2020 v20n8/9 - APART, BUT ALWAYS CONNECTED

We at Gadgets, like practically everyone else in the country, have been stuck at home throughout this quarantine period. Tech, however, never stops, and neither can we.

We’re still here, still working on the latest technology news, and getting it to you, our readers, in the best way we can. We’ve also been cooking up some new projects that we’ll be carrying on throughout this period and after, so stay tuned for those. We can’t say we’ve been through tougher, but we can promise we’ll be with all of you through this and beyond.

Ren Alcantara Editor-at-Large

MARIBELLE M. ALBA

PRESY ALBA

#GIRLBOSS

I don’t travel light, I lug too many gadgets, I can walk for miles exploring and I never say no to the local fare.

@bellealba

@presy1121

REN ALCANTARA

ARNEL DORIA

Question EVERYTHING. @hisnameisren

Marketing guru. Automotive industry veteran. Road safety advocate.

GABRIEL JOHN PE

JEWEL STA. ANA

Let the scarlet moon guide you.

People say you can’t live without love, I think oxygen is more important.

STAFF WRITER

MOBILITY CONSULTANT

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

@pe_gab

PRESIDENT & CEO

Maribelle Alba

SALES AND ADVERTISING MANAGER ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Marisa Consuelo

ACCOUNTING MANAGER ACCOUNTING STAFF

Maritess Pascua-Maulion Lorie Bernardo

HR & ADMIN MANAGER ADMINISTRATION STAFF

Amy Christine Giray Ramil Almojano

DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

Carol Agabin

Jerico Lutrania

LEGAL COUNSEL

JERICO LUTRANIA

CARMELA BIRAO

“Ceeeeeeeeeeeb!”

Stay hydrated.

@_easyo

@carmelabirao

ZEIL ROMERO

CHINI YU SORIANO

DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

VIDEOGRAPHER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

Let it be.

I love dogs.

@zeil_heyo

@chinisoriano

JOSE ALVAREZ

JEFF DANIEL RINGON

CONTRIBUTOR

CONTRIBUTOR

Jose loves football, video games, computers, and history, but not necessarily in any order.

Self-proclaimed marketer. Pop culture fan. Sleeper, er, sleeping agent.

@josealvarez

@hefedanyel

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GERRY GAVIOLA CONTRIBUTOR

Cineaste. Audiophile. Gadget addict. @gerry.g626

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APRIL-MAY 2020 | Volume 20 No. 8-9

38. Cover Story

KEEPING US TOGETHER: Tech in the time of COVID

08 20

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Parade Not even the lockdown can keep this parade from rolling!

Gadgets Lab

Our labs follow the strictest quarantine procedures.

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Photofeature:

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Cover Story:

APART, BUT ALWAYS CONNECTED Letting tech do our work (and play) for us.

KEEPING US TOGETHER Empowering the working-from-home class.

38

Mobility

64

Gaming

The latest news from inside and outside the garage.

Gamers, it’s our time to shine.

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74. Music Corner

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70

Apps

72

Visual Space

The tech world’s frontliners.

Get out while staying in.

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Music Corner

78

Enterprise

Lockdown roundup.

Business keeps on turning.

83

Bits and Bytes

92

Relic

The latest from the wire.

Kickin’ it old-school.

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PARADE

Realme X50 Pro 5G Smartphone The Realme X50 Pro 5G is the first 5G flagship from Realme. The Realme X50 Pro 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 5G processor mated to an Adreno 650 GPU. It has up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage with UFS 3.0 and turbo write capabilities. The Realme X50 Pro 5G has a 6.44-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and protected by Gorilla Glass 5. The front has a dual-punch hole camera with the main shooter sporting a 32-megapixel Sony lens and a secondary 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The back houses the quad-camera setup, where the main camera is a 64-megapixel wide lens, the secondary is a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens that also functions as the macro camera, and the 2-megapixel black and white portrait lens. The Realme X50 Pro 5G has a 4200mAh battery which is charged in 35 minutes thanks to the brand’s 65W SuperDart Charge technology.

Realme C3 Smartphone Realme Philippines introduced a new member to its C-Series. Dubbed as the realme C3, it levels up the standard of entry-level phones in terms of performance, camera, display, and battery life. Powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G70 processor, the realme C3 is capable of handling advanced tasks without draining the battery, and guarantees non-stop gaming, high-resolution photos and videos, and uninterrupted entertainment with a lag-free and high-frame-rate experience with a clock speed of 2.0GHz. It now has a bigger screen size, thanks to a 6.5-inch HD display with a mini drop display that enhances screen contrast for brighter output and clearer images for both gaming and watching videos. As a gaming monster, it boasts a 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot that’s expandable up to 256GB. It allows seamless multitasking and optimizes data and WiFi connection for better streaming and gaming. With an AnTuTu score exceeding 181,000 points, the triple-camera gaming monster has a performance rate higher than any other phone in its segment.

PHP 5,990

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Hisense 100L10E 4K Laser TV Living room entertainment has never been this great. The Hisense 100L10E is the country’s first 100-inch 4K Laser TV. It uses Hisense’s X-Fusion laser project technology which give it exceptional picture and color output. Since the Hisense 100L10E uses laser, the projector can be used even on broad daylight. To complete your setup, the Hisense 100L10E has 14 Harman Kardon speakers embedded on it and a wireless Harman Kardon sub-woofer for that full cinematic immersion.

PHP 745,000

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Oppo Reno3 Pro Smartphone The Oppo Reno3 Pro is the third generation of Oppo’s highly successful Reno series of smartphones. The Oppo Reno3 Pro has 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display that supports DCI-P3 color gamut. The dual punch-hole display houses the dual front-facing cameras. The main selfie camera is a 44-megapixel lens, while the secondary shooter is a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The Reno3 Pro follows the Reno series’ trend of powerful cameras sporting a quad-rear camera set up. It has a 64-megapixel main camera, a secondary 13-megapixel telephoto camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The Oppo Reno3 Pro has the ultra-zoom capabilities the Reno series is known for, with 5x hybrid zoom and up to 20x digital zoom. The Oppo Reno3 Pro is powered by a MediaTek Helio P95 processor and has 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal memory.

PHP 28,990

Oppo Ace 2 Smartphone The Oppo Ace 2 is the latest gaming smartphone to come out of Oppo. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and an Adreno 650 GPU for that esports level gaming experience. The Ace 2 has a 6.55-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate and up to 180Hz touch sampling. To fully immerse gamers, the Oppo Ace 2 has 4D Vibration 2.0 and dual stereo Dolby Atmos speakers. To keep the device cool, the Oppo Ace 2 also comes with 4D constant cooling technology. Gaming all day is no sweat for the Oppo Ace 2 with its SuperVOOC 2.0 Flash charging to charge it at 65W and the AirVOOC wireless charging that charges the device at a blazing 40W, so you can game for up to an hour in just five minutes of charge time.

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Oppo Find X2 Pro Smartphone The Oppo Find X2 Pro is the newest flagship smartphone from Oppo’s premium Find X series. The Oppo Find X2 Pro is the first 5G smartphone from Oppo and uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor. The Oppo Find X2 Pro uses Oppo’s Ultra Vision Screen display, a 6.7-inch OLED screen capable of 120Hz screen refresh rate with a 3K QHD+ (3168 x 1440) resolution. The Find X2 Pro follows the success of the Find X camera setup, with the newer version sporting the new three-camera Ultra Vision Camera system from Oppo. It has a 48-megapixel wide-angle main shooter, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 13-megapixel periscope telephoto camera capable of 10x hybrid zoom and up to 60x digital zoom. At the front, the Oppo Find X2 Pro has a 32-megapixel selfie camera. The Oppo Find X2 Pro has Oppo’s new SuperVOOC 2.0 Flash Charge to power the 4260mAh battery at 65W.

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is the latest instant camera from the Japanese brand. Building on the success of its predecessors, the new Instax Mini 11 has automatic exposure function which makes capturing memories easier. Fujifilm has also given the Instax Mini 11 more personalized experience with customizable shutter buttons and matching color straps. It’s available in five different colors: blush pink, ice white, sky blue, lilac purple, and charcoal gray.

Synology DiskStation DS220j Network Attached Storage The Synology DiskStation DS220j is the latest entry-level Network Attached Storage (NAS). The Synology DiskStation DS220j supports up to 32TB of storage in its two-disk bays. It runs on Synology’s DiskStation Manager which provides secure and easy storage management. Aside from being a media backup, the Synology DiskStation DS220j can also function as PC backup with its macOS Time Machine support.

It can also back up and synchronize with other devices and public cloud networks.

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Nokia 8.3 5G Smartphone The Nokia 8.3 5G is the latest flagship device from Nokia as well as the brand’s first 5G enabled smartphone. The Nokia 8.3 5G has a 6.81-inch PureDisplay screen capable of FHD+ resolutions (1080x2400). The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and has up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. Capture stunning images with the Nokia 8.3 5G’s PureView ZEISS Optics quad-camera setup. Its main shooter is a 64-megapixel lens, its secondary is 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.

The front camera is a 24-megapixel ZEISS Optics lens. The Nokia 8.3 5G’s power button also functions as the fingerprint reader.

Powering the Nokia 8.3 5G is a 4500mAh battery which is set to last you more than a day’s worth of power.

Nokia 5.3 Smartphone The Nokia 1.3 is the newest entry-level smartphone in Nokia’s portfolio. It has a 5.71-inch HD+ edge-to-edge screen that sports a 19:9 aspect ratio. The display notch houses the 5-megapixel front-facing camera. At the back is the 8-megapixel camera with the dedicated flash. The Nokia 1.3 has all the speed and power you might need with its Qualcomm 215 mobile platform processor. It has 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage expandable up to 400GB. The Nokia 1.3 runs on the Android 10 version of Android Go. You can also expect the Nokia 1.3 to last you the day with its 3000mAh battery.

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Nokia 5310 Feature Phone The Nokia 5310 is the 2020 reimagining of the iconic Nokia Xpress Music phone. The Nokia 5310 comes with classic dedicated music buttons the original Xpress Music was known for. The 2020 Nokia 5310 has a beautifully rounded design with the curved display glass and key mat designed to make the phone easy to hold. As an homage to its namesake, the Nokia 5310 has loud dual front-facing speakers, wireless FM, and a memory card slot up to 32GB to play your saved music. The Nokia 5310 runs on Nokia’s Series 30+ OS which is smooth thanks to the device’s 8MB RAM. At the back is the VGA camera with a dedicated flash. Connectivity-wise, the Nokia 5310 has a microUSB charging port, a 3.5mm audio port, and Bluetooth 3.0. The Nokia 5310 is also powered by a 1200mAh battery that will last up to 30 days in standby.

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Legion 5i Gaming laptop The Legion 5i and Legion 5 are Lenovo’s mainstream gaming laptops offering several configuration options and next-level NVIDIA GeForce graphics. All models across the Lenovo Legion 5i and 5 families feature Lenovo Legion Coldfront 2.0 thermal management, the Lenovo Legion TrueStrike keyboard, and improved battery life using technologies like Advanced Optimus and Hybrid Mode.

They support faster Wi-Fi 6 and Dolby Atmos, come in a phantom black hue and with Rapid Charge Pro. With up to 16GB DDR4 memory and 1TB of storage, as well as the latest 10th Generation Intel Core H-series processors, this is an absolute gaming beast. Couple this with ray-tracing capabilities built into an RTX 2060, and you’ve got all you need for the gaming experience you want

PHP 62,995

IdeaPad Gaming 3i Gaming laptop This 15-inch IdeaPad Gaming 3i laptop has an optional 120Hz display, and features an up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7 H-Series mobile processor. Lenovo Q-Control 3.0 allows for performance mode switching and up to 8 hours unplugged performance with Rapid Charge when you need to top up your battery.

Available in two eye-catching colors, iridescent chameleon blue or onyx black, and weighing 2.2kg, the IdeaPad Gaming 3i features a blue backlit keyboard with 1.5mm key travel, a one-piece precision trackpad, a full-sized number pad, large arrow keys, and dedicated media keys. Game on the go, without breaking the bank!

PHP 52,995

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DJI Mavic Mini The DJI Mavic Mini builds on the light-weight and foldable design of DJI’s Mavic drones. As the “Mini” the DJI Mavic Mini is ultra light-weight coming in at just 249 grams and is designed to be flown by anyone via the dedicated remote controller. The light-weight design and high-grade motors give the Mavic Mini up to 30 minutes of flight time. As a video capture drone, the Mavic Mini provides high-quality footages, capable of 2.7K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. The 1/ 2.3-inch sensor also gives out 12-megapixel images. A three-axis motorized gimbal supports the camera, ensuring smooth footages ideal to share on social media.

PHP 20,699.00 (standard version) PHP 26,499.00 (Mavic Mini Fly More Combo)

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Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Keyboard Attention, people looking for a way to remain productive without having to take around a full laptop. Apple has finally heard your pleas and are proud to present the all-new Magic Keyboard for the current-generation iPad Pros. With what they claim to be the best typing experience ever available on an iPad, the new folio keyboard boasts a new folding design, superb scissor keys, a track pad for enhanced iPad usability, and USB-C charging, this is set to revolutionize working on the go. It’s an even more refined, elegant solution designed for an already powerful device, and is the accessory to have for any current-gen iPad owner, as long as you have deep enough pockets.

PHP 16,990 (11 inch iPad Pro) PHP 19,990 (12.9 inch iPad Pro)

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GADGETS LAB

XTreme Smart TV MF-5500s Reviewed by Maribelle Alba

With the increasing popularity of YouTube, Netflix, and other video streaming services, people are looking for bigger screens to get that immersive, cinematic experience when they bingewatch their favorite koreanovelas, or that blockbuster movie they missed on its theater run. The demand is being met by newcomers offering large screen smart TVs at affordable price points, like the Xtreme Smart TV S-Series for which we tested the 55-inch MF-5500s model.

DESIGN Handling the Xtreme Smart TV MF-5500s is not a one-person job as it is quite large and heavy, although actual assembly is a simple matter of screwing in the two V-shaped legs to the bottom of the unit, should you decide on a table-mount setting. Narrow 6.7 - 6.8mm bezels on three sides and a built-in sound bar on the bottom frame the large, flat 55-inch screen. The entire unit is a matte gray color all over, giving the TV a unitary look that is classily minimalistic. No shiny chrome on this one, except for the Xtreme logo centered on the bottom soundbar. If you’re making plans for a home makeover, this television set is an elegant centerpiece to any entertainment corner.

HARDWARE Being a smart TV, the Xtreme MF-5500s runs on the Linux operating system, with a 1GB DDR processor and 4GB eMMC memory. Netflix and YouTube are pre-installed, while additional apps can be downloaded from its own Zeasn app store.

The 55-inch display is a digital LED, IPS panel that delivers good picture quality with wide viewing angles. The sound system consists of built-in Pure Sound speakers.

Lined up on one side at the back are the various ports: USB 2.0, LAN, optical out, three HDMI, AV-in, antenna, and line out should you wish to connect it to other devices like a Playstation, etc. It is WiFi ready for fast wireless connectivity to a nearby router.

USER EXPERIENCE Once you’ve properly mounted the Xtreme Smart TV—whether on a wall or on a table-top—the rest is virtually plug and play. Connecting it to our home WiFi mesh was a simple matter of selecting the router and putting in the password. We don’t have cable, so there was no need to search for channels.

Netflix and YouTube are built-in, so again, it was a simple matter of logging in with the proper

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credentials to access these popular streaming services. In fact, the remote had dedicated buttons for these two services so you don’t need to scroll through on-screen options when you want to tune in to your favorite series or catch up on the latest vlogs.

Video quality is bright and crisp, with no fuzzy edges. Personally, I would have preferred more vivid colors and dynamic contrasts, but overall, picture quality is good enough to deliver a pleasurable viewing experience.

The built-in sound bar delivers clear enough sound, although there does not seem to be an equalizer function for custom audio settings. I like having a surround-setting when watching movies and had to turn up the volume to get that theater effect, only to realize later that I might have been disturbing the neighbors with the too-loud sound.

Maybe I’m just used to having external speakers on my regular TV set? In any case, a line-out jack lets you add supplemental speakers for better audio enjoyment.

SPECIFICATIONS: • Display: 55” DLED, IPS panel • Smart TV: WiFi Ready, UHD Ready, Fast Cast and HDR • Operating system: Unique UI with Linux OS • Pre-installed apps: Netflix, YouTube • App Store: Zeasn • Audio: Built-in speaker, soundbar Ready • Connections: LAN, Wireless LAN, USB 2.0, HDMI x 3, AV, RJ45 • Memory: 1GB DDR + 4GB eMMC • Power Supply: 110-220V, 50/60Hz, 145W • Dimensions (box): 1400 x 160 x 856 mm

What’s Hot: • Great price point • Classy design

VALUE The entire range of Xtreme S-series Smart TVs is very competitively priced for the display size and specifications, starting at PHP 9,995 for the 32-inch model, PHP 16,995 for the 43-inch, PHP 22,995 for the 49-inch, PHP 26,995 for the 55-incher that we tested, and PHP 39,995 for its largest screen size, a 65-incher.

What’s Not: • Video / audio quality could be improved

All models are similarly specced, differing only in the size of the display, and come with 2 years warranty on parts and labor.

BOTTOMLINE This 55-inch smart TV offers great value for money.

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HP Spectre x360 Reviewed by Gabriel Pe

The HP Spectre x360 line has always been a top dog for convertible ultrabooks. The design aesthetic and performance made it one of the most sought after ultrabooks in the market for the past few years. The 2020 HP Spectre x360 carries the Spectre name into a new decade, but is it like its predecessors?

DESIGN One look at HP Spectre x360 and I’m immediately in love. Our unit had the golden color scheme which looks sleek and professional. Its gem-cut design is something you’ll want to bring out on a meeting to bask in the eyeballs of your colleagues.

Opening the laptop you’ll be greeted with the sleek backlit keyboard and the fingerprint reader.

The keystrokes are great and honestly one of the best for its size. The 13.3-inch screen is also gorgeous with its extremely small bezels.

The HP Spectre x360 has a decent number of ports. On the left-side you have the 3.5mm audio port and a USB-A 3.1 port. On the right are two USB Type-C ports, a microSD card reader, and HP’s webcam kill switch. If you need additional USB type-A ports, HP has included a USB-C dongle with two additional USB-A ports and an HMDI port.

HARDWARE The HP Spectre x360 has a 10th gen Intel core i7 processor which also has Intel’s next-generation Iris Plus graphics. Our model had 1TB of SSD and 16GB of RAM, more than enough for my needs.

The HP Spectre x360 has a 13-inch AMOLED screen with 4K UHD resolution which, if you ask me, is superbly gorgeous on the eyes. As a convertible laptop, the HP Spectre x360 has a 360-degree hinge which gives the laptop versatility with its different forms. The included stylus also adds versatility to the laptop, and with Windows Ink support it feels a bit like writing on paper with barely visible stylus delay.

USER EXPERIENCE The best thing about the HP Spectre x360 is its portability. The laptop is extremely light and barely weighs 1.3kg. I had to cover an out of town event during my time with the laptop and it was heaven-sent. HP has included a leather case for the laptop with its own stylus case, a nice touch since the laptop itself has no stylus holder.

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Another great thing about the laptop was its battery. The HP Spectre x360 lasted me the whole day during my overnight trip and only needed to be charged at night after a whole day of work.

The 10th-gen Core i7 with the new Intel Iris Plus graphics was also powerful enough to run a bit of lighter games, though not on high resolution.

Apart from a bit of gaming, the HP Spectre x360 really shines at entertainment and media consumption. Watching movies in tent-form was one of the most immersive experiences you can do with the laptop.

HP has also prioritized user safety for the HP Spectre x360, the added webcam kill switch is one of the security highlights of the laptop. The fingerprint reader is also useful as an alternative log-in measure.

One thing to note about the HP Spectre x360 is that it gets hot especially after a heavy task. I tried running multiple basic processes on the laptop (Chrome, Spotify, Word, and Paint) and it felt warm.

It was not uncomfortable but it is noticeable.

At the end of my experience with the HP Spectre x360, all I could say is that I am in love. This is a great laptop with some great functionally. If only I have the budget, I would definitely get one of my own.

SPECIFICATIONS: • CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 (1.3 GHz boosted up to 3.9 GHz) • Graphics: Intel Iris Plus (Intel Integrated) • Memory: 16GB DDR4 • Storage: 1TB SSD with 32GB Intel Optane • Connection: Intel WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 • Weight: 1.3kg • Dimensions: 30.6 cm x 19.45 cm x 1.69 cm • Ports: 1x USB-A 3.1, 2 USB-C 3.1 (with thunderbolt 3), Fingerprint reader, 3.5mm audio, microSD reader, webcam kill switch.

What’s Hot: • Ultra-portable • Tablet mode • Stylus support • 4K AMOLED Screen • Great touchpad and keyboard • Included dongle and stylus

What’s Not: • Gets quite hot • Screen size is sometimes limiting

VALUE Who says convenience doesn’t have a price? The HP Spectre x360 retails at PHP 79,990 which is pretty tough on the wallet. But considering the hardware and design of this wallet, I honestly think the HP Spectre x360 is worth every penny you’ll spend on it.

BOTTOMLINE The HP Spectre x360 is certainly one of the best laptops of the year and will haunt its competition.

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Realme C3 Reviewed by Jewel Sta.Ana

The entry-level smartphone segment continues to grow of late. Several brands are upgrading the specs to address the demands of customers.

Known for its affordable smartphones, Realme recently added a new member to its C-series.

Compared to its predecessor, the Realme C3 has a larger screen, longer battery life, triple rear cameras, and a new processor. Is it a hit or a miss?

DESIGN Available in two colorways: blazing red and frozen blue, the Realme C3 is a striking phone that boasts a water-resistant design. Inspired by cold glaciers and hot magma, its eye-catching back panel features wavy lines that radiate like light. Unlike any other budget smartphone, it has a water-repellent plastic body to provide extra grip and avoid smudges. Realme’s logo in silver is located on the lower-left corner. The fingerprint scanner is located at the upper center while the triple cameras with LED flash are placed on the top left.

At the front, you can find a mini drop notch where the front camera sits. Compared to its predecessor, it has slimmer side bezels. Sitting at the right side is its power button, while the volume rocker can be found on the left side. Above it are the dual nano-SIM tray and a dedicated micro SD slot. We got our model unit in blazing red.

HARDWARE Boasting a bigger screen, the realme C3 has a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a mini drop notch that houses its 5MP front camera. The screen gets Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and produces up to 480 nits of brightness. Under its hood, it is equipped with a MediaTek Helio G70 processor mated with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory which is expandable up to 256GB via microSD slot. Its rear triple cameras include a 12MP primary, 2MP macro, and 2MP portrait sensors, while its front snapper is a 5MP front camera. Replacing the previous UI, it now runs on the brand’s own dedicated RealmeUI based on the latest Android 10.

USER EXPERIENCE To make things more interesting, the Realme C3 retains its facial recognition feature for unlocking the handset. The phone has a vibrant panel that produces brighter images and has a bigger screen size ideal for mobile gaming and binge-watching digital content. However, the display struggles to deliver when used outdoors. The contrast was a bit darker even if the brightness at maximum level, but it still managed to deliver.

Camera-wise, the triple rear cameras of the Realme C3 performs well with natural light. The subjects are more accurate, sharper, and detailed, most especially in macro mode. Colors are more lively and vibrant, thanks to Chroma Boost, a camera feature that was retained from the Realme C3’s predecessor. The story is different when it comes to night shooting and video recording, delivering dim photos with significant noise. Its 5MP front camera produces average photos with good bokeh effect.

The colors, however, may a bit inaccurate and dull in normal mode.

As the first smartphone to sport the brand’s very own Realme UI based on Android 10 out of the box, the Realme C3 comes with an improved icon design and allows users to customize it. Apart from animated wallpapers, it features Dark Mode, personal information protection, split-screen mode, sidebar for navigating Quick Tools, screen recording, and Eye Care mode for preventing eye strain. It also has pre-installed Google apps like Drive, Gmail, and other useful tools, as well as Hey Tap, Realme’s Internet Service Platform. Its 5,000 mAh can go a long way; up to 14 hours.

Equipped with MediaTek’s Heli G70 processor, it can handle simple multitasking with occasional lag when running multiple apps. It struggles when the maximum graphic settings are set on mobile games that demand higher frame rates like Call of Duty. Thanks to Game Space and Competitive, it optimizes the device’s in-game performance and alleviates frame drops. The fingerprint scanner and facial unlock is responsive and works just fine.

SPECIFICATIONS: • Display: 6.5-inch HD+ 720 x 1600 pixel resolution • Processor: MediaTek Helio G70 2GHz octa-core • Cameras: 5 MP f/2.4 front camera • RAM: 3 GB • Internal memory: 32 GB (expandable up to 256 GB via microSD slot) • UI: Realme UI (ColorOS 7 based on Android 10) • Battery: 5,000 mAh (with 10W charging) • Other features: reverse charging, face unlock, fingerprint scanner, Dual nano-SIM, Corning Gorilla Glass 3

What’s Hot: • Incredible battery life • Affordable price • New UI and OS

What’s Not: • Underwhelming camera performance in poor lighting conditions • Contrast of the display needs improvement • Not USB-C port

VALUE Realme has come a long way since its launch in the country. It has claimed the top spot for entry-level smartphones, combining functionality and style in a low price point. If you’re willing to cash out PHP 5,990 with the absence of fast-charging battery and night mode photography, then the realme C3 should be your top choice.

BOTTOMLINE It’s a value-for-money smartphone that combines style and functionality.

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Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5BT Reviewed by Ren Alcantara

There’s a lot to be said for going wireless. I prefer it myself, and have a wireless mouse, keyboard, and headset for my own work setup. This is particularly helpful if, like me, you can’t stay still, cutting down the chances of snagging on something and dragging my work area to the floor, When Pioneer sent over a pair of wired/ wireless headphones for review, I of course jumped on the opportunity to give them a try.

DESIGN These headphones are of the usual Pioneer design, with round earcups, large, strong pivots for durability in its intended purpose. As you might imagine from the name, these are meant to be DJ headphones that are hinged to be able to be pinched between an ear and a shoulder. Set right between a light, industrial design and what one might see in street-oriented cans, this is an exercise in compromise that actually works out. The cups are small enough to be comfortable walking around, but with enough size to cover your ears to make a decent seal when you’re mixing.

The cans features removable cable routed through the right cup, and buttons on the opposite ear for audio controls. This works with the hybrid design, as it is actually meant to be used at the DJ booth, or the street, in wireless mode.

HARDWARE These cans feature 40mm closed drivers, about standard for the class, and a removable 1.2 m coiled cable that terminates in a threaded 6.3mm stereo plug. There’s also a USB charging cable for the internal battery of unspecified capacity, but with a manufacturer-claimed 20 hours of charge.

They’re small, but heavier than one might expect for its size, tipping the scales at 319 g. It does run an older version of Bluetooth (4.2), but it should still be compatible with practically all devices, and is still quite good, all told. It does support aptX, and aptX low latency, so that’s a great little feature.

There’s also quite a comfortable headband, though the cups themselves could use a bit more padding.

A great additional feature is how these cans can fold into quite a compact package for storage and travel.

USER EXPERIENCE I am a fan of headphones from Pioneer. They look great, last a good long while, and offer decent, if bass-heavy sound quality. These cans are quintessentially Pioneer for the most part.

Comfort-wise, the headband is quite good, with generous padding, though it does tend to pinch,

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given the thinner padding in the cups. If you intend to pinch it to your ear with your shoulder, I don’t see a problem, though my large head makes wearing the smallish X5BT a little pinchy after about an hour.

As for sound quality, it was uncharacteristically thin.

This isn’t to say that’s a bad thing, as too much bass does drown everything else out, though it might really not have enough punch for even milder bass-heads. There wasn’t much distortion, so it’s not lacking in fidelity, it’s just not particularly focused on bass, which is just fine. With my usual test tracks, mids come out more than I am accustomed to from the brand, with a little reedy thinness at points. A trip to the equalizer might be called for to make up for this. Wireless connectivity is a great plus, allowing these unobtrusive headphones to be used out in the world without any fuss. Battery life was about at par with what was on the box, lasting about a workweek with roughly four hours of usage per day. Once you’re done listening, fold it up, toss it in a case, and take it around with you.

As we said earlier, the hinges are solid, though the ones on the review pair were creaky, giving an audible squeak each time I touched the buttons on the left cup to listen to music. Movement does tend to go through and cut past the music, but hopefully some breaking in will sort things out. In any case, I’d rather have squeaky hinges than ones that break easily, and these ones are solid.

SPECIFICATIONS: • • • • • •

Form: Over-Ear Driver size: 40 mm Impedance: 32 Ohms Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 30 kHz Sensitivity: 104 dB Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX LL • Bluetooth Profiles A2DP • Runtime (Rated): 20 Hours

What’s Hot: • Great looks • Sturdy construction

What’s Not: • Thin sound • Pinches after a while

VALUE At a converted price of about PHP 7,000, these are a little on the pricey side of its class. Still though, it has solid Pioneer reliability, wired and wireless capabilities, and more than acceptable sound quality. I’m a believer of the Pioneer brand, and I think if you give these a chance, you might be one too.

BOTTOMLINE

If you want cans that will work on the street as well at the DJ booth, this is a candidate.

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COVER STORY

KEEPING US TOGETHER: Tech in the time of COVID

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The current world crisis is unprecedented, but without the technology available to us, it could be a lot worse. Being able to bank, work, connect, and even shop, while a little more difficult than usual, is possible, thanks to the mobile phone, computer, and internet connectivity. In this month’s CoverStory, we take a look at how technology has made staying home not just tolerable, but even productive.

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HEALTH TECH Words by Ren Alcantara

Because of recent events, there has been a lot of focus on the health industry. Apart from the devotion and sacrifice of countless healthcare professionals and the institutions that keep us safe, technology has made huge strides in healthcare and how the system runs. We’re lucky to be living in a time where technology can do so much to help with a task that can be quite daunting, so here’s a bit of a spotlight on the tech that helps make us better. Whether it’s something as simple as easier access to records, or something as dramatic as performing remote operations from halfway around the world, technology is here to make the process of keeping people healthy a much easier endeavor.

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Your medical records Medical records are long, complicated things, with plenty of information. Duplicating each person’s medical history, particularly for patients with extensive health concerns. The digitalization of health records is a huge boon for the whole system. Instant, remote access to records that are as accurate as the original, filed in a simple system makes the process of dealing with patients that much more simple, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on the people who need their help, than dealing with administrative tasks.

Personal trackers with global possibilities Personal health trackers have been increasing in popularity of late, and while it can be nice to know you’ve hit 10,000 steps in your day, or how much sleep you actually got, the average person doesn’t really have that much use for all that info. At the top of the year, a US study found that heart rate and sleep data from a reasonably large number of people in an area could be used to predict possible flu outbreaks. There’s a lot of power in having a lot of data as long as you know what to do with it, and this opens up a lot of possible uses for all the information all those wearables generate.

Information dissemination While not directly healthcare technology per se, the way governments and hospitals get to share information during critical times has changed dramatically. Institutions have practically direct access to people through their mobile phones, and apps installed on phones makes being able to update even larger populations a matter of sending notifications or bulletins out. Creating awareness of developments in the changing landscape, of an epidemic, for example, does a lot towards the prevention of larger problems down the road.

Remote access to healthcare While remote operations using robots and the internet haven’t quite made it into the every operating theatre just yet, simpler things like scheduling an appointment, and even remote consultations are here. As seen with how a number of hospitals and doctors dealt with COVID-19, apps and websites came up for remote consultation, to be able to ease some of the pressure on ERs, as well as tend to a public that was in quarantine, sorting out more severe cases from those that could be dealt with at home.

There are other apps already available, made in partnership with medical institutions and insurance companies that allow users to have a virtual appointment with a medical professional for simple things like a quick consult, or a a quick look-over

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when something doesn’t feel quite right, once again lightening the load on hospitals, and delivering greater convenience to all the people involved.

Analytics

simulations, and predicting possible outcomes that would be extremely difficult or time consuming without any technological aids. This in turn allows faster responses to problems, or even dealing with a crisis preemptively.

There’s a lot that can be done with big data. Just like fitbits being used to predict possible flu outbreaks, looking broadly at all the data across different areas, age groups, or other qualifiers, has the potential to show trends that cannot be seen on an individual level. While this is technically possible without the use of digitalization or the cloud, the task is much less daunting with technology on your side. Given digital records of a large number of patients, analysts can look at any number of factors with easy, speed, and accuracy, extrapolating information, running

Healthcare and technology go hand-in-hand. Each innovation is built on existing ones for a stronger, more useful, more effective solution that helps make our lives easier. While there won’t be a replacement for seeing a doctor, getting your own exercise, or eating healthy, technology has allowed us little changes that improve our quality of life. As tech improves, devices become less expensive, and new breakthroughs happen, we can expect even more amazing solutions, more accurate information, and a healthcare system that is even better at keeping all of us healthy.

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ALL HANDS ON DECK How the tech world is racing against time to stop pandemics Words by Gabriel Pe

In the last few months COVID-19—caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus—has brought the world to a standstill.

The disease is fatal to individuals who are immunocompromised and has killed over 300,000 around the world and infected over 4-million others as of this writing.

In order to slow the spread of the disease, countries have implemented strict lockdowns and quarantine protocols for their citizens. The USA, Italy, and Spain are amongst the most affected by the disease with fatalities reaching thousands in a single day.

In order to help stop the spread of the deadly virus, several of the world’s biggest tech companies have banded together to think of new and ingenious ways on how they could help to fight the pandemic.

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Testing kits made easy Many tech giants have their own health and medicine research arms. These companies have started focusing their efforts on COVID-19 testing and research, with some updating their testing machines to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A perfect example of this is tech and power tools maker Bosch, who has produced an update for their Vivalytic molecular diagnostic platform that will be adapted to test for the coronavirus in patients, offering results in under two and a half hours.

Dedicated COVID-19 websites and apps When the virus rapidly started spreading through the western hemisphere, tech giants started to notice, and began opening web services specifically dedicated to the cause. Early March saw Google, Apple, and Twitter create dedicated COVID-19 pages on the ‘net and platforms to notify users about the latest news and trend of the disease. In the country, several universities and private organizations have partnered with the World Health Organization Philippines (WHO Philippines) and the Department of Health (DOH) to create dedicated websites and apps to monitor, track, and inform the public about the latest news and cases of COVID-19. They have also partnered with local telcos to open access to these websites by removing data costs in visiting the app and sites.

Big servers and computers for cure research One of the biggest ways that tech giants leaped into action was by lending their tech expertise to the different causes. For their part, IBM, Google, AWS, Microsoft, and HPE have created the High-Performance Computing Consortium (HPC Consortium) an initiative that unites all of the companies’ high-performance computers and servers to aid researchers to decode the virus. The high-performance computers will run simulations and calculations on the nature and composition of the virus. This lets scientists and researchers accumulate years worth of data in just a matter of weeks or days.

Hospital robots, masks, and new ventilators Much is still unknown about the new strain of the coronavirus, which is why tackling it remains dangerous. Governments and hospitals around the world have implemented strict protocols when dealing with patients who are suspected or confirmed to have the virus. To help keep frontline workers safe from the virus many tech companies, such as Intel, DJI, HP, Apple, and even car manufacturers Tesla, Ford, and GM have each provided ingenious ways to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Apple, HP, and Honeywell have started production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks to keep supply in the US. Ford and other

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car manufacturers, on the other hand, have been ordered by the White House to produce ventilators for patients in the US. Lastly, DJI and Intel have made use of their technology to create drones and robots to aid in disinfecting and sanitizing. DJI’s drones were used in China and Korea to aid and streamline the disinfection of the streets and buildings, while Intel has provided platform based robots in hospitals in China to separate doctors and nurses from infected patients by transporting tools and supplies.

AI and machine learning leading the way We have come a long way in tech since the last massive outbreak. One of the many ways tech has boosted research and detection of the coronavirus is by AI and machine learning. Several

countries have deployed AI programs to help in their fight against the virus. Examples of these are the diagnostics AI which helps people know whether they have the virus or not. Some tech startups have also used AI to start researching the effects of specific medicines on the virus without the immediate need for a human trial. Meanwhile, other startups have also begun using machine learning to compile research and journal articles about the virus to aid researchers around the world and expedite the search for a cure for the deadly disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic was unexpected, and caught practically everyone unprepared with how serious and deadly it could be. Thankfully the technology we have today helps streamline our road to recovery.

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ENTERTAINMENT Words by Mia Carisse S. Barrientos

Staying at home is fun. However, when extended indefinitely, even the most seasoned couch potato would run out of ideas to banish boredom.

If you’re close to the end of your Netflix watching list in this time of social distancing and self-quarantine, you might want to check what these companies are doing to keep you entertained at home.

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EA says Stay Home, Play Together As part of their Stay & Play campaign, the video game company is hosting online tournaments —Apex Legends Global Series—where their community of players can participate and compete against influencers and celebrities as well as get the chance to win a hefty amount of cash. They have also enlisted personalities, including gaming personalities and NFL superstars, to stream on their Twitch channels.

Other video game companies such as Zynga, Riot Games, Blizzard, and more have also banded together, under the campaign #PlayAPartTogether, to insert WHO best practices in slowing the spread of COVID-19 into their games.

Epic Games, the maker of the massively popular title Fortnite, is also offering a multitude of games for a limited time only to offer all of us stuck at home a virtual escape.

Come Together with music Music never fails to entertain. And in this time of encouraged isolation Apple Music strengthens this with its newly launched Come Together feature that showcases upbeat music to keep you energized and productive. There are seven playlists to choose from depending on the type of music you need to power up. The titles—Social Distancing Social Club, Isolation Icebreakers, and more—will give you more reason to hit play.

If you’re not an Apple device user, Spotify has a lot to offer as well. You’ve probably seen the COVID-19 quarantine party playlist going around on social media with tracks such as Toxic, Stayin’ Alive, Work From Home, among others you can’t help but dance along with. There are more playlists put together by bored people like you and I to enjoy on the app.

While these aren’t exactly Spotify initiatives, it’s great how the service facilitates fun in these trying times Have virtual movie nights with friends on Netflix I think we can all agree that watching movies is much more enjoyable with the company of friends and family. Netflix lets you do just that, but still in keeping with the rules of social distancing, through Netflix Party. Watch shows and movies in sync with friends by installing Netflix Party Google Chrome extension. What this does is during playback, there would be a small window where you can chat with your friends and gush over how cute Lauren and Cameron are on Love Is Blind (Yes, I am imploring you to watch this show).

And as it is expected that most of us will be spending days locked in, burning through our Netflix binge lists, the streaming service has announced that they’ve developed a way to reduce traffic without sacrificing video quality.

Amazon Prime, on the other hand, will also be making a selection of family-friendly content available even to those without Prime membership.

Let’s flatten the curve by staying home!

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PHOTO FEATURE

With everything that’s going on right now and all the spare time people have, it’s no wonder gaming has seen a massive spike of late. It’s a means of escape, a stimulating activity, and even a way to connect with friends without having to leave the house. If you’re feeling a little down, and need a distraction or a fun activity with friends, get your game on.

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Information is power, and at a time like this, real, useful information could save your life. Our phones serve as the fastest, most convenient way to stay abreast with everything that’s going on in the outside world.

We have to be careful though-a lot of intentionally false and misleading news is out there, so while updating yourself, make sure to check reputable sources, and get information from multiple sites.

Information is our best weapon in these times.

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Staying indoors doesn’t mean an end to shopping Money still makes the world go ‘round, and whether it’s paying bills, transferring money, or paying for deliveries, our phones make sure the wheels of economy stay turning.

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Need a quick consult, diet plan, or exercise routine? There’s an app for that. Don’t let staying home turn you into a couch potato.

Your phone is your greatest companion for keeping fit and active, even during a lockdown.

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Those of us who are lucky enough to be able to work at this time know the value of a phone, a computer, and an internet connection more than ever before. Being able to collaborate, submit documents, and coordinate with colleagues from anywhere around the globe keeps business running, minds working, and people paid.

Video conferencing has changed how we do work, and lets us get things done from the comfort and safety of our homes. With the proper tools, the only thing different from working at home and working at the office is the hour-long commute!

Things might not go back to the way things were before all of this, but that doesn’t mean the changes have to all be bad. The Internet, the cloud, and remote work all exist to keep productivity up in the upcoming new normal we will all have to face.

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H

yundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official Philippine distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles, is rolling out its Guidelines for Protection and Safety (GPS) to help its employees, dealership front liners, business partners, and customers navigate the next normal upon resumption of operations.

Hyundai GPS is a wide-ranging set of health and safety guidelines covering the entire value chain of HARI – importation, assembly, office operations, vehicle delivery to dealerships, showroom operations, sales operations, aftersales, customer relations, test drives, and unit release. Hyundai GPS aims to protect the wellbeing and health of its stakeholders and includes the customer journey and facilities, processes, manpower, and operations.

Hyundai GPS guidelines are based on global standards, risk assessment, and protocols of the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

“It will not be easy,” affirmed HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo. “Even if the ECQ is lifted or modified, we do not expect to return to ‘business as usual.’ The great lock down has radically changed consumer behavior but we are ready for the next normal in auto. We are in the year of resilience and as a leading mobility

provider, we are taking the needed steps to ensure the well-being of our customers and employees inside and outside our dealerships.”

Hyundai customers can continue to avail of online channels to reach Hyundai C.A.R.E.S. (Customer Assistance and RESponse) at wecare@hyundaiasia.com and through @hyundaiph on Facebook Messenger. The company is set to roll out more virtual collaboration tools to ensure “no-contact” transactions and engagement.

“Since travel remains limited due to the inherent risk of contamination, we have on board our technical and non-technical crew to offer you immediate assistance right in the safety and comfort of home, via phone or video conferencing,” explained Ms. Agudo.

“Now if you must visit our dealerships, you can conveniently book appointments online. We will be implementing globally-prescribed health and safety measures for people entering and leaving our dealerships, our Hyundai Logistics Center, and Hyundai Assembly Center in Laguna.”

Measures under Hyundai GPS include: social distancing of at least one meter apart; dealership front liners wearing the stipulated PPE gear; installation of sanitation booths equipped with thermal scanners and sanitizing material for incoming customers and employees; posting of safety reminders and availability of antibacterial sprays in all key areas—showroom, service bays, customer lounges, and toilets; provision of surgical masks, alcohol and hand sanitizers to customers; disinfection services including the option to fumigate new and serviced vehicles; for test drives and other transactions, the regular wiping down of all “high contact points,” such as

car door handles, steering wheels, and car keys; and regular sanitation of dealerships and parts warehouse.

As part of GPS, HARI has gone on board Project ARK (Antibody Rapid Test Kits), a private sector-led initiative that will make the FDA-approved rapid test kits available at the community level, thus complementing government efforts at “flattening the curve.” HARI is one of the first local auto firms that signed up for Project ARK and has initially committed to 3,000 test kits for its employees and LGU beneficiaries.

“With Hyundai GPS, we are set to navigate the next normal in ensuring the stable movement of people and goods, while protecting people and property,” Ms. Agudo reiterates. “And, to all our customers: There is life after COVID and we are ready to give you even Better Journeys!”

HARI has been actively supporting nationwide efforts to flatten the curve through H.A.R.I. Foundation’s (HFI) flagship program #HyundaiSAGIP. Earlier this month, #HyundaiSAGIP rolled out Biyahe ng Bayani which provides free rides for health workers and transportation of medical supplies in Southern Luzon hospitals. This will soon be expanded in Northern Luzon. HFI also recently completed the delivery of 2,500 personal protective equipment (PPEs) to UP-PGH front liners.

Also ongoing is Hyundai’s extension of coverage on all Hyundai passenger car and commercial vehicles whose warranties lapsed within the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period until May 31, 2020.

MOBILITY

Getting back in the saddle Words by Ren Alcantara | Artwork by Jezeil Romero

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he quarantine has been brutal for everyone, and while the end isn’t quite in sight, it’s never too early to think about getting our normal routines going again. I know everyone is eager to get back on the road and moving again, but before heading out, you should take a few extra steps to make sure you, your bike, and your gear are all in riding shape. The only way you want to hit the asphalt is with both wheels firmly planted.

Check yourself More than driving a car, riding a motorcycle is a physical experience, and being stuck indoors for an extended period of time isn’t the best thing for range of motion or general wellness. If you have existing medical conditions, it might be best to make sure everything is normal, particularly before embarking on your first long ride after a while. It might sound overly cautious, but it’s definitely not something you want to deal with when you’re out on a long stretch of road.

Give yourself a little stretch and see if any squeaks or creaks have developed in your joints. You don’t want to have to put a foot down only to realize your legs won’t cooperate (or that your riding pants are too tight—more on that later). Have a seat on your bike and move around on it. The garage is the best place to get a good idea if you’re in riding shape.

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Check your gear If you’ve ever owned a pair of sneakers that got crumbly after being left in the closet for a stretch of time, you know that gear doesn’t like getting stored for very long. Make sure your helmet liner is free from mold or mildew, and give it a wash if needed. Ensure that the buckle works, and isn’t rusted. Make sure nothing has decided to make a home inside your lid during the lockdown, and give it a good wipe down and sanitizing.

Gloves, shoes, and boots can have rubber parts that get crumbly. Hopefully you got to air them out regularly to keep this from happening, but just the same, make sure everything is still solid. Give these pieces a good flex, and check for cracks, especially along seams, or where two different materials are stitched or glued together.

As much as we hate to admit it, a lot of us will have put on a few inches during our long isolation. It makes sense then to give your gear a thorough and honest fitting. Everything should be snug, but not restrict your movement in a way that won’t let you ride. Zips should all close without resistance, buckles shouldn’t strain against your waist, and clasps should close easily and positively.

Check your ride Washing your bike is a great way to give it a look-over. While you clean the different parts of the motorcycle, take note of any corrosion, cracks in the tires, or any other exterior problems that might cause problems on a ride. Make sure the mirrors aren’t stuck, and once again, that nothing has decided to make a home of your bike while it has been sitting idle. While you’re at it, check to make sure the papers are where you left them, and ensure that the bag or pouch you keep them in is still waterproof.

If you weren’t able to ride at all, make sure your battery has a decent charge. If you have a voltmeter, now is the time to test the resting voltage. A 12V lead-acid battery should read 12.5V or above. If it’s below that, you might have some problems starting.

Get a battery conditioner, or borrow one from a friend to get it back into shape. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as desperately trying to get a bike with a weak battery to start.

make sure they’re up to the task. You don’t want to finally get the chance to ride, only to end up sliding all over the road. Take the time to also check your brakes, and make sure everything works as intended, without any loss in feel or pressure.

even road closures might change your ride a lot.

Don’t go tearing up the streets at once. This also gives your bike time to loosen up again, and your mind time to adjust to moving faster, and moving on two wheels.

Check the road. This isn’t really something you can do preemptively, but once everything is ok, and you can go out, don’t assume your usual roads are in the same condition as you remember. A lot could have changed since you last got out. Potholes, obstacles,

Riding is a great way to relax, get some air, and finally get outside again. Before you do though, take the time to go over the steps above, so that your first ride out after getting stuck indoors is the most fun it can possibly be.

Check the tank. Ideally you got to store your bike with a full tank of gas, to keep moisture out and the inside of the tank rust-free. Take a quick peek in there to make sure rust hasn’t formed to potentially clog the fuel lines. While you’re there, take note of how much fuel you have left, and plan a trip to the gas station if you need to. Check the rest of the fluid levels as well, particularly if you see anything pooling under your bike while it was sitting.

Check tire wear, air pressure, and overall condition.

Your tires are what keep you planted on the road,

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The Subaru Forester GT Edition is finally here in the Philippines

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otor Image Pilipinas, the exclusive distributor of Subaru vehicles in the country, has officially announced the arrival of the Subaru Forester GT Edition, the sporty variant of the brand’s beloved SUV.

“We are proud to introduce the Forester GT Edition to the Philippines. Now the Forester looks more rugged yet refined, sophisticated and sporty. It is specially made for those who want to stand out from the crowd and defy convention. With it we are offering our customers here a better line-up, better quality and value. I believe it will excite the market and drive product interest,” said Glenn Tan, deputy chairman and managing director of Tan Chong International Ltd. Tan Chong International Ltd. owns the Motor Image Group of Companies.

The Subaru Forester GT is the second Subaru GT variant car to arrive in Philippine shores following the Subaru XV GT edition. The new Subaru Forester GT was created in close collaboration with renowned engineering company Giken Co. Ltd. and Masahiko “Jack” Kobayashi. Kobayashi was the former Chief Designer (head of global advanced design studio) at Subaru Corporation. He was responsible for the external design of 12 Subaru vehicles including the iconic WRX STI. The Forester GT edition is fitted with an aero kit for a sportier look. The kit has four elements: Front bumper lip extension, side skirts, roof spoilers, and rear bumper lip extension.

The aero kit is complemented by the car’s set of 18-inch bespoke alloy wheels. Inside, the Forester GT Edition has its own seat-leather design. To complete the interior, Subaru has fitted the Forester GT Edition with a new 8-inch Display Audio System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The Forest GT Edition will also be the first Subaru in the country to feature the Superview Around Recognition 360 System, a 360-degree camera view system that will aid drivers maneuver in tight parking spots.

Despite its sporty exterior, the Subaru Forester GT Edition is the same Forester everybody loves. It has 156 PS of power at 6000 RPM with 196 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. It comes with Subaru’s four Subaru Core Technologies: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Boxer Engine, Subaru Global Platform, and Subaru EyeSight Driver Assists Technology, which contribute to a total of more than 100 safety features.

The Subaru Forest GT Edition will retail for PHP 2,120,000 and will be available in the following color variants: crystal black pearl, crystal white pearl, dark gray metallic, ice silver metallic, crimson red pearl, and sepia bronze metallic. Pre-orders are on-going at all Subaru showrooms nationwide.

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Nissan Brings the 370Z to Philippine shores

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issan Philippines is finally bringing the iconic Nissan 370Z to the Philippine market this April. Long hailed as the little brother to the brand’s iconic Nissan GT-R, the Nissan 370z offers strong performance heritage and celebrated design.

The Nissan 370Z is equipped with Nissan’s award-winning VQ37 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine that is capable of a maximum of 332 PS of power and 363 Nm of torque. The engine is mated with Nissan’s SynchroRev matching system for the 6-speed manual transmission, or a 7-speed automatic transmission with magnesium paddle shifters and Downshift Rev matching feature.

Further enhancing the car’s performance are the sport-tuned shock absorbers, Nissan Sport Brakes, Limited Slip Differential, and a Carbon Fiber Composite Driveshaft.

Outside, the Nissan 370Z remains a sight to behold with its sleek, iconic low roofline made for better aerodynamics. It has a low center of gravity and a short wheelbase for quicker response and better handling. The Nissan 370Z also carries a distinct bumper design with Bi-Xenon HID projector headlamps, and LED Daytime Running Lamps. To round out the vehicle’s sporty appearance are the 19-inch Forged alloy wheels by RAY, dual exhaust outlets, and a sleek rear spoiler.

Inside, the Nissan 370Z features a driver-focused cockpit with 4-way power-adjustable sport seats, triple meter, 8-speaker Bose sound system, push start and stop button, and sports pedals.

“Nissan has a proven heritage of producing some of the most iconic sports cars in the world, and we’re very excited to celebrate this legacy with the Nissan 370Z. The Nissan 370Z has brought great innovation to the sports car segment, showcasing the perfect combination of practicality and performance,” says Atsushi Najima, Nissan

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Philippines president and managing director. “We are very happy to turn the ‘sports car dream’ into a reality for Filipinos everywhere this April, as we introduce the Nissan 370z into the market. We are looking forward to sharing this with Filipinos craving for a new and thrilling driving experience.”

Aside from the Nissan 370Z premium, Nissan Philippines will also be bringing in the Nissan 370Z NISMO which features motorsport-inspired exterior and interior elements. It has the NISMO designed front and rear bumpers, side sills, rear spoiler, and door mirror to give the car a more aggressive and aerodynamic look while enhancing front and rear downforce.

The exterior of the Nissan 370Z NISMO is complemented by the exclusive 19-inch Forged Alloy wheels by RAY with twin-five spoke design and a charcoal gray machine finish. The interior also features NISMO-styled elements including Recaro Sport Seats and steering wheel wrapped in leather and Alcantara, NISMO red tachometer, and NISMO livery.

The Nissan 370Z NISMO is also a bit more powerful than its premium siblings. The NISMO edition is fitted with an exclusive NISMO dual exhaust system which gives the 3.7-liter V6 engine a higher output. The Nissan 370Z NISMO is rated at 344 PS and has 371 Nm of torque, which is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission with black magnesium paddle shifters. The Nissan 370Z NISMO also features NISMO-branded strut tower brace for enhance body rigidity and performance dampers for better handling.

The Nissan 370Z Premium is priced at PHP 2,779,000 for the 6-speed manual transmission variant and PHP 2,879,000 for the 7-speed automatic transmission. The Nissan 370Z is available in select dealerships nationwide. The Nissan 370Z NISMO, on the other hand, will be priced at PHP 3,888,000 and will be available at Nissan High-Performance Center in Quezon Avenue.

To learn more about the Nissan 370Z visit www.nissan.ph APRIL-MAY 2020

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Mitsubishi introduces top of the line Xpander Cross

M

itsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is introducing a new Xpander to the Philippine market. The Xpander Cross is positioned to be the top-of-the-line variant of the best-selling Mitsubishi nameplate in the market.

With the success of the Xpander from its 2018 release, MMPC has further expanded the vehicle’s capabilities adding rugged, sporty style and toughness to the comfortable and versatile 7-seater MPV. “The XPANDER is a very important nameplate to MMPC as it fits many of the vehicle requirements of Filipinos. It provides the reliable performance, spacious and comfortable interior, host of safety features and a very bold design. Now with the entry of the XPANDER CROSS, its added features, we see renewed potential to the already successful Xpander nameplate,” said Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, MMPC president and CEO. The Xpander Cross has a sportier look compared to the regular Xpander. The new Xpander Cross reflects the essence of the Mitsubishi Motor Corporation through its Dynamic Shield design that projects a balance of powerful performance and a reassuring sense of protection.

The Xpander Cross has a new protective lower bumper skid plate, new wheel arch molding and side body garnish, roof rails, LED headlights and fog lamps, and new 17-inch alloy wheels which give it a sporty SUV image.

The new Xpander Cross is equipped with the same 1.5-liter DOHC MIVEC engine that delivers up to 105 PS at 6000 RPM, and 141 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The Xpander Cross has had some height adjustments compared to its base models. The new variant now has 225 mm of ground clearance. Mitsubishi has also equipped the Xpander Cross with a new specially tuned suspension with a rebound spring making the car capable of traversing more challenging terrain without comprising passenger comfort. The car also has a wide windshield and high seating positions for better driver visibility, and is also equipped with cruise control.

accents on the dashboard. The seats are covered with dual-tone leather, and at the head unit is a 7-inch touchscreen audio display with reverse camera.

Inside the 7-seater MPV is a spacious cabin complemented with versatile seats that can be configured to accommodate different space or seat requirements. The second and third row can fold flat with no gaps to accommodate large cargo loads.

The Xpander Cross has the tagline “Live Extra” with Mitsubishi challenging Filipino families to break away from their regular work-to-home routine and live life to the fullest. As part of its launch campaign, the Xpander Cross feature the celebrity family of the Arellanos as the vehicle’s brand ambassadors.

The interior design is also luxurious. The new Xpander Cross is dominated by black and brown

“The Arellano family is the best representation of a modern and adventurous Filipino family. Despite

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their hectic schedule, both Drew and Iya are still able to balance a fun and healthy lifestyle. They both excel in their professional careers, are known for their sporty lifestyle and still manage to be amazing parents to their kids,” said Alvin Dalida, MMPC’s First Vice President for Marketing and Sales Division.

The new Xpander Cross has a price of PHP 1,255,000 and will be available in the following color variations: white pearl, sterling silver metallic, graphite grey metallic, and sunrise orange metallic.

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Words by Ren Alcantara Artwork by Jezeil Romero

W

hen it comes to getting stuck at home, cars and people aren’t that different.

Before you take your car back out, take a little time to give it a onceover to ensure that it’s ready to hit the road once again.

Battery If you have a voltmeter, take a reading.

It should be no lower than 12.6V. If it’s low, hook it up to a battery conditioner.

If you can’t take a reading and it has difficulty starting, try to drive around for about 20 minutes and keep the tachometer at about 1.5K rpm if you’re running petrol.

Fluid levels

Interior

Did you fill the tank up before letting the vehicle sit? Make sure you check the fuel level before heading out and refill as needed. Do the same for engine oil, ATF, power steering fluid, and braking fluid.

Checking under the vehicle to see if anything has dripped onto the driveway will clue you in.

The same humid climate does some nasty things to car interiors. Check that any leather of upholstery is free from cracks and mold, and give it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth. Solvents aren’t generally a good idea, so use whatever cleaner your manufacturer or car care person recommends.

Tire pressure

Wipers

Tires don’t really have a perfect seal, so take out your tire pressure gauge and see if your tire pressure is up to spec. While you’re there, check if any cracks have formed on the sidewall, and make sure the tires are ready for the road.

If your car has been out in the sun, your wipers might have suffered.

Give them a look to see that they haven’t turned brittle, and that they haven’t started to fall apart. Replace if needed. Just because it’s summer, it doesn’t mean freak rainstorms can’t appear out of nowhere.

A/C

Registration

Staying idle in a humid country like ours can do all sorts of funky things to your air conditioning system. If you run the A/C and it smells damp, run it on fan for a bit, as that might help, or better yet, get a can of air conditioning disinfectant to give the climate system a clean. If all else fails, you might need to take it to the shop for service.

Now that everything is running again, check to make sure your car registration is current. It’s just the law.

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Maxus PH adds T60 pickups to product line-up M

axus Philippines adds a pickup range to its current line-up of commercial vehicles with the introduction of the T60 4×2 Pro and T60 4×4 Elite.

The T60 is classified as a midsize pickup, and is the longest and widest in its class, allowing varied requirements of cargo and passenger transport.

The T60 is powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine with variable geometry turbocharger and drive mode select that is mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission generating maximum power of 150Ps at 3,400rpm and maximum torque of 360Nm at 1,600-2,800rpm—sufficient push and pull for a pickup.

Standard features of the T60 include an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Mirrorlink, rear camera and rear sensors, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, rear air conditioning vents plus a wading depth of 800mm. The 4×4 Elite comes with the following additional features: LED headlamps and DRLs, electronic stabilisation program, power driver seat adjustments, push start ignition, automatic air conditioning, and a larger 10-inch monitor for its infotainment system.

In terms of safety, the T60 comes standard with tire pressure monitoring system, front airbags, ISOFIX seats, and immobilizer.

The T60 is one of the few models in the pick-up segment with a 5 year warranty (or 100,000 kms, whichever comes first). Moreover, the after sales services are set to the “maximum” with a periodic maintenance service (PMS) interval schedule of the first 5,000 kms and every succeeding 15,000 kms or once a year, whichever comes first. This is more convenient and more cost-efficient compared to the industry-standard 5,000-km PMS interval. Maxus Philippines also offers a 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, a pick-up and delivery service for customers, and on-site servicing for corporate fleet accounts. The Maxus T60 models are offered at special introductory prices of PHP 948,000 for the 4×2 Pro MT, PHP 1,028,000 for the 4×2 Pro AT, and PHP 1,278,000 for the 4×4 Elite AT Available colors are agate red, lava gray, and blanc white for the T60 4×2 Pro, and

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olive green and aurora silver for the T60 4×4 Elite.

Obsidian black is available for both variants.

At the launch, Automobile Central Enterprise Inc. president Felipe Estrella said during the program, ”On June 5, 2019, AC Motors, the automotive distribution and retail group of Ayala subsidiary AC Industrials, introduced locally the Maxus brand. From then on, the Filipino motorists got to know and experience Maxus’ 124 years of British heritage, British expertise and British excellence in the global commercial vehicle category. Moreover, the T60 pickup is produced

by SAIC Motor which ranked among the top 10 automakers globally selling more than 7 million units in 2018. This is a testament to the global scale and acceptance of SAIC.” Maxus Philippines’ general manager Reginald See highlighted, “The addition of the T60 pickup

to our growing model lineup strengthens our market foothold on the Light Commercial Vehicles’ category in the country as we now have virtually the entire range of models for business and lifestyle requirements—transporting people, cargo, or a combination of both in any road condition. More importantly, the T60 is packed with features at an entry level price.The pricing for the T60 highlights Maxus Philippines’ efforts to make a world class, feature packed and safe pickup be affordable for our customers.”

For more information about Maxus Philippines’ T60 4×2 Pro and 4×4 Elite, log on to www.maxus. com.ph. Like and follow Maxus Philippines’ Facebook page and Instagram account (@maxusph).

Maxus showrooms are located in Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Taguig South, Cebu and Iloilo.

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All-New Porsche 911 Turbo S set for Philippine debut soon

A

fter its global reveal last March, Porsche has announced that it will bring the All-New Porsche 911 Turbo S to the country.

The All-New Porsche 911 Turbo S will come in a Coupe and Cabriolet version. It is powered by a new six-cylinder 3.8-liter boxer engine capable of producing 650 PS and 800 Nm of torque—a full 70 PS and 50 Nm more than its predecessor. The new engine is mated to an 8-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission that is specific to the Turbo models. This setup allows the car to reach 100 km/h in 2.7 sec., 0.2 sec. quicker than before.

However, the car’s maximum top speed remains unchanged at 330 km/h.

“The first 911 Turbo was a real sensation in the ’70s. And with each new generation, we are taking it one step further, making it sharper in design, faster, and more efficient. The Turbo is part of our DNA. It embodies the core brand values of Porsche—dynamics, power output and speed,” said Porsche CEO Oliver Blume during the livestream introduction of the all-new Porsche 911 Turbo S. The engine of the all-new 911 Turbo S is based on the 911 Carrera engine generation but features a completely redesigned air cooling system. Inside are two new larger variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbochargers with electrically adjustable wastegate flaps, and piezo injectors. The turbine wheels are larger by five millimeters while the 61-millimeter compressor wheel is also three millimeters larger than before. The wastegate flaps are electrically controlled by stepper motors.

The new six-cylinder engine is aspirated by an intake system which swaps around the previous routing of processed air and charge air cooling. In the updated system, part of the processed air now flows through the characteristic Turbo air intakes in the rear side sections. In front of the air filters, now situated in the rear wings, two other airflow channels have also been incorporated through the rear lid grille. This means the new 911 Turbo S has four intakes with a larger overall cross-section and lower resistance, helping improve engine efficiency. All the updates have significantly improved the engine’s responsiveness, power, torque, emissions, and revving ability.

The all-new 911 Turbo S has an expanded body. The car is now 45 millimeters wider above the front axle and 20 millimeters more at the rear axle. This change increases track by 42 millimeters in front and 10 millimeters at the back. The 911 Turbo S will also sport a new www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

mixed-size tire design. The front wheels are 20-inch tires with a unique 255/35 dimensions while the rear wheels are equipped with 21-inch 315/30 tires.

Suspension Management (PASM) sports chassis that has been further lowered by 10 millimeters, and the sports exhaust system with adjustable flaps, guaranteeing a distinctive sound.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S adaptive aerodynamic features now include controlled air cooling flaps at the front and a larger rear wing. The redesigned pneumatically extendable front spoiler and larger rear wing deliver 15 percent more downforce. The muscular rear wing sections with integrated air intakes emphasize the sleek body of the 911 Turbo S. Completing the new look of the rear are the rectangular tailpipes in high-gloss black, typical of the Turbo. On the front, the all-new 911 Turbo S has dual light modules, as well as, the standard LED matrix headlights with dark inserts.

Thanks to the enhanced Porsche Traction Management (PTM) all-wheel-drive system, the drivetrain’s transfer case can distribute more torque, allowing for up to 500 Nm being transferred to the front wheels. The new generation of the standard PASM chassis is also sportier. The dampers are also faster and more precisely controlled, providing significant advantages to driving dynamics as these enhance roll stability, road holding, steering behavior, and cornering speeds.

Underneath the all-new 911 Turbo S, are new equipment that underline that car’s sportier image. Among these are the Porsche Active

“Porsche is taking responsibility for society and the environment. At the same time, we are driving dreams from the racetrack to the road,” said Blume. “This is what makes Porsche unique - and a really cool brand.”

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Suzuki PH deploys all-new Carry units to transport COVID-19 frontliners With the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) extended until the end of April, Suzuki Philippines Inc. (SPH) the country’s pioneer in compact car distribution has taken the opportunity to extend assistance, reaching out to participate in the Free Bus Ride for Medical Workers Program of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Joining the program, Suzuki Philippines will lend its all-new Carry UV units to transport medical frontliners from different location points, helping ease the burden of their day-to-day commute.

Last April 15, 2020, SPH turned over ten commercial vehicles to the DOTr, nine of which are Carry Utility Vans (UV) for the use of frontline health workers, and one Super Carry CV which will be used for logistics and delivery use.

The pick-up and drop-off points cover a consideration area in Metro Manila in an effort to accommodate frontline health workers from different communities. The eight routes include: SM City San Jose Del Monte to Centris Station (EDSA, Quezon Ave.), SM City Masinag to The Medical City, Ortigas, Ortigas Hospital and Healthcare Center to Rizal Medical Center, Centris Station (EDSA, Quezon Ave.) to Cubao-Araneta Center MRT3 Station, SM City Taytay to De Los Santos Medical Center and St. Luke’s Medical

Charlie A A. Del Rosario, chief transportation regulation officer, poses with the Suzuki team alongside the all-new Carry units

Center along E. Rodriguez Ave., SM City San Mateo to Robinsons Galleria, and lastly, SM City San Jose Del Monte to SM Fairview and Commonwealth Avenue.

“During these challenging times, we in Suzuki Philippines Inc. understand the impact that we can make as part of the automotive industry. We are more than willing to provide assistance to our frontline health workers for their unwavering commitment to continue serving the Filipino people, especially at the current time. We are grateful for their solid dedication and we thank

The all-new Carry units will be used to transport frontline health workers across the metro.

the DOTr as well for opening up a window for us to be of help,” said Akira Utsumi, president, Suzuki Philippines Inc. Suzuki Philippines specifically selected the allnew Carry as the perfect reliable workhorse for these times that look for truly efficient and agile solutions. With this, SPH will continue to strive and take part in the community as we are currently experiencing a major speed bump worldwide. As Team Suzuki, their participation goes beyond not just by producing reliable products but being able to assist in continuing the way of life of our people.

Together as One, Team Suzuki provides Raider J Crossover units to help frontliners Suzuki Philippines Inc., one of the country’s top motorcycle manufacturers, is helping COVID-19 frontliners by lending motorcycles for use as transport service. This is in partnership with the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Angat Buhay Program which is a flagship anti-poverty campaign relying on private partnerships to help the marginalized sector and, more recentl, to support our frontliners in the fight against COVID-19.

Suzuki is lending out 10 units of the Raider J Crossover to serve Angat Buhay’s Free Dorm for Healthcare Workers project. Currently, they have 11 dormitories in Metro Manila and some provinces housing various public hospitals’ staff.

Two of these—the Teacher’s Village Dorm and Holy Family School in Maginhawa—will benefit from this initiative from Suzuki. Dorm residents are working at East Avenue Medical Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Lung Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, and Philippine Heart Center.

The Raider J Crossover is Suzuki’s latest bike launched in February. and is a fitting ride for the frontliners as it is efficient and economical. Since social distancing is a top

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Vice President Leni Robredo (left) receives the Suzuki Raider J Crossover units

priority nowadays, a solo ride on a motorcycle offers one of the best means of transportation.

“We are one with the whole nation in this fight against COVID-19. We hope that these motorcycles help our frontliners in their commute to their respective medical facilities efficiently and safely. We will heal and overcome this together as one team

Suzuki,” Suzuki president Akira Utsumi said in a statement.

“Thank you so much Suzuki Philippines for lending these units to us. These motorcycles will go a long way in helping our medical dormers,” said Vice President Leni Robredo.

For more information, please visit www.suzuki. com.ph or join our community on Facebook. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

New Honda Beat will manufactured in PH

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) the No. 1 motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, introduces The New BeAT, the AT model especially made by Filipinos. It will be manufactured in the Philippines this coming March, signifying Honda’s commitment to offer products that are relevant to the needs and lifestyle of its consumers.

“We are excited to announce that HPI will manufacture The New BeAT to immediately address to the fast-paced demand of the Filipino customers. Young Riders are becoming more demanding in terms of their riding needs – from style to technology, which is why we want to prioritize this model as one of the high-selling AT model that suits the Philippine road traffic condition,” said Susumu Mitsuishi, HPI president.

The new Honda BeAT

The New BeAT was designed with a slim, sharp look and overall compact design. It comes in three (3) striped variants, namely, the Premium (ISS/CBS), the Street (STD), and the Fashion Sport (STD).

The Premium (ISS/CBS) variant is equipped with a fuel efficient engine of up to 63 km/ liter for a longer ride on the road. And for a safe ride, it comes with Combi-Brake System (CBS), Idling Stop System (ISS), ACG Starter System, secured Key Shutter as well as Enhanced Smart Power (eSP), tubeless tires, Park Lock Brake and Side Stand switch.

The New BeAT also features a convenient 11-liter utility box, and Informative SemiDigital Meter Panel with Eco-Indicator.

In addition, its bigger headlight design is equipped with Automatic HeadlightOn (AHO) with multi-reflector for wider illumination, and an over-all modern and stylish look.

Honda BeAT blue

It comes available in nine (9) specially design Filipino-inspired graphics with fashionable cool colors to suit the likeness of the Filipinos making city driving more exciting and colourful. In Premium (ISS/CBS) – matte fiery red, matte axis gray metallic; in Street (STD) – Euro gray metallic, matte axis gray metallic, ross white; and in Fashion Sport (STD) – Sahara blue metallic, black, fighting red, vibrant orange. Price starts at PHP 66,900 for the Fashion Sport (STD) and the Street (STD) while the Premium (ISS/CBS) sells for PHP 70,400.

Asked for an outlook on annual production volume of The New BeAT, ”We are seeing a fiscal year production volume of around 130,000 units.” Mitsuishi said.

Honda BeAT street

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Hyundai donates PPEs for UP-PGH frontliners Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official Philippine distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles, reinforces ongoing containment efforts with a fresh supply of personal protective equipment to the heroic front liners at UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

UP-PGH is one the country’s COVID-19 designated hospitals.

HARI has initially delivered 300 of 2,500 PPEs for front liners at the UP-PGH. The donation was channeled through #HyundaiSAGIP, the flagship disaster relief program of HARI’s corporate social responsibility arm, H.A.R.I. Foundation, Inc. (HFI). Established in 2009 as a quick response to Hyundai car owners whose vehicles were damaged by the Ondoy floods, HyundaiSAGIP has since expanded into a response, recovery, and resilience program.

The country’s premier state-run University Hospital and the largest government health facility and referral center is HFI’s staunch partner in the flagship Alagang Breastfriend free breast cancer screening and information dissemination campaign.

“We cannot stop at this point. We need to help flatten the curve. Our contribution will most certainly boost the morale of our heroic health workers in our united effort to contain the spread

of the disease. As partners in health, HARI and UPPGH are committed to be in solidarity with every Filipino in these unsettling times,” said HARI and HFI president Maria Fe Perez-Agudo.

AVID kickstarts 2020 with 5,433 units sold The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, Inc. (AVID) reported sales of 5,433 units in January equivalent to a 16 percent drop compared to the same month last year. The group, representing 25 brands, said the drop is due to challenges posed by the Taal Ash Fall followed by the COVID-19 situation which is beginning to affect many local industries, including the automotive sector.

“2020 will be a very challenging year for the industry given the slowdown in automotive demand, supply chain disruptions, and dampened consumer confidence caused by these twin events. Fortunately, the Philippine economy remains strong backed by robust public spending, private consumption, and lower interest rates,” AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

“I am confident that AVID members will adapt to and hurdle these challenges and bounce back even stronger in the coming months,” she added.

The Passenger Cars (PC) segment declined by 31 percent in the first month of 2020 with 1,553 units sold in January 2020 versus the 2,258 units sold in the same period last year. Hyundai, the leading Korean automotive company in the Philippines,

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sold a total of 967 units in January 2020. Suzuki follows with 353 units and Ford with 117 units.

In the Commercial Vehicles (CV) segment, AVID recorded a 63 percent dip or a total of 25 units sold in January 2020 versus the same period last year.

In the Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) segment, AVID recorded a 7.3 percent dip in for the month with 3,855 units sold versus the 4,157 units sold in the same period last year. Ford leads this segment with a total of 1,375 units sold; Suzuki comes second with 1,122 units; a close third is Hyundai with 1,053 units sold in the start of the year.

“We are no strangers to adversity and disruptions.

As we have done in the past 10 years of AVID’s existence, our members remain resolute to provide better vehicles, better services, and better customer experiences to Filipinos everywhere,” Ms. Agudo concluded.

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Isuzu PH delivers first batch of fire trucks for BFP modernization program Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC), the country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of brandnew trucks for 20 consecutive years, turned over the initial 74 units of firetrucks to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

In a formal ceremony held on February 11 at the grounds of Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, BFP chief Jose Embang Jr. and other officers led the presentation of the brand-new fire trucks to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as part of the government’s Fire Prevention Modernization Program.

In his speech, Duterte said, “I hope that with these fire trucks, the BFP will be more capable and effective in ensuring the safety of our community and industry. I am confident that with the BFP’s leadership, we can further boost people’s confidence in their government and create an environment where our people can live and work in peace.”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (extreme left) at the turn over of the new Isuzu fire trucks as part of the Bureau of Fire Prevention Modernization Program.

Present during the event, were IPC’s president Hajime Koso and Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan (IML) general manager Koichi Ito to personally deliver the units.

“IPC, and the Isuzu brand in general, has always been on a mission to contribute to the society by providing the most durable, reliable trucks— may it be for building bridges, airports, and this time in protecting the community against fire.

With the recent country situation—the big fire in the metro, ashfall and cleaning operations in CALABARZON and of course the upcoming Fire Prevention Month, we feel that these trucks may be in the right timing, as BFP now more than ever needs to continue to protect and serve the country against fire and other calamities,” Koso said.

Ito, who flew in from Japan to witness the proceedings, remarked, “Isuzu has always been supportive of providing the best vehicles to the society. In Japan in particular, you will see a lot of private and government trucks produced

by Isuzu, like these fire trucks and just recently high-performance ambulances for the recent virus prevention, which is why we are very happy that the Philippines is doing the same.”

“It is very humbling that the BFP has put in their confidence in our brand and in return we promise to never let them down. As our client, we will provide to bureau not just quality product but full customer service,” Ito added.

The initial 74 Isuzu fire trucks are part of BFP modernization program procured and to be distributed to different regions nationwide. This program which aims to hire more firefighters, provide intensive trainings, and acquire modern fire truck and equipment to upkeep their operations.

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Isuzu Motors Limited, Japan (IML) general manager Koichi Ito flew in to personally witness the turnover.

SSUPT Jerry Candido, BFP director for logistics, expressed pride in the bureau’s acquisition of brand-new units, “Basically, there are three main components we look for in a fire truck; its platform, engine & chassis, water tank, and fire pump. When we saw that the engine & chassis brand of this truck was Isuzu, our first comment was ‘Wow, that’s a quality truck.”

The first batch of delivery includes, 54 units of Isuzu FVR34 trucks with body and equipment built by Hanseo, which is a 16-tonne truck that has a capacity to carry 1,000 gallons perfect for medium to heavy operations, powered by the 6HK1TCL engine that can produce up to 240 PS maximum power and 706 N-m maximum torque.

The remaining 20 units of Isuzu CYZ52 trucks, were installed with body and equipment

by Nanomedics, that can carry a total 2,500

gallons, powered by 6WG1TCN direct injection common rail engine that can deliver maximum 420 PS of power, maximum torque of 1,863 N-m, and is EURO V compliant.

As the number 1 truck brand in country, IPC gave assurance that the BFP will have full support wherever the trucks may be deployed in the country. Present in 43 locations nationwide, IPC offers excellent after sales support and guaranteed parts availability.

IPC also extends its service via its “Mobile Medic” which are built on light-duty trucks fully equipped to provide complete service that the company dispatches for PMS, rescue or repowering services specially to far-flung areas.

For more information about Isuzu trucks log on to www.isuzuphil.com.

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Yamaha holds final leg of 10th Yamaha Grand Prix

Yamaha Philippines recently held the final leg of its 10th Yamaha Grand Prix at the Carmona Racing Circuit.

With the departure of McKinley Kyle Paz and Masato Fernando to the Asia Road Racing Championship, the Sniper 150 UB Championship was free for the taking. It was race leader RR Espiritu who came out on top after two thirdplace finishes in both races to cement his lead over Ephraim Onahon and Gary Caneda Jr. For the Sniper 150 One Make Race category it was Roy Narciso who came out on top of everybody.

For the all-Female category which featured

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the Mio Sporty, Erika Ondillo overcame her underdog status as she stunned regional champions, Jannese Lucero of Visayas, and Yna Marie Amistoso from Mindanao, and defending champion Bethany Tolentino. Ondillo took hold of the top spot on the podium in both races and never looked back to winning the AllFemale category.

For the YGP Dealer Cup Race, it was a neckto-neck battle between Ephraim Onahon and J.E. Inguito for the season’s championship.

Both riders were merely separated by a single statistical point with their respective

dealer teams’, Rhean Marketing and Motorace Racing, championship points riding on their backs. Onahon would edge out Inguito to catapult Rhean Marketing as the Dealer Cup champions.

With the Yamaha Grand Prix done, the focus will shift to the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship where Paz will begin his campaign in the SS600 category. Meanwhile, Fernando will anchor the UB150 category with his new teammate Kerwin Chang. After his wildcard stint in 2019, Inguito will also compete for a full season in the same category.

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Soon, you can buy farm produce at Petron stations through SMC-DA tie-up San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is teaming up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to mass purchase agricultural produce, starting with four million kilos of surplus corn, to provide a lifeline to farmers and help secure the country’s food supply in the midst of COVID-19.

The surplus corn is enough to produce feeds for over 7 million live broilers that can eventually feed 4 million families in one day.

SMC is also in talks with the DA to utilize strategic Petron stations nationwide as outlets for government’s Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita rolling store program, to make farm produce such as fruits and vegetables accessible to consumers. The program is the market system project of the DA that links local farmers to consumers to ensure the sale of agricultural produce at reasonable prices.

“Through this program with the Agricultural department, we will be able to keep our farmers afloat as we navigate these uncertain times. At the same time, we also help people stay safe, healthy and nourished by providing them a convenient way to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from our local farmers,” SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang said.

Petron stations that will be initially tapped as venues for Kadiwa stores are Filinvest, Dasmarinas/ Edsa and Katipunan/La Vista. The company said that more gas stations will be added in the coming

days. Currently, SMC’s Petron stations also serve as sites for SMC’s Manukang Bayan refrigerated vans, which bring fresh chicken and other refrigerated and canned meats closer to consumers.

He thanked the DA for offering its network of corn and cassava farmers to supply its San Miguel Foods, Inc. with raw materials for continuous food production.

“We thank the DA for helping us identify possible sources of corn and cassava and farmers who are in need of help. By helping them, we will also ensure that we get the needed raw material supplies for our various food products,” he said.

Among these are some 25,000 hectares of corn farms in Cagayan, where much of the surplus corn will come from. The company is also looking to the DA to link it with cooperative heads in Tuguegarao for sourcing of cassava.

SMC said it will buy the produce at pre-agreed prices and volume, as part of a long-term partnership.

The company has also reiterated its call to farmers nationwide to supply rice, corn, cassava, sweet potato, coconut oil and other farm products that will be bought at guaranteed prices for the farmers benefit.

Ang emphasized the need to sustain economic activity in the food value chain, which includes

agricultural products suppliers, processing, and shipping to retailers.

SMC has assured a stable food supply for at least six months even beyond the ECQ with the 24/7 operation of its food facilities. SMC’s food facilities can produce a daily output of 1.96 million kilograms of fresh meats (poultry, beef, and pork); 524,000 kilograms of processed meats (canned meat, nuggets, and hotdogs); and 2.11 million kilograms of flour/baked goods (flour, biscuits, pandesal, and nutribuns).

It also continues to donate food products, rice, and flour to vulnerable communities in support of the government’s Covid-19 relief efforts.

Ford PH expands Customer Relationship Center operations Ford Philippines is extending the operating hours of its Customer Relationship Center (CRC) as part of its efforts to enhance the customer experience.

Starting March 1, 2020, the Ford CRC will be open every Saturday from 8:00am to 5:00pm to assist customers on after-sales and service transactions beyond its usual operating hours during weekdays.

“We recognize that our customers have varying lifestyles and work schedules so extending the operating hours of the Ford CRC to Saturday is a great initiative to improve the Ford ownership experience,” shares PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines. “We look forward to serving and assisting our customers on the CRC which is now available to take calls six days a week.”

The Ford CRC can be reached at +63-2-8866-9408 or 1-800-10-736-3673 on Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Alternatively, customers can send an e-mail to emailus@ford.com for concerns about their Ford vehicles.

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New ‘TsuperHeroes’ provide free transportation for COVID-19 frontliners People from all walks of life have been direly affected by the ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic—from business owners and corporate executives to construction workers and street vendors. One particular sector, however, is in critical condition with the constraints and limitations posed by the ECQ—public transportation. The suspension of general public utility vehicle operations has left frontliners with limited or no access to daily transportation.

Jeepney Kings is a recently established modernized jeepney fleet operator backed by investment from local entrepreneurs Enrique Gonzalez and Rajan Uttamchandani, and Hong Kong-based financier Francis “Bing” Zhou.

When Elmer Francisco, CEO and chairman of 1111 Empire Inc., maker of Francisco Passenger Jeepneys, asked for assistance in helping small fleet operators and frontliners combat the COVID-19 crisis, the company immediately responded to his call to arms.

Jeepney Kings rolled-out 10 units of PUVs manned by 17 jeepney drivers called TsuperHeroes in a humanitarian transportation project called “Elmer’s Run,” named after Francisco. These TsuperHeroes take shifts of eight hours each for a 24-hour operation to provide free transportation for frontliners and health workers in coordination with some Local Government Units (LGUs). Eventually, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) followed suit and asked other manufacturers to help as well. DOTr issued permits from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for the vehicles and IDs for the TsuperHero drivers in order to provide 24-hour free transportation unhampered by government checkpoints. This effort would not only help small jeepney operators, drivers and assemblers so they would not lose their livelihood in the midst of the pandemic, but also to ferry health workers and frontliners for free to their medical facilities and workplaces.

Among the routes being serviced by Elmer’s Run are PGH Manila-Kalayaan Avenue Route, The Medical City Ortigas Route, Parañaque-Las Piñas Route, Caloocan-Quezon City Route, TaguigPateros Route, Luzon-wide relief operations of MRRD-NECC and also the Oplan Hatid of UP Los Baños in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense.

This endeavor also aims to provide temporary employment and livelihood to PUV operators and drivers who all of a sudden found themselves unemployed and unable to even buy food for their families during the lockdown.

Francisco initially engaged the Baclaran-Nichols Transport Service Cooperative represented by its leader Reynaldo Liwag with the support of Izupart Caloocan and they immediately started operations.

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Doctors and nurses of The Medical City

Rhyan Hitalia (right) clinic nurse director and wound specialist, The Medical City Stoma and Complex Wound Care Clinic, coordinator for the Jeepney Kings fleet servicing the Medica City-Taguig-Pateros route

Since there are no fare collections, the salaries of drivers and fuel expenses will come from Francisco’s own pocket and from the company’s coffers, but such is certainly not enough to support everyone in the initiative.

To boost the initiative, Francisco would seek the help of his fellow members of Rotary Club of Makati West, which coined the project “Elmer’s Run.” Nine other Rotary Clubs followed suit, namely: Rotary Club of Makati San Antonio, Rotary Club of Makati East, Rotary Club of Makati Ayala Triangle, Rotary e-Club of Global City, Rotary Club of Parañaque Metro, Rotary Club of Parañaque Merville, Rotary Club of Muntinlupa East, Rotary Club of Las Pinas and Rotary Club of Las Piñas Camino Real through the efforts of Rotary District 3870 Governor Ador Tolentino.

Aside from providing free transportation to frontliners and health workers, Jeepney King’s and Elmer Francisco also provided free food for health workers at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), which is the Department of Health’s primary COVID19 testing facility. The team, through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Makati West, also provided 25 rooms in a nearby facility to house 50 RITM health workers so that they need not travel very far just to sleep and go back to work on the following day.

Jeepney Kings also distributed relief goods to ‘TsuperHeroes’ jeepney drivers who were suddenly unemployed. The team also helps the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and MRRD NECC to fast track their distribution of relief goods to those who need them most.

The project snowballed and attracted other supporters, such as Ray Jarina of Isuzu Inteco who provided one Isuzu Class 2 PUV to the fleet and helped organize the donation of face shields, disposable bedsheets, robot ventilators, robot alcohol dispenser and personal protective equipment (PPEs), which were distributed to various hospitals within and around Metro Manila.

The Jeepney Kings fleet and TsuperHero drivers have made these fast deliveries of essential items and free transportation services possible, especially for our modern-day heroes, our frontliners and health workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other individuals and companies who are willing to support this endeavor are welcome to contact +639173011199 via Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram.

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Kia extends ‘Promise to Care’ services Kia Philippines shows its support to the Filipino people during this trying period by offering customer assistance programs in line with its Promise to Care slogan.

As part of Kia’s commitment to improve customer experience, clients can expect to see such things as better quality, more convenience, more agility, and more transparency. In order to do this, Kia Philippines will focus on four key areas of Digitization, Individualization, Connectivity, and being Eco-Friendly.

By this, Kia customers will begin to see the latest digital tools to enhance the car buying experience, connectivity with the dealers and service centers, and even customized service.

It’s all part of the brand’s thrust to achieve excellence in all areas.

24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance.

To put its Promise to Care into action, Kia Philippines has begun offering free 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance to its clientele.

The program is free for all Kia owners who bought their Kia from March 1, 2016 onwards.

By availing of this service, one can get such benefits as: • Emergency towing • Minor Onsite Repair • Personal Assistance • Medical Assistance • Information Service To avail of the 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance, customers are required to answer an online form that will be posted at Kia Philippines Facebook page. They can also take advantage of the service by contacting their nearest authorized dealership after the quarantine period.

Kia Warranty Coverage and Preventive Maintenance Service Extension Customers with vehicle Warranty Coverage expiring during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period will be given a 30-day extension. This will take effect once the ECQ has been lifted.

Meanwhile, vehicles that are due for Preventive Maintenance Service will be granted a 15-day extension, also effective from the day of the ECQ lifting.

To qualify for the Warranty and PMS extension, one must comply with the Terms and Conditions set by Kia Philippines. It’s all part of Kia’s Promise to Care for its loyal customers.

Customers may contact their nearest Kia dealership to inquire about the Warranty and Service Extension and schedule a service appointment once the ECQ has passed.

For more information, check out Kia Philippines by logging on to www.kia.com/ph or visit their Facebook page.

Volkswagen PH continues 24/7 emergency roadside assistance It is during crucial times like these that a vehicular breakdown or accident would be the last thing you want to encounter. If you do, however, Volkswagen Philippines is here to make sure you get moving again—to reach the people who depend on you, or to the people whom you depend on.

The 24/7 Emergency Roadside Assistance (ERA) has been an integral aftersales program of Volkswagen Philippines, and is available for every customer once he or she purchases a vehicle. The 24/7 ERA provides Volkswagen owners and drivers an added layer of security, safety, and peace of mind, through the following services that could literally be lifesavers for owners and fleet operators: •

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• •

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Towing. In the event that your Volkswagen vehicle is immobilized or is involved in an accident, the ERA will tow and bring your vehicle to the nearest Volkswagen service facility.

Removal of vehicle/vehicle recovery. In an accident where the vehicle has been rendered a total wreck, the ERA will arrange to have your Volkswagen vehicle removed with the use of a crane and brought to the nearest Volkswagen service facility.

Fuel delivery. If your Volkswagen vehicle runs out of fuel, the ERA will arrange delivery of fuel.

Battery jump start. The ERA’s service provider will be dispatched to jump start the battery. If your vehicle cannot be driven safely, towing services will be provided.

Lock-out service. If your keys are locked inside your vehicle, ERA’s service provider will

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attempt to gain entry into your vehicle to retrieve your keys.

Flat tire service. If your vehicle has a flat • tire, ERA’s service provider will remove it and install a spare tire (if available) in a safe environment.

Volkswagen Philippines’ ERA also offers other crucial services in emergency situations, to get your processing on the move even if you yourself aren’t in your intended destination yet: •

•

•

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Relay of urgent messages. ERA’s service provider will take care of relaying your urgent messages relating to any of the events covered in this program.

Accident coordination. ERA’s service provider will coordinate with the necessary agencies (Police, TMG and MMDA) to assist you.

Ambulance coordination. ERA’s service provider will arrange for an ambulance service when necessary, to bring you and/ or other passengers to the nearest hospital with appropriate medical capabilities and facilities for the necessary treatment.

Arrangement for hospital admission.

ERA’s service provider will provide necessary admission assistance in a hospital or medical facility, in case you and/or the passengers in your Volkswagen vehicle are injured in the accident.

• Volkswagen vehicles purchased from December 1, 2015 onwards are automatically enrolled to the 24-hour ERA during the entire period of

enhanced community quarantine, plus an extended 30 days after the national government officially lifts stay-at-home orders. The one-year ERA validity for sold brand-new vehicles has been waived during these challenging times—another way of ensuring that Volkswagen Philippines has all its valued customers covered.

In consideration of the current circumstances during the enhanced community quarantine, the 24/7 ERA service and response time may vary, depending on the coordination among the vehicle owner or driver, the local government unit (LGU), and the ERA service provider available nearby or within the area.

So the next time you get behind the wheel of your Volkswagen vehicle, be assured that Volkswagen Philippines—via its 24/7 ERA—will keep you moving, no matter what.

For the full details, and the area coverage of the Volkswagen 24/7 ERA, log on to www.volkswagen. com.ph, or call the ERA hotline (02) 8 459-4772.

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Mitsubishi Motors PH extends assistance to Santa Rosa City LGU during enhanced community quarantine To help further boost the transportation needs for the city’s frontliners, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) extended its assistance to the local government of Santa Rosa City, Laguna, by lending two L300 units.

The L300 vehicles were personally handed over to Santa Rosa City mayor Arlene Arcillas. The units will be utilized as a shuttle service for the frontliners to and from their respective destinations within the boundaries of Santa Rosa City during the enhanced community quarantine period. Each unit will be allowed to carry a maximum of 10 passengers, including the driver, to observe the social/physical distancing rule.

In her message, Mayor Arcillas shared, “The City of Santa Rosa would like to thank Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation for lending us two Mitsubishi L300 units to be used during this time of need, when all the resources not only of the LGUs, of the national government but of the private groups as well are really very important.

The said units are now being used to shuttle people and goods that we distribute to our constituents who are home quarantined. We truly appreciate all the help and support of MMPC to the City of Santa Rosa not only now but ever since the Corporation has chosen the City to be their home. Again, to MMPC, maraming, maraming salamat po!”

MMPC President and CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, on the other hand, also expressed his gratitude to the

city’s frontliners, “Mitsubishi Motors Philippines is one with the city government of Santa Rosa in the fight against this virus. We our deeply thankful and grateful for all the sacrifice being done by our frontliners to keep this wonderful city safe. We will remain your partner in these trying times.”

With the extension of the enhanced community quarantine, MMPC shall also extend the lend out of the units.

All-New Mazda3 wins 2020 World Car Design of the Year Award The All-New Mazda3 has been awarded the 2020 World Car Design of the Year for having the best design among all the contending cars for the 2020 World Car Awards season. The Mazda 3 was selected by 86 jurors from 24 countries after being shortlisted as a top three finalist last March.

“The new Mazda3 minimalist and sophisticated evolved-KODO design language of ‘beauty through subtraction’ is the foundation for its function and purpose. We are proud to share with our customers the all-new Mazda3, a car so highly regarded around the world for pushing the boundaries of aesthetics, quality of finish, class, and style,” says Steven Tan, president and CEO of Mazda Philippines. “To be praised by an elite panel of design icons and automotive journalists in the World Car Awards truly says volume about the Mazda3’s innate beauty and superior design.

And to be recognized as the winner of the 2020 World Car Design of the Year title against equally exquisite cars shows the unanimous praise for Mazda’s ‘Car As Art’ Design philosophy.”

The Mazda3 was also part of this year’s Top Three finalists for the World Car of the Year along with the all-new Mazda CX-30 Crossover. This was also the second time Mazda was awarded the World Car Design of the Year trophy after the MX-5 roadster won both the World Car of the Year as well as the World Car Design of the Year title in 2016.

“Ultimately, it is our clients who are the true winners with every Mazda they drive. Because of this award, they can stand high and fully appreciate the choice they made, the same choice that will serve them admirably for the years to come,”adds Tan. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Tha Mazda3 is the most popular vehicle in the Mazda Philippines portfolio. More than 6 million units of the vehicle have been sold globally since 2003, with more than 19,000 in the Philippines.

The Mazda3 had always pushed the boundaries for design innovation, engineering and craftsmanship for the brand. It was the first vehicle in Mazda’s portfolio to adopt the more mature Evolved Kodo design interpretation that adopts the simplicity and purity of Japanese aesthetic. The Mazda3 continues to adopt a human-centric design philosophy that maximizes human balance and connectivity making it so inviting and simply a joy to drive.

that provide maximum protection for the driver and the car’s passengers. The all-new Mazda3 was rated 5-stars by the European NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), as well as being awarded the United States’ IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick+ title for 2020, recognizing it as one of the safest cars on the road.

With recent significant recognitions such as the prestigious 2019 Red Dot: Best of the Best Design Award, the 2020 Canadian Car of the Year, the 2020 China Car of the Year, the 2020 Thailand Car of the Year, the all-new Mazda3 continues with the nameplate’s proven record for groundbreaking design, class-above build quality, outstanding performance and unassailable value.

Bermaz Auto Philippines, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the Philippines. There are 20 Mazda 3S dealerships located across the Philippines and Metro Manila – Mazda Greenhills, Mazda Pasig, Mazda Quezon Avenue, Mazda North EDSA, Mazda Makati, Mazda Alabang, Mazda Cavite, Mazda Sta. Rosa, Mazda Pulilan, Mazda Pampanga, Mazda Dagupan, Mazda Cabanatuan, Mazda Tarlac, Mazda Negros, Mazda Cebu, Mazda Iloilo, Mazda Cagayan De Oro, Mazda Davao, Mazda Butuan and now Mazda General Santos.

The all-new Mazda3 likewise establishes its superiority in safety with i-Activsense, a suite of active and passive structural and safety systems

The Mazda3, as with all Mazda Philippines’ range of vehicles, comes with standard YOJIN3 3-year free PMS (including oil, parts, and labor), and an after-sales service record ranked as number one in the 2019 and 2016 J.D. Power Customer Service Index Study.

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MVP Group partners with DPWH and INC to complete Philippine Arena quarantine facility The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), and the MVP Group of Companies have partnered to complete the 300-bed mega-treatment facility “We Heal As One Center” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the leadership of DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar and MVP Group chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the latest large-scale health and safety initiative made available by the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan, will be completed on schedule by Wednesday, April 29, as part of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. The final inspection of the fully functional quarantine center was led by DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, INC official Atty.

Glicerio “Ka GP” Santos IV, and senior MVP Group officers from Meralco, Maynilad-Phil Hydro, PLDTSmart, and Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC)-NLEX Corporation. To be turned over to the Inter Agency Task Force on COVID-19 (IATF) medical teams once completed, the facilities will also be available for returning OFWs who will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine.

“This is another testament to the effective collaboration among the public and private sectors. Our group will continue to support the government’s COVID-19 emergency response programs and help the country recover from this pandemic. During this health crisis, everyone must pitch in,” said MVP Group chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

MPTC through NLEX Corporation will provide special and exclusive access along the North Luzon Expressway to the Philippine Arena quarantine

center for the IATF quarantine teams and medical support groups. Toll-free passage will also be given to all medical frontliners, ambulances, medical service vans and the support team buses of the Department of Health.

To ensure efficient and safe movement of vehicles within the area, NLEX will likewise assist in traffic management and 24 x 7 monitoring via its CCTV system. Roving patrol crews, emergency response and engineering teams will be on standby to ensure hassle-free motorist access between the NLEX and the quarantine facility.

Meralco will install eight concrete poles and nine distribution transformers to energize the three mega tents. The electric distribution utility company will also waive the installation and dismantling costs and ensure the continuous flow of electricity to these temporary structures.

For its part, Maynilad Water and subsidiary Philippine Hydro Inc. will provide free metering works for the water supply requirements of the quarantine sites. They will also render technical assistance and support on water supply-related concerns.

To support the quarantine center’s communication requirements, PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications will equip the center with free Wi-Fi services and enable medical frontliners and patients alike to be online.“Our partnership signifies the true spirit of bayanihan.

We are thankful to the MVP Group for helping us complete the requirements to make this mega quarantine center operational,” said DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, head of the agency’s Task Force on Augmentation of Local and National Health Facilities

Honda lends out cars to medical frontliners Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines, has lent out 15 cars to medical frontliners who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

HCPI provided various models of the cars comprising of the City, Brio, Jazz, Mobilio, BR-V, HR-V, and CR-V models, to doctors and nurses of various hospitals including: the New Sinai MDI Hospital in Tagapo, Santa Rosa, Laguna; The Medical City South Luzon in Santa Rosa, Laguna; Unihealth-Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center in Biñan, Laguna; Westlake Medical Center in San Pedro, Laguna; and, the Carmona Hospital and Medical Center in Carmona, Cavite. Honda will be providing each car with free gasoline good for one month.

For more information on Honda’s car lending initiative, visit the Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. official website at www.hondaphil.com

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FEATURE

Work it (from home)

Words by Ren Alcantara

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ne of the best things you can do to help this whole quarantine thing end sooner is stay home. Those of us who have the option to keep working while staying home are extremely lucky—some people don’t get the opportunity to earn while this thing blows over, so don’t waste this chance. If, like the vast majority of workers in the Metro, you’re used to getting up, going to the office, and accomplishing your tasks there, this isn’t going to be as easy as cracking open your laptop and banging out some spreadsheets. We’re here to help. Here are some tips we’ve put together, based on years of our own stints of working at home, as well as the experience of others who do it full-time.

Make a schedule and stick to it Working at home doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want whenever. That’s a recipe for eating instant noodles and chewing through your backlog of shows to watch. A schedule will keep things from descending into chips and Netflix, and is the first thing you need to do to actually be productive. Set a time for waking, actual work, maybe even fixed online meeting times with colleagues. All of this will keep things moving and get you to settle into a habit that

will hopefully carry you through the quarantine period. Be realistic though! You can’t set exactly the same goals working from home as you can working from the office. Trying to meet exactly the same level of productivity immediately at the start of this endeavor is a recipe for burning out.

Set realistic goals, bearing in mind that collaborative endeavors may take more time to complete. Not everyone will be able to work as effectively from home.

dress for the occasion As tempting as it is to stay in your jammies all day as you bang out a couple of emails, getting ready and changing clothes isn’t just something that ties you back into your old routine, it puts your mind in the right place. There are things that happen in our brains, consciously or not, when we get ready in the morning, and you’re trying to tap back into

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that passively productive part of your mind that starts processing things while you’re in the shower, idly thinking about your tasks. I personally found that this is a huge thing, and once you’re clean, refreshed, and in a pair of pants, your mind starts to shift into work mode. It’s amazing how well this little trick works.

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make space If you can manage it, set aside some space that is devoted solely for working. If you have a spare room, use that as your office and keep it dedicated to work—nothing non-work-related should be allowed. This will start to condition your brain into getting into that work mindset whenever you’re there. For those of use with limited space, pick a

corner and work there, or if there’s absolutely no other option available, face a different wall.

The point here is to have your mind associate that room, corner, or wall with work, so that when you’re in that zone, you get your mind in the correct space as well.

stay out of the kitchen When you’re at the office, you probably have a cup of coffee, a tumbler of water, and maybe a pack of crackers at your desk. At home, you have access to your whole kitchen, and a pantry that’s possibly full of your favorite treats. The urge to pick up a snack and go to town on it is constant, and very real. You have to resist. Not only will it kill your momentum, it could straight up make you fat. Make some coffee, grab a tumbler of water, and maybe a snack, and keep it at your workspace so you can have a drink and munch on a thing just like you would at work. Once that’s gone, it’s gone. Remember, you’re

at work now. What you’ve got is what you’ve got.

Lunchtime will of course necessitate the movement to the kitchen or dining room. With our daily commute time cut down to zero, you now have a little extra time to prepare food for yourself. Make large batches of varied food, so you can just toss something on the stove or in the microwave. To make yourself feel better about the endeavor, you can keep tabs on the amount of money you save on food expenses! If you brought baon anyway, rejoice in the fact that you have much better food now than you did pre-quarantine.

coordinate When we say “coordinate” we mean talk to your colleagues, as well as the people in your home. As we mentioned earlier, it’s not reasonable to assume your workmates will be as good at working at home as you might be, so be reasonable and clear when asking for deliverables. Lots of jobs have tasks that hinge on the work of other people, and if everyone is on the same page, things will go more smoothly. Bear in mind though, that some people are going stir-crazy, and might be on-edge, so be tactful as well.

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Coordinating with people in your household is also important. Trying to complete a task when people keep bothering you for one thing or another, or while people are hogging the bandwidth can be frustrating, and runs counter to what you’re trying to achieve with the whole working from home thing. Let them know that you need time to do your thing, but if they really need you, you’re right there. After that, the best you can do is hope they take you seriously.

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DISASTER PREPA Words by Ren Alcantara

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roubling times are upon us, and if like some of us in the community, you’ve been stocking and have your disaster preparedness plan in place, then check your logbook, take note of what you have, and put something on Netflix.

If, however, all you’ve got is a first-aid kit with some band-aids and a dried up bottle of iodine, then maybe take some notes. First off, make sure your food and water situation is in order. You’re likely not going to need anything more than that. However, if you want to rest easier and be just a little more prepared, you’re going to want to toss a few more things in there.None of these things are particularly expensive of hard to find, and give you a means to respond to problems, as well as offer a little extra peace of mind.

Maintenance Meds The first things to put in a better medical kit are your maintenance medicines. If you’re on any, access to these tends to get more difficult in times of crisis, so keep a reasonable amount, at least two weeks’ worth. It doesn’t pay to hoard this stuff, because it does expire, and hoarding, you will be depriving someone else of it at no additional convenience to yourself. Save your money for more useful things.

Antihistamines These can help save you from uncomfortable sniffles, or more serious allergic reactions. If you fail to realize there’s something in your food that you’re not supposed to have, these will go a long way in keeping you comfortable and on your feet.

We’re not a country with easy access to Epi Pens, so these simple over-the-counter drugs will do great.

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AREDNESS KIT Painkillers While early information is showing that anti-inflammatory drugs aren’t the best for the current COVID outbreak, there is still a place for these (and their kin) in your medical kit. Muscle pain, headaches, and other kinds of discomfort hamper one’s ability to make sound decisions and function at peak performance. If you have a kind of painkiller that works for you, go with that.

Paracetamol is also a great option, as it’s easily accessible, generally safe, and also works for fevers. Just make sure to heed dosage warnings, as anything can be harmful in large amounts.

Topical antibiotics Even outside of emergencies, cuts and scrapes can happen. While they’re not much more than an inconvenience when society is in good running order, they can be a source of dangerous infections in bad conditions. Cheap, easy-to-find, and very handy, a single tube of this will likely outlast its expiration date, so you won’t really need too much. Toss one in there, watch the expiry, and use as necessary.

Antimotility meds I have completed hikes and workouts with a fever, but there’s no way I can function close to normally with a case of diarrhea. Apart from the discomfort it brings, the runs can seriously deplete your fluids and electrolytes, and in a crisis, this is not something you want to be worried about. Be aware that you usually have to take a loading dose (that’s twice the strength of a regular dose) when you start out, ask your pharmacist to make sure you get enough and use it correctly.

I like to constantly have enough supplies to last at least two weeks when everything is going ok, and at least twice that when there is an impending crisis. Be aware that you’ll have to scale appropriately given the size of your family, and choose medicines based on individual effectiveness and any known allergies. Another thing you are going want to do is label each one, including their use

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Rehydration salts If you do get hit with a stomach bug, you’re going to need an effective way to replace your body’s reserves. These usually come in small packets that can be mixed with water, so they take up little room for the purpose they serve.

and proper dosing information in case someone other than you needs to take or administer the medicine. Check the expiration dates every six months, and cycle through them, replacing as necessary.

Remember, we’re not preparing for the end of the world here, we’re just making sure we have enough until things become a little more normal.

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Words and photos by Gabriel Pe | Artwork by Jezeil Romero

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NC holds one of the largest networks of cibercafés in the country today. Previously known as “TheNet.Com” TNC has rapidly grown in size, with now over a hundred branches nationwide.

Recently, TNC officially opened its Cebu headquarters at Palaez St., in Colon.

The three-story cybercafe is currently Southeast Asia’s largest cyber cafe, and the largest Acer Predator-equipped cybercafe in the world. The state-of-the-art facility is fitted with the latest and fastest gaming PCs thanks to Acer Predator and TNC’s recent partnership agreement.

Inside the gaming facility are over 400 Acer Predator Orion PCs with 108 of them being the brand’s Orion 5000 desktop tower. The remaining units are all Orion 3000 desktop tower which are also over the top with power.

According to Acer Predator and TNC, the cybercafe was specifically designed for gamers and is hoped to encourage more Cebuanos to dive into esports.

TNC HQ in Cebu

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“With the continuous support of Acer Predator, we wanted to give the best gaming experience to the Queen City of the South, We hope that with this facility, we can encourage Cebuanos to dive in more to esports and hopefully develop more world-class talents,” said Eric Redulfin, TNC’s founder and CEO. “TNC Cebu Headquarters is the largest cybercafe in Southeast Asia, it was designed to develop new talents, that is why we are providing the TNC with the latest technologies because are doing exactly that,” said Sue Ong Lim, president, Acer Philippines.

Predator and TNC opens the biggest Predator-equipped cyber cafe in Southeast Asia

The first floor of TNC Headquarters Cebu is still under construction but will house a small food court with kiosks to keep Cebuano gamers refreshed and full.

The second-floor houses the regular gaming area with all of the Orion 3000 gaming rigs. Each system is also equipped with Acer Predator keyboards and gaming mice. The floor is equipped with almost 200 gaming PCs ready. As the floor is mainly for regular paying customers, the setup is quite simple.

On the third floor is the VIP section which is equipped with 108 Predator Orion 5000 gaming rigs. The setup is completed by a nice TNC mouse pad (great for FPS games) and a nice sofa seat so gamers can go all out in comfort. Each setup has the same Predator keyboard and mice.

Also at the VIP floor is the tournament-grade gaming booth. The booths are sound-proof which gives players a professional tournament experience.

According to Redulfin, they are planning to host local tournaments in the cybercafe to hopefully find the next big esports star in the provide.

TNC HQ in Cebu is the biggest Predator-equipped sports cafe in Southeast Asia

As part of the grand opening TNC conducted a meet-and-greet session for their Dota 2 team TNC Predator, currently the number one team in the world. Acer Predator also brought their brand ambassador blogger Cong Velasquez and his band COLN, who held a mini-concert at the Cebu Trade Hall in which they launched their music video for “Lakas” a song composed for the Predator brand.

The TNC Cebu Headquarters is located at 11 Pelaez St., Colon, Cebu.

TNC Pro present at the launch

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GAMING

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment Platform: PC, Android, iOS Words by Gabriel Pe

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’ve been into gaming almost my entire life and I’ve tried a lot of different genres, from my favorite MOBAs, to sports simulations, and even to the two newest rising genres: the auto battler and battle royales. Aside from MOBAs, one of my definite favorites are card games which I have played since I was six.

Blizzard’s Hearthstone was launched back in 2014 as a spin-off card game from the company’s iconic RPG World of Warcraft. It was an instant hit for card game fans, since it was simple and easy to learn.

What made fans stay - yes me included - was that the game was difficult to master, and no two matches are the same.

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Over the past few years, Blizzard has constantly updated the game keeping gameplay fresh and non-monotonous. While these were great, none was massively game-changing than their newest expansion, Ashes of Outland where the company is finally adding another class for the first time since the game’s release. The tenth class is the Demon Hunter, with the vanilla hero being none-other than Illidan Stormbringer, the Original Demon Hunter from WoW. You can unlock the Demon Hunter class by completing the Ashes of Outland story mode (Prologue) in single player. Last year Hearthstone produced great single player content for the three expansions in Year of the Dragon. For Ashes of Outland, it’s no different and the prologue story gives players the nostalgia of Illidan’s transformation from a Druid Sorceror to the Demon Hunter. Once you complete the story, you can unlock the Demon Hunter class as well as all 30 base Demon Hunter cards.

The Demon Hunter Class is unique from all of the original classes. It’s the first hero class that has a one mana cost base hero power, this makes the hero ultra-aggressive in the early game. Playing the new class, somehow reminded me of the aggressive decks, such as “Face Hunter” and “Kingsbane Rogue” among others. But unlike the other classes, the Demon Hunter’s kit can be played as a control deck as well since Blizzard has equipped it with board clearing spells.

Ashes from Outlands is the first expansion from Year of the Phoenix, Hearthstone’s “game year”. Aside from the Demon Hunter class, new quality of life updates have been placed in the game, such as a new ranking system (nice!), new card mechanics, and cards going to the Hall of Fame. Blizzard has also added duplicate protection when opening packs, this protects players from getting more than two copies of a card, which makes gathering cards easier and less frustrating.

The biggest thing the Year of the Phoenix is bringing to Hearthstone is the revamped ranking system.

The new ranking system replaced the previous ladder system with a ranked league system. The new system has six rank leagues or class: bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, and finally legend.

The first five ranks each have 10 ranks within themselves with players earning a higher rank by winning games. The new ranking system makes it easier to know your skill level compared to the ladder system before. This was great as the previous ranked system confused a lot of newer players to the game.

If you’re a returning player or a new player who wants to try the game out, Blizzard is giving away a returning/beginning deck. Players can choose one competitive meta deck for free to help them start in the new ranked system.

leftmost or rightmost card to the field. This new mechanic is pretty useful to catch opponents off guard especially when played a couple of turns when drawn. The dormant mechanic, on the other hand, was already in the game even before the launch of Ashes of Outland, Blizzard just added new cards that use the dormant mechanic as a time based rather than the conditional based on previous cards.

For Ashes of Outlands, the new card mechanics introduced were outcast and dormant. Outcast cards provide additional effects when played as the

If regular Hearthstone is not your cup of tea, its auto battler mode is Battleground is also as fun as the main game. I started playing the mode

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since its release and have been having a ton of fun with it. Battlegrounds have continuously gotten updates since launch, which is great since some comps were way overpowered (hello Nightmare Amalgam). Ashes of Outlands will add some new heroes in the battleground pool as well as bring back some old ones.

The Year of the Phoenix and Ashes of Outland has brought new life to the six year old card game.

With two more expansions set to be released, it’s definitely a great time to get back to Hearthstone in 2020.

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Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software Publisher: Activision Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 Words by Ren Alcantara

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attle royale games are still hot these days to the point that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, one of the most enduring franchises in video games, has jumped on the bandwagon. While the mobile version has been around for a while now, the more mainstream PC and console version has finally joined the fray with Modern Warfare Warzone.

Warzone is the more or less the same Modern Warfare you know and love, but tweaked a little to work with the battle royale genre. The weapons are the same, though the manner of how you get them is a little different, and there are still perks and killstreaks available. There is also an additional game mode that pits teams against each other in the same map, but with the goal of amassing the greatest amount of cash, instead of being the last team standing.

up a base weapon and then looking for accessories, you find weapons of different rarity while you walk around the map. Weapons that are more rare have more attachments and better functionality than those with fewer accessories, and give you an edge. That edge will allow you to better take out enemies, and complete contracts—basically side missions—scattered throughout the map. These side missions give you money which can be used for items at designated buy locations.

Call of Duty has always been about the fast-paced gameplay, and part of the reason for that is the weapon selection you have at your disposal. It’s slightly different in Warzone. Instead of picking

For those who would rather have their own weapon, one of the things that can be purchased is a loadout drop. This is a crate that drops on a spot you marked, the contents of which are loadouts

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that you put together outside of the match, including perks and weapons. These weapons have the accessories of your choosing, and the accessories available for said choosing are those that you have unlocked by continually leveling up each weapon though gameplay. For example: everyone has access to the basic M4 with iron sights and a 30-round magazine. But if you want, say, a 50-round magazine, you’ll have to use an M4 enough to get it to the level where the 50-rounder is unlocked. It doesn’t matter where you get the M4, whether off a loot box, the ground, or some other player, using AN M4 will give it XP. If you are a gun nut, you’ll be happy to know that there are a lot of weapons in the game. You have pistols, SMGs, shotguns, DMRs, sniper rifles, and machine guns, all with their own accessories to unlock through grinding. Plunder, the money-focused game mode, is a great way to get the XP you need, since when you die, you will respawn and you’ll always re-drop with your whole loadout.

Gameplay if mostly slow with intense bursts of frantic shootouts if you’re lucky. If you aren’t, it still sort of suffers from the main BR problem where you get sniped, and that’s the end of it. Players are also bullet sponges, and can take a LOT of damage before getting dropped. This is made even more apparent since nobody really walks around without armor plates that are common on the ground. Once you do die, the game does a weird thing where it allows you to re-insert if you win a 1v1 duel against another recently downed player, in the gulag. If you lose that fight, you have yet another chance to re-insert if your team scratched together enough cash to buy your redeployment.

To be honest, I’m not a fan of the redeploy shenanigans. The balance of spongy enemies, multiple chances for redeployment, and general “spray-and-pray” gunfights have their appeal particularly with more casual players, or perhaps where aiming is generally more difficult such as on consoles, but it just doesn’t seem very rewarding, and makes it stressful in a different way. More than BR, I have found myself playing the money-based Plunder game mode, so at least I can keep dropping in to enjoy the kind of gunplay the franchise is good at.

So, is COD: Modern Warfare Warzone a bad game?

No, not objectively. It has a great selection of gear, fun 3-person squad action, and gunfights that make MW uniquely fun. There’s just something about putting the MW style of gunfights in a Battle Royale shooter that keeps me from picking it up for hours on end like other titles I have tried.

It’s free though, so if you’re ok with the massive download, you might as well give it a shot.

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Words by Jose Alvarez Developer: The Bearded Ladies Publisher: The Bearded Ladies Platform: PC

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iven the current situation with COVID-19, I decided to dive into a post-apocalyptic game called Corruption 2029. This tactical strategy game was developed by the creators of Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden and really got me thinking: how do we prepare for the apocalypse? What do we do when society descends into chaos? In a sort of “art imitates life� fashion, there are quarantines going on around the world, but this game has some differences.

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You play as the United Peoples of America (UPA) against the New American Council (NAC) in a struggle against a dictatorial regime. In another twist on drone warfare, units are cybernetically enhanced soldiers that are remotely piloted by drone commanders in what I envisioned as a “work from home” situation. It also has an interesting take on the state of strategy games today, where you are literally playing armchair commanders while being an armchair commander yourself. Sadly, even on the hardest mode, the game takes about half a day to complete, leaving its replay value with a huge question mark.

You only have access to three squad members, Briggs, Tranter, and Wolf. While it would be ideal to sneak around and fulfill objectives, it’s also just as fun to take on teams with guns blazing.

You have access to pistols, rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, flamethrowers, and miniguns. Each weapon is determined by its damage and critical damage, attack pattern (single target, cone, area of effect), and its ammo capacity. Want to end things quickly and leave no survivors? You could use miniguns and flamethrowers. Looking to accomplish objectives as quietly as possible? You could go for sniper rifles and silenced weapons. One of my favorite weapons is the RAK 52 Sniper because they can shoot through walls, while silenced weapons can let you take out enemies undetected. If you’re into getting up close and personal with the enemy, shotguns and assault rifles are the way to go.

Like any other strategy game, you can use grenades and explosives as part of your arsenal to take out enemies. Remote charges can allow you to take out entire patrols if you strategically place them.

Low on health? Use the Medikit to stay alive and accomplish the mission objectives. There are two distinct phases of combat: picking off enemy forces one by one and then fighting the main NAC forces. The turn-based combat is very XCOM, and that’s what may draw gamers to this game. You’ll need to develop strategies that allow you to both sneak around and have the firepower to meet the NAC head-on. Stealth, for example, is not a long-term solution: you can’t base the entirety of your strategy on stealth, and the same goes for guns blazing While the concept is great, it is quite repetitive.

Having reviewed quite a few games from indie developers, it is possible to create fun and exciting games even with a fraction of the budget that their AAA counterparts have. Where Corruption 2029 falls short is the lack of variety. You’ll probably not notice any difference in levels, have no permanent death, and you’ll spend the majority of time in combat juggling skills between characters. Each individual squad member doesn’t have their own personality or even special abilities. Even the NAC seems to be bland as you’ll face the same enemies in each mission.

Overall, Corruption 2029 seems to have potential, but it seems to be a game that is very much in the beta phase, at least content-wise. Maybe with more variance and replay value through new enemies and players you can place in your squad, it can be a solid addition to any strategy game fan’s arsenal.

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APPS

How to stay healthy using apps Words by Gabriel Pe

The enhanced community quarantine has gotten the best of most of us. The two months of staying at home has given us some pretty bad habits. Let’s face it, having the cookie jar right in front of us the whole 60 days just wasn’t healthy. With our daily routine yet to go back to normal, here are some apps on how to shake off those negative gains.

Exercise Apps

We’re guessing you’re not surprised that this is the first one on our list. If you’re among the lucky few who lives in areas with much laxer quarantine protocols or had performing government officials, then chances are you gained some inches during the lockdown. There are a lot of exercise apps available in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, but be sure to read whether they’re the right one for you.

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Health tracking Apps

Aside from some exercise apps, you should also install some health tracking apps to see your progress. Some health tracking apps have their Body Mass Index (BMI) recorder to help users know what their immediate goal is. Some health tracking apps also have quality of life features such as sleep monitors, menstrual calendar, heart rate monitors (with fitness trackers), and even hydration monitors. These things are great to know when tackling how to stay healthy.

Cooking/Recipe Apps

Ok, this might sound condescending especially since we already listed exercise apps right above, but you’ll definitely want a cooking app. There are a ton of cooking/recipe apps in the app market and a lot of it involves healthy cooking options. Choose one that you think will fit your diet to help boost your morale in your health journey.

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Meal Planning Apps

Meal Planning Apps are almost the same as the cooking/recipe apps, some have recipes and health tips to help your diet. But unlike most cooking apps, meal planning apps help you organize your meals for the day, week, and sometimes even month. Some apps also provide a breakdown of the nutritional values of each portion of the meals which is handy when you want to keep track of what you’re putting in your body.

Meditation Apps

Aside from brain games, another great way to help your mental health is by downloading some meditation apps. There has been a growing trend in mental health apps in the app stores recently with a majority of them offering meditation instructions and even tips to manage anxiety and stress. You can check out which suits you the best and go from there.

Brain Games

While most would focus on improving their physical appearance, your mental health is also important, especially after spending more than a month away from society. One of the best ways to keep your mind healthy is by playing some memory and brain games to keep it distracted from negative thoughts. There are a ton of memory and brain games in the app stores and you can choose more than one, after all, what’s important here is having fun.

Music streaming Apps

Last on the list are some music streaming apps. This is a no-brainer when working out, but it does also help during meditation and relaxation. It’s also great to have multiple music streaming apps as some offer features that others don’t. Another thing to consider in music apps is their podcast features, as these are also great instruction-givers for your overall wellness.

These are just some of the necessary apps that we think will help you burn the negative gains during the enhanced community quarantine. There are a lot of different apps out there and it’s really just up to you which will suit your lifestyle the best.

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FEATURE

Words by Gabriel Pe

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he COVID-19 pandemic has brought most of the world to a standstill as countries closed borders and enforced strict quarantine measures in order to stop the spread of the virus. Much as it is a downer, the pandemic has also brought different individuals together for a unified front in fighting the virus.

Many organizations and private individuals have stepped up and provided the necessary equipment and funding to aid front liners and other causes during the pandemic. While many would like to join the cause, some just don’t have the necessary resources needed to help. Luckily there are many other solutions if you really want to help in the fight against diseases. One way is just by turning on your computer, any computer, to help researchers find a cure for the pandemic through using the Folding@home (pronounced as Folding at home) program.

Folding@home (F@h) is a distributed computing project for simulating protein dynamics. These include the process of protein folding—hence the name—and the movement of proteins tied in with various diseases. The project has been around for almost two decades now and has been at the forefront in tackling some of the most complex diseases that have plagued us, such as Ebola and Alzheimer’s.

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The F@h team is currently based at the Washington University in St. Louis School Missouri, but most of the project’s computing work is done globally as it sources its computing power from different volunteer PCs around the world. With its massive volunteer PC count, F@h is now capable of 1.5 exaflops, or a quintillion calculations per second, making it one of the most powerful computers in the world, despite not having a physical body.

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F@h’s premise is really simple, one-way scientists learn about viruses and diseases by studying its protein composition. Since a protein can fold (acquire its 3D shape) in many different ways, researchers have a hard time following and recording every possible outcome and action. That is why researchers harness the power of computers to simulate every possible scenario in protein folding and from there find a way to fight the disease. The process needs a powerful computer to keep up, so instead of building one expensive supercomputer, F@h sources its processing power from different volunteer PCs.

F@h works by using your computer’s spare processing power, like excess GPU power, and using it to simulate the necessary task – simulating protein folding – in the background. While this may sound taxing for your PC, it really is not, since you can also customize how much processing power the program can consume. The process won’t take too much computing power from your PC, so you won’t even notice that it’s running.

Here’s how it works in a more technical aspect. Once you volunteer your computer to become part of the program, the main F@h servers will assign it a certain processing/ simulation project. When it finishes its current assignment, it will send the findings back to the F@h servers where it is compiled along with the other finished projects.

Using F@h is really simple. Just visit the website, www.foldingathome.org and download the right program for your system. The F@h program is available for the three major operating system Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once you downloaded the program, you can either start by making a profile and joining a team or immediately and anonymously. Currently, the F@h team has placed a bigger effort in solving the mysteries of the coronavirus outbreak with a majority of their volunteer PCs running simulations of the virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also boosted new interest in Folding@home with the team noting a whopping 700,000 new volunteers joining the cause. Folding@home was already partnered with some of the biggest names in the tech industry such as Nvidia, Intel, AMD, EVGA, Gigabyte, with each recommending the program during this health crisis. Several of its partners have also stepped up, providing the team with dedicated PCs and servers to speed up research on COVID-19.

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MUSIC CORNER

Around the World in X Minutes Words by Daniel Ringon

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ummer is officially upon us, and while we can’t leave the house because of the lockdown, there’s no reason we can’t travel the world anyway. Wash your hands, find a cozy corner at home, and take a tour around the world with these bands—you’ve got the tunes of the world along with you.

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Kida Kudz (Nigeria)

Know Them Better Through: Nasty (2020)

As Tones and I said in her first EP, the kids are coming, and this 24-year-old is out to prove that.

The Nigerian raised artist is known for winning the Peak Talent Show in 2010, but has since moved to the UK to study music. Kida Kudz is doing it all pushing his own Afroswank genre into the mainstream, catching the attention of mainstream hip hop artists, and collaborating with other genre artists to make hit tracks. It wouldn’t be much of a stretch to hear more of Kida Kudz with more mainstream artists in the future.

Kida Kudz releases his first mixtape of the decade with a great set with Flex X6 and Majestical taking the cake. It doesn’t even require that much explanation. A banger is a banger.

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Sunset Rollercoaster (Taiwan)

Know Them Better Through: Jinji Kikko (2016)

Sunset Rollercoaster is a five-piece band from the country that gave us F4: Taiwan. Gaining a reputation as one of the English speaking bands in the country, Sunset Rollercoaster actually went on hiatus after touring for their debut album back in 2011. Thankfully, they reunited and launched an EP in 2016 with the synth-heavy Jinji Kikko. Incorporating 80s funk into their indie rock sound, the band is one to watch out for, and will surely find their way into chill-beach playlists once we get back to the beach.

Who wants to hear an EP about two lovers travelling through time to find one another? It’s a concept as far out as the band’s music, featuring a symphony of synth, keys, and sax. My Jinji takes the cake in this three-track EP as the favorite, starting off slow and ending with high energy as the synth, keys, and sax take the spotlight.

Sigur Ros (Iceland)

Know Him Better Through: Takk... (2005)

For something a lot different than what we’re used to seeing in Music Corner, we’re giving you gibberish. Well not really. Icelandic rock band Sigur Ros has garnered a large following since their foundation in 1994. The band is known for creating their own form of language called Vonlenska or Hopelandic, referring to the band’s tendency not to rely on specific lyrics, but emotive sounds, syllables, and noises that fit the music. Fun fact: Sigur Ros has created tracks for some of our favorite TV Shows like Game of Thrones and Black Mirror, specifically in the episode Hang the DJ.

Yes. An album from 2005. It’s basically a relic, but a gorgeous one. The band created another landmark signature with Hoppipolla or hopping into puddles in English. The Icelandic language along with their signature Hopelandic might sound like gibberish, but the song is actually telling a simple song about what it’s like to be a kid. Packing atmosphere in spades, the album, their whole discography really, would be perfect for showing off your travel videos.

Tones and I (Australia) There’s always going to be that artist in a bunch that’ll go out of their way to make their own stamp with their music. 26-year old Toni Watson, professionally going by Tones and I, is probably one of those few. Starting off in typical musician fashion, discovering her musical talent at a young age, then learning to play, busking, performing in bars, etc. She shot to fame by releasing a single on a website that publishes the music of unsigned artists. Thus, Tones and I was born. Belting her lyrics as bravely as she wrote them, she’s been gathering a huge following domestically in her home country and internationally as well starting with her single “Johnny Run Away” to Dance Monkey.

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Know Them Better Through: The Kids are Coming (2019) It’s always refreshing to hear songs that aren’t about romance. Don’t get me wrong, romance is great and all, but friendship, sexuality, and the bravery to stand up for your beliefs is a better change of pace. Her six track EP is full of powerful songs from the first word to the last note. Johnny Run Away deserves special mention being her first technical single and as the song that put her on the map. But it’s also worth mentioning that the song is about what it’s like to grow up gay and with a less supportive bunch surrounding you. Based on an actual friend’s life, the lyrics hit like real conversations that were put into a music sheet.

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TRAVEL

THE CANADIAN ROCKIES:

A A PROPENSITY PROPENSITY TO TO THE THE SIMPLE SIMPLE YET YET BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL

Words by Gerry Gaviola

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he Rockies, as they say, is the perfect canvas for a picturesque and adventure filled vacation.

If there’s one thing to know about the Canadian Rockies it’s that it’s a different place all year round. And if you love the outdoors, then your love for it is only bound to get deeper after a trip to the rocky mountains.

The Canadian Rockies consists of 4 National Parks, and 3 Provincial Parks. There’s simply plenty to explore. Why you wouldn’t want to miss it is because of its splendor—it’s simply magical. Depending on when you visit, you may chance upon beautifully sculpted glaciers, breathtaking snow peaks, or vibrant and turquoise lakes, and of course, budding wildlife.

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Winter stay Winters in the mountains are longer when compared to the rest of Canada. While other provinces are having glimpses of cherry blossoms coupled with warmer weather, the Rockies see it differently. Well into April, and even in May, mountains are still covered with snow. If mountain sports like skiing, snowboarding, and ice climbing are your thing, or are some things you see yourself trying, a winter stay wouldn’t hurt. Plus, there’s a bunch of other sightseeing activities you can do.

The Abraham lake, for instance, which is just at the corner of the Canadian Rockies is the place to see the rare yet beautiful phenomenon of ice bubbles being frozen just beneath the lake. Although the man-made lake often freezes over December, trapped methane released from decaying plants start to appear from mid-January to early February.

Due to the bubbles being mystically suspended on the clear icey blue water, the lake has been a popular attraction for photographers.

For people not into winter sports, there’s snowshoe tours in Jasper National Park which run through December through March. Well versed in history, ecology, and in geology of the area, the tour guides there will happily complement your exploration with knowledge.

All through October and April, SunDog Tours also offer the Winter Wildlife Discover tour all which lets you further explore the Jasper National Park. Unlike a visit at the Zoo, guides help you spot the park’s most iconic creatures right at their natural habitat.

From wolves, to Elks, to Mooses, this tour is definitely the one to take to admire the wild mouintain’s fauna. The tour includes traversing the picturesque Athabasca Valley so be sure to bring a camera as it’s a sight that’ll take your breath away.

Transitional months There are two main periods where you’d save a ton on accommodation and travel expenses. From mid-April to mid-June, winter activities are just starting to cease while summer activities have yet to start. From mid-October to end of November, it’s quite the opposite—summer activities have just ceased, and it may be too early for winter activities.

Although these are not the ideal times to visit the Rockies, if you’re just out for general sightseeing, then these could work. Although seasonal closures would apply, lower valley elevation hikes are still possible. If you’re up for just some rest in the swiss inspired hotels, and up for relaxed explorations, visiting the during off-peak days would be a win-win.

A Summer/Fall stay When temperatures start to rise and as we tend to see longer days, day activities start to become more ideal. Even at early June, things start to get interesting.

In Minnewanka in Banff, for instance, you may start to see thawed turquoise lakes backdropped by still snowy mountains.

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Perhaps one of the most popular tours, also done

by Sundog is the Banff and Lake Louise Jasper Tour.

In 10 to 11 hrs, the tour will circle you around the mountains that define North America. As a whole day tour you’d be able to explore the Rockies’ two most famous National Parks, Banff and Jasper. In between the two parks, it’s possible to be able to have a drink on one of our planet’s freshest water sources, the Columbia Icefield. Meltwater from that source flows across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans. The Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, and Lake Louise are just some of the stopovers that are set int this tour.

To compliment day tours with peaceful mediation, you may also want to visit the series of mineral-rich

hot springs in Banff that were discovered in the 1880s. Interestingly enough, it was the discovery of these hot springs that sparked Canada’s first national park, Banff. Workers from the Canadian Pacific Railroad back in the day entered from the top basin, and saw, from the skylight, that these waters were something else. Within 3 years of its discovery, tunnels were built, and it was opened to the public. Believing in the premise that these mineral rich waters could cure any disease, many flocked to the springs, and even bought bottled water from it. The therapeutic waters have placed the area in the map as a popular health resort.

Although the original discovered area was later closed, you can still enjoy a dip in Banff’s upper hot springs.

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ENTERPRISE

Google launches MSME Caravan campaign

Google Philippines Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy Yves Gonzalez, Gerome Panlilio of Germano’s Chili, Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario, DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Michelle Mariano of Qmansi, Beltran Almendral of Anitos Dried Pork, and Google Philippines Market Lead Samuel Jeanblanc, and Communications and Public Affairs Head Mervin Wenke.

Google Philippines has launched its MSME Caravan campaign under the grow with google program which aims to teach micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) digital skills and introduce tools that will help them become more competitive, grow and grab the opportunity of the rising online economy.

The campaign is made in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and involves nationwide tours throughout 2020 to conduct training sessions to MSME owners so they can be up to date with the digital landscape, latest consumer insights, and tools such as Google My Business and the Primer App which can help create a positive impact in their business.

“The Department of Trade and Industry is committed to spur the MSME development in the country and our partnership with Google helps us achieve this goal. We hope that our joint digital upskilling program will help more MSMEs become competitive, engage with consumers effectively, and drive business growth,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez in a statement.

“With a giant like Google behind us, I think we could be able to really reach our goal and even beyond, the 100,000 MSMEs to go online, to go digital this year,” said Blesila Lantayona, Undersecretary, DTI. According to DTI, 99.52 percent of the country’s establishments are MSMEs which employs 63 percent of the local workforce. These MSMEs are also responsible in generating 25 percent of the nation’s total export revenue.

“This partnership with DTI is very important for us. In fact, with the help of DTI, we will be able to reach and to get more MSMEs to be part of

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this campaign. We hope that through this campaign, we will be able to teach them the needed digital skills for them to scale and become globally competitive,” said Bernadette Nacario, country director, Google Philippines.

According to Google the number of searches for products, stores, and services “near me” have increased by 2.5x in the last three year from 2017 to 2019. The MSME Caravan campaign aims to train business owners on how they can be listed in Google My Business so they can be discovered by consumers searching online.

Google My Business is a free online listing on Google Maps and Google Search to help MSMEs connect with more consumers in the digital space. It also helps businesses build their online presence, control their business information, and create a free website and posts for their business.

It has bookings, direct contact, reviews, and even Q and A pages, as well as an insights feature which helps business to understand and know their customers better.

The series of workshops have already started, training more than 2,780 MSME owners in over 20 cities in eight regions nationwide. Google and DTI hope to reach more throughout 2020.

Aside from the Google My Business, MSMEs Caravan attendees will also be taught how to use the Primer App, a free mobile app that teaches digital marketing skills. The teaching app is available to download on the Google Play Store or iOS App Store and will provide business owners with important insights on how they can expand and utilize the digital space for marketing.

“We’ve been to more than 20 cities in eight regions, we’ve trained 2700 MSMEs already.

And that number keeps on increasing. And we’re very, very proud to be contributing to your objective of training 100,000 small businesses now, not only train them, and of course bringing them online,” said Samuel Jeanblanc, market lead, Google Philippines.

As part of the official launch of the campaign, Google brought three MSMEs who have started to digitalize their business through Google’s tools.

Michelle Mariano owner of QMansi, Gerome Panlilio owner of Germano Chili, and Beltran Almendral owner of Anito’s Dried Pork shared how Google and the DTI have helped upscale their businesses through the use of the internet.

DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona

Google Philippines Market Lead, Samuel Jeanblanc

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Robinsons Bank Treasury IT Solutions Opics named as “2019 Project of the Year” The Treasury Group caps off Robinsons Bank’s award-filled year when Finstra, the third-largest Financial Technology provider in the world, presented Robinsons Bank with the “2019 Project of the Year” award for their Treasury IT Solutions Opics project.

Treasury IT Solutions Opics projects aims to fuel the growing Treasury business activities of the bank.

Furthermore, it was also recognized for its fast and seamless progression from negotiations to implementation. The Opics project surpassed standards as it made project timelines three months faster than the market average.

Finstra also acknowledged Robinsons Bank’s collaborative communication, strong point of contact, and firm expectations as key players to the excellence that the bank exhibited.

The “2019 Project of the Year” award is one of many recognitions given to Robinsons Bank in 2019. Last October 2019, the Philippine Rating

From L-R: Finastra Global Delivery Director Elaine Fontarum, Robinsons Bank President and CEO Elfren Antonio S. Sarte, Finastra Regional Field Sales and Account Manager Adam Mason, Fx Trading Group Head Andy Gaerlan, IT Group Head Eric Macalintal, IT Project Manager Niel Navarro, Treasurer Ma. Regina N. Lumain, and PESO Fixed Income Dealership Division Head Galo Yabut.

Services Corporation (PhilRating) issued Robinsons Bank a high PRS credit rating of Aa minus with a Stable Outlook in light of its recent corporate bond issuance.

Early in 2019, Robinsons Bank was recognized as the Fastest Growing Commercial Bank in the Philippines by Global Business Outlook (GBO) and the Best Commercial Bank in the Philippines

by the International Banker. Its Robinsons Bank DOS Mastercard was also recognized as the Most Innovative Credit Card Product by GBO; while the Simple Savings product was awarded as the Most Innovative Banking Product and Best Financial Inclusion Program by GBO and the Bank Marketing Awards, respectively. In addition to these awards, Robinsons Bank was recognized by Visa for having the highest number of contactless transactions in 2019.

Only 1 in 5 business leaders confident in applying new tech The demand for workers with flexible, tech-driven skills continues to grow in Asia. This creates urgency for the education sector to bridge the manpower gap and meet the demands of the new workplace.

Located in Japan, which is increasingly becoming an innovation hub and hotspot for startups, GLOBIS University understands the need for jobseekers to remain competitive amidst digital transformations in the workplace.

Coining the term Technovate Era (a combination of technology and innovate), to describe this time where tech-driven skills converge and impact socioeconomic development, the school offers courses designed to help professionals overcome modern challenges such as staying relevant, integrating technology in business, and leveraging human skills.

Staying Relevant Automation is expected to replace about 5 million jobs in 2020. Technology is evolving at a rate most workers find it hard to keep up. GLOBIS University reports that only one in five business leaders are highly confident in applying new technology.

At the fore of these new technologies is AI. “In the future, human CEOs will have to adopt AI as a partner,” Yoshito Hori, Founder and President of GLOBIS University, shared. “Learn from it, and consult with it on decision-making and strategy.”

Technology in Business In 2019, the McKinsey Global Survey reported that nearly half of the respondents have embedded at least one AI process in their business operations.

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AI could create 58 million net new jobs by 2022.

Business in the Asia Pacific region set its sights on investing USD5.5 billion in AI systems, an 80 Percent leap from 2018.

Overall, Hori agrees with the revolutionary role technology has played in the workplace and encourages using it to improve business.

“If ‘technology’ is white light, the courses visualize a spectrum of technology’s implications on the future of industries, and business models,” Aditya Prakash, an alumnus of GLOBIS University, likened GLOBIS’ Technovate courses to a prism. “It is important to note that technology should add convenience and empower the customers.” Prakash added.

skills which remain unique to humans. GLOBIS University believes that these skills are key to succeeding in the Technovate Era. Top in-demand skills in 2020 include critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

“As much as technology and automation are steadily easing their way in the workplace, the jobs of the future will be creative, dependent on human relationships, and linked to the interests of the individual making them fun,” shared Hori.

Leveraging Human Skills As AI adoption grows, the demand for workers capable of navigating these new technologies grows with it.

The World Economic Forum reports a popular estimate that more than half of children in primary school today will end up working in completely new jobs that don’t yet exist. The ability to prepare and anticipate changes in the modern workplace has become increasingly crucial, especially for both businesses and individuals, in order to fully utilize capabilities in this rapidly evolving environment.

While it is true that smarter technologies outdate jobs and create new ones, there are invaluable

To find out more about Technovate courses at GLOBIS, visit the official website.

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Cisco says PH telecom operators could earn USD 650-million more with 5G rollout Rollout of 5G services could boost annual revenues of Philippine telecom operators by as much as 650 million dollars starting 2025, according to a new study commissioned by Cisco, a global technology leader.

The study, conducted by management consulting firm Kearney, highlights that 5G promises speeds up to 50 times faster, 10 times more responsiveness, and much lower power connectivity than 4G. This will be driven by a combination of three distinctive features — high throughput, ultra-low latency, and low power connectivity.

Speed, low latency, and enhanced connectivity will help telecom operators provide super-fast Internet connections that enable streaming of high-definition videos, cloud gaming and delivery of interactive augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR)-powered content to consumers. It will also help to fast-track the commercialization of several advanced use cases of 5G, including smart cities, Industry 4.0, large-scale Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, and more. This will enable telecom operators to increase revenues both from consumers as well as enterprise clients.

Titled, 5G in ASEAN: Reigniting growth in enterprise and consumer markets, the study states that initial growth of 5G adoption is expected to come from high-value customers and high-value devices, and subscriptions will start to scale as devices become more affordable. As a result, the study expects 5G penetration to be around 25 to 40 percent in major countries in the region by 2025, with Philippines seeing nearly 15 percent penetration.

The total number of 5G subscriptions in ASEAN is forecast to exceed 200 million in 2025.

Naveen Menon, president ASEAN at Cisco, said: “The expected rollout of 5G services comes at a perfect time for telecom operators. The usage of cellular data is growing rapidly as users consume increasing amount of services and content on their personal devices. At the same time, enterprises are looking to leverage the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is underpinned by Artificial Intelligence, IoT, 3D Printing, Advanced Robotics and Wearables, to boost growth. The successful adoption of these technologies is largely dependent on the underlying connectivity. This provides a huge opportunity for telecom operators to increase their presence in the enterprise market and sustain their long-term growth.”

Karrie Ilagan, managing director for Philippines at Cisco, said: “Digital transformation has been a big theme in the Philippines. Businesses across the country, are looking to leverage advancements in 4IR technologies to enter a new phase of expansion. The rollout of 5G services will play a key role in accelerating the adoption and bring substantial benefits to the enterprises. At the same time, consumers are also eagerly waiting for 5G rollout for enhanced experience with content consumption on their personal devices.

The Philippines is already a global leader in social media usage and Filipino consumers are spending

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billions of dollars on online shopping. The rollout of 5G services will not only give them better experience but also increase the reach of digital connectivity across the country. Together, these trends will play a key role in boosting Philippines’s economic growth in the coming years.”

As telecom operators get ready to roll out 5G services, they are likely to invest about USD 10 billion into the region’s 5G infrastructure by 2025.

Dharmesh Malhotra, managing director ASEAN, service provider, at Cisco, said: “The rollout of 5G services will require substantial investments in technology to modernize underlying networks. In ASEAN, telecom operators are likely to continue to invest in upgrading their 4G networks and build the 5G capabilities in a phased manner. This will allow 4G and 5G to operate simultaneously and help the operators manage their capex and ROI in a sustainable manner. Cisco is partnering with network operators in their journey to 5G rollout and is already engaged with customers in ASEAN on 5G transformation”.

The study highlights that to unlock this potential, the region needs to address some key challenges.

Foremost among these is the slow availability of spectrum for 5G services and the resulting suboptimal network rollout. 5G will be deployed across multiple bands, with three bands likely to be important globally in the near-term: low band (700 MHz), mid-band (3.5 to 4.2 GHz), and high-band on mmWave spectrum (24 to 28 GHz). In ASEAN, many of these bands are already being used to provide other services. Low band is being used for FTA TV, and mid-band is being used for satellite services. Although mmWave

bands are available, deployment will need to be combined with low band spectrum to enable an economically viable coverage of suburban and rural areas as well as in-building access.

In addition, operators will need to carefully construct their 5G product and pricing portfolios and migrate consumers to the high-speed network. Consumers are excited about 5G and are willing to pay for better quality, unlike 3G and 4G technology. It would be fatal for operators to engage in a price war just to attract a higher number of subscribers in the hope they can charge them more at a later stage.

On the enterprise side, operators will need to build new capabilities and bundle enhanced connectivity with solutions and applications to help customers understand, implement, and scale up value-enhancing use cases. They will also have to contend with a new set of competitors that provide private networks to enterprises.

Nikolai Dobberstein, partner at Kearney and a lead author of the report, said: “The overall potential of 5G rollout in ASEAN is substantial. However, to live up to the full potential, the region will need to address the main challenges. This will require a coordinated effort from all stakeholders — regulators, operators, and enterprises. Given the ecosystem challenges and the large value at stake, regulators will play a central role. Among the key issues that regulators would need to take the lead on are: ensuring near-term spectrum availability, fostering infrastructure sharing and nurturing the development of national cybersecurity capabilities across the region.”

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CYBER SECURITY

Beware of COVID-19 cyber-scams, says SophosLabs

SophosLabs’ sample of Chloroquine Email Scam

SophosLabs is tracking how the use of “COVID-19” and “coronavirus” in domain names, spam, phishing attacks, and malware has skyrocketed, nearly tripling in the past weeks.

Attackers are also increasingly impersonating the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), North America, and the United Nations (UN), as evidenced in scams tracked by SophosLabs.

Attached are a few new examples.

“Cybercriminals are wasting no time in shifting their dirty, tried and true attack campaigns toward advantageous lures that prey on mounting virus fears. It’s easy to see, for example, that the attackers behind a new Chloroquine scam are the same as those behind a recent herbal Viagra scam,” according to Sophos principal research scientist Chester Wisniewski.

“With global spam volumes estimated to be in the hundreds of billions, for 2-3% of those to be COVID-19 themed is significant. Similar to A/B testing of advertisements and web pages, criminals often dip a toe in the water when there is a new or sensational topic in the news. If the new topic proves a more effective lure than the previous scam bait they begin switching to new lures.

“In fact in one of the spam campaigns we tracked this week, there was evidence of exactly that.

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SophosLabs’ sample of WHO COVID-19 Email Scam

These particular criminals had been using fake shipping and delivery emails to convince unsuspecting victims into opening attachments and infecting their computers with the Kryptik Trojan. Now the main body of the email pretends to come from erecruit@who.int with “health advice” in the attachment, but when we carefully inspect the plain text body, we see it matches a previous spam campaign from this same criminal using a lure pretending to be about invoices and deliveries.

“The increases we are seeing are likely due to two important factors. First, as time passes more and more criminal groups are joining the party on using all this interest in COVID-19 to steal money from people. Secondly, it takes time. Any given criminal group has to handcraft the spams to convince the recipient to take an action. In the research community we call this the call to action. The call to action might be to open the attachment, visit the website or, in the case of the WHO Bitcoin scam, to donate cryptocurrencies to criminal controlled Bitcoin wallets. Crafting these messages takes time, especially for those who are not native English speakers.

“Even the most innocuous mention of something by a politician or a celebrity can lend a scam credibility or present a new business opportunity. Two recent examples come to mind.

One spam campaign offering to tell you about

the government cover up and attempting to sell you a COVID-19 survival guide used celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow as a lure in its subject line. A tipoff the email is a fake is the incorrect spelling of her first name as Gwenith, but this could easily be missed or glossed over. A few days ago President Donald Trump mentioned the possible efficacy of a drug called Chloroquine against Coronavirus immediately leading to WordPress blog comment spammers switching from pitching herbal Viagra to instead attempting to sell you Chloroquine, which can be quite dangerous when not taken under the supervision of a doctor. And within only two days of the WHO creating a charity called the Solidarity Response Fund, criminals were soliciting Bitcoin donations pretending to be the charity, even implying your donation is fully tax deductible in the US or Europe.”

SophosLabs has uncovered a variety of different malicious email campaigns connected to COVID-19, including: • Phishing scams impersonating the WHO, CDC, and other healthcare organizations to deliver malware via malicious documents disguised as official information on how to stay safe during the pandemic • Cybercriminals impersonating charities and relief organizations like the WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to trick victims into sending them Bitcoin

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GoDaddy urges businesses to install SSL Certificates on websites for data protection

Small business owners are just as, if not more, vulnerable to website security hacks as big corporations, and are equally beholden to protect their customer’s data. Often due to limited knowledge of online security and with minimal budgets, small business owners tend not to prioritize protection for their websites, GoDaddy’s latest report on small business website security reveals.

The GoDaddy Security Report found that three in ten small businesses that suffered a cyber breach had to inform customers and clients of the breach, risking consumer relationships and tarnished brand reputation. Moreover, websites that experience cyber breaches are tagged by Google and other search engines as unsafe, thereby lowering their search rankings which further reduces their chances of capturing online traffic.

Getting started addressing website security can begin with —acquiring an SSL Certificate for your website. A Secure Socket Layer (SSL Certificate) provides end-to-end encryption for all information passing from the browser to the server. Websites that have an SSL Certificate enable the browser and Web server to build a secure, encrypted connection for the transmission of information from a website.

SSL “handshake” process establishes a secure session, communicating back and forth from the customer’s browser and your site, with the communication taking place discreetly behind the scene without interrupting the customer’s shopping experience. A “padlock” icon that appears on the browser’s status bar and the “https://” (with an “s,” which means “secure”) prefix in the URL are visible indications of a secure session in progress. GoDaddy SSL Certificates support up to 2048-bit encryption and are recognized by the major desktop and mobile browsers on the market today.

For start-ups that require only one domain website protection, GoDaddy Basic SSL Certificate is available in DV, OV and EV SSL Certificates at the current cost of a little over PHP 3,000 a year. Once purchased, installing the SSL Certificate can be done with ease as GoDaddy offers 24/7 guides to help business owners set up their SSL Certificates and support them through the process.

A website with an SSL Certificate installed is recognized by Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers as “Secure”. The browser will display HTTPS and the padlock icon in the status bar. On the other hand, a website without an SSL Certificate installed will be flagged by Chrome and other browsers and labeled as “Not Secure”.

For those who have started to expand their business with multiple websites and subdomains, GoDaddy Managed SSL Certificates can be an ideal set-up as its package installs the certificate, prevents common errors, and automates maintenance. This all-in-one security package allows business owners to put more of their attention towards business development. At around PHP 12,000 a year currently, for a maximum of 5 websites, business owners will not have to worry about checking to see if their SSL Certificate is up to date as the Managed SSL package is a personalized service that completes all the necessary steps from start to finish automatically.

How does this work? When the customer on your website shares their personal data, a so-called

Finally, GoDaddy Wildcard SSL Certificates cover multiple subdomains and allows one to

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secure the entire website. For example, use a Wildcard SSL to protect *.coolexample. com, which would cover shop.coolexample. com, www.coolexample.com and any other subdomains. At a cost of around PHP 15,000 a year currently, one can have no limit to the number of protected subdomains on their website. If a business owner chooses to be more comprehensive with their website security, the Wildcard SSL Certificate is the best choice especially for those who require several product categories tabs in e-commerce.

An SSL Certificate is only one of the ways to help further protect your website and online presence. Additional ways to help stay vigilant is by: keeping software and plug-ins updated; consistently run malware and vulnerability scans; implement two-factor authentication and regularly backup files and databases.

“Getting an SSL Certificate is a great investment that businesses can make, as they inspire trust and show visitors that you value not only their business but also their privacy protection.

Acquiring a consumer’s trust is something important for all Filipino businesses, large or small,” shares Tina Shieh, Marketing Director for GoDaddy Asia. “Small business owners have to juggle multiple aspects of the business at once and it can be challenging to make website security a priority. Establishing a strong foundation, starting with getting an SSL Certificate for your website, can help show your commitment to providing a more secure experience for your customers.”

To learn more about GoDaddy SSL Certificates visit https://ph.godaddy.com/web-security/ ssl-certificate.

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BITS AND BYTES

Lenovo opens Legion store in SM City Clark

Legion store SM City Clark now open to gamers.

Lenovo Philippines general manager Michael Ngan.

Silicon Valley Computer Group Philippines managing director Nelson Co

Lenovo Philippines product manager for Gaming Tristan Gonzales.

Lenovo continues its mission to develop the country’s gaming community as it reaches out to gamers in North Luzon, opening the latest Legion store in SM City Clark.

“As one of the Philippines’ major business centers, Clark presents a huge opportunity for both the Lenovo and Legion brands’ expansion efforts and continuous support of the flourishing gaming community. In the past few years, the area has significantly developed into the economic powerhouse that we see today. With our exclusive Legion Store, we aim to add to that growth by helping develop the Northern and Central Luzon gaming scene as we bring gamers closer with our top-of-theline products and special gaming events,” said Michael Ngan, president and general manager, Lenovo Philippines.

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The Clark Freeport area has developed into a central hub for business, aviation, education, and tourism. The area was also front and center as the venue for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the area hosted the event’s opening and closing ceremonies. The 2019 SEA Games was also pivotal as it became the first international sporting event to include esports in its official medal tally.

The Lenovo Legion store in SM City Clark is the third overall Legion store in the country, next to the branches at SM City Cebu and SM City North EDSA. The latest store is located at the 2nd floor of SM City Clark.

Legion Store SM City Clark showcases Lenovo’s top-of-the-line gaming devices such as monitors, towers, laptops, and peripherals and accessories, as well as offers actual experience by allowing

visitors to test products firsthand. In addition, Legion Store SM City Clark will host regular events catering to the local gaming community.

As part of the grand opening celebrations, the store held a special hardware promo on opening day.

Those who bought the Legion Y740, Legion Y730, and Legion Y540 gaming notebooks came home with a free Legion K200 Keyboard and Legion M200 Mouse, while those who purchased the IdeaPad L340 Gaming device got a free Seagate Slim 1TB HDD. Legion Store SM City Clark is the third overall Legion Store in the Philippines after SM City Cebu and SM City North EDSA. Legion Store SM City Clark is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. To learn more about the store and its current offers and promos, visit fb.com/lenovophilippines and fb.com/ lenovolegionPH.

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BARMM residents now online with Smart LTE

Mamasapano LTE speedtest

PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. ramps up its network rollout across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Residents of Mamasapano in Maguindanao and other towns in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi now have access to high-speed LTE connectivity.

“This highlights PLDT-Smart’s commitment to continuously expand our mobile broadband coverage in order to provide the best internet experience to our customers, wherever they may be in the country,” said PLDT-Smart senior vice president for Network Planning and Engineering Mario Tamayo.

“By providing connectivity to our countrymen in BARMM, we are not only giving them better avenues to keep in touch with their families and loved ones, or access to social media, video streaming and online games. We are also stimulating their local economy, empowering entrepreneurs and businesses, and helping government deliver their services better,” Tamayo added.

Most of the towns covered are 4th and 5th class municipalities from Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. This includes Sulu’s capital Jolo, Tawi-Tawi’s capital Bongao, Maguindanao’s

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capital Shariff Aguak, Lantawan in Basilan, Upi, Pagagawan in Maguindanao and Marantao, Bacolod Grande, Malabang, Ramain and Datu Piang in Lanao del Sur. “We are in the age of globalization, and globalization will be meaningless without communication,” said Mohagher Iqbal, BARMM Minister of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education.

“The world becomes smaller and smaller because of communication, and I think Smart is playing a good part in that effort.”

“One of the Bangsamoro Regional Government’s initial challenges is communication, especially in the island provinces,” said BARMM Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform Mohammad Yacob. “Connectivity is important, particularly for our Ministry, since we have to monitor our farmers.”

Yacob noted that without connectivity, their farmers cannot send in their reports or access the internet. “Their performance is very low. What we need is to be able to communicate directly with them, and with networks in place, we can help our farmers in island provinces,” he said.

“Smart’s fast internet connection opens up Mamasapano to the rest of the world. It is great help to the community, especially to the students

in the area,” said Akmad Ampatuan Jr. mayor of Mamasapano.

Aside from BARMM, Smart has also accelerated its network rollout across the rest of Mindanao, particularly in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Compostella Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Cotabato, Sarangani, Sout Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. In 2019, Smart increased the number of its LTE base stations by 51 percent compared to end-2018 and deploying these in more areas of the country. Underpinning Smart’s network deployment is the continued expansion of PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, which grew by 32 percent versus end-2018 to more than 322,400 kilometers nationwide. This unmatched fiber infrastructure is a critical advantage for Smart.

The sustained improvement of the PLDT-Smart network has been supported by a stepped-up capital expenditures program that includes investments in network and IT systems, including investments in increased LTE coverage and capacity, expanded fiber transport and new international cable networks.

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Smart offers free access to DOH COVID-19 tracker Following the government’s declaration of a state of public health emergency, the public’s need to access accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 has become more urgent.

To help people get correct and up-to-date information on COVID-19, PLDT Inc’s wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has made access to Department of Health (DOH) websites free since end-January.

Through their mobile phones, Smart, Sun and TNT customers can access DOH’s tracking site for free at https://ncovtracker.doh.gov.ph.

The DOH tracker website provides the latest information regarding the number and general location of Persons Under Investigation (PUI).

Earlier, Smart had made the main DOH website (www.doh.gov.ph) accessible free of charge, along with the PHIVOLCS website (www.phivolcs. dost.gov.ph).

“Let us work together in dealing with this health crisis by helping share the correct information about what is happening and on how to best safeguard our health and that of our families and communities,” said PLDT-Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto.

Converge ICT first to complete Wi-Fi infra among players Converge ICT, the country’s premier pure end to end fiber Data and Internet service provider, recently announced the completion of the free Wi-Fi infrastructure for the list of areas the Department of Information and Technology (DICT) has contracted under the Free Public Internet Access Program otherwise known as Free Wi-Fi for All. The DICT has previously engaged all telco players through public bidding, to provide free public Wi-Fi to Filipinos in an effort to make available “free, open and high-quality” Internet access to users. The free Wi-Fi must be accessible in places like health centers, hospitals, parks, and schools, among others.

Converge ICT is the first to fulfill such service requirements, overcoming challenges and fasttracking completion ahead of other contracted DICT vendors. DICT awarded 186 sites to Converge ICT including key areas like Manila, Pasay City, and Quezon City.

“We are glad to have been able to fulfill the task the DICT has given us,” said Ronald Brusola, chief technology officer, Converge ICT. “We are one with the government in providing high-quality internet access to Filipinos, and we will use our broad

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and strong infrastructure to give users seamless internet experience they deserve.”

The internet is now a tool to accelerate economic, social, and educational opportunities.

Beyond casual browsing and research, it is an important component for organizations to move forward with digitalization, and for citizens to communicate and transact with the government.

According to a recent survey (Internet World States) the Philippines has 67 million internet from a population of over 100 million.

“Converge ICT believes that access to the internet is a fundamental need, which drives us further to expand our network by forging partnerships and strengthening our infrastructure,” said Jesus Romero, chief operating officer, Converge ICT.

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Electrolux ComfortFlow water heater wins iF Design Award for innovative product design

Swedish brand Electrolux has once again been recognized for its innovative product design as the Electrolux ComfortFlow 700 Water Heater earned an iF Design Award 2020.

Inspired by their Scandinavian Design heritage and values, the Electrolux ComfortFlow 700 electrical shower heater is a compliment to the sanctuary of the modern bathroom. Inspired by its environment, the ComfortFlow 700’s form is slim, clear and iconic, and expresses itself with tone-in-tone colors and a mixture between gloss and matte textures to match the elegance of today’s bathrooms. In the Philippines, the ComFortFlow 700 comes in soft sand and indigo blue tones.

Electrolux recognizes that nothing feels better than a warm shower to take away the stresses of the day.

The ComfortFlow 700 is designed with technology to manage temperature spikes and scalding, even with an irregular water supply pressure, delivering up to 100% more stable water temperatures for the most delightful shower. The LED heat indicator

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conveniently shows when one’s desired water temperature is reached.

“We are delighted to once again be recognized with the iF Design Award, which is known worldwide as a symbol of good design,” shared Electrolux Philippines country marketing manager, Andrea Soto-Pionilla.

“The ComfortFlow is a wonderful expression of the Electrolux Swedish design principle of marrying form and function. It not only complements today’s modern and sophisticated bathroom spaces but also comes with features to give you a great shower experience. No need to worry about the water suddenly being too hot or too cold — stable water temperatures ensure that you get the heat you want, whether you are looking for an energizing shower in the morning or to relax at the end of the day.”

The annual iF Design Award was introduced in 1954 and is bestowed by the iF International

Forum Design, one of the oldest independent design institutions in the world. The award recognizes design in seven different disciplines — Product, Packaging, Communication, Interior Architecture, Professional Concept, Service Design, and Architecture, and reviews products in the areas of living, work, leisure and healthcare.

This year, 7,298 entries were submitted from 56 countries in hopes of receiving the seal of quality. A 78-member jury made up of independent experts from all over world determined the winners.

A global leader in home and kitchen appliances, Electrolux aims to shape living for the better by reinventing taste, care and wellbeing experiences. Their products include washing machines and dryers, ovens and range hoods, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners and more that seeks to make life in Filipino homes more enjoyable and sustainable.

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Pinoy dengue case predictor mapping system wins 2019 NASA global hackathon A dengue case forecasting system using space data made by Pinoy developers won the 2019 National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s International Space Apps Challenge. With over 29,000 participating globally in 71 countries, this Pinoy solution made it as one of the six winners in the best use of data, the solution that best makes space data accessible, or leverages it to a unique application.

Dengue fever is a viral, infectious tropical disease spread primarily by Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes. With 271,480 cases resulting in 1,107 deaths reported from January 1 to August 31, 2019 by the World Health Organization, Dominic Vincent D. Ligot, Mark Toledo, Frances Claire Tayco, and Jansen Dumaliang Lopez from CirroLytix developed a forecasting model of dengue cases using climate and digital data, and pinpointing possible hotspots from satellite data.

Correlating information from Sentinel-2 Copernicus and Landsat 8 satellites, climate data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOSTPAGASA) and trends from Google search engines, potential dengue hotspots will be shown in a web interface.

Using satellite spectral bands like green, red, and near-infrared (NIR), indices like Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are calculated in identifying areas with green vegetation while Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) identifies areas with water. Combining these indices reveal potential areas of stagnant water capable of being breeding grounds for mosquitoes, extracted as coordinates through a free and open-source crossplatform desktop geographic information system QGIS. “AEDES aims to improve public health response against dengue fever in the Philippines by pinpointing possible hotspots using Earth observations,” Dr. Argyro Kavvada of NASA Earth Science and Booz Allen Hamilton explained.

The DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) deputy executive director Engr. Raul C. Sabularse said that the winning solution “benefits the community especially those countries suffering from malaria and dengue, just like the Philippines. I think it has a global impact. This is the new science to know the potential areas where dengue might occur. It is a good app.”

“It is very relevant to the Philippines and other countries usually having problems with dengue. The team was able to show that it’s not really difficult to have all the data you need and integrate all of them and make them accessible to everyone for them to

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be able to use it. It’s a working model,” according to Monchito B. Ibrahim, industry development committee chairman of the Analytics Association of the Philippines and former undersecretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

The leader of the Space Apps global organizing team Dr. Paula S. Bontempi, acting deputy director of the Earth Science Mission, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate remembers the pitch of the winning team when she led the hackathon in Manila. “They were terrific. Well deserved!” she said.

“I am very happy we landed in the winning circle.

This would be a big help particularly in addressing our health-related problems. One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is on Good Health and Well Being and the problem they are trying to address is analysis related to dengue,” said Science and Technology secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña.

Rex Lor from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines explained that the winning solution showcases the “pivotal role of cutting-edge digital technologies in the creation of strategies for sustainable development in the face of evolving development issues.”

U.S Public Affairs counselor Philip W. Roskamp and PLDT Enterprise Core Business Solutions vice president and head Joseph Ian G. Gendrano congratulate the next group of Pinoy winners.

Sec. de la Peña is also very happy on this second time victory for the Philippines on the global competition of NASA. The first winning solution ISDApp uses “data analysis, particularly NASA data, to be able to help our fishermen make decisions on when is the best time to catch fish.” It is currently being incubated by Animo Labs, the technology business incubator and Fab Lab of De La Salle University in partnership with DOST-PCIEERD. Project AEDES will be incubated by Animo Labs too.

University president Br. Raymundo B. Suplido FSC hopes that NASA Space Apps would “encourage our young Filipino researchers and scientists to create ideas and startups based on space science and technology, and pave the way for the promotion and awareness of the programs of our own Philippine space agency.”

Vice President Leni Robredo recognized Space Apps as a platform “where some of our country’s brightest minds can collaborate in finding and creating solutions to our most pressing problems, not just in space, but more importantly here on Earth.”

“Space Apps is a community of scientists and engineers, artists and hackers coming together to address key issues here on Earth. At the heart of Space Apps are data that come to us from spacecraft flying around Earth and are looking at our world,” explained by Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science.

“Personally, I’m more interested in supporting the startups that are coming out of the Space Apps Challenge,” according to DOST-PCIEERD executive director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.

In the Philippines, Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with De La Salle University, Animo Labs, DOST-PCIEERD, PLDT InnoLab, American Corner Manila, U.S. Embassy, software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas, and celebrates the Design Week Philippines with the Design Center of the Philippines of the Department of Trade and Industry. It is globally organized by Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse.

Space Apps is a NASA incubator innovation program. The next hackathon will be on October 2-4, 2020.

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WWF-Philippines goes digital for Earth Hour 2020

Despite the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over Luzon, the annual Earth Hour celebrations pushed through last March 28 albeit with digital activities to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

2020 – Live & Unplugged a livestreamed digital-only performance that brought together Singapore’s diverse voices for the environment. Australia also went unplugged and online via an #EarthHourLive livestream with music acts, comedians, and expects.

Earth Hour has been done annually for 13 years and is lauded as the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment. Since the first “lights out” event was held in Sydney in 2007, the movement has continued to bring together individuals, businesses, and governments alike in joint acts of commitment towards a future of environment integrity where man lives in harmony with nature.

In the country, WWF-Philippines commemorated Earth Hour 2020 completely online. Before the switch-off, an Instagram livestream was hosted

by WWF-Philippines national ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez entitled “Conservation Conversation” wherein the two ambassadors talked about the environment, climate change, and volunteerism, as well as their experience working with WWF-Philippines. The livestream ended at 8:30 PM to give way to the annual switch-off. Afterward WWF-Philippines held a watch party online consisting of video clips from the nature documentary series, “Our Planet” made through the collaboration efforts of Netflix, Silverback Films, and the WWF International network.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives from the COVID-19 outbreak and our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones or who are sick. In this hour of crisis, we need to unite now more than ever to safeguard our future and the future of our planet. It is a time of solidarity and a time to respond to challenges more creatively and work more collaboratively, which is why Earth Hour is being marked though digital events across the globe,” said Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF International.

Earth Hour 2020 saw people all around the globe raising their voices to invite action on pressing environmental issues in their respective countries.

Through digital events, people from 190 countries and territories participated digitally making #EarthHour2020 and its related hashtags reach 3.1 billion impressions globally. Earth Hour 2020 also trended on Twitter and Google Search in 37 countries.

South Africa launched a digital “Power to the People” campaign for a renewed focus on clean and reliable sources of energy. Singapore went fully digital for the first time ever with Earth Hour 88

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“All our lives, joys and sorrows play out in our one and only home. Under the crisis of the pandemic, WWF’s Earth Hour signals a powerful call for solidarity with each other and with our planet. We need to affirm it now more than ever. Conservation is not just another advocacy; it should be our second nature. It is the only way we can change the ending,” said Maria Isabel Garcia, chairperson of the board of WWF-Philippines.

“In the midst of this crisis we are all reminded that we are connected and we can only address this we act as one. Earth Hour calls for our united and sustained response to care for our environment.

We need to realize what is important,” added Joel Palma, executive director of WWF-Philippines.

As WWF-Philippines marks another successful Earth Hour celebration, the movements continues

to garner pledges of support from both private businesses and government agencies.

“One of the biggest challenges that the world is facing today is mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. As a developing country that is no stranger to destructive natural calamities, it is imperative to ensure that we are proactive and responsive in addressing the environmental challenges confronting us,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in a message celebrating the movement.

Likewise, the office of the vice president also gave a pledge of support toward the movement. “The problems we face, and their effects, are urgent and real. Polar ice caps are melting, species are disappearing from the planet forever, and the weather continues to change because of human activity. But all is not lost, and if we come together now, a solution can be found,” urged Vice President Leni Robredo.

Aside from Earth Hour 2020, the Philippine branch of the organization has also launch a new campaign to instill a sense of urgency in dealing with the environment crisis. #ChangeTheEnding and Earth Hour 2020 serves as the rallying point for the next five years of conservation for the organization.

“Earth Hour is the time we reflect and remember that every plant, every being plays an important role in the web of life in completing our planet.

Even more so during this global pandemic, let Earth Hour be the time that our interconnectedness shines through as we raise our voices in solidarity to care for one another and for our shared home. It is imperative that we sustain these positive actions beyond the hour that we may #ChangeTheEnding for our collective future,” said Atty. Angela Ibay, Earth Hour Pilipinas national director and head of climate change and energy program of WWF-Philippines. www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

Alibaba challenges students to create solutions for a post-COVID world

GET Network to judge and fund six winning teams from 13 markets; innovative students from the Philippines who want to help the world and be rewarded for their ingenuity will now have the chance.

Alibaba Business School has announced the launch of Alibaba Global E-Commerce Talent (GET) Global Challenge 2020, aimed at helping businesses and organizations worldwide recover faster and rebound stronger in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The competition will empower the next generation of entrepreneurial talents to contribute by creating transformative digital solutions in collaboration with mentors and partners from the Alibaba network.

Targeted at university and higher education institution students from 13 markets including the African continent, China, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, and Uzbekistan, the competition will be conducted virtually and span four phases, starting this month. A minimum of 100 teams, each comprising three to five members, are expected to compete. Following national finals that will take place between June and August, over 30

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teams will face off virtually in the World Finals from August 17 to 25, 2020.

“The pandemic is fast-becoming a generationdefining moment, especially for the incoming class of talents. We have collectively risen to the occasion with digital tools invented and repurposed to limit and mitigate the difficulties faced, and there is no better time to get our future talents to lend their creativity and digital savviness in helping the world to recover,” said Zhang Yu, Alibaba Group partner and vice president. “We have seen examples of how digital transformation can play a key role in reducing day-to-day struggles, improving work productivity and quality of life. We hope the challenge will spur the creation of even more life-changing solutions not just for now, but for the future as well.”

Teams submitting their business proposals will receive coaching and reference materials based on modern case studies and learning assets via Alibaba’s DingTalk live streaming sessions. These will be conducted by GET Network-certified experts and Alibaba-trained managers and eFounders, who are regular instructors for Alibaba Business School’s various existing digital training programs.

Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge on digital economy topics ranging from digital transformation, customercentricity, start-up landscape to pitching for investment and more. The top six teams who qualify for the world finals will also receive oneon-one coaching sessions.

The teams will be judged on the innovativeness of their proposal, ability to solve real-world problems, as well as the feasibility, sustainability, and scalability of their new ventures. The final six teams will receive two additional benefits in the form of business funding by Alibaba and the eligibility to join the global GET talent bank, which will provide even more support for their business endeavours. The winning team will also be granted a fully sponsored digital economy discovery trip to Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou, including exclusive sessions with Alibaba GET Network trainers.

The Alibaba GET Network was initiated in 2018 as an extension of Alibaba’s GET program which, to date, has benefitted 80 education partners and trained more than 300 lecturers and over 13,000 students and other participants from Australia, India, Israel, Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, South Korea, Singapore and China.

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Sun Life launches digitally-enabled selling process for clients Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. has launched a new digitally-enabled selling process that will allow Filipinos to avail of life insurance products and stay financially protected even amid the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

The digitally-enabled process will make use of teleconferencing tools so clients may still connect with Sun Life financial advisors to get professional advice on their financial goals, learn about the insurance solutions that would best fit their needs, and avail of these products.

“This is our way of helping Filipinos stay protected from financial risks, especially in these times of uncertainty,” Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. president Alex Narciso said. “Whether they aim to get a life insurance policy or upgrade their existing coverage, they can do so without leaving the comfort and safety of their homes.

The process we implemented is designed to make the experience as convenient, easy, and secure as possible for our clients.”

email address, any online video conferencing tool, landline or mobile phone, one valid government-issued photo- and signaturebearing identification card, and access to online banking or e-wallet services. Over-the-counter deposits through select partner banks will also be accepted as an alternative payment method. Sun Life employs digital safety and data protection measures to protect client data in this digitallyenabled process.

To avail of Sun Life’s products remotely, clients only need to have an internet connection, a valid

“Sun Life has been the Filipinos’ partner in their financial journey for the past 125 years, and we

remain committed to serving them now more than ever,” Narciso said.

The digitally-enabled selling process will be in effect during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period as initiatives utilizing information and communications technology and other technology via remote communication have been permitted by the Insurance Commission.

For more information, clients may reach out to a Sun Life advisor or visit bit.ly/advisormatch to connect with one.

SMC commits to protect workforce; sets PHP 11-billion fund for COVID-19 response San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has committed to grant full-time pay to all its employees and extended workforce as the ECQ remains in effect, even as it works round the clock mobilizing resources to help address the larger societal and economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

The company has also announced that it has set aside PHP 11.67 billion in tax, concession, and contractual payments throughout the quarantine to make available funds needed to respond effectively to the challenges of the pandemic.

Of the amount, SMC has already paid government PHP 8.77 billion, while the remaining balance will be remitted before the end of the ECQ. Meanwhile, it has released full compensation with benefits amounting to over PHP 3-billion for all its 66,557 employees, consultants, and contract workers.

“These are trying times and while we, as a company, are not immune to the challenges of this crisis, the safety and security of our workforce will always come first. We do not want them worrying about their jobs,” SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang said.

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To all SMC employees, Ang said: “I am truly proud of the hard work that you, most especially our front liners, have been doing in the midst of the challenges: delivering essential goods and services that are critical in this battle. Please continue to adopt our malasakit mindset and focus on what we, as individuals, can do to make a difference, because many are counting on us.”

He added: “We are also aware that we have a huge role to play across industries and we are lucky to be more equipped than the rest to navigate this crisis. That said, we remain steadfast in our commitment to assist government and continue providing assistance where it’s most needed.”

To date, SMC and the businesses under it, have provided assistance of over PHP 1-billion in the form of cash, food, flour, disinfectant alcohol, fuel, free toll, and personal protective equipment (PPE) donations to vulnerable communities and front liners.

It has also built emergency quarantine facilities together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help ease the pressure on health facilities flooded by patients needing intensive medical treatment resulting from the pandemic.

Ramon S. Ang, San Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer.

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E3 2020 canceled due to COVID-19 threat The world’s largest video game expo, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, commonly known as E3 has been canceled due to the ongoing global pandemic of the COVID-19 virus.

“Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today,” the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), E3’s organizer stated in a statement.

E3 has long been the Mecca for video game developers to showcase and announce their major projects to the public. E3 2019 saw the announcements for Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Watch Dogs Legion.

Prior to the announcement, several developers and personalities have already expressed their withdrawal from the event. Despite the cancellation, ESA has already announced that

they are planning to conduct online experiences with their partners and exhibitors in lieu of live audience announcements.

showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3expo.com,” the statement added.

“We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to

E3 2020 was supposed to happen on June 9 to 11, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

AMD announces new 3rd-gen Ryzen processors AMD continues its market leadership by further strengthening its Ryzen Desktop Processor line. New AMD Ryzen 3 3100 and AMD Ryzen 3 3300X processors have just been announced, along with AMD B550 Chipset for Socket AM4 designed for 3rd Gen AMD Ryzen desktop processors, for people who want great performance, efficient power use, and superb value.

The new processors bring the proven Zen 2 architecture to users across different use cases, from business, gaming, and creation.

This delivers double the threads, and twice the bandwidth, with a growing selection of motherboards to cater to different needs and price points. The fastest ever Ryzen 3 desktop processors, the Ryzen 3 3100 and AMD Ryzen 3 3300X deliver top-notch power to mainstream gaming, by enabling SMT on a Ryzen 3 desktop processor for the very first time.

The processors take advantage of 18MB Cache, delivering dramatic memory latency reduction, translating directly to smoother, faster gaming performance for high framerates in CPU-heavy games. Further, with four cores, eight threads,

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and the aforementioned SMT technology, these processors provide incredible multitasking performance and responsiveness that consumers need.

“Games and applications are becoming more and more demanding, and with this, users are demanding more from their PCs,” said Saeid Moshkelani, senior vice president and general manager, client business unit. “AMD is committed to providing solutions that meet and exceed those demands for all levels of computing. With the addition of these new Ryzen 3 desktop processors we are continuing this commitment with our mainstream gaming customers. We’ve taken performance up a level, doubling the processing threads of our Ryzen 3 processors to propel gaming and multitasking experiences to new heights.”

The new B550 chipset for socket AM4, on the other hand, is the latest addition to the AMD 500 Series chipset family with support for the industry-leading AMD Ryzen 3000 Series desktop processors. The upcoming B550 motherboards are the only mainstream modern chipset with compatibility for PCIe

4.0, unlocking twice the bandwidth of B450 motherboards for high-speed, high-power performance in gaming and multitasking.

The new Ryzen 3 processors will be available starting May 2020, and the B550 motherboards are expected to be available from ODM partners such as ASRock, Asus, Biostar, Colorful, Gigabyte, and MSI starting June 2020.

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RELIC

Words by Jose Alvarez

Some of our older readers may remember seeing the Concorde, a joint venture between the United Kingdom and France that zipped through the air at Mach 2.04 (1,354 MPH/2,108 KPH), or more than double the speed of sound (767 MPH/1,235 KPH) and seated 92 to 128 passengers. The only other supersonic jet airliner ever built was the Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-144, which had a far briefer run than its Western counterpart. However, at the time, we were wondering if the future of airline travel was actually here, and what would conspire in the future. Could the concept of traveling faster than the speed of sound completely change air travel, airplane design, and airport design forever?

The idea of supersonic flight dated back to the early 1950s, when the British-based Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) formed committees to study supersonic transportation. They delivered their report in 1955 and determined that the drag at supersonic speeds was related to the span of the wing, which meant shorter and thinner trapezoidal wings that resembled military aircraft. In France, similar development was ongoing, and Sud Aviation partnered with the British to produce the plane at a faster rate, although there would be political hurdles to overcome as well as cost concerns.

The RAE continued to do research as their initial findings resulted in long take-off runs and high landing speeds. They developed the “slender delta” concept, a wing planform that produced strong vortices on the upper surface of the wing at higher angles of attack. This would lower the air pressure and increase the lift, which meant shorter take-off runs than in the initial findings. Johanna Weber and Dietrich Kuchemann practically changed the nature of supersonic design, which would take far more than just this Relic article to explain in full detail.

By 1956, the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee (STAC) was founded. Two designs were proposed: a Mach 2 design and a Mach 1.2 design; they expected the short-range version to be ready in 1968 and the transatlantic version by 1970. Development would have had to begin in 1960. The development of the Concorde also came at a time when the United States and Soviet Union were competing in space travel. The British and French came to an agreement in 1962 to develop the Concorde.

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Many major airlines began making reservations for the Concorde starting in 1963. Pan Am (one of the largest airlines in the world at the time), Air France, American Airlines, Qantas, TWA, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, and United Airlines all made reservations. However, many of the larger airlines canceled orders throughout the early 1970s, leaving the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), Air France, and Qantas as the only airlines using the Concorde. The first flights took place in January 1976, with London-Bahrain and Paris-Rio de Janeiro (via Dakar) routes being the first official routes of the plane. There was also a Paris-Caracas (via Azores) route later that year. The United States initially banned Concorde landings in the United States, but then-Secretary of Transportation William Coleman eventually gave them routes to Washington-Dulles in 1976; these routes were canceled in 1982 and 1994.

By 1977, the Concorde had flights from New York’s JFK Airport to both Paris and London despite ongoing protests from the American public.

The same year, the Concorde had opened their London-Singapore route via Bahrain. However, there were complaints from the Malaysian and Indian governments and this route was discontinued in 1980. Air France also flew to Mexico from 1978 to 1982. Braniff International Airways also leased Concordes from Air France and British Airways to fly subsonic flights in North America. By 1981, British Airways bought their Concordes outright.

During the 1980s, while the daily routes from New York to London and Paris continued, British Airways became a private company in 1987, thus freeing it from government control. The

government sold the Concordes for “next to nothing” to British Airways according to former Aerospace Minister Michael Heseltine. In a 2003 interview with BBC 5 Radio Live, Heseltine had admitted that it was one of the worst deals ever made by a government minister in British history.

Experiencing the Concorde meant you had to have deep pockets. 1997 prices for the round-trip flight from New York to London was US$7,995 (around US$12,700 in 2020 dollars), making the Concorde flights out of reach for the average consumer. The volatile design and traveling at such high speeds may have also contributed to the Air France Flight 4590 disaster in 2000, where 113 people perished at takeoff after the plane ran over a piece of debris on the runway and burst a tire. There had been many incidents involving the tires or wheels as early as 1979.

The Concorde was set to be retired in 2003, after 27 years in service and after reduced air travel following the September 11 attacks in the United States. In recent years, there has been talk of reviving the Concorde. The Concorde Club had raised 160 million pounds in 2015 to bring back supersonic travel, although as of 2020 there are no definitive plans to bring back the future of commercial air travel.

While the Concorde was a period of experimentation in air travel, it also became a costly (and in some cases, deadly) endeavor that needed constant refining and re-tuning. It could be possible, like with all inventions, that the Concorde technology could be used again in the near future. Right now, aircraft manufacturers are keeping our airplanes at subsonic speeds for environmental purposes. Sometimes, it isn’t always best to go fast.

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