Sunday, May 17, 2026

Eastern Communications Launches New Experience Center Showcasing Award-Winning Customer Experience

 

From L to R: General Affairs & Administration Head Arvin Barcena, Business Center Manager Ivy Hizon, Technology & Information Head Delfin Lopez, Co-Coordinators Atty. Aileen Regio and Jaeson Evangelista, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Jed Estanislao, and Customer Experience Manager Jocelyn de Vera


Eastern Communications has officially launched the Eastern Experience Center at Telecom Plaza, marking a significant step in its commitment to delivering immersive, customer-centric experiences. Anchored in its 148-year legacy of providing reliable connectivity, the company continues to evolve its approach to customer engagement by creating spaces that bring its brand and solutions closer to the people it serves.


The Eastern Experience Center is designed as a dynamic and technology-driven environment. It aims to deepen customer understanding of the company’s capabilities while showcasing its enduring brand story. The space also reflects Eastern’s customer-first philosophy, blending innovation with intentional design to communicate its promise of strong, dependable connections through multi-sensory storytelling.


“The Eastern Experience Center is a reflection of how we want to engage with our customers—more meaningfully and more memorably. By creating an environment that encourages exploration and understanding, we empower businesses to better appreciate how our solutions can support their growth and transformation,” said Jed Estanislao, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Eastern Communications.


The center reinforces Eastern’s “High Tech, High Touch” philosophy by showcasing the company’s advanced digital capabilities while underscoring the value of personalized service and genuine human connection. Customers are encouraged to engage at their own pace, fostering more authentic and productive conversations that go beyond traditional sales interactions.


The launch of the Eastern Experience Center further strengthens the company’s track record in customer experience excellence. It comes after the telco provider was recognized at the Asian Experience Awards 2025, where it received the Customer Experience of the Year distinction, and at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for Achievement in Customer Satisfaction. These accolades underscore Eastern’s continued focus on elevating service standards while adapting to the evolving needs of enterprises and SMEs.


Eastern Communications remains committed to driving innovation while maintaining a strong customer focus. The Eastern Experience Center stands as a tangible expression of this commitment of bridging technology and human connection to deliver meaningful, lasting impressions.


To learn more about Eastern Communications and their upcoming initiatives, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.




Take a Different Turn: Nexal lands in the Philippines this May 15

 

There’s a certain rhythm to life in the Philippines that Filipinos know all too well. Early mornings spent in traffic, long workdays or classes, errands squeezed in between, and routines that repeat before the week even ends. Somewhere in that cycle, it becomes easy to move on autopilot and miss the small possibilities that just sit outside the usual path. But for a new generation of Filipinos, that rhythm is starting to shift. 

Young individuals are finding ways to break from routine, not by escaping the city, but by experiencing it differently. Weekend hikes outside the metro, city cycling routes, early morning or late afternoon runs, spontaneous road trips, and quiet café discoveries have become more than pastimes. Today, they are intentional choices shaped by a desire for meaning in everyday life. 

This is how Nexal turns everyday moments into a different turn. 

Officially launching in the Philippines on May 15, Nexal is an urban outdoor tech brand that brings a fresh take on essential devices, combining sleek design and performance. Each product is made to balance functionality, durability, and aesthetics, fitting naturally into the pace of modern urban living.












Nexal speaks to young individuals who see experiences as more meaningful than possessions and are always in search for their next moment of discovery, in the city and beyond it. Rooted in freedom and exploration, Nexal supports youth in their day-to-day lives, helping them move with ease and make space for new experiences. 


The Next Turn Begins with the Nexal Watch Series

Following its arrival, Nexal introduces the Nexal Watch Series in the Philippines on May 29, marking the brand’s first product drop in the country. The lineup includes the Nexal Watch and Nexal Watch Sport, built for those who move between the demands of city life and quick escapes outside it.

The Nexal Watch Series highlights how everyday tech can keep up with a more active and experience-driven lifestyle, empowering users to stay connected, track their movement, and move through different environments with confidence. 

As Nexal grows in the Philippines, more product releases are expected in the coming months, expanding its footprint in the urban outdoor tech space. 

Take a closer look at Nexal and its vision through its official website, and follow the brand on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram





vivo V70 FE now on Globe GPlan 1799 with free limited edition Zsiga case

 

Smartphone seekers can now pair creativity and convenience as the vivo V70 FE has become available on Globe's GPlan 1799, offering premium features and fast 5G connectivity.

For a one-time cash-out of Php 1,400, subscribers can own the vivo V70 FE and receive a free limited edition POP MART Zsiga phone case. 

 

The plan includes 50GB of swappable all-access data, unlimited all-net calls and texts, plus DUO and landline calls for 24 months, making it a practical choice for both productivity and entertainment. It also has unlimited 5G access for 12 months and perks from GlobeOne app. 

 

Designed for everyday creators

The vivo V70 FE is equipped with a 200MP OIS ultra-clear camera, built for users who want effortless yet high-quality results. Photos remain sharp and detailed even when cropped, allowing content creators to capture and refine images without compromising clarity. From spontaneous snapshots to curated social feeds, the device supports creativity with minimal effort.

 

Adding a distinctive touch, the phone features exclusive photo borders inspired by POP MART’s Zsiga, enabling users to personalize images with playful, eye-catching frames that stand out online.

 

Power that keeps up with your day

Engineered for mobility, the vivo V70 FE is ideal for users with active lifestyles. Its long-lasting battery supports all-day use, reducing the need for frequent charging. 

 

When power runs low, 90W FlashCharge quickly restores the device in about an hour, ensuring users stay connected with minimal interruption.

 

A smart choice for modern users

Combining advanced imaging, expressive design, and dependable battery performance, the vivo V70 FE meets the needs of creators, collectors, and travelers alike. Its availability through Globe GPlan 1799 further enhances its value, delivering both fast 5G connectivity and capability in a single plan.

 

The vivo V70 FE is now available via Globe GPlan 1799. Customers may visit the nearest Globe store or apply online through Globe Telecom’s official website.

For more information on the device, visit the official website of vivo.

Compact flagship vivo X300 FE previews pro shots, coming on May 23


After revealing the impressive camera capabilities of the upcoming vivo X300 Ultra, vivo is now turning the spotlight to another exciting addition to its flagship lineup: the compact yet powerful vivo X300 FE.

Set to launch in the Philippines on May 23, the vivo X300 FE is designed for users who want flagship-level photography in a more compact form. Slim, lightweight, and built for life on the move, it combines everyday comfort with imaging capabilities that punch far above its size.

At just 7.99mm thin and weighing only 191g, the vivo X300 FE slips easily into your pocket, bag, or hand, but behind its streamlined design is a camera system made to capture moments with depth, detail, and a distinctly cinematic feel. 

Compact flagship, serious camera power

Leading the vivo X300 FE’s camera setup is its 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, powered by the Sony IMX882 Super Sensitive Sensor and a large 1/1.95-inch sensor for sharper detail and improved light capture.

Here are some portraits shot on vivo X300 FE captured by the vivo Philippines team.







With a 73mm equivalent focal length, OIS, and f/2.65 aperture, it delivers clear portraits and crisp zoomed shots with natural depth. Its 50MP telephoto lens supports 3x optical zoom and up to 100x zoom, making distant subjects feel strikingly close.


From portraits to stage moments and sweeping landscapes, the vivo X300 FE turns everyday shots into more vivid, cinematic captures, all within a compact flagship design.

Bring the stage closer



Further elevating the experience is the 200mm Equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2, a lighter, more refined accessory that transforms how users interact with distance.




Featuring a 2.35x teleconverter with an equivalent 200mm focal length, the accessory allows users to achieve farther and clearer zoom shots for portraits, stage moments, concerts, and distant subjects.

The vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 also supports photography, video recording, Stage Mode, and capture functions, transforming the vivo X300 FE into a compact imaging companion users can conveniently carry every day.


OPPO Find X9 Ultra: Go Further with Your Next Camera

 

In professional DSLR or mirrorless camera systems, the “Holy Trinity” is widely considered the gold standard for quality and zoom coverage, typically consisting of three versatile zoom lenses: a 16-35mm wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscapes and architecture, a 24-70mm for everyday subjects from wide views to portraits, and a 70-200mm telephoto for close-ups, sports, and wildlife.


However, for smartphones, it’s always been a different story. Despite rapid advancements in mobile imaging over the past few years, including larger sensors, higher resolutions, faster apertures, and breakthroughs in computational photography, smartphones still fall short of the “Holy Trinity” in a few key areas. The most glaring gap is the absence of a true 200mm-equivalent super-telephoto lens.


Even with periscope designs, the physical size constraints of a smartphone make housing a 200mm-equivalent telephoto exceptionally difficult. Some previous devices attempted a 10x (roughly 230mm) optical zoom, but at the cost of severely limited light intake and low pixel counts, resulting in a noticeable drop in image quality. Consequently, the industry generally fell back to 4x or 5x optical limits.


As the pioneer that introduced the industry's first periscope telephoto, OPPO has always been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of mobile imaging. Now, after years of R&D, Find X9 Ultra introduces a monumental breakthrough, finally giving a smartphone the long-range zoom capabilities to rival the “Holy Trinity.”


The World's First 10x 50MP Optical Telephoto

Late last year, with the release of Find X9 Pro, OPPO introduced the Hasselblad Teleconverter. This accessory mounts on the 3x lens to achieve a true 10x optical zoom. Since then, it has earned widespread acclaim for its performance in capturing concerts and sporting events. However, carrying an external lens can sometimes be a hassle.

Find X9 Ultra removes this barrier by integrating the full power of a 10x telephoto directly into the device. The result is the Hasselblad 50MP 10x Ultra-Sensing Optical-Zoom Telephoto—the world’s first 10x optical telephoto built on a high-resolution 50MP sensor. 


By combining a customized Samsung JNL sensor with the category's fastest f/3.5 aperture, this setup captures three times as much light as the previous 10x telephoto. This allows Find X9 Ultra to deliver stunning 10x true optical zoom, while also unlocking an industry-first 20x optical-quality zoom through in-sensor cropping.




Delivering a large 50MP sensor at 10x optical zoom within the physical constraints of a smartphone required a complete rethinking of optical design. The foundation of this achievement is the Quintuple Prism Reflection Periscope Structure. By utilizing five reflections to extend the optical path, it reduces the overall module length by 30%, making 10x optical zoom possible within a remarkably compact 29mm module.


However, each additional reflection typically introduces light loss and stray light, degrading image quality. To address this, OPPO developed the Pristine Optical Path Architecture. The prism itself is crafted from three precision pieces, each incorporating a nano-scale aperture and a specialized Air Capsule. These industry-first innovations reduce stray light by 99.999%, ensuring exceptional light purity reaches the sensor.


To further guarantee image clarity, Find X9 Ultra features triple AOA (Active Optical Alignment) during assembly. Using high-precision cameras for real-time calibration, the lens, sensor, and prism are dynamically aligned to deliver consistently sharp results across every single unit.


Stabilization at 10x zoom has long presented another major challenge, as even the slightest movement under zoom is drastically amplified. To overcome this, Find X9 Ultra introduces an advanced Sensor Shift optical stabilization system that delivers industry-leading stability. Even when shooting at 10x or 20x zoom, the viewfinder remains perfectly steady, and the resulting images are immaculately sharp.

Photo Taken by Daryl Chang 


Five Powerful Rear Cameras

Designed to be your next camera, Find X9 Ultra's imaging breakthroughs go far beyond its 50MP 10x Telephoto. With this device, OPPO also introduces Dual 200MP Hasselblad Cameras: a main camera and a 3x telephoto.

First, the Hasselblad 200MP Ultra-Sensing Main Camera features Sony’s latest 1/1.12-inch LYTIA 901 sensor, the largest 200MP sensor in any smartphone. Paired with an f/1.5 aperture, it captures light at a level comparable to that of massive 1-inch main cameras. Thanks to the staggering 200MP resolution and OPPO’s LUMO Image Engine, which efficiently merges multiple frames, it preserves exceptional detail and remarkable dynamic range. Furthermore, by utilizing in-sensor cropping, this 1x main camera effortlessly doubles as a 2x 50MP lens, offering a near-50mm equivalent focal length perfect for everyday subjects.

The Hasselblad 200MP 3x Super Portrait Telephoto features a massive 1/1.28-inch sensor, making it the largest telephoto sensor ever integrated into a smartphone. With an f/2.2 aperture, it delivers exceptional light-gathering capabilities, ensuring image quality that rivals the main cameras of most flagship devices. Supported by this high-resolution sensor, it enables native 6x 50MP optical-quality zoom, matching the results of the dedicated 6x telephoto on Find X8 Ultra. With a minimum focusing distance of just 15cm, it also excels at telephoto macro photography, unlocking entirely new creative perspectives.


Alongside these powerful lenses is an upgraded 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera that captures 56% more light than the previous generation. At a 14mm equivalent focal length, it is fantastic for capturing expansive, dramatic landscapes.

Complementing these four cameras is a New-Generation True Color Camera, a dedicated multispectral sensor designed to significantly improve color accuracy. Featuring a 95-degree field of view and a 5.5x increase in dynamic range, all while reducing power consumption by up to 80%, it captures comprehensive color data across complex scenes. This ensures consistently natural color reproduction across photos, motion photos, and video recording.


Together, these five powerful rear cameras, combined with optical-quality cropping, allow Find X9 Ultra to offer eight professional lens experiences: 14mm, 23mm, 47mm, 70mm, 139mm, 230mm, 460mm, and the dedicated macro capabilities of the 3x telephoto. Ultimately, Find X9 Ultra packs the full versatility of the “Holy Trinity” right into your smartphone, and more.


Pushing the Limits with the 300mm Teleconverter

For creators who demand even greater control and reach, OPPO introduces Find X9 Ultra Hasselblad Earth Explorer Kit, an exclusive ecosystem of professional accessories.


Crafted from vegan leather in a premium dark green hue, OPPO Hasselblad Explorer Case shares its design language with the classic Hasselblad X2D 100C Earth Explorer Edition. It features an iconic orange two-stage shutter button, half-press to focus, full-press to shoot, and a physical dial for smooth, precise zoom control. By swapping the accompanying adapters, users can mount any standard 67mm filter or snap on the new teleconverter.


Housed in a robust, full-metal body, OPPO Hasselblad 300mm Explorer Teleconverter features a precise construction of 16 high-transmittance glass elements arranged in 11 groups. This includes four extra-low dispersion (ED) elements specifically designed to minimize chromatic aberration and significantly enhance overall image resolution.


With a magnification factor of 4.3x, the teleconverter mounts directly onto the 3x telephoto camera. This combination delivers a staggering 300mm equivalent focal length, translating to a 13x optical zoom. By leveraging the underlying 200MP sensor, photographers can utilize in-sensor cropping to reach up to 690mm (30x) while maintaining optical quality. This essentially allows Find X9 Ultra to surpass the zoom capabilities of many dedicated professional cameras.


Your Next Camera 

For modern creators, you shouldn’t be limited by your gear, you should be liberated by it. Whether you are capturing breathtaking concert close-ups with the world's first 50MP 10x telephoto, or building out a full professional rig with Find X9 Ultra Hasselblad Earth Explorer Kit, unparalleled creative freedom is now in your pocket.


Through unprecedented advances in optical engineering and sophisticated computational photography, Find X9 Ultra empowers you to capture every moment with greater clarity, expressive color, and deep emotional impact. It is more than just a smartphone. It is, truly, Your Next Camera.




Top Games to Play on a 100-Inch LG QNED for a Bigger, More Immersive Night


LG Electronics continues to expand the home entertainment experience with the 100-inch LG QNED86, a TV designed to make gaming feel larger, more vivid, and more immersive. The model highlights an Ultra Big Screen, AI Picture Pro, AI Sound Pro, α8 AI Processor Gen2, and an Super Slim Design measuring 16.4mm. The LG QNED evo lineup also supports Dynamic QNED Color Pro, Certified 100% Color Volume, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Filmmaker Mode, HDR10 & HLG, and webOS Renew for the 100-inch class. 

For players and hardcore gamers, a bigger screen is not only about size. It is about choosing games that make the most of scale, color, detail, and sound. Here are some of the best titles to enjoy on a 100-inch LG QNED.



1. Astro Bot for vibrant, feel-good platforming

If the goal is to kick off game night with something joyful, Astro Bot is an easy choice. GameSpot’s review praised the game’s diverse abilities, varied environments, and excellent platforming, noting that its levels stay consistently fresh. 

This is where the 100-inch LG QNED naturally fits. With Dynamic QNED Color Pro and Certified 100% Color Volume, the game’s bright environments and constantly changing visuals feel even more playful and expansive on a larger screen. 



2. Forza Horizon 5 for wide-open, high-speed spectacle

For players who want something more kinetic, Forza Horizon 5 remains a standout. IGN’s review highlighted its exquisite attention to detail, gorgeous lighting, incredible vehicle models, and its richly built world.


A racing game like this benefits from a display that makes motion and scenery feel bigger. On the 100-inch LG QNED, the Ultra Big Screen helps bring out the scale of the environment, while AI Picture Pro supports more detailed, natural-looking visuals. Dolby Vision also strengthens the sense of cinematic depth in visually rich racing sequences. 


3. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for cinematic adventure

For players drawn to story-driven games, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a strong fit. GameSpot described it as the quintessential Indiana Jones game, saying it captures the look, sound, and spirit of the movies while delivering a riveting story with stealth and freeform exploration. 


Because the experience leans heavily into cinematic storytelling, this is a good moment to highlight the audio side of the 100-inch LG QNED. With Dolby Atmos and AI Sound Pro, the TV is better positioned for games where dialogue, environmental sound, and dramatic pacing are a major part of the appeal.

 


4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for dramatic immersion

If the mood is something more emotional and sweeping, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 deserves a place on the list. The Game Awards called it a phenomenal RPG, praising its heartbreaking tale and the way it blends thrilling action into tactical turn-based combat.

For a game like this, the draw is not just spectacle but immersion. The 100-inch Ultra Big Screen delivers absolute immersion and makes viewers feel like they are in the middle of the scene. That makes the QNED86 particularly suited for games built around atmosphere and emotional scale. 


5. Metaphor: ReFantazio for long-form fantasy storytelling


For gamers who want a title they can settle into over time, Metaphor: ReFantazio is a strong pick. Reviews praise how it combines Atlus’ strength in emotionally charged RPGs with brilliant plot twists, a keen sense of adventure, and fantastical idealism, calling it one of the studio’s greatest games.

 

This is where the broader viewing experience matters. The 100-inch LG QNED supports Filmmaker Mode, HDR10 & HLG, and webOS Re:new, helping turn longer gaming sessions into a more premium home entertainment setup. For fantasy-heavy worlds with layered storytelling, those features help reinforce the idea that the TV is not just a display, but part of the experience itself. 


Big-screen gaming is also about variety


One of the advantages of a 100-inch LG QNED is that it does not serve only one kind of player. Colorful platformers, racing games, cinematic adventures, and expansive RPGs each bring out something different in the set. Some benefit most from Dynamic QNED Color Pro and 100% Color Volume. Others lean into AI Picture Pro, Dolby Vision, or Dolby Atmos. Together, these features help make the 100-inch LG QNED86 a strong fit for players who want more from game night than simply a larger screen. 


For households that want gaming to feel more social, more immersive, and more visually rewarding, the 100-inch LG QNED offers a way to make every title feel bigger in the moments that matter.


Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Innovation, Creativity, and Co-Creation: DigiCon 2026 Signals the Age of Collaboration



Creativity is evolving and with it, how innovation happens.


As the world marks World Creativity and Innovation Day, a defining shift is taking shape: today’s most meaningful breakthroughs are no longer driven by single ideas or standalone efforts, but by collaboration across industries, disciplines, and technologies.


From artificial intelligence enhancing human imagination, to brands building ideas alongside creators and platforms, innovation is increasingly the result of co-creation. When different perspectives, capabilities, and systems come together, ideas move faster, scale further, and deliver greater impact.


This shift is transforming how creativity works in practice. What used to be linear processes are now collaborative ecosystems—where marketers, technologists, creators, businesses, and communities contribute to shaping ideas from concept to execution. In this environment, innovation is no longer owned by one sector, but built through shared inputs and continuous exchange.


At the center of this evolution is the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines’s (DMAP) flagship conference, DigiCon.


Now in its 11th year, DigiCon 2026 embraces this reality through its theme, “Interoperability: Welcome to the Age of Collaboration.” Happening on October 15–16 at the Manila Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom, the conference is designed as a platform where industries intersect and where collaboration becomes a driver of innovation.


Built over a decade with 2,000 participants annually, DigiCon has evolved beyond a conference into a catalyst for collaboration connecting disciplines and emerging technologies to turn ideas into real-world, cross-industry impact.


Bringing together leaders from marketing, technology, media, government, academia, and the creator economy, DigiCon 2026 positions marketing as part of a broader ecosystem shaping how ideas are built and brought to life.


“DigiCon reminds us that creativity expands through collaboration, connections, and shared intent,” said Co-Chair Shayne Madamba. “It’s no longer just about generating ideas, but about building them together.”


This year’s conference will feature five key tracks—Immersive, Interactive, Innovation, Integrated, and Impact—each reflecting how co-creation enables ideas to evolve across different platforms and experiences. Complementing this is DigiConX, a series of pop-up events leading up to the main conference, designed to bring these collaborations closer to communities, campuses, and partner organizations.


At its core, DigiCon 2026 brings to life the idea of interoperability where different systems, disciplines, and people work together to unlock new possibilities and drive innovation forward. “Through interoperability, we are building a space where ideas, technologies, and communities can come together to create what’s next,” added Co-Chair Raymund Sison.


DigiCon 2026 is now open for partnerships, sponsorships, and speaker submissions across the tech, media, data, and creative sectors. For inquiries, interested parties may reach out via digicon@futureproof.ph


Stay updated on announcements, speaker reveals, and event highlights by following DigiCon’s official website and social media channels.