Grab launches GrabCar in CDO

Grab Philippines, a dedicated partner in the nation-building efforts of the government, is strengthening its commitment to economic empowerment in Cagayan De Oro. With the official launch of its flagship mobility service GrabCar, Grab is not only providing Kagay-anons with a viable transportation option but is also creating a new avenue for generating livelihoods and stimulating economic activity in the City of Golden Friendship.

Grab officially launched GrabCar in Cagayan De Oro City as part of its commitment to the economic empowerment in the region. Photo above shows Grab Philippines Head of Mobility EJ Dela Vega [Center-Left] with CDO Councilors George Goking, Romeo Calizo and Malvern Esparcia; and officials from LTFRB Region 10

GrabCar is a beloved and trusted mobility service for Filipino commuters. Built on a foundation of safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, GrabCar stands as an effective mobility alternative for the Filipino commuting public. GrabCar currently services the area from Laguindingan Airport up to the end of Lapasan and Upper Balulang. 

 

Cagayan De Oro is the second city in Mindanao to welcome the GrabCar service,  furthering the leading superapp’s mission to create sustainable opportunities and foster economic growth across the region. 

 

Grab Philippines Head of Mobility Marketplace EJ Dela Vega shares, “Our superapp model allows us to know and deeply understand Kagay-anons best - from the way they commute through GrabTaxi, to the way they enjoy their everyday meals through GrabFood. Grab continues to be attentive to the needs of the market and we believe that now is the right time to offer Kagay-anons a mobility solution that not only meets their everyday needs but also positively contributes to the long-term success of CDO.”

 

Cagayan De Oro Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy also underscored the strong partnership of the city with the leading superapp. “Cagayan De Oro actively forges partnerships with industry leaders like Grab as we make strides toward our vision of solid economic performance and a thriving citizenry. The launch of Grab in our city has given Kagay-anon entrepreneurs, drivers and riders access to a robust marketplace that fosters high-success potential – something only a superapp ecosystem can offer. We are glad to welcome GrabCar and are excited to see the new opportunities it is bringing for our kabayayans,” Mayor Uy shares. 

 

The Grab Superapp Journey in CDO: A Long-Standing Commitment to Economic Empowerment

In an effort to digitalize the taxi ecosystem in Cagayan De Oro, Grab launched GrabTaxi in 2015. Since then, Grab has been forging close partnerships with key taxi operators in the city. This collaboration has resulted in the onboarding of hundreds of GrabTaxi driver-partners, enabling them to substantially boost their earnings potential through increased bookings facilitated on the platform. 

 

As Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, Grab has also expanded its presence in CDO outside of mobility with the launch of GrabFood in May 2020. This addition has proven to be instrumental in fostering a thriving ecosystem for local entrepreneurial ventures, regardless of their size. By democratizing access to user-friendly growth tools, cutting-edge technology, and capacity-building programs, Grab has empowered MSMEs to achieve sustainable growth on the platform. One outstanding example of a homegrown CDO merchant-partner that has experienced equitable success on Grab is Frkn Burger. Since its launch on Grab, Frkn Burger has achieved a remarkable ten-fold increase in its average weekly delivery orders and has also opened its second branch. This earned them a well-deserved spot among the prestigious Golden Grab Awardees for 2023.

 

An Expansive Horizon of Partnership

As a devoted partner for economic empowerment of the Cagayan De Oro local government, Grab Philippines will continue to leverage its technology, extensive network of highly engaged users, and community-focused approach to unlock new possibilities for growth and prosperity. Dela Vega notes, “The horizon of collaboration between Grab and the local government of Cagayan De Oro continues to be expansive. Together, we're orchestrating a future of sustainable opportunities that create pathways for local everyday entrepreneurs to realize their aspirations. This is a testament to the transformative power of partnership, innovative technology, and the boundless potential of the Filipino spirit.”

TNT introduces Prepaid eSIM

 

TNT, the Philippines’ biggest mobile brand,  has announced the launch of its embedded SIM or eSIM, the digital version of the physical SIM to bring added value, flexibility, and convenience to Filipino mobile users.

Available for only Php 89 bundled with a Php300 TNT Load Card on the Smart Online Store (https://store1.smart.com.ph/view/2681), the TNT eSIM conveniently comes in a QR code printed on a card, which customers simply have to scan to register and activate.  

The TNT eSIM is also available at Smart Stores nationwide, accredited retailers, SM Supermalls Customer Service desks, and Smart Flagship Stores on Lazada and Shopee. Soon, it will also be available in digital form and via more retail touchpoints nationwide."

The TNT eSIM is also available at Smart Stores nationwide, accredited retailers, SM Supermalls Customer Service desks, and Smart Flagship Stores on Lazada and Shopee. Soon, it will also be available in digital form and via more retail touchpoints nationwide.

Easy, worry-free, secure

Perfect for many Filipinos who are upgrading to a new eSIM-capable device this holiday season, the TNT eSIM enables users to enjoy its widest network coverage and it line-up of affordable data, call, and text services without having to insert a physical SIM card or take up an extra SIM slot.

Because it is digital, the TNT eSIM is fast to activate, worry-free to maintain,  and secure from loss or damage compared to physical SIM cards.

“We’re glad to finally launch our TNT eSIM, which brings the benefits of eSIM technology to the fingertips of more Pinoys,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart,  the parent company of TNT.

“The TNT eSIM also enables us to welcome more subscribers in our growing ‘tropa,’ and provide them with  their daily dose of ‘saya’ through our most budget-friendly promos powered no less than by the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network.”

Simply scan and connect  

The TNT eSIM may be used in eSIM-capable devices, such as the latest flagship devices of Apple, Google, Huawei, and Samsung.

To activate the TNT eSIM, Apple and Android users simply have to open their phone’s camera and then scan the unique QR Code containing their TNT account. All subscribers are required to register their TNT eSIM at www.smart.com.ph/simreg .

 

The launch of the TNT eSIM follows the brand’s groundbreaking showcase of its network superiority last Nov. 18 to 19, when it helped Filipino content creators set the Guinness World Records for the Longest Travel Livestream for 26 hours, 15 minutes, and 29 seconds under the TNT Petmaloop Challenge.

TNT is powered by Smart, which also recently made history as the first and only Philippine mobile operator to win the Best Mobile Network award from global analytics firm Ookla for three consecutive reporting periods in Q1-Q2 2022, Q3-Q4 2022, and Q1-Q2 2023.

Know more about the new TNT eSIM at https://tntph.com/Pages/sim. 

 

Blacklist Rivalry and Team Secret emerged victorious at Asia Pacific Predator League 2024

The Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 came to a close on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Philippines with the crowning of new DOTA 2 and VALORANT esports champions and electrifying performances from some of the Philippines’s most talented artists. This year’s edition of the Asia Pacific Predator League was a major success with sold-out arenas and online spectators tuned in via the Predator social media channels during the two-day event. From the 26 teams competing for top honors in the Dota 2 and VALORANT, Blacklist Rivalry and Team Secret emerged victorious and lifted the prestigious Predator Shield in their respective categories.

“The success of the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 is indicative of the strength of the region’s growing esports community and the Predator brand devices’ ability to support intense gaming sessions when playing the most popular titles,” said Andrew Hou, President of Acer Pan Asia Pacific Operations. “I would like to extend my congratulations to the tournament winners and my heartfelt appreciation to all the players, fans, and staff who make this yearly event possible.” 

 

Dota 2 Highlights

Blacklist Rivalry prevailed over fellow Filipino team Execration in the Dota 2 grand finals. Abed “Abed” Yusop was in incredible form, averaging 8.5 kills and 14 assists in the series to spearhead the offense of his team. They were successful in shutting down Execration’s star Mark “Bob” Urbino, resulting in a heartbreaking defeat for team Execration and another second-place finish in the Predator League grand finals for two consecutive years. 

 

As this year’s DOTA 2 Champions, Blacklist Rivalry will be going home with a cash prize of USD$ 65,000, while Execration will receive $20,000. Third and fourth finishers in China’s Team Aster and IHC Esports from Mongolia will also receive USD$ 7,500 each for their impressive showing.

 

VALORANT Highlights

Team Secret came into the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 as the favorites and exceeded all expectations. They were in full control of the Japanese side FAV gaming during the final, with Adrian “invy” Reyes continuing to be the brightest spot for the team. Team Secret, also known as the “The Adobo Gang” among its fans, has won its first LAN trophy and Predator Shield since the inception of its VALORANT team. 

Team Secret goes home with the USD$ 65,000 prize pool, while FAV Gaming wins USD$ 20,000 for their performance. Third and fourth placers BOOM Esports from Indonesia and Team Flash from Vietnam also receive USD$ 7,500 each.

Intel MVP Award

Merits were given to exceptional players who stood out amongst the competition during the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024. For Dota 2, it was awarded to carry player Polo “Raven” Fausto while in VALORANT it was awarded to duelist player Jeremy “Jremy” Cabrera. Both players take home an extra USD$ 10,000 prizes as well as the Intel MVP Award Trophy for their individual performances. 

 

Beyond the live esports action, the audience was also treated to world-class entertainment composed of the Philippines’ brightest stars, including Acer ambassadors SB19 and Sarah Geronimo. There were also meet-and-greet sessions with Predator ambassadors Cong TV and the Team Payaman boys, burg, KuyaNic, Chibiby, Maggiekarp, amaratv, Een Mercado, Kang Dupet, and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao.

Felip and Ylona Garcia were the opening acts for Day 1, exciting the crowd with their exhilarating performance. This was followed by numbers from Urbandub and Al James, and with a special appearance by TV personality Donny Pangilinan. Day 2 was just as impressive with amazing performances from Josh Cullen, Sandwich, Spongecola, Pablo, and KZ Tandingan, who sang the Predator anthem, “It Lies Within.”

Asia Pacific Predator League 2025 Host Announced

 

The next Asia Pacific Predator League will be held in Malaysia, with the qualifiers starting in late 2024 and the grand finals to be held in early 2025.

 

For more information and updates about the Predator League, visit the official website www.predator-league.com.  

 

VALORANT			Dota 2
Placement	Team Name	Prize (USD)	Placement	Team Name	Prize (USD)
1	Team Secret	65,000	1	Blacklist Rivalry	65,000
		Predator Shield			Predator Shield
2	FAV gaming	20,000	2	Execration	20,000
3	BOOM Esports	7,500	3	Team Aster	7,500
3	Team Flash	7,500	3	IHC Esports	7,500
Intel MVP-VALORANT	Jeremy “Jremy”Cabrera	10,000	Intel MVP-Dota 2	Marc Polo “Raven” Fausto	10,000

TechLife devices guaranteed to make life easier this 2024

Get ready for a home upgrade and check out minimalist home essentials from TechLife

 

The new year is always a great opportunity for a clean slate. So while it’s still January, many are still taking the opportunity to upgrade the comfort of their home.

It’s time to leave run-down appliances behind and make space for newer, better gadgets fit for every type of home. Whether it be a traditional house in the province, a two-bedroom apartment for a small family, or a studio unit in the city, TechLife has the perfect lineup of devices to make life easier this 2024.

 

TechLife 4L Digital Rice Cooker

Aiming to host dinner parties and intimate social gatherings this year? The TechLife 4L Digital Rice Cooker is a saving grace to easily tick off one less item from the handaan list.

The spacious four-liter capacity can cook generous portions of rice all at once, eliminating time and effort in the kitchen. It has a Digital Control Panel that offers precise and user-friendly settings. Aside from that, it also has six major functions: Warm, Preset, Quick Cooking, Normal Cooking, Congee, and Soup. 

Priced at P1,699, the TechLife 4L Digital Rice Cooker is perfect for hosting big family dinners and big groups who, for sure, will ask for extra rice!

 

TechLife 10-Blade Remote Control Electric Fan

The summer season is fast approaching so it’s time to prepare for the hot weather as early as now. However, a standard fan is just not enough to beat the prickling summer heat. This is where the TechLife 10-Blade Remote Control Electric Fan comes in. 

It has ten blades in a 14” Fan Diameter for better wind strength that helps generate a higher volume of airflow compared to traditional electric fans. But worry not about the noise, because this fan is as quiet as a whisper thanks to its 50dB operation. 

For added convenience, this fan also has a 10-Hour Time Function and a dedicated remote control to adjust fan speed, oscillation, and timer among others. 

Get this TechLife 10-Blade Remote Control Electric Fan for only P1,499 and achieve the perfect rest and relaxation at any time of the day.

TechLife Travel Trimmer

For users who want to look their best at all times even on the go, but don't want to worry about the small inconveniences of a non-travel-friendly gadget, the TechLife Travel Trimmer makes for the best companion for short and long trips. 

This unisex device is certified IPX7 Water Resistant and uses a 304 Stainless Steel Blade designed for prolonged usage without worrying about rust and corrosion, making it easy for users to use the device in any situation.

It’s also rechargeable with a built-in 600mAh battery and a Type C Charging port that uses 2W power. The device is fully charged in just 35 minutes.

For only P399, the TechLife Travel Trimmer is designed to be part of every user’s personal care essentials as a portable and water-resistant gadget packed in a compact body ready to bring anytime, anywhere.

 

To cop these gadgets and other TechLife essentials, check out any of the offline TechLife stores nationwide. Make sure to be updated with TechLife’s announcements and new releases by visiting their official Facebook page.

AirAsia Philippines flew more than half a million guests for the first half of January

AirAsia Philippines strongly supports the vigorous return to the streets of colorful Philippine festivals such as Sinulog, Ati-atihan, and Dinagyang with discounted fares and an exciting blowout this January!

Festivities are known to captivate local and international travelers to visit different localities in the country.  In January 2023, AirAsia Philippines flew a total of 580,000 guests to top destinations such as Cebu, Bohol, and Kalibo.  This 2024, AirAsia has already flown 520,000 guests for the first half of January alone and projects a strong demand to also support the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) target of increasing tourist arrivals in the country.

“AirAsia Philippines would like to open 2024 in a positive and festive mood. The Philippines, composed of 82 provinces, offers an array of festivals, which are worth exploring. At AirAsia we know that this is more than just the usual get-together — it’s a celebration of culture! During these important milestones, our guests can always rely on AirAsia’s affordable, reliable, and safe air travel. We would like to be that airline that would make every Filipino festival happen,” shared AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson and First Officer Steve Dailisan.

To entice more guests to visit their favorite Philippine festivals, the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline is offering an all-month-round discounted one-way base fare of PHP68 to PHP98 to all of its domestic destinations! Aside from that, guests who will book their flights via the Superapp or airasia.com, until 12 February 2024 will get a chance to win vacation packages, free flights, hotel vouchers, and airasia points with the AirAsia 2024 Blowout!  

Dailisan said these exciting deals along with AirAsia Philippines’ improved on-time performance (OTP) for January 2024 - averaging 93% for the past 7 days will attract more guests to fly with the World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline. 

AirAsia Philippines is looking to fly more foreign guests from other ASEAN countries, especially with the scheduled merger of AirAsia X and AirAsia Philippines (and other AirAsia areas of operation). Seen to materialize in the months to come, this move is expected to consolidate all medium and long-haul flights which could create more opportunities for foreign travelers to explore the country as it will connect the Philippines with neighboring destinations.  

Book your flights and favorite inflight add-ons including meals, refreshments, hot seats, and baggage options, and stay up to date on the latest travel advisories, guidelines, and deals through the airasia Superapp and AirAsia’s official website (www.airasia.com). 

The BIGO Awards Gala Celebrating the Best of 2023

Philippines’ number one live-streaming platform, BIGO Live, starts the year on a high note as it revels in the success of being a trailblazer in the country with their signature Bigo Awards Annual Gala held on January 11, 2024, at The Manila Hotel. The event was dedicated to honoring the platform’s extraordinary live streamers and their commitment to excellence in the digital space.

 

BIGO Live Philippines anticipates an exhilarating year ahead, building on the success of 2023. During this remarkable period, they expanded their user base and ventured into the digital realm supported by captivating offline events like BIGO Nights, their Mid-year Gala, and the SLAY Model search in collaboration with MAC Cosmetics.

 

“Our mission is to forge unbreakable connections and pave the way for host opportunities. We recognize that our hosts and content creators are not just contributors but the backbone of our enduring success. It's a commitment to empowerment, a promise to amplify voices, and a dedication to a future where every creator's potential knows no bounds,” said Ian G., BIGO Live Philippines Country Manager. 

 

In recognition of their extraordinary hosts who have made an impact in their respective communities, BIGO championed 22 awards throughout the night including the GALA Top 1 Agency, awarded to PRIME Agency, for their strategic impact in shaping the landscape of live streaming content on the platform.

 

“We are not just an agency, we are a family. That’s what we want to communicate to all. We treat our supporters as family, and since we are global, we make it a point to meet with our global Filipino audience when they come home. We create activities to interact with them so that they feel that “This agency is a part of their lives, not just on BIGO but in real life,” said Jovie Concepcion, Co-founder of PRIME Agency. 

 

"Most of our viewers are mostly Overseas Filipino Workers, so we’d like to have more in-person activities where they are more involved, and we’re gearing our content to cater to this global  Filipino audience so that they can go on BIGO and feel like they’re home” Conception added. 

 

Parading in Old Hollywood Glam, live streamers across all categories and niches - from fashion and lifestyle to sports graced the evening alongside singer and host Zendee Tenerefe and social media star Kim Baranda. Streamed live on the app itself, the Awards Gala garnered over 180,000 views. 

 

Twenty-one other awards were given including Powerhouse Agency Of The Year,  Most Popular New Host of the Year, Most Popular Livehouse Star of the Year, and Super Giver of the Year. Jannine Cartagena (Bigo ID: Ninjajannine) received the most number of awards for the night with a total of 5 awards. These are the PK Star, Rangking Star, Best DIYOnline Event Family, PK Guinness Record Breaker of the Year, and Top 1 Family, which she received on behalf of The Daniels. 

“I am overwhelmed by the love and support, but this award just proves that passion and perseverance can bring you far. I used to just stream with scotch tape. I’d buy a roll every day. Since I didn't have a ring light, I’d use a fluorescent, even if it was too hot on my skin. It was all raw determination, but thanks to the incredible community that BIGO Live has cultivated, I get to be where I am today”  said Cartagena.

 

Beyond the glitz of the BIGO Awards Gala, the brand's commitment extends to providing creators with exciting prospects for growth and success. BIGO strengthens its creator monetization policies and amplifies fame exposure for up-and-coming content creators.

 

As BIGO embarks on the journey through 2024, it reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of live streaming, setting the stage for excellent hosts and empowered online communities.

 

Share the experience and show your support to the content creators who have been the heartbeat of the community by downloading and voting on the BIGO app available on Google Play and App Store. 

 

Stay tuned through BIGO’s website and their social media channels Facebook and Instagram for more news and updates.

TCL Honored with Over 40 Awards and Accolades for 115-inch TV and Other Innovative Products

 

TCL Electronics, a leading consumer electronics brand and the world's top two TV brand, today announced that multiple of its products and technical solutions, including the 115-inch QM891G QD-Mini LED TV, smartphones and tablets with TCL’s new NXTPAPER 3.0 display technology, RayNeo X2 Lite AR Glasses and TCL Q Class soundbars have been honored with the recognitions from authoritative media and organizations.

 

This year, TCL made a spark at CES with a leading portfolio of innovative technologies across multiple categories. Taking center stage, TCL won six accolades at the 2023-2024 Global Top Brands Awards Ceremony (GTB) organized by Asia Digital Group and European Digital Group, with support from International Data Corporation and TWICE. This event was characterized by professionalism and credibility in the global consumer electronics industry. Bill Jiang, Vice President of TCL Industries and General Manager of Global Marketing Center, attended the ceremony and accepted the awards on behalf of the company.  

 

Notably, TCL’s 115-inch QM891G, the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV, received the "Innovative Display Technology Gold Award of the Year” from GTB for the breakthrough in display technology that it represents. The latest tablet TCL NXTPAPER 14 Pro and RayNeo X2 Lite AR Glasses, both part of one of the industry’s first smart connected mobile devices entertainment solutions by TCL, also took home the “Eye Protection Display Technology Innovation Award” and “AR Glasses Innovation Award of the Year” respectively. 

 

In addition, TCL was recognized by GTB as “2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 10”, “2023-2024 Global TV Brands Top 10” and “2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 50” for its commitment to “Inspire Greatness” through an extensive line-up of innovative products.  

 

Aside from the recognitions from GTB, the TCL 40 NXTPAPER smartphone was also honored with a CES 2024 Innovation Award in the “Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps” category.  As the world's first and one of the smartphones optimized for human eyes, TCL 40 NXTPAPER is recognized for bringing a revolutionary full-color, paper-like comfort visual experience to smartphones.

Moreover, many of TCL’s innovative technologies and smart products across categories that were unveiled at CES 2024 received “Best of CES 2024” awards from international media. In total, TCL was honored with over 34 recognitions from authoritative technology media, including Digital Trends, Android Authority, and more.

 

Boasting best-in-class quality and outstanding innovation in its comprehensive product portfolio, the company has also been recognized by various authoritative organizations. Its pioneering X955 and C755 TV Series were the first in the world to be certified by TÜV Rheinland for their Realistic Visual Experience. The 27R83U/34R83Q Professional Monitor Series received Pantone Validated recognition at CES 2024, which is based on the Pantone Matching System (PMS), the only validation with the real world color testing over 2,000 colors.

 

Over the years, TCL Electronics has been on a consistent journey of growth and transformation into a globally leading intelligent technology company. With several R&D centers worldwide and strong support from thousands of industry partners worldwide, TCL Electronics is leveraging this global synergy to continuously expand its product portfolio, create further breakthroughs in innovation and empower users to pursue greatness.

 

Rev Up the New Year: Shakey’s & Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken Offer a Chance to Win a Brand-new BMW!

Imagine this: you’re enjoying your favorite pizza, and suddenly you’re cruising in your very own luxury BMW. Sounds too good to be true? Suprisingly, it’s not! Thanks to Shakey’s, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar and R&B Tea, owning a BMW is now within everyone’s reach with the Supercard Super Cars Monthly Grand Giveaway! 

 

The Supercard Super Cars Monthly Grand Giveaway will be raffling off three brand new BMW X Series SUVs, the epitome of automotive excellence. All existing and active Supercard holders are eligible for the monthly draws that will run from January 15 to April 15, 2024.

 

To join the raffle, simply enroll your Supercard in the Supercard Super Cars Monthly Grand Giveaway site: supercars.mysupercard.ph. After your successful one-time enrollment, your Supercard may be used to earn raffle entries.

 

Every P300 spent on dine-in, carryout, and in-house delivery transactions earns one raffle entry. Participating brands include Shakey’s, Per-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar, and R&B Tea. Transactions made through food aggregators delivery services such as Grab Food and Food Panda are not included.

 

The BMW X1 will be raffled for entries received from January 15 to February 14 while the BMW X3 will be raffled for entries received from January 15 to March 14.  And finally, the BMW X5 will be raffled for entries received from January 15 to April 15, giving enrolled Supercard holders up to 3 chances to win. All electronic raffle draws will be done under the supervision of a DTI representative.

It’s not every day that you get the chance to own your piece of luxury, and Supercard is rewarding its loyal members with three chances to win. Head to the nearest Shakey’s, Peri-Peri Chicken, and R&B Tea today and keep using your Supercard for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive a super car. Visit supercars.mysupercard.ph for more details.