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QCinema Unveils QCSEA Shorts Competition Lineup

QCinema International Film Festival is back with a bang, unveiling the official selection for its QCSEA Shorts Competition, which marks its inaugural edition. This showcase of cinematic excellence features ten short films meticulously chosen from an impressive pool of 380 entries from across Southeast Asia. The competition lineup promises a vibrant mix of stories, each uniquely showcasing the rich diversity and creativity of the region.

Diverse Entries from Southeast Asia

The competition lineup proudly showcases the cultural and storytelling diversity of Southeast Asia. With entries hailing from Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, it’s a cinematic voyage through the heart of the region.

1. Basri And Salma In A Never-Ending Comedy – Directed by Khozy Rizal (Indonesia)

Basri And Salma In A Never-Ending Comedy tells the story of a childless couple who has been married for 5 years. They own an Odong-Odong, an entertainment vehicle for children, at the carnival. They spend their days entertaining and taking care of other people’s children. Between meddling relatives, self-doubt and an explosive confrontation, they uncover why they have not been blessed with a child. This Indonesian short film is directed by Khozy Rizal.

2. Buoyant – Directed by Toan Thanh Doan & Hoang-Phuc Nguyen-Le (Vietnam)

Vietnam’s Buoyant by Toan Thanh Doan & Hoang-Phuc Nguyen-Le follows the story of a fisherman who rescues a mermaid from the fish market. They are joined by two jolly friends on a fanciful tale along the waters.

3. I Look Into The Mirror And Repeat Myself – Directed by Giselle Lin (Singapore)

I Look Into The Mirror And Repeat Myself from Singapore is about a filmmaker who questions the meaning of her given name, her place among her four sisters, and their stories, while her family is on the cusp of change and dissolution. The film is directed by Giselle Lin.

4. MOP – Directed by Joon Goh (Malaysia)

From Malaysia is MOP by Joon Goh. The film is about a boss and her employee who, over a lunch break, play a dangerous sexual game.

5. The Altar – Directed by Moe Myat May Zarchi (Myanmar)

Myanmar’s entry is an experimental short film by Moe Myat May Zarchi. The Altar is about the guilt of a childhood incident of killing an ant while washing hands in the sink animated using photographic sequences painted with golds and grays.

Five entries were also selected from the Philippines.

1. Cross My Heart And Hope To Die – Directed by Sam Manacsa

Cross My Heart And Hope To Die by Sam Manacsa is about Mila who struggles as she remains unpaid at work and a love interest becomes a source of comfort through his constant phone calls. But a promise of hope may also lead to tragedy and sad love songs.

2. Dominion – Directed by Bea Mariano

Dominion by Bea Mariano is about a drowning narrator who recounts their experience of going through an archive of colonial photographs using a barrage of sounds and images from the past and the present in a jagged and textural play.

3. Hito – Directed by Stephen Lopez

Hito by Stephen Lopez follows a 14-year-old girl who discovers that the fish she had been given for dinner is a rehabilitated bioweapon named Kiefer.

4. Kung nga-a Conscious ang mga Alien sang ila Skincare – Directed by Seth Andrew Blanca and Niño Maldecir

Kung nga-a Conscious ang mga Alien sang ila Skincare (The Thing About Aliens And Their Skin Care) by Seth Andrew Blanca and Niño Maldecir is a drama and comedy about aliens. As peculiar as it may sound, we have been living elbow to elbow with aliens — they are one of us.

5. When You Left Me On That Boulevard – Directed by Kayla Abuda Galang

Last is When You Left Me On That Boulevard by Kayla Abuda Galang. It is about a teenager named Ly and her cousins who get high before a boisterous family Thanksgiving at their aunt’s house in Southeast San Diego in 2006.

Don’t miss the Philippine premieres of these captivating short films, scheduled for screening from November 17 to 26, 2023. This cinematic treat is set to grace the 11th edition of the QCinema International Film Festival.

For more updates and information about the festival, visit QCinema’s social media accounts with the handle @qcinemaph. Stay tuned for a cinematic experience like no other!

October 11, 2023
The Bistro Group’s expansion continues with recent openings and upcoming stores

The Bistro Group pursues its expansion program with the opening of new stores in various locations in the metropolis.

Opening this October are Texas Roadhouse branches at Venice Grand Canal, Mckinley Hill, Taguig; Glorietta; Circuit Mall Makati and SM BF while Italianni’s will launch branches at Circuit Mall and SM BF this October.

Its Chinese restaurant concept, Modern Shang, just opened a branch at Eastwood Mall More stores will be introduced this year at SM BF, Ayala North Exchange, Vista Mall Dasmarinas and Malolos.

Meanwhile El Pollo Loco branches will serve you soon at Trinoma Mall this October and another at The Shops Ayala Triangle Gardens in December while The Bistro Group’s Spanish concept, Tomatito, will open at Estancia Mall side by side with Buffalo Wild Wings this November.

Randy’s, on the other hand, is ready to roll out those huge, fluffy donuts in more locations. One recently opened at UP Town Center bringing to 12 the total number of branches in the country. It has also secured two new locations at NAIA Terminal 2 and Arcovia in Pasig City that is set to open soon.

The Bistro Group’s Japanese concept, Watami, will launch new stores at Vista Mall Dasmarinas and Malolos.

Watch out for these new branches opening in areas near you.

Follow @thebistrogroup.

October 10, 2023
Growing Your Wealth Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide to GFunds and GStocks PH
In a world full of things to do, decisions to make, and the desire to build and create wealth, we need a clear plan towards securing our financial future. It’s great that people have long harped on two ways to help us attain this: investing and passive income.

Investing has long been a reliable method to earn passively. In the modern era of technological advancements, we’re presented with the opportunity to delve into the world of investment through GFunds and GStocks PH – both within the GInvest section of the GCash app.

GInvest is a digital investment product within the GCash app that allows Filipinos to begin their investment journey through its different investment products.

Discover ways to attain your financial goals and make the most of GCash’s investment features with these essential tips:
1. Educate Yourself, know where you’re putting your money: Harness the wealth of educational resources available online. Comprehend essential stock market jargon, factors influencing stock prices, and the art of diversification. In order for you to make more informed decisions for your next investment move, it’s crucial to know the difference, like for example between GStocks PH and GFunds.
  
  While both are GInvest products, GStocks PH is AB Capital Securities, Inc.’s (ABCSI) online retail securities trading services made accessible through the GCash app. Through ABCSI’s online platform, investors can buy, sell, and manage stocks of companies listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
  
  GFunds on the other hand, is the investment marketplace feature of the GCash App that allows you to buy, manage, and sell investment funds from GCash’s trusted fund house partners.
1. Diversify Wisely: Avoid risk concentration by spreading investments across different sectors and asset classes, offering a shield against market volatility.
  
  There is no minimum top-up amount for GStocks PH, but it’s possible to begin with at least ₱1,000. While there are stocks listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange that can be bought with just a few hundreds of pesos, you may consider investing more if you have the financial means to do so and would like to focus on specific stocks. Through investing in local stocks, you get to invest in the companies and brands you know and love.
  
  On the other hand, with GFunds, you can invest in local funds with exposure to Philippine securities with just as little as ₱50.
1. Buy Regularly: When it comes to investing, buying regularly will allow one to manage market fluctuations and maximize their investments over a long period of time.
If you’re looking into long-term investments, remember to:
1. Embrace Patience: Investing plays the long game. Maintain calm during market fluctuations and keep your focus on the horizon.
1. Stay Informed and Secure: Regularly evaluate your investments’ performance, adjust your strategies as your financial aspirations evolve. Leverage the guidance of financial experts and explore the resources available online. These tools are invaluable for making informed decisions aligned with your specific financial goals and risk tolerance
  
  Rest assured that your money is safe with GCash; products from GInvest like GStocks PH and GFunds are offered by one of the leading players in the stock brokerage industry and leading fund houses in the Philippines, respectively.
  
  If you are the type who would like to choose the companies you invest in and manage your own investments, GStocks PH is for you. AB Capital Securities Inc. extends its support by offering Stock Picks through GCash, serving as a valuable guide to help you choose the right stocks for your investment journey.
Registration is simple and open to all existing GCash users who have fully verified accounts, above 18 years old, and are Filipino citizens.

Your journey to financial growth starts with embracing the potential of GFunds and GStocks PH through the GCash app. Remember, the steps you take today will shape the prosperous future you’ve always envisioned.

ABOUT GCASH

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Finance App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, 69M registered users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 5.2M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.

GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) and by the IDC in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs.

Stay connected and discover more about GCash:

Instagram: @gcashofficial

Facebook: GCash Official
October 10, 2023
“Killers of the Flower Moon” Character Chronicles: Robert De Niro as William King Hale, and Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart

Apple Original Films has unveiled two more Character Chronicle featurettes, “Character Chronicles: Robert De Niro as William King Hale”, and “Character Chronicles: Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart”,for Martin Scorsese’s highly anticipated “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, De Niro and Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon” will premiere in theaters around the world, including IMAX® theaters, on October 18.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” marks Scorsese’s tenth feature with De Niro, here cast as Ernes’s cattle farming uncle, William “King” Hale, the chief architect of the Reign of Terror. Though ultimately convicted of murder, Hale is a mass of contradictions: an extortionist and intimidator but also someone who truly believes himself to be a friend to the Osage, the “most beautiful people in the world,” he calls them.

“It’s very complicated,” Scorsese says. “He’s like a prophet. He believes their time has come: ‘I’ll help them. I’ll ease them into their graves. I’ll make it easier for them. Civilizations come and go.’ But the point is that he did like them. Also, from what I understand, at Bill Hale’s funeral back in the ’60s, there were some Osage who attended. So it’s not as simple as villain and hero.”

For the role of Mollie Burkhart, both DiCaprio and Scorsese found themselves quickly resonating with Native American actress Lily Gladstone.

“It was so interesting to see the effect that her presence and her silent reactions had on Leo, and on the development of his character: it really helped define the relationship between Mollie and Ernest,” says Scorsese of Gladstone. “For me, exploring that emotional territory with Lily and Leo was quite an eye opening experience, and an enriching one. Her silences, as Mollie, were often more powerful than her words – what she didn’t say, what she withheld, spoke even more eloquently than her words.”

At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder. Based on a true story and told through the improbable romance of Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), “Killers of the Flower Moon” is an epic western crime saga, where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal. Also starring Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is directed by Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese from a screenplay by Eric Roth and Martin Scorsese, based on David Grann’s best-selling book.

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Killers of the Flower Moon” was produced alongside Imperative Entertainment, Sikelia Productions and Appian Way. Producers are Martin Scorsese, Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas and Daniel Lupi, with Leonardo DiCaprio, Rick Yorn, Adam Sommer, Marianne Bower, Lisa Frechette, John Atwood, Shea Kammer and Niels Juul serving as executive producers.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, Jillian Dion, William Belleau, Louis Cancelmi, Tatanka Means, Michael Abbot Jr., Pat Healy, Scott Shepard, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson

Writers: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese

Producers: Martin Scorsese, Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Daniel Lupi

Exec. Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio, Rick Yorn, Adam Somner, Marianne Bower, Lisa Frechette, John Atwood, Shea Kammer, Niels Juul

“Killers of the Flower Moon” is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #KillersOfTheFlowerMoon and tag paramountpicsph

**The interviews for this article were done before the writers and actors strikes.**

_{Photo and Video Credit: “Apple Original Films / Paramount Pictures International”}

October 10, 2023
GCash launches new ‘GCash Card’ powered by Visa

The Philippines’ leading finance super app, GCash, teams up with global payments leader Visa to introduce the new GCash Card – giving millions of unbanked Filipinos access to the benefits of owning a payment card.

“GCash is giving every Filipino, whoever or wherever they are, the benefits of owning a card, especially those with no bank accounts or documents typically required to apply for a card. These include Filipinos with informal sources of incomes like freelancers and independent professionals as well as micro and small enterprises,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of G-Xchange, the mobile wallet operator of GCash.

With the new GCash Card, more Filipinos, especially those busy with the daily hustle, can have access to another cashless payment option which they can use for their everyday expenses like groceries, restaurants, and transportation. The GCash Card can be used by customers to shop securely online on their favorite websites and apps. They can also use the card in physical retail stores simply by tapping or inserting the card in terminals.

“The new card powered by Visa unlocks more payment options for GCash users as they can use it at over 100 million merchants in the Philippines and across the world,” noted Reyes.

Any fully verified user can now order their own GCash Card powered by Visa through the app, without additional documents or approvals.

The launch of GCash Card’s aim is “Dahil Kaya All with the Card for All”, providing Filipinos with numerous benefits similar to those enjoyed by those with bank accounts, such as quick ATM withdrawals locally and abroad.

Powered by Visa’s global reach, the card can also be used for payments overseas in over 200 countries and territories, at over 100 million merchants. This gives traveling GCash Card users and overseas Filipinos another secure and convenient way of paying abroad – whether it be in restaurants, hotels, retail shops, convenience stores, ride-hailing apps and other transport services, as well as other merchants who accept Visa as payment.

Jeff Navarro, Visa’s Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam, said, “We are very happy to partner with GCash to provide the GCash Card to Filipinos, which paves the way to better financial inclusion. With the card’s contactless capability, it enables Filipino shoppers, especially those who don’t usually pay with cards, to shop conveniently and securely, joining millions around the world who have been tapping to shop, dine, and travel.”

Users who have availed of the GCash Card will also have access to GInsure, where they can get free insurance of up to Php20,000 coverage for unauthorized transactions for the first 30 days after activation. This also includes the Php185 price for card replacement in the event of accidental loss or damage to the card, as well as the shipping fee of up to Php225. To order, users can open their GCash app, go to ”View all”, and find the “Manage” section. Click on “Cards” and tap “Order a GCash Card”. To know more, visit GCash at https://www.gcash.com.

October 10, 2023
Trio’s paintings convey sense of nostalgic tranquility at ARTablado Robinsons Antipolo

As schoolchildren, we often sketched an idealized depiction of country life with square houses with thatched roofs surrounded by a rice field and several coconut trees. The sun was always shining or peeking behind perfectly placed mountains, and the family unit consisted of mom, dad and kids.

There’s a sense of that uncanny perfection in the oil paintings of three San Mateo-based artists featured in the ongoing ARTablado group exhibit at Robinsons Antipolo (upper ground floor, main mall).

Eliezer Dimaculangan, Gabz Mendiola and Joel Janer have been painting for years, participating in numerous group shows as well as having the spotlight trained on them in their respective solo shows.

Dimaculangan is a visual artist specializing in landscape paintings and is partial to a vibrant palette with a touch of the abstract. His paintings are a mix of the natural and the manmade—mountains, oceans and waterfalls, white doves and playful fish but also ancient stone archways, mossy stairs and glazed earthenware jugs.

Unlike Dimaculangan, Gabriel “Gabz” Mendiola prefers muted colors when he paints. A former ceramic artist and businessman, he returned to his first love, painting. Mendiola has since joined a number of group shows organized by the San Mateo Artists Guild where he got to meet art patrons and supporters.

His paintings share a distinct provincial vibe and often feature female protagonists: women washing clothes in a stream, and a couple of Madonna and Child paintings. Mendiola is open to experimenting as seen in the mother and child pieces where one pair is painted in a two-dimensional style while a second is more realistic and shows a young mother carrying a sleeping toddler who nuzzles serenely against her neck.

Joel Janer’s canvases are also light-filled and breezy but vastly different from his childhood spent in polluted and congested Metro Manila. His decision to focus on barrio life—a man astride a carabao with his wife and child walking a few meters ahead, rolling hills seen from a distance with texture provided by tiny bumps of paint—is perhaps a reaction to that upbringing.

Janer discovered his passion for the visual arts in a parish art workshop in Marikina, and has continued pursuing it to this day. His other pieces include vibrantly colored orchids on a wooden platter as well as a stylized vision of sword-shaped leaves.

“Visions of Sereni3: Dimaculangan x Janer x Mendiola” was curated “to convey a sense of nostalgic tranquility” with the three artists drawing inspiration from their own experiences and their reflections of their hometown. The exhibit will run until October 15. Established in 2020, Robinsons Land ARTablado, a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado” is Robinsons Land’s very own stage in showcasing the Filipino ingenuity and creativity. This platform allows emerging and established artists to freely express themselves through art and paves the way to greater recognition of their talent and hard work. To date, ARTablado has mounted numerous exhibitions and hosted over 400 artists.

October 10, 2023
Cinemalaya Calls For Entries For Its 2025 Edition

Fresh from its successful 19th edition, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival now calls for submissions for its 2025 full-length category. The deadline for submissions is on or before 6pm on November 17, 2023.

The country’s biggest independent film festival continues its pursuit of innovative and excellent filmmaking as it marks its 20th year of nurturing new independent filmmakers eager to make their mark in the film industry in 2025.

Those who are interested in submitting their entries may submit it ONLINE through https://forms.gle/UGr1ayAmASL2hSp98 or OFFLINE at the Film, Broadcast, and New Media Division office, located at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Annex Building, Vicente Sotto St., Pasay City.

For online submissions, interested parties must submit the following requirements: the concept paper of the project containing the premise(s) of the film, the genre, the tagline, the key characters, and their descriptions in Filipino or English; a two-page synopsis/storyline of the film project; resume of the proponent/s; two (2) recent photos of proponent/s; and a sample of the work directed by the proponent.

For offline submissions, participants should submit the duly accomplished 2025 Entry Form which can be downloaded from www.culturalcenter.gov.phor www.cinemalaya.org; concept paper; storyline, resume of the proponents and recent photos. Submit in six (6) copies in a long brown envelope properly labeled with the proponent’s name, title of film entry, and contact details. The sheets containing the concept paper must NOT bear the name of the proponent. Full scripts will not be accepted.

Interested participants may submit a maximum of three entries. However, only one entry per proponent may be considered as a finalist. Works already in principal photography or post-production phase before JULY 2024 are disqualified, except for documentaries.

Works that are attached to film and television productions, as well as those of local streaming platforms, are eligible for submission as long as said works are not commissioned projects but originated from the filmmaker as a proponent. Commissioned works from commercial platforms are disqualified for consideration.

By FEBRUARY 2, 2024 (Friday), the Cinemalaya Competition Committee shall select 30 promising submissions, whose proponents will be invited to a pitching session for their respective projects. The initial selection would be narrowed down to 20 entries, whose proponents will undergo the Cinemalaya Film Lab, a three-month-long film-laboratory mentorship program which brings together resource persons from different aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, performance, editing, production design, sound, music, production management, and promotion strategies.

Since 2005, Cinemalaya has been committed to the development and promotion of Philippine independent film. At its core, it provides an avenue for the production of cinematic works of Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity. With its call for submissions for the 2025 full-length film competition, Cinemalaya continues to invigorate the Philippine film industry by developing a new breed of Filipino filmmakers.

For full mechanics, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and the Cinemalaya website (www.cinemalaya.org). Follow the official CCP and Cinemalaya social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tiktok.

October 10, 2023
Canva Marks 10th Anniversary with Groundbreaking All-in-One AI Design Tool for All
Canva, the world’s only all-in-one visual communication platform, celebrates 10 years of innovation with the launch of Canva’s Magic Studio. Reinforcing Canva’s mission to democratize design, Magic Studio is the world’s most comprehensive AI-design platform empowering individuals, teams and organizations to boost their creativity, supercharge their productivity and scale their brands.

“A decade ago, Canva set out to empower the world to design by simplifying a complex and fragmented design ecosystem. As we go into the next decade of our journey, we’re incredibly excited to be taking a massive leap forward with the launch of Magic Studio – the first all-in-one suite of design AI tools created to supercharge the way teams create and scale visual content,” said Melanie Perkins, co-founder and CEO of Canva.

“With a focus on making complex things simple, Magic Studio has been built for the 99% of the world without complex design training. This launch marks the start of an exciting new chapter as we double down on empowering over 150 million individuals and thousands of businesses to unlock their creativity and achieve their goals.”

Magic Studio marks the latest in a series of major product milestones over the past 12 months, including the launch of Canva’s enterprise-focused Visual Suite in September 2022 and the rollout of new AI and marketer tools at Create this March. Fueled by the proliferation of visual communication at work, more than 65 million new users have started using Canva in the last year – a milestone that originally took the company eight years to achieve. Canva currently has 16 million paying subscribers and more than 150 million users worldwide. The company’s early set of AI-powered design products have been used more than 3 billion times.

Magic Studio

Magic Studio – The AI Design Platform for the Other 99%
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents an extraordinary opportunity for individuals and organizations to realize their innate creative potential. Despite an onslaught of new tools, AI-powered design remains geared towards design professionals and exists in a highly complex and fragmented market, limiting the incredible potential of this technology for the 99% of workers who need to create more content than ever without advanced design skills.

Magic Design

Magic Studio is a first-of-its-kind suite of AI tools built on proprietary models, in partnership with industry leaders, and through its rapidly growing app ecosystem. Magic Studio infuses the best of AI across every part of Canva as the first and only truly all-in-one and interoperable AI design offering on the market. When time is short and productivity cannot be compromised, Magic Studio can generate compelling content, fast-track first drafts, automate mundane tasks, design like an expert, massively accelerate the creation process, and much more.

Magic Edit

Starting today, Magic Studio offers the following and more:
- Magic Switch: An industry-first offering that instantly converts designs into a range of formats with one click. Turn a presentation into an executive summary or create a blog post from a whiteboard of ideas, plus, translate it into various languages in the process.
- Magic Media (text to image and text to video functionality): Turn text into engaging photos and, with its latest update, explore a wide range of new style options for any result. Or, create compelling videos from an image or text using Gen-2, a video generation AI model by Runway.
- Magic Design: Turn a prompt or your own media into captivating and fully designed videos, presentations and more. Speed up the creation process by simply entering your idea, selecting color schemes and watching complete designs come to life ready to be shared or further customized to your liking.
- Brand Voice: Canva’s Magic Write copywriting assistant has been supercharged with brand voice. It’s easier than ever to write in your brand’s tone of voice in any design or document. Simply add guidelines to your Brand Kit to generate on-brand content every time.
- Magic Morph: Turn your design from ordinary to extraordinary by instantly transforming words and shapes into new colors, textures, patterns and styles with a simple prompt.
- Magic Grab: A whole new way to reimagine your images. Magic Grab can select and separate any subject in your photo so that you can edit, reposition, or resize it.
- Magic Expand: Perfect photos after they’ve been taken. Magic Expand can save zoomed-in images or turn a vertical shot horizontal by recovering whatever’s outside the frame.
- AI Apps on Canva: The Canva Apps Marketplace puts the best AI-powered design and productivity tools on the market all in one place. Now with access to world-leading AI including Dall-E, Imagen by Google, MurfAI, Soundraw and more.
Canva Shield – Industry–Leading Security, Privacy, and Indemnification
In addition to Magic Studio, Canva also announced the launch of Canva Shield – an industry-leading and enterprise-grade collection of robust safety, privacy, and security controls designed to provide teams and organizations with peace of mind when creating content. Team administrators have full control over how Magic Studio products are enabled and used across the workplace and can toggle these features based on employee roles at any time.

Canva Shield is the latest in the company’s substantial and ongoing investment in trust and safety following the integration of powerful automated content moderation, prompt filtering, reporting functionalities and the launch of an industry-first debiasing model ensuring Magic Studio products produce safe and inclusive results. For enterprise customers, Canva Shield also includes indemnification, providing additional peace of mind for organizations creating content with AI.

A Leading Creator Compensation Program
In recognition of the importance of creators and designers, Canva also announced a $200 million commitment in content and AI royalties to be paid to the company’s creator community over the next three years. The Creator Compensation Program will pay Canva Creators who consent to having their content used to train the company’s proprietary AI models.

Underscoring its commitment to transparency, Canva will provide creators the choice to opt out of their data being used for training purposes. Creators who opt into training AI models on their existing content will receive an initial payment followed by monthly payment for continued use.

“The future of design will be determined by human creativity but will also be fueled by unprecedented levels of AI innovation,” said Danny Wu, Head of AI, Canva. “Creators are at the heart of our community, so we fully embrace our responsibility to ensure that we’re offering them AI-powered tools that are firmly grounded in transparency, as well as ethical and fair practices every step of the way.”

Fuelling Visual Communication in the Enterprise
As Canva enters its next decade, the company remains focused on democratizing design in the workplace. A year since the launch of Canva’s Visual Suite which introduced collaborative documents, websites, presentations, whiteboards, data visualization, and more – Canva is experiencing unprecedented workplace growth and adoption, adding more than 65 million new monthly active users in a year while nearly doubling paid subscribers to over 16 million.

More and more, professionals are expected to communicate visually at work. There are more than one million people now listing Canva as a core skill on their LinkedIn profile – a figure that’s surged 72% year-over-year as visual communication becomes the status quo. For this reason, Canva’s traction in the enterprise is growing rapidly with large companies like FedEx, Starbucks, Colgate-Palmolive, Zoom, Reddit, and others that rely on Canva as their visual communication tool of choice.

Canva’s all-in-one platform, now supercharged with more AI-powered design tools, is unlocking entirely new levels of creativity while empowering individuals, teams, and enterprises to create visual communication at scale like never before. To learn more about all of the functionality included within Canva’s Magic Studio, visit the Canva Newsroom here.
October 10, 2023
Acer’s Acerpure Revolutionizing Healthy Living with Advanced Technology

The tech titan, Acer, known for its innovation prowess, is bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology, health, and into the vast expanse of home essentials, launching Acerpure. A product line that promises not just cutting-edge technology, but also a pledge of healthier living spaces.

In a world where health and technology are intertwined, Acerpure is the perfect addition to any home. With Acerpure, Acer is not only selling products but also the promise of a healthier home and life.

“Acerpure’s mission is to provide technological innovations that can resolve various consumer concerns. We want to create an Acerpure home ecosystem for consumers to live with ease and comfort,” said Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines General Manager.

(L-R) Sue Ong-Lim, General Manager, Acer Philippines Manuel Wong, Managing Director, Acer Philippines Stanley Kao, President, Acerpure Carlo Rapisora, Brand Manager, Acerpure Philippines and Summer Chan, Associate Marketing Manager, Acerpure PAP

Acerpure products all feature Integrated Technology, ensuring all homes are dirt-free, the air is breathable, and the water is pure. Smart Integration showcases app capabilities for easy control and monitoring via smartphones and other devices. Acerpure products are also eco-friendly and engineered with the environment in mind for energy-efficient operations and minimal waste generation.

Breathe healthy, breathe pure with Acerpure’s Air Purifier Series

Acerpure Cozy

Acerpure Cozy projects air up to 15 meters away, completely circulating the air five times per hour to every corner of your home. Thanks to its 3D Airflow Technology, Acerpure Cozy has a greater range and more concentrated airflow than a standard fan for improved indoor air circulation. It has a 12 touch-activated speed setting and 90° up/down, 95° left/right oscillating direction adjustment for easy, accurate control. Acerpure Cozy also helps save energy by eliminating uncomfortable temperature differences within the home, working with existing heating and air conditioning to adjust room temperature.

Acerpure Cool

Acerpure Cool has a 4-in-1 HEPA filter that eliminates bacteria, allergens, and pollutants from your home to make the air healthier and fresher. This filter offers four-layer protection from unsafe air by removing pet hair and dander and 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, such as PM1.0 allergens, bacteria, formaldehyde, and odors.

Better cleaning starts here with Acerpure’s Clean Series

Acerpure Clean V1 lets you #CleanLikeAPro because it is quieter and more effortless to use than other products. It combines lightness, convenience, and power in one gadget to clean every nook and cranny of your home. Acerpure Clean V1 is slim but powerful with a 1.5kg ultralight and cordless body, visual battery life with a running time of 60 minutes on a full charge, different modes for different cleaning usages, an electric power brush with hair-free technology, and four built-in LED lights.

Acerpure Clean V1 lite is super lightweight at 550g with 13000Pa suction pressure power and a maximum of 15 minutes of cleaning time. It has a 2-in-1 usage, one button switch, a DC motor, and a USB type-C charger.

As part of Acerpure’s launch in the Philippines, international superstar Sandara Park joins Acerpure as its brand ambassador, perfectly representing its wholesome and clean qualities. SB19 and Team Payaman are also launching a web series for fans to enjoy.

“We are also very excited to launch the Mahangin Challenge featuring SB19 and Team Payaman, who will put Acerpure products to the test,” said Princess Laosantos, Acer Philippines Senior Marketing Manager.

For more details about Acerpure products and the Mahangin Challenge, visit Acerpure’s official Facebook page (@AcerpurePH) or the official website, www.acer.com.

October 10, 2023
Disney+ APAC Originals Scoop 8 Major Awards at Busan International Film Festival

Disney+ APAC Originals, has made a resounding splash, bagging an impressive eight awards at the prestigious 2023 Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards. Held within the grand canvas of the Busan International Film Festival, these accolades shine a spotlight on the remarkable TV, OTT, and online content from across Asia.

“Moving”: An Unstoppable Force

The sensational hit series “Moving” galvanized its position at the pinnacle of content creation, sweeping a staggering six awards. Among its treasures are the illustrious Best Creative Award – a testament to its unparalleled ingenuity and a nod to the standout content among its peers. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The artistry behind “Moving” got a hearty nod with Kangfull taking the Best Writer accolade, while the mesmerizing trio of Ryu Seungryong, Lee Jungha, and Go Younjung triumphed as Best Lead Actor, Best Newcomer Actor, and Best Newcomer Actress respectively. One might say, it was a moving performance indeed!

from top left “Moving” stars Ryu Seungryong (Best Lead Actor), Lee Jungha (Best Newcomer Actor), Go Younjung (Best Newcomer Actress)

“Gannibal”: A Bite of Excellence

Proving that success isn’t just confined to Korea, “Gannibal,” the Japanese gem, didn’t miss a beat. Yuya Yagira, the luminary behind the series, clinched the Asian Excellence Award. His riveting performance, one might argue, was the cherry on top of the show’s triumphs.

1009 Busan International Film Festival “Gannibal” star Yuya Yagira (Asian Excellence Award)

“Taiwan Crime Stories”: Crime Pays Off

Taiwan wasn’t left behind in this festival of victories. “Taiwan Crime Stories” received its due recognition as Hsueh Shih-Ling bagged the Best Supporting Actor title. A well-deserved win for a compelling act!

Held at the Busan International Film Festival, the Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards celebrate the achievements of excellent content made for TV, OTT, and online platforms across Asia.

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

Ever since its premiere on August 9, 2023, “Moving” has been on a roller-coaster of record-breaking achievements. From becoming the most viewed series finale on Disney+ across APAC regions like Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan, to stamping its mark as the top-viewed Korean original series on Disney+, its journey has been nothing short of spectacular. The superpower genre was rejuvenated and redefined, thanks to this magnum opus’ daring narratives and jaw-dropping sequences.

Similarly, “Gannibal,” an ode to Japanese storytelling, too, basked in glory. It not only broke viewership records in Japan*** but also whetted the audience’s appetite, leading to an eager anticipation for its second season.

Disney+ APAC Originals: The Entertainment Trove

All of these award-winning series as well as an incredible library of endless entertainment are available to watch today exclusively on Disney+. See below for a complete list of awards won by Disney+ at the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards:

Moving:
Best Creative
Best Writer – Kangfull
Best Lead Actor – Ryu Seungryong
Best Newcomer Actor – Lee Jungha
Best Newcomer Actress – Go Younjung
Best Visual Effects

Gannibal:
Asian Excellence Award – Yuya Yagira

Taiwan Crime Stories:
Best Supporting Actor – Hsueh Shih-Ling

This cinematic fest at Busan was a testament to Disney+ APAC Originals’ mettle, vision, and craftsmanship. As the stars descended, the narratives ascended, creating a mosaic of stories that will linger long after. So, what’s stopping you from diving into this ocean of tales? The magic awaits, exclusively on Disney+.

October 9, 2023