What to Visit, Do and Eat this 2022

Global hospitality company Airbnb today launches its first-ever Airbnb Travel Guide to the Philippines. With domestic tourism on the rebound and the country reopening its borders to both international visitors and balikbayans, the Airbnb Travel Guide 2022: The Philippines aims to inspire travelers to rediscover the country in style.

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, shared, “The Philippines has officially reopened to the world and we are seeing a promising rebound in both domestic and international travel, buoyed by the surge in overseas travelers keen to visit their loved ones and enjoy the wonders of the country. Our inaugural Airbnb Travel Guide 2022: Philippines aims to provide a source of travel inspiration and stir in people a desire to travel to and around the Philippines, and to explore new destinations safely and responsibly.”

 

The Airbnb Travel Guide 2022: The Philippines showcases the hottest and most underrated destinations to visit, and off-the-beaten-path hidden gems unbeknownst even to most locals. It also shines a spotlight on thrilling activities, unique delicacies and the most extraordinary Airbnb stays across the country. 

 

Airbnb’s Top 5 Hottest, Most Underrated Destinations: Thinking of exploring more provinces this year? Airbnb reveals its five favourite lesser-known destinations: beautiful Sorsogon where nature is always around the corner,  the rugged and magnificent  island of Catanduanes, mystical enchanting Siquijor, untouched waterfall paradise Biliran and finally Zamboanga Peninsula with its cherry-hued beaches. 

Top 5 Extraordinary Airbnb Stays: Wherever you are in the country, there’ll always be a unique Airbnb Stay waiting for you — hosted by Superhosts ready to provide you with their best tips and tricks to live like a local. Those wondering what a rural tabing-ilog lifestyle feels like can explore this rustic treehouse by the riverside in Balamban, Cebu, while camping enthusiasts can book themselves a vintage airstream suite on top of a hill in Calaca, Batangas. Read on for more amazing Stays including a private island paradise in Palawan and magical glass treehouse amidst pinewood forests.

 Top Must-Try Travel Activities: For those who never leave a place without a thrilling experience for the books, Airbnb recommends some of the most unique and adrenaline-pumping activities across the country, including a zipline over seven waterfalls in North Cotabato and a Pinoy-style go-kart one can ride down the hills of Valencia, Negros Oriental.

Top 5 Fantastical Treats for the Tastebuds: Capping off a trip with a good meal is a definite must, and Airbnb unveils its top 5 most interesting delicacies in the Philippines for locals and tourists alike. Be warned - this isn’t for the faint of heart! Challenge your tastebuds and tummy with dishes including betute tugak (deep fried stuffed frog) and tuslob-buwa (mix of pig’s brain and liver simmered in a series of aromatics and spices).

 

Top Airbnb Travel Tips: Make health and safety your top priority, and go local so the community can benefit from your travels! Bring small bills along and check out smaller neighbourhood shops run by local artisans. Finally, follow the Philippines Department of Health’s public health standards – wear your masks properly, ensure a physical distance of at least 1m, and wash your hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers regularly.

 

Head on to ​​https://news.airbnb.com/airbnb-travel-guide-2022-the-philippines/ to check out Airbnb's full travel guide.

 

TECNO announce new technology RGBW camera sensor + glass which is co-developed with Samsung on its CAMON 19 series

During the latest edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2022), one of the major events in the mobile technology world, TECNO Mobile, global premium smartphone manufacturer announced that the Samsung RGBW color filter sensor technology will  be available on its upcoming new CAMON series, which are well-known as the camera phone. This new technology is co-developed it with SAMSUNG, involving the addition of a white sub-pixel to the existing universal RGB configurations on phones,  and is sold as part of the ISOCELL RGBW color filter sensor solutions.

RGBW (red, green, blue, white) technology is heralded as the next major change to existing mobile camera frameworks, allowing the new generation of phones to further match up to professional cameras, particularly in the light sensitivity areas and low-light environments. The new RGBW sensor will be attached to a 64MP camera, and to increase the light input of the CMOS sensor, effectively brightening picture quality and creating ultra-clear details without impacting contrast in dark and backlit backgrounds. Coupled with TECNO’s complementary Glass + Plastic (G+P) technology, light intake can be further enhanced by another 30%, effectively doubling the overall picture quality for users. 

Compared with the traditional RGGB sensor, the RGBW light capture sensor adopts a new pixel arrangement, and introduces (W) white pixels that are more sensitive to light on the basis of not damaging the original three primary colors, with 1.7 times better sensitivity than green color filter, which can not only ensure that the color is not distorted, but also improve the brightness of the camera. 

Pan Xuebao, VP and Head of R&D at Samsung Electronics, said: “This technology innovation was created based on user feedback and an effort to bring brighter and clearly images. especially in the low light and super night mode. Its first launch on TECNO’s CAMON series bringing us one step closer to the dream of delivering DSLR-grade photography into the hands of worldwide consumers. ”

“TECNO CAMON series have been always focused on bringing our users the outstanding camera experience.  The use of RGBW will increase camera capabilities and increase flexibility on TECNO CAMON 19 series to respond to consumer demands, to highlight natural human features and colours to showcase aesthetics and diversity across different markets. ” said Leo Lee, Senior Product Manager of TECNO. 

TECNO’s popular CAMON series has always been a pioneer in the area of mobile imaging. New technology releases such as RGBW and G+P on the new CAMON release will drive the next evolution of mobile imaging.

McDonald’s Flavors of Asia brings you the best of both worlds of Japanese and Korean flavors!

The main thing that crossovers have taught us is that they are always exciting, out of the ordinary, but most of all, rare. It’s not always that we get to see our favorite music artists partner for an epic duet; and it surely never gets old when we witness crossovers in superhero movies.

 

Now, McDonald’s is jumping into that crossover world with the most satisfying and delectable collaboration of flavors and cultures possible – with the Flavors of Asia, bringing you the best of both worlds of Japanese and Korean flavors!

 

Flavors of Asia also actually serves as a comeback – fans of Japanese cuisine will remember McDonald’s Flavors of Japan, served all the way back in 2019; while McDonald’s served a treat once more just last year with the Taste of Korea. But to make things oh-so-satisfying, this exciting crossover is here to let everyone enjoy the best of both worlds.

 

Combining the fan favorite Japanese and Korean-inspired meals together, bite into Flavors of Asia’s savory flavors of the Ebi Burger, boasting a tempura-coated shrimp patty paired with tangy Thousand Island sauce and lettuce (and the perfect Lent-friendly choice!); and the K-Chicken Burger that lets you enjoy a crispy chicken filet with creamy cheddar cheese and served with kimchi and gochujang dressing that will surely tickle and satisfy your tastebuds, with both burgers housed between black and white sesame seed buns.

 

As with all epic crossovers, your burgers need partners, too – pick among their Shake Shake Fries coming in the Nori variant, for those looking for a sweet and salty, seaweed-flavored twist, and Honey Butter, suitable for those craving a sweet take on their World-Famous Fries; and finally, cool down with Flavors of Asia’s Strawberry Banana Sundae drizzled in sweet strawberry banana syrup, and the Matcha Sundae for that delectable green tea-inspired taste!

 

Can’t decide whether you’re looking for Japanese or Korean flavors? Have both in a snap and never have to choose! Experience the best of both Japanese and Korean worlds with McDonald’s Flavors of Asia, and get your flavorful treats through Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru, and McDelivery while it’s still available!

 

For more updates, make sure to follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook and @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram.

 

Shoppers have more reasons to celebrate with new brand ambassador and Shopee Primetime Queen Marian Rivera

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, introduces 3.15 Consumer Day, the first mega sale of the year. 3.15 Consumer Day will bring the excitement of Shopee’s year-end festivals to all users, giving them more reasons to celebrate and reward themselves as they gear up for the year ahead.

 

Shopee is pioneering 3.15 Consumer Day to bring more value and joy to all shoppers, who are now using e-commerce to fulfill their needs all year round. Everyone can be a part of 3.15 Consumer Day which features the widest variety of products, made better with Free Shipping with ₱0 min. spend,  ₱1 Deals, and 10% off daily starting March 3, kicking off the celebration with the 3.3 Consumer Day. Shopee will also launch its #ShopeeCelebratesYou campaign to bring more cheer to users across the 3.15 period. Throughout the campaign, Shopee will surprise and delight its biggest fans on social media, while users stand a chance to win big prizes by taking part in various activities and contests across Shopee’s official platforms.

 

Adding to the 3.15 celebrations, Shopee welcomes Filipino superstar and Primetime Queen Marian Rivera as its newest brand ambassador. Marian will star in a brand new Shopee commercial for 3.15 Consumer Day which you can watch here. She will also appear in the 3.15 TV Special happening at 5pm on Tuesday, March 15.

 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines said, “At Shopee, our users are at the heart of all that we do. This drives us to keep innovating, so that we can create new features, services, and campaigns that bring joy to their lives. As more people shop online and enjoy our year-end festivals, we are introducing 3.15 Consumer Day to bring the same excitement and fun to the first half of the year. We are thrilled for our first 3.15 Consumer Day and we hope to deliver even more joy to everyone.”

 

1. Celebrate You with bigger prizes, better deals

 

3.15 Consumer Day gives every shopper a reason to celebrate. Users can find everything they need with amazing deals on the Shopee app, and unlock bigger surprises on social media.

 

In the Philippines, users can win big at the new #ShopeeCelebratesYou campaign across Shopee’s official platforms. Shopee users stand a chance to check out their items for free when they share their shopping carts on social media, while Shopee will also surprise its biggest fans on social media. Stay tuned to Shopee’s official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages for more information and activities.

 

Till March 15, users can find and save more on all they need on Shopee. Highlights include:

 

●      Special treats for Filipino shoppers: 3.15 Consumer Day will bring a smile to every user, with Free Shipping vouchers with ₱0 min. spend, ₱1 Deals, and 10% off daily till March 15. New users can enjoy a 100% off discount voucher with ₱90 min. spend at ₱90 max. discount, Free Shipping voucher with ₱0 min. spend, exclusive ₱1 Deals, or free welcome gifts from Shopee and brand partners, so they can smile even more with their first purchases on Shopee.

 

●      Exciting deals with ShopeePay:  This March, users can enjoy 20% cashback when they scan to pay at ShopeePay’s partner merchants such as Potato Corner, Puregold, National Bookstore, The Generics Pharmacy, and more. Users can also checkout ShopeePay ₱1 Deals and redeem discounts in stores. On 3.15 Consumer Day, users can take advantage of 50% off on load across all networks and up to 100% cashback on bills payment. Users can get a chance to win ₱100,000 when they send money to any bank or to any Shopee user. With ShopeePay’s free transfers feature, users won't have to worry about any additional fees.

 

●      More entertaining experience with new in-app game, Shopee Pets: Starting March 3, users can play the life simulation game where they can care for and raise their pets through daily activities for a chance to win Shopee Coins, ShopeePay Credits, and more!

 

 

2. Discover new brands for You on Shopee Mall

 

3.15 Consumer Day is the perfect time for users to discover new brands and indulge their wishlist without having to wait till the end of the year. With thousands of brands offering exclusive deals, there will be something for everyone at Shopee’s Mega Brands Sale from March 3 to 15. 

●      Midnight Brand Parade and Hourly Branded Price Drops: During the first two hours of March 15, shoppers can look forward to storewide discounts from their favorite brands like Pampers, realme, OPPO, Adidas, Unilever Beauty, and Deerma. Users should also regularly check the Shopee app for Shopee Mall’s hourly price drops, where top brands will offer limited-time flash deals on their best-selling products. 

 

●      New Shopee Mall Sampling Counter: Starting March 15, Shopee is giving consumers greater convenience and value for money to discover new brands through the new Shopee Mall Sampling Counter. Users can try sample-size products from best-selling brands like Johnson & Johnson, Uni-care, COSRX, Trizie, and AHC Philippines, and get a free voucher if they decide to purchase the regular-sized product.

 

●      Exclusive discount brand vouchers for new buyers: Shopee also gives brand explorers more incentive to discover the wide assortment of brands under its platform. Curious consumers can look forward to welcome vouchers on their first purchase from their favorite brands on Shopee Mall.

 

●      Brand Membership: Brand loyalists get to enjoy a more rewarding shopping experience when they sign up for the Brand Membership Program of their choice. Over 80 brands under the program will offer its members double the rewards points for purchases made on March 15.

 

3. Discover a new You

 

Beyond the amazing deals, 3.15 Consumer Day is also time for users to discover new interests, and support what matters to them. From today till March 15, users can find new ways to do their part for local businesses, and discover hidden gems on Shopee.

 

●      Satisfy all your interests at 3.15: Users can shop for a wide variety of products catered to their interests with themed days across 3.15 Consumer Day. This includes 3.3 Consumer Day (March 3), Fashion Day (March 4), Home Appliance Day (March 5), Home & Living Day (March 6), Digital Deals Day (March 7), Beauty Day (March 9), Mobiles & Gadgets Day (March 10), Kids & Babies' Day (March 11), Sports & Motors Day (March 12), Shopee Prizes Day (March 13) and Vouchers Day (March 14).

 

●      Support and empower female sellers on International Women’s Day: After unwavering support for local sellers across its year-end festivals, Shopee will continue to connect users to more local businesses, including those of strong, inspirational Filipinas. On March 8, Shopee will hold a special 3.15 Women’s Sale to celebrate women in the Philippines and spotlight inspiring stories of female sellers on its platform.

 

●      Explore ways to improve your shopping: Shopee Cares PH is an online community that offers the best customer support for all your concerns and questions. Just follow @ShopeeCaresPH on Twitter and Facebook so you can shop and worry-free. For Shopee Fam with Gold and Platinum Shopee Loyalty Tier memberships, get ready to claim unlimited Free Shipping vouchers every month. Claim those hard-earned vouchers accessible via the Shopee Loyalty Page or the Homesquare Page so you can make the most out of your shopping this 3.15 Consumer Day.

 

For more information about Shopee 3.15 Consumer Day, visit https://shopee.ph/m/consumer-day

 

Download Shopee for free on App Store or Google Play Store.

Huawei debuts digital solutions at MWC2022 to empower APAC green development

At the MWC2022 in Barcelona, Huawei releases their GUIDE business blueprint and innovative solutions focusing on digitalization and carbon neutrality for the future of ICT. The global leading provider of ICT infrastructure and smart devices vows at the online media roundtable on Monday to empower the green and sustainable future of digital economy in the Asia Pacific region. 

Existing theories and architectures are unable to support explosive growth in digital demand.

Forecasts show that over 50% of global GDP will be digitalized in 2022. As the global digital economy develops rapidly, the demand for digital products and services has exceeded expectations. Huawei's Rotating Chairman Guo Ping explained that as Shannon's theorem and the von Neumann architecture continue hitting severe bottlenecks, the industry must explore new theories and architectures to reshape the technological paradigm to achieve digital sustainability.

 

Huawei has been upholding the concept of "make technology and nature live together", and has continued to invest in reducing carbon emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy, promoting circular economy, and guarding nature with technology. Huawei is committed to integrating digital technology and power electronics to promote the energy revolution, accelerate the digitization of energy, enable industrial upgrading in thousands of industries, and become an enabler of carbon emission reduction.

 

By creating synergies between IT and CT, cloud and edge, and cloud and networks, Huawei hopes to help operators go digital and intelligent and achieve new revenue growth. In Asia Pacific, for example, Huawei's OneStorage solution has helped one operator cut TCO by 30%. 

 

Carbon reduction impacts the long-term vitality of the digital economy.

On carbon neutrality, Guo said, "Connectivity density and computing power determine the strength of the digital economy, but it should also maintain long-term vitality. So, we need to consider a new dimension, carbon reduction."

 

Huawei currently adheres to a "More Bits, Less Watts" strategy in this area. In addition to improving its fundamental digital capabilities, Huawei has committed to making its products 2.7 times more energy efficient by making breakthroughs in areas like theories, materials, and algorithms. Huawei's third-generation Massive MIMO products fully utilize the multi-antenna technology to improve energy efficiency by 30% compared with peer products.

 

As part of its efforts to create a greener and more sustainable digital world, Huawei will increase investment in sustainable green solutions, leveraging clean power generation, electric transportation, and smart energy storage, to support the Asia Pacific region’s goals of cutting carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and contributing to a circular economy, according to Jay Chen, Vice President of Huawei Asia Pacific. Through advances like these, the ICT industry is able to help other industries reduce their own carbon footprints. 

 

According to AlphaBeta, a Singapore-based strategic economic consultancy that works with governments, businesses, investors, and other institutions, their report shows that a technology-driven economy could assist in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovering the country’s economic losses.

 

The report states that if fully leveraged by 2030, the country can foster a digital economy that can raise PHP 5 trillion or 101 million US dollars in economic value by 2030. This is equivalent to 27% of the country’s GDP in 2020 alone.

 

“In Asia Pacific, for Asia Pacific’ is our commitment. At Huawei, we are working closely with carriers and partners from around the world to explore solutions that help make life better, businesses smarter, and society more inclusive. We'd also love to share how our ICT technology is helping make the world a greener, more sustainable place. Together, we can light up the future," said Jay Chen. 

 

To support the digital ecosystem in Asia Pacific, Huawei in 2021 has announced that it will invest $50 million to develop 500,000 digital talents for Asia Pacific in the next 5 years, and invest USD 100 million over three years to cultivate the startup ecosystem in the region, including in the Philippines. 

 

MWC22 Barcelona runs from February 28 to March 3 in Barcelona, Spain. Huawei showcases its products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. Together with global operators, industry professionals, and opinion leaders, we dive into topics such as industry trends, GUIDE to the Future, and green development to envision the future of digital networks. For more information, please visit: https://carrier.huawei.com/en/events/mwc2022.

 

Stay up-to-date on the latest beauty trends with Shopee Beauty!

 

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but as our new normal continues to collectively influence our daily needs, values, and priorities, we see a few key trends rising above the rest. The past two years have altered the way we approach beauty - adopting more easygoing and holistic routines and putting more premium on skin as evident in buzzwords such as skinimalism and self-care dominating our socials.

 

We took a deep dive into the latest craze in the local beauty industry and rounded up 3 trends Filipino beauty consumers are currently buying into. We’ve also included product recommendations that embody each trend, which you can get up to 90% off on Shopee Beauty.

 

Back to Basics

As most of us continue to juggle both our personal and professional lives at home, consumers are embracing a more streamlined beauty routine. The key is using fewer, but harder-working items that are quick and effortless. Championing uncomplicated beauty, the Blk Glow Stick Duo Set is a versatile glow stick for eyes, cheeks, and lips. Loaded with Castor Oil, this all-around stick gives a radiant glow with a buildable pop of color. Another hybrid product is the Issy & Co. Active Skin Tint. Its breathable and lightweight formula gives a sheer hint of color while providing sun protection with SPF 35, blending skincare and makeup into one easy-to-apply base. For the brows, the Maybelline Define and Blend is a definite must-have if you’re after convenience and precision. With its perfectly angled tip, this brow pen allows you to create defined and filled brows with just a few strokes.

 

Skintellectual Solutions

With the wealth of knowledge on skincare and wellness available online, consumers are now more keen on the ingredients and benefits offered by products  - and we love to see it! Active beauty products such as the new L'Oreal Paris Glycolic Bright Face Serum are right on trend. Formulated with 1.0% Glycolic Acid, this serum is clinically proven to reduce 5 years of dark spots in just 2 weeks. For cleansing, go for the Happy Skin Clean & Exfoliate Massage Kit. This duo includes the Happy Skin Hyaluronic Soothing Cleansing Gel, which combines Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica, and Ceramide to hydrate and soothe the skin. Use this in tandem with the Massage Silicone device to dislodge deep-seated dirt and oil. While for dry skin, use the Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream to moisturize and help strengthen the skin's protective barrier. It's unscented, paraben-free, and has a fast-absorbing formula infused with prebiotic Triple Oat Complex and Ceramides.

 

Going Green

The onset of the pandemic has given rise to more plastic consumption and waste. But alongside this, demands for sustainability also skyrocketed as consumers seek out products that offer ways to offset their environmental impact. The Garnier Super Glow Sampler Kit, which contains Vitamin C to fade and lighten dark spots and acne marks, comes in an all-sustainable and plastic-free packaging as part of the brand’s #OneGreenStep campaign. Last on the list is the Ellana Stay Fresh Powder Face Cleanser, a gentle mineral powder that refines pores and deep-cleanses the skin, without harsh and damaging side effects. It's refillable and comes in paper packaging which is compostable and designed for minimum waste.

 

The bottom line is, the beauty industry will continue to adapt to the changing times and innovate to meet the evolving needs of consumers. That said, we can always look forward to new trends and game-changing products to try out. For more beauty deals, tips, and know-hows, check out Shopee Beauty: https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-beauty. Enjoy exclusive deals of up to 90% off from your favorite beauty brands and free shipping with a minimum spend of ₱499 for every purchase.

 

Want to stay on top of the latest beauty trends without breaking the bank? Make sure to check out with ShopeePay for exclusive perks and savings; such as daily free shipping and cashback vouchers. To enjoy even bigger savings, you can scan to pay with ShopeePay in-store to receive 20% cashback on your next health and beauty shopping spree at partner merchants such as Nature Republic, HBC, Vice Cosmetics, and Zen Zest.

 

With Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet, you can also look forward to cashless payments and deals when you buy load, pay bills, and send money. Get up to 10% off on load across all networks and up to 25% cashback on your monthly bills from over 60 billers. Spread the word about these deals and keep your fellow beauty trendsetters in the know.

 

Cash in to ShopeePay from over 40+ partner banks, and get up to ₱25 cashback on your InstaPay fee when you cash in at least ₱300 using your preferred banking app. You can also enjoy free transfers to any bank or to any Shopee user so you can send payments to online beauty shops that only accept bank transfers. If you’re new to this service, ShopeePay is offering free ₱100 to those who will make their first ever transfer (until Mar 3)!  

 

To enjoy these exclusive deals and more, activate your ShopeePay now for a rewarding cashless experience.

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.