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| (Image Source: MegaBites/vivo Philippines) |
Award-winning independent Filipino filmmaker Joseph Abello has turned to the vivo V40 smartphone to bring his climate advocacy to life in a compelling new short film for Oscar M. Lopez Foundation’s Mga Kwento Ng Klima (MKK) Short Films 2024. The annual competition calls on filmmakers to portray the unique Filipino experience of climate change and highlight the urgent need for climate action. Abello, who directed the award-winning films What Home Feels Like and Double Twisting Double Back, produced Water For Three Sisters with the V40 to capture the reality of water interruptions in his hometown of Cainta, Rizal. His film aims to inspire viewers to reflect on climate-driven challenges affecting communities across the Philippines.
Abello shared, “As a filmmaker, very powerful to be a filmmaker because people watch us, we can influence people through our content. So, it’s really time to do something more than just fun or more than just content. Do something na may laman, do something that can really influence people for the good." A loyal vivo user, Abello recently upgraded from the vivo V21 to the V40, specifically for this project. The vivo V40, developed in partnership with the renowned German optics company ZEISS, boasts three 50MP cameras that deliver professional-grade image quality, a perfect match for Abello’s creative vision. He explained, “Noong nalaman ko na yung vivo V40 is co-engineered by ZEISS, eh yun talaga, it’s the perfect phone na magagamit ko dito sa pag-shoot ng aking short film. So, when deciding ano bang mobile phone yung gagamitin ko to shoot this short film, I knew talaga I had to go with vivo. Like I said, I really trust vivo as a brand,” he explained. Abello shot his film using the vivo V40’s 4K video resolution at 30 frames per second, achieving cinematic quality comparable to high-end cameras. “For me, using vivo V40 allows me to create a film not just in a budget-friendly way but at the same time, produce a film na yung quality niya parang shoot mo talaga using an expensive filmmaking camera,” he said.
Expressing his gratitude to vivo Philippines, Abello added, “Thank you so much vivo Philippines for helping me create my short film using your vivo V40, co-engineered by ZEISS. It really helped me produce a quality-looking short film.” While the premiere date for the 2024 MKK Short Films is yet to be announced, you can catch Abello's Water For Three Sisters on vivo Philippines' official Facebook and TikTok pages. Experience professional filmmaking right in your hands with the vivo V40, now available for purchase at vivo stores nationwide and online via the vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada for as low as Php26,999.
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Subsonic Eye, Television Off, KAIA And More ASEAN Acts To Perform In ASEAN-India Music Festival 2024
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| (Image Source: Team PCheng/Seher Events) |
ASEAN-India Music Festival (AIMF) returns this year with a diverse lineup across India and Southeast Asia to celebrate a decade of the former's Act East Policy. The 2024 edition will take place on November 29-December 1, 2024, with each show starting on 6:30 pm onwards, at the historic Purana Qila in New Delhi, India. Entry is free for all guests. The festival kicks off with performances by two of India’s most beloved music icons, prominent folk music artist and highly sought-after singer-composer for Kannada cinema Raghu Dixit and the beloved “Golden Voice of India" Shaan. On November 30, audiences can expect high-energy performances from rock band Western Ghats and the dynamic Bollywood twin-sister duo Sukriti-Prakriti. The festival will come to a grand conclusion on December 1 with a performance by award-winning singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal whose heartfelt songs have won music fans all over the world.
In addition to highly anticipated sets from India’s top artists, the festival will also showcase performances from ASEAN music acts, offering audiences a chance to experience the rich, diverse sounds and creative musical traditions from across the Southeast Asian region. Joining this year are T-pop band Television Off from Thailand, Hanoi rock pioneers Buc Tuong from Viet Nam, pop-rock icons Floor 88 from Malaysia, indie rock darlings Subsonic Eye from Singapore, pop singer Chet Kanhchna from Cambodia, MRTV from Myanmar, and girl group KAIA from the Philippines among others. These performances will not only highlight the region’s musical diversity but also emphasize the growing cultural ties between India and ASEAN. The ASEAN-India Music Festival also aims to showcase the deep cultural ties within the ASEAN-India comprehensive strategic partnership. As a vibrant platform for cultural exchange, the festival marks a decade of India’s Act East Policy in action. The country's Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar joins the festivities as ASEAN-India Music Festival’s chief guest as well as senior officials of the Indian national government's Ministry of External Affairs and the Heads of Missions from all 10 ASEAN Member States.
Seher Founder Director Sanjeev Bhargava shared his thoughts on the upcoming festival, saying, “Music is much more than just a performance — it’s an expression of our shared humanity, our hopes, and our dreams. The ASEAN India Music Festival is a beautiful reminder that despite our different backgrounds, music has the power to unite us all. It allows us to connect not only as artists but as individuals who are part of a much larger global community. This festival is not just about showcasing talent, but about celebrating the bonds we’ve built over the years and the new ones we’ll form through the universal language of melody. Let’s forget what lines and borders separate us in this region and come together on this platform of music and celebrate what’s common between us.” This year’s edition is all set to be a vibrant celebration of togetherness, creativity, and the unique way music brings us all closer, no matter our backgrounds. As the dates draw near, keep an eye out for more updates, and get ready to be part of a remarkable celebration of the connections we share through the power of music. To learn more about ASEAN-India Music Festival, visit www.seher.in.
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Eggy Party Wins Best Pick Up & Play In Google Play's Best Of 2024 Awards
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| (Image Source: Pocket Gamer/NetEase Games) |
NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase Inc., is proud to announce that Eggy Party has been awarded Best Pick Up & Play in numerous regions worldwide including the United States, Canada, Latin America (LATAM), Australia, Great Britain, Europe, and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) at Google Play’s Best Of 2024 Awards. Eggy Party is a casual multiplayer party game for mobile phones where players take control of adorable Eggies and guide them through fast and frantic minigames. Set on Eggy Island, Eggy Party has a bright and colorful art style with customizable Eggies being the center of attention. Eggy Party also strongly emphasizes user-generated content with millions of player-made maps already available worldwide. The announcement is confirmed by Google Play's editiorial team last November 18, 2024.
Since its launch, Eggy Party has received other accolades. The game has the highest Daily Active User count of any title in NetEase’s history, ranking among the top three titles in China’s mobile game market. After Eggy Party launched in Southeast Asia on September 8, 2023, it has consistently ranked in the top three of Google Play’s free charts in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. In 2023, Eggy Party was also recognized by different outlets. Eggy Party was an App Store Awards 2023 Finalist and received an Honourable Mention in the Google Play (Taiwan & Hong Kong) Best Pick Up & Play category. Additionally, mobile gaming analyst website Sensor Tower gave Eggy Party the Best Party Game award in its APAC Awards 2023 celebrations. Eggy Party has earned these honors thanks to its easy-to-pick-up nature. Players can jump into a game of Eggy Party on their phones at a moment’s notice and have a great time. There are definitely elements of skill, strategy, and teamwork involved with securing a victory, but having fun happens at all skill levels. Eggy Party's minigames also have a wide variety of gameplay types. These include racing, hide and seek, fighting, platforming, and parkour. The developers are also continually adding new gameplay modes and activities with over 150,000 peak competition maps and 30 unique gameplay modes to date.
Eggy Party has also opened the door to endless user-generated content through the robust editor tool (the Eggy Workshop), allowing players to build all kinds of stages for everyone to enjoy. Over 100 million user-generated maps have been developed since launch, covering a wide variety of themes and gameplay styles. These even include maps focusing on concepts like social issues and environmental protection. The Eggies haven’t been journeying alone as Eggy Party has collaborated with several well-known IPs that have introduced social gameplay content. These have included franchises like Tom & Jerry, Toy Story, Zootopia, KouKou Love, and Mikko Illustrations. Players have had a chance to experience these incredible series within the Eggy Party world, enhancing their gameplay experience and rewarding them with unique items. NetEase Games' Head of Overseas Publishing Matt Liu stated, “We are highly honored for the recognition of work received through winning Google Play’s Best Pick Up & Play Game of 2024. We will continue to work hard to add even more exciting content to Eggy Party in the coming years and bring smiles to the faces of fans worldwide.”
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Batangas Government Launched "Ala EEE Zero Waste Tiangge Project" In Town Of Balayan
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| The Batangas provincial government's Ala EEE (Educate, Engage, Empower) Zero Waste Tiangge at AGAP Building, Barangay Caloocan, Balayan, Batangas (Image Source: Batangas Provincial Public Information Office/Junjun De Chavez) |
The Provincial Government of Batangas, in partnership with the Municipal Government of Balayan, successfully launched the "ALA EEE (Educate, Engage, Empower) Zero Waste Tiangge Project" last November 12, 2024 at the AGAP Building in Barangay Caloocan, Balayan, Batangas. The project, which was implemented under the leadership of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) with the support of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), aims to reduce waste that harms the environment, more particularly in rivers and oceans.
One of the main tasks of the project is to provide knowledge and skills to stores and sari-sari stores to sell their products through the refilling or 'takal-takal' system. That way, the project is expected to help prevent or reduce the use of plastic sachets. As part of the initiative, ten beneficiaries from six coastal barangays of Balayan received a "multi-purpose rack or micro-refilling store". According to PGENRO Assistant Department Head Dr. Marivic Esmas, it is important for everyone to pay attention to proper waste management, especially since the Philippines is leading as the largest ocean plastic contributor in the world.
Meanwhile, PGENRO Chief Luis A. Awitan called on local government units in the province and the public to support the project and encourage the residents of each barangay to enjoy the participating stores. Also gracing the launch of the projecr were Balayan Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Albert Calingasan, Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officer Joy Inciong, representatives of Tetra Pack Philippines and Batangas State University, and barangay officials of Brgy. Caloocan and officials of the municipal government of Balayan.
(With words by Jun Magnaye, Batangas Provincial Public Information Office)
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E-Sports International Champions Standardized Football Pitches For Philippine Development
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| Among E-Sports International's completed FIFA-certified football fields is in Romblon. (Image Source: Manila Standard/E-Sports International) |
E-Sports International, a leading builder of sports facilities in the Philippines, and Acousto-Scan, an international laboratory specializing in testing sports surfaces, are advocating for more FIFA-certified football fields in the Philippines. According to these organizations, standardized pitches are key to advancing football talent and preparing players for international competition. In a recent briefing, both groups emphasized the importance of ensuring that football fields across the Philippines meet global standards. “Providing FIFA-certified fields to schools, cities, and communities will make an indelible impact on grassroots football,” said Acousto-Scan Executive Sports Director Anthony Apparailly. These fields will help aspiring athletes grow their skills on safe, internationally-standardized surfaces.
Apparailly noted that having 12 to 15 FIFA-certified fields nationwide could boost the country’s ability to host international competitions, eventually saying, “The Philippines can hold its own against countries like Singapore, Korea, and Malaysia in terms of quality, but there’s room for improvement in the number of fields.” E-Sports International founder and managing director Audris Romualdez agreed, saying, “If we want international athletes, we must have international sports venues. Our mission is to ensure every field we build meets global standards.” E-Sports International takes a comprehensive approach to pitch development. The company ensures athlete safety, compliance with laboratory recommendations, and protection of the owner’s investment. This includes free maintenance for the first year and training for groundskeepers. E-Sports' General Manager Pam Romualdez stressed the importance of using FIFA-preferred products like Limonta artificial turf, which the company exclusively distributes and installs in the Philippines. “A good field is the combination of quality materials and expert installation,” she said.
To date, E-Sports has built nine out of the 11 FIFA-certified football fields in the country with ongoing projects in Maasin, Leyte, and Lanao del Norte. Their goal is to provide world-class facilities in every region, ensuring no athlete has to seek training abroad. “Standardization is picking up across Asia, and the Philippines is on track,” said Apparailly, citing India’s success in field hockey as an example of how facilities can elevate sports performance. With a mission to elevate Philippine football, E-Sports International remains committed to building venues that inspire athletes and nurture world-class talent.
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Unlock A World Of Joy And Delightful Surprises With Globe's All-New Rewards
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| (Image Source: Globe Telecom) |
Get ready for a new level of excitement with Globe’s All-New Rewards. Designed to turn everyday moments into surprising experiences, this revamped rewards program is packed with new features and partners. Unlock a treasure trove of surprises, from mystery boxes to gamified scratch cards. With fresh collaborations on board, your daily purchases via the GlobeOne app now come with more Rewards points so you can redeem special perks that add a spark of joy to your routine. Taking things to a whole new level, Globe Telecom has also teamed up with the nation’s beloved girl group BINI and world-renowned eSports legends Blacklist International. This dynamic and unexpected collaboration is set to captivate millions and create those memorable “Oh My G!” experiences.
“Globe has always been about creating meaningful connections and delightful experiences, and with the All-New Rewards program, we’re taking that commitment to the next level. We want our customers to feel excited every time they interact with Globe, whether they’re redeeming Rewards, completing fun challenges, or simply exploring the new features we’ve introduced. This is our way of saying thank you for being part of the Globe family and for staying with us through the years,” said Head of Globe Rewards Jerome Patalud. The All-New Rewards is loaded with incredible perks which you can enjoy and reap across the following:
• G-Unbox: Dive into mystery boxes filled with monthly offers from new partners.
• G-Swipe: Enjoy gamified scratch cards for a shot at premium items. Every swipe or redemption is a guaranteed win. Big prizes drop every 17th of the month so customers can get more prizes every time they swipe.
• Challen-Gs: Embrace the fun in completing missions and earning bonus points to enjoy more rewards.
• G-gantic Goals: Team up with family and friends to reach goals and unlock rewards that support meaningful causes.
To enjoy these rewards and experiences, join All-New Rewards for free, exclusive on the GlobeOne app. Download the app today on your Globe-powered smartphone and make sure to use it for your Globe transactions to enjoy unexpected joys that reward your everyday.
