Tips to become internet smart: what and what not to share online

 

The internet offers kids wonderful new ways to discover the world - a tool for learning, exploring, being creative, and connecting with the people who matter. However, with longer screen time, this has made them more vulnerable to risks such as inappropriate content, online bullying, and even exploitation.

Parents play a big role in keeping their children safe online, and there are practical internet safety precautions that can protect children from potentially harmful or inappropriate content and activities. Here are some ways to ensure fun and productive screen time for your kids.

● Talk about safety. Engage them in a conversation about how to stay safe online. Discuss with them potential risks and the importance of placing boundaries and protecting their privacy. Teach them to say no to requests that make them feel uncomfortable and to inform you about strangers who are asking them for personal information. It is also important to let them be “share aware” and know that anything they post on the internet stays on the internet for others to see for a very long time.

● Make house rules. Try to set rules on gadget use, such as not allowing them to use their gadgets in their room and setting the amount of screen time they have in a day. Place larger gadgets such as laptops in common areas where they can be better supervised when they are online.

● Tap into their online presence. Drop in on their profiles and posts and look into their app downloads and browser history so you can check for red flags. Try to get to know their online friends and teach them to alert you for inappropriate messages or posts on their social media feed so you can navigate through the situation together. For their safety, it is better to limit their posts to “friends only” instead of public settings.

● Set parental controls. There are phone features that can set phone limitations and content controls. Parents can also manage the websites their kids can visit on Google Chrome and disable the “browse incognito” feature. You can also turn on the feature that blocks
sexually explicit and violent sites through the search engine’s Family Link app. You can also set parental controls on streaming services to make sure that your child will only have access to age-appropriate content.

● Read reviews. Do some research on an app before downloading it for your child, and take the time to pre-screen games, movies, or a series by reading reviews before allowing your child to play or watch them on his gadget. Better yet, double the fun and play or watch it
with him!

● Build strong connections. Make it a habit to spend quality time with them. This will establish trust and make it easier for them to open up to you about the things and situations that they encounter while scrolling. To set a more natural tone, you can also share interesting things you found online, such as funny videos, fascinating trivia, or current events while you are having dinner together. This will help set the course for their own online behavior and help them to use the internet in a more positive way. 

Keeping Filipino families safe online

As kids become more digitally-savvy, it is important to guide them to be safe, confident explorers of the digital world. As the Filipino families’ partner in creating stronger connections and in raising a generation of responsible digital citizens, the Philippines’ leading home broadband and digital service provider PLDT Home and Google joined forces in creating a kid-oriented video series on YouTube, Be Internet Awesome. This online series combines animation and live action — featuring Gen Alpha whiz Sam and his trusty friend Robo-berto in fun-filled yet enlightening adventures on how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online.

These initiatives of keeping children safe online are in line with PLDT’s Child Safeguarding Policy implementation and underscore the company’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #16 that promotes just, peaceful, and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

Find out more about how to #BeInternetAwesome. Watch the YouTube series HERE.

ZTE is back with their Latest Blade Series; Formally Introduces RedMagic 8PRO

 

(L-R) Mr. Perry Ji, Deputy Director of Mobile Device Marketing Department, ZTE Corporation; Justin Li, CEO of Devices, South and East Asia, ZTE Corporation; Eric “Eruption” Tai, ZTE PH Mobile Phones Ambassador, Mr. Frank Chen, ZTE Regional Chief Marketing Officer, ZTE Corporation and Mr. Gavin Lian, General Manager for Devices, ZTE Philippines

A new year always signals new beginnings and limitless possibilities. It’s the perfect time to take stock of where you are and focus on seizing new opportunities for growth. It can be something as simple as pursuing greener initiatives to big, complex goals such as taking on an entire industry.

ZTE, a global leader in technology innovation, is poised to do exactly the latter as they are diving headfirst into the competitive smartphone industry in the Philippines. In a recent event graced by members of the media, ZTE Philippines unveiled two game-changing lines of mobile devices for the Filipinos– the Blade Series, which promises premium quality and high performance at an attractive price point, and the RedMagic 8PRO–the latest addition to the power gaming series.

ZTE Corporation Regional Chief Marketing Officer Mr. Frank Chen is confident that the new Blade smartphone series will be able to find a home in the local market. “The Philippine smartphone market is as competitive as it gets. Plenty of brands are all vying for a bigger piece of the market share. We at ZTE are ready to dive in because we are confident that we have something amazing to offer for all segments.”

Mr. Frank Chen, ZTE Corporation Regional Chief Marketing Officer

Mr. Justin Li, ZTE Corporation’s CEO of Mobile Devices in South and East Asia shared ZTE’s initiatives in the Philippines. ZTE Mobile Devices is adhering to strengthen "InnovAction" and is continuing to promote the application and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies, persist in creating features in fields of display and imaging recently.

In the future, he mentioned that ZTE will continue to give full play to our advantages in R&D accumulation and innovation, and continue to drive consumer services based on user requirements, bringing full-scenario seamless digital life to the customers.

Mr. Justin Li, CEO of Mobile Device, South and East Asia, ZTE Corporation

Mr. Gavin Lian, General Manager for Devices of ZTE Philippines excites everyone with the latest technology of the products unveiled - the ZTE Blade V40 Design, Blade V40S, Blade V41 Vita 5G and RedMagic 8Pro.

Mr. Gavin Lian, General Manager for Devices, ZTE Philippines

ZTE’s Hero Series: The Blade Series


The ZTE Blade series comes in three different variants, the Blade V41 Vita, the Blade V40 Design, and the Blade V40S.

The Blade V41 Vita is the marquee product of the lineup, boasting of exquisite design and unlimited vitality. It has a powerful 50MP triple camera that provides crystal clear high definition images. The heart of the Blade V41 Vita is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G Processor. It provides high performance with its blazing fast with its Octa-core 2.4GHz processor but still offers low power consumption to help with long lasting battery life.

 

ZTE Blade V41 Vita 5G

The next model, the Blade V40 Design, is premium, elegant, and stylish. It offers the same 50 MP triple camera like the V41 Vita, which gives the model access to amazing photography with its high definition output. You also get the full suite of key photography tools such as the bokeh camera and the macro camera. Whether you’re shooting food, landscapes, stunning night photos, or beautiful portraits, you’ll always get crystal clear shots. Performance wise, the Blade V40 Design uses 4GB+3GB Dynamic RAM for a smoother operation experience. It supports memory fusion technology which can expand the RAM by up to 7GB using the built-in storage.

ZTE Blade V40 Design

The third model and the most affordable option is the Blade V40S. The Blade series is all about impeccable picture quality and the V40S is no different. The main camera boasts of 50MP resolution with a large f/1.8 aperture for low light photography. The bokeh depth camera is at 2MP at a 2.4 aperture, while the macro camera is 5MP with the same wide open 2.4 opening. It also has an anti-shake feature to help you get sharp photos even during low light situations.

ZTE Blade V40S

ZTE’s mobile devices Key Opinion Leaders Isa Rodriguez (Isa Does Tech), Vikka Francisco (The Modern Creatures), and Peter Jan Icogo (GizGuide) shared their experiences highlighting the Blade Series’ features on camera, display and powerful processing.

Peter Jan Icogo (GizGuide), Vikka Francisco (The Modern Creatures), and Isa Rodriguez (Isa Does Tech)

The ZTE Blade V40 Design, Blade V40S and V41 Vita 5G are available online via Kimstore (https://bit.ly/ZTEKimstore) or through Cirebon and Qstar distributors nationwide.


REDMAGIC 8PRO: Up Your Game

RedMagic 8Pro

Together with the Blade series, ZTE proudly unveiled the RedMagic 8PRO, the latest line of the exciting RedMagic series from Nubia which thrives to create the best gaming experience. The phone is packed with futuristic designs and features to amazing performances. REDMAGIC delivers what every gamer needs to be the best they can be.

Professional host, athlete and gamer and a RedMagic user for years now, Eric “Eruption” Tai, was named the ZTE RedMagic 8PRO Ambassador and shared his amazing experience using the device. His first and foremost consideration as a gamer is unrivaled gaming experience enabling him to play without limits. 

RedMagic 8PRO is loaded with the fastest chipset ever–the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and paired with Red Core 2, REDMAGIC’s dedicated gaming chip LPDDR5X + UFS 4.0. It features True Full AMOLED Display + 2nd Generation Under-Display Camera for a bezel-less true full screen. Eruption also emphasized that it is packed with ICE 11-layer cooling system by nubia technology, made better by the eleventh layer of graphene under the screen, comfortable for continued day-to-day use.

A master of endurance, RedMagic 8PRO includes fast 65W charging to go the long haul with two 3000mAh batteries for a total of 6000 mAh battery life and more than a full day of juice. Gamers can also experience rapid reaction with its 520 Hz Dual Shoulder Triggers for that perfect mobile gaming experience.

RedMagic 8PRO will be available by March at ZTE’s distribution partner Cirebon Trading.

 

Eric “Eruption” Tai, ZTE RedMagic 8Pro Ambassador

ZTE will continue to leverage their extensive experience with telecommunications and information technology to bolster their smartphone line. The company is one of the trailblazers in offering superfast 5G wireless technology across various industries. ZTE actually ranked first in global mobile broadband and customer premises equipment or CPE markets in 2022, according to marketing research company Techno Systems Research.

In closing, ZTE Philippine PR Manager Ms. Christine Tria reinforces that ZTE wants to make its presence felt and firmly leave a lasting footprint in the Philippines. She also mentioned the ZTE Privacy logo and Privacy Center that continues to comply with the applicable privacy protection laws and regulations in the countries and regions where we conduct businesses in. Through ZTE’s website www.zte.com.cn, users can understand ZTE's privacy protection philosophy and objectives, check out the privacy protection features of our products, and most importantly, consult regarding privacy protection issues.

In the Philippines, ZTE will continue to be the industry’s solid partner in driving the digital economy through key projects that were instrumental in expanding and providing innovative technology and cost-efficient solutions and products to support our customers. ZTE is excited about 2023 and looks forward to the Filipino’s continuous trust and support.

Ms. Christine Tria, ZTE Philippines PR Manager

To know more about ZTE’s 5G innovations, visit and follow their official social media accounts @ztedevicesph on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

Kimpoy has enough love for Subway’s three B.M.T.™ sandwiches in new digital ad

Subway has just announced its latest digital ad campaign featuring noted YouTube vlogger Kimpoy Feliciano. With over 1.6 million subscribers to his name, Kimpoy hopes to tap into the power and clout of his fanbase when exploring this new partnership with Subway. Watch it here: https://fb.watch/i77c12Xt2n/?mibextid=v7YzmG

 

In the video, Kimpoy talks about his reputation as a lover boy who’s smitten with three different loves—B, M, and T—that are played by the wonderfully talented Natazha Bautista, Breena Ylaya, and Queen Semana. 

 

Kimpoy understandably flip-flops—one is adventurous, another is practical, and the last is health-conscious. In the end, we find that Kimpoy is hooked, not on the three ladies but on three crave-worthy B.M.T.™ sandwiches from Subway! 

 

Kimpoy is incredibly excited about his role in the ad. “Actually, sobrang relate ako,” says Kimpoy. “Whenever I go to Subway, parang may sandwich palagi for any occasion. Ang hirap talaga mamili ng favorites! No matter your mood, there’s a B.M.T.™ sandwich for you.”

 

The commercial perfectly highlights the variety one gets from Subway®’s three B.M.T.™ options. The B.M.T.™ classic brings the thrill of a sandwich done just right. The ‘double cheese’ offers more flavor, an added value at a good price. Meantime, the egg mayo B.M.T.™ Plus presents an even healthier choice for discerning eaters out there.

 

For Joshua Wahiman, marketing manager of Subway Philippines, the ad sums up what it’s like to be a Subway guest. “What can be a more relatable feeling than love?” Wahiman says. “So we want to show the overwhelming love one can feel for all the sandwich options at Subway. We also feel that Kimpoy did a fantastic job of conveying this in a fun way in our latest digital ad.”

 

The cheeky and humorous video was crafted by some of the best creative minds in the production industry. At the helm was award-winning director Chris Cahilig, who led an A-List crew that included director of photography Noel Teehankee, food stylist Kia del Rosario, and line producer Jel Planas. 

 

They were joined by a talented post-production crew: offline editor Yvette Mijares, online editor Kenneth Amparo, sound designer Kat Salinas, Dia Magsaysay on color, and Paulo Almaden on scoring.

 

“We’re enormouly pleased with the finished product,” says Wahiman. “We look forward to Kimpoy’s fans hopping over to Subway and experiencing first-hand how tough it is to pick from all our amazing options.”

 

LG Introduces All in One Cleansing Solution with LG CordZero Vaccuum

The importance of cleanliness has never been more crucial over the past few years. Keeping a neat and tidy home, coupled with proper disinfection protocols, go a long way in keeping your household safe and disease free. However, for Philippine homes, simple sweeping is inadequate.

 

To address this need, LG Philippines recently launched the newest version of its LG CordZero line. The cordless vacuum cleaner provides an all-in-one cleaning solution perfect for Philippine households. The launch event simulated actual rooms so that the guests get a glimpse how the CordZero performs in a real-world scenario. Alyssa Alipio – Emerging Product Manager and Jerome Martinez – Product Trainer of LG, together with LG brand ambassadors Daniel and Vanessa Matsunaga discussed and demoed the different features that the CordZero offers.

The LG CordZero improves upon existing cordless vacuum cleaners in the market with its all-in-one feature. Instead of keeping different components scattered all over, the CordZero A9 with All-in-One Tower is the first stick vacuum that charges, stores tools and automatically empties the dust bin- all in one sleek docking station. Return the vac to the tower to recharge, store tools neatly out of sight and let Auto Empty clean out the dust bin for you. Your hands stay clean along with your floors.

 

With the CordZero, cleaning is simplified. Clean more, clean longer and empty less along with powerful suction you can rely on. Kompressor technology doubles the capacity of the dust bicompared to other vacuum cleaners. Hardwood floors also benefit from the CordZero. The Power Mop attachment cleans tile, hardwood or vinyl using just regular tap water-no special solutions or harsh chemicals needed. You control the amount of moisture from High to Low to Off (dry mopping) while the dual spinning microfiber pads do the work. Includes 2 sets of washable pads and removable water tank for easy filling and emptying.

 

LG Managing Director Sungjae Kim expressed his excitement with the introduction of the new CordZero line, saying “It is a great honor for me to introduce another innovation from LG.  Ever since, one of LG’s goals is making things simpler and better for all...Our newest product, the CordZero All-in-One Tower, does exactly that.” LG Product Director for Home Appliances Jun Lee is confident that the CordZero will be a hit locally. “It builds on the strength of today’s technology and improves upon areas that are lacking. It is a true testament to LG’s commitment to technology, innovation, and improving the lives of customers.”

 

To know more about the LG CordZero visit https://www.lg.com/ph/vacuum-cleaners/lg-a9t-ultra.  LG products are available in all leading appliance stores nationwide, you can visit ABENSON AND ANSON’S or go to lg.com/ph for a complete list of our retail partners. You can also buy at LG's Official Flagship Stores in Lazada  and Shopee.

Give More Smiles This Christmas with eco-friendly wellness and beauty gifts from Watsons

 

Watsons kicks off the most wonderful time of the year and the longest season in the Philippines—Christmas—by reaffirming its commitment to provide customers with sustainable health, wellness, and beauty products.

 

To help the public with choosing sustainable products to give as holiday gifts and bring with them on vacations, Watsons is holding a sustainable holiday gifting event from November 15-20 at The Podium. The event spotlights Watsons Sustainable Choices, the retailers’ selection of products that are safe and nourishing for the skin and free from harmful ingredients that could harm you and the planet; those that can be refilled so plastic waste is reduced; those that contain ethically sourced and sustainably processed ingredients; and have better and more eco-friendly packaging.

 

The event will also be informational and educational. Watsons will have resource speakers talk about its role as a responsible retailer and how important it is for consumers to make more sustainable choices.

 

“When shopping for Christmas gifts, we hope our customers consider the planet and choose sustainability. Watsons is glad to offer them eco-friendly products, which are sustainable from the materials and the manufacturing process, to the packaging, and ultimately to the disposal of the product,” said Viki Encarnacion, Watsons PR and Sustainability.

 

The special guest during the event on November 15 is author, environment advocate, and philanthropist Brian Poe Llamanzares, who recently co-published a book titled “A Sustainable Future” with Manila Bulletin. 

 

Encarnacion will be one of the keynote speakers during the opening of the event. She will discuss how Watsons practices the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle). Zyra Tinio, Watsons Senior Category Manager for Beauty, will talk about giving customers access to Sustainable Choices products.

 

There will also be an open panel discussion with P&G, Unilever, and a Watsons Club member on sustainability. The two multinational companies will give updates on how their sustainability efforts are going at this point.

 

The event will help make shopping for holiday gifts more fun and sustainable, from the gift itself to the packaging as Watsons asks its customers to “Give More Smiles This Christmas.” For the event, Watsons supplier-partners will showcase their most sustainable and practical products.

 

The brands that will showcase their Sustainable Choices products during the event are Watsons, Quick FX, Garnier, L’Oreal, Aveeno, Neutrogena, Palmolive, Herbal Essences, Dove, Bioten, St. Ives, Zenutrients and Curls, Moringana, Gluta C, The Body Shop, and Sekaya.

 

There will also be an information wall in the Watsons activation in The Podium so shoppers could see how they could effectively Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to help mitigate the effects of consumerism on the planet and its resources.

 

During the event, shoppers can also get Watsons Do Good canvas bags, which they can decorate with different accents. The bags are free with purchase.

 

There will be suggestions for stocking stuffers and gift sets from brands like Fresh and Pretty Secret.

 

Shop for Php12,000 and get a free luggage during the event. If you shop for Php10,000, you will receive a free bear or mermaid stuffed toy!

 

Share the joy of the season and Give More Smiles This Christmas. For the best wellness and beauty gifts, Sa Watsons Ako!

 

To find out more about Watsons Sustainable Choices products, go to https://interactive.watsons.com.ph/sustainablechoices.

Start your holiday shopping early this 11.11 Lazada’s Biggest Sale with PLDT Home Rewards!

 

November is finally here and that means you can score the best deals on 11.11 Lazada’s Biggest Sale! With the infinite selection of stuff that you can get from the leading ecommerce platform, there’s no shortage of gifts for your family and friends—and rewards for yourself, too. After all, getting into the Christmas spirit of giving and sharing is the best way to kick off the holiday season. 

 

Luckily for PLDT Home Rewards members, five P100,000 Lazada gift cards are up for grabs in this month’s Grand Giveaway promo, and joining the raffle is fast and easy. 

 

If you are a PLDT Home subscriber but not yet a member of the loyalty program, you can simply enroll your account to PLDT Home Rewards and start earning Crystals and raffle entries. If you are an existing member, just pay your PLDT bill in full and on time, upgrade your plan, apply for paperless and auto-charge payment, or pay via digital channels to start earning Crystals and raffle entries. 

 

You can also exchange 10 Crystals for a Lazada voucher that gives you P100 off for a minimum spend of P1,000 during Lazada’s Biggest sale from today until November 13— for which you’ll also automatically get two raffle entries to the PLDT Home Rewards Grand Giveaway this month.

 

Here are some of the awesome finds that you can get with your P100,000 Lazada gift cards on the most awaited sale: 

 

1. Fashion

Update your wardrobe or give your family and friends some stylish clothes that you can get at a discount this 11.11. From fashion essentials like jeans and shorts, stylish and colorful tops, to the most trending sneakers, you can express yourself creatively without breaking the bank.

 

For those looking for great deals on fashion essentials, a cute pair of Levi’s denim shorts or these elegant and chic ZANZEA khaki chinos look good in your OOTDs. You’ll also want to look good in stylish tops and dresses, which is why getting a dress like a pretty Crissa woven dress or a fashionable Plains and Prints vintage top gives you great style options for parties and reunions this holiday season. If you want something sporty, get a pair of the Fila Lite Matrix Run or the timeless Adidas Stan Smith. 

 

2. Home essentials

Looking to level up your house? There’s a whole range of home improvement choices available online, such as furniture, accessories, decorations, and other unique pieces. If you saw it on social media like Facebook and TikTok, you’ll most likely find it on Lazada. 

 

You can give your living room an upgrade by getting a piece like a new BAIERDI luxury sofa bed set perfect for a cozy holiday movie night with the family. Try something new for your dining room at home like the 16-piece Corelle dinnerware set that can add more flair to your Noche Buena. If you want a comfier holiday sleeping experience over the break, then getting a new Uratex foam mattress is definitely the perfect choice.  

 

 

3. Games, consoles, and accessories

Holidays mean long breaks and more quality time to spend with family and loved ones.  Bond over action-packed and fun video games. 

 

Playing the hottest games of 2022 on a brand-new Sony PlayStation 5 will surely be the highlight of your family’s holiday season. Don’t forget to add one or more extra PS5 controllers to your cart for fun multiplayer sessions with more family members. For solo players, you can get a copy of Elden Ring, one of the best PS5 games right now. You can also buy other gaming accessories and peripherals during the 11.11 sale, like the HyperX Alloy Origins mechanical keyboard, which is a great gift idea for PC gamers who are also keyboard enthusiasts.

 

4. Work and study at home essentials

Grab productivity essentials like office and study tools, gadgets, electronics, and more at great deals in the 11.11 sale. 

 

For the hardworking go-getter in your life, the Infinix INbook X1 is one of the best value-for-money laptops available right now. If they prefer to work or study on a device that’s more portable, another good option is a reliable tablet like the Huawei MatePad T10. Meanwhile, you can also upgrade your home workstation with the HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 2337 3 in 1 Printer, which gives you and the family an easier and more hassle-free time in printing important documents for school or work.

 

5. Beauty must-haves

Feel great, beautiful, and confident this holiday season without breaking the bank. Lazada also offers a wide variety of health and beauty products from makeup to skincare.

 

Score nice deals on effective skincare products like the Garnier Sakura All Star Kit, which can give you dazzling glass skin in one week. A set of RP Frozen Collagen Face Masks can also keep your face clean, cool, and healthy all the time. For gift ideas to give your friends or family, you can’t go wrong with something like the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser bundle.  

 

There’s an infinite number of deals to score in this year’s Lazada 11.11 sale! So, don’t forget to register to PLDT Home Rewards, pay your PLDT bill in full and on time, upgrade your plan, apply for paperless and auto charge payment, or pay via digital channels to get a chance to win a Lazada gift card in PLDT Home Rewards’ Grand Giveaway Promo this month. 

 

It doesn’t stop there—your raffle entries serve as your tickets to win the grand prize: a whopping P5 million pesos! Make the most of PLDT Home Rewards and join the Grand Giveaway Promo today. Visit https://pldthome.com/grandgiveaway to find out more.