Author: JL Aquino

Smart wearable devices enable users to monitor scientific data 24/7

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Health and wellness have become many Filipinos’ top priorities these past months as people look to boost their immunity against the pandemic. Despite the growing emphasis on achieving a healthier lifestyle, however, many find it difficult, if not fail altogether, to meet their health, wellness and fitness goals. With the extended lockdowns changing people’s habits and limiting physical activities, more people face problems with their metabolism, which plays a critical role in maintaining good health.

Garmin, the leading brand of smart wearable devices with more than 60 million active users worldwide, uses health technology to accurately track users’ data and scientifically quantify their health status and guide them in achieving their health goals. Garmin‘s 2021 Asian User Health Data Report, which tracks Garmin smart wearable users’ data from January to September 2021 using the smartwatches’ Resting Calories and Active Calories features, reveals lower active calories and higher stress levels among people in most Asia countries compared to last year, which could be attributed to the pandemic and restricted outdoor activities. The study shows the Resting Calories of men and women in Asia 55 years old and above dropped significantly. Older users, however, clocked more Weekly Intensity Minutes than younger users, indicating growing health consciousness as people get older.

Garmin’s study indicates people with a higher average Weekly Intensity Minutes consumed more calories — both Active and Resting Calories — emphasizing the importance of exercise in maintaining good metabolism, which in turn improves one’s health. To encourage Filipinos to choose a healthier lifestyle, Garmin launches a new campaign aimed at helping users stay motivated and on track in their fitness goals. The #HealthIsAChoice #ChooseGarmin campaign encourages a scientific approach to pursuing health goals for the long term, with smartwatches as a way to track progress, maintain good metabolism and keep motivated. With this campaign, Garmin hopes to make exercising and leading a healthier lifestyle an easier choice for more Filipinos.

Choosing Health with Garmin

Watch the #HealthIsAChoice #ChooseGarmin campaign video here.

A sedentary lifestyle has been a pressing concern among a growing number of Filipinos even before the pandemic. Garmin’s latest report reveals Filipinos average 42.82 Intensity Minutes, the fourth lowest average values in the SEA region with Hong Kong leading at 53 minutes. The extended indoor living further limited people’s activities these past months, and specialists pointed this increases the risks for severe COVID-19 symptoms and other diseases.[1]

Filipinos ranked fourth globally in terms of being sleep-deprived, according to a study by Sleep Cycle in 2019. The report revealed Filipinos sleep an average of 6.5 hours a day versus the recommended 7 or more hours of sleep for adults.[2] In terms of stress level, the country was second only to Indonesia in having the highest stress level in Asia, according to Garmin’s 2021 report. Staying physically active and having adequate sleep are important in boosting metabolism and health. Improving blood oxygen health, avoiding excessive stress, building or maintaining muscle mass and maintaining proper hydration are also vital.

Garmin Asia Senior Director Mr. Scoppen Lin shared, “The public’s awareness of health has improved significantly, and a lot of it has to do with the pandemic. In 2021, Garmin’s health and wellness product lines, which feature comprehensive health functions such as blood oxygen monitoring, had a strong growth of approximately 30 percent in the Asian markets.”

Garmin’s smart wearables help users keep an eye on health factors by monitoring sleep and stress, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiration rate. Garmin encourages more health enthusiasts and fitness rookies to #ChooseGarmin in their self-training and physical activity monitoring and measurement.

To motivate users to continue exercising and boost their metabolism toward achieving better health and fitness, Garmin’s devices have sensors and trackers that show users’ progress. These help users see how their bodies are reacting to physical activities. Seeing positive results can give them a sense of achievement and motivate them further in their health and fitness journey.

Comprehensive Health Monitoring Features

Garmin’s smart wearables monitor important health functions related to the metabolic rate such as resting calories and active calories consumption. These devices also monitor heart rate, oxygen saturation, stress level, advanced sleep monitoring, fitness age, hydration and other important health functions.

These features aid the user in determining exercise quality and developing good habits to improve their metabolism and overall health. The Heart Rate tracker, for example, can be used to measure exercise intensity. The body’s efficiency in burning fat improves when the exercise heart rate is between 65 percent and 79 percent of the maximum heart rate and the intensity of the workout results in slight shortness of breath while still feeling relaxed and comfortable.

The Stress Level widget monitors changes in the heart rate and provides Relax Reminders (when enabled) to calm down when stress levels run high. The Sleep Monitoring Tracker analyzes the user’s heart rate, oxygen saturation level, respiratory rate and activity data through the three sleep cycles (light sleep, deep sleep, and REM). It provides a score based on the quality of sleep. The Hydration widget records the user’s water intake with reminders to hydrate from time to time.

Garmin’s smartwatches also have built-in workouts, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in select watches, which users can access and download more from the Garmin Connect app. Fitness Age widget uses chronological age, weekly vigorous activity, resting heart rate and BMI or body fat percentage to estimate if the body is younger or older than the user’s actual age.

The most notable monitoring feature of Garmin’s smart wearables is the Pulse Ox sensors. Pulse Ox is one of the most-trusted technologies in detecting blood oxygen saturation.

Blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) refers to the concentration of oxygen in human blood and is a valuable indicator of one’s health. Insufficient oxygen in the body’s tissues can lead to hypoxia, the chronic state of which leaves the body “low on fuel” resulting in dizziness, lethargy, fatigue and frequent yawning. Long-term low levels of oxygen in the blood can cause obesity and decrease in metabolism.

The Pulse Ox feature in Garmin’s devices measures a user’s oxygen saturation concentration throughout the day and in real-time to identify the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Tracking SpO2 gives users insights on their physical performance under all kinds of conditions, even while sleeping. Monitoring SpO2 during snoozing hours can help determine if one is experiencing any sleep disorders.

The Pulse Ox feature is available in select Garmin smart wearables in the Philippines, including the Venu 2/2s, Venu Sq, Lily, vívomove series, Forerunner 245 Music, Forerunner 745, Forerunner 945; Instinct Solar, fēnix 6/6S/6X Pro Solar, tactix Delta Solar and Descent Mk2/2S/2i. These come in diverse designs and features to match the user’s lifestyle.

Learn more and activate Pulse Ox feature on Garmin smartwatch here.

To help Garmin’s #HealthIsAChoice campaign reach more people, Dr. Geraldine Zamora recently took over Garmin Philippines’ Instagram Stories to conduct a Health Talk + Q&A session to answer health-related questions from the audiences. The whole IGS session can be found in the ‘Wellness’ IGS highlight.

“Strive to be physically fit. It’s important for us to keep moving. If you cannot find the time such as an hour or two every day, a few minutes per day would do. Try to get enough sleep at night and have a balanced diet. As much as possible, we have to try replacing ‘bad foods’ with good ones. Finally, do what you think is good for your mental health,” Dr. Zamora reminded when asked about her top recommendations for staying fit and healthy.

The #HealthIsAChoice. #ChooseGarmin. campaign will run from mid-November to December to champion a safe and healthy holiday season. It will include many exciting activities and promotions to look out for. For more information, check out the minisite here and follow Garmin’s social media pages Instagram and Facebook.

Sterling Bank of Asia supports San Juan’s BJMP Livelihood Program

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Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) has selected San Juan City’s Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) as one of this year’s beneficiaries of their annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the Kind Heart Gives Campaign.

Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) of San Juan City‘s BJMP showcased their craftsmanship in their parolmaking project, which also serves as an opportunity for them to support themselves and their families financially. The “parol,” which is one of the most iconic symbols of Filipino Christmas, is a staple decoration in most houses.

“The parol is a great expression of the Filipinos’ faith and hope,” said Cecilio San Pedro, SBA’s President and CEO. “We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our support to the PDL’s of San Juan City as we move towards a brighter Christmas celebration in these challenging times,” San Pedro added.

During the announcement of the activity, Sterling Bank of Asia employees also ordered their own parols to bring home and hang in their homes.

“It is inspiring to see how our fellow employees happily bought their own parols as a way of helping these persons deprived of liberty,” said Dulce Edillor, SBA’s Human Resources Group Head. “From a company-led initiative, our fellow employees voluntarily involved themselves in the project,” exclaimed Edillor.

TCS Success: Purpose-led Innovations Driven by Commitment to People and Community

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Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting and business solutions organization, has been operating in the Philippines for more than 13 years. Throughout these years, TCS remained committed in helping its clients realize their vision, create new opportunities and build a better future for the community.

TCS draws inspiration to deliver more accomplishments from the many success stories with their partners. Today, TCS celebrates its triumphs with its people, whose dedication and hard work contributed to the company’s success and most especially to benefit the community. The company currently has almost 500,000 of the world’s best-trained consultants in 46 countries, including the Philippines. They all contribute to making TCS’ purpose-led innovations a reality as they equally enrich themselves in the process.

Paul Mascarinas, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) head at TCS Philippines, noted TCS’ commitment to enabling clients to realize their goals is reflected as early as in the relationship-building efforts “We start by making sure we understand the client’s objectives. In line with the company’s Building on Belief philosophy, when we deal with customers, we bring everything available to us to make each project successful. We are able to fuel the transformation of customers’ businesses by drawing upon the expertise of our staff, who have both the contextual knowledge and necessary skills to deliver customized solutions. Most importantly, we value the relationships made with every customer and we plan to partner with each one for the long haul,” Paul said.

Paul Mascarinas, TCS Philippines Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) head and Romer Sto. Domingo, TCS Philippines sales and customer relations director

Paul, who started as a delivery leader for a mortgage process and now heads the entire BFSI vertical in TCS Philippines for both IT and Cognitive Business Operations (CBO) services,

said TCS creates a positive impact not only on clients but on many Filipinos as well. “Driving growth, whether through ramp-ups on existing businesses or by winning new logos, essentially means helping Filipinos find more employment opportunities, which in turn leads to a better quality of life for many. When we perform well in terms of operations and delivery and get commended by our customers, we don’t only bring pride and joy to TCS, we also help build a stronger brand for the Filipinos with these customers across the world,” he said.

Romer Sto. Domingo, Director – Sales and Customer Relations in TCS Philippines, has likewise witnessed how improvements in customers’ overall performance through TCS’ world-class solutions cascade to end-users. He said that every unique and successful project rolled out by the company helps build a win-win relationship between the client and its consumers. Romer notes that challenges are inevitable but solutions are constantly evolving to deliver better outcomes because sustained efforts are imperative to drive business continuity and growth.

With more than 25 years of industry experience, Romer is considered a veteran in the industry. As a TCSer, he places a high value in building trust and maintaining a win-win relationship with his clients. “I have been able to establish strong long-term relationships with our clients by keeping our promises on time and on budget. We are able to secure client trust by being transparent with them on all issues. This close collaboration helps them achieve their goals and engage the community at the same time,” he said.

A company with a heart

Catherine Veluz-Zeta, who has been with the company since 2013 and currently heads the Partners and Alliances Group that collaborates with partners to promote TCS Philippines as one of the country’s top service providers, points out being part of the company is also a purposeful experience. “TCS Philippines goes beyond the typical IT service provider. It also aims to help make a meaningful difference in the community it operates in,” Catherine shared.

She highlighted TCS’ commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibility programs, “I have witnessed the efforts of TCS Philippines to support local communities during the pandemic. We extended help to Caritas Manila and Ospital ng Makati. Fostering the ‘One TATA’ philosophy, TCS Philippines also conducted a donation drive where 1,300 employees pledged a portion of their salaries.”

Catherine said TCS also extends aid to nonprofit organizations that share its advocacy to provide social assistance to vulnerable communities in this time of crisis.

“There’s fulfillment in being a TCS employee and being part of an organization that makes an effort to build a better future by constantly creating amazing things with technologies and solutions that are accessible to everybody and also helping the community thrive,” she added.

An enabler of manpower growth

Catherine acknowledges how TCS has played a key role in her own growth both professionally and personally.

“Having to perform multiple roles in my almost 9-year stint with TCS meant being passionate about delivering only the highest standard of quality and upholding integrity in what I do. These core values have helped me grow as a person and a professional, which in turn enabled me to succeed in the company,” she said.

TCS inspires its employees to achieve excellence in all that they do, Catherine shared. “By expecting only the best from its people, TCS motivates me to set bold targets for myself and pursue them knowing my strengths and capabilities. TCS has influenced me to extend the pride of working for one of the top IT companies in the world to my day-to-day life by committing to my goals 100 percent each time.”

Having been with the company for more than nine years now, Romer said he has experienced significant growth from all the learnings and exposure he got from TCS. “More than being able to work with many top-level clients and receiving awards, TCS has given me the opportunity to grow as a person with purpose. Every solution that I provide to my clients is an answer that can address the needs of many,” Romer shared.

Paul added, “We are pushed to challenge the status quo and find better ways of doing things. As I continue to climb the career ladder, I not only build on my knowledge, experience and skill sets but also create opportunities to assist our clients and influence the community.”

As a global leader recognized as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute and one of the Best Companies to Work for in Asia by HR Asia, TCS Philippines remains committed to producing competent individuals and living up to its promise of delivering best-in-class employee experience.

Caltex continues growth in 3rd Quarter of 2021, expands into auto & motorcycle aftermarkets

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Caltex opens 6 new retail service stations, 15 new Caltex Havoline autoPro shops and 14 bike Pro sites

For the third quarter of the year, Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), further strengthens its network and brand growth with six new retail service stations, 15 new Caltex Havoline autoPro shops and 14 new Caltex bikePro shops all over the country.

To service and provide quality, safe and clean fuels and lubes to motorists, Caltex opened stations in Metro Manila, Bukidnon, Leyte, Zamboanga and Camarines Norte, which are all key cities and provinces in the country.

The first retail site is in P. Cayetano Blvd, Taguig City, which houses Bonifacio Global City, one of the leading financial centers in the country. Another Caltex site that recently opened in Metro Manila is located in Eusebio, Pasig City. Primarily, a residential and industrial area, Pasig has increasingly become a commercial area in recent years with the establishment of the Ortigas Center Business District.

Caltex opened more retail stations in key provincial areas across the country as well. In Bicol region, Caltex recently opened a retail station in Brgy. Pamoragon, Daet, Camarines Norte, a popular surfing spot among surfers worldwide. Beginners and pro surfers often visit this area due to consistent waves and soft sand beach throughout the year.

In the Eastern Visayas region, Caltex recently opened a retail station along the Diversion Road, Cogon, Ormoc City. It is a coastal port city that serves as Western Leyte’s economic, cultural, commercial and transportation centre.

Caltex also opened retail stations in key areas in Mindanao, one of which is located along the National Highway, Poblacion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Known as the region’s food basket, it’s the leading producer of rice and corn. Pineapples, bananas and sugarcane are also grown on plantations in the province.

Lastly, Caltex opened a retail site at Zamboanga West Coastal Road, Gusu, Zamboanga. Dubbed as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines, about 70% of the city’s income comes from sardine fishing and processing. Zamboanga City is a natural harbor for vessels visiting the rich fishing grounds of the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago, located near the western extremity of the Mindanao continent.

Continuously Delivering Top Quality Lubricants and Services

For motorists looking for high quality service and products for their cars’ needs, 15 new Caltex Havoline autoPro shops recently opened in the following locations: Quezon, Isabela, Angeles, Pampanga, Batangas, Bacoor, Cavite, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Roxas City, Capiz, Cebu, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga and South Cotabato.

Caltex also opened 14 new Caltex bikePro shops in the following stations: Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Batangas, Cebu City, Zamboanga del Norte and North Cotabato. These autoPro workshops and bikePro sites provide top notch Caltex lubricant products and services like maintenance checks and car repairs to make one’s journey hassle free.

CPI Country Chairman Billy Liu said, “We will continue to strengthen our growth by opening more Caltex stations at the most needed areas so that local motorists and travellers can have a joyful ride with high class quality fuels and lubricants together with first rate services.”

Despite the pandemic, Caltex has opened 25 retail sites and 55 combined Caltex Havoline autoPro workshops and Caltex bikePro sites around the Philippines since the beginning of 2021.

TP releases new wave of digital solutions for first-rate CX in the new economy

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Teleperformance, a global leader in digital integrated business services, has been supporting the surge of the new digital economy through an array of customer experience or CX solutions developed from its Technology, Analytics, and Process Excellence (T.A.P.ℱ) innovation framework.

A new economy is dawning and digital transformation is key for enterprises and brands to harness growth from a resurgent market of on-demand services. With people doing more and more activities online, companies should look into leveraging convenient and reliable digital channels.

As a committed business partner, Teleperformance is offering a comprehensive suite of customer solutions to help companies adapt to this changing economic environment. Included in its armory of digital solutions are customizable tools that allow brands to leverage robotics and AI in optimizing the value of analytics to ensure every customer interaction is done safely and efficiently. The idea is to decrease human effort while delivering responsive and empathetic service that makes life easier for consumers.

Among these solutions are TP Interact, TP Time Tree, TP Digital Assistant, and TP Voice2Messaging. For instance, TP Interact is an automated performance management solution that combines automation, data analytics, and applied intelligence to process all customer verbatim (exact words and sentiments), and agent behaviors, allowing us to capture the full journey of each interaction and implement effective solutions.

TP Time Tree that integrates people management principles with robotic process automaticn (RPA). This expedites assigning, monitoring, and reporting tasks, especially for back office, non-voice operations. As a productivity tracking and case management app, TP Time Tree fills the productivity gaps and opportunities in both work-from-home and brick-and-mortar setups.

For its part, powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Design Thinking, TP Digital Assistant provides a customer-facing chatbot serving as the go-to touchpoint for queries and requests, a digital resource providing real-time knowledge and technical support to agents, and an Internal Support Bot that automates back-office processes and manages performance.

Meanwhile, a package of call conversion solutions called TP Voice2Messaging covers different stages of the customer journey and unifies the experience by integrating all channels – voice, email, chat, SMS – into a single platform to create a highly advanced digital customer experience. This solution can speed up an enterprise’s digital transformation by promoting and offering messaging services in different stages of the customer’s call.

TP has provided explainer videos for TP Interact, TP Time Tree, TP Digital Assistant, and TP Voice2Messaging to illustrate the features and benefits of these tools for the benefit of everyone interested in exploring the innovations introduced by the industry. The videos help people appreciate the value that latest technologies bring to elevate a new type of customer experience.

“When things work well, the high-tech platforms allow customers to enjoy a high-touch experience that demonstrates how brands are taking care of them and their needs. Interactions such as changing travel details, for instance, or getting support for a new gadget or finding out how to return a purchase can become positive experiences. Supporting customers and actively providing solutions through a channel they prefer will strengthen their relationship with the brand,” says Teleperformance Philippines Chief Operations Officer Joey Marquez.

A recent Teleperformance Customer Experience Lab research revealed that there is a dramatic effect on loyalty when customers are satisfied with the channels offered by a brand, with a loyalty intention that is 43% higher than dissatisfied customers. By offering customers the channels they prefer to use, brands increase the opportunity to achieve increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy.

 Converge Debuts First “Fiber Fast” Business Center in Greenhills

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Keeping its promise to continuously innovate its services, leading fiber internet services provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc., together with its marketing services provider, Myriad Real Properties Unlimited, Inc, on October 22, 2021 unveiled the Fiber Fast Lane – consisting of the Park N’ Apply facility, and its first ‘Drive-Thru’ payment avenue – in its flagship business center in Greenhills.

This ensures quick and efficient line application while limiting contact between subscribers and service personnel.

In line with the goal of Converge to Go Deep in Luzon – further expanding its reach in existing markets – it fast-tracked the rollout of several business centers this month, key among them an innovative new branch in Greenhills, San Juan City.

“This is a novel way for us to serve the rising customer demand in a fast, efficient, and more importantly, safer manner. With the Park N’ Apply facility, you can apply for a Converge line in just a few minutes in a virtually contactless manner,” said Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy.

A customer can apply for a Converge broadband line in three steps:

A customer may roll in and transact with a business center officer in the Park ‘N Apply slot, where he will be given a menu of broadband plans and services. Upon choosing, the officer will check necessary requirements.

  1. The customer may then fill out an application form. The business center officer will validate the area serviceability and application details, after which the application is considered in-process and the customer may exit.
  2. The business center will email a confirmation of the subscription and the schedule of installation.

These quick and convenient facilities complement the standard application and payment processes done inside the business center.

“For our customers who still want to talk to our customer service representatives, they can also walk-in to the company’s newest full service business center. Every Converge business center offers sales, payment, and after-sales services, plus a self-service payment kiosk to limit contact,” said Converge Chief Operations Officer Jesus Romero.

The Greenhills Business Center will soon make available its drive-thru payment avenue for easier, on-the-go bills payment.

“We fully support Converge’s commitment to serve more and more Filipinos through innovation and service improvements such as this unique drive-thru business center that will provide customers with ease and convenience in their transactions,” said Myriad General Manager William Sia.

The 2-storey business center in Connecticut Avenue, within the Greenhills shopping district is equipped with the standard health and sanitation equipment such as a thermal scanner and alcohol stations.

Converge began increasing its business centers starting 2020 to meet the surge in demand from both residential and enterprise customers.

Online Bonding and Fun Leveled Up with the Xiaomi Redmi 10

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As quarantine restrictions continue to prevent us from being physically together, it’s easy to be consumed by loneliness and boredom at home. All our interactions are limited to being virtual only but that doesn’t mean it won’t be as fun as it could be face to face.

Introducing the Redmi 10, a smartphone packed with flagship-grade features to deliver performance that exceeds expectations, allowing you to stay better connected during the pandemic. Here are some reasons why this device is a must have most especially now.

See each other in stellar detail with Redmi 10’s killer camera and display


The Redmi 10’s 50MP ultra-high resolution main camera means people can see you in utmost quality during video calls and conferences and its large 6.5” screen with FHD+ resolution means you will also see who you’re talking to in the best quality possible. Conversations don’t have to feel distant because with the Redmi 10’s camera and display combination, it will feel like there is no screen dividing you from being with your loved ones.

The Redmi 10 is also accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor that gives you perfect tool to capture important moments of your life and share with your friends and family. The device also packs a suite of stylish filters to add flair for your shots, as well as panorama selfies perfect for selfies with all your family members.

Long lasting battery and fast charging feature equals longer conversations and shorter waiting time

Video calls can sometimes last for hours, especially when you’re talking with your family and friends who you don’t get to see or bond with often because of quarantine. And if there is one thing to expect from long hours of using your phone, it is a drained battery and a long waiting time for it to recharge. This is a big hassle, especially if you’re really into the conversation and you don’t want it to end.

Well, with the Redmi 10’s massive 5000 mAh battery, you can have hours of video calls, virtual hangouts and endless messaging without worrying about your phone running out of charge. It’s also equipped with AdaptiveSync technology – meaning that the Redmi 10 automatically adjusts its refresh rate based on your content, keeping your battery alive longer as it’ll boost refresh rates only for those moments when you need it. And when the time comes that you need to plug it in, it’s 18W fast charging and in-box 22.5W charger will have your phone ready and you can reconnect with whoever you want to in no time.

Dual speakers and unique reading mode feature to add color when you feel gray during isolation

in case you want to have a dance party at home, here’s the perfect sound system to blast your favorite tunes as you dance the night away. Redmi 10 comes with MIUI 12.5 out of the box and offers an immersive audio experience with its dual speakers. Or, maybe you’re in the mood for a Netflix watch party with your friends – just grab some popcorn and enjoy as many films as you want with crystal clear audio. But if you’re just in the mood to surf through the internet and explore the vast world of social media, Redmi 10’s Reading Mode 3.0 feature is perfect to relax your eyes as you flip through your favorite content. Whatever your in the mood do, Redmi 10’s got your back!

Large storage, Maximum performance with an elegant design in the palm of your hand

With two variants available – 4GB+64GB and 6GB+128GB, the Redmi 10 can store any and as many apps as you would like. There’s also no need to worry about lagging or overheating as the Redmi 10 is powered by a 2.0GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio G88 processor. Designed from the ground up to perform with its lightning-fast GPU, Redmi 10 takes your mobile performance to new heights with powerful hardware and next-level features.

All of this contained in a device with a sleek design that is a joy to hold. It’s available in 3 beautiful colors; matte Carbon Gray and Pebble White with a classic, smooth fingerprint-proof finish, and a beautifully textured glossy Sea Blue.

The Redmi 10 is available in the official Xiaomi Lazada and Shopee. The 4GB+64GB and 6+128GB variants can also be availed through Home Credit at 0% interest in 6 months for as low as ₱913/month and ₱1,033/month respectively.

About Xiaomi Corporation


Xiaomi Corporation was founded in April 2010 and listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on July 9, 2018 (1810.HK). Xiaomi is a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones, smart hardware and Internet of Things (IoT) platform at its core.

With an equal emphasis on innovation and quality, Xiaomi continuously pursues high-quality user experience and operational efficiency. The company relentlessly builds amazing products with honest prices to let everyone in the world enjoy a better life through innovative technology.

As of the second quarter of 2021, Xiaomi is the No.2 smartphone brand in the global smartphone market. The company has also established the world’s leading consumer AIoT (AI+IoT) platform, with over 351.1 million smart devices connected to its platform, excluding smartphones and laptops. Xiaomi products are present in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. In August 2021, the company made the Fortune Global 500 list for the third time, ranking 338th, up 84 places compared to 2020.

Xiaomi is a constituent of the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, Hang Seng TECH Index and Hang Seng China 50 Index.

QURE: A teleconsultation & wellness website made by Filipinos for Filipinos

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QURE: A teleconsultation & wellness website made by Filipinos for Filipinos

A teleconsult website that promises to make medical consultations easy and convenient for many Filipinos was finally launched today, October 20.

QURE.ph, an all-Filipino-made website, provides a platform for online video consultations, connects doctors and patients for easy scheduling of appointments, and makes available a directory of pharmacies and other health and wellness providers.

QURE.ph offers a free platform for doctors who want to expand their services via teleconsult amid increasing demand for virtual consultation.

“We created this platform with the Filipino patient in mind. It’s a simple website and it does not complicate the teleconsultation process. Even those not comfortable with technology will find these consultations easy to do. This is our new normal and QURE is here to help you navigate the future of healthcare,” said Gary Libby, QURE Chief Technology Officer.

A trip to the hospital may also be burdensome these days, as the COVID pandemic persists. QURE will help Filipinos find their way through this public health crisis while keeping their health in check.

“This will definitely benefit doctors and patients. No more overbooking for doctors, and no more long lines for patients waiting for their turn at clinics. Whether via teleconsult or face-to-face check-ups, the scheduling system of QURE helps both patients and doctors,” Libby added.

Andrea Trinidad, Chief Executive Officer of QURE, said the idea of the teleconsult platform started last year when the lockdowns extended and it became difficult for patients to see their doctors.

Trinidad, who has a life-long disorder called hemophilia and is the president Hemophilia Advocates-Philippines, said the pandemic really affected patients.

“When I was approached by my friends last year and they shared with me their idea of a telemedicine platform, I told them it was brilliant. We envision QURE to be an e-mall of health services where you can book consults, buy medicines, book laboratory appointments and even book a consult with the veterinarian for your fur babies,” she added.

More to know about QURE:

The platform is data-safe, both for patients and doctors. Registering is FREE for patients and doctors. Consultation fees range from P500 to P1,500, depending on doctor’s specialization. But for its introductory price, QURE is offering a 50 percent discount for consultations.

Registered users can look for doctors for their tele-consult. Specialists have expertise on:

Cardiology; General Surgery; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Integrative General Medicine; Internal Medicine, Dermatology; Otolaryngology (ENT); ENT Specialist Head & Neck Surgery; Psychiatry-Adult; Physical Medicine/Rehab; Pediatrics; Allergy & Asthma, Immunologist; Urology; Sleep Medicine/Insomnia; Ophthalmology; Family & Occupational Medicine; Cardiology; Pediatrics-Pulmonology; Family Medicine; Lifestyle Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery and Hematology/Oncology.

Also in QURE’s pool of experts: Nutritionist Dietician; General Dentistry/Orthodontics; Dentistry/Prosthetic and Esthetic;

The website lets you know who is online.

Is the doctor in? No need to guess or call the doctor’s secretary. Through the QURE website, you can easily see if the doctor is available to take consultations.

Find doctors in your area or teleconsult with a specialist anywhere in the Philippines

QURE has a growing number of specialists from all over the country. The drop-down menu on the website shows that many doctors have already signed up. Many more are joining QURE in the following weeks.

It’s a growing health and wellness community.

In the coming months, expect more health and wellness features. You will also soon see reviews of doctors done by patients themselves.

For more information about QURE, you may contact us at support@qure.ph or 0991.398.8781. To check our pool of specialists, visit https://qure.ph/search-doctor

Converge taps First Gen clean energy for Manila headquarters

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Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is switching to 100% renewable energy to power its main office in Pasig City, committing to purchase a total of 2.5 megawatts (MW) of geothermal energy up to 2023 from pioneering clean energy company First Gen Corporation.

“The clean energy that First Gen will provide for our head office in Pasig complements our business in more ways than one. It reflects our choices as a responsible company that wishes to do its share for the environment,” said Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy in a virtual signing ceremony held recently.

“Thank you to our newest partner Converge for sharing the same vision and values as us by choosing 100% clean energy and sharing our goal of achieving a low carbon future. The 2.5 MW of purely renewable energy from Tongonan geothermal power plant owned by our subsidiary Energy Development Corporation will bring Converge one step closer to reducing its carbon footprint, and as we’d like to say – Powered by Good,” noted First Gen Chairman and CEO Federico R. Lopez.

“The Philippines is especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and this has direct implications on the future of our business too. We have chosen to take decisive action now. This is the first major step in our journey to becoming carbon neutral,” added Converge Chief Strategy Officer Benjamin Azada.

In inking the two-year supply contract, which became effective September 26, Converge is making strides on its sustainability commitment where it aims to pursue greener options in its operations.

The clean energy will be sourced from Tongonan geothermal power plant in Leyte (which is owned by First Gen’s subsidiary, EDC), with the energy firm providing a maximum of 1.5 megawatts during the first year, increasing to 2.5 megawatts through its second year.

This is in participation with Department of Energy’s (DOE) Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) program which allows consumers deemed to belong in the “contestable market” to choose their electricity supplier.

“Aside from helping save the environment, we also expect operating cost savings, although this isn’t the primary reason for the switch. Our driver for partnering with First Gen is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and give back to the planet.,” said Converge President and Chief Resources Officer Grace Y. Uy.

First Gen Corporation currently services a growing list of direct clients shifting to green power all over the country and is among the first Renewable Energy Supplier approved by the DOE for the Green Energy Options Program (GEOP).

This shift to renewable energy is the latest sustainability initiative of Converge in recent months as it expands its corporate social responsibility agenda.

First Gen Executive Vice President Victor Emmanuel B. Santos, Jr. said: “We are truly happy to collaborate and partner with like-minded customers who value a sustainable future and believe that all of us need to take progressive steps towards it.”

“Consumers now buy LED lights instead of traditional light bulbs. Efficiently-powered appliances lower electricity bills. Electric vehicles shuttle employees to work. Businesses like Converge are realizing that wasting less energy isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also good for business,” Santos added.

Crowdfunding an Alternative for Funding Medical Needs

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Paying for medical bills has been burdensome for more people across the globe especially during this time of the pandemic. More than ever many people lack the capacity to finance a love one’s medical needs, worst is that most government fails to help at all. Where do people turn to when most of their family and friends are barely making it to survive? The advent of crowdfunding platforms practically solves most of this problem. Crowdfunding is designed to gather small help from a larger number of people via the internet through a different virtual platform. Should the traditional sources of funding be limited, crowdfunding might be the answer.

Airfunding, a global crowdfunding platform has been helping thousands of people get immediate funding for their medical bills. In 2020 alone, they have reached more than $300,000, and thousands of projects were created. Through different medical projects created on its platform, many are guaranteed to get help from its 10 million-plus subscribers. At present, Airfunding goal is to help more people achieve their aspirations of helping that love one finance that medical need or journey and that no one will be able to lose a loved one because there is no source of funds to continue treatment and medication.

Southeast Asian countries have a combined population of 550 million with very low health insurance coverage. Most government does not cover hospitalization and treatment at all, with this dilemma it is sad to note that majority of the people here are hopeless when it comes to hospitalization and medical care. Most people from this region do not have access to traditional funding and just let tragic fate take its toll. Crowdfunding sites such as Airfunding, understand this clamor for change wherein people can get help from non-traditional means such as crowdfunding.