Essilor welcomes celebrity heartthrob Tom Rodriguez as its new Ambassador

To promote the campaign Essilor has signed celebrated actor and certified heartthrob, Tom Rodriguez. With his tantalizing brown eyes, he sure can captivate anyone.

But for Tom, his eyes are not only assets for good looks. Unknown to many, the top actor is also a prolific digital artist. As such, Tom gives due importance to eye protection as he teams up with Essilor, the world leader in corrective ophthalmic lenses to take care of their eyes against harmful blue light with Crizal Prevencia.

As the newest brand ambassador for the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, Tom appears in the new TVC for Essilor’s most technologically advanced protective lenses yet.

Crizal Prevencia  is the only clear lens in the market to effectively filter harmful blue light from the sun and digital devices while maximizing essential blue light for healthier vision Essilor general manager Dr. Emelita Roleda says, “With Tom as our newest ambassador, we hope to raise more awareness on the harmful effects of over-exposure to blue light and promote healthy vision in the country. By aligning him with Crizal Prevencia, we hope to convince more Filipinos to use protective lenses in their daily activities.”

In the new TVC, Tom is seen going through his everyday routine. Like many of us, who are also easily exposed to harmful blue light whether we are in front of our laptops and computers doing work, commuting, or checking messages and schedules on our phones.

Tom’s ardent passion in digital art is evident in many of his lnstagram posts. Many of his artworks comprise of creatures from Philippine folklore, plus superheroes and characters from anime, games and comics. He sketches and sculpts in between takes during drama filming or photo shoots. He is also an aspiring app designer. With all these taking up his non-acting time, Tom can’t help but be exposed to harmful blue light and he admits that this has affected his vision.

“Belonging to a technically-sawy generation and with my love of creating digital art, I cannot do without my phone and digital devices. What’s more, my active lifestyle also keeps me under the sun a lot,” shares the 29-year old actor. “it’s quite alarming to know how being exposed to UV rays and blue light can cause long-term damage. With Crizal® Prevenciam, I can protect my vision, and also prevent blue light from harming my eyes.”

Crizal Prevencia uses E-SPF and Lightscan Technology which offers complete front and back protection and selective filtering of harmful blue light from devices and the sun that can cause long-term damage, such as cataracts and Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). At the same time, it lets in good light that regulates sleep and mood and boosts brain activity. It also provides complete protection from glare, scratches, smudges, dust, water, UV rays and harmful blue light.

Tom Rodriguez further encourages the public to take care of their eyes by getting a comprehensive eye exam and taking preventive measures against irreversible eye conditions. He remarks, “Exposure to harmful blue light may be inevitable, but we can minimize the risk by doing our part. By choosing Crizal Prevencia, we can protect our eyes on a daily basis and maintain a healthy vision.”

Back to School “Bring your own baon” tips from King Sue

The B.Y.O.B. (“bring your own baon”) concept has a lot of benefits—from saving money to ensuring that your kids get proper nutrition. KING SUE  rounds up some  BYOB tips to make your child’s field trip, excursion, lunch or snacks appetizing and delicious.

The B.Y.O.B. (“bring your own baon”) concept has a lot of benefits—from saving money to ensuring that your kids get proper nutrition. KING SUE  rounds up some  BYOB tips to make your child’s field trip, excursion, lunch or snacks appetizing and delicious.

1. Plan ahead. A well-thought out weekly menu will save you time. Make a calendar and assign specific meals daily, infusing healthy combinations of fish and vegetables with meat. Sit down with your kids when planning the menu and take them with you for grocery shopping. Surf the Internet or exchange recipes with friends. The secret is to make the menu as balanced and as exciting to eat  as possible.

2. Cook in batches. Assign two days weekly—preferably Sunday and Wednesday—for marketing and cooking. Prepare the main meats and pack them in plastic wares with your special marinade. Pre-slice other ingredients like King Sue sausages for your pasta, King Sue hams for pizza, pre-boil or pre-grill as needed, then pack separately. This will save you time on daily meal preparation.

3. Take it easy. Select fuss-free, easy to prepare recipes that will not take too much of your time in the morning. King Sue has pre-packed meats such as tocino, chicken nuggets, burgers, longanisa and a whole lot more. Mix them with eggs and potatoes for a yummy omelet, as a nice add-on to a sandwich (don’t forget the greens!), or to a mouthwatering pasta or soup. Or you may simply fry them  and pair them with a simple salad and you’re good to go. Meanwhile, King Sue Hawaiian Ham can be mixed into Yang Chow Fried Rice or used as a topping to pizza. If you have extra macaroni at home, prepare baked mac  using King Sue old English pork  sausages and German Franks and  top with quick-melt cheese boost.  Looking for other ideas, check out www.kingsue.com for recipes.

4. Jazz up the packing. If you’re a crafter, doing a bento box is a fun idea.  There are also  other means to jazz up the lunch box. Cookie cutters can turn  fruits, cheese, and breads into fun-shaped food items. Or try to cover the rice in cling-film so you could stick on some googley eyes, sticker smileys, cut-out hearts, and other modern emoticons. Insert a post-it with one liners such as “Good luck on the exams today!” or “Enjoy your lunch. I love you”. You may not see his wide grin when he opens his lunchbox but wait till he gets home and smothers you with hugs and kisses.

Call 881-0530 364-5430, 376-6441 and +639199889642 for inquiries and orders, and check out FB IG Twitter @kingsueham or email sales@kingsue.com. Hashtags: #kingsueham #kingsue #ilovekingsue #cookingathome #philippines.  Also check out  www.kingsue.com

Grab recognizes exemplary drivers, riders, and employees as it celebrates 5th anniversary

Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing platform, Grab marked its fifth anniversary on June 14 at Le Pavillon in Pasay City. The grand celebration's highlight was the recognition ceremony held for Grab’s employees, drivers, passengers and peers.

The first ever Grab Green Light Awards was the culmination of Grab’s anniversary celebrations and was all about giving back. Grab Philippines awarded a total of 15 drivers who were heralded for embodying honesty, excellence, and dedicated service to their passengers.

Five Grab employees were also recognized for their dedication to the company, while five Grab Peers were given appreciation for helping play a big part in Grab’s success in the country.

Lastly, the awards were extended to five loyal Grab passengers who had been traveling with Grab since it launched in 2012.

“We are deeply grateful for the awesome five years. Grab has helped move our cities with the support of our Peers, passengers, partners and employees. The past five years have been hard work for everyone and seeing how we have evolved as a company and as an industry is the ultimate reward,” Grab Philippines Country Head Brian Cu said. 

Aside from the anniversary gala, Grab also prepared many surprises for their riders during the month-long celebration. Passengers who booked GrabCars were treated to specially wrapped vehicles that carried free Grab vouchers.

Since its launch in 2012, Grab Philippines has expanded from having operations in only Metro Manila to eight cities including Pampanga, the newest area which now experiences the convenience of traveling with Grab. The Transportation Network Company has also added to their roster services from GrabTaxi to having various options like GrabCar, GrabShare and GrabExpress.

“We look forward to the next five years and more where greater things are expected to come. We are proud to be part of everyone’s journey in moving forward together,” Cu added.

Levi’s classic 501 jean celebrates 144th year

It has been more than a century since the iconic Levi’s brand came up with the original blue jean that changed fashion forever. To this day, however, Levi’s classic 501 jean remains to be not only the most popular but also the most valuable piece of clothing for men and women.

In fact, no less than TIME magazine in 2000 named the 501 jean as the “fashion item of the 20th century,” edging out the miniskirt and the little black dress.

Levi’s 501 jean was born 144 years ago, when Levi Strauss and Nevada tailor Jacob Davis partnered in 1873 for the first riveted pockets on men’s pants. The number 501 was assigned to the world-renowned “copper riveted waist overalls” as lot numbers were then used to classify products made by Levi’s.

The classic Arcuate design on the back pockets of the 501® jeans was registered a trademark in 1943 and remains to be the oldest one still in use today. In 1964, a 501 pair entered the Permanent Collections of Smithsonian Institution.

From artists to athletes, and from activists to heads of state, men and women who wrote history embraced the iconic blue jean, including 1950’s Hollywood icons James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Marilyn Monroe.

Apple founder Steve Jobs first sported his signature look of black turtleneck and Levi’s 501 jeans in the 1980s, while former US President Barack Obama wore the iconic denim to throw out the first pitch at the All Star Baseball Game in 2009.

But like any timeless classic that endures the changing times, Levi’s® 501® jean has kept up with the evolving styles of young pioneers. It is a mix of both vintage and current, as it continues to reinvent itself to be more relevant in the modern age.

"Whether you wear the 501®, 501® Skinny, 501®CT, 501® Stretch or even 501® cut-offs, your jeans are a marriage between a tried-and-true classic and a modern twist. The 501® is the sweet spot that honors the legacy and heritage of the past while responding to the energy of today—and that is where the magic is,” Karyn Hillman, Levi’s® Chief Product Officer, stated.

"I could give you a hundred reasons why I think the 501® is the best piece of clothing design in human history, from a pure form-meets-function standpoint to its unparalleled cultural history, but you know what? It’s the bum. The backside. The rear end. The 501® bum is the all-time best,” added Jonathan Cheung, Levis Head of Global Design.

Just last year, Levi’s® introduced the 501® Stretch—the first time that the iconic jean is offered in stretch. And this year, Levi’s® welcomed the newest addition to its family—the 501® Skinny jean customized for today’s slim-fit trend.

To celebrate its 144th year of dominance in the market, Levi’s® is offering a 501® Day celebration collection on May 20, which will feature limited edition jean, short and vest. The brand also released its fifth and latest episode of the 501® Documentary Series, “The 501® Jean: Stories of an Original, Music,” which explores Levi’s® relationship with music history.

To learn more about the #501Day, visit http://levi.com.ph/501day.

FATHER’S DAY DELIGHTS from the country's number one bakeshop Goldilocks

A father’s love exceeds all boundaries. From teaching his son how to ride his first bike, to walking his daughter down the aisle, words simply cannot describe the emotions that run through a dad when it comes to caring for his family.

As father’s day weekend approaches, how can we show our appreciation to someone who has sacrificed so much for us? They say that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so Goldilocks may have the perfect answer.

To celebrate Father’s Day, the country’s number one bakeshop is proud to roll out two new cakes for this special occasion: the Goldilocks Chocolate Tres Leches, and the Limited Edition Father’s Day Cake. 

The Tres Leches Cake is a triple chocolate layered masterpiece which is then elegantly decorated with fluffy chocolate whipped cream, light chocolate ganache, crunchy chocolate sprinkles, intricately placed chocolate rosettes, and is finished off with delightful choco-toppers.

On the other hand, the Goldilocks Limited Edition Father’s Day Cake is a delicious Vanilla flavored creation composed of a sweet vanilla base, and is then topped off with a creative “Happy Father’s Day” message, which is the perfect way to show your Dad how special he is to you.

Show dad some sweetness on his special day.

For more information, follow Goldilocks on Twitter or Instagram at @GoldilocksPH, on the Goldilocks Facebook page, or at the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph []

DESIGNER BOYET FAJARDO: DIVINE INSPIRATION

Many might perceive “fashion” to be something reserved for a chosen few, or only for those deemed fit to grace a magazine: celebrities, models, or those living the so-called “high life.” However, to designer Boyet Fajardo – now a successful household name in Filipino fashion design – his work in fashion is a way to make lives better for more people. As a recipient of miracles himself, he desires nothing less than to be one to others.

Angelino Boyet Fajardo

A BIG HIT
He pioneered Plus Size fashion in the Philippines. He says that before, women who were on the bigger side were not thought of as deserving to wear something as beautiful as their smaller counterparts. Or, they were given awful euphemisms.

“Before, when you ask, ‘where is the big size?’ you are pointed to the dark corner where there are nothing but dasters (house dress). And we called those who asked “matron, donya, lola.” There are so many words for them, which were really bad. It’s as if they have no right to wear something nice! And no designer would dare to touch plus sized clothing. Big women were relegated to nothing but dark colors, ¾ sleeves and closed necks. “God – they were like suman! So my line was really a big hit!” A big hit indeed, also for Robinson’s who had enough foresight to sign him up immediately. 

As a designer for plus size clothing, Boyet not only made a mark in the industry, he made his first considerable fortune. He was also able to make better clothes available for those whom society excluded from the fashion world.

“I won’t lie that I didn’t make a fortune. That was the time when success came into my head. I was really making millions and millions. It became a necessity for the plus size people because my clothes are complete, very well done and I was the cheapest. That’s why they (other designers) were so angry with me!” Quality and affordability became the key drivers of his RTW business. 

Seeing the need 
Boyet Fajardo sees the needs of the market, arguably even beyond the usual designer. Now, he also has an advocacy for Persons with Disability (PWD) and works with Ephpheta Foundation for the blind. He has a special heart for people who have this disability, because he himself was born with it.

“There are so many people who are blind simply because of poverty! What can I do? My heart breaks because of them. They go blind because they cannot afford a simple cataract or a simple glaucoma operation. So this involvement with Ephpheta, who does outreach for the blind, I helped them by investing in a machine that could help restore sight to the afflicted,” he beams.

He received an award for his efforts with the PWD(Inocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation), as he extended his outreach even to those who could not walk and to the PWD who would not be accepted into jobs simply because of their handicap.

These, to him, seem to be not just CSR efforts on the side, or the cliché of “giving back to society.” His using his gifts for those less privileged or those marginalized because of their handicap, is borne out of understanding first-hand how it felt like to be maltreated because of disability. He himself struggled with a descent into darkness.

Going blind
It was sudden, he recalls of the moment when he lost his sight. “All of a sudden, both eyes went blind! I could no longer see. I was unable to take care of myself. I had to be bathed and fed. I could only see shadows and figures. No colors or details” 

A designer, for whom his eyes were one of the most important tools of the trade, was now legally blind.

He thought he could rely on his family to take care of him. However, they saw this as a chance to make a play for his money, to the extent of making him sign documents he, of course, could no longer see. “What made me so angry with my family was that they knew I had enough money anyway, they could have brought me to a hospital. But they never did. And what I found out was this was because they were killing me softly!” 

It just kept getting darker for Boyet. Not only because of the blindness, but because of the shadows of depression. He attempted suicide twice. “First, I tried shooting myself. But I couldn’t see because I was blind.” 

The second time had cinematic proportions. “It was dawn. I was brought to a farm. They told me it would at least allow me to breathe fresh air. Little did I know it was there that they wanted me to die.” He tried to escape his dire situation by trying to have himself killed on the highway, as the rain kept pouring. However, thankfully his loyal associate, Bing, had found him before he could do himself harm.

Looking back on that unfortunate night, he was so thankful to Bing for protecting him.

But that was not the end of his suffering. He swears he went mad, even smashing his own head on walls. And if not for the intervention of Bing and those around him who put a towel on his head, he would have broken his head, and what was left of his spirit.

He felt so forlorn that he asked God, “Lord, saan ako nagkamali? Why did he allow these things to happen to me?” 

In the course of his blindness, he went to different sources for treatment: doctors, faith healers, and in his desperation to take away the darkness plaguing his life, he even went to exorcists. Then the light came. And he attributes it to nothing short of divine intervention.

He suddenly then  became the beneficiary of a treatment that cost no more than 2,000 pesos. He recalls the doctor (Dr.Minguita Padilla) asking him, “Are you willing to undergo laser now?” 

“Doktora kayo na po ang bahala. Kahit anong gusto niyo, bahala na po kayo,” he replied.Then as if it was so simple after all, the doctor said, “Tara, let’s go to the eye center”. 

“Maybe she thought I didn’t have money, so she asked ‘Do you have 2,000?’ to which I replied, ‘Meron po.’ “The doctor then said, “O sige, 2,000 ang charge kosa’yo”. 

He recalls being stunned: “I had already spent millions over the course of the two and a half years, but here she was offering redemption for only P2000.”He didn’t fully believe in the effectivity of the treatment at first, because, after all that he’d been through, could a simple 2,000 pesos really solve his eye problem? However, “In about 10 minutes, I had gained my sight back in one eye! That was the first miracle of God. I could see!” He was so ecstatic he ran to the lobby of St. Luke’s Medical center and shouted with joy.  “Nagtatatalon ako and nagsisisigaw.  I just went wild there, that’s why they probably won’t forget me! I could see!” He even finally got to see the plate number of the car, which he had bought when he was still blind.

Then the second miracle came when he gained sight in his other eye. He was given an eye transplant that turned out to be very successful. Full vision could not be recovered, however, because of other internal damages, but he’s willing to take what he can. “Even those doctors who said that there’s no miracle, now I want to write to them. To tell them that God exists.” 

A new perspective 
When he was finally seeing out of both eyes anew, he cut cloth, created an outfit, and gave it to Dr.Minguita Padilla who soon became a true friend in life. This doctor  who was giving a talk abroad was able to tell the audience, “This was made by a patient who was blind. Now, he can see.”  Amazing grace told through a designer’s life.

While his vision is not back to the perfect 20-20 (from a 20-100, it can get to 20-50 after another treatment), he definitely sees life in a perspective much clearer than ever. He dedicates his life to God and service of others. This, to him, is not just an empty platitude, but a conviction from a core that has been touched by the Divine. “That’s a miracle, I can attest to that!” 

Now, he does not want to compete, but inspire. “I’m into a new life. I don’t want to talk about competition because my purpose now after what happened to me, it changed me, the whole of me. The reason why I’m still here is because God has purpose for me. Now I am here to spread awareness specifically for the PWD, and also for those aspiring designers who want to go into this kind of business, and to keep their feet on the ground.” 

That is why from Plus Size Women to the PWD, he tears down the traditional walls of fashion design so that more people will benefit.

“I talk about  plus size fashion  and how this is fashion discrimination too. I want these beautiful women to come out in the open and say, ‘Ano ba’ng kaya ng mga sexy na hindi natin kaya. Discrimination stemming from plus size fashion is no different from discrimination felt by the PWD!” 

He dispels the notion that he is into an advocacy just to get money. Rather, it is now about giving.“I’ve come a long, long way, now I praise God. Now I practice all his teachings. This advocacy is not for me to ask for money, this is for me to be able to give more to a lot more people. “

To him, it’s about designing a way to help others more. And to him and those whose lives he touched, these miracles will always be in fashion.

MILEY CYRUS SAYS, ‘YES TO ALL’ WITH CONVERSE

Converse welcomes Miley Cyrus to the brand.

In celebration of pride month, Miley joins Converse’s YES TO ALL campaign to support LGBTQ youth and equality.

International pop star, and philanthropist Miley Cyrus is known for using her voice on and off the stage to speak out for the rights for the people in our streets, our cities and our world. Through her Happy Hippie Foundation, Miley rallies for young people to stand up against the injustices that face LGBTQ youth today.

In the same spirit,Converse says YES TO ALL, standing with youth, freedom of expression, and the belief that whatever gender, sexual orientation or identity, everyone should feel free to be exactly who they are.

This year, 100% of the net proceeds of direct sales from the Converse Pride Collection will go to charities supporting LGBTQ initiatives, including The Happy Hippie Foundation, whose mission is to create positive outcomes in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth around the world. The 2017 Pride Collection is a limited-edition collection of the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star and Chuck Taylor All Star '70 – designed to celebrate the LGBTQ community with bright colors and bold details.

“The Happy Hippie Foundation was created to stand up to the injustices LGBTQ youth face on a daily basis in the world today. Working with Converse as an ally in this movement means the world to me,” said Miley Cyrus. “Converse champions youth and how important it is to give every young individual the ability to raise their voice and define their culture.I’m excited to work alongside a brand that shares both my values and style.”

“An icon in her own right, Miley provides an incredible voice for the youth of today. We are honored to stand with such a strong advocate for the LGBTQ youth communities and together encourage the world to say Yes to All,” said Davide Grasso, Converse CEO & President. “This is just the beginning of what will be an exciting partnership with Miley.” 

Miley performed at the Capital Pride concert on Sunday, June 11th, 2017. Converse supported Miley’s unique Twitter live moment where she interacted with fans alongside the pride celebration.

For more information on Converse’s YES TO ALL program, visit Converse.com/YESTOALL.Stay tune for more to come from the world of Converse and Miley.  #YesToAll

Gloc-9 celebrates 20th Year in OPM, renews ties with Universal Records

Gloc-9 is celebrating his 20th year in the Philippine music industry and to mark the milestone, the multi-awarded rap icon has renewed his ties with his former label Universal Records.

“Universal is family. Yung mga trabaho ko dati, mga ginawa ko noon, maganda ang naging relationship namin. With family, you treasure the relationship you have,” says Gloc – 9, who is currently recording songs for his brand new EP called Rotonda under Universal Records.

The five-track EP, set to be released soon, will feature mostly collaborations with OPM artists. These include the track Rotonda and the album’s carrier single Ice Tubig, a collaboration with Mike Luis.

“Ito ay tungkol sa isang babae na ang kanyang puso ay parang ice tubig”, shares Gloc-9 as he expresses his excitement over his new project in his new home.

Ice Tubig will also be the first music video that will be released by Gloc-9 from his new EP.

For updates on the release of Gloc – 9’s latest single and music video Ice Tubig, follow Universal Records on Facebook at facebook.com/universalrecordsphfanpage or on Twitter at @universalrecph.

Why the Vivo V5 Lite is way ahead of its competitors

Taking a selfie is no easy task.  It takes a lot of practice and angles to win a good selfie. You also need a selfie stick and a good lighting to capture a good photo. No to mention, a reliable perfect selfie phone like Vivo V5 Lite which produces better-quality and more radiant selfies due to its superior 16 MP front camera.

In the wake of its recent launch, the Vivo V5 Lite has drawn the attention of selfie enthusiasts nationwide due to its 16-megapixel camera, an outstanding feature that no other smartphone brand in the same price range—P9,990—can claim to have.

Too good to be true? Not if selfie fans pit the Vivo V5 Lite against similarly priced competitors, such as the Oppo A39.

First, take a selfie using both the V5 Lite and the competitor—and note the glaring difference in terms of clarity of details. After all, the Oppo A39 only has an eight-megapixel shutter vis-à-vis the Vivo V5 Lite’s 16 MP front camera.

Vivo absolutely nails the selfie game here, as shown in the high-pixel details of the subject’s facial features and hair, and even those of the image’s background.
The Vivo V5 Lite’s more advanced beauty algorithm also puts it at a greater advantage when compared to the Oppo phone. It uses a Face Beauty 6.0 feature that enhances one’s skin tone, giving it a naturally radiant glow that the
Oppo’s Beauty Face 4.0 is not capable of.

Another attribute of the Vivo V5 Lite is its Beauty Face 6.0, which can detect one’s gender and apply the appropriate touches: females get a smoother skin tone, a more delicate contour, and bigger eyes, while males are lent a more masculine look.

Another competitor in the same price range is the Huawei GR5 2017, which, like the Oppo phone, has an eight-megapixel secondary shutter. Needless to say, the Vivo V5 Lite phone produces better-quality and more radiant selfies due to its superior 16 MP front camera.

The real dealmaker, however, is the Vivo V5 Lite’s Selfie Soft Light, which puts it way ahead of the competition. The V5 Lite being powered by this Selfie Soft Light feature, it produces impressive lighting effects akin to those in a professional photo studio. It also chooses the most appropriate colors from the spectrum to make one’s skin tone appear naturally more radiant.

Best of all, the V5 Lite’s Soft Light feature is activated when you set it in auto mode, so you’ll get beautiful, natural-looking selfies any time, anywhere.
Clearly, no other selfie-centric phone does it like the Vivo V5 Lite—the clear winner in the competition.

Vivo V5s offers new ‘Groufie’ technology which allows panoramic and up-close panning effects in “groufies”

Selfie-centric smartphone brands have slowly dominated the mobile market in the Philippines, given their relatively low prices compared to other giant international brands. Knowing the consumers’ love for selfies or self-portrait shots, these brands are appealing to prospective buyers by boasting of their respective camera features.

Marvel at Vivo’s new “perfect selfie” V5s phone that brandishes a 20-megapixel front camera, enhanced selfie tools like the Selfie Softlight, and the newest Group Selfie technology.


Since it entered the Philippine market, top five premium global brand1 Vivo has successfully captured the hearts of selfie-loving Filipinos with its “perfect selfie” V5 line, the latest of which is the new Vivo V5s. Launched just in May, the V5s already proves to be the best smartphone deal compared to other brands in its price range.

Equipped with a 20-megapixel front camera with f2.0 aperture, the V5s takes crystal-clear and head-turning selfies for just a price of P14,990.

But the newest and most exciting feature of the V5s is the Group Selfie technology, which allows panoramic and up-close panning effects in “groufies” or group shots, without squeezing in our missing out anyone in the barkada.
This new feature’s portrait and landscape orientations likewise help capture outdoor ‘groufies’ or family portraits without needing to squeeze in or cut out anyone.

The V5s’ 20-MP sensor guarantees that the smallest of details can be captured in your selfies. The light-sensing area is larger than usual at 1/2.78 inch. This allows more light to come in which in turn enhances photo brightness.

Its high-end front camera is also supported by its 13-megapixel rear camera with f2.2 aperture and an ultra-high-definition mode that can render stunning ultra HD images of up to 52 megapixels.

Another edge of the V5s over its competitors is its all-new and improved Selfie Soflight that is now even softer, making one’s face and skin tone look even brighter even in poor lighting conditions, no matter what time of the day.

The Vivo V5s also uses Face Beauty 6.0, a face-retouching and skincare tool that makes your selfies look even more radiant. The V5s’ Face Beauty mode 6.0 has three new features, namely buffing, whitening, and skin tone. This can also tailor more user-specific solutions based on one’s skin condition and features.

Unlike most smartphones that allows user to log in to only one account for social media applications, the V5s also introduced its App Clone feature that can run two accounts using the same app. This is very useful to millennials and professionals who want to better separate their personal and social lives online.

As for its appearance, the V5s’ slimmer bezels make it smaller in size than any ordinary 5.5-inch smartphones, making it easier and more comfortable to grip. The V5s is also more resilient and protected than most mobile phones’ screen glass because of its 2.5D Corning Gorilla glass that also gives it a more minimalistic and elegant design.

Other notable features of the V5s include its 4G RAM and 64GB internal memory, Hi-Fi music technology, and 0.2-second fingerprint unlocking.
For what it’s worth, the new Vivo V5s is indeed the best smartphone deal for selfie-loving Filipinos.

For inquiries about Vivo V5s, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivophil) accounts. 

#1according to International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (http://www.idc.com/promo/smartphone-market-share/vendor;jsessionid=7595C1498F4F0FBF496CC767E273121B)

The Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 - powered by pure Android, will be available in Philippines by end of June, together with the the iconic Nokia 3310

I still remember how excited I was to own a Nokia 3310 phone to replace my older 5110, it was the most popular phone during those days and you can even have the backlights changed in blue, purple and light blue in Recto.  I had around 20 casings which I bought from Quiapo. and swapped the case depending to my mood. In my spare time, and when there were no patients around, I would play Snake and it was therapeutic.

When I think of all the mobile phones that I owned  Nokia would still be on top of my list and wished they could bring back more current versions of my favorite phones, like the 5510, 3310 or even the 8210.

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, launches its first Nokia smartphones range on June 8 at Aracama, BGC – comprising the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 – will be available in Philippines by the end of June alongside the iconic Nokia 3310. Unveiled earlier this year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the smartphones combine superior craftsmanship, distinctive design and powerful entertainment features with a pure Android experience, giving users the ability to use their phone, their way.

James Rutherfoord, Vice President Asia Pacific for HMD Global, said: "Today marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the Nokia smartphones as we re-introduce this much-loved and trusted brand to the Philippine smartphone consumers, alongside the existing Nokia branded feature phones. HMD is committed to draw on the hallmarks of the Nokia phone heritage of quality, simplicity and reliability for an authentic and differentiating experience to appeal to the new generation of Nokia fans.”

Nokia 6: Powerful entertainment experience and superior craftsmanship
Combining superior craftsmanship and distinctive design with an immersive audio experience and a 5.5” full HD screen, the new Nokia 6 delivers a truly premium smartphone experience. The unibody of the Nokia 6 is crafted from a single block of 6000 series aluminium and is perfect for those who want a robust phone with outstanding entertainment credentials. The smart audio amplifier with dual speakers allow consumers to experience a deep bass and unmatched clarity, whilst Dolby Atmos® sound delivers a powerfully moving entertainment experience.

With outstanding colour reproduction, the Nokia 6 has a fully laminated display stack delivering excellent sunlight readability without compromising the slim form. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 mobile platform and the Qualcomm Adreno™ 505 graphics processor, the Nokia 6  strikes  the  perfect balance between  performance  and  power consumption,   designed   to   deliver  premium   quality   entertainment   with   battery   life   to   spare, maximising your entertainment experience on the go.The Nokia 6 is available in Matte Black, Silver and Tempered Blue–  and will be available at PHP 11,990.

Nokia 5: Seamless, premium and durable design
The Nokia 5 has been precision engineered out of a single block of 6000 series aluminium to create a perfect pillowed body that flows seamlessly into the laminated 5.2” IPS HD display with sculpted Corning® Gorilla® Glass. Featuring a ground-breaking innovation in antenna design the Nokia 5 brings robust structural integrity, attention to detail and the quality of a high-end flagship. Powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 430 mobile platform, Nokia 5 delivers excellent battery life, improved graphics performance – all in a package that perfectly balances everyday usability with a premium quality design. With additional features including an 8MP, 84-degree wide-angle front facing camera – to squeeze even more scene into your selfie – and excellent sunlight and low light screen visibility, there are plenty of reasons to keep the Nokia 5 out of your pocket and in your hand where it belongs. The Nokia 5 is available in Matte Black, Silver and Tempered Blue– and will be available at PHP 9,990.

Nokia 3: Superior craftsmanship at an affordable price
This stunning new smartphone is designed to deliver an outstanding experience with unprecedented value.  The Nokia 3 features a precision machined aluminium frame forged out of a single piece of aluminium, offering exceptional structural integrity and protection where it counts. Featuring a fully laminated 5” IPS display with no air gap and sculpted Corning® Gorilla® Glass, the Nokia 3 offers durability and superb clarity delivering a viewing experience that is second to none. With fewer reflections thanks to the polarised screen, the experience is crisp and clear offering unbeatable visibility even in bright sunlight. With seamlessly integrated 8MP wide aperture cameras (front and back), the Nokia 3 packs a truly premium quality smartphone experience into its compact and elegant form.The Nokia 3 is available in four distinct colours – Matte Black, Silver and Tempered Blue – and will be available at PHP 6,990.

Always Pure Android 
With all Nokia smartphones you will always have the latest pure Android experience for your device. With monthly security updates your Nokia smartphone is safe, up-to-date as well as clutter-free – putting choice at the heart of the consumer experience.  And with the latest Android come the latest features including the latest capabilities of Doze, which saves battery life while the phone is in a pocket or bag. The new Nokia smartphones feature Google’s most recent innovation, the Google Assistant, building further on a great Android experience. Our teams have worked together to ensure conversations with the Google Assistant happen seamlessly on Nokia smartphones.

Nokia 3310: 
Thin, light and incredibly durable, the Nokia 3310 is a head turning modern twist on one of the best-selling feature phones of all time. Boasting an incredible 22-hour talk-time and month long stand-by, the Nokia 3310’s fresh, colorful, modern design brings it bang up to date.

Talk all day, text, take pictures, listen to music, and get hooked once more on the original mobile gaming hit Snake, all on a single charge. With its unparalleled month-long standby time, the Nokia 3310 encompasses everything you knew and loved in a sleek modern polycarbonate casing, and with inherent color throughout its body the Nokia 3310 is more vibrant than ever before.

Available in four colors – Warm Red and Yellow, both with a gloss finish, and Dark Blue and Grey both with a matte finish – the Nokia 3310 will be available at PHP 2,490.