Subway Celebrates 26th Anniversary with E-learning Program

From left to right — Mr. Joshua Wahiman (Subway's Marketing Manager), Ms Jean Gagarino (Subway's Territory Manager), Atty. Rainier Butalid (CEO of e-DRIS Inc.), Syed Darwish Bederi III (Asia Pacific Regional Head of Critical Links  based in Princeton, NJ US.)

Internet connectivity has been an issue that has plagued the educational system over the past two years. A pressing problem in the far-flung areas in the country and even in some parts of Metro Manila is the issue of intermittent or no internet connectivity at all. 

Every student deserves the opportunity to access learning resources despite accessibility issues. It is equally important that the country’s education system is also improved so that students will be prepared to face the highly competitive workforce.

One company that is passionate about education is Subway. Subway is the world’s largest submarine sandwich chain with more than 34,000 locations around the world. Subway understands that it takes more than just good food to nourish people and build vibrant communities. It starts with taking care of people, the heart and soul of the Subway experience.

One way of taking care of people is to provide opportunities for the future generation to get the best education that is available. To celebrate its 26th anniversary, Subway will be partnering with Critical Links and e-Dris, to launch the School-in-the-Box initiative.

Partners

Critical Links is a pioneer in delivering innovative e-Learning infrastructure for the next generation of schools, especially in challenging environments. E-Dris, on the other hand, is a company that offiers online and offline education through Micro-Cloud Architecture, Hybrid Learning or through Instant Access or Content.

“The past two years has shown us how important internet connectivity is for our children. Those with better internet connectivity do much better in school because of better access to online educational resources. Our partnership with Critical Links and e-Dris will be able to benefit more children so that they will have a better opportunity to achieve excellence in education. This will be our way of supporting the Department of Education in the attainment of their goal of bridging the digital divide. This School-in-the-Box initiative is going to be a game changer in the provinces because even if there is limited or sporadic bandwidth, lack of connectivity, rigid security and usage restrictions, schools can use the C3 Micro-Cloud to bring 21st century learning and discovery to their students. Together with our partners, we will be opening a world of learning and opportunity to students in schools anywhere.” ~Mr. Joshua Wahiman, Marketing Manager of Subway

Under the School-in-a-Box initiative, schools that do not have access to the internet will be given an opportunity to optimize technology and allow students to benefit from a 21st century education. The program will be piloted in a school in Metro Manila that has infrastructure limitations such as power outages and fluctuations and is often cut off from the Internet and cloud based resources due to the lack of regular or robust connectivity.

Cloud based environment

The program will utilize the C3 Micro-Cloud, a self-contained, cloud-enabled environment that allows the provisioning of content, resources, and management to local students and teachers even if they do not have access to the Internet. The server can support up to 50 devices at a time and is ideal for a library, laboratory or a facility room.

“Content in the form of texts and other resources can be centrally curated in the C3 Cloud Control portal by those responsible for curriculum and distributed to any authorized C3 Micro-Cloud regardless of where it is, whenever a network link becomes available.” ~Atty. Rainier Butalid (CEO of e-DRIS Inc.) and  Syed Darwish Bederi III, of Critical Links

With the C3 Micro-Cloud any school can use podcasts, e-books, quizzes, and learning games, allowing students to seek and gather information on their own under the guidance of their teachers instead of passively receiving only the hardcopy of information available in books.

4 ways to turn passions into something valuable and powerful

Reports have called millennials the “burnout generation.” This is further expanded by the 2020 Deloitte Global Millennial Survey, which found that 57% of Filipino millennials feel anxious or stressed all or most of the time. The 2022 report found that 45% of millennials around the world feel “burned out due to the intensity/demands of their working environments.”

There are so many stressors these days. Work, finances, and the welfare of their family are just some of the things that induce anxiety. Their only solace is their passion, which ranges from creating and consuming content to playing mobile games.

With all the stressors hounding millennials every day, it’s important to turn passions into something valuable and powerful. Here are four ways to do that:

• Make time for it. Face it, there’s always something that needs to be done. It’s important to set boundaries between work and leisure because a mind must be well-rested in order to function well in the office. It’s not enough to simply find time for one’s passion. These days, it’s about making it. Set a rule that after 6 PM, work notifications must be switched off. The hours after that must be dedicated to rest, spending time with loved ones, and hobbies.
• Connect with like-minded people. A group of friends who share the same passion will most likely encourage it. Friends who enjoy the same bands can go to gigs together, while gamers can join tournaments or just play together. Film buffs can have movie nights where they can discuss their favorite scenes. There are communities that cater to every passion, from Facebook groups to apps like Goodreads for books, Letterboxd for movies, and Reddit for anything under the sun.

• Share it with the world. Social media has made the world smaller, allowing everyone to reach bigger audiences. Creators can share their work on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which can build a following. While the point of pursuing one’s passion is a break from the monotony of work, this could lead to freelancing gigs or even a change in career.

• Have the right device. The right tool can turn a simple hobby into something more powerful. Samsung’s Galaxy M33 5G and M23 5G are great companions for young professionals who want to take their passions to the next level, especially content creation and mobile games.

Both smartphones are equipped with a multi-camera system to capture memories. The Galaxy M33 5G and M23 5G’s suite of lenses is bannered by the 50MP Main camera, which takes photos and videos in clear detail. The smartphones’ 6.6” displays with Full HD+ technology made the gaming experience richer. Lags are virtually undetectable with the 120Hz refresh rate. There’s space for everything since the smartphones have 128GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by up to 1TB with a microSD card.

Both devices are available at a discounted price on Samsung.com and other online platforms this June. The Galaxy M33 5G is priced at 16,990 SRP, down from its original price of PHP 19,490 SRP in Blue, Brown, and Green. Meanwhile, the Galaxy M23 5G is available for PHP 15,490 SRP, down from its original price of PHP 17,990 SRP in Light Blue, Deep Green, and Orange Copper.

Becoming successful at something you're passionate about takes time, persistence, and drive. Put these pieces together and you'll be well on your way to doing what you love, gaining more control and freedom in your life, and unleashing the genuine power that's within you all along.

For more information about the Samsung Galaxy M33 and M23 5G, visit samsung.com/ph.

• Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has limited the number of its customers to only 50%, implemented the mandatory use of masks and shields, and performs frequent cleaning in all stores.

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.

Find the nearest Samsung Experience store via samsung.com/ph/samsung-experience-store/locations/.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

Discover a new side of Nadine Lustre, Yassi Pressman and Rei Germar in the latest OPPO TVC

The global smart device brand OPPO recently unveiled their newest TVC, featuring multidimensional personalities who are known to push the boundaries in their respective crafts: Nadine Lustre, Yassi Pressman and Rei Germar. Throughout the video, the three women showed they’re not just one-trick ponies - they can do it all!  

Vlogger and content creator Rei Germar kicked off the video revealing her inner thrill-seeker. Known for her fashion inspirations, this time Rei was shown as a daring go-getter, drifting and doing car tricks behind the wheel.  

Meanwhile, entertainer and entrepreneur Yassi Pressman who, throughout her career, has graced the stage with her show-stopping dance moves, unveiled her classical ballet training to show her elegance.  

Finally, multihyphenate Nadine Lustre took on the world, rounding up the video in the heart of Paris. Dressed in head-turning pieces representing how she can pull off any style and conquer any role, Nadine sashayed across the French capital’s bridges, captured by the OPPO Reno7. 

Catch the new OPPO TVC here: 

Adventurous, creative, unapologetic - whatever your personality, the OPPO Reno7 can capture it all. #ThePortraitExpert empowers you to explore your whole self and share every part of you with the world.  

Unlock the unlimited you in portrait with the OPPO Reno7 Series 

Just like Nadine, Yassi and Rei, you too can discover every part of yourself with the all-new OPPO Reno7 Series. With its flagship portrait camera system powered by AI algorithms, #ThePortraitExpert acts like a professional camera that fits in the palm of your hand, allowing you to capture the unique you with industry-leading features like Portrait Mode, AI Highlight Video, and Bokeh Flare Portrait. 

Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G SoC and  Qualcomm Snapdragon 6952, the OPPO Reno7 5G and Reno7Z 5G are each packed with a 4,500mAh battery and SuperVOOC charging technology, so you can snap unlimited moments and portraits all day.  

Available in eye-catching colors - Startrails Blue and Starry Black for Reno7 5G, and Rainbow Spectrum and Cosmic Black for Reno7 Z 5G - the OPPO Reno7 Series is the key to expressing yourself freely and sharing it with the world.  

The OPPO Reno7 Series is now available for purchase through OPPO Flagship Stores on Lazada and Shopee, partner dealers and OPPO Brand Stores Nationwide. For more information, visit the OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines. 

About OPPO 

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 5 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Center in London. More than 40,000 of OPPO's employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Liza Soberano shares how she unfolds new ways with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G

Liza Soberano is more than just a pretty face. She's also an award-winning actress, and an advocate for children’s rights. On top of all that, she’s also a fashion icon. Soberano has always turned heads with her looks, like the blue gown she co-designed and won Best Dressed for at the Star Magic Ball in 2016 and the terno covered in a thousand individually-placed Swarovski crystals she wore for the ABS-CBN Ball in 2019. It’s no wonder that Vogue called her a “style star to watch.”

What makes Soberano a joy to watch on the red carpet and on social media is that she’s adventurous when it comes to fashion. She will wear denim and leather one day, then shift to a feminine floral dress the next. The actress rocks every look, balancing youth and freshness with elegance.

“I like how being in showbiz lets me experiment with different types of looks. Each role or pictorial has its own style and I enjoy getting lost in the role or theme of the shoot. But if I were to name my personal style, it would be feminine with a modern touch. My looks are usually a mix of influences but what ties them all together is my personality. That’s what carries the outfit. I believe that if you love what you’re wearing and you feel confident in it, you will look stylish. These days, smartphones are an extension of one’s style and says so much about the owner. For me, the type of person who owns a Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is someone who’s sophisticated and confident in who she is but is not afraid to try something new. The smartphone’s shape and colors are definitely for the risk-taker. I love connecting with my followers on social media. Sharing my life with them through photos, stories, and videos is my way of thanking them for their support. I love how the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G lets me do that while looking like a stylish accessory.” ~Liza Soberano

It’s easy to think that the secret to her winning style is access to a stylist and designers but there’s more to it than that.

Another one of her style secrets is having a wide collection of accessories. The right pair of glasses, bag, or jewelry can help make an outfit. Lately, Soberano has added a new accessory to her OOTDs: a smartphone. That’s right, a device that people use for its function more than its form is now an accent piece.

She uses the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, a foldable smartphone known for its unique form factor, style, and eye-catching colors. It’s small enough to fit into a purse or a pocket when folded but opens into a full-screen 5G-capable smartphone when in use.

There is a range of colors available for every type of occasion. Cream is perfect for eveningwear and classic dresses. Phantom Black is more daring and goes well with bold ensembles. Lavender and Green are more playful and suits fashionistas who like to experiment with color.

What makes the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G an attractive choice for fashionistas is its hands-free Flex Mode. They can prop up the smartphone like a laptop, find the right angle, and take hands-free selfies for their OOTDs. They don’t need a tripod or someone else to take their photo to share their latest outfit on social media.

The device is now available in the Philippines for Php 52,990 SRP for the 128GB variant and Php 56,990 SRP for the 256GB variant, in Cream, Green, Lavender, and Phantom Black colorways.

Ready to make the switch? Buy the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G for as low as Php 2,207.92/month at 0% for up to 24 months, or pay the first installment next year with BDO credit cards. Drop by the nearest Samsung Experience Stores or Authorized Stores, or go to samsung.com/ph.

For more information about the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, visit samsung.com/ph.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

Pick.A.Roo jons forces with Mayani, doubles down on organic fresh finds

Riding on the wave of an ultra fast-growing Internet economy in the Philippines, the Megaworld-backed lifestyle delivery app Pick.A.Roo creates a formidable team-up with leading agriculture technology platform Mayani in their shared bid of providing on-demand more organic produce at fresher quality to the health-conscious market.

Gonzalez further remarked that they want their customers to discover a new way of eating healthy through a wide range of organic alternatives, as well as a healthy category for customers to purchase from the comfort of their homes.

“We partnered up with Mayani because our goal and initiatives are aligned when it comes to promoting local farmers and offering local organic produce. Our mission is to support local businesses and help expand their e-channels thru our app.” ~Crystabelle Anne Gonzalez, the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Pick.A.Roo

Mayani, who has developed a grassroots network of over 72,300 smallholder farmers from Batanes to Batangas, is a leader in the farm-to-table space with a wide multi-category agri-assortment, including its core organic produce segment. Backed by Silicon Valley venture firm AgFunder and Asian family conglomerates, it has also secured key partnerships with the likes of the Department of Trade & Industry to bridge rural farmers to the urban market – a feat that includes its last-mile channel collaboration with Pick.A.Roo.

“We are very bullish in our outlook for on-demand fresh finds, especially organic ones. This strategic alliance ups our game even more as we take on that growing need of the market for locally-grown food amidst a fast-lifestyle.” ~Josef Amarra, Mayani’s Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer

The team-up combines these forerunners’ strengths not just of operational capability from harvest to delivery, but also of their extensive marketing channels for special promos bringing delight to the moms, health buffs, home kitchen leaders. A 20% offer is up until November 19 with next-day organic finds delivery available from Mayani via the Pick.A.Roo app.

According to Pick.A.Roo, their November this year boasts of over 1,300 best of the best and most loved food, shop, and grocery brands with over 200,000 SKUs to choose from. They now have the longest delivery coverage covering 21 cities across NCR, Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga and many more.

Lesha Drops Her 3rd International Track

Lesha Drops Her 3rd International Track

“Me going independent again feels very refreshing. I’ve been longing to feel this way in my career for quite some time and now that I’ve taken my power back, I know I’m ready to finally get back on the grind, release the rest of my album, and be my most authentic self through my artistry. Being part of AWAL that houses the biggest artists of the world and my idols in the industry is a dream come true! As an artist who values freedom and the ability to fully own all my works, AWAL and I were definitely a perfect match. It’s empowering to be an independent artist under them cause I own all of my masters and have full creative control over everything! Not all artists can get accepted because AWAL only selects artists with a trajectory and notable milestones. I went through an application process and after 5 days, I got an acceptance email from the team!” ~Lesha

Fast rising electropop artist Lesha is going through different metamorphoses and it can’t be stopped.  From the girl who has manifested big things to happen, then actually working double time to achieve her set goals to finally reaping the rewards of her arduous efforts, this generational pop star is taking bolder steps to solidify her artistry through new international collaborations and affiliations

Lesha is happy to announce that she took the big plunge to being an independent artist and starting things fresh with a new team.  She’s now with AWAL, a prestigious British music distribution company, named one of the best worldwide. The company serves as an alternative to the traditional music label deal, offering deal structures to artists and independent labels without them giving up ownership or control. AWAL currently handles the world's biggest names in the music industry like Lauv, Finneas, BANKS, girl in red, deadmau5, Tom Misch, The Wombats, mxmtoon, and more!

Lesha Drops Her 3rd International Track

AWAL empowers independent artists by giving them full control and ownership over their work. This affiliation for Lesha is truly a match made in heaven.  

Likewise, she also has another good news to share.  Her newest track from her global collaboration visual album entitled “SUN MOON RISING” is finally dropping soon.  Get ready to be captured passionately and groove intensely with her upcoming single, “TWIN FLAMES”. A catchy dance song that she collaborated with international music geniuses UK Singer-songwriter - Lewis Maxwell and Bahrain Music Producer - Ghauri. Twin Flames is Lesha & Lewis' take on being in the runner and chaser stage of a chaotic yet electric twin flame connection which is thought of as one of the worst of the 8 twin flame stages.

UK Singer-Songwriter Lewis Maxwell

Bahrain based Music Producer Ghauri

Now is the best time to stay tune to Lesha’s thoughts and how this new track was brought to life through an intense soul connection idea adding a new flavor to her international album. Take some pointers and read on.

Her post-pandemic plans and her readiness to perform on a real stage. 

Most definitely, I would love to get the chance to perform my entire album for a crowd soon! I really miss the adrenaline performing for an actual audience and not just in front of a camera in my room.

The things to look forward to long term career wise.

My mission has always been to change the game of the music industry here in the Philippines and get OPM recognized globally so I am currently working towards that through my global collaborations on this album and the future releases after the album.

The most frequently asked question on TikTok. 

I always get asked about how I learned to produce my own music or how I could come up with my own beats for my songs. I’d like to think of my platform as a way for other aspiring artists to get inspired or learn from me. I honestly love sharing my knowledge so whenever someone asks me about anything music production related on TikTok I do a video response showing them how I create my stuff cause I was once in their shoes and wished there were more resources available online or someone I can turn to when it comes to being an artist and stuff.

On dominating the International Stage.

I guess I can say that I’ve been preparing my whole life for this. And no it’s not an over exaggeration haha! I’ve always wanted to represent the Philippines globally ever since I began performing and competing in the past. I just can’t wait for that moment to arrive and for the universe to hand me that opportunity soon.

On artist inspiration that she looks up to.  

I take so much inspiration from artists that know how to mold their own sound or are their own producers - I feel that the songs are more authentic and interesting that way. To name a few, I look up to Kimbra, Marian Hill, Lorde, Flume, Billie Eilish, Finneas, Troye Sivan, Lauv, The Weeknd, and Dua Lipa.

Her Motivation and Mantra.

I have a tattoo on my right arm that says “The Universe Listens”. It was my very first tattoo and it reminds me to keep myself grounded at all times and that I can literally manifest anything into my life if I allow it. It’s a reminder for me to be grateful for where I’m at and where I will be soon and it keeps me motivated knowing I have the power to direct my life and make my own choices.

On her upcoming track ‘Twin Flames’ and international collaboration with Lewis and Ghauri.

For reference, a Twin Flame is an intense soul connection, sometimes called a “mirror soul”, thought to be a person’s other half. It’s based on the idea that sometimes one soul gets split into two bodies. Twin Flames can run away because they’re scared about the intensity of the connection. The chaser is the more spiritually awoken twin. Runners love it when chasers keep up with the chase. This chase also triggers their healing during the Twin Flame process. Ghauri and I have been meaning to collaborate on a track for a while now so when he passed this track on to me I immediately got down to writing. A few weeks prior to writing this song I met Lewis and I fell in love with his voice. I just knew he’d be the perfect fit for this song so I hit him up and I was so glad he was down to work on the song with me.

Twin Flames' is the 3rd track of Lesha's global collaboration visual album titled 'SUN MOON RISING' set to drop in early 2022 and is going to be available on all digital music streaming platforms this November 12, 2021. Check out Lesha’s  music on Spotify or watch the official music videos, covers, and learn more about music production on Lesha’s YouTube Channel.

Get Ready for Koomi's P1 Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake on November 16!

Koomi's Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake

Have you heard the latest craze in town when it comes to healthy and delicious yogurt cake? Koomi introduces Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake In Time for First Birthday.

Koomi Ph

Koomi Ph

KOOMI originated from Australia and came to the Philippines to let every Filipino experience indulgence without the guilt. 

Koomi Ph

Koomi Ph

Koomi is bannered by their Natural Drinking Yogurt freshly made daily added with quality and delightfully healthy ingredients. 

Koomi Ph

This November 16, Koomi celebrates its first birthday by introducing its new Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake Layers of yogurt, strawberry, watermelon, and gluten-free almond dacquoise, topped with crunchy pistachio nuts for that mouth-watering, satisfyingly guilt-free taste experience. Plus, it’s definitely selfie-worthy! 

Koomi's Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake

Koomi's Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake

Koomi's Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake

Koomi gives their first 100 Koomikadas in each store o taste of this treat for only Pl peso only when you order 1 Koomi drink at any Koomi store on their 1st birthday on November 16. Afterwhich, this #GuiltlessGoodness can be purchased daily at an introductory price of  Php 220 .00 only.

Koomi Ph

Visit the nearest Koomi Store on November 16 and let's celebrate their 1 year birthday with a slice of Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake.