloka! Dahil simula pa lang ng pelikula ay gugulatin ka na ng mga katatakutang eksena, plus mga nakakabiglang twists and turns sa kwento. Ito ang unang pagsabak ni Shanaia sa horror genre at masasabi naming pak na pak ang kanyang pagganap," said Bandera Inquirer's entertainment editor Ervin Santiago. Content creator Jezreel Ely added, "Finally, Filipino film outfits are trying something new. They are experimenting with different takes on the horror genre in the Philippines. If you're up for a religious horror movie, watch 'The Gatekeeper' on iWantTFC."
Uncover the lurking horrors of the underworld in the iWantTFC Original "The Gatekeeper" streaming for free and on-demand on iWantTFC.com and its official app (available on iOS and Android). Alongside "The Gatekeeper", iWantTFC brings more fright to its viewers this Halloween season, with its curated horror watchlist as picked by Shanaia herself — featuring "Feng Shui", "Segundo Mano", "Seklusyon", "Wag Kang Lilingon", "The Ghost Bride", "Shake, Rattle & Roll XV" among many others. Get easy access to iWantTFC's content library for free. Aside from portable devices, users can enjoy the iWantTFC viewing experience on a larger screen with select devices, available on Chromecast and Airplay, among others. To learn more about the offerings of the home of Filipino stories, follow iWantTFC on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.
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LALIGA Aims To Grow Football Grassroots After Successful Youth Tournament
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| (Image Source: LALIGA) |
A total of 80 teams and 1,380 young talents from eight different countries have competed in front of more than 7,000 fans in the first edition of the LALIGA Youth Tournament in the Philippines last October 18-20, 2024 at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. After three days of intense and exciting youth football action, Crocs FC Davao emerged as the big winner, winning as Champion in U8, U10 and U12 categories. Meanwhile, Total FC won the tournament for the U14 category and the White Team of DLSZ (De La Salle Santiago Zobel School) achieved championship glory as 1st placer in the U16 category. Organized by LALIGA together with RSA 1 Group and Epic Management, the LALIGA Youth Tournament aims to become the benchmark tournament in grassroots football in the region through its multiple local editions and to boost football talent throughout the Southeast Asian region with plans to hold a larger tournament at regional level.
"We are thrilled with the success of the LALIGA Youth Tournament here in the Philippines. With over 80 teams participating, this event was more than just a series of matches — it was a celebration of football and the exceptional talent of young players from across Asia. The passion and energy we experienced throughout the tournament were incredible, and it’s clear that the future of football is bright. We’re proud to have provided an unforgettable experience for everyone involved, and we look forward to continuing to grow the sport in the Philippines and the region," said Epic Management Inc. President Ed Picson. Meanwhile, LALIGA Singapore Office Director Iván Codina said, "We are very committed to the development of global grassroots football and the Singapore Office has made the LALIGA Youth Tournament a priority project. We aim to work to the highest quality standards and to establish the LALIGA Youth Tournament brand as a reference in the region, thus we are very proud of the success of this edition in the Philippines.”
The excellent summer of Spanish football, which has won both Euro 2024 and the men's football gold medal at the Olympics as well as the numerous titles won by the women's teams this season, shows the strength of Spanish football. Specifically, at Euro 2024, 25 of the 26 players came from the youth teams of 11 different LALIGA clubs, both LALIGA EA SPORTS and LALIGA HYPERMOTION, a clear indicator of the health of the talent pool that Spanish academies produce year after year to complement the arrival of established stars from abroad. These are the results of work that has been carried out for years in the grassroots football and youth academies of LALIGA clubs and which LALIGA seeks to export to support the growth of world football. In addition, LALIGA has launched a new initiative focused on the youth and that is present in all LALIGA’s grassroots projects: LALIGA VS BULLYING, appealing to football's fundamental values: team spirit, unity, collective strength and sportsmanship. Under the concept ‘A team doesn't let anyone stand alone’, this campaign is focused on highlighting an existing problem in society and football's ability to change the rules and to promote football as a social transformation tool.
