The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced a P0.7213 per kilowatt hour (kWh) decrease in power rates this July. This reduction is equivalent to P144 in total savings for a typical household consuming 200 kWh. Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga explained that the rate reduction was triggered mainly by the lower generation charge due to lower costs from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, Power Supply Agreements, and Independent Power Producers.

For more information, customers may visit Meralco’s website at www.meralco.com.ph or its social media accounts on Twitter (@meralco) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/meralco).

Where can you find a smartphone with a powerful Triple Rear Camera System, groundbreaking AI Motion Sensing Capture Technology, and an IP68 splash, water, and dust resistance ranking? Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, has recently launched its newest flagship phone, and here are the reasons why you should quickly get your hands on the all new HONOR Magic5 Pro!

“It is very rare to have a phone with an IP Rating as high as IP68, and for it to perform very well in other aspects too. HONOR has ensured that the all-powerful HONOR Magic5 Pro includes these specs without compromising its other features,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

The 6 in this scoring indicates the phone’s resistance to solid debris such as dust and very fine particles, while the 8 pertains to its resistance to water. This means that this smartphone can withstand being submerged for up to 30 minutes – truly the perfect phone, rain or shine!

HONOR Magic5 Pro’s water dip tests have also been making waves online – as seen on Azrael Coladilla’s video: https://bit.ly/3PQN00k and when it was used in the middle of the rain on When in Manila’s fun-filled reels: https://bit.ly/43j99aC.

Leftmost photo from Sky Gavin/When in Manila

HONOR Magic5 Pro Price and Availability

HONOR Magic5 Pro is available in two colorways, Midnight Black and Meadow Green for Php 59,990. FREE HONOR Band 6 smartwatch and HONOR X3 Lite Earbuds both worth Php 6,000 are also available as freebies at select HONOR and partner dealer stores or online via Lazada (https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.hsr3z), Shopee (https://shope.ee/1LApXmPIen), and Tiktok Shop (https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSLN2DNm1/).

Great news, you can also avail via Home Credit for as low as Php 1,718 per month without insurance, Php 2,085 with insurance, and on a 0% interest installment payment.

Avail the power smartphone online and offline stores nationwide through GPlan 2499 with one-time cash-out of Php 17,400 and enjoy 25GB Data, Unlimited Calls and Texts to all networks, as well as Landline Calls. You may check out bit.ly/GlobeMagic5Pro for availability of the device.

HONOR Payday Sale to offer deals and discounts up to Php 2,000 off on selected items!

Grab your favorite HONOR devices at discounted prices this Payday Sale! You may avail the HONOR Magic5 Pro for Php 58, 840 with . Catch these deals and more from July 11 to 16, 2023 via HONOR’s Online Partner Stores at Lazada (https://s.lazada.com.ph/s.hsr3z), Shopee (https://shope.ee/1LApXmPIen), and Tiktok Shop (https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSLN2DNm1/).

For more updates and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, has recently found a surge in Android malware that is pretending to be the popular AI Chatbot ChatGPT. The malware emerged following the release of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, targeting users interested in using the ChatGPT tool.

A Meterpreter Trojan disguised as a "SuperGPT" app and a "ChatGPT" app are found to send premium-rate text messages, resulting in charges for the victims that are pocketed by threat actors. Considering that Android users can download applications from various sources other than the official Google Play store, there is potential for users to obtain applications that have not been vetted by Google.

Key findings include:

Impersonation of ChatGPT: A new android malware has emerged, disguising itself as ChatGPT. This surge coincided with the release of OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4, targeting users interested in ChatGPT.

Meterpreter Trojan: The malware includes a Meterpreter Trojan disguised as a "SuperGPT" app. It enables remote access to infected Android devices upon successful exploitation.

Certificate Attribution: The digital code-signing certificate used in the malware samples is associated with an attacker identified as "Hax4Us." The certificate has been used across multiple malware samples.

SMS to Premium-Rate Numbers: A cluster of malware samples, masquerading as ChatGPT-themed apps, sends SMS messages to premium-rate numbers in Thailand. These numbers incur charges for the victims, facilitating scams and fraudulent activities.

VFS Global the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions shared new milestones in its sustainability journey.

The new findings were published in the fourth edition of the organisation’s Integrated Sustainability Report 2022, released on 3 July 2023. The report indicates consistent improvement in the organisation’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance in 2022. The report has been prepared following the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and Sustainability Accountability Standards Board’s (SASB).

“The report documents measurable improvements in our sustainability journey in 2022, as well our continued commitment towards achieving higher targets this year. Based on the five fundamental pillars of our Sustainability strategy – Contributing to Sustainable Economic Growth, Delivering Good Governance, Nurturing our Colleagues, Protecting our Environment, and Supporting our Communities, the report reiterates strong alignment to our business strategy and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals,” said Shireen Mistree, Head – ESG, VFS Global.

IR 2022 highlights

Protecting our environment

●More than 200,000 trees have been planted across the globe, as part of our contributions to reforestation and nature regeneration initiatives providing 10,000 tCO2e in VCS carbon credits.  This has also resulted in addressing social issues like poverty alleviation while contributing to women’s empowerment. Over 70% of the planting staff are women who now have a steady source of income to provide for the everyday needs of their families.

●Marked a reduction in carbon emissions of 40 percent in 2022, compared to the base year of 2019, due to the greater usage of renewable energy, energy efficiency initiatives as well as the use of carbon credits.

●Certified eco-friendly paper was used for more than 90% of our marketing material.

●Continued our commitment to responsible e-waste disposal in accordance with local regulations resulted in 10,035 kg of waste being treated, in India alone.

●Target for 2023 is to reduce our carbon footprint intensity by 10%.

Nurturing our colleagues

●Maintained a strong gender balance with a ratio of 57:43 for women to men in 2022. Women hold 27% of our leadership positions. The goal is to exceed 30% representation of women in leadership in the next 3 years.

●Introduced the inclusive language guide with inclusive terminologies and Dos and Don’ts as a tool to develop sensitivities and enable mindful behaviour among colleagues.

●Globally, more than 129 nationalities work with VFS Global, bringing the benefit of a wide variety of world views. Supporting our communities

●Undertook over 80 community initiatives touching the lives of more than 59,000 individuals across 35 countries in partnership with more than 40 charitable, social and community organisations.

●Set social priorities of caring with empathy, promoting education, and preserving the environment guide investment in community programmes throughout the global network.

Sustainable Economic Growth

●Visa Application Centres around the world create local jobs, and as of end of 2022, VFS Global employed 8,883 colleagues worldwide.

●Digitise the end-to-end Visa application processing including Digitisation of Visa Application, which leads to reducing our carbon footprint

●In 2022, local suppliers accounted for 86% of total procurement spend for engagement exceeding CHF 20,000.

Delivering Good Governance

●Updated employee and supplier code of conduct to include ESG criteria ensuring that as users and providers of services, all operate in a socially responsible manner.

●Mandatory ESG training for all employees in 2022 and for suppliers in 2023

●RSA Archer, enterprise risk management tool includes ESG questions for suppliers as part of the due diligence process.

Read the full report here: https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/PDF/CSR/integrated-sustainability-report-2022.pdf

(From lef to right) Leading the ceremonial untying of ribbon to officially launch the Rainwater Facility Project were (L-R (Marc Janssen T. Pe,  Senior Asst. Vice President-Mall Operations; Cecil Dionisio, DOST-Science Research; Engr. Kim Oliver Domondon - DOH; Atty. VJ Cawis, Representative from the City Mayor's Office; OIC-RD Engr. Jean Borromeo, EMB, CAR; Engr. Liza Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and SM Cares Program Director for the Environment; Mr. Bien Mateo, SVP for Operations, SM Supermalls; Rona Vida B Correa, Regional Operations Manager-North 1.

SM City Baguio launched today the first of its kind in a mall-setting facility that will convert rainwater to potable water and help contribute to the city’s water conservation and recycling efforts.

“The mall’s Rainwater Filtration facility will supply the mall with enough potable water that can be redistributed to mall tenants for various uses including washing, cleaning and safe for drinking, to help reduce sourcing from the communities’ water table, leaving more water supply for the Baguio community to use,” SM Supermalls Senior Vice President Bien C. Mateo disclosed.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong with Engr. Liza Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and SM Cares Program Director for the Environment and Engr. Merlin Andrew Te, Owner-Manager of Purnspect the treated rainwater from the tank. This water will be distributed to tenants for various purposes, including washing, cleaning, and safe drinking, as part of the water and recycling efforts.

While SM has been recycling water for decades since the 1990’s, the water-saving innovation is part of SM Prime’s sustainability program towards responsible consumption and carbon footprint reduction, according to Mr. Mateo. “We invest in water conservation technology to eliminate water wastage and adopt stricter measures to reduce consumption. More innovations are being done to recycle more water and filter more rainwater across the properties and estates of SM Prime.”

In 2022, the real estate developer has recycled a total of 3.58 million cubic meters of water across its properties in the Philippines. As of June 2023, SM Prime has already installed water catchment basins in 25 malls to help prevent flooding as well as soil erosion during sudden high volumes of rainfall.

The rainwater catchment system installed in SM City Baguio can draw and store a total of 51 million liters of rainwater in a year, based on 2022 PAGASA rainfall volume for Baguio City. This is equivalent to 20 Olympic-size swimming pools, 13.4M gallons of drinking water, 373,510 full baths and 672,318 10-minute showers.

 How does it work?

Watch this video: https://fb.watch/lEmoyVS1KV/?mibextid=5eVWNK

During rain fall, rainwater is collected in the tank and treated for reuse within the mall. To make rainwater safe for use, the harvested water goes through a 6-step treatment processes – Multimedia Filtration, Water Softener, Activated Carbon, Ultra Filtration, Reverse Osmosis and Ozonization - the treated rainwater from the tank will be re-distributed as supply for the mall tenants for various uses including washing, cleaning and safe for drinking.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (2nd from right) with (left to right)  Atty. Renan Diwas, Baguio City Environment and Parks Management Office Head; Mr. Bien Mateo, SM SVP for Operations, and Marc Janssen T. Pe, SM’s SAVP for Mall Operations, drinking water from the treated rainwater tank

Working towards a better tomorrow for its communities, officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) have acknowledged the efforts of the mall in providing a long-term solution amidst the growing concern on water security.

“We are grateful for your attention to the predicament on water scarcity in Baguio City,” DENR Regional Director of CAR Engineer Jean Borromeo in a message to SM Prime. “Water scarcity is one of the biggest issues that Baguio is facing today because deep wells have already dried up the city’s water table. It is good to see how SM Prime is taking its responsibility to the environment seriously, practically addressing the biggest environmental threat to Baguio City.”

“This will greatly help reduce sourcing from the city’s water table and more water supply for the community to use. Not only does SM considers what’s best for its shopping customers, but also take into consideration the importance of water security as one of its priorities,” RD Borromeo added.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (2nd from right) with Atty. Renan Diwas, Baguio City Environment and Parks Management Office Head; Mr. Bien Mateo, SM SVP for Operations, and Marc Janssen T. Pe, SM’s SAVP for Mall Operations.

The Rainwater Filtration facility is one of SM Prime Holding’s initiatives to its commitment towards sustainable development in the communities it serves.

SM Prime is committed to supporting the United Nations in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), including SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13: Climate Action which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

UnionDigital Bank (UD) secured a capital infusion approval of up to P900 million from its parent bank, Union Bank of the Philippines. This latest additional infusion will help drive the digital bank’s expansion, particularly in digital loans which will soon be launched in the UD app.

This capital boost will enable UD to expand its digital loan offerings via its app and APIs, providing customers with faster access to credit and a seamless loan application process. The capital infusion is still subject to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regulatory approval.

“This approved funding indicates UnionBank’s confidence in our strategic growth plan and strong financial performance. We will use this to fuel our growth trajectory and allow us to better serve the financial needs of our customers,” said Henry Aguda, President and CEO of UnionDigital Bank. “Nearly 70% of our customer base comprise of individuals with limited means at the base of the income pyramid - these are the people we want to help and include in the financial system.”

UD also recorded net profits in the first quarter of 2023, driven by its ecosystem-led business model. Moreover, the digital bank’s push towards embedded finance enables new avenues for customers to engage with banking services.

UD kickstarted this with their recent partnerships with mWell, implementing embedded financial services for its 1.5 million customers and 5,000 doctors and health professionals, as well as HUAWEI, tapping into their 7 million customer base and ecosystem of services.

“We have built a strong pipeline of partnerships and are actively scaling up our digital channels to help us diversify our deposit base and loan book,” said Mike Singh, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer, UnionDigital Bank. “The approved capital will not only improve our financial strength but also unlock a lot of opportunities, especially in driving our mission to improve access to credit for every Filipino, regardless of their location. As we accelerate our digital loan offerings, we will empower more Filipinos to achieve their financial aspirations, wherever they may be.”

UnionDigital Bank is on a mission to bring financial inclusion, uplifting one community at a time. With this in mind, the digital bank is committed to break down barriers that prevent individuals from accessing financial services, empowering Filipinos everywhere to build a secure future.

The countdown begins for Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill concert in the Philippines. One month from now, the Canadian- American singer-songwriter is scheduled to perform on August 1 and 2, 2023, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Her concert is highly anticipated by her Filipino fans, who are eagerly waiting for the opportunity to witness the powerful voice of the Queen of Alt-Rock Angst.

Morissette’s music has resonated with millions of listeners around the world since the release of her breakthrough album, “Jagged Little Pill,” in 1995. Her songs tackle the themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth, striking a chord with listeners of all backgrounds. Morissette has solidified her place in music history with hits like “Ironic,” “You Oughta Know,” and “Hand in My Pocket, and witnessing her perform these songs in person is an experience that will undoubtedly create lasting memories.

Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill concert in Manila is promoted by Ovation Productions with TAPGO.TV as the official media partner. Day 2 concert tickets are still available at smtickets.com. Tickets are priced at 14,700 (SVIP), 13, 750 (VIP), 11, 750 (Patron), 9,750 (Lower Box A), 8, 750 (Lower Box B), 5,750 (Upper Box), and 2,750 (Gen Ad).

For more details and inquiries about the concert, please check the official website and Facebook page of Ovation Productions at https://ovationproductionsmanila.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/ovationproductio.

Filipinos adore having pets. With 79% of Filipinos being pet owners, it’s no surprise that they find joy in taking care of animals, whether they're of the feathered, furred, or even scaled kind. But beyond the joy of companionship and protection, pets offer a multitude of health benefits, including increasing opportunities to exercise and socialize and even alleviating feelings of loneliness, allowing pet owners to live healthier, happier lives.

Pets offer unconditional love to their families, and as such, it is every pet parent’s responsibility to ensure that their pets are also living their best and healthiest lives. So if you’re planning to be a first-time pet parent or a pet parent looking for tips on how to care for your pets better, here are some tips to take into consideration.

Ensure that your pet can thrive in the environment you’re in

Yes, pets are cute and are a joy to have around but the first step for any prospective pet owner is to gauge if the pet you want to take care of can thrive in the environment you’re living in. In the Philippines, that means looking for pets that can live in tropical climates.

For furry animals like cats and dogs, this means looking for breeds that have the right kind of coats and body structures. Otherwise, pet parents should invest in creating the right environment for their pets, including proper temperature regulation and ventilation.

Feed your pets food that’s proper and healthy for them

A responsible pet parent should always do research on what to feed their pets. Like humans, pets can have intolerances, allergies, and even food that are poisonous for them. It’s important to learn about what a proper, balanced diet is like for your pet and this can be done through research and through consultations with your veterinarian.

Exercise your pets

Pets need exercise, as this not only helps them burn their energy but also keeps them limber and mentally and physically healthy, as in the case of dogs. Just make sure that the type of exercise you give your pets is appropriate for them, as different pets and breeds require different kinds of exercise.

Keep up with their checkups and vaccinations

Taking care of pets is very much like taking care of ourselves–they need proper nutrition, exercise, and regular medical checkups. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, all pets should receive a physical medical examination at least once a year. These visits include regular vaccinations and treatments to ensure that they are healthy, as unlike humans, pets may not be able to communicate or show outward signs of disease or injury–things a trained veterinarian can spot and provide treatment and guidance on.

Invest in pet insurance

Routine vet visits and even unexpected medical emergencies can put strain on a pet owner’s finances, which is why it’s important to consider getting a pet insurance product like Pet Insure,

Pet Insure is a customized non-life product specifically designed to protect the health of dogs no matter their breed, allowing dog parents to fully address the needs of their fur babies, including emergencies and accidents.

Regional insurtech Igloo, together with Malayan Insurance and GCash, created Pet Insure to afford owners convenience and security as it offers three-in-one coverage that includes medical reimbursement for veterinary care up to a maximum of P100,000; owner's liability coverage of up to a maximum of P250,000; and a personal accident cover for dog owners worth P50,000 for as low as P650 for a one-month coverage on the GCash GInsure marketplace.

Having pets is a huge responsibility, and every pet owner must recognize the importance of ensuring that their pets are healthy, thriving, and happy. Learn more about how Pet Insure can protect your pet here.

Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, has dropped their much-awaited deals for the 7.7 HONOR Sale on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop! Up to Php 2,350 worth of discounts are up for grabs with exciting bundles and free shipping nationwide from July 7 to 11, 2023.

“Now is the best time to gift yourselves with our lineup of HONOR devices, currently offered at discounted prices! From smartphones, laptops, tablets, and accessories, there’s certainly an HONOR item perfect for you. Make sure to check our Online Partner Stores, and avail these awesome deals this 7.7 HONOR Sale!” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

Treat yourself with hot-selling HONOR gadgets this 7.7 HONOR Sale! HONOR Philippines’ latest flagship phone will also be available at a discounted price until July 11! Available in two colorways, Meadow Green and Midnight Black, you may now purchase HONOR Magic5 Pro for only Php 57,690, with HONOR Band 6+ and HONOR Earbuds X3 Lite as exclusive freebies!

Receive a FREE Magic Keyboard worth Php 5,990 when you buy an HONOR Pad 8, and get a FREE Premium HONOR bag worth Php 2,000 for every purchase of HONOR MagicBook X 14 or MagicBook X 15. You may also avail the brand’s latest flagship phone, the HONOR Magic5 Pro, at a discounted price and with freebies worth Php 6,000 – and yes, all with Free Shipping across all platforms!

Get up to 30% off on selected HONOR devices during the HONOR 7.7 Flash Sale! The campaign will also include another round of Piso Sale, where you can purchase an HONOR Device for as low as Php 1 across all platforms. Get these and more when you check out via Lazada (https://bit.ly/3ZsS0Jx), Shopee (https://bit.ly/3J1Zv5n) and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/3IMaizo) from July 07 to 11, 2023.

For more information and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

The pandemic has undoubtedly altered our everyday lives. The transition forced us to reevaluate our livelihood while prioritizing our overall well-being in the midst of a global health emergency.

While a post-pandemic lifestyle has its pains and gains, Filipinos have begun to put greater importance on their overall health and make mindful choices when it comes to the efficacy and safety of the health solutions we use.

Whether the situation has influenced our present lifestyle in one way or another, here are a few ways our livelihood and health were reshaped.

Hybrid work normalized for some industries

The pandemic reshaped work life for many. Many office workers have started embracing a more confined lifestyle as the majority (80%) of Filipinos prefer hybrid work, which allows for greater work-life balance. However, it also results in lower levels of physical activity due to long hours of sitting.

This flexible work setup nowadays is convenient for Charlene Miole, a BPO employee. “Mas marami akong oras para sa gawaing bahay at mas maraming bonding time sa family ko. Kaya lang, may mga times na masakit ‘yung balakang at balikat [dahil] sa ‘di tamang posture pag nakaupo kapag nag-ta-trabaho.”

[I have more time to do household chores and bond with my family. However, there are times that I get shoulder and hip pain due to my bad sitting posture when I work.]

Rise of on-demand delivery services

Food delivery rider, Conrado Collado, shared that the pandemic rather unexpectedly provided better opportunities as more consumers order their meals online. However, Collado admitted that he is sometimes overworked, causing recurring body pains.

“Sumasakit ang katawan ko lalo na kapag buong araw ako bumibiyahe—byahe ng motor, lakad dito, lakad [doon]. Bihira ako umuwi ng bahay noon dahil sa taas ng kaso ng COVID tapos ‘yong asawa ko pa nawalan ng trabaho kaya dapat doble kayod. Hanggang sa ngayon, ito lang inaasahan namin kaya bumabyahe pa rin ako araw-araw,” shared Collado.

[I experience body pain especially when I ride for the whole day—riding the motorcycle and walking around for orders. I rarely went home before due to the high number of COVID cases. My wife also lost her job so I had to work double time. Up until now, this has been our main source of income so I deliver food every day.]

Filipinos realized the value of work

Meanwhile, getting laid off during the pandemic was the biggest worry of Joel Lim, a security guard. This pushed him to work harder to stay on the job to support his family, oftentimes, at the expense of his health. “Matindi ‘yung naging pangamba ko na mawalan ng trabaho noong pandemic, kaya ngayong unti-unti na tayo bumabawi, patuloy pa rin ako kumakayod. Kapag masakit ang katawan ko, bukod sa paglagay ng ointment, sinasabayan ko rin ng pain reliever para tuloy-tuloy talaga sa trabaho.”

[I was concerned about my job security during the pandemic. Now that we are slowly recovering from it, I still continue to strive hard. So when I experience body pain, aside from using topical ointment, I also take a pain reliever so I could continue working.]

Importance of well-researched health products

During the pandemic, there has been a lot of confusion and misconceptions surrounding our health and the products we put in our body—one of which is people’s worries about getting vaccinated. Through consistent public education, eventually, there became a greater understanding of the extensive research that goes behind healthcare products.

In the same grain, pain medicines like Alaxan have gone through not just various scientific research, but also real-life monitoring of its efficacy and safety. After decades in the market, Ibuprofen+Paracetamol (Alaxan) has not caused serious side effects to the body organs. It is a synergistic combination of Ibuprofen+Paracetamol that was found to have the highest success rate among OTC pain medicines tested, according to a 2015 scientific review by Cochrane, a world-renowned independent research institution. The same study also found that Ibuprofen+Paracetamol has fewer adverse effects than placebo which proves that the combination is not likely to cause serious harmful effects on our body when used at the recommended dose.

While there is no other way but to move forward, the pandemic has certainly pushed us even more to work harder and to value our livelihood without compromising our health along the way. Fortunately, these past years also taught us that well-researched health products are accessible to give us a strong fighting chance against these challenges.

For more information about Alaxan, visit their website. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.