Category: Tech

Globe & Its Partners Mobilize Collective Support for Hunger Alleviation and Holistic Assistance

Every day, millions of Filipinos go to sleep on an empty stomach.

In the Philippines, an estimated 2.5 million people reported experiencing involuntary hunger as of the third quarter of 2021.^[1] Many lost their livelihood due to the pandemic and were challenged with making ends meet daily.

With these challenges, immediate and collective action is an imperative. In this regard, Globe, through its Globe of Good program, aims to provide a platform that can bridge multi-sectoral stakeholders and encourage collective action towards achieving sustainable and inclusive development for communities by leveraging the power of technology.

In partnership with the Ayala Foundation, Caritas Philippines, and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, the Globe of Good program intends to provide a holistic intervention focusing on hunger alleviation and livelihood opportunities to benefit vulnerable families. Through these partnerships, Globe also promotes employee and customer engagement by conducting fundraising activities to encourage them to contribute to these initiatives.

The digital solutions group intends to strengthen its ecosystem of partners to drive social impact and allow its multi-sectoral partners to connect with and provide holistic programs to disadvantaged communities through the power of technology. The program empowers stakeholders through digital volunteerism, value chain integration for smallholder farmers, sustainable livelihood initiatives, and employment opportunities.

“We aspire for Globe of Good to be a platform that will allow people to use digital tools to create social impact. We want to extend everyday acts of kindness to those in need, so that we can create wonderful and uplifting experiences for all Filipinos,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP Group Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer at Globe.

Programs under Globe of Good include family feeding activities, skills training for micro-entrepreneurship and vocational courses, access to microfinancing for start-up businesses, and employment opportunities for skilled workers.

The Ayala Foundation currently implements the #BrigadangAyala Kaakay Program to support families of those who lost their jobs in Metro Manila during the pandemic starting with a 12-week supplemental feeding initiative. Likewise, Caritas Philippines has the Alay Kapwa Legacy Program to provide livelihood through Self-Help Groups for low-income communities in Visayas and Mindanao, in partnership with local dioceses.

Meanwhile, under its #TzuChiSeeds Program, Tzu Chi Philippines has organized the Davao del Norte Banana Planting Livelihood and the Zamboanga Youth Education to Employment projects. These are designed to strengthen and empower the capacities of affected individuals, families, and communities to become self-sufficient through education, livelihood creation and humanitarian assistance.

“As a technology partner, Globe brings together its ecosystem to push forward collective action. There is an urgent need for all of us to work together to ensure sustainable and inclusive recovery from the pandemic. For every Juan that we help and capacitate, there is a multiplier effect on his family, community, and the nation,” said Crisanto.

Globe encourages every Filipino who can help to be part of the ecosystem of impact.

In the spirit of bayanihan, customers can use their Globe Rewards points that are about to expire on March 31 to donate to the Globe of Good. For as low as 1 point, customers can help families put food on the table and contribute to sustainable community programs.

Customers can go to the Rewards section of the New GlobeOne app, click the “DONATE” icon, choose Globe of Good and the corresponding denomination you want to donate, and press “REDEEM.” A confirmation message will be sent by 4438 upon successful donation.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, highlighting the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. It is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

To know more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

^[1] Third Quarter 2021 Social Weather Stations Survey

March 25, 2022
Develop Your Kids’ Talents at Power Mac Center’s Summer Art Camp
If you constantly find your kid drawing in a corner or creating visual designs on their iPad, you know it’s time to take it to the next level. Premier Apple partner Power Mac Center (PMC) is opening this year’s summer art camp to welcome kids to a whole world of digital wilderness where they can develop their talent and pursue what they like through Apple technology.

From April 19 to August 30, 2022, PMC’s official training arm – PMC Business Systems, Inc. (PBSI) – will be offering “Design Trail for Kids” with six special courses covering comics creation, 2D animation, game design using various software, and building trendy filters and 3D effects. Sessions will be conducted online for kids aged 7 to 15 years old.

“Children have an active imagination, and it’s important to provide them creative outlets while also prioritizing their safety and well-being amid the pandemic. This summer, Power Mac Center goes all out in creating opportunities for kids to explore ideas and enhance their digital creative and coding skills. Should they decide to pursue graphic design, visual communication, or even coding in the future, parents are assured they have a good foundation,” said Maleng Raysag, Training Head, PMC Business Systems Inc.

Let your kids design the future with their imagination today! The available courses are as follows:
1. The Art of Comics (7 to 10 years old)
Showcase your child’s ideas. Let them create their own comics with doodles, basic lines, shapes, and colors. This course will teach your kids how to maximize their iPad for art.
1. 2D Animation using iPad (7 to 10 years old)
Improve your child’s visual communication and digital drawing skills. With this course, your kids will surely learn how to turn their ideas into a motion picture.
1. Roblox Game Design (8 to 12 years old)
Let your child build and publish their own Roblox game through the Roblox Studio.
1. Web Game Creation using Scratch (8 to 12 years old)
Develop your child’s logical thinking skills through coding. This course will also teach your kids how to create interactive games using Scratch—the world’s largest programming language and online community.
1. 2D Game Design with Stencyl (12 to 15 years old)
Allow your kids to dive deeper into 2D game development and coding. This course will also teach your kids how to create computer games with HTML5 and build games for iOS and Android using the Stencyl software.
1. Building AR Face Filters and 3D effects (12 to 15 years old)
Let your kids experience an interesting way of combining the real world with technology and art. This course will also teach young minds how to create customized social media face filters and 3D Portal.

Each online session lasts for 1.5 hours, conducted over four days (Tuesday-Friday). Classes can be availed at PHP 2,500 per student per course, which can be paid via Power Mac Center’s Web Store. Limited slots are available to maintain instruction efficiency, and reservation is on a first come, first served basis.

PBSI offers a wide range of creative and technical courses conducted by Apple Certified Trainers to help groups and individuals leverage Apple technology for productivity and skills enhancement. For inquiries, contact PBSI at (632) 8553 6399 and +63 908 885 6277.
March 25, 2022
Inspiring Filipina content creators share how they break the bias online and beyond on Women’s Month

As a concluding celebration for Women’s Month, YouTube will be holding a virtual gathering of inspiring Filipina content creators to celebrate their stories of breaking the bias online and beyond. The free public event will be streamed live on March 30, 2022, 8:00 PM via Google’s YouTube and Facebook pages, hosted by artist and television host Nikki Gil-Albert.

Explaining the wisdom behind the event’s local theme #AskHerFirst, Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario shares: “We believe that in order for us #BreakTheBias, one of the steps we have to take is to #AskHerFirst. Through this, we emphasize the value of asking women first–as a sign of respect and acknowledgment and to stop assumptions and preconceived notions. The simple habit of asking, rather than assuming, can lead more women to realizing their full potential and succeeding in what they choose to do.”

Staying true to its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, YouTube gathers a range of Filipina content creators from across walks of life who will tackle the different struggles women experience because of gender-based biases. They will also share how the recognition of women’s abilities and capabilities can help them succeed and make a difference in the community.

Joining the discussion are Maranao-Muslim digital creator and filmmaker Egypa Balindong; beauty vlogger and body positivity champion Helen On Fleek; entrepreneur, mentor, and PWD advocate Jozelle Tech; and work-from-home businesswoman and momfluencer Rookie Mommy PH.

Catch “Breaking the bias online and beyond” on March 30, 2022, 8:00 PM via Google’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Join the conversation by using the hashtags #AskHerFirst #BreakTheBias.

March 25, 2022
10 Detective Games on PC & Consoles That Will Test Your Sleuthing Skills

One of the tools that could make a story engaging and unforgettable is a good mystery entwined with surprising plot twists. This is why the mystery genre continues to thrive, because we can’t deny that ecstatic feeling of joining a detective in solving a compelling case, being presented with clues, and getting that “Aha!” moment once the truth comes to light.

Of course, this applies mostly to shows, films, and books. Meanwhile, video games could make the feeling even more enjoyable because it really puts you in the shoes of the character and it’s really up to you if you could solve the mystery! If you want to play such games where you get to solve cases, here are some titles you better check out!

LA Noire

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

From Rockstar Games, the creator of the Grand Theft Auto series, comes this crime thriller with breathtaking action on top of its interactive detective story. Set during Hollywood’s post-war Golden Age, LA Noire makes you assume the role of LAPD detective Cole Phelps, solve a string of arson attacks, brutal murders, conspiracies, and a secret that could shake the corrupted city at its core.

The Wolf Among Us

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Android, and iOS

TellTale Games’ The Wolf Among Us is a graphic mystery adventure set in Fabletown, where fairy tales and the real world converge. You play as Bigby Wolf, formerly known as the Big Bad Wolf, who is tasked to keep his fellow Fables– magical creatures disguised as humans–in check. When the unstable peace in Fabletown is further disturbed by a murder, Bigby must find out the truth before it’s too late. Like TellTale’s other titles such as The Walking Dead series, this game is packed with choices that will affect how your story progresses.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS

The first Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney game was released in 2001 for the Game Boy Advance and has become available on multiple platforms since its HD remake. In this trilogy, you set off as the rookie attorney Phoenix Wright who must defend your clients from all sorts of accusations. As Wright, you must investigate the crime scenes, gather evidence, and take them to court where you’ll have to bring out the truth from the witnesses by pointing out contradictions in their testimonies and presenting proof of their lies. Despite the court setting, the game is lighthearted with really entertaining dialogues and stories.

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles

Available on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles serves as a prequel to the original franchise, where players will follow the story of Wright’s ancestor Ryunosuke Naruhodo. The gameplay formula also follows the main series, but what makes this duology refreshing is that it is set in Victorian-era Japan and Britain. Joining the rookie attorney Ryunosuke in his mission to uphold justice are an ensemble of colorful characters including the English consulting detective Herlock Sholmes.

Disco Elysium

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch

This detective RPG title is designed like an open-world game that gives you a lot of choices and paths to follow. In fact, in this game, you could end up as an honorable detective or take bribes and get rich. Shape your character with 24 wildly different skills, a wide selection of tools, psychoactive substances, and more! Aside from a massive murder case, you can also navigate Disco Elysium’s world and solve side-cases during breaks.

Return of the Obra Dinn

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

This first-person mystery game offers unique visuals with its minimalist pixel graphics. In 1802, the merchant ship went missing at sea. Five years later, it appears at Falmouth with damaged sails and no visible crew. As an insurance investigator, your mission is to travel to Falmouth, find a way into the ship, and assess the damages. Of course, you might as well discover what really happened to the ship after all these years.

Discworld Noir

Discworld Noir has been around since 1999 and it remains worthy of a playthrough for players dedicated to the genre, that is if they’re able to secure a copy. Based on Terry Pratchett’s satirical Discworld universe in the comics, this game follows Discworld’s only private investigator as a mysterious murder drags him into a sinister plot involving the deadly occult in the city.

Photo: Steam Games website

Frog Detective 2: The Case of the Invisible Wizard

Available on PC

Here’s a whimsical detective game with an estimated 1-hour playthrough for your quick sleuthing satisfaction. Play as the Frog Detective in this sequel where you must find out ‘whodunnit’ when the town’s welcoming celebration for a mysterious invisible wizard ends tragically.

Gemini Rue

Available on PC and iOS

Gemini Rue tells the sci-fi story of two characters whose fates are meant to converge and affect the whole galaxy. Azriel Odin is a former assassin who arrives on the rain-drenched planet of Barracus and must seek the help of the criminals he used to work for. Meanwhile, from across the galaxy, a man called Delta-Six wakes up on a hospital bed with no memory. The two would soon discover a world where life is cheap and identities are bought and sold like consumable products.

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

The detective genre may not be as impressive as it is without Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. While the character has been into many video games, one of the recent titles that players would appreciate is Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments. Become the consulting detective and solve six compelling cases involving murders, missing persons, spectacular thefts, and more!

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Looking for more video games to play? Check out our latest video game lists. Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

March 25, 2022
Xiaomi 12 & Xiaomi 12 Pro Launches Here in PH

Xiaomi today announced the launch of the all-new flagship Xiaomi 12 Series for the Philippine market – the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12.

Designed to empower users around the world with a cutting-edge videography studio and entertainment powerhouse, Xiaomi 12 Series delivers impressive advancements in Xiaomi’s AI algorithm, flagship processing power, and an all-round elevated experience.

Market Availability

Xiaomi 12 Pro 12+256GB will retail at PHP 48,999 and Xiaomi 12 8+256GB will available for PHP 39,999 as early as March 24.

Those who pre-order in Xiaomi’s official online and authorized retail stores from March 24 to April 1 can also score amazing deals. Xiaomi 12 Pro 12+256GB buyers will be getting a free Mi TV P1 43” while those who purchase a Xiaomi 12 8+256GB will receive a free Mi TV P1 32”. Freebies are subject to stock availability.

Also launched with the Xiaomi 12 Series are the new Xiaomi Watch S1 and Xiaomi Watch S1 Active, Xiaomi Buds 3 and 3T Pro, and the Xiaomi Handheld Vacuum G11, which will come with their own deals and freebies from March 24 to 25 on Shopee and March 27 to 28 on Lazada.

The Xiaomi Watch S1 will be available at an early bird price of PHP 9,999 from its SRP of PHP 10,999 and will come with a free Mi Body Composition Scale 2 worth PHP 1,499 while you can get the Xiaomi Watch S1 Active at a discounted price of PHP 7,499 and will come with a free Xiaomi Sports Fanny Pack.

The Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro will be selling for only PHP 5,999 from its original price of PHP 6,999, while the Xiaomi Buds 3 will also be available for a discounted price from PHP 4,999 to PHP 3,999. Both will also come with a free Xiaomi Sports Fanny Pack.

Lastly, the Xiaomi Handheld Vacuum G11 will also be on sale for only PHP 15,999 from its SRP of PHP 17,999.

Capture cinematic shots at any time

Xiaomi 12 Series enables users to record studio-quality shots no matter the scenario, be it challenging lighting conditions or moving objects. Both phones boast a pro-grade triple camera array for versatile shooting, starring a massive 50MP main wide angle camera, with 8K recording capabilities on both Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12.

Xiaomi 12 Pro stands out with its state-of-the-art triple 50MP array, which features a cutting-edge Sony IMX707 ultra-large main sensor. This sensor is capable of catching large amounts of light and empowers advanced imaging capabilities with faster focus speeds and increased color accuracy. Xiaomi 12 features a 13MP ultra-wide angle camera, along with a 5MP telemacro camera, for filming life from different perspectives.

Beyond impressive hardware, Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also advance Xiaomi’s proprietary AI algorithms. These innovations make it easier than ever for users to record every moment the way they want to, even in low-light or moving subjects. Xiaomi ProFocus intelligently identifies and tracks objects, preventing blurring or out-of-focus shots of moving or veiled subjects. These advancements also include eye and face auto focus capabilities. Ultra Night Video uses Xiaomi’s proprietary algorithms to record video even under extreme low-light, meaning moody, atmospheric shots are clearer than ever.

Available on both devices, One-click AI Cinema offers numerous creative options for show-stopping video editing, such as Parallel World, Freeze Frame Video, and Magic Zoom modes.

Flagship processing, unprecedented performance and power-efficiency

Flagship experience requires flagship performance. Xiaomi 12 Series features advanced Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM mobile platforms. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 boast a Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor – Qualcomm’s most advanced mobile platform. Built on a 4nm process, this processor also boosts GPU graphic rendering capabilities by 30% and energy efficiency by 25% when compared to the previous generation1. Both devices come with UFS 3.1 exceptional loading and data transfer speeds, along with LPDDR5 RAM for memory speeds up to 6,400Mbps.

For optimal product experience, Xiaomi 12 Series packs high-performing cooling systems, bolstered by a super-large vapor chamber and multiple layers of graphite to offer a leading-cooling capability.

All-around elevated entertainment experiences

Xiaomi 12 Series not only lets users capture every moment in exquisite detail, but also allows them to relive those moments in astonishing detail via an exceptional entertainment experience.

All devices offer vivid viewing on an AMOLED Dot Display rated A+ by DisplayMate, and with TrueColor support. For added peace of mind, the display features scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®, and supports Dolby Vision®, industry’s leading imaging technology that brings your content to life with vibrant color and details. Xiaomi 12 Series also supports HDR 10+. Xiaomi 12 Pro is SGS Eye Care Display Certified, showing care for users’ long-term visual health during marathon sessions.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12 Pro redefines flagship display with incredibly smooth viewing, scrolling, swiping, and sliding. The device’s highly power-efficient 6.73-inch WQHD+ display leverages AdaptiveSync Pro to intelligently adjust dynamic LTPO display between 1Hz and 120Hz based on content.

Xiaomi 12 delivers Xiaomi’s most colorful smartphone display to date, with more than 68 billion colors on 6.28-inch full-HD+ displays. Both feature 120Hz AdaptiveSync, for an impressively high-definition, vibrant, and flicker-free display that conveys every detail.

No cinematic experience is truly complete without pro-grade audio. Xiaomi 12 Series features SOUND BY Harmon Kardon, and creates an immersive audio experience powered by Dolby Atmos®, delivering spatial sound with rich detail, clarity, and realism across all your favorite entertainment. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s quad speakers – in the form of two tweeters and two woofers – deliver clear details and cover an astounding range of sound, while Xiaomi 12 delivers balanced stereo sound ideal for immersive gaming or video.

To optimize core user experience further, Xiaomi 12 Series incorporates MIUI 13, released globally earlier this year. The update includes faster storage, higher background process efficiency, smarter processing, and longer battery life. New features in the upgraded experience include Xiaomi’s proprietary Liquid Storage, Atomized Memory, Focused Algorithms, and Smart Balance.

Next-generation charging

To ensure Xiaomi 12 Series delivers pro-grade cinematic and entertainment experiences all day, the devices deliver next-level charging speed and safety.

Xiaomi 12 Pro features the incredibly fast 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge. With a 4,600mAh battery fully charged in just 18 minutes using Boost mode, Xiaomi 12 Pro delivers next-generation charging capabilities that keep up with user demands2.

Xiaomi 12 fits 4,500mAh batteries into compact body designs. Both devices support 67W wired turbo charging for speedy power-up. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also support 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse charging.

Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 both leverage Xiaomi AdaptiveCharge, a smart charging algorithm that learns and adapts to charging habits, which prolongs battery life.

Flagship capabilities packaged in an iconic design

These portable pocket-sized studios fit comfortably in the palm of your hand thanks to Xiaomi 12 Series’ iconic and user-centered design. Slimmer high-capacity batteries and a narrower ridge gap save precious space within the device. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 6.73-inch display is encased in a sleek middle frame with sophisticated 3D curves. Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12’s 6.28-inch display measures just 69.9mm in width and is accented by smooth curves for a perfect fit3. Both devices are available in Gray, Purple, and Blue.

March 24, 2022
Pick.A.Roo has Over 600,000 Users in the Metro and They are Just Getting Started

With more than 200,000 items on the app, all kinds of essentials are conveniently available, such as groceries, PICK.A.ROO is more than just a food and grocery app. It is an all-in-one lifestyle delivery app with over 1,300 trusted brands spanning groceries, restaurants, and specialty stores. With more than 200,000 items on the app, all kinds of essentials are conveniently available, such as groceries, food, medicine, office supplies, gadgets, home and kitchen needs, hardware, self-care, and mommy and baby essentials. Pick.A.Roo continues to provide top-quality delivery service and grew 400% in 2021, and continues to grow even the post-Christmas, after lockdowns and covid spikes.

With things now slowly adjusting into facets of life before the outbreak, new challenges are now on the horizon, such as the rising price of fuel, face-to-face work in the office, long and hassle commutes, things are indeed getting back to “normal .”In spite of all these, Pick.A.Roo remains steadfast in providing a service that makes everyday life simpler.

Together with Kevin Tan, CEO and Co-founder Crystal Gonzalez created PICK.A.ROO and quotes, “PICKAROO is “the must-have app” as we all transition to hybrid work and post-pandemic/ endemic-life. Download the app and save time, money, and a lot of energy. PICKAROO is an all-in-one delivery app where you can get groceries, food, medicines, toys and baby needs, pet care, gadgets, hardware, and home and kitchen all delivered in an hour. Our app is so easy to use we tested it from ages 5 to 85! So simple, you just search or click on the items photos and add to cart from different stores and check out in one go.

We are also excited about our new feature as we are the first in the country to make mall- shopping easier with the “Shop by mall ” feature where you can easily shop from your favorite malls and restaurants and get everything delivered together and save on delivery fees.

We want all our users to make better use of their time- be able to relax, spend time with their loved ones while we take care of the rest. With one click, we can do all their grocery shopping and hopping (S&R, Landmark, and The Marketplace, All Day, Shopwise, Farmer’s Market, and more..) and for days where they don’t feel like cooking, or they got home late, we have all the top brands and favorite restaurants in town. Moms can also have more time as we deliver everything from toys, activities and school, office supplies, home and kitchen, and all basic appliances. Dads also love us for our gadgets and hardware stores. They can easily get everything from a new Macbook or iPad, SD card, power bank, or basic tools they need.

Everyone is excited to start living again and slowly go back to their normal lives, and Pickaroo is here to make everything much easier.”

Pick.A.Roo is constantly updated with features to make the online shopping experience thoughtful, fun, and convenient. We simplify your life with great deals updated on the app so that you can enjoy more.

Save gas, save time and save money with PICK.A.ROO.

You can download PICK.A.ROO on Play Store / Google Play (for Android) and App Store (for iOS): www.pickaroo.com/download.

For more information on PICK.A.ROO and our brand partners, visit www.pickaroo.com.

March 24, 2022
8 Video Games That Will Question Your Morality

Many of us grew up playing video games with the simplest storylines– the good guy must defeat the bad guy, like Super Mario saving Princess Peach from the evil Bowser or Link fighting against the destructive Ganon. But as time passed by, these iconic franchises and more video games have delivered intricate stories and concepts deviating from this formula. Some of these games have even further blurred the line between good and evil, forcing players to make the hard decisions that somehow, question their morality.

If you like playing this kind of games, we’ve got a list for you! Here are some video games that will pit you against hard choices, most of which will ultimately affect the outcome of your game’s story!

The Walking Dead Series

Available on PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead series is as gripping as the TV show. While it is set during a zombie apocalypse, the selling point of the game is also its interesting story which you affect with your character’s choices. You play Lee Everett, a convicted criminal who is being taken to prison when the zombie outbreak happened. During the confusion Lee gets to escape and stumbles upon a young girl named Clementine. Lee then makes it his mission to help Clementine survive in this world plagued by the undead, but doing so will force him to make dangerous choices.

Life is Strange Series

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Life is Strange also delivers narrative adventures, this time with a supernatural spin. Each game follows individuals with superhuman abilities, but with very human and grounded stories that are also shaped by the player’s decisions. The first game follows Max and Chloe as they rewind time to determine the future of Arcadia Bay; the second game focuses on two brothers’ journey to seek safety in their father’s hometown; and the thrid game revolves around Alex Chen who must use her powers to find out the truth behind her brother’s death.

Papers, Please

Available on PC, iOS, and PS Vita

Papers, Please is an indie video game with simple but eye-catching pixel graphics, and unique gameplay that will touch your empathy, emotions, and principles. The communist state of Arstotzka has just ended a 6-year war with its neighbor state and reclaimed its rightful half of the border town, Grestin. Your job as an immigration inspector is to control the flow of immigrants entering the country, and filter out suspicious individuals who could be smugglers, spies, and terrorists. The concept may sound simple enough but its reflection of poor citizens and a corrupt government will definitely manipulate your decisions, even if you just want to do the right thing within the game.

Undertale

Available on PC, PlayStation, PS Vita, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Despite its retro look and simple mechanics, Undertale rose in popularity thanks to its innovative concept for a game. The game takes you to the Underworld where you must face and defeat various kinds of monsters. What makes this title different is that the player can choose to converse with the enemies instead of killing them. This adds more depth to the game and you get to know more about your foes, reminding you that there is another way than just violence.

The Last of Us Series

Available on the PlayStation

Much like The Walking Dead, this popular video game franchise follows a man and a young girl as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world. Set in the United States where a fungus has turned human hosts into hostile creatures, The Last of Us tells the story of the smuggler Joel who is tasked to escort a girl named Ellie across the ruins of the country. While the game has a linear story with no alternate outcomes, there are moments in the game that will still make you wonder if what your character does is right or wrong, considering that you’ve been thrown into a world where your chances of survival are slim.

Bioshock

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

Bioshock is a popular first-person shooter game that has an interesting story concept imbued in its rich, biopunk world. The game tells the story of Jack, the sole survivor of a plane crash in the middle of Atlantic ocean. Here, he discovers an underwater world called Rapture, left in ruins after a civil war. As you play the role of Jack, you are faced with a huge moral decision involving the Little Sisters–genetically altered young girls who you might perceive as threats or mere victims in this game’s twisted world. Why this has a great bearing on the game is up to you to find out!

Fallout 4

PC, PlayStation, and Xbox

There are plenty of moral choices in each game from the Fallout franchise, but for this list, the fourth title takes the cake as it spotlights the Synths– machines embedded with human DNA. While the Institute, the creator of Synths, thinks that the creatures must only be used as tools, you as a player must wrestle with the moral dilemma of sharing that perspective or seeing the Synths as equal to humans.

The Outer Worlds

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch

This vibrant game, much like the Fallout franchise, is a first-person shooter with a captivating story that gives the players the ability to make choices. While The Outer Worlds mixes funny decisions to keep the atmosphere light at certain parts of the game, it does not shy away from tackling themes about greed and other social class issues, and it drags the player into these issues by putting them into fictional but grounded circumstances and letting them choose if they will play hero or choose the easier path of greed.

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Looking for more video games to play? Check out our latest video game lists. Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

March 18, 2022
Huawei Launches the nova 9 SE with 108MP Camera & Handy Vlogging Features

Huawei Philippines officially debuted the HUAWEI nova 9 SE — the latest smartphone in the nova line, designed for young creatives. Through an exclusive launch event at Shangri-La the Fort, themed “Super nova, Super camera,” Huawei aimed to spark creativity and celebrate authenticity in limitless experience. Graced by the presence of all-time Huawei users Julia Barretto, Kylie Verzosa, and Bella Racelis, this star-studded launch event also came to life through a series of experience hubs, designed to evoke the feeling of an outer-space journey, and epic visual demonstrations of technological talent.

Introducing the nova 9 SE

Huawei’s new nova 9 SE is equipped with the most advanced and most powerful capabilities that can help enable the young generation of today to indulge in their interests and passions, regardless of who they are. This new Huawei nova innovation changes the game and lets any aspiring content creator get their foot in the door, and takes things onto even greater heights. With the following key features, anyone can be sure this product is the best photography and vlogging tool for young and fresh content creators:

Super Camera & Super Vlog Experience

With the Huawei nova 9 SE’s 108MP AI quad-camera system compromising the main 108MP camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP Bokeh lens, and a macro lens, moments can be captured in crystal-clear detail. Designed for any situation, this new nova’s super camera produces crisp footage in exciting high-resolution images, lossless even when they are zoomed 3x. As the action picks up, users benefit from smooth transitions at a touch with the new nova’s Continuous Front/Rear Recording capabilities. There’s also the Dual-View Video capability that lets you vlog like never before. Vlog like never before with Dual-View Video, that enables recording for both front and rear footage at the same time, stitch them together. No need to worry now about missing life’s greatest moments with these powerful nova camera capabilities.

Super Charge

With a massive 4,000mAh battery and 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology support, the new nova smartphone is a dependable companion throughout the unpredictable twists and turns of your day. It only takes 15 minutes to charge the new smartphone to 60% capacity, up to about half an hour for 100%.

Super Display

The phone stands at 6.78in and measures 7.94mm, perfect for easy viewing yet also comfortably slipping into your pocket. The display also features ultra-narrow bezels; 1.1mm at the top, 1.05mm on the sides. With an otherworldly supernova-inspired design, the phone comes in three breathtaking skyscape colorways: Crystal Blue, Pearl White, and Midnight Black. The star orbit ring camera additionally refracts light like starlight, in line with the thematic concept behind the nova line.

Super Device

Powered by the EMUI 12, the nova 9 SE seamlessly integrates with other Huawei devices at the swipe of a finger. With a complete Huawei inventory, the sky is the limit. Buying the nova 9 SE is worth it on its own, but Huawei goes above and beyond by making sure every Huawei purchase exponentializes the whole against the sum of its parts.

The nova line, a tribute to the youth

The Huawei Country Head, Peter Peng, made a charmingly earnest speech to ultimately make the point that the nova 9 SE is a product for the youth. The Huawei engineers and designers behind the nova line have always taken inspiration from the evolving hopes and dreams of the youth, who are the most invested in protecting and improving our future — and the nova line has grown in ways they could never have imagined by themselves. The nova 9 SE is a celebration of that boundless passion and creativity that fuel the current young generation right now, packaged with technologies that would best enable them to engage in conversations and offer ideas online. “Here at Huawei, with the nova 9 SE,” Peng proudly exclaimed, “we democratize creativity so anyone can express themselves. The nova 9 SE is our gift to the youth.”

With Julia Barretto, Kylie Verzosa and Bella Racelis, the Huawei team showed their appreciation to everyone who came by raffling off several favorite Huawei products to the guests. Chiefly coveted overall were, of course, the nova 9 SE units gifted to the luckiest ones, who received the units with joy.

The whole event was live-streamed on all of Huawei Philippines’ social media pages, viewed by scores of aspiring content creators, tech wunderkinds, and loyal fans eager to be some of the first to get nova 9 SE’s as well. Truly, it was a night to be remembered for a very long time.

Pre-order the new HUAWEI nova 9 SE for PHP13,999 from March 18 to March 24, 2022 and get freebies such as the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i and HUAWEI Cloud worth PHP4,745. Get it from the Huawei Online Store, or at the Huawei Flagship Stores on Lazada, and Shopee.

Visit Huawei Philippines’ official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to stay updated on the latest promos and devices.

March 17, 2022
Acer Comes Out on Top of PC Sales for 2021

For the 13th consecutive year, Acer led the PC (desktop, notebook, and workstation) market in the Philippines in 2021 with a 27% market share on the strength of stay-at-home demand for devices to be used for education and work, said IDC.

Acer has led the notebook category in the Philippines for 16 consecutive years, with a record-high 33% market share in 2021. It had a 30% market share in consumer notebooks and a 34% market share in gaming notebooks.

In the consumer branded desktop category, Acer had a 31% market share in 2021 as it dominated the consumer all-in-one desktop category with a 52% market share. In the monitors category, it had a 22% market share for 2021.

In terms of PCs shipped by the end of 2021, Acer Philippines sold 561,000 units last year from 394,000 in 2020 and 347,000 in 2019. This strong performance was driven by online learning as Filipinos turned to Acer, the tech giant known for its strong position in the education sector. Other factors that drove growth were the increased need for devices as more Filipinos worked from home and Acer’s multiple product offerings across all market segments and the brand’s value for money proposition.

Some 1.72 million PCs from different brands were sold in the Philippines in 2021 from 1.35 million in 2020 and 1.34 million in 2019, said IDC. Globally, PCs were in high demand with 350 million units shipped worldwide.

The IDC Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, Q4 2021 also showed that work from home and digitization drove demand in the private sector. The share of notebooks in the consumer market went up from 73% before the pandemic to 84% in 2021. For the commercial market, the notebook share went up from 30% in 2018 to 69% in 2021.

Pandemic-related quarantines and lockdowns also drove the growth in gaming- and entertainment-related PC sales in the Philippines in 2021. For Acer, sales of gaming notebooks nearly doubled with 113,000 units sold last year from 75,000 in 2020 and 38,000 in 2019.

The shortage of semiconductors across the globe has resulted in supply issues for everything from computers. According to Acer, the shortage would continue until at least the second quarter of 2022.

“The PC has become a necessity during the pandemic. While the demand was strong beyond our expectations, due to online learning and work-from-home needs, including notebook PCs, Chromebooks, monitors and others, we did our best to fulfill them,” said Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines General Manager.

Last year, Acer also stepped up its sustainability efforts by introducing the Earthion program, through which the tech giant engages its entire ecosystem from supply chain partners to consumers and employees by helping tackle environmental challenges through innovative and integrated solutions.

Since 2020, Acer’s notebooks have adopted recycled paper for packaging, and this has saved 8,750 kg of paper pulp and cut down on the usage of 20 million plastic bags. From Acer’s internal recycling activities, over 50 metric tons of batteries were recycled and remanufactured into new ones.

In 2021, Acer announced a new “enviro-friendly” laptop, the Acer Vero, containing 50% post-consumer recycled plastic in its keyboard caps, and about 30% in other parts, such as the top and bottom cover and screen bezels. Toward the end of 2021, the company expanded its Vero portfolio across a variety of devices.

The IDC said PC demand is expected to remain robust this year as uncertainty about future pandemic outbreaks means businesses, schools and consumers will want to be ready for another lockdown. Another factor that could drive growth is the digitization of business, growth in e-commerce will drive more spending from private sector.

Acer seeks to diversify its portfolio mix and expand new businesses, such as acerpure, Altos, HSN, and Acer Gaming. It will also improve value creation and enhance the consumer journey. Acer will also continue to set lofty goals to reduce its carbon emission and create more environmentally-friendly tech products.

“Acer’s goal in 2022 is to optimally perform within core business competencies while we transform to prepare for areas of future growth,” said Ong-Lim.

The International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications and consumer technology markets.

March 17, 2022
Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo Becomes the New Brand Ambassador of Beko Philippines

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncilla is the new face of global European brand Beko’s “live like a pro” campaign in the Philippines. This wife and mom to three kids said Beko makes it easy for people to live healthier lives, thanks to the advanced technologies in the brand’s appliances.

As one of the most trusted and credible names in show business, Judy Ann chooses a brand that’s trusted in over 140 countries and that’s Beko!

“Whenever I’m offered an endorsement or ambassadorship, I study it carefully. It has to be a product or brand that I use or I will use. At naniniwala ako na Beko is a perfect fit for me, not only because they have appliances like cookers, refrigerators and ovens but also because their values as a brand in providing healthier lifestyle to Filipino families align with mine,” said Judy Ann.

“This is the first time we have chosen a brand ambassador in the country and we’re very excited to have Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo on board. We chose Judy Ann because in all aspects, she lives like a true pro, she can personify the same values and aspirations we have for the company and who does not only have an amazing rapport and impact on the lives of Filipinos, but is also a hands-on and hardworking mother and wife to her family, who can surely represent our drive and purpose, to inspire living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle said Gürhan Günal, Country Manager of Beko Pilipinas Corporation.

“Beko as the leading freestanding home appliances brand in Europe, make sure our global plan is focused on creating awareness on the importance and impact of healthy living and sustainability on our daily lives; thus we are committed to provide services and products that contribute to this for every family and individual.” said Arel Atakol, Beko APAC CEO.

Beko has been focusing on healthy living for years, raising awareness and developing products that make healthy living possible and convenient to empower the new generations to live healthier. Beko produces products that inspire a healthy lifestyle, from nutrient-saving kitchen appliances, to refrigerators that preserve food better for longer. Its products save both time and effort, allowing you to put that time into yourself and your family.

For more information about Beko in the Philippines, go to http://beko.ph or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph.

March 16, 2022