Year: 2020

Gaming

Mineski, Riot Games aim to bring esports to grassroots

In a world where esports and gaming have become a “form of positive community entertainment“, Mineski Philippines and Riot Games Southeast Asia are advocating responsible gaming in their quest to bring esports to the grassroots in the Philippines.

“The Youth Esports Program (YEP) actually emphasizes that if you want to game, you have to be responsible enough to do your schoolwork first, and to do everything in moderation. So in the esports program, we tackle responsible gaming as one of the things we offer as one of the services to our chapters, wherein we talk to the school admins and parents to give an esports 101 and teach them how to manage their children’s time,” YEP Program Director Marlon “Lon” Marcelo said in response to a question from Digital Life Asia.

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Geek Culture, Technology

‘TikTok HALLOWEEN JAPAN’: Cosplayers, artists unite

TikTok HALLOWEEN JAPAN will feature Madoka Natsume and other cosplayers. Image credit: Madoka Natsume
‘TikTok HALLOWEEN JAPAN’ will feature Madoka Natsume and other cosplayers. Image credit: Madoka Natsume

The virtual event “TikTok HALLOWEEN JAPAN” will bring together cosplayers, models, and artists to showcase Japan’s leading anime and video game properties in a night to remember on Oct. 31.

Madoka Natsume and Fire General Rosiel are among the cosplayers scheduled to participate in “TikTok HALLOWEEN JAPAN”. The other cosplayers include Annyu Tofu, Akira Itsuki, Yuri Inami, Eiri, Kurumi, Sisuru, Mea Shimotsuki, Tenjo Tenko, Naru, Asuka Nekota, Hinokio, Kitsune Reito, Mami Hoshino, Yuriko Tiger, Miruo, misaco, mona, Nana Yukino, and Runa Yukino.

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Technology

UNAWA 1st runner-up in regional pitch competition

Philippine regulatory technology (regtech) startup UNAWA was the first runner-up in the Business Plan Challenge of the 2020 Licensing Executives Society Asia Pacific (LES APAC) Conference.

“We are honored with this recognition by LES APAC’s Business Plan Challenge. As a proudly Filipino startup, we believe that this win is also representative of the remarkable progress that the Philippine regtech industry has undergone over the past few years,” said UNAWA CEO Mona Dimalanta in a press statement.

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Technology

Stevie Awards: SYKES wins for COVID-19 response

Top business process outsourcing (BPO) player SYKES has won a Silver and Bronze from international business award body Stevie Awards for Great Employers.

The Stevie Awards is one of the most premier award bodies acclaiming competence across the business industry. SYKES received recognition for its agile and innovative response to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. It won a Silver Stevie Award for implementing the Most Innovative Work-From-Home Plan, and a Bronze Stevie Award for having the Most Innovative Workplace Redesign.

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Entertainment

‘Start-Up’ Episode 2 review: Too good to be true?

Image credit: tvN

“Start-Up”, the new tvN drama streaming on Netflix, set the bar high with its picture-perfect first episode. Can “Start-Up” Episode 2 live up to expectations?

I’m happy to say that “Start-Up” Episode 2 is just as charming and well-written as the first episode. Even if Seo Dal Mi, the main character played by Bae Suzy, does learn that some things are too good to be true. Spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen the episode.

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Entertainment

‘Start-Up’: Strong start as K-drama takes on tech startups

"Start-Up" begins with one of the most beautiful, charming, and heartbreaking first episodes I have ever seen. Image credit: tvN
Image credit: tvN

“I would have grieved over fallen flowers rather than enjoying the flowers in bloom.” The K-drama “Start-Up” begins with one of the most beautiful, charming, and heartbreaking first episodes I have ever seen.

From opening scene to the last one, this masterful episode reels you in and never lets go. “Start-Up” begins and ends with the wonders of technology, as befits a TV drama tackling the world of tech startups. But at its heart are very human stories about the sacrifices we make and the price we pay in pursuit of our dreams — and the relationships that keep us going.

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Gaming

Booyah Day: Ready to celebrate with Free Fire, KSHMR?

While getting ready for Booyah Day on Oct. 25, Free Fire players can check out the music video for the collaboration song with KSHMR, “One More Round (Free Fire Booyah Day Theme Song)”.

Spinnin’ Records pioneering DJ and music producer KSHMR, whose real name is ​Niles Hollowell-Dhar, is Free Fire’s new brand ambassador.​ The music video features three strangers living their everyday lives and feeling discontented. KSHMR then appears on their phone screens and invites them to join his latest mission.

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Entertainment, Geek Culture

Gong Yoo protects Park Bo Gum in 1st ‘Seo Bok’ trailer

What happens when you put Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum together in one movie? Watch the first trailer for their sci-fi film "SEOBOK" to find out. Image credit: HanCinema
Image credit: HanCinema

What happens when you put Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum together in one movie? Watch the first trailer for their upcoming science fiction film “Seo Bok” to find out.

Park Bo Gum plays the titular character Seo Bok, who is the world’s first human clone. Meanwhile, Gong Yoo portrays Ki Heon, a former intelligence agent who comes across this incredible breakthrough — and who must then protect Seo Bok when all hell breaks loose.

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Technology

HealthFlex from Manulife offers customizable plan

COVID-19 has accelerated trends already in place, notably digitization in lifestyle. Many Filipinos have adopted new habits around a healthier lifestyle, greater use of digital technology, and financial preparedness. In line with this, Manulife Philippines has launched HealthFlex, an innovative and accessible life and health insurance solution.

According to Manulife’s recent study “Understanding Filipino Sentiments Toward Health and Critical Illness,” the new habits of Filipinos are geared towards healthier living and increased reliance on e-commerce, online, and digital services. Moreover, 77 percent of Filipinos have expressed their intent to buy insurance in the next 18 months, signaling increased awareness about health and critical illness, and the desire to be financially prepared for them.

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Technology

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE makes colorful debut in PH

The newly launched Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is available in the Philippines starting today through the Samsung online store and authorized merchants.

“We are excited for our customers to get their hands on the Galaxy S20 FE. Users can now explore further their hobbies and passions while enjoying the features they loved in the Galaxy S20,” said Samsung Philippines Business Unit Head of IT and Mobile Jerry Mañus in a press statement.

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Geek Culture

Sumire Ojisan wows at Chinese martial arts festival

Sumire Ojisan performed martial arts for the first time in public when the cosplayer took part in the 13th Aozora Wushu Taigokuken Festival. Image credit: Acetia Co., Ltd.
Image credit: Acetia Co., Ltd.

Popular Japanese cosplayer Sumire Ojisan performed martial arts in public for the first time when she participated in the 13th Aozora Wushu Taigokuken Festival.

Seitenkyu Temple in Saitama Prefecture was the venue for this Chinese martial arts festival on Oct. 18. Sumire Ojisan, who also uses the names Purple Flower and Violet Sumire, started training a year ago. Apart from her skill in stick technique and stick turning, her cute costume delighted the audience.

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A Life Less Analog, Entertainment

Asia is the revolution, and Filipinos should embrace it

Technology column header

Asia is the revolution. Nowadays it’s most obvious in the music industry. As an Asian and a K-pop fan, I’m so happy and proud that K-pop has truly become global. That the biggest girl group in the world, BLACKPINK, and the biggest boy band in the world, BTS, are conquering the West.

This is all part of a cultural shift. Asia is not just a consumer of Western pop culture. Asia is creating global pop culture, and this is just the beginning. I’m looking forward to other Asian countries dominating global pop culture as well. In fact, even before the hallyu or Korean wave, Japan basically defined geek culture. Every otaku is grateful to Japan for blessing the world with manga, anime, video games, and cosplay. Japan even uses the Cool Japan (Kūru Japan) strategy as a form of soft power, just as South Korea does with hallyu.

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