Experience Virtual Reality with Lenovo Vibe K4 Note and Vibe X3

It was also about the same time last year that I saw the first Lenovo phone that really got my attention. The company was launching the Lenovo A7000, the world's first phone to feature Dolby Atmos, and to showcase the theater experience we were treated to a 4D screening of the Avengers Movie. That night I was the lucky one to win the phone.

Now that Captain America: Civil War  is just a few days away, Lenovo once again launched its new generation of smartphones that was made for those who love watching movies. But this time, they take the experience several notches higher with the introduction of TheaterMax.

Lenovo unveiled the Vibe Note 4 and Vibe X3 at a media event held at the SM North Edsa Cyberzone Event Area last week. The two new phones promise unparalleled entertainment as you can now watch and play your favorite movies and games via a Virtual Reality headset.


And guess what…I was again the lucky one who won the Vibe X3 and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

Enjoying multimedia on a smartphone has never been this exciting. Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today unveils TheaterMax, the promise of an immersive experience powered by Lenovo Virtual Reality (VR) technology. It is touted to convert any multimedia content to become VR-enabled, giving users a cinematic experience when viewed through a VR headset. Lenovo proudly introduces the world’s first smartphones with TheaterMax, the Lenovo VIBE X3 and VIBE K4 Note.

“With over fifty percent of digital content being consumed on mobile devices at this age and time, smartphones continue to be users’ primary personal entertainment device. Lenovo expects that the numbers will continue to expand in the future; therefore, the demand for newer, more sophisticated functionalities will likewise increase. The Lenovo TheaterMax, powered by Lenovo Virtual Reality, sets us apart with our commitment to design cutting-edge smartphones that meets the needs of consumers at a friendly price point,” said Dino Romano, Country Manager, Lenovo Smartphones Philippines.

The launch of the new Lenovo smartphones is another testament of Lenovo’s commitment to growing the smartphone business in the Philippine market. According to IDC, smartphone penetration in the Philippines is seen to rise to about 70 percent by 2018.

Romano added, “Our smartphone business is a key growth engine to achieve PC Plus leadership. And with our protect and attack strategy, Lenovo is well-positioned to drive sustainable growth for the smartphone business in the Philippines.”

TheaterMax allows users to do so much more than just viewing on a smartphone screen, through three key experiential pillars – exploring, watching and interacting.

Exploring: Whether coming home after a busy day or spending quality time with friends, there is always a new and refreshing experience waiting to be discovered. Experience videos and games come to life when users don a pair of VR glasses and soak in the vibrant visuals and rich surround sound.

Watching: Users can also choose to catch their favorite movies once more without the crowd with TheaterMax’s widescreen cinematics of vivid colors and immersive sound quality in the palm of the hand. Take time out from that hectic schedule and spend much needed quality time with the Lenovo VIBE X3 or VIBE K4 Note.

Interacting: Coupled with endless choices of games and applications, turn the Lenovo VIBE X3 or VIBE K4 Note into a gaming console with TheaterMax boasting smooth graphics, lifelike surround sound, and responsive 3D gameplay. Smartphones are already a hit with the young (and young at hearts) for their intuitiveness and user-friendliness, now users can look forward to even more exciting features.

VIBE X3: Entertainment and Performance Built for a Lasting Experience

Incorporating the world’s first large chambered front stereo speakers for a louder output and improved bass performance, the VIBE X3 boasts an all-new Dolby ATMOS® lifelike audio experience over speakers for the first time. Engineered with Lenovo Sound featuring the industry’s highest performance 32-bit mobile audio DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) with unprecedented dynamic range to play any audio format, the VIBE X3 ensures ultralow distortion and supreme audio clarity, redefining personal entertainment experiences on smartphones.

The VIBE X3 also comes with an advanced sound input and recording capabilities, for those aspiring to produce their own digital content. Lenovo’s configured 3-mic system and state-of-the-art Wolfson® audio codec effectively filters out ambient noise and greatly enhances sound quality, while its 21MP PDAF rear camera with 4K Ultra HD video recording capabilities and 8MP front camera ensures crisp quality videos and images.

The VIBE X3 also features a vibrant 5.5” Full HD display with a 178o wide viewing angle, a high contrast level of 1500:1 and 16M colors with Lenovo Screen color optimization to further enhance visual experience through a slew of dynamic colors and stunning details showcased on a high resolution screen.

To ensure an undisrupted entertainment experience, the VIBE X3’s core structure is strengthened to last. With a combination of a 3600mAh battery that allows users to watch a movie or three in full HD, top of the line 64-bit Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 808 hexa-core processor with 3GB of RAM, the VIBE X3 is built to deliver an exceptional performance making multi-tasking a breeze. Internal storage of 32GB, expandable up to 160GB is also available to ensure easy access to a huge archive of music, movies and games, while staying connected with super-fast LTE speeds.

VIBE K4 Note: Undisrupted Multimedia Experience

Featuring a vibrant 5.5” Full HD display with a 178o wide viewing angle and 1080p clarity, together with color optimization and high-contrast technologies to further enhance the quality of the visuals, the Lenovo VIBE K4 Note delivers an uncompromised entertainment experience for streaming and watching video.

The Lenovo VIBE K4 Note also comes with advanced sound input and recording capabilities for those aspiring to produce their own digital content. Lenovo’s configured 3-mic system and state-of-the-art Wolfson® audio codec effectively filter out ambient noise and greatly enhance sound quality during recording. Its twin front ported stereo speakers enabled by Dolby Atmos® minimize noise and voice distortion when playing voice clips and songs, automatically fine-tuning any audio experience for listeners. Combined with a 13MP PDAF rear camera and a 5MP fixed-focused selfie camera, these features make VIBE K4 Note ideal for creative content producers.

The VIBE K4 Note is also built to perform. A 3300mAh embedded battery, 64-bit MediaTek® MT6753 octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM combine to deliver exceptional performance, promising users undisrupted gaming, multimedia, and social experiences on even the longest days.
Internal storage of 16GB, expandable up to 144GB also helps users maintain easy access to a huge archive of music, movies and games, while staying securely connected with super-fast LTE speeds and security features including fingerprint and NFC sensors.

The Lenovo VIBE X3 will be available on the second week of April at all authorized Lenovo dealers nationwide. Pricing for the model starts at Php22, 099 and is bundled with a free VR headset, screen protector, and back cover. The VIBE X3 is available in Pearl White.

The Lenovo VIBE K4 Note is now available at all authorized Lenovo dealers nationwide. Pricing for the model starts at Php10, 699 and is bundled with a free VR headset, screen protector, and back cover. Colors available include Matte White and Matte Black.

Both smartphone models will also be upgradeable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Get ready to pick a side #TeamCap or #TeamIronMan

I must admit, I am not much of a comic fan, but every time there’s a new superhero movie coming out, I cant help but become just as excited as those fan girls who cant wait to see the movie.  Blame it on Robert Downey, and Chris Evans, or those deep blue eyes of Chris Hemsworth, that just makes you want to scream “Hit me baby one more time” when he’s holding his hammer.

Patrons who make a stand by choosing #SMTeamCap or #SMTeamIronMan online can win a 3-day, 2-night stay in Singapore and a chance to see Captain America himself and the other stars in Singapore!

And if you are not the lucky winner you could still have your pictures taken with Captain America and even Iron Man--- or at least their life-sized statues!

SM Cinema celebrates Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” with life-size figurines, fun activity booths, at the The Block Activity Center SM North Edsa

Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” will be the first film to use the new IMAX/Arri 2D Camera that will add “incredible scale to it,” according to co-director Joe Russo.

The IMAX/Arri 2D Camera is designed to complement the high-resolution capture technologies that achieve the highest level of digital image. IMAX has been very selective as to who utilizes its cameras, limiting it to Zack Snyder (“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice”), Brad Bird (“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”), Christopher Nolan (“Interstellar”), and J.J. Abrams (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”). The newest addition, the IMAX/Arri 2D Camera has been christened by the latest installment of the Captain America franchise.

Nicole Deato, AVP for Cinema & Exhibition and Digital Media, SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. and Anna Driz, Head of Marketing, Disney Media + Philippines invites you to make a stand at the Captain America: Civil War exhibit at SM City North EDSA.

Naturally, the film is best projected onto screens in IMAX theatres, which widen the view of the scene making sure no perspective is cut off frame. “When you’re working on a Marvel film, there’s a sense of showmanship that goes along with the movies, and no exhibitor exploits that better than IMAX,” says Russo.

This summer, choose the extraordinary and make a stand by watching with the best. Choose IMAX. Visit the interactive “Captain America: Civil War” booth at SM City North EDSA from April 13 onwards to win premium items. Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” will be out in all IMAX theatres and SM Cinema theatres beginning April 27. Complement your movie-watching with freshly popped popcorn and movie collectibles found at SM Cinema’s snack brand, Snack Time. For more information, visit www.smcinema.com, or like and follow SM Cinema on facebook (/SMCinema), @SM_Cinema on Twitter and Instagram.

Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.

Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Marisa Tomei, Tom Holland, Frank Grillo and Martin Freeman, with William Hurt and Daniel Brühl.

Anthony & Joe Russo are directing with Kevin Feige, p.g.a. producing. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The screenplay is by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens in theaters on Wednesday, April 27th.

British School Manila introduces Flying Trapeze as an After School Activity

“As I walked up the 25 steps of the ladder for the first time, I could feel my legs begin to shake. Fear took over. I approached the top of the platform and pulled myself up. I grabbed hold of the bar. In the background, I could hear the words, “ready, 3, 2, 1” and something within me forced me to jump off. For the first time in my life, I actually felt like I was flying through the air, weightless and free. This was the day I fell in love with the sport of Trapezing.” (Izzy Moon)

For the past 11 weeks, a group of girls from British School Manila’s Year 5 and 6 have been taking part in an After School Activity in Bonifacio. Flying Trapeze Philippines (FTP) is the first and only full-size Flying Trapeze rig in the Philippines and one of only a few in all of Asia. Located in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, FTP is an excellent alternative form of exercise which tones your upper body and core muscles within a fun and challenging environment. FTP has given these girls, in particular, the opportunity to try out a relatively new sport which, whilst being lots of fun, is also very physically demanding.

‘With help from our fantastic local Filipino coaches, we have all been able to develop so many different skills whilst being 30 feet in the air - scary,’ said one of our performers. Trapeze relies heavily on understanding the timings of your swing so that you are able to be caught in mid-air at the right opportunity. After only a few training sessions, they were being caught by another Trapeze artist whilst flying through the air!

Last Friday, the BSM team got together with children from International School Manila (ISM) for the first Philippines Inter-School Trapeze Show. It was an incredible opportunity to show off all of their new skills to an audience - who of course were wowed!  Although they admitted to feeling under pressure, the students were outstanding and performed with great enthusiasm. Our children’s performance was followed by an awe-inspiring demonstration from the FTP instructors showing everybody the unbelievable skills they could develop with practice and dedication. FTP’s mantra which is used when encouraging the children, at this early age, is one which truly helps to inspire: "Those who don't jump will never fly." Very close to one of our mantras, “if it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you”.  At BSM we hope to motivate each child to aim higher and floating through the air on a flying trapeze certainly made this happen.

BlueWater Day Spa launches #4handmassage and New celebrity ambassadors

Kim Chiu

Blue Water Day Spa launches its latest service,  Balinese four hand massage together with celebrity brand ambassadors. The launch was hosted by Brazilian heartthrob Fabio Ide and Ms. Ariella Arida last April 5, held at the Luxent Hotel.

Blue Water day Spa introduces its latest service, the relaxing traditional Balinese four hand massage that promises ultimate relaxation. Traditional Balinese massage techniques are passed down through generations. In its most traditional form, the massage uses long strokes, gentle skin rolling, deep kneads and foot reflexology.

After putting together a wonderful selection of massage and relaxation services based on the best practices being used all over the world, Blue Water Day Spa has also built a good reputation by partnering with some of the country’s most beautiful faces. BlueWater Day Spa’s brand ambassadors have served as inspiring examples that in spite of being go-getters and achievers in their own right, it’s imperative that they also make time to take care of their bodies to lead a more fulfilling, balanced life.

Two therapist work in unison, perfectly coordinate on both sides of the body. Blue Water Day Spa encourages everyone to try this to relieve tension and stress. It is indeed something worth trying out when you visit Blue Water Day Spa.

For years Blue Water Day Spa (BWDS) has been the day spa of choice for many as it offers a truly holistic approach to beauty and wellness.

Aside from its enticing selection of pampering as well as slimming and beauty treatments, BWDS has been able to maintain its lead by continuously coming up with new ways to keep its customers happy.


BlueWater Day Spa prepared a relaxed yet fun afternoon, reflecting its long-time commitment to promoting a better awareness and understanding of the importance of wellness in today’s more fast-paced world.

The fresh faces of BlueWater Day Spa

BlueWater Day Spa introduced its current lineup of brand endorsers starting with the freshest faces from Mercator talent agency, which includes Brazilian heartthrob, Fabio lde. From stressed to rest these lovely talents show how they are able to better take care of themselves with the help of BlueWater Day Spa. The featured Mercator Models include Sam Ajdani (Mr World 2015), Philippe Escalambre (Model), Mark McMahon (Actor/Model), Amadeo Leandro (International Model), Brent Javier (Model), and Bianca Guidotti (Miss international 2014/Beauty Queen).

Following the roster of models from Mercator, BlueWater Day Spa was happy to introduce the young and good looking talents from the Kapuso network GMA-7, who are also part of BlueWater Day Spa’s roster if brand ambassadors. Composed of Mike Tan, Ervic Vijandre, Benjamin Alves, and Aljur Abrenica.


To experience the Balinese 4 Hand Massage, visit a branch near you

*Ortigas/Greenhills branch – 727.8420
*Makati branch – 817.3126
*Capitol Hills branch – 473.0455
*Eastwood City branch – 915.1247
*Cotabato branch – 0922.8399751
*Naga branch – 09177391822

Soak Up in 7 Days of All-Out Summer Excitement!

This scorching season, whether it is roughing it up for an outdoor adventure, or simply having a relaxing time at home, ASUS Philippines gives your more than enough reasons to enjoy the summer season without the worry of overspending and cutting down on the fun, with its two summer-ready ZenFone Go variants: starting with the existing ZenFone Go 5 (ZC500TG), and it latest smartphone offering, the new ZenFone Go 4.5 (ZB452KG)!

“With the new ZenFone Go 4.5 and the existing crowd-favorite ZenFone Go 5, this new line-up of the ASUS ZenFone Go smartphones really invites users to take a break from their daily regular grind, change to their flip-flops, and ignite the wanderlust they have always had from within,” explains ASUS Philippines Smartphone Product Manager Lenny Lin.

These ZenFone Go variants come in six premium, sleek colors, and are perfect for those who are looking for a great-value smartphone that can ultimately keep up with their lifestyles, and make sure that they get the most out of this season, anytime and anywhere they plan to go.

“Summer is definitely the time of the year when a lot of Filipinos want to enjoy and have fun, and with this line-up of ASUS ZenFone Go offerings, users can expect an all-around, daily smartphone that they can use to match their unique lifestyles. To get everyone’s summer spirits up and at them, we have prepared a special campaign which we have dubbed as the “7 Days Of Summer with the Zenfone Go” that shows just exactly how each variant of the ZenFone Go will be the perfect centerpiece to have an even more incredible and stylish summer,” adds Lin.  So sit back, relax and have fun as we give you a quick tour on how you can enjoy your 7 Days Of Summer with the Zenfone Go.

Monday: Go forth and have an organized, fun-filled week ahead
This summer, why not make it a point to have ‘manic Mondays’ become a thing of the past, and have a well-planned out schedule for the entire week? To be at the top of your game all week-long, we deem it best to get your hands on the ASUS ZenFone Go, each packed with a powerful processor that makes it an incredible smartphone for multi-tasking day-in and day-out. Go for the ZB452KG for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 Quad Core Processor, or choose the ZC500TG if you are after a handy smartphone that packs a Quad Core Processor. Because at the end of the day, this much is true – while there are those who believe in having fun in spontaneity, nothing really beats a nifty, user-friendly organizer and to-do list in your smartphone that helps you ease through your week’s plethora of activities.

Tuesday: Go out and about, and reconnect with your network of old pals
With the summer season clearly in full-swing, there is absolutely no excuse anymore for you not to have a little get-together with friends. Just for today, temporarily say goodbye to those diet plans for your beach body, and lose yourself in endless conversations and laughter over a hearty lunch. But of course, no reunion would be complete without the blow-by-blow updates on social media: switching among Snapchat for goofy videos, food flatlays in Instagram, and groupfies in Facebook. Bottom line is, for these occasions, no doubt that you would want to have the ZenFone Go with you, what its fast social connectivity, all thanks to its reliable Android Lollipop 5.1 OS. As an added bonus, you will be delighted to hear that the just-released ZB452KG makes use of the brand-new ASUS ZenUI, giving users a new launcher, more features, and improved security functions.

Wednesday: Go take a backseat at home with a movie marathon
For those who just cannot bear the rising temperature outdoors, here’s an easy-peasy antidote to beat the heat: go for a staycation instead, and stream your all-time favorite films in your ZenFone Go, right at the comfort of your own home. With the ZenFone Go, there is absolutely no more need to experience long queues and purchase overpriced tickets, as watching videos here will give you the vibe of a personal movie theatre. Enjoy edge-of-your-seat action what with the ZenFone Go 4.5’s bright and clear 4.5-inch FWVGA touch-screen display. While thrilling movies can definitely be watched at the palm of your hands with the ZenFone Go 5.0’s superb 5-inch HD IPS display with vibrant colors and crisp image output. Now, who says hump days have to be so expensive and complicated, huh?

Thursday: Just Go for it to keep the romance burning
February may have come and gone, but that does not mean you can forget about warming up your love life too, right? Keep things interesting beyond those cheesy sweet nothings by surprising your partner with a random chat message, perhaps via an invitation for a mid-week afternoon picnic date at the park. Have an intimate set-up, spruce it up with designs that set the mood even more, and don’t forget about your date’s favorite bottle of wine to top it all off. And while you’re at it, do have the ZenFone Go be on full-display as well to ante up your red-hot OOTD, perfect to complement that sleek look you are going for. Because if you’re really going all-out to impress your date a whole lot more, then might as well showcase the ZenFone Go’s premium metallic design – which is in fact, the only smartphone at this price range out there to have a premium finish like this.

Friday: Go and hit the open road for a stress-free getaway
With the weekend just around the corner, nothing else quite says ‘summer’ than a road trip with your fellow adventurous souls. As everyone knows, summer is basically the perfect time to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis, heading over to a place that gives a vibe of a whole new world. And while this is easier said than done, heading to that destination in the best route possible using reliable, real-time GPS tracking mobile apps such as Waze and Google Maps can go a long way – quite literally. And another crucial travel tip: for the road warriors looking to get away, a handy smartphone that packs a mean battery capacity just like the ZenFone Go – what with its 2,070 mAh battery capacity and all – can be your ultimate savior, wherever your next summer itinerary may take you!

Saturday: Go all out to amp up the pool-side entertainment
Hosting pool-side parties and summer cook-outs with success is a lot easier than most people think. For these summer social occasions, the trick is to just make sure you have the right ingredients on hand: tanning beds for the girls who want to sunbathe all afternoon-long, a variety of free-flowing food and drinks for the boys, and of course, the right kind of entertainment for everyone in the form of your ZenFone Go blasting your group’s favorite summer anthems – all incredibly loud and clear, amidst all the party brouhahas. So remember, whether it is in your own backyard, a fancy indoor pool, or a summer resort’s beach-side jacuzzi, a whole lot of Spotify and Soundcloud played using your ZenFone Go can definitely do wonders once everyone gets in their summer groove.

Sunday: Go and head to the beach for some summer sun-kissed memories
And as the days are getting warmer, and the sun staying out a little longer than usual, one cannot deny that most of the time, the best summer memories are from the moments we spend at the beach. There is definitely something peaceful about hearing the sound of waves crashing onto each other, feeling the sand-between-your-toes, basking under the sun, and taking those obligatory sunset shots that make your  day complete. But more than just savoring these precious moments, do yourself an extra favor and go for the smartphone that is ultimately summer-ready: a mobile unit like the ZenFone Go that packs an 8MP camera that can surely take awesome shots! After all, there isn’t quite like a beach selfie to cap off all your summer adventures in a week’s worth, right?


 AVAILABILITY & PRICING
The new ASUS ZenFone Go 4.5 (ZB452KG) variant is now available in all authorized re-sellers nationwide for as low as PHP 3,995.00.  Likewise, the existing ZenFone Go 5 (ZC500TG) variant is still available for PHP 5,995.00.