technology – Jellybeans in the City

Sun Life Foundation and WWF collaborate for sustainable Food Shed Farming

Sun Life Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sun Life Philippines, has partnered with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines to establish two Food Shed Farming Enterprise projects in the province of Surigao del Norte. The collaboration aims to provide a sustainable source of food and economic resilience for low-income urban communities through food security and sustainable livelihoods.

The Food Shed Farming Enterprise projects will help secure food and livelihoods while mitigating food shortages in the community. Sustainable agriculture interventions will be used, along with the promotion of climate-resilient and sustainable production systems that minimize the impact of stresses contributing to limited food accessibility. By utilizing technology and sustainable agriculture practices, the initiative seeks to improve the resilience of the food supply chain in communities.

“With this collaboration, we hope to further improve the resiliency of the food supply of communities, especially with the threats that climate change poses to our food resources,” says Katherine Custodio, Executive Director of WWF.

Located in Del Carmen, Siargao Island, the Food Shed Farming Enterprise projects will be established in Brgy. Caub and Halian Island, benefiting 250 individuals through sustainable livelihoods and providing access to hyperlocal nutritious food for almost 2,000 locals. The projects will create economic opportunities for the locals through the promotion of sustainable farming practices, increasing their capacity to utilize technology, and providing training in climate-resilient and sustainable production systems.

“Through this collaboration with WWF, the Sun Life Foundation aims to provide food security, sustainable livelihoods, and climate-adaptive technologies for the locals of the island in an environmentally sustainable manner,” says Kristine Dianne Millete, Executive Director of the Sun Life Foundation. “It is our earnest hope that through this project, we can alleviate the effects of food shortages and help our farmers with alternative farming technologies that support food security even during times of pandemic,” Millete concluded.

The Sun Life Foundation is committed to uplifting communities, as evidenced by its other notable projects, such as the Sun Life Barangay Health Stations, which provide basic healthcare in remote areas. The partnership with WWF Philippines aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to sustainability, creating economic opportunities while also promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

4 things to expect at the #PMC2MillionStrong celebration

Power Mac Center (PMC) recently hit another milestone after its online community on Facebook reached two million followers. To celebrate, the premier Apple partner is hosting a fun shopping weekend in gratitude to its patrons and loyal Apple enthusiasts in the country.

“The community we’ve built on Facebook has been instrumental in helping Power Mac Center grow into what it is today. With every engagement and interaction that we get on our social media pages, we are inspired to push harder in our mission of bringing world-class technology to Filipinos. This celebration is also our way of letting our patrons know how we’re thankful for our online community, as they help us improve how we serve their Apple needs. We look forward to more years of touching lives, sharing joy, and connecting with more people through technology and innovation,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director of Product Management, Marketing, and Space Planning.

PMC’s Facebook community serves as an avenue to inspire Apple users to showcase their creativity, simply have fun, and also work together for worthy causes. To celebrate its monumental growth, PMC prepared special surprises for customers and lucky fans.

…but first, a trip down memory lane

PMC joined Facebook on January 4, 2009. Back then, it was cool to “poke” your friends and status updates can only begin with “is.”

Over the years, it has built a lot of moments that led to the 2-million-strong PMC online community today. Among the most notable memories are the 20th anniversary celebration, which also coincided with the launch of 1 Infinite Access (then 1 Infinite Card) – PMC’s loyalty program; the successful blasting off into cyberspace of the Power Mac Center Web Store in 2019; and the much-anticipated annual launch of the latest iPhone series, particularly the “Journey to iPhone 13” livestream last year – PMC’s first-ever full online iPhone launch event. In all of these initiatives, fans generously shared their thoughts and their time to connect with fellow Apple lovers.

See some of PMC’s monumental Facebook memories at Power Mac Center’s official Facebook page.

Let’s take 5 (percent off)

Now, this is the fun part! As a simple treat to all customers and Facebook followers, ALL devices and accessories can be purchased at any Power Mac Center store nationwide at 5% off from May 27 to 29, 2022. Take home the latest iPhone 13 in 256GB for only P56,990.50 from the original price of P59,990, or get as much as P10,000 off on the 16-inch MacBook Pro Apple M1 max chip 1TB Space Gray.

The promotion is valid for cash and straight transactions, including straight credit card, debit card, bank transfer, check, HomeCredit, GCash, GrabPay, WeChat, AliPay, PayMaya, Hello Money, UnionPay, BDO Pay, ShopeePay, QRPH, Power Mac Center gift certificate, and trade-in value. No vaccination card or 1 Infinite Access membership required, but other terms and conditions will apply.

That shipping has sailed

Should you prefer to do your shopping online, PMC is also offering FREE shipping nationwide for a minimum purchase worth P2,500 on its official Web Store and Viber Store from May 27 to 29, 2022. Choose from a wide variety of devices and accessories, including iPhone, iPad, Watch, and Mac in a few clicks or taps on your device.

Join the fun online!

Stay updated on the latest announcements on deals, discounts, promos, and keep on visiting Power Mac Center’s Facebook page for more surprises in the coming weeks! Invite your family and friends to also like and follow PMC on Facebook so they can join the #PMC2MillionStrong celebration.

Established in 1994, PMC was born at a time when people didn’t think it was wise to invest in the Apple business. PMC’s founders embraced Steve Jobs’ “Think Different” mentality and built today’s largest network of Apple authorized retail stores, repair and service centers, and education resellers in the Philippines. It carries the entire Apple line in its stores, as well as a variety of premium products from partner brands.

Even better, PMC allows payments via installments with zero interest and no down payment to partner major banks and non-credit card installment options such as Home Credit to cater to all customers and enable them to invest in the quality of Apple devices that are easy on the pocket.

Join the growing community and be updated on the latest announcements, deals, and discounts! Follow Power Mac Center on Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-143655 Series of 2022

About Power Mac Center

Power Mac Center is a recognized Apple Premium Reseller, Apple Authorized Education Reseller, Apple Authorized Training Provider, and Apple Authorized Service Provider in the Philippines. Power Mac Center has become a reliable retail shop and service provider of Apple products to the Filipino consumer.

The company has grown to over 80 branches nationwide, with stores located in Greenbelt 3, Glorietta 5, The Annex at SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, TriNoma, Robinsons Magnolia, SM Megamall, The Podium, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, Festival Supermall, Cash and Carry Mall, Abreeza Mall, SM Lanang Premier, SM City Marikina, Power Plant Mall, SM City BF Parañaque, Harbor Point, SM City Southmall, SM City Pampanga, SM City Bacoor, SM City Lipa, SM City Sta. Rosa, SM City Batangas, SM City Dasmariñas, Circuit Makati, Vista Mall Sta. Rosa, SM East Ortigas, KCC Mall de Zamboanga, Vista Mall Bataan, SM City San Pablo, SM City Trece Martires, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Ayala Malls Vertis North, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Clark, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Telabastagan, SM CDO Downtown Premier, SM City Legazpi, Fora Tagaytay, Festive Walk Mall Iloilo, Robinsons Place Butuan, SM City Lucena, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Olongapo Central, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, Eastwood City, Neo Plaza Bldg. Ongpin, SM City Grand Central, and SM City Butuan.

The Loop by Power Mac Center stores are located in Ayala Malls Feliz, U.P. Town Center, Ayala Malls the 30^th, Uptown Mall, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, SM Mall of Asia, Xentro Mall Vigan, SM Center Dagupan, Southwoods Mall, SM City Calamba, SM City San Mateo, D’Mall Boracay, Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Malls Capitol Central, SM City CDO, SM City Davao, and SM City General Santos.

Visit a Power Mac Center store near you and find more online:

powermaccenter.com Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok

The Loop Ph Facebook The Loop Ph Instagram

TECNO Mobile’s Pouvoir 4 brings a power-packed, affordable entertainment device to consumers

What can you get for PhP5,000 these days that will also help beat boredom while on indefinite staycation at home? A couple of books? A few games? How about all those and more in a single device, and with several hundred pesos to spare?

For only P4,590.00, TECNO Mobile’s Pouvoir 4 and Php5990 and Php6990 for the Pouvoir 4 Pro models can give consumers hours and hours of uninterrupted ultimate entertainment experience – be it gaming, vlogging, photography or watching videos and movies – thanks to its big 6,000mAh battery capable of powering the phone for up to four days straight on a single charge.

Building on the local market’s increasing levels of digital content consumption global premier mobile phone brand, TECNO Mobile has a specific focus on delivering flagship-like entertainment experiences with a power-packed performance. The latest addition to its popular Pouvoir series, Pouvoir 4’s larger- than-life battery makes it a sensational device that elevates user experience and delivers endless entertainment possibilities without interruptions.

800 minutes of movie and music experience on a single charge

The Pouvoir 4’s massive 7-inch display screen provides a 90.55 percent screen ratio that gives consumers a wider visual area, completely transforming their viewing experience. Featuring class-leading 480-nit brightness capabilities, the super large display provides users with a cinema-level immersive experience when watching their favorite shows and movies.

The phone’s dual speakers provide clean and crisp stereo sound that truly engages consumers like never before. Powered by Dirac, Pouvoir 4 delivers a digital sound solution based on acoustic measurement and correction, allowing users to enjoy a high-quality immersive entertainment experience.

Over 650 minutes of action-packed gaming

For gamers, the Pouvoir 4 unleashes a brand-new perspective to competing with friends with specifications that reimagine gaming experiences.

The Pouvoir 4 features a 32GB+3GB big memory while the Pouvoir 4 Pro comes in 64GB + 4GB and 128GB + 6GB memory options ensures that users have a smooth glitch-free gaming experience. Operating on HiOS 6.0 which is built on Android Q, the phone provides better interaction design letting users view important notifications during gaming time with minimal interruption. Built with gamers in mind, the Pouvoir 4 offers bespoke features such as a specific shooting Intelligent scheduling of system resources to ensure a high-quality experience. The phone also utilizes a magic button that can be used as fire key in arcade and shooting games as well as a Screen Off Gaming Mode that saves more than 50 percent of battery power.

Powering vloggers with an AI-powered camera and HD content capabilities

TECNO Mobile didn’t stop there. The Pouvoir 4 comes with an artificial intelligence(AI) quad multi-function camera that allows users the ability to produce top-of-the-line video quality allowing for a unique vlogging experience.

The device is equipped with a 13MP AI quad camera, plus two 2MP cameras and an AI lens at the rear, and an 8MP dual flash camera at the front. The main camera packs a F1.8 big aperture and 8X digital zoom with a 77-degree shot angle that produces HD video recording function. The phone also comes with a low light video record mode that automatically brightens video shots in the dark.

The Pouvoir 4 comes loaded with a range of cool features such as face unlock, fingerprint sensor for optimized security along with a unique button along the side to wake up a Virtual Google assistant, all packaged in a straight and elegant design that reflects TECNO Mobile’s brand and style in their products.

The Pouvoir 4 is available at partner retail stores in Ice Jadeite, Cosmic Shine, Fascinating Purple color options for Pouvoir 4 and Fascinating Purple, Misty Grey and Ice Jadeite for Pouvoir 4 Pro.

For more updates, visit www.tecno-mobile.com/ph. Follow TECNO Mobile Philippines on facebook.com/TECNOMobilePH and get a chance to win your own Pouvoir 4.

About TECNO Mobile

TECNO Mobile is a premium smartphone brand from TRANSSION Holdings. Upholding the brand essence of “Expect More”, TECNO Mobile is committed to giving the masses access to latest technology at accessible prices, allowing the consumers to reach beyond their current limitations and uncover a world of possibilities. TECNO Mobile understands the needs of consumers from different markets and provides them with localized innovations across a product portfolio featuring smartphones, tablets, and feature phones. TECNO Mobile is a major global player with presence in around 60 emerging markets across the world. It is also the global Official Tablet and Handset Partner of Manchester City Football Club. For more information, please visit: www.tecno-mobile.com

4 Things I love about the New SKY On Demand Box

When I joined the company over a decade ago, SKY has just introduced digital cable TV. For almost all of its subscribers, cable TV means a coaxial cable is connected directly to one’s TV. Since the signal is analog, the TV reception is sometimes grainy and, compared to today, the channels available were limited.

Fast forward to today, and digital TV is the norm. It is now common to see set-top boxes attached to the TVs; these process the digital from the cable and produce clearer pictures on the screen. And because the channel capacity on the digital network has expanded, more channels and shows are available, some are even in high definition.

Coinciding with the technological developments in cable TV is the growth of over-the-top or what we sometimes call video-on-demand streaming services. Online services such as Youtube and Netflix expand our content choices in ways unimaginable ten years ago. However, these are mostly viewed using mobile devices (and therefore in smaller screens), and oftentimes can’t be enjoyed by more than one person at a time.

Enter the new SKY on Demand Box.

I’ve been excited about this new product development since I first heard about it and I’ve been anticipating its launch for some time now.

So please allow me to sing a few of my praises for the new SKY on Demand Box. 🙂

It lets you watch cable TV channels, Netflix and Youtube, all in one device.

Since the new SKY on Demand Box can connect to the internet and includes Netflix and Youtube among its launch apps, your TV viewing choices now cover all of your favorite cable channels, all the shows and movies available on Netflix in your area and all the clips uploaded on Youtube.

Want to catch the premiere of a new episode of Asian horror anthology Folklore on HBO? Check! Want to binge-watch the much-raved-about Outlander series on Netflix? Check! Want to learn makeup application from an online tutorial on Youtube? Check!

It basically turns your TV into a smart TV, helping you get more of the shows you love.

It lets you catch up on the shows you missed.

Couldn’t make it home in time to catch a show as it airs? Or is someone else hogging the TV when your favorite show comes on?

No worries: if the show is one of the titles available on SKY on Demand, you can watch the latest three episodes using the SKY on Demand app, which is included among the box’s launch apps.

Or you can also set your box to record the show even when you’re not at home as the box has a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) function. And guess what: even while someone else is watching another show on the TV, the SKY on Demand Box is recording the show you’re not watching so you can view it at your leisure. No need to fight with hubby or the kids over the remote, yeah?

It comes with a companion app that extends the box’s functionalities even further.

By downloading its companion app (available on the App Store and Google Play) you can use your phone as your TV’s remote control, privately listen to the audio of the show you’re watching using your phone’s headset (no need to settle for almost-mute audio levels just because someone in the room is studying or sleeping), or watch cable channels on your phone.

It’s now available in Metro Manila.

New subscribers of the One SKY Unli Fiber Broadband + HD Cable TV plans only need to pay a one-time installation fee of Php1,999. New subscribers of selected SKYcable plans, on the other hand, need to pay a one-time installation fee of Php2,999.

Existing SKY subscribers can call the Customer Service hotline +63 2 381 0000 or visit any of the SKYzones or SKY offices in the metro.

To inquire about the new SKY on Demand Box, call the SKY Telesales hotline +63 2 4180000 or visit mysky.com.ph/sodbox.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.