Online shopping has definitely become more popular in the Philippines, but online scams – from fake sellers to bogus buyers – are ruining the experience for many Filipinos. 

To further boost the growth of e-commerce in the Philippines and protect customers from online scams, PayMaya introduced PayMaya Verified Sellers, a feature that makes transactions safer for both buyers and sellers using the PayMaya app.

With another first-in-the-market and unique feature, PayMaya is equipping online sellers who utilize the e-wallet to accept payments with a special badge, making it easier for consumers to check if they are paying legitimate businesses on the app. 

By registering as a PayMaya Verified Seller, small business owners and people with side hustles can get instant credibility through a verified badge that customers can see, marking the account as “legit.” To get this special badge, PayMaya Verified Sellers will undergo another layer of screening to ensure that they are legitimate online businesses and are on good standing, on top of the standard registration and upgrade process for PayMaya app users. For sellers, this badge from PayMaya is a stamp of approval – a way to let consumers know that they are legitimate and trustworthy businesses that have passed the financial institution’s rigorous background check.

Once verified, the badge will appear beside the seller’s account name, which the customers can easily spot right before they transfer their payments in-app. 

“For digital transactions, trust is key. That’s why we have created this unique feature for the millions of PayMaya users who are utilizing the app as sellers and buyers. Through PayMaya Verified Seller, we aim to make our ecosystem safer from online scams. We encourage all online sellers to get verified with PayMaya so you can show your customers that you are ‘legit,'” said Pepe Torres, Chief Marketing Officer at PayMaya. 

Aside from giving customers an added layer of protection, PayMaya is equipping sellers with tools to help protect them from bogus buyers. 

By utilizing PayMaya as a payment method, sellers can track their transaction history in real-time, allowing them to check instantly once a buyer transfers the payment. PayMaya is the only e-wallet offering this feature, addressing seller issues like fake transaction receipt screenshots from bogus buyers. 

Being a PayMaya Verified Seller gives access to features that can boost business too. Here are just some of the added perks that online sellers should not miss:  

• Accept payments from anyone in any way. PayMaya enables sellers to accept payments from all customers seamlessly – whether they are PayMaya users via QR, Send Money, or Request Money; bank account holders via QR PH and Instapay transfers; and even those without any financial account via Smart Padala to PayMaya money transfers. 
• Reach millions of potential customers. As a PayMaya Verified Seller, you will be featured in PayMaya’s social media channels and in-app Maya Mall so you can reach millions of PayMaya users to help boost your business.  
• Increase your account limit to P1,000,000. Once you are ready to expand your business, PayMaya will also be prepared to support you with an increased account limit – allowing you to grow their business even further. 
• Get exclusive perks to make the most out of your earnings. You can enjoy exclusive discounts on bills, groceries, deliveries, and waived bank transfers by simply using their PayMaya app for their everyday transactions.  

With PayMaya’s 99.9% uptime rate, online sellers and buyers can be confident that transactions will go through, especially when they need it most. This high uptime rate and enhanced features have translated to a more reliable and smooth customer experience, making PayMaya the top-rated e-wallet in the Philippines for both Google Play and App Store.

Signing up to be a PayMaya Verified Seller is fast and easy. Business owners simply need to fill out the online form at https://www.paymaya.com/survey/verified-seller. Sellers can be verified within five business days.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines, with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. It provides more than 41 million Filipinos access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 380,000 digital touchpoints nationwide.  

Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 60,000 partner agent touchpoints serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved access to digital services. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country, including “every day” merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.

To know more about PayMaya’s products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information on Smart Padala, visit https://smartpadala.ph/.  – Rappler.com

Most Christmas parties are starting to wind down, and I just have to ask: How’s it going for you so far? Have you won anything at company and reunion raffles? If yes, sana all (hope everyone is as lucky as you). If not, don’t fret because holiday cheer isn’t over until Savers Appliances says so.

This season, the retailer isn’t pulling the brakes on its holiday deals and pakulo (offers). Aside from continuously pouring out discounts through promos such as Yuletide Treats, they also launched a gamified way to give us more chances to save on our dream gadgets and appliances – the Deck of Holiday Cards online game.

So, how does it go? It’s not blackjack-ish kind of difficult – just a simple card-matching game!

Head on to the game’s website to register Your registered information will serve as your log-in details. Note that only one account can be created per mobile number.

Once done, go ahead and play! In 60 seconds, you’ll have to match pairs of cards as fast as you can. Each matched pair earns you 30 points, with a total of 10 game levels to finish. However, you won’t be able to climb up if you aren’t fast enough. Also, you only have two game tokens per day (read: 2 chances to play) so you’ll have to give it your all to get as many points as possible and make it to the weekly leaderboard.

If you become part of the weekly top 3 – how lucky! – you’ll stand to win a P2,000, P1,000, or P500 e-voucher for use on your next purchase from the Savers Appliances online store.

Simple, right? You have until January 16, 2021 to play!

To register and read the full mechanics, visit the Deck of Holiday Cards site. You can also check out Savers Appliances’ online and Lazada stores to see their roster of products, as well as other discounts you can avail of.

Don’t give up on your wishlist just yet! Take this chance to save with Savers Appliances. – Rappler.com

Looking for a nifty and unique gift you can give to friends, family or yourself for the holidays and beyond?

Rebisco’s Special Edition Designer Cans are back and there’s so much to love about them. Each can is a mini version of the iconic, go-to pasalubong Rebisco Special Assorted Can filled to the brim with assorted baked goodies that have been favorite treats through the years. These junior cans are playful, charming and feature colorful artwork on the sides.

Well known contemporary artists and budding art talents from Angono, Rizal, the art capital of the Philippines, have immortalized their art in the limited edition cans. Using bright colors, lively tints and bold pastels to portray Filipino culture and heritage, the distinct style and artistic viewpoints of Dominic Rubio, Aljo Pingol plus three young artists from Angono’s Regional Lead School of the Arts (RLSAA) are expressed beautifully on the cans.

All-time delights of young and old alike – Rebisco Sandwich Choco, Rebisco Sandwich Cream, Rebisco Cracker Plain, Rebisco Cracker Honey Butter, Wafertime Choco, Choco Mucho Cookies Choco, Choco Mucho Cookies White Choco, Hansel Crackers and Hansel Mocha – are beautifully arranged inside. Cool and classy but very affordable at P195 each, every tin can is hygienically packaged and sealed, truly thoughtful gifts to give at this time. They can be bought exclusively from online shopping platforms including Lazada, Shopee, and Snacks-To-Go by Rebisco.

Here’s the clincher. Every tin can sold will help develop more young artists in RLSAA and Calbayog Arts and Design School of Eastern Visayas (CADSEV). Rebisco is supporting the school by providing its students with essential art materials, musical instruments, and multimedia equipment.

You can collect different editions of the Rebisco Special Edition Designer Cans or give them away as tokens of your kindness. There are so many things you can do with them.

1. Decorate a shelf or corner with those beautiful, eye-catching cans. Turn these cans into planters and treat the plantita and plantito in you.
2. Turn them into colorful storage cans. Use them as mini bins for knickknacks, pencils, pens, and assorted stuff for your desk or room. They’re terrific organizers.
3. Place your needles, pins, colorful threads, ribbons, thimbles and pin cushions inside and turn them into sewing kits.
4. Re-use them as cookie jars or chichiria containers.
5. Stack them side by side on your kitchen shelf and fill them with your cooking and baking needs: flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, sachets and cooking aids. They’re well-sealed and insect-free.
6. Turn them into your “change” box where you can go-to for small bills and loose change. The possibilities are endless.

Order and get your hands on these limited-edition designer tin cans exclusively via Rebisco Flagship Stores on Shopee and Lazada. – Rappler.com

Ever experience that moment when you get a text message early in the morning and you excitedly jump out of bed thinking it’s crush-laloo greeting you, only to find out it’s some random SMS with bad grammar asking for your personal details? That inis factor (annoyance) you’re feeling for these scammers – yes we’ve all been there, we feel you!

It doesn’t just stop there though. Nowadays, with the convenience of being able to buy anything with just a pa-“mine” comment at a live selling session or order that flash sale item with a tap of our fingers, come new levels of scam tactics. A common one is called phishing, where scammers send fake SMS, emails, or links designed to trick people into giving away sensitive information such as personal information, banking details, and passwords.

Scammers are getting more and more creative that we have to be G to be informed about what’s going on. Knowing the different ways they work is the first step in protecting ourselves. We all give in to certain types of budol (temptation) as we call it – wherein we willingly fall for irresistible discounts or all-in-one bundles, or when you know you don’t need a new phone case but you purchase it anyway because it’s cute. To buy your wants and needs is okay, especially since you’ve been working hard for it. What is not okay is when you get yourself into types of budol that actually robs you of all your hard-earned money.

Are you G to be protected? Here are some common phishing scams and ways to protect yourself especially as we enter the merriest season of the year:

A popular method for scammers is to pretend to be an authorized customer representative on different platforms by appropriating company logos and a person’s profile picture. In social media, this can happen if you post your complaints publicly. They send a direct message and pretend to offer help with your concern. In emails, they use what seems to look like official addresses and create a sense of urgency to pressure you into following the steps they have outlined, otherwise, you will lose access to your account or incur possible charges. While in SMS, they send suspicious messages and links that will prompt you to install an app or require you to input your Mobile Banking Personal Identification Number (MPIN) or One-Time PIN (OTP) for many reasons: you’ve won a contest, have expiring rewards to claim, or that you need to update your contact information. Sometimes they’ll even call you.

How do you spot scammers? Start by checking the sender. Is the text or call from a random phone number? Does the email look credible or does it look like it came from a sketchy free platform? Always check the source. Second, did they send you a link? GCash, for example, will NEVER send you an email asking to click a link. Scammers have become clever to make sure they no longer have typos on their message alerts. They used to misspell words like GAcsh or replace letters with numbers like GC4sh, but they’ve leveled up to replicating official web pages by using the same visuals or actual promos to phish details from users.

Their goal is to get your OTP so they can link their device to your account, and your MPIN so they can log in. If they can’t get your MPIN, they will try to ask for more OTPs in order to reset your MPIN. If you’ve been saving money for your pending bills and you don’t want to wake up as a player in Squid Game, never give out your MPIN and the OTPs that you receive on your phones.

However, scammers have found creative ways to sneakily get these info so it’s important to expose them and know their methods. Here are some examples:

• Hiram (Borrowing your) mobile phone: They borrow your phone for a variety of excuses but their real intent is to request OTPs to be sent to your phone so they can reset the MPINs themselves without you knowing.
• Shoulder surfing: From the name itself, they spy over your shoulder to steal personal information that might help them in hacking your account.
• Live selling sessions: This usually happens to online sellers when they broadcast what’s on their phones. Scammers just need good timing to initiate the OTP, display it on your screen for all to see, and therefore compromise your account.

If you find yourself on the receiving end of any of these suspicious instances or if you have concerns with any of the GCash services, the best way to address them is through the Help Center accessible within the app only.

The Christmas season and online mega-sales are happening, so it’s important to remember this GChecklist:

1. Check the sender or credibility of any website where you are being redirected.
2. Never share your MPIN or OTP.
3. Only do actions within the GCash app.

Once you tick off everything on this list, make sure you’re G to share this so your friends and family can protect themselves, too. For your holiday hauls, don’t forget to budol (spend) wisely!

For more information, visit gcash.com. – Rappler.com

The year might almost be over but leading smartphone brand vivo is ending the year with a bang with its last hurrah for 2021 – the launch of the new Y76 5G, available in stores starting December 11.

The slimmest 5G smartphone to hit the market so far, the Y76 5G is only 7.79 mm thick but don’t let it fool you as this device packs quite a punch with its 8+4GB Extended RAM and 128GB ROM making it perfect for heavy multitasking and hardcore mobile gaming.

It’s the perfect holiday companion as the vivo Y76 5G gives the gift of capturing real moments and forging meaningful connections with its smart camera features like the AI editor, dual view video, and EIS ultra-stable video.

vivo Y76 5G in action

Catch the vivo Y76 5G in action and in all its glory in 2022 as vivo holds a series of exciting matches in partnership with Moonton, the developer of the mega-popular mobile multiplayer online battle arena Mobile Legends. 

Watch Nexplay Esports and ECHO Philippines go head-to-head against each other and against your favorite celebrities and discover why Y76 5G is the perfect gaming phone and see which teams will get to take home the P100,000 grand prize, Y76 5G phones, and other exciting prizes.

“Rush of Luck” holiday promo

And to make sure that its customers – both loyal and new – get to experience the beauty of the season, vivo is holding the Rush of Luck promo until January 16, 2022. 

Every purchase of eligible vivo devices gives customers a chance to become one of the 40,000 people to win exciting prizes and exclusive merchandise.

The vivo devices eligible for the promo are Y1s, Y15s, Y20i, Y33s, Y15A, X70, V21, V21e, and the new Y76 5G. The devices must be purchased in select vivo physical stores or via vivo’s official e-commerce platforms.

To join the promotion, purchase any of the eligible vivo phones from November 19 to January 16, 2022. Scan the promo QR code visit www.vivoph-rushofluck.com to register. After validation, accepted entries will be sent a digital scratch card that will reveal if they are one of the 40,000 winners.

Upon scratching the cards, those who have three identical icons will win an instant prize while those who don’t will get a raffle entry to the grand prize draw.

Winners can email vivodigital@ph.vivo.com for further instructions on how to claim their prizes.

For more information about the vivo Y76 5G, the Rush of Luck promo, visit www.vivoglobal.ph and vivo’s official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. – Rappler.com

There’s one thing that has recently made its way into our year-end accomplishments. In the age of online shopping, we now tend to look back on our biggest or most sulit purchases. Whether it is the latest smartphone, the best cookware set, or your current favorite beauty product, there’s definitely something you’re glad you checked out. 

In the spirit of looking back on the year’s best, we’re giving you an insider’s look at the nation’s shopping habits and what Filipinos have bought over the past year on Lazada.

What was your best purchase of the year and is it in this list of Lazada’s top 10 bestselling items in 2021?

Digital bills payment

In 2021, Lazada’s top bestseller wasn’t an item. It was a feature!

Lazada’s digital bills payment can be found on the Load, Bills & eCoupon button located on the main page of the app. It’s one of the first things Lazada users see when they enter the app, and it seems like this digital feature is a hit with many Filipinos who use it to conveniently pay utilities – such as internet, telecommunications, electricity – from the comfort of their homes. 

Fun fact: Did you know you can get cashback when you pay through the app?

Mobile phones and accessories

Taking up the second and third spots in this year’s list are mobile phones and mobile accessories. It makes sense because of the increasing amount of time we spend online, that we’d be on the lookout for the latest devices and accessories to suit our lifestyle.

Now that most brands have set up their own flagship stores in Lazada, it’s almost like walking into a mall’s tech center and seeing electronics stores side-by-side. Except deals and prices from different stores are all conveniently in the palm of your hands for you to compare in an instant (and less tiring on your feet!). 

Air conditioners

Air conditioning units found their place as the top four among this year’s bestsellers and for good reason: it was a very hot and humid year. From inverter to window type aircon, Lazada has it all. Here’s a bonus: vouchers help make these units cheaper. 

Disposable face masks

This staple daily necessity made it to the top five of this year’s list. Disposable face masks are easy and convenient to buy using the Lazada app. With the various face mask design options available, you can be sure to find one that fits properly. 

Sim cards and mobile load

A combination of the first three things in this list, sim cards and mobile load landed on the top six and seven spots. Mobile load is a convenient alternative to paying monthly bills. You can seamlessly top up credits for your registered mobile number, or purchase load credits for a family member’s mobile number, even if they are registered under another telco service provider.

Solar lights, milk formula, television

At the eighth, ninth, and tenth spots are solar lights to help reduce electricity bills as we’re spending more time in our own homes, milk formula, and television sets to fulfill every Filipinos’ entertainment demands. While seemingly a diverse range of products, these household staples are popular for good reason. 

Wondering why parents prefer shopping for milk formula on Lazada? That’s because Lazada is the first platform to guarantee 100% fresh and authentic milk products online through the launch of its LazMall Milk Guarantee program. This safeguards and maintains high-quality standards for milk handling, storage, and delivery of milk products, giving parents the assurance and peace-of-mind along with the convenience of online shopping.

And for the home buddies out there, take note of this pro-tip: Lazada’s home and living assortment will be a treasure chest of deals whenever you are on the lookout for items to spruce up your home.

Lazada 12.12 Grand Christmas Sale: Hatid ng Lazada ang Paskong Pinoy

We are nearing the end of 2021, but the best is yet to come!The 12.12 Grand Christmas Sale coming up, so if you are still behind on your Christmas gifts shopping, the items in Lazada’s 2021 Top 10 list are a great place to start since they are proven to be popular among Filipinos!

During the Lazada 12.12 Grand Christmas Sale, you can enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend nationwide. Lazada is also offering a bonus of P60 off for every P600 spend, plus 10% Cashback. Catch the biggest Christmas discounts from December 12 to 14, only on Lazada.

It’s time to add some items to your own 2021 bestsellers list. Happy shopping! – Rappler.com

The country’s top beer producer San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) keeps the beer flowing and the surprises rolling through Oktoberfest. In place of the usual festivities, SMB serves up a different kind of delight this year with what’s inside its bottles and what can be found under its crowns.

As revelers celebrate this global beer festival, SMB offers added thrills to drinkers with its INSTANT GCASH PANALO NG SAN MIGUEL BEER OKTOBERFEST under-the-crown promo. With up to P100 million in GCash prizes to be given away, over 70,000 thousand drinkers nationwide have already won by simply enjoying their favorite bottles of San Miguel Beer and checking under its crowns. 

“Na-excite ako sa promo kasi baka po manalo,” said P1,000 GCash prize winner Cherry Lou Maymiero of Pinili, Ilocos Norte. “‘Nung nalaman ko na P1,000 ‘yung (napanalunan), masayang-masaya ako. Gagamitin namin ito pambayad ng kuryente.” 

Beer lovers can enjoy their favorite brews and get a chance to win instantly in just five easy steps – BUY, LOOK, SCAN, TYPE, and WIN.

“Nakita ko ‘yung [poster] kung paano ang gagawin. Sinundan ko lang. Pinasok ko yung GCash [account number] pati yung promo code, tapos na-claim ko na yung premyo. Ayun, nanalo ako ng P5,000. Masaya kasi makaka-inom na ulit!” said P5,000 GCash prize winner Jhay R Cahilig of Tondo, Manila.

1) BUY any of the following San Miguel Beer in bottles – San Miguel Pale Pilsen (320ml and  1L), San Mig Light (330ml), Red Horse Beer (330ml, 500ml, and 1L), San Miguel Flavored Beer Apple, Lemon, or Lychee (330ml), San Mig Zero (330ml), and Gold Eagle Beer (330ml and 1L). 2) LOOK for a printed 8-character alphanumeric code under the crown. If there’s a code, the crown is a sure winner. 3) SCAN the QR Code printed on posters and posted on San Miguel  Oktoberfest social media pages to open the GCash – Oktoberfest promo page (go.gcash.com/oktoberfest2021). 4) TYPE the GCash account number and the exact code found under the crown and click on the reward button to claim your prize. 5) WIN cash rewards of up to Php5,000 credited real time by San Miguel Oktoberfest.

Don’t throw away those crowns. Stop, look, and get ready for a chance to join the thousands of drinkers who have already won prizes by simply looking under the crowns of their favorite San Miguel Beers. “Sinubukan ko lang ‘yung promo, at totoo nga siya. Kaya nag-ipon na ako ng mga tansan,” shared Marianie Araneta of Malate, Manila who won P5,000 worth of GCash prizes. “Sobrang saya ko. Nagtatatalon ako sa saya!”

Winners can use rewards at the nearest store accepting GCash to buy anything, including more San Miguel Beer. “Para sa mga gustong uminom ng San Miguel Beer, try lang ng try. Hindi kayo talo kasi masarap ang beer tapos magkaka-premyo pa kayo kung makakuha kayo ng [tansan na may code],” Cahilig shared. “Naka-inom ka na, may chance ka pang manalo!”

BUY, LOOK, SCAN, TYPE, and WIN with INSTANT GCASH PANALO NG SAN MIGUEL BEER OKTOBERFEST. Promo is available in areas where allowed.

For more promos and updates, like and follow San Miguel Oktoberfest on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SanMiguelOktoberfest).

Promo runs from September 1 to December 31, 2021. Per DOH-FDA-CFRR Permit no. 0424 Series of 2021.

For 18 years old and above.

Drink responsibly.

ASC Ref Code S153P112421SS

– Rappler.com

Don’t lie to us. You already received your highly-anticipated Christmas bonus, and honestly, daserv ‘mo yan (you deserve it).

As the latest crop of inspirational quotes go, simply being able to survive this crazy year is already an extraordinary feat, much more when you’re juggling that with studying, working, and taking care of your family. (The mere mention of these tires me out. 😫)

If you’re still mulling over what to reward yourself and your loved ones, how about checking out the equally-crazy 4-day Crazy Sale of The Metro Stores from November 27 to 30? If you’re not yet familiar with this shopping extravaganza, nationwide retailer The Metro Stores has been at it for years – making life easier for its regular customers by offering huge deals, Buy 1 Get 1 promos, and discounts off loads and loads of grocery and department store items during the last weekend of November. Think of it as the Pinoy version of Black Friday.

Big-ticket items

A Black Friday sale won’t be one without enormous price drops on appliances and other “wants,” and those are what we’ll get! Some of the most coveted items include TV sets, recliner chairs, and cookware, which are discounted by up to 70%.

If you’re eyeing to upgrade your television set – time to enjoy Netflix on a bigger screen! – consider this 40-inch Philips smart TV. Not only will you be able to get it for only P10,999 (from P15,995), it also comes with a free Android box so you can cast almost anything you desire.

Think recliners are expensive? For a limited time only, you can purchase one for P9,099 (from P13,999). Since you’ve been sitting in stiffer chairs all year, a comfy chair to sit on – after a long day – seems really tempting.

Getting ready for some Christmas cooking? Life can get so much easier with non-stick cookware. Luckily for you, the Crazy Sale has some items that might help – 4-in-1 non-stick frying pan with 3-layer coating, as well as a Hamilton Beach aluminum stock pot. You can save at least 60% off on each of these!

More sulit grocery shopping

If you have already set aside a portion of your bonus for necessities, we still got you, fam. Buy grocery staples such as meat, canned goods, and more pantry items for up to 30% off, or through Buy 1 Take 1 deals!

Something different for noche buena? Take advantage of discounts on beef, pork, and chicken cuts early so you have room to shop for more!

Oftentimes, what’s expensive are those that we need the most. During the Crazy Sale, you’ll have the chance to buy them for less, and with lots of freebies to boot.

Crazy, right? That’s not all. You’ll find more crazy discounts and deals when you check out The Metro Stores’ website or physical stores. If you want the VIP treatment, you can also seek the help of their personal shoppers here.

Don’t miss out! Be updated on other outrageously exciting offers by The Metro Stores by joining their Viber community!

With The Metro Stores, life – or at least, your shopping needs – is made easy with tons of choices and discounts na swak sa bulsa (that fit your budget)! – Rappler.com

Get ready for good vibes and a colorful adventure with the new Swatch x Peanuts collaboration. Featuring Charles M. Schulz iconic characters, the collection is bursting with imagination and great moments from the Peanuts comic strip, delivering fun for the wrist that’s guaranteed to bring out people’s inner child.

With almost 18,000 strips, Peanuts is one of the most popular comic strips of all time and a staple in pop culture. Schulz’s stories blend childish concerns with adult realism to inspire generations with its much-loved Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Woodstock characters. Everyone can identify with or know at least one of the Peanuts gang – and that’s a huge part of its enduring appeal.

Swatch enjoyed every second of this collaboration from revisiting Peanuts comic strips to creating six designs that celebrate the loveble quirks and personalities of the gang. The watches arrive in sharp silhouettes and bright colors that are true to the brand’s DNA, but it’s the attention to detail that takes this collaboration to the next level. There are specific references to the Peanuts comic strip and witty features that only reveal themselves upon
closer inspection, such as the baseball and catcher glove on the First Base watch hands.

Two worlds collide on the watch face of the Grande Bracchetto as Snoopy stands next to the Swiss flag – a nod to Swatch’s roots. Snoopy dreams of going on many adventures but never seems to get further than his doghouse. From astronaut Snoopy to chef Snoopy, the monochrome Gent watch strap captures many of his alter egos.

Lucy is a girl with big aspirations and an even bigger personality. With Klunk!, Swatch perfectly captures her sassy energy on a swing, ‘kicking’ the numbers on the dial and in an array of different situations on the strap. What’s more, the red and blue colors of the Gent and packaging reference the clothing worn by Lucy in the comic strip.

HeeHeeHee Gent sees Snoopy dancing on the dial and a puzzled Woodstock on the strap. Swatch has taken a more minimalist approach with an almost entirely blue design punctuated with pops of monochrome and yellow detailing and is releasing this design as the iconic 210cm Maxi version.

Calling all Charlie Brown fans, the bright yellow Pow Wow New Gent celebrates the clumsy nature and misfortunes of this loveable character. Charlie Brown can be seen skateboarding on the dial while the black and white all-over print on the strap presents his many baseball mishaps and guises.

Smak! New Gent is Swatch’s retro take on Peanuts from the 1960s-70s era and features a complete comic strip with Lucy, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Woodstock, Sally, and Linus with his trusty blanket.

The biggest running gag in Peanuts is the neighborhood’s dysfunctional baseball team, managed by Charlie Brown. First Base is a homage to the sport that brings the gang together with almost all the characters on the dial. And, Swatch couldn’t help but inject its signature witty touch with a catcher glove chasing a baseball on the watch hands.

Swatch X Peanuts is available online and in Swatch stores from November
4, 2021. This story is far from over, stay tuned for a more festive chapter of the Swatch X Peanuts collaboration.

Shop at the nearest Swatch store near you:

• TriNomaSM Megamall
• SM City North EDSA
• Shangri-La 
• Greenbelt 5
• Glorietta 4
• SM Mall of Asia
• Robinsons Place Ermita
• Alabang Town Center
• SM Southmall
• SM City Cebu

The Swatch X Peanuts collection is also available on Lazada. – Rappler.com

realme, the Philippines’ number one smartphone brand for Q3 2021, invites Filipinos to do even more beyond their capabilities by recently unveiling the realme 8i, the latest addition to their widely successful 8 Series.

Announced via a livestream on November 16, the realme 8i promises #InfinitelySmooth capabilities as it is the first realme device to pack the powerful MediaTek Helio G96 chipset and a 120Hz Ultra Smooth display, allowing users to perform any task seamlessly.

“Filipinos are a discerning market, and it’s important for us at realme to deliver to all of their diverse needs. We’re doing this with the exciting launch of the realme 8i, a worthy new entry to what is already our undeniably successful lineup in the 8 Series. We can’t wait for our realme Squad to have their own #InfinitelySmooth experience when they get their hands on the realme 8i,” said Austine Huang, realme Philippines VP for marketing.

Delivering #InfinitelySmooth capabilities

The realme 8i gives users an #InfinitelySmooth smartphone experience thanks to the MediaTek Helio G96 chipset, the first realme device to pack the processor model. 

The G96 pushes the 8i’s performance by 65% compared to the previous 7i, and it is the only G9-series chip that can power a 120Hz display, which is one of the first smartphones at its price range to have such a display. It also helps the realme 8i provide a smoother gameplay experience with more fluid visual effects, something that Filipino mobile gamers will absolutely love.

The realme 8i also comes with a 6.6-inch LCD display, with six different refresh rates (30Hz, 48Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz) that can help conserve battery power. The screen also has a dynamic brightness range, able to be as bright as 600 nits and as dim as 1 nit, letting you stay comfortable while you use your phone at any time.

Content creators also get a huge level up with the realme 8i’s 50MP AI Triple Camera setup. Its 50MP main camera with f/1.8 large aperture takes in enough light to make photos clearer and brighter. It also comes with a black and white lens for more artistic photos, and an ultra-macro lens with a 4-cm shooting distance to shoot up close in fine detail. Its 16 MP front cam lets you take crisp and clear selfies, and enhances them with AI beauty function, HDR mode, portrait mode, as well as a “Panoselfie” mode for wider selfies.

For the 6GB+128GB variant, the realme 8i’s performance is also boosted by its virtual RAM technology, which converts the phone’s internal storage space to RAM, increasing its total amount. The realme 8i lets you use 5 GB of virtual RAM to add to its 6 GB of existing RAM, increasing the phone’s smoothness.

Enjoy an #InfinitelySmooth experience today by getting the realme 8i for only P9,990 (4GB+64GB) and P11,990 (6GB+128GB) on the realme Official Store on Lazada. Early birds can get an exclusive P1,000 discount for both variants on Lazada starting at 12 midnight on November 17. Available in two colors: stellar purple and space black, the realme 8i will also be available in over 500 offline stores and more than 4,000 partner dealers nationwide. 

#realmeWithYou Christmas Raffle Promo

Another exciting news for the squad: those who purchase the realme 8i or any realme device with a minimum worth of P5,000 from November 15 to January 2, 2022 at any realme flagship store, authorized partner dealer, and on realme’s Official Lazada and Shopee store will earn an e-raffle ticket for the #realmeWithYou Christmas Raffle Promo. Get the chance to WIN realme TechLife prizes and the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage G4. To register and check the complete mechanics, visit https://bit.ly/realmeWithYouRegister.

For more info on the realme 8i, as well as other realme products, follow the realme PH Facebook page at http://facebook.com/realmePhilippines and visit the official realme website at https://www.realme.com/ph/. – Rappler.com