OnePlus Launches OnePlus 8 Series

Global mobile technology company OnePlus today launched its newest lineup of premium, flagship smartphones – the OnePlus 8 series – which includes the ultra-premium OnePlus 8 Pro and the compact flagship OnePlus 8. With a focus on delivering the fastest, smoothest experience for its tech-savvy users, OnePlus is extending its flagship excellence by elevating its signature high refresh rate displays to a blazing 120Hz, raising the industry benchmark again for premium flagship devices.

“The OnePlus 8 series is the most powerful and beautiful flagship smartphone series we have ever created,” said Pete Lau, Founder and CEO of OnePlus. “The seamless immersive viewing experience provided by the OnePlus 8 Pro’s industry-leading 120Hz display, and the sleek design and compact form factor of the OnePlus 8, together deliver a burdenless, premium user experience like never before.”

The OnePlus 8 Series is also OnePlus’ first full 5G lineup, allowing users to be among the first to enjoy the unprecedented speeds of 5G technology. Following on from the company’s first 5G device released last year in Europe [DM1] , OnePlus is helping usher in the 5G era by being among the first in the industry to release a full line up of 5G devices in 2020.

Since OnePlus was founded in 2013, [DM2] the company has been making flagship devices that deliver the best Android flagship experience possible to its users. With the launch of its latest flagship products, featuring robust performance, bold designs and an ultra-smooth display, OnePlus aims to further empower consumers across the globe through an enriched digital experience with premium flagship smartphones.

OnePlus 8 Pro

The OnePlus 8 Pro is the newest addition to OnePlus’ ultra-premium flagship lineup. From the industry-leading AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate [DM3] [RF4] to the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, every aspect was carefully calibrated to meet the needs of the most discerning tech enthusiasts with a refined flagship experience.

120Hz Fluid Display, Boundless Beauty

The OnePlus 8 Pro boasts the industry’s most advanced 6.78” QHD+ Fluid Display with a smooth  [DM5] [RF6] 120Hz refresh rate. Backed by breathtaking, unsurpassed color accuracy and industry-leading 1300 nits peak brightness, the display earned an A+ rating from DisplayMate, the professional display review institution, with 13 records set or matched, more than any other smartphone.

With 120 screen refreshes every second, animations and video playback unfold before you with absolute fluidity. OnePlus' unique optimization system, OnePlus Smooth Chain, has also added more than 280 enhancements to the display to make every tap, swipe, and transition more precise and responsive than ever.

Thanks to advanced motion estimation, motion compensation (MEMC) algorithms, videos can be viewed at an elevated frame rate of up to 120fps with reduced motion blur and crisper clarity.

Robust Performance

The OnePlus 8 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 865 with the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ X55 5G Modem-RF System, which enables staggering multi-gigabit 5G connectivity and advanced Wi-Fi 6 performance, professional-quality photography at Gigapixel speeds, desktop-level gaming with ultra-realistic graphics, and intuitive AI experiences. The OnePlus 8 Pro also features a large RAM configuration and dual-stereo speakers to help you handle even the most daunting tasks with ease.

The OnePlus 8 Pro comes equipped with up to 12GB of cutting-edge LPDDR5 RAM for up to 30% faster memory speed [DM7] [RF8] and improved power efficiency by up to 20%. Powered by Dolby Atmos®, OnePlus 8 Pro provides immersive sound via the set of booming dual-stereo speakers, and the new haptic vibration engine adds an extra layer of pounding tactility to your entertainment sessions.

Full Camera Kit

With a 48MP main camera featuring a custom-made Sony sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens[DM9]  with a full 120-degree field of view, a telephoto lens with 3x hybrid and 30x digital zoom[DM10] [VH11] [RF12] , and a distinctive color filter camera, the OnePlus 8 Pro features the company’s first quad-camera system to cater to the needs of even the most demanding photographers and videographers.

The 48 MP main camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro features an advanced Sony IMX689 sensor with a large 1/1.4" sensor size, enabling users to capture more light for brighter, clearer photos even under dim light settings. The camera also features advanced technology such as dual native ISO and a 2x2 on-chip lens, making easier than ever to get a perfectly balanced shot.

The 48 MP ultra wide angle lens boasts a sweeping 120-degree field of view with a Sony IMX586 sensor. With the most megapixels in any smartphone ultra wide camera, the OnePlus 8 Pro is able to capture more details than ever before, even in low light.

The OnePlus 8 Pro also comes with more powerful video capability. It is equipped with hybrid image stabilization, combining optical (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) for much more stable videos. And with 3-HDR technology, the OnePlus 8 Pro has higher dynamic range, giving backlight shots clearer, more colorful details in both shadows and well-lit areas.

Warp Charge 30 Wireless

The OnePlus 8 Pro is the first OnePlus device with the new and powerful Warp Charge 30 Wireless charging solution, which can give the 4510mAh battery 50% power in just 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest wireless charging solutions in the industry. Warp Charge 30T, OnePlus’ unique fast-charging solution, can also charge the battery to 50% in just 23 minutes.

 Design

The OnePlus 8 Pro comes in three color options: Onyx Black, Ultramarine Blue and Glacial Green. The Ultramarine Blue and Glacial Green options sport OnePlus’ new generation of matte-frosted glass with a higher degree of haze, giving it an unprecedented smooth and fine texture.

 OnePlus 8

With a polished design, vibrant display, and 5G connectivity, the OnePlus 8 is the company’s newest compact flagship device.

90 Hz Fluid Display

The OnePlus 8’s spacious 6.55” Fluid Display delivers a cinematic viewing experience with a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth viewing and an improved response time for snappy touch feedback. And with a color accuracy rating of JNCD 0.4, it ensures that every last detail appears natural and true to life.

With its cinematic 20:9 aspect ratio, the OnePlus 8 is ideal for immersive movies, action-packed games, and powerful productivity. Thanks to HDR 10 and 10+ support, photos and videos are sharper and more vibrant. The OnePlus 8 also received an exceptional A+ rating from DisplayMate, setting or matching 10 of their performance records.

Camera

The OnePlus 8’s versatile camera system consists of three powerful cameras to capture every moment in splendid detail. The main camera features Sony’s 48MP IMX586 sensor for capturing images with superior clarity. With a Spectra 480 Image Signal Processor, which processes four times more pixels than before, the OnePlus 8 can take even clearer shots with advanced image processing like HDR.

Completing the camera setup is a 16MP ultra -wide angle lens with a 116-degree expansive view to easily fit sweeping landscapes into the frame for a striking panoramic effect.  

 Performance

The OnePlus 8 is also powered by the Snapdragon 865 with the Snapdragon X55 5G Modem-RF System, which helps to deliver staggering multi-gigabit 5G connectivity.  With up to 12GB of boosted RAM, OnePlus 8 users will be able to experience more powerful gaming and snappier multitasking. It also comes with up to 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage for among the fastest storage speed in the industry.

 Warp Charge 30T

The OnePlus 8 boasts an upgraded 4300mAh battery, providing 13% more battery life to keep the device energized throughout the day. Warp Charge 30T charges the battery quickly, taking it to 50% in just about 22 minutes, and it charges almost just as fast even when using the phone.

Design

Weighing only 180 grams and just 8mm thick, the OnePlus 8 is one of the most compact and lightweight 5G phones in the industry.

Similar to its Pro counterpart, the OnePlus 8 comes in Onyx Black and Glacial Green, as well as a brand new color variant—Interstellar Glow.

 OxygenOS

OxygenOS on the OnePlus 8 series pairs the seamless Android experience offered by OnePlus with more refined visuals and usability enhancements. The new system features a host of updates, whether it’s system icons, dynamic wallpapers, or other powerful new features in Android 10.

OxygenOS features a “Dark Theme 2.0” tailored for OnePlus devices and optimized to be compatible with even more apps. And inspired by the minimalist OnePlus design language, new dynamic wallpapers subtly shift color tones based on current outdoor temperature conditions.

Alongside the launch, OnePlus also announced its partnership with Google to offer Google One, Google’s signature membership program, which provides expanded storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos and automatic phone backup. With Google One, users will be able to keep their photos, contacts and more safe[JC14] [RF15]  within the cloud. All OnePlus 8 Series users can enjoy a three-month free trial of 100GB of cloud storage, while owners of existing OnePlus devices are eligible for a one-month free trial.

The OnePlus 8 series is also built to provide hands-free and push-to-talk access to Alexa. Just download the Alexa app, complete setup, and ask to make phone calls, open apps (for U.S. and India users), control smart home devices, access the library of Alexa skills, and more. In the coming months, OnePlus will launch new capabilities that let customers use Alexa to start a Zen Mode session and cast their phones to TVs. Amazon and OnePlus are committed to providing customer choice and flexibility to interact with multiple voice services, which is possible with the OnePlus 8 series.

Price and Availability

The OnePlus 8 flagship series is COMING SOON at Digital Walker stores and OnePlus Philippines Lazada and Shopee pages.  

For updates and announcements visit OnePlus PH Facebook page below:

http://www.facebook.com/oneplusphl

Bullet Wireless Z

Bullets Wireless Z is OnePlus’ new take on the popular wireless earphones designed to satisfy musical cravings and simplify the listening experience. With a quick 10-minute charge, these lightweight and compact earbuds provide music playback for up to 10 hours, while a full charge provides up to 20 hours of battery life.  They come in multiple colors options: black, blue, mint and oat.

Bullets Wireless Z will be made available at Digital Walker stores and Digital Walker Lazada and Shopee pages. 

*Announcement on product availability will be announced on Digital Walker social media pages. 

BDO ATM on Wheels now available in select areas

BDO Unibank continues to find ways for its bank services to be accessible in areas covered by the prevailing enhanced community quarantine.   

With the roving ATM on Wheels, bank clients are still able to perform various transactions like balance inquiry, cash withdrawal, cash advance, BDO cash card reload, prepaid mobile reload, fund transfer, donation, activation of online banking enrolment and 3^rd party fund transfer and pin change. The ATM on Wheels, which is available from 11am to 6pm, accepts both local and international cards. 

The ATM on Wheels recently went to Anonas in Quezon City, Bagbaguin in Caloocan, and Pasig City. This week, it will be deployed to Savemore Branch in Camarin, Caloocan from April 13-15, and to Savemore Branch in Novaliches from April 16-18. 

“BDO is positioning ATM on Wheels in areas where our branches are closed or in areas where there are no nearby ATMs,” the Bank said.

Working together for our modern-day heroes

The Areté Makerspace team has assembled more than 1,600 face shields for the use of healthcare professionals who are now leading the fight against Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in various hospitals in Metro Manila and around the country. The team started working on the face shields on March 25 and they have created 13 prototypes, four of which were approved by doctors and collaborators. The completed face shields have since been distributed to different medical facilities through the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. 

For a snippet of the production process of the face shields, visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/didith.rodrigo/videos/10158491757068826/.

For donors who are willing to assist in the production of the face shields, please fill out this form bit.ly/Made4Frontliners or send an email to arete@ateneo.edu. 

PSBank Extends its Payment Grace Period for All Loan Clients

With the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine from April 13 to 30, 2020 and in compliance with the ‘Bayanihan To Heal As One’ Act, Philippine Savings Bank continues to provide valuable assistance to all of its loan customers during these challenging times.

Loan payments for all types of loans with due dates falling within the new ECQ dates will further get a 30-day grace period. This adds to the loan payment moratorium that the country’s maaasahan bank granted the previous month, for loan dues beginning March 15, 2020.

For more information, visit the PSBank website or facebook.com/psbankofficial or refer to the Frequently Asked Questions below: 

1. Who are / Am I qualified for the grace period on amortizations due for payment?

All loan clients/ accounts are qualified.

2. What type of loan products are covered by this grace period?

All types of loans – Home, Auto, Flexi & Multi-Purpose Personal Loans, SME, Corporate, Deposit-Collateral

3. What are the inclusive due dates covered by the 30-day grace period on amortizations due for payment?

With the extension of the ECQ to April 13 to 30, 2020, loan payments for all types of loans with due dates falling within the new ECQ dates will further get a 30-day grace period. The same loan payment moratorium was granted earlier to loan dues beginning March 15, 2020.

Any payment due falling in the covered dates may not be paid. Payment of your loan/s will continue after the end of ECQ. Your loan maturity date will be moved further by 1 or 2 months depending on the number of amortizations which were granted a grace period for payment.

For Flexi / Multi-Purpose Personal Loans, those included are accounts whose statement cut-off dates fall between March 15 and April 30, 2020.

To illustrate --

For Auto, Home, SME, Corporate and DCL:

    Original Payment due date: March 17, 2020

    Adjusted/New due date: May 17, 2020

    Original Payment due date: April 12, 2020

    Adjusted/New due date: May 12, 2020

For Flexi/Personal Loan:

    Original SOA cut-off date: March 15, 2020

    Adjusted/New SOA cut-off date: May 15, 2020

    Original SOA cut-off date: April 10, 2020

    Adjusted/New SOA cut-off date: May 10, 2020

4. Does this mean that I have to double my amortization on my next due date (after extended ECQ ending April 30,2020)?

No. You will NOT PAY DOUBLE on succeeding due dates after the covered period. “HINDI ka namin sisingilin ng DOBLE ng regular na amortization mo matapos ang April 30 kung kailan inaasahan naming muling maguumpisa ang pagbayad ng loan (pagkatapos ng ECQ).”

Your loan maturity date will be moved further by 1 or 2 months depending on the number of amortizations which were granted a grace period for payment.

Example:

Due Date: every 16th of the Month

No. of payments covered by the grace period: 2 ( March 16 & April 16)

Current/Original Maturity Date: April 1, 2021

New Maturity Date: June 1, 2021*

*You may need to submit another check or adjust your auto debit arrangement to cover for the May & June 1, 2021 due dates.

You may do advance payment should you wish to shorten the entire loan term.

5. Is this only applicable for Metro Manila booked accounts?

No. The grace period will cover all loan accounts booked NATIONWIDE.

6. Do I need to sign anything? Any loan amendment document?

No need to sign any documents. Adjustment will be made in our system. No need to sign any amendment documents.

7. What will happen to my post-dated check for my present due date/s ( within the covered period)? Will you hold the check?

Yes, we will automatically hold the post-dated check if your due date falls within the covered dates of the grace period. There is no need for you to request for deferment of check. You may need to issue another check/s to cover for the month/s as a result of the adjusted maturity date of the loan.

8. My loan will mature within the year. Do I still need to submit another check?

Yes, if your remaining loan term is 6 months and up.

For those with remaining term of less than 6 months, the Bank has the option to apply your held check to your adjusted last due date provided the check is not yet stale. You will receive an SMS notification on this.

9. My mode of payment is via Auto-Debit Arrangement. Will you still debit my deposit account on my due date?

We will automatically hold the debiting of loan payment within the covered period.

Debiting of loan due will resume on your next due date after the covered period for grace period ending April 30, 2020.

PAYMENT OF YOUR LOAN/S WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE END OF ECQ.

10. What if I want to be excluded from the grace period? I have funds now to pay for my loan due.

For over-the-counter (OTC) payments, you may visit any branch to pay for your loan due. You also have the option to pay online, thru the PSBank Mobile app, or via ATM.

For those whose mode of payment is via Automatic Debit Arrangement (ADA) or Post-dated Check (PDC), you may call our CX Hotline (02) 8845-8888 or email us at customerexperience@psbank.com.ph to request for manual debit or posting of your check payment.

11. What if I already paid for my loan last March 15-17 (before the announcement), can I request for a refund?

Your payment has been posted to your loan account. For now, there will be no refund.

12. Can I request for more than the grace period given?

No. For now, we will follow the rules on the granting of grace period for loan payments falling due during ECQ. Note that when payments on the loan resume after April 30, 2020, you will not be paying double your regular amortization in any month. Your maturity date will only be further extended accordingly.

Note: If you are qualified for the grace period assistance and the corresponding adjustment was not applied to your loan, please call us at our 24/7 CX Hotline (02) 8845-8888. We would be glad to process the adjustment. Thank you!

Cooking shows, digital fitness via Facebook live

Just like everyone else, social media stars, vloggers, musicians, artists, and performers find ways to cope during these trying times. Most of them raise funds to help frontline heroes in the battle against the pandemic. For some, the digital wave becomes a platform to help boost productivity from home. 

Boosting the immune system 
YouTuber and fitness enthusiast Wil Dasovich recently held a digital fitness campaign to help people boost their immune system. 
He had a 15-minute ab-workout which consisted some fat-burning moves, including leg raises, the russian twist, side plank and reach through, and toe reach among others.
According to Dasovich, exercising and eating the right nutrients can help boost the immune system. He also shared some fitness and health tips, including intermittent fasting and autophagy. 
For Dasovich, exercising is just one of the many ways to improve productivity at home especially during the quarantine period. “In a time of crisis, how we respond to situations is what defines us,” Dasovich said.

Check out his 15-minute ab-workout on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildasovichfanpage/videos/2770955372980166/. 

Kitchen innovation 
A rising Instagram star and chef, Edward Bugia had a live Facebook kitchen experiment as he turned a simple pancit canton into Pad Thai. 
Adding a dash of creativity, Bugia cooked a homemade Shrimp Pad Thai using two packs of pancit canton. He also made his own pad Thai sauce using the Pancit Canton packed condiments while adding a few more ingredients in the mix. 
While he cooked his innovated pancit canton, Bugia engaged with his audience as he promised more live cooking sessions for them. 

Bugia finished off his delicious Pancit Canton-turned-Shrimp Pad Thai with a wonderful plating as he enjoyed the taste of Thailand with his beautiful wife Trixie. 

Learn this new innovated Pad Thai recipe as seen on his Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edward.bugia/videos/10156882945097385/. 
PLDT-Smart powers up work-from-home productivity  
Last March 16, the government placed the entire Luzon on lockdown in the hopes of containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Since then, Filipinos have to quickly adapt to a new lifestyle and work routine — one that requires them to live digital. 
Transportation systems have been halted. Malls have been closed. Curfews have been imposed; and work-from-home arrangements have been in place. 
The current crisis has forced people to go digital with work meetings held via Microsoft Office Teams or Google Hangouts and people relying heavily on fast Internet and connectivity. 
As the entire nation combats the lethal impacts of the pandemic, Filipinos nationwide find better ways to cope and live this new normal. In this digital wave, everyone now relies on a fast internet for work to be done. With this, PLDT and Smart continues to enhance its networks to empower every Filipino, especially in this time of crisis. 
To ensure a seamless work and study from home arrangement, PLDT provided a speed boost for Fibr subscribers in which the minimum speed is 25 Mpbs until April 30, 2020. This is applicable to residents of Metro Manila and parts of Greater Manila including Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.
PLDT and Smart also continuously provides data connectivity, technical support, and communication aid to various frontline health workers and government response teams. Some beneficiaries include the Philippine General Hospital, Research Institute for Tropical Research and several local government units in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Stay home and let us bring your favorite pizzas to you!

Pizza Hut Philippines has rolled out a number of safety measures to ensure you will enjoy your favorite Pizza Hut products, like the Super Supreme Pan Pizza and the Stuffed Crust Pizza, the safest way possible.

“While the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has been extended until April 30, 2020, we have launched a Worry-Free delivery procedure to assure our customers that their safety is our topmost priority”, said Lorent Martin Adrias, Sr. Marketing Manager of PPI.

 Said Adrias:

“First, we require all our Pizza Hut delivery riders to properly wash their hands and sanitize their hot bags, money pouches and delivery motorcycles before and after every delivery.

“Second, our riders are required to wear face mask at all times for their own safety and our customers as well.

“And third, physical distancing is being practiced when interacting with customers.  Upon arrival, our riders will place the pizza and money pouches at the customer’s doorstep, and then they’ll keep a safe distance of at least one meter before calling them to receive their order.

“To ensure that our customers are able to enjoy their favorite pizza and pastas during the extended ECQ, selected Pizza Hut stores Nationwide will be open for take-out and delivery. 

For orders via phone, customers can dial 8911-11-1 or order online at www.pizzahut.com.ph. They can also order via Pizza Hut’s delivery partners GrabFood and FoodPanda.

To know more about the latest updates, follow Pizza Hut on their socials.

Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/pizzahutphilippinesTwitter:           https://twitter.com/pizzahutphilsInstagram:     https://www.instagram.com/pizzahutphils

Identifying 'heroes' who make virtual hugs and kisses possible

 In these uncertain times, there are heroes who serve by saving lives, and there are heroes who serve by keeping most citizens safe and connected at home.

The line of duty is drawn using a broader stroke these days. This term is reserved to describe duties of individuals associated with a certain level of responsibility. But those who still get the job done in the face of today's situation have given a new meaning to the phrase. From health workers, frontliners, police officers and the media, those in the line of duty now include delivery guys, bank tellers, grocery employees, service repair crews, and e-load resellers.

Apart from food, water, electricity, and shelter, connectivity has become the cord that strings us all together. And there are selfless, everyday cape-less heroes making sure this thread remains unbroken so we may cope with the new normal, and lead one another closer to a future that hopefully restores our daily lives.

''Kami ang mga bayaning hindi ninyo kilala pero handang mag-load at rumuta (We are the unsung heroes who continue to roam our delivery routes to provide load for everyone),'' said a Smart, Sun & TNT e-load retailer.

Frontliners in their own right, these e-load distributors and retailers are part of virtual meetings where they are constantly reminded to observe health and safety guidelines set by the government and make sure that they are as updated as the customers they serve. 

Always reminded to put their safety above anything else, these load distributors and resellers are constantly urged to observe these guidelines so they can cater to the needs of customers.

It takes teamwork, virtual or otherwise, to still be of service to customers these days. Willie Capacite shared that it is not about hitting business targets anymore and that these are the times when we throw out the Xs and Os. ''During a team meeting with our Cavite team, our battle cry was to keep on providing service not just to earn, but more importantly, to help our kababayans in their communication needs in these trying times,'' he said.

Team huddles are crucial, according to Anthony Estagle because ''the team is tired but everyone remains inspired to push forward.''

For distributor operations manager Mark Carrera, the mindset is to choose hope every single day. ''Laban lang hanggang dulo! We will always guarantee that our subscribers and retailers can rely on us to deliver load supply because communication is our top priority. We are also doing this so we can remind our 'ka-partners' and subscribers to stay safe!''

Hugs, kisses and high fives online

Love online has also taken a new shape as the company navigates life in times like this.

Recognizing that connectivity provides access to friends, family and real-time window to the outside world for most of us, an e-load retailer from Marinduque said, ''Kasi sa panahon ngayon, walang ibang aasahan kundi ang bawa't isa. Balikatan ika nga. Bilang ahente, ito ang kaya kong itulong to keep everyone connected. (These days, we only have each other to rely on. As a load reseller, this is my contribution.)''

He added, ''We know that we provide the means to make virtual hugs and kisses possible. Knowing that we help make virtual high fives possible is what gets us going.''

Meanwhile, distributor Lester Castillo is aware of the risks. ''Kahit walang kasiguraduhan ang magiging kalagayan ng kalusugan ko, ginagawa ko pa rin para sa mga retailers at subscribers. Alam natin na isa sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan nila ang 'load.' (I am doing my job for our retailers and subscribers who need load and connectivity, which are part of today's basic needs.)''

Another distributor, Ariel Monzones, is reminded of that familiar TNT basketball team's mantra, ''Walang iiwanan (Nobody gets left behind).'' He continued, ''We treat our retailers as family. We know that most of them depend on load selling to provide for their family as well.''

Johnrey Villarosa of Negros Occidental said he knows the difficulties of social distancing. Priority is online connectivity because we know that social distancing is hard, ''For most of us, all we have is virtual thread to be together.''

These men and women believe in a version of the future where we all come out of this, one where we outsmarted the enemy. 

There is a reason why the government included telecommunications employees amongst those allowed to travel and pass through borders like frontliners, the media, and health workers. 

Joemari Ortega of Negros Occidental summed things up: ''Communication plays a vital role today more than ever. As telecommunications employees, we continue to serve all our subscribers, particularly those who are not able to stay with their loved ones these trying times. As long as we serve, communicate, and remain smart, we can and we will survive this.'' #

Life after COVID-19: Stories of Survival

As of April 7, the Department of Health reported 414 new cases of the novel coronavirus disease in the country, raising the total number to 3,660. The Philippines now has 163 fatalities, and 73 recoveries. But while the number of deaths outnumber recoveries, most people who contract the virus go on to get better. That’s because 80% of people who contract the coronavirus will only experience relatively mild symptoms, or even no symptoms at all.

While most will recover from contracting COVID-19, the peculiar nature of recovery is it requires isolation. And patients, in addition to being sick, will oftentimes also experience great anxiety and afraid. According to the members of Public Health Communications Advisory Network (PHCAN), COVID-positive patients should be shown kindness and compassion, and not discrimination and fear.

As a follow up to their first FB Live session last April 4, PHCAN will be holding another Live session this Saturday, April 11 at 2PM, with Dr. Iris Isip-Tan together with COVID-19 survivors to discuss recovery, coping, and moving forward during this very challenging time. Follow the official PH CAN Facebook page for more updates and tune in to hear the stories of recovered COVID-19 patients.

#SalamatFrontliners! TikTok to provide $1M aide to PH Medical Frontliners

In this challenging time as the Philippines battles against COVID-19, TikTok has pledged to donate 1 million US dollars to the Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation, Inc. (PGHMFI).

Through PGHMFI, a non-profit organization that is a major partner of the Philippine General Hospital, the donated fund can enable the health care professionals to gain access to essential protective gear and equipment and will also go towards providing hardship relief for health care workers. The foundation stands as a conduit of donations from individuals, corporations, and other foundations, helping the Philippine General Hospital achieve its mission of providing excellent health care for its patients, particularly the indigent. 

“Nothing’s as priceless as a community that comes together in times of crisis and does their part to battle against it. PGHMFI greatly appreciates the enormous support from TikTok, which will help us secure PPEs and essential supplies to the front line health care professionals of PGH. This is truly a big help as the PGH continues to fulfill its role as a government-designated COVID-19 hospital. With coordinated efforts, we believe we can prevent a greater outbreak, save more lives and start healing,” said PGHMFI President Dr. Telesforo Gana.

This is part of TikTok's efforts across the globe to help the health care community in the fight against COVID-19. TikTok hopes that the donation will benefit doctors and medical workers in the Philippines who are working around the clock and under incredibly challenging circumstances to save lives. 

"TikTok could attest to the Filipino resilience. We have witnessed how the Filipino community  managed to look out for each other and bring a smile or deliver a message of hope despite the gravity of the situation. We are grateful that TikTok has been part of Filipinos' everyday lives. We hope that this donation will give our medical frontliners the best equipment and supplies that will lead to the healing of the Philippines. From the bottom of our hearts, maraming salamat Pinoy community, and salamat, frontliners!,” shared Helena Lersch, Global Public Policy Director, TikTok.

The TikTok community has also come out in full force to show their support for local doctors and health care workers through the #salamatfrontliners campaign. As of April 8, the campaign has received 29,742 videos and 56,209,777 video views.

In response, health care professionals took to TikTok to share their messages of hope and inspiration, with some of them dancing to “Fight Song,” as the song’s lyrics aptly represent their battle against the pandemic on the frontline.

As health care professionals continue to fight against the virus, TikTok is committed to doing its part by ensuring its community receives guidance from trusted local authorities, and encouraging its users to stay safe and #enjoyathome.

Send some love to your loved ones via Paymaya

As the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon has been extended, sending and receiving funds whether for our loved ones, for those in need, or for payment to small business owners, is now more critical than ever. If you're planning to transfer funds soon, here are three ways you can do it via PayMaya: 

• Send to another PayMaya account via the "Send Money" function on your PayMaya app

• Send to any bank under Instapay via the "Bank Transfer" function on your PayMaya app

• Send to Smart Padala agents/Palawan Express via the "Send Money" function on your PayMaya app (don't forget to make sure that your Smart Padala agent is open!)

METROBANK and GT CAPITAL HOLDINGS DONATE PHP 8 MILLION WORTH OF PPEs TO HOSPITALS IN METRO MANILA

To support initiatives that will directly aid the fight against COVID-19, the Ty Family-led companies Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Inc., through the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) released PhP 8 million to fund purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to benefit healthcare frontliners. 

PhP 5 million worth of  PPEs, which include hazardous material suits, face shields, N95 masks, gloves, and shoecovers, were donated to two (2) COVID-19 Referral Centers namely University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and Lung Center of the Philippines, each receiving 1000 sets. Another 2000 sets were donated to the City Government of Manila, through the Office of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, to cater to six (6) District Hospitals in the city namely Justice Abad Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Tondo, Sta. Ana Hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center and Ospital ng Maynila. Through the efforts of the Xavier School Alumni Association, another PhP 3 million was given to support the operations of the San Juan Covid Kalinga Center which is the extension facility of the San Juan Medical Center.

 City of Manila Vice Mayor Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan and Manila Police District Special Mayor's Reaction Team Head and 2017 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Police Officer Major Rosalino Ibay received the donation on the City’s behalf.

Receiving the donations are representatives of  Lung Center of the Philippines 

 The donation is part of the P200 million pledge by Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Group in support of the efforts to combat COVID-19.