The leading global provider for smart devices HONOR Philippines has officially revealed that the Magic they are unveiling this June 8, 2023 is the highly anticipated HONOR Magic5 Pro! Topping the strong legacy of the flagship HONOR Magic Series, the HONOR Magic5 Pro adopts enhanced hardware with discrete chipsets and advanced technologies, combined with the best software solutions to deliver an industry benchmark-breaking flagship smartphone
“We are extremely excited to Unleash the Power of Magic on June 8, 2023 so join us live to unveil the HONOR Magic5 Pro. Witness the real Magic as we share the breakthroughs in design, display, photography and performance of this new HONOR flagship,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
Inspired by the aesthetics of symmetry, the HONOR Magic5 Pro showcases exquisite craftsmanship and design with harmonious bezels on both sides and a Star Wheel Triple Camera Design sitting as the centerpiece on the back cover. The new HONOR flagship is also equipped with a super large 5100mAh battery that enables maximum mobility and uninterrupted work and play!
An Unrivaled Falcon Triple Camera System
With a Super Triple Falcon Camera System that boasts 50MP Wide Camera, 50MP Ultra Wide Camera, 50MP Periscope Telephoto Camera and a Multi-spectrum Color Sensor, it is without a doubt that HONOR Magic5 Pro has achieved the Rank #1 in the DXOMARK Smartphone Camera Ranking for the first quarter of this year.
The camera also sports a breakthrough AI Motion Sensing Capture, enabling users to shoot their best moments, every time. The HONOR Magic5 Pro is equipped with IMAX Enhanced Movie Master to produce cinematic-style videos, taking videography to a whole new level.
A Premium Display at the Top of DXOMARK Rankings
The HONOR Magic5 Pro has also seized the #1 position in the DXOMARK Smartphone Display ranking. Featuring a 6.81-inch LTPO Quad-Curved Floating Display with a Novel Display Luminance Enhancement Technology, the HONOR Magic5 Pro guarantees an immersive viewing experience whether you are browsing, gaming, or reading.
Powered by the latest Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform and supported by HONOR’s GPU Turbo X, the HONOR Magic5 Pro delivers an unrivaled flagship performance, enabling enhanced productivity and entertainment at all times.
A water and dust-resistant Flagship
The HONOR Magic5 Pro is designed with IP68 water and dust resistance, offering effective protection from dust, rain and water. The durable device can also withstand being submerged in water of depths up to 1.5m for 30 minutes, demonstrating HONOR’s exquisite craftsmanship and exceptional product quality.
HONOR Magic5 Pro will be officially launched on June 8, 2023 and you can catch it live on HONOR Philippines’ Facebook Page (https://fb.me/e/T11UD2VR) at 7PM and get a chance to win exciting prizes!
For more updates and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.
Aurora Festival is back with a bang, promising to bring you an extraordinary live music experience and celebration of the OPM icons, this time around Tito’s and Tita’s ready na ba kayo?- in the Queen City of the South!
This September 16, 2023, it’s all locked and loaded to captivate music lovers with an unforgettable experience, showcasing the best of local talent and the vibrant Aurora music fest spectacle in Cebu! After all of the amazing scenes and moments last November 2022 at the 1st Cebu Aurora Fest and April at the Clark Aurora Music Festival, it’s about time to bring that kind of magic to music aficionados in Visayas!
Cebu Aurora Music Festival on September 16, 2023 (Saturday) at OPEN LOT AT FORMER MARRECO, BRGY. POBLACION MANDAUE, CEBU.
Featuring a lineup of iconic OPM artists and legends, Ely Buendia who’s fresh from the Eraserheads US Tour, Bamboo who has a timeless repertoire of hits, and Silent Sanctuary to give you all #feels at the festival grounds! Moreover, if you miss her superbly captivating voice, Armi Millare will also be there to hype everyone up and it’s her first festival ever as a solo artist! And if you think it stops there, the stellar lineup also includes an iconic 90’s band that every Filipino loves, and this will be announced very soon!
Cebu Aurora Festival will pay homage to the legends who have shaped the Philippine music scene and will also feature the hottest bands in Cebu Missing Filemon and Phylum. Prepare to be swept off your feet as these performers take the stage and bring their classic hits to life, ensuring an electrifying atmosphere for all attendees.
These talented artists are known for their exceptional live performances, promising to leave the audience in awe with their energy, passion, and creative talent.
The Cebu Aurora Festival has gained recognition as the biggest OPM festival in the country. Drawing music enthusiasts from all walks of life, this grand celebration of Filipino music and culture has become a must-attend event for all fans. The festival’s commitment to promoting OPM and providing a platform for talented artists has helped elevate the local music scene to new heights.
Please note that the festival is strictly for individuals aged 18 and above. We encourage all music enthusiasts to secure their tickets early, as this highly anticipated event is expected to sell out quickly.
Cebu Aurora Music Festival is presented by EPIC EVENTS, EggStop, Mr Macchiato
Hailed as “the best Spider-Man film ever made” and “one of the best superhero movies of all time” Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse shows a 95% Certified Fresh rating and 96% audience score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
Owen Gleiberman from Variety writes that “the images in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse have an intoxicating unpredictability. The film makes you feel like you’re dropping through the floors of a modern art museum on acid, yet there’s a thrilling moment-to-moment logic to it all… This feels like it could have been the first movie designed to earn a thumbs up from Andy Warhol and Stephen Hawking.”
Writing for The Los Angeles Times, Katie Walsh raves, “A breathlessly beautiful achievement not just in animation but also comic book movie storytelling, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is willing to shred the lore from top to bottom and weave it back together again in new, surprising and wildly entertaining ways. It’s simply spectacular.”
Local critics and fans are applauding, too.
Film critic Vives Anunciacion raves, “Once in a while, a film comes along and resets its genre. Call it the Empire Strikes Back or The Godfather Part 2 of the Spider-Verse. I call it amazing in any universe.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Ramon De Veyra explains what makes Across the Spider-Verse work so well. “The story is intriguing, with the dialogue compelling and natural, peppered with great jokes and asides, delivered by great performers doing some of their best work,” he says. “It can be dense and then stop for a breathtaking vista that the characters admire in silence, giving the audience room to breathe, before ratcheting up the tension once again.”
ANCX’s resident reviewer Andrew Paredes declares, “If Into the Spider-Verse showed us what superhero movies could be, Across the Spider-Verse shows us what they should be. If the first movie debuted an animation style that unabashedly embraces its comic-book origins… this installment takes it even further pushing the limits of its animation into something even more stunning, something even more tactile, something that morphs moment by moment with the emotional beats of its storytelling… what you’re seeing is the future of superhero movies.”
About Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, the screenplay for the film is by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller and David Callaham, based on the MARVEL Comic Books.
Produced by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Christina Steinberg.
The film’s cast is led by Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Jason Schwartzman, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Greta Lee, Rachel Dratch, Jorma Taccone, Shea Whigham and Oscar Isaac.
Now showing in Philippine cinemas, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #SpiderVerse
Hurry and book your tickets! If you need more convincing, here are five top reasons why “The Flash” movie is a must-see.
Electrifying action
There’s plenty of action happening at breakneck speed in “The Flash.” With two speedsters running around to save the world, we can’t expect anything less. Add to that more than one Batman, one very awesome Supergirl, and an alien baddie with lots of evil lackeys intent on annihilating our world – from start to finish, there’s never a dull moment.
Trippy time travel
When Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time to save his mom, he inadvertently alters the future and turns it into one where the villainous General Zod has returned threatening Earth’s annihilation, and there are practically no superheroes to turn to. Barry must then rely on his younger self (“This is mad trippy…” says college-age Barry after seeing future Barry) and a retired Batman to help him make things right.
Classic Batman
“It’s like bringing back a classic,” says “The Flash” director Andy Muschietti of bringing back Michael Keaton as Batman. Keaton played the first Batman in Warner Bros. Batman film franchise, in the two films directed by Tim Burton, in 1989 and 1992. Fans are very excited to see Keaton as the superhero again, but they’re not the only ones hit with nostalgia. “The first time Michael Keaton came to see the Batcave, he was so shocked that he actually filmed it to send to Tim Burton,” shares producer Barbara Muschietti.
The humor
Funny lines, comical meet-cutes, easy chemistry between the cast – this movie will make you laugh… and laugh some more.
Heart… lots of it
But despite all the funny moments, “The Flash” has a very deep emotional core. Take it from best-selling author Stephen King, who Tweeted his reaction after an early screening of the film: “As a rule I don’t care a lot for superhero movies, but this one is special. It’s heartfelt, funny, and eye-popping. I loved it.”
The ticketing site for “The Flash” is already live at https://www.theflashmovie.com.ph/. Don’t forget to calendar your “The Flash” movie date!
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Double Dream/a Disco Factory production of an Andy Muschietti film, “The Flash.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters across the Philippines beginning June 14, 2023. Sneak previews are available on June 13.
Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #TheFlashMovie
Catch thrillers, Beast and Fall, science fiction Nope, as well as original series’ The Idol and The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 on HBO GO and HBO. Celebrate Father’s Day and more this June on Warner TV with an exciting line-up of movies including 10,000 BC and Speed Racer. Continue the summer fun with Redraw Your Summer and celebrate National Cheese Day with Tom and Jerry on Cartoon Network.
Beast Premieres Saturday, June 3 at 9pm on HBO and HBO GO
A pulse-pounding new thriller about a father and his two teenage daughters who find themselves hunted by a rogue lion in South Africa. Stars Idris Elba and Sharlto Copley.
The Idol Premieres Monday, June 5 at 10pm on HBO and HBO GO
After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros, a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul? Stars Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Lily-Rose Depp, Troye Sivan. Also starring Dan Levy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eli Roth, Hari Nef, Jane Adams, Jennie Ruby Jane, Mike Dean, Moses Sumney, Rachel Sennott, Ramsey, Suzanna Son, and Hank Azaria.
Fall Premieres Saturday, June 17 at 9pm on HBO and HBO GO
For best friends Becky and Hunter, life is all about conquering fears and pushing limits. But after they climb 2,000 feet to the top of a remote, abandoned radio tower, they find themselves stranded with no way down. Stars Grace Caroline Currey and Virginia Gardner.
The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 Premieres Monday, June 19 at 10am on HBO and HBO GO
The series tells the story of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work. When the spoiled Gemstone children finally get their wish to take control of the Church, they discover leadership is harder than they imagined and that their extravagant lifestyle comes with a heavy price. Stars Danny Mcbride, John Goodman, Edi Patterson and Adam Devine.
Nope Premieres Saturday, June 24 at 9pm on HBO and HBO GO
Oscar®-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele reinvents the summer blockbuster with an epic sci-fi pop nightmare that will have you never looking at clouds the same way ever again. Stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott and Brandon Perea.
Fantasy, Comedy and Action on Warner TV
Movie Premieres every Saturday on Warner TV
Babel Premieres June 3 at 9pm
The Protégé Premieres June 10 at 9pm
Syriana Premieres June 17 at 9pm
Celebrate Father’s Day this June, every Sunday on Warner TV
The Aviator June 4 at 9pm
We Are Marshall June 11 at 9pm
The Judge June 18 at 9pm
Going In Style June 25 at 9pm
Be entertained, this Vesak Day, Hari Raya Haji and Independence Day with Warner TV
Hall Pass and 10,000 BC Friday, June 2 from 7:20pm
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street and A Nightmare On Elm Street Monday, June 12 from 9pm
Speed Racer and The Protégé Thursday, June 29 from 6:40pm
The Flash S9 Marathon Premieres Saturday to Sunday, June 10 to 11 from 1:30pm
After defeating the Reverse Flash once and for all, the ninth season of The Flash picks up one week later following their epic battle. Revisit all episodes of this final season – the greatest battle of Barry and Team Flash as they try to save Central City one last time.
Series Finale on Warner TV Catch the finale of Superman & Lois Season 3 on Wednesday, June 28 at 9pm.
Adventures on Boomerang and Cartoon Network
CARTOONITO: Bugs Bunny Builders Marathon Saturday to Sunday, June 17 to 25, from 1pm on CARTOONITO on Boomerang
Redraw Your Summer Saturday to Sunday, May 20 to July 16, from 9am on Cartoon Network
On Saturdays from 9am, catch brand new episodes of Teen Titans Go!. Join us on Mondays for Mechamato, Tuesdays for The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe and Wednesdays for the Looney Tunes. Join the We Bare Bears on Thursdays and chill out on Fridays with The Amazing World of Gumball and Lamput. On Saturday and Sunday,catch Adventure Time and new episodes of 50/50 Heroes from 10.30am.
Tom and Jerry’s Cheese Day Sunday, June 4, from 11:30am on Cartoon Network
In celebration of National Cheese Day on June 4, Cartoon Network brings you the best of the world-famous Cat and Mouse Duo – Tom & Jerry. Don’t miss the episode Say Cheese, where Tom eats some canned cheese that has gone off and starts to hallucinate. Then, watch the animated movie, Tom And Jerry: Back To Oz where Dorothy, Tom and Jerry are brought back to Oz to help stop the evil Gnome King who is threatening to take control of Emerald City.
Teen Titans Go! and LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash Thursday, June 15, from 12:30pm on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is bringing you a very special line-up with episodes from Teen Titans Go! featuring Kid Flash and the animated movie, LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash when the Justice League has to face BRAINIAC, a super intelligent, invulnerable machine whose mad quest endangers all life in the galaxy!
Gumball Ivandoe Dance Off From Monday to Friday, June 26 to 30, from 12pm on Cartoon Network
Catch brand new episodes from Chapter 3 of The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe followed by some of the best episodes from The Amazing World of Gumball in this Dance Off.
LEGO Dreamzzz Premieres Thursday, June 1, from 6:30pm on Cartoon Network
Middle schoolers by day, adventurous heroes by night! When they go to sleep, the fun begins. A group of kids join a secret agency where they learn to use the power of imagination to journey into the Dream World and create fantastic creations to help sleeping children from being terrorised by the evil Nightmare King who is bent on conquering the Dream World and invading the Waking World.
Beko Philippines is entering a new phase of business in their journey to bring the European brand to a sustainable lifestyle for Filipino customers. In celebration of its third year of operations, Beko announces its goal of being the number one European brand in the Philippine market in the next 5 years.
“We are very happy to be holding this trade launch for our dealers and stakeholders as we share that Beko will be a bigger and better brand in the Philippines in 2023 and beyond,” said Gürhan Günal, Beko’s country director in the Philippines, who also presented the company’s business development plans of EXPAND, GROW, LEAD, CONNECTIVITY and SUSTAINABILITY for the Philippines along with the brand’s hero technologies at the anniversary trade launch at the Grand Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila.
This is the heart and reason why this year, Beko will be made available soon in other appliance stores nationwide as it continues to “expand” its distribution to other retail channels.
To further “grow” brand awareness and visibility they also announced the renewal of their brand ambassadorship with Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo alongside with digital and traditional media investments.
As one of the “leading” manufacturers of home appliances, Beko promotes the Live Like a Pro lifestyle and inspires Filipinos to experience a more convenient way of living through European style product lines. They stated that Beko Pilipinas Corporation is the exclusive distributor of Hitachi Major Domestic Appliances as part of their brand portfolio.
Beko appliances are made smart, relevant and designed to easily support Filipino families. With the HomeWhiz function you can easily “connect” to your Beko appliances with the use of your smartphones.
As part of Beko’s global sustainability effort, Beko Philippines announces its partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange, which serves a global ecosystem of carefully vetted partners that recover, process, and recycle plastic waste with programs that improve livelihood, scale up social impact, and reduce the flow of plastic pollution into nature. The partnership is in line with Extended Producer Responsibility Law, which holds companies responsible for the plastic packaging they use throughout the lifecycle of their products.
Trade launch showcasing hero technologies
As Beko marked its third year in the Philippines, the appliance brand held a grand trade launch for its dealers at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom with the theme “Empowered to Live Like A Pro.”
During the whole-day event, guests, including media and dealers, got to experience Beko’s range of appliances. They also got tips from a chef and an interior designer on how to manage their homes like a pro.
Beko Philippines showcased its hero technologies, such as HarvestFresh, ProSmart Inverter Technology, Steam Cure, Hygiene+, AeroPerfect TM and many others. These technologies help you live like a pro. Among the products displayed that day were cookers. The HII64205F2MT is a 60x50cm built-in induction hob with four Cooking Zones and two 2 Flexizone, nine cooking levels and a glass burner plate. Meanwhile, the BBIS14300XCSE 60x60cm. multifunction built-in oven with six cooking functions, including Steam Aid feature for moist and even cooking.
There were also refrigerators, one of the appliances which Beko is famous for. The GNO480E40HFGBPH is a 16.6cf inverter multi-door refrigerator with Neofrost Triple Cooling Technology, HarvestFresh, Prosmart Inverter Compressor, in sleek black glass door finish. Also featured is the Hitachi Refrigerator R-WB640VG0-1 GBK with Vacuum Technology with Platinum Catalyst, Inverter X Dual-fan Cooling with Eco-thermo sensor.
Other appliances include the CEG7302B, a bean-to-cup espresso machine and the BSEOG180/181 2Hp air-conditioner with Go Clean Technology, MicroClean TM Filter, Gold Guard, ZoneFollow, 4D Auto Swing and HomeWhiz.
Beko appliances are available at 1st Megasaver, Abenson, All Home, Anson’s, Appliance Centrum, Asian Home Appliance, Automatic Centre, BHF, Echo Electrical, Fair N Square, Gloria Bazaar, Great World, Hat, J Marketing, Lazada, Magic Appliance, Manhattan Appliance, Mike’s Department Store, NB Marketing, Pricewise, RS David, Our Builders, Robinsons Appliance, Savers, Shopee, SM Appliance, Solidmark, SVC & Plusign, United Motoliance, and Western Appliance.
For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to http://beko.ph or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph and their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bekoph/.
Iconic noodle brand Lucky Me! has recently revealed that consumers can now enjoy Lucky Me! Go Cups without the sachets.
With seasonings already included inside the easy-prep cup, one only needs to add hot water and enjoy the same intense sarap flavors wherever and whenever. A handful of popular content creators and digital personalities, who also enjoy the variety of flavors offered with each Go Cup, have shared what they like most about the change.
No more hassle to add the seasoning
The feistiest of them all, Sassa Gurl mentioned how easy it is to just enjoy her favorite Lucky Me! Go Cups after her followers asked why she’s not adding the seasoning. Sassa hits back and says, “Nandun na po siya, nakalagay na po. Naka-install na yung powder! In-update nila!”
She also jokes, “Mas matitikman mo yung flavor kasi kumpleto na sa loob, kumpleto yung 18,000 granules!”
2. No sachets = instant satisfaction
One half of the viral PoCha duo, Warren Osinaga (aka Poca) recently shared how he went to a friend’s party to eat—apparently his reason for going—but the food wasn’t ready yet. So, he went back to his car momentarily where he was ready with hot water from a thermos bottle and just enjoyed a Lucky Me! Go Cup to satisfy his hunger.
Poca exclaims, “Bahala kayo diyan, mas matimbang ang Lucky Me Spicy Bulalo kesa sa mga lumpiang shanghai niyo diyan!” The hilarious vlogger later explained that it’s easier to prepare now that there’s no need to fumble with sachets.
3. No Slow Work, More Bebu Time
Nelson Baraquia, whom netizens collectively acknowledge as Bebu, also enjoys a convenient pick-me-up between working out and working remotely. He appreciates how it has the “same intense sarap, now in an easy-prep cup.”
When you’re the “Trophy Wife” who everyone aspires to be like Rain Matienzo, you must be able to manage on your own, especially during workdays. Embodying her iconic character, Rain shares how she’s back to her acting career and showed what happens behind the camera.
“After a few scenes, I was very tired na so I snuck in a quick merienda. Wala nga pala si Yaya dito so I was looking for someone to prep my Lucky Me Go Cup,” the content creator said, still in her character. “But I didn’t need someone to help me na pala so I just prepared it myself! No more sachets, less hassle!”
5. Intense Sarap you Stay, Sachet Away
After her stint in Drag Race Philippines, Viñas DeLuxe has gotten a lot busier. Which is why when getting ready for back-to-back performances, she said she has learned how to do her makeup quickly—often in less than 20 minutes.
GRWM full drag in 20 mins! May mas bibilis pa pala sa’kin?? #SachetItOff na ang #LuckyMeEasyPrepCup 🔥 Try niyo na rin ang mas convenient na Lucky Me! Go Cup now in Easy Prep Cup 🔥
“Sa tagal ko mag-makeup? Mga misis, kulang ako sa oras! Kaya naka-ready always itong Lucky Me! Go Cup!” she explains while doing makeup. “Dati pag namali pa ko nang pagbukas, nalalaglag sa makeup ko yung seasoning, ngayon wala nang sachet pero ganun pa rin kasarap!” she continues.
With these variants to choose from, Go Lang with your favorite Lucky Me! Go Cup, now in Easy Prep Cup—with no more sachets and with the seasonings already inside, just add hot water and enjoy the same Intense Sarap that you’ve always loved.
For more information and details, follow Lucky Me! on Facebook.
AF Payments, Inc., the operator of the beep card, is pleased to announce the successful launch of Maya’s and Light Rail Manila Corporation’s (LRMC) QR payment system in LRT1. This new and convenient payment option—which is enabled by beep’s technology—was warmly received by the train commuters, who can now effortlessly purchase QR codes through their smart phones.
“The overwhelming adoption of QR since the service’s launch demonstrates commuters’ willingness to embrace more diverse payment options that facilitate faster and more convenient commute. Alongside the tap-in and tap-out functionality of beep cards, QR offers an excellent alternative to Single Journey Ticket users, allowing them to skip the lines and enjoy faster travel times. The core mission of AF Payments, Inc. is to provide commuters with convenient, fast, and secure payment solutions, transforming daily commuting into a more efficient, productive, and pleasant experience for everyone,” says JJ Moreno, the President & CEO of AF Payments, Inc.
Making payments via QR is made incredibly simple through following these steps:
1. Open your Maya app and navigate to the Services section.
2. Select the LRT-1 tile under the Lifestyle category.
3. Choose your desired route (Northbound or Southbound) and set both the origin and destination.
4. Click on Pay Now. Your QR ticket will be instantly generated.
5. Scan your QR ticket using the turnstile QR scanners at LRT1 stations.
LRT1 QR tickets, which will be valid for 24 hours, may be conveniently purchased through the Maya and LRMC’s ikotMNL apps, and eventually through the beep app.
The LRT1 trains cater to passengers from Monumento to Baclaran. “Fast lane” turnstiles with QR readers are located in all LRT1 stops, including Balintawak and Roosevelt stations along EDSA.
“AF Payments remains committed to providing innovative enabling technologies to projects that enhance the commuting experience of Filipinos. We strongly believe that Filipino commuters deserve nothing less than the best and latest micropayment solutions that cater to their evolving needs,” Mr. Moreno added.
The recently launched QR ticketing set up at LRT1 was based primarily on the QR Code Application for Transport (QCAT) format, an open-source set of specifications and documents published by AFPI that defines a QR code-based ticketing system applied to different modes of transportation. QCAT defines the structure and format of the QR Code payload of a ticket. The QR ticket is generated and issued through a mobile-based application, and is then scanned and validated as trip fare media or ticket. A backend repository captures these QR ticket transactions and are processed, cleared, and settled based on agreed business rules between the QR ticket issuer, acceptor, and transport operator.
Prior to its introduction in the rail sector, QCAT was successfully applied in both bus transport (with the BGC Bus network in Taguig) and inter-island ferry terminals (with Topline Express Ferry in Cebu). These two transport use cases replaced the manually validated paper ticketing process to ensure quicker validation and a hassle-free commuting experience.
With QR ticketing based on the QCAT format, passengers are given another cashless option for a fast, seamless, hassle-free, and convenient commuting experience.
Since 2011, Starbucks and its partners (employees) around the world have been dedicated to improving their local communities by celebrating the month of April as a time for community service and implementing a range of initiatives that positively impact the planet.
With over 400 stores across the market, Starbucks Philippines uses its scale to address important issues such as hunger relief, reusability, and access to clean drinking water. We are proud to highlight the efforts of our partners who volunteered their time and resources that create a meaningful difference in the lives of Filipinos.
Starbucks Philippines strengthens its partnership with Gawad Kalinga to fight hunger
Starbucks Philippines’ ongoing partnership with Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga program provides nutritious meals to children over a 120-day program. Last month, partner volunteers prepared meals for over 350 children from Catmon, Cebu, the company’s first community supported through Kusina ng Kalinga outside of Metro Manila.
In addition, a new Global Community Impact Grant awarded in April from The Starbucks Foundation will enable Gawad Kalinga to provide nutritious meals to an additional 1,200 children, host family health and nutrition educational workshops, and train 30 Community Food Farmers to build vegetable gardens in the Visayas region.
Expanding Starbucks FoodShare
In partnership with Grab and the Philippine FoodBank Foundation, the company expanded Starbucks FoodShare from Metro Manila to 13 additional stores in Cebu this month. Since the program launched in March 2022, partners connect with Grab drivers daily to deliver rescuable food from their stores to the Philippine FoodBank Foundation, who then distributes donations to communities in need of food assistance. Beneficiaries in Cebu include Balay Samaritano sa Sugbo Shelter, Don Bosco Provincial House, and Our Lady of Lourdes Feeding Center.
The company also had their second ‘Fill It Forward’ Starbucks Venti Van stop at Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa on April 29. The initiative encouraged customers to participate in Starbucks FoodShare by purchasing a cookie for PHP 50, which were then donated to various beneficiaries through the Philippine FoodBank Foundation.
Building a fourth AquaTower in San Antonio, Quezon
Joining hands with Planet Water Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on alleviating the global water crisis, partner volunteers successfully built Starbucks Philippines’ fourth AquaTower at San Antonio Central School in San Antonio, Quezon on April 4. Through this long-standing partnership, 1,800 community residents are able to easily access safe drinking water and handwashing stations through an AquaTower. The partners also led hygiene education activities with local students.
Watch our recent volunteering activity with Planet Water here.
Starbucks Rewards members earn Stars on Reusables
Starbucks Philippines has been incentivizing customers to bring their own reusable cups through the Bring Your Own Reusable Cup program. Customers receive PHP 10 off their order when they bring any personal reusable cups from all stores nationwide. In celebration of Global Month of Good, Starbucks Philippines added 5 Bonus Stars on top of the P10 discount for Starbucks Rewards Members. Customers enjoyed this additional promo for every transaction throughout the whole month of April.
The company’s community efforts during the Global Month of Good and beyond demonstrate its commitment to creating a positive impact in local communities and the planet. Good things are definitely happening!
Apart from the film’s cute twist at the end, what was even more pleasantly surprising was how McDonald’s broke category conventions by featuring a GL (Girl Love) story. When asked about the creation of the ad, McDonald’s Corporate Relations Director, Adi Hernandez shares, “Despite its rare representation locally, it was important that this love story is depicted as a regular, everyday occurrence at McDonald’s Philippines. Gender inclusivity is ingrained in our brand experience from our customers to our employees. No matter who you are, you are welcome and safe to come back here again and again – that’s what we wanted our audience to know.”
And the story behind the effortless acting that made everyone feel giddy? The brand along with its advertising agency, TBWA\SMP, factored in proper representation in casting and tapped a real member of the LGBTQ+ community. “We wanted to do it right, and we wanted to make sure they (the actors) felt comfortable.” says Adi Hernandez.
Last year, McDonald’s gained praises for sponsoring Pride March 2022 and now with this feel-good film, the brand is constantly proving that it’s not shying away from gender inclusivity. What’s next? Adi Hernandez says, “There’s more to come. This is a part of a broader campaign to show our commitment to ensuring McDonald’s continues to be everyone’s happy place.”
And we can’t help but say, we’re lovin’ this step towards inclusivity for McDonald’s.
