Blue soda is the color of summer love

Just like the rains, I got an unexpected email from realme last week, asking if I was interested to review an upcoming phone. I had been mesmerized by my partner’s realme 6i which, incidentally comes in my favorite color—GreenTea.

I had been trying to convince him to just give it to me as it was the perfect phone and the namesake of this blog (just add the lemon).

So of course I immediately said yes, but little did I know that this one would turn the tables and it would be him begging me for the exchange.

The realme 6i had been a constant on my feed for the past month, as one of the brands best-selling phones, because of its almost flagship features but at a very accessible price. 

The best part was that, I wasn’t just going to review the “usual” realme 6i variant. They told me that it was going to be a new colorway and a limited edition at that—Blue Soda. The name itself was enough to grab anyone’s interest.

I tried not to search for any leaks, so as not to ruin the surprise and when the package arrived, I ripped off the bubble wrap and in my excitement almost forgot to take photos of my unboxing. Thankfully my partner was there to restrain me a bit.

Eventually, after a few more agonizing minutes, it was time to take it out of the plastic, and it was gorgeous! Unlike the usual dark blue tones of other phones, this one was a very bright hue, and reminded me of the blue sky and the summer we never got to enjoy this year. Well at least I could reminisce all the past summers just by taking a look at this phone.

I believe that color affects our mood and the blue soda spells happy right away—something we all need this time. 

So without futher gushings, here’s what I think of the realme 6i Blue Soda

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The most powerful quad camera smartphone under p10k is available in the market today.📳 💙 . . The realme6i smartphone comes in Blue Soda variant💦 and is designed by Japanese Industrial Designer Naoto Fukasawa. He collabs with Issey Miyake, MUJI, Dezeen and Biocco stool among others. . . . Powering the reameb6i is a MediaTek Helio G80 SoC. I could open several apps, and switch between different ones without the system lagging. . #realme6i #realme6iUnleashthePower @realmephilippines #smartphone #bluesoda #naotofukasawa

A post shared by Lou Sv (@lemongreenteaph) on Jun 4, 2020 at 2:37am PDT

Likes:

Nice screen 

Great photos during daytime, 

USB C and quick charging

Unique color and design

Selfies come out really nice

Made for gaming

Value for money

The bright blue color is perfect for Gen Z’s

Dislikes:

Easily gets dirty 

More prone to smudges and scratches 

Screen a bit difficult to see in bright sunlight

Night photos could be better

The realme 6i, the blue soda has a smooth shiny finish which takes inspiration from a beloved beverage- sweet and fizzy soda. It was designed by Master Industrial Designer Naoto Fukasawa. The genius behind Muji and has collaborations with Maruni and Issey Miyake. 

Compared to the matte finish of the GreenTea variant, this has a glossy back which makes it more prone to fingerprints so I suggest you use the plastic case. I loved that realme includes a free case, however, I wished they made it a bit more clearer because the dark case somehow “kills” its bright blue color.

Checking the other contents of the box, we have a, SIM Tray Ejector Pin, Warranty Card, Quick guide, Soft Gel Protector Case, 18W Quick Charger, USB Type-C Cable, Screen Protect Film- Pre installed.

I liked the “Welcome to the realme family” message as it feels like the company appreciates you choosing their smartphone. The preinstalled screen protector is another bonus especially since its hard to get one these days and ordering online will take some time.

I’ve been using it for the past week and here are some of our photo samples.

The 48MP AI camera is impressive especially when taking photos outdoors or when there’s enough lighting. The colors are not too saturated and look really good. I didn’t have to edit some of the photos I posted on Instagram. 

I also liked the selfies, as the beauty mode isn’t too obvious unlike other phones.

My only problem, as I mentioned above is when you are taking photos outside, it’s a bit hard to see the screen under very bright sunlight. 

I never really tried macro photography before, and the realme 6i introduced me to an entirely new way of taking close up photos.

macro shot

photo taken while driving along EDSA

portrait 

Powering the real me 6i is a MediaTek Helio G80 SoC, I’m not much of a techy, but I did notice that everything runs smoothly on the realme 6i, I could open several apps, and switch between different ones without the system lagging or worse encountering any errors.

food shot

As for the battery the 5000mAh is supposed to last you more than a day, which makes it perfect for gamers and those who can’t seem to put down their phones as soon as they start watching YouTube videos. Most of the ML gamers I know swore by its battery life.

And if you do get low battery, the realme 6i comes with an 18W quick charger so you don’t have to wait long before its fully charged again. 

You get all these features at a price below P10k making it one of the best deals for those looking to buy a new phone but don’t want to break their budget.

Full specs:

REALME 6i SPECIFICATIONS

DISPLAY: 16.5cm (6.5”) Mini-Drop Fullscreen

Resolution: 1600*720 HD+ with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 

CPU: MediaTek Helio G80 SoC; Octa-core, Up to 2.05GHz

VARIANTS:    3GB RAM + 64GB storage

4GB RAM + 64GB storage

4GB RAM + 128GB storage

*Storage expandable up to 256GB

REAR CAMERA: 48MP AI Quad Camera (Normal + Wide-Angle + Macro + Portrait)

Main Camera: 48MP - 4 in 1 Pixels, 26mm, FOV 79°, f/1.8 Aperture, 

Wide-Angle:  8MP; f/2.25 Aperture; FOV 119°

Macro: 2MP; f/2.4 Aperture, 4cm Focus Distance

Portrait:2MP; f/2.4 Aperture,

VIDEO up to 1080P/30fps Video Recording

FRONT CAMERA: 16M; f/2.0 Aperture; FOV 80°

Video: Up to1080P & 720P/30fps Video Recording

CONNECTIVITY:  SIM Card Type: Dual nano-sim cards, MicroSD Expansion/Triple Slots

Wireless;  Supports 2.4G Wi-Fi; Supports Bluetooth 5.0

BATTERY: 5000mAh 18W Quick Charge

USB Type-C port

COLOR: Blue Soda, White Milk, Green Tea Master Design Background

SIZE & WEIGHT: 164.4mm*75.4mm*9.0mm 199g

SYSTEM: realme UI based on Android 10

realme 6 series sold out at Lazada 6.6 sale, places realme among top-selling smartphone brands

realme Philippines, the lifestyle partner of the youth, achieved sold-out sales for its recently launched realme 6 series at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale, propelling the brand to be among the top-selling smartphone brands during the sale event. The realme Band also contributed to this feat by dominating the smartwatch segment. 

Fans can expect more exciting devices from realme in the coming months as the brand is keen on offering reliable tech devices for Filipinos as they adapt to the new normal. 

realme Philippines Vice President for Marketing Austine Huang shares, “We are thankful for the reception our devices got from our Filipino fans during the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale. It brings us joy to know that through our devices, we will be able to help the Filipino squad adjust to the new normal, whether for virtual schooling or conferences or for their new digital lifestyles.”

Prior to its successful participation at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale, Counterpoint Research hailed realme as the fastest growing smartphone brand in Southeast Asia in Q1 2020, having shown top-ranking performance in six markets: Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. In the Philippines alone, realme enjoyed a 1,800% year-on-year growth due to its disruptive smartphone line-up, strategic online communication and growing AIoT portfolio. 

Those interested to purchase realme products may visit the official store of realme Philippines on Lazada: https://bit.ly/2Ul9vgh. As quarantine protocols are eased in several parts of the country, realme kiosks and stores are starting to open up as well. Fans are encouraged to follow the official social media pages of realme Philippines on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for other updates.

Take a first look at our HUAWEI #SuperNova Phone in an evening of fun performances and talks by some of your favorite NovaStars!

Save the date! Mark your calendar for one of Huawei’s biggest virtual events this year – the HUAWEI Carnival Super Nova Super Show. Everyone is invited to witness the official release of a massive #Supernova phone in the Philippines – the HUAWEI nova 7SE 5G, on June 12, 2020, 8PM.

You can also expect new announcement of collaborations, product talks and performances by Huawei’s NovaStars who are yet to be revealed. It will surely be a fun-filled virtual event that will celebrate and cheer on Huawei’s persistence in bringing the best technology closer to young Filipinos. 

To join the event, visit https://facebook.com/events/s/super-nova-super-show/302041627471575/?ti=as&__mref=mband click “Going” so Huawei would be able to notify you before the event starts. 

Keep yourselves updated with Huawei’s latest announcements and promotions by following their official Facebook page. 

Boost Your Immune System with These Three Simple Lifestyle Tips

A strong immune system is key to staying in the best shape. It's also the body’s first line of defense against any kind of disease. Many factors can contribute to lowering a person’s resistance to illnesses, such as stress, vices, an unbalanced diet, and more.

Photo by Ella Olson via Pexels

While these daily activities which are often overlooked, contribute to a weakened immune system, a few simple lifestyle changes can make a difference in the long run.

Here are three simple ways to boost the immune system:

1. Get Enough Sleep

That’s right, something as simple as sleeping can be a step towards a stronger immune system. A complete sleep cycle is 7 or more hours each night for adults, 8-10 hours for teens, and 14 hours for younger children and infants.

Inadequate sleep is often linked to the body’s vulnerability to contracting illnesses so limiting screen time or keeping an active day, for example, can help those who have trouble sleeping.

2. Be more active

Engaging in moderate exercise can give the immune system a boost. Even just taking at least 10 minutes off each day for a simple workout such as yoga, cardio, and strength training will increase the body’s resistance to prevent illnesses.

3. Be mindful of the right food choices
   Eating the right kind of food like healthy fats and whole plant food such as fruits and vegetables, which are rich in nutrients and antioxidants can keep the body’s immune system strong and in check.
   Vitamin C is the most common immunity booster and relatively lessens common cold severity and duration. It helps the body increase the production of white blood cells which are important in strengthening the body’s natural defenses.
   Common fruits and vegetables which are rich in Vitamin C include oranges, lemons, papayas, tomatoes, strawberries, bell peppers, and spinach. Maintaining a balanced diet that includes herbs such as parsley, thyme, and chili peppers can also help. A steady supply of these could provide natural immunity boosters in every meal.
   Keep these immunity boosters fresh up to two times longer with the Twin Cooling Technology of the Samsung Digital Appliances Twin Cooling Plus Top Mount Refrigerator. The refrigerator’s Anti-Bacterial Protector also keeps the unit and its contents 99.9% free from bacteria.
   Also, with the Smart Conversion feature, the freezer can easily be turned into a fridge as well. This comes handy especially when there is more food to store or leftovers that can still be good for the next few days.
   Today’s challenges are very modern but taking steps to boost the immune system can help now and in the long run as well. A few lifestyle and dietary adjustments can be made to achieve a stronger body and immune system.
   Samsung Digital Appliances has an ongoing promo on their eStore where up to 20% discounts on select Twin Cooling models can be availed. This runs until June 14, 2020.
   To know more details and to see other offers, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph.

Filipino-style spaghetti now available at Kuya J

Every Filipino’s all-time favorite party dish and comfort food is now available at Kuya J!

Sweet, savory, and cheesy, every forkful of the new Kuya J Spaghetti will surely hit you with nostalgic fondness and fill you with satisfaction while in quarantine. This new offering is certainly a must-try with its meaty and glossy tomato sauce and perfectly cooked noodles.

Kuya J Spaghetti is available for delivery via Central by Landers for a special starting price of only Php 99. Central by Landers drivers can only deliver within select serviceable areas in Metro Manila, but luckily, you can also order this new treat for takeout in select branches.

Check out centraldelivery.ph or visit a Kuya J restaurant near you to get a taste of Kuya J Spaghetti as well as other mouthwatering dishes like the Crispy Pata, Grilled Scallops, Lechon Baka and more.

To get the latest news on Kuya J, visit http://www.kuyaj.ph or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @kuyajresto.

Plan for goals during quarantine with AXA Goal Getter

AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, introduces Goal Getter—a life insurance and investment plan in one that helps you reach your goals. 

If the current situation has strengthened your resolve to accomplish your life goals and save up for them, then it’s a good idea to check out Goal Getter. Build your funds so you can achieve financial independence and realize your goals, whether it’s starting a small business, getting a car or condominium, or pursuing a post-graduate degree. 

Goal Getter is an investment and life insurance plan that is available online where you can start with an initial payment of as low as Php10,000. You can keep adding to it with as little as Php5,000 monthly top-ups.

And because it is available online, you can get started right in the comfort of your own home – no need to head out and meet with an agent.

"Even as we face an uncertain future due to COVID-19, Goal Getter provides an opportunity for people to build a financial plan that can support them as they strive to achieve their goals,” said AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora.

Customers can choose to invest in either the Philippine Wealth Bond Fund or Chinese Tycoon Fund depending on their risk appetite. Goal Getter allows policyholders the freedom to choose how much and how long they want to build their savings fund for their specific life goals.

Since AXA Philippines is committed to provide the best protection for its customers and their families, Goal Getter comes with life insurance coverage. The policyholder’s beneficiaries may receive 125 percent of the total premiums paid or the actual account value, whichever is higher.

Even in times of uncertainty, AXA Goal Getter is supporting those who wish to achieve their goals. 

To learn more about AXA Goal Getter, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/goalgetter.

Citrine One spreads its wings to SEA region, Australia

Citrine One, a communications agency based in Malaysia with 19 years of experience, announced on Friday the establishment of its international business outfit, Citrine One Global, to focus on cross-border business activities starting with the Southeast Asia (SEA) region and Australia. Citrine One Global is set to provide multi-tier strategic communications services in multiple territories through its network of professional partners and affiliates. 

Citrine One Global is structured as a gateway for Malaysian businesses seeking strategic communications services in new markets and for international businesses looking for a footing in Malaysia and other SEA countries. Inter-referral and coordination within the alliance will ensure smooth delivery of campaign messaging for the clients.

Among the affiliates under Citrine One Global Network of Professionals are Ardent Communications (Philippines), Ying Communications (Singapore), IMAGI PR (Indonesia) and Bass PR (Australia). The list of affiliates is expected to grow as more agreements are formalized in the near future.

“We need to do business differently. Collaborative partnerships have worked well for us locally by working with experts and other agencies from different fields in marketing and communications to offer extensive services to our clients. This idea is now being taken to a larger scale with our global arm, Citrine One Global. This is the manifestation of the valued professional and business partnerships we have cultivated over the years with our affiliates,” explained Ivlynn Yap Cheng Theng, founder and principal consultant of Citrine One.

“Our method is simple and direct, and that is to have the right people to do the right job. We believe this philosophy also rings true with businesses that are looking to expand their operations and market in new territories. This alliance is ready to provide the services needed by our clients to achieve that goal. We can build global communications plans locally and adapt them effectively through our local alliance partners,” added Ivlynn. 

Ardent Communications, a highly respected communications agency in the Philippines, echoes the values of partnership in doing business. “We are proud to be part of the Citrine One Global Network. It’s a very timely endeavor with most companies' business plans flying out the window due to the unprecedented crisis brought by the pandemic. Businesses will need the experience and expertise of seasoned agencies to navigate the new normal.  These are the agencies that Citrine One Global brings together. We are greater than the sum of our parts,”said Ana Pista, president and founder of Ardent Communications.

Nia Novelia, co-founder and director at IMAGI PR, believes the alliance will be a good launch platform for companies looking to enter the vast Indonesian market. “IMAGI PR is honored to be a part of Citrine One Global. This is an exciting experience to share our knowledge and connect with fellow communications professionals in the Asia-Pacific. By joining this network, we could provide our expertise to global players that would like to enter the Indonesian market. With its 260 million population, Indonesia is one of the most lucrative markets in Southeast Asia. Through Citrine One Global, we could also offer great value to our clients who would like to go international,” she said. 

Heading the new business outfit is Junaidi Asmara Rosly, a marketing and communications specialist with more than a decade of local and regional experience in various fields, including consumer electronics, F&B, tech start-ups, government services and creative multimedia industries. “I’m thrilled with the establishment of Citrine One Global and my new role as the managing partner. I believe that by leveraging each other’s strengths and abilities, the alliance will be mutually beneficial to all parties,” said Junaidi. 

Citrine One Global aims to provide high-quality strategic communications services, including strategic crisis communications, crisis communications training, media relations and social media management. Citrine One Global is also actively seeking new potential affiliates to expand its service territories. Interested agencies are invited to get in touch via hello@citrineone-global.com.

OYO features a Sanitized Stays badge to showcase properties that meet standards for safety, hygiene, and protective equipment

OYO Hotels & Homes is rolling out its Sanitized Stays in the Philippines from 1 June 2020. Under the initiative, OYO will implement comprehensive hygiene protocols and step up vigilance measures pre and post-check-in and throughout its customer journey, to curb any potential spread of Covid-19.

○      Check-in & check-out: To ensure social distancing, OYO will revamp its guest check-in & check-out process to a minimal touch process. The hotel chain is in the process of acquiring the required approvals for guests to upload their IDs and complete their formalities at the hotel with minimal staff interaction. Similarly, check-out and payment processes are being restructured to ensure minimal staff interaction. 

○      Minimal contact service: To ensure social distancing at all customer-facing touchpoints, OYO will introduce minimal contact room service and will train the housekeeping staff on the same

○      Sanitized Stays Tag: All OYO properties enrolled in the platform will have the Sanitized Stays logo displayed on the Oyo App and Hotel Booking Platforms. Prior to being awarded this tag, hotels will go through an initial check, followed by checks are regular intervals for compliance. Out of these, properties that have cleared the background check will display the Sanitized Stays tag on the booking page. An audit based on reviews from guests will be conducted on the properties regularly to ensure that feedback, reviews and recommendations are taken into consideration to ensure they continue to be accredited as Sanitized Stays. 

●      Training of on-ground teams: The new training module will incorporate SOPs on the changed operating procedures across functions like:

○      Health screening including temperature checks and symptoms for guests as well as employees. Guests, Vendors and Contractors will be required to complete travel and health declaration.

○      Proper disinfection of the space frequently with the placement of hand sanitisers at the reception and the increased need to wear safety gear at all times

○      Encourage in-room dining and avoid all public areas

○      Distance markers on floors to highlight the correct physical distance people must adhere to

○      Guests will be requested to handle their own luggage as far as possible (unless the guest is a senior citizen or has a physical impediment). All luggage will also be sanitised.

○      Policies for dealing with outside suppliers and contractors complying with health advisories and government regulations

○      Property management to oversee the property’s housekeeping practices

“In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry is facing a new normal in the way we operate. As a brand committed to offering safe accommodation options, OYO is proactively leading the change in housekeeping and cleanliness protocols within the hospitality industry, across all OYO properties. In this industry, maintaining the trust and confidence of guests is key - and this is reflected in the guest-first approach OYO is taking through our new protocols, in order to provide reassurance and peace of mind to guests,” said Ankit Gupta, Country Head, Philippines, OYO Hotels & Homes.

Hotel proprietors and staff can exercise discretion to accept or decline guests who exhibit signs and symptoms associated with Covid-19 such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache and sore throat.

The Department of Health's Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) will be contacted if guests and staff show signs any staff members show such signs and symptoms of having the virus. 

Reminder to guests and staff

To ensure that social distancing is continuously observed, reminder signs will be placed in locations with higher foot traffic such as the hotel reception and lobby, in lifts and lift lobbies, and in restaurants. There will also be reminders on proper handwashing techniques in all toilets. To encourage frequent hand-cleaning, hand sanitisers with at least 60% alcohol content will be placed in common areas such as the reception and lobby, for all guests and staff to use. All staff will also be reminded to maintain appropriate hand hygiene standards by frequently cleaning their hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser.

Thorough cleaning protocols

As a vigilance measure, public spaces will be cleaned frequently using disinfectant products that have been pre-approved by the Ministry of Health for cleaning activities. Extra focus will be given to frequently touched areas such as tables in the lobby, the reception desks, lift buttons, door handles, room key cards, water dispensers and so on. Hard surfaces will be cleaned with warm water and detergent, followed by the disinfectant solution.

All items for laundry will be thoroughly washed at the hottest appropriate setting and fully dried, while all equipment used to transport and handle laundry will be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised.

For more information on OYO in the Philippines, please visit https://www.oyorooms.com/ph/

Pizza Hut reopens more branches, offers convenient take-out options

Enjoying pizza, pasta and other treats is now more convenient as Pizza Hut reopens more branches around the country and introduces new ways to take out your favorite dishes. 

Whatever Pizza Hut specialty you’re craving for, you can have it to-go from your nearest Pizza Hut Branch. With quarantine measures being loosened, Pizza Hut has reopened more branches in Metro Manila and various area in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Now that more branches are open,  we are eager  to see our customers and we have made certain  we are implementing strict health and safety measures to guarantee  they are protected when they visit our stores”,  Pizza Hut marketing manager Lorent Adrias said.

To ensure the well-being of customers and employees, they are required to practice physical distancing inside the restaurant. Food products are served at a safe distance to minimize contact. Team members follow secure preparation, dispatch, and serving procedures. All surfaces are also regularly sanitized. 

Customers who intend to visit their nearest Pizza Hut branch are advised to wear a face mask as a ‘no mask, no entry’ policy is strictly enforced. Temperature checks and hand and footwear sanitation are also being implemented. 

Pizza Hut offers convenient take-out options as well such as Click and Collect, where customers may order through the Pizza Hut website and then pick it up from the nearest store. Another option is Pizza Hut’s Car Pick-up, all customers need to do is call 8911-1111 and place their orders at least one hour in advance, drive up to their choice of participating store, open their trunk when instructed by a Pizza Hut team member, and drive away with their order. 

“We’ve made certain all Pizza Hut stores nationwide provide safe and worry-free options for take-out orders. This is to guarantee customers can have peace of mind whenever they visit any of our branches,” Adrias said. 

For a complete list of open branches, please check this link https://bit.ly/2LYzVjo. Like and follow Pizza Hut on Facebook at facebook.com/pizzahutphilippines., follow Pizza Hut on Instagram at instagram.com/pizzahutphils and Twitter at twitter.com/pizzahutphils. You may also visit their website at www.pizzahut.com.ph. 

vivo invites people to explore passions with “Take Back the Night” campaign for V19 & V19 Neo

A lot has changed since quarantine measures were put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19. Nowadays, homes are no longer just for relaxation as it has become an extension of the workplace. The situation has changed how people perceive work-life balance, with some learning new skills to be more productive at work and adapt to the new normal.

And while community lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease, the practice of social distancing and staying at home is one that is not expected to disappear any time soon.

But being stuck at home need not be all that bad. Despite adjusting to work-from-home set-ups and finding more worthwhile ways to spend quarantine time, the lockdown period has also presented an opportunity for people to re-explore their individuality and passions, especially at night.

And for those who seem to have temporarily lost the motivation to pursue passions due to restrictions, vivo begs to differ. 

For its latest campaign, the brand calls on people to take back the night—to take back their prime, passionate selves—regardless of the situation.

In the coming weeks, the leading global technology company is set to launch 2 new V series smartphones; the V19 and the V19 Neo. Each with features so advanced, they are deemed to be the ultimate tools for celebrating individuality and exploring passions at night. 

A series of online events and activities will accompany the launch of the handsets, to help individuals discover new passions they can pursue—all while highlighting how the smartphones can be the best companions to take back and relish in the power of the night.

Stay tuned for the latest developments on vivo smartphones and discover how to Take Back the Night by visiting facebook.com/vivo.philippines.

PLDT, Smart partner with Grab for rapid and convenient delivery of internet products

Two of the country’s industry leaders — PLDT Inc., the country’s leading telco and digital services provider, and Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading everyday superapp — have announced a groundbreaking partnership to quickly deliver internet solutions straight to Filipino homes.

This is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to further pivot toward more online-driven services, bolstering its already significant digital presence in anticipation of the ‘next new normal’.  By selecting Grab as their strategic partner, PLDT shares in their vision of empowering the whole of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, through the power of technology. 

Under this partnership, PLDT and Grab will provide various online channels through which customers can conveniently order PLDT Home and Smart’s products and have them delivered straight to their homes within 24 hours. 

Starting Monday, June 8, 2020, PLDT Home customers in the Greater Metro Manila area can order PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid units through the PLDT Home website and get their units delivered via the Grab Express delivery service. Purchases can be either paid through debit or credit card for cashless delivery or cash-on-delivery.

Another ingenious offering by both PLDT Inc. and Grab are the PLDT Home and Smart Stores on GrabMart, an on-demand grocery delivery solution, where customers can likewise order the PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid kit and have it immediately brought to their homes.

Grab Philippines president Brian Cu

To further enhance the partnership, Smart will also allow instant loading of prepaid accounts through the Grab app using the GrabPay wallet. Smart prepaid customers can easily buy load or mobile data packages for as low as Php 50 using their own number or buy for family and friends.

PLDT-Smart SVP and Consumer Business Customer Development Head Alex O. Caeg added, “We’ve started with PLDT products. Soon, more of Smart’s products and services will be made more accessible through GrabMart. This is aligned with Smart’s commitment to bring simple solutions and amazing experiences to enrich the digital lives of Filipinos.”

While Grab Philippines president Brian Cu was quoted as saying, “We are thrilled to partner with PLDT Inc. in making internet more available to more homes using our superapp services. It has always been Grab’s aim to empower Filipinos to do more everyday by leveraging the use of digital technologies that improve their lives and make them future-ready. Our partnership with PLDT jumpstarts the many initiatives we have to deliver positive and a sustainable impact for the benefit of all Filipinos"

Smart President and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer, Al S. Panlilio

“Together with Grab, a leader in the digital, app-based transport, food, and logistics space, we are making it quick, convenient, and safe for our customers to enjoy our products and services through on-demand orders coupled with rapid delivery,” says 

“This is part of our overall shift and broader strategy of moving toward online-driven solutions as we ready ourselves for the next stage of the new normal. This partnership extends our reach not only online, but also kicks-off our other strategic initiatives in the space of remote working, e-learning and e-health,” he concluded.

The collaboration and strategic partnership with Grab is aligned with the stepped-up efforts of PLDT and Smart to keep families safe during the community quarantine and even afterwards, by leveraging on the strengths and capabilities of the firms in the digital sphere.  This immediately answers the need for quick delivery of next generation products and services, which has undoubtedly become the norm in the new normal – and doing this has never been any simpler.

For more information about PLDT Inc. and Grab partnership, visit www.pldthome.com and www.smart.com.ph.