Thursday, August 14, 2025

Fearless Flexibility, More Benefits with All-New GPlan PLUS





Take fearless control of your life with the All-New GPlan PLUS from Globe. This SIM-only offer provides flexible features, exclusive perks, and an upgraded network experience, ideal for those seeking value, freedom, and zero lock-ins.


“The All-New GPlan PLUS is designed to fit your lifestyle, whether you're a digital nomad, content lover, or simply want more control,” said Jo Anne Illescas-Pique, Head of Globe Mobile Postpaid. “Your plan, your rules, powered by the Philippines’ Most Consistent Network.”

Starting at Plan 599, customers enjoy unlimited calls and texts to all networks, landline access, and exclusive perks from partners like Surge Fitness + Lifestyle and Ayala Museum. They can also redeem eGift vouchers using Globe Rewards points from brands like Rustan’s, Grab, Autosweep, and The Marketplace.

Device offers are also available for this plan. Customers may get up to 30% off contract-free or opt for a plan with a contract to enjoy bonus GBs. Devices may be paid in cash or via credit card (straight or installment). Eligible renewing customers may charge the device to their monthly bill.

At Plan 799 and above, users unlock full control via the GlobeOne app, allowing them to swap inclusions anytime — from calls, texts, and data to perks like Unli 5G, unlimited access to favorite apps, and vouchers from Disney+, GrabUnlimited, and more. Previously exclusive to Plan 999 and up, this feature is now available to Plan 799 users until September 30, 2025.


The All-New GPlan PLUS sets a new standard for postpaid with its customizable features, exclusive perks, and no lock-in option. It caters to those who are always connected, constantly on the move, or looking to maximize their mobile experience.


Apply for the All-New GPlan PLUS at shop.globe.com.ph.











realme Note 70 Officially Launches in the Philippines for as Low as P3,999

 

realme Philippines expands its Note Series with the launch of the realme Note 70, a budget-friendly smartphone engineered for endurance and all-day performance. The realme Note 70 offers a combination of long battery life, military-grade durability, and a smooth viewing experience, making it an ideal companion for students, commuters, and those seeking an affordable and dependable phone. 



Massive Battery for Uninterrupted Days

At the heart of the realme Note 70 is a 6300mAh battery, one of the largest in its class. The device’s battery can power up to 20 hours of YouTube streaming, nearly two days of phone calls, or ten hours of Mobile Legends gameplay on a single charge. Paired with 15W fast charging, the device reaches 50% in about an hour, allowing users to quickly get back into action without long waits by the socket. 




Built Tough for Life’s Little Accidents

Whether it’s a sudden downpour on the way to class or an accidental slip from the table, the realme Note 70 is ready to take it. Certified with MIL-STD-810H Military-Grade Shock Resistance and an IP54 rating for dust and water protection, it’s designed to withstand the unexpected. The ArmorShell™ build and double-strength glass help protect against drops of up to 1.8 meters, while its Speaker Cleaner function vibrates to take care of excess water from the speakers, so sound stays crisp even after rain or the occasional spill.




Immersive Display and Smart Touch Experience 

From sunrise scrolls to midnight movie marathons, the realme Note 70 is built to keep up. Its 6.7-inch 90Hz Eye Comfort Display brings smooth, fluid motion to every swipe, tap, and stream, making long hours on the screen feel effortless. Brightness peaks at 563 Nits, so even under the harsh afternoon sun, videos and messages stay vivid and easy to read. Thanks to Smart Touch technology, the display responds instantly, whether hands are slightly damp from the rain or sweaty from a workout. With the Unisoc T7250 processor, 4GB RAM with up to 8GB Dynamic RAM Expansion, and 64GB storage, it delivers quick, responsive performance for anything from social updates to all-night gaming sessions with friends.



Available Now
The realme Note 70 is offered in Beach Gold and Obsidian Black, offering a slim 7.94mm profile despite its large battery. It also comes with 4 years of regular security updates and up to 6 years of software support, ensuring the device stays reliable and up to date long after purchase. The realme Note 70 is available nationwide at P3,999 via the official realme Shopee, and is also offered through the realme TikTok Shop




Step into adulting life with confidence powered by the OPPO A5 Pro 5G

 


Transitioning from student life to the fast-paced working world can be both exciting and overwhelming. 


From daily commutes and job interviews to freelance gigs and side hustles, first-time employees and job seekers alike need to be armed with a device like the durable and reliable OPPO A5 Pro 5G, which can help them go through adulting life’s new challenges with ease.

 

Crafted to keep up with your ambitions

Rushing to work and accidentally dropping your phone while hopping off your commute can feel like a mini heart attack. And with the unpredictable weather, you’ll likely start worrying about water damage or an unresponsive screen with your soaked fingers.


Thankfully, the OPPO A5 Pro 5G is built for daily durability with Military-Grade Shock Resistance and IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water protection. Its Splash Touch Technology ensures the screen stays responsive even when wet.


Powering your day from start to finish

Scrolling through social media to pass time as you travel to work or watching tutorials on how to ace that next job application drains so much of your device’s battery.


This isn’t a cause for concern for the OPPO A5 Pro 5G thanks to its massive 5,800mAh battery that can power through 35 hours of phone calls or 16 hours of video streaming. Once the battery runs low, its 45W SUPERVOOCTM fast charging that can get you back to full power in as fast as 83 minutes.


Work remotely without worries

Those who are in a hybrid setup have the option to work wherever they want, whether it’s from home, cafés, shared spaces, or even by the beach. But in some of these places, the signal isn’t always reliable but with the OPPO A5 Pro 5G’s AI LinkBoost 2.0, you can get a stronger, more stable connection so you won’t get interrupted while doing work calls and tasks.


Get the smart start you deserve with the OPPO A5 Pro 5G

Stylish, reliable, and tough, the OPPO A5 Pro 5G is your ideal everyday companion for professional life. Beyond the A5 Pro 5G and 4G, the OPPO A5 Series includes the A5, A5x, and A5i—each tailored for different lifestyles and daily needs.


Explore the OPPO A5 Series, available in a range of choices on OPPO’s official e-commerce platforms on Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and authorized OPPO stores nationwide. 


  • The OPPO A5 Pro (8GB+128GB) is priced at Php 10,999 and is available in Mocha Brown and Olive Green colorways.

  • The OPPO A5 Pro (8GB+256GB) is priced at Php 13,999 and is available in Olive Green and Mocha Brown colorways.

  • The OPPO A5 Pro 5G (8GB+256GB) is priced at Php 15,999 and is available in Bloom Pink and Mocha Brown colorways.

  • The OPPO A5 (6GB+128GB) is priced at Php 8,999 and is available in Mist White and Aurora Green colorways. 

  • The OPPO A5x (4GB+64GB) is priced at Php 6,499 and is available in Laser White and Midnight Blue colorways. 

  • The OPPO A5i (4GB+64GB) is priced at Php 4,699 and is available in Starry Purple and Nebula Red colorways. 


Dive deeper into the OPPO A5 Series by visiting OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com/ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. 



Wednesday, August 13, 2025

GCash cautions public on “Calamity Assistance” scam exploiting typhoon response initiatives

 

Beware of Calamity Assistance Scams: SMS spoofing scam using fraudulent SMS messages that falsely claim that they received “Calamity Assistance” in light of recent typhoons and monsoon rains



GCash has issued an urgent alert to all its users regarding an SMS spoofing scam using fraudulent SMS messages that falsely claim that they received “Calamity Assistance” in light of recent typhoons and monsoon rains.


The message prompts recipients to “claim” the aid via embedded links or spoofed QR codes that redirect to malicious sites designed to compromise user accounts.


GCash has repeatedly warned the public against a spoofing scam in which scammers impersonate legitimate institutions such as e-wallets, banks, and service providers. The scammers use illegal devices to send messages containing phishing links, pretending to be from “GCash” to deceive users. When the phishing link is clicked, the scammers can obtain sensitive information to gain unauthorized access to users' accounts. GCash will never send any SMS or text message containing links that ask for users' sensitive information, such as personal details, passwords, MPINs, or OTPs.


“This scam isn’t just opportunistic—it’s engineered for emotional impact,” GCash chief information security officer, Miguel Geronilla, warned. “By invoking the term ‘Calamity Assistance,’ criminals seek to undermine user caution and exploit their vulnerability during disaster recovery.”

To help Filipinos stay vigilant and protected, GCash also strongly advises users not to click on suspicious links, to never share their MPINs and OTPs with anyone, and to report any scam attempts immediately via the GCash Help Center at https://help.gcash.com or message Gigi on the website and type 'I want to report a scam'. Users may also contact the GCash hotline by dialing 2882.


Law enforcement and cybersecurity partners—including the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC)—are actively investigating these incidents, alongside GCash’s internal security team. The company urges users to remain vigilant and to verify any claims through official GCash channels only.


For more on the calamity response efforts of GCash, visit www.gcash.com/security or follow @gcashofficial across platforms.


Dennis Trillo proves big buys doesn’t mean big stress

 A person in a bag

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Award-winning actor Dennis Trillo opened up about his practical approach to managing large expenses particularly on installment loans.

One of the admirable traits of award-winning Kapuso actor Dennis Trillo is his ability to prioritize what is important to him – whether it concerns his family, career and even financial matters. 


His personal approach is to “Identify yung needs sa wants and prioritize ano ang mas kailangan, mas magagamit, at mas may kahalagahan sa’yo,” says the 44-year-old actor who is known for starring in such critically acclaimed movies as Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita, Felix Manalo and Green Bones for which he won acting awards.


While Dennis admits having been told by elders when he was younger that the idea of utang or loans is bad, or to avoid installment payments, his views have since changed when he became an adult: “Lagi sinasabi ‘yan ng nakatatanda sa atin para ma-encourage tayo to be responsible sa pera. But in reality, ‘di maiiwasan na minsan kailangan natin manghiram para matustusan kung ano man ang pangangailangan natin.”


Through time, nagbago pananaw ko by personally experiencing the need to ease some financial obligations. Kaya naman minsan kailangan lang ng konting alalay para ‘di ganon kabigat sa bulsa.”


This is why as the new brand ambassador of Skyro, a fintech company that helps ease the financial worries of Filipinos through friendly installment options, he couldn’t be happier to find a brand that resonates with his own values and views, especially when it comes to money and spending for your loved ones.


Introduced in August 2022, Skyro offers various loan products including point of sale (POS) or product loans, cash loans, and credit line for QR Ph payments. Since its launch, Skyro has served over 500,000 Filipinos, becoming a trusted partner to both customers and a growing network of merchants nationwide.

Skyro also provides one of the most flexible loan features in the market: Skyro Flexi — which lets customers easily adjust their due dates and monthly payments anytime, directly in the app, with no paperwork or questions asked.


“I’m very excited and at the same time grateful to be Skyro’s brand ambassador.” He continues, “The reason why I immediately said yes to the brand was because of its value and the option it gives Filipinos. May mga purchases na urgent at considered necessities sa buhay natin and Skyro makes that purchase happen.”


He will showcase Skyro’s capabilities by starring in a series of humorous and playful digital commercials that viewers can watch on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfO8HJQY1R0.  


As such, he is quick to point out that no matter how easy it is to apply for a Skyro loan, loans are still a responsibility. He reminds borrowers to assess their capacity to pay off loans and to make sure payment terms are viable for them. In his case, being a husband and family man means he can’t always decide on his own, especially when it involves big ticket purchases.


“Syempre yung big purchases dapat pagusapan namin ng asawa ko ‘yan,” he stressed, referring to his wife, the multi-awarded actress Jennylyn Mercado. “Marami kaming kailangan paglaanan na expenses for our family so dapat pag-isipan nang mabuti.”


Without a doubt, Dennis Trillo is the perfect match for Skyro. With more exciting projects in the pipeline for this collaboration, he promises to take to heart to represent the brand well, and he’s already doing so by imparting these valuable words:  “It’s okay to explore your financial options. As long as you are aware of what you are getting into, then you can get your loan worry-free. Syempre, do it via Skyro!”

To learn more about Skyro, download the app for free on Apple Store for iPhone, and iPad users and Google Play for Android users or visit https://www.skyro.ph/ and follow its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.


Pasay City rolls out financial aid distribution for students through GCash

 

(L-R) Pasay City barangay bureau head Enrique Pascual III, with GCash public sector regional sales head for NCR Rafael Tecson, and public sector account manager Emilio Ylanan; Pasay City councilor Justine Jane Advincula and councilor Luigi Calixto Rubiano; GCash VP and head of public sector Cleo Celeste Santos; Pasay City mayor Imelda "Emi" Gallardo Calixto-Rubiano, congressman Antonino "Tony" Gallardo Calixto, and vice mayor Mark Calixto during the ceremonial signing of the partnership to roll out GCash-powered financial aid distribution for Pasay City residents



The City Government of Pasay has partnered with GCash, the country's leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of its financial aid disbursements. This initiative supports the city’s broader digital transformation efforts and aligns with the national mandate for government agencies and LGUs to adopt digital processes.

Initially benefiting student scholars, the partnership will also extend to senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), improving access to vital support for these communities.

The official launch coincided with the unveiling of the new Pasay City EMI Card. The event was attended by 1,500 students from the Pasay City Travel Scholars program, who make up the pilot batch for the digital disbursement initiative. The Pasay City Government collaborated closely with GCash, Globe, and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to ensure a seamless digitalization process for the scholars.

Dahil we want nothing but the best for our Pasayeños, tayo po ay nakipag-ugnayan sa mga pioneers ng online wallet platforms, ang GCash, na kasama natin in all steps of the way towards this momentous event. Kaya maraming salamat sa GCash, in believing in what we have always advocated for: collaboration in the form of public-private partnerships, na alam nating magbibigay daan sa mas progresibo at mas asensado,” said Pasay City mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

The city government aims to expand the use of GCash for other forms of financial aid, targeting a streamlined and effective system that replaces the traditional manual process of cash handling and on-site distribution, ultimately reducing manpower requirements and eliminating long lines for constituents.

“GCash remains fully committed to working hand-in-hand with the government to make ‘Finance for All’ a reality for every Filipino,” said G-Xchange Inc. VP and head of public sector Cleo Santos. “Each partnership with a local government unit brings us closer to a future where digital financial access is the standard, not the exception. With Pasay City joining the ranks of forward-looking LGUs, we’re accelerating a nationwide shift toward more transparent, efficient, and inclusive public service delivery”.

The partnership with the Pasay City Government builds on GCash’s strong track record of empowering local governments in their digital transformation through its 'GCash DigiCities' program. This collaboration marks a significant step in the nationwide shift toward faster, safer, and more transparent government services, enhancing the digitalization of city government operations.

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com.


Women Up Top Masterclass of GCash empowers women in tech to lead, grow, and thrive

In a tech industry that’s rapidly becoming more inclusive, empowering women with advanced technical skills and strong mentorship is essential to closing the gender gap in the tech landscape. With access to the right tools, women leaders can thrive individually and help shape a more dynamic and equitable digital future. This was one of the main highlights from the recently held Women Up Top Masterclass launched by GCash, the country’s leading finance app and the largest cashless ecosystem.

30 participants who completed certifications in Agile 101 and AI/ML Workflow and AutoML

The full-day event brought together 30 participants who completed certifications in Agile 101 and AI/ML Workflow and AutoML. Both courses were led by women leaders within the GCash tech teams, reflecting the company’s dedication to internal mentorship and representation.

While significant strides have been made to help improve representation, women in tech still encounter structural challenges, including fewer opportunities for mentorship, limited access to advanced training, and underrepresentation in leadership. By equipping women with essential technical skills and leadership tools, the program underscored GCash’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and future-ready digital workforce.

“Technology doesn’t run on code alone, it runs on people. And that includes data professionals, agile thinkers, machine learning engineers, and especially, women who bring not just skills, but empathy, intuition, and insight into every solution they help build,” GCash Head of Data Governance Sara Venturina shared a reminder that the success of any tech innovation depends as much on people as it does on code.

The Agile 101 session introduced participants to the principles and frameworks of Agile methodology, a foundational capability in any modern tech environment. Meanwhile, the AI/ML Workflow and AutoML session provided hands-on exposure to the machine learning lifecycle, including practical experience with PyCaret, an open-source low-code machine learning library.

Beyond technical instruction, the masterclass also offered a sense of community to the participants. Throughout the day, attendees shared insights, exchanged ideas, and saw firsthand what it means to be supported by peers and mentors who understand the unique challenges women face in tech.

As Venturina said, “We know the tech world hasn’t always made it easy for women. But we also know this: when women are equipped with the right tools and the right community, we can excel and get far in this field.”

With initiatives designed to uplift women and nurture their careers, GCash reinforces its dedication to building a tech ecosystem that champions diversity, equity, and empowerment for the future.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.