VIVO V3Max Now in the Philippines

Android phones are out in the market but not everyone appreciates it. Being an iPhone user for years, I've been able to only experience a few Android phones that would sufficiently work as good as the nice ones I tried over the years. Right now, I've been able to use 2 brands that does the job. The first one is the Honor 6 from Huawei and the other is from ASUS (Zenfone 2 Laser 5.5 and 6 inch versions, the Zenfone Max too). The good thing is, they're very affordable and powerful as well. Just last week, we were able to take a look at the VIVO V3 MAX which is a medium range phone coming from new player Vivo.

Aesthetically it looks pretty good. I like the actual metal casing, plus the placement of function keys. The phone itself has 4GB RAM, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 Octacore 1.8 GHz processor. If you look at the photo I took of it's back, that is their fingerprint sensor. You can unlock your phone fast at 0.5 seconds with it. Their camera also focuses VERY fast at 0.2 seconds. 

It also uses Smart Split Screen so you can answer messages while you're watching Youtube videos or movies. Their proprietary FunTouch OS 2.5 looks very easy to manage and very easy to set up. I would like to further test that in real life if they may lend me a phone soon. Hardware wise, they've combined a really powerful set and if my hunch is right that's where most of the cost is going. The phone also charges fast and may last all throughout the day depending on how you use the 3000 mAh battery. Storage is also expandable to 128GB so you may have that extended. You may order this starting May 16, this also costs Php 16,990.

Here's what happened during the launch. Enjoy this video!

Vivo Philippines launched the faster than faster V3Max smartphone in Makati Shangri-La last May 16, 2016. In photo from L-R: Albert Zhou, Funtouch OS Product Director; Annie Lim, Vivo Philippines Brand Director; Hazel Bascon, Vivo Philippines Vice President; Ted Xiong, Vivo Philippines CEO; and Lindsay Guan, Vivo Philippines Trade Marketing Director

Congratulations to Vivo Philippines! Your launch is great news for those looking for something powerful in the mid range category.

For more information about their phones:

VIVO Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.vivoglobal.com/

A 20 Peso Photo from Great Image Plus Their New Promo!

I love my Mom! I'm sure you do too!

Well here's the thing, I'm sure you've heard of the photo studio called Great Image. It's the one usually seen in malls and big establishments and I've tried their services a couple of months ago for my Mom too. They recently launched a promo that hastens to make your relationship with your Mom even better. They're also throwing in a huge amount of cash to make that treat with your Mommy grander. Here's how you can join!

Step 1: Go online first then register on this website www.greatimage.com.ph/meetmynanay. You'll be sent an email about this promo so make sure to use your correct email address. 


Step 2: Please print a copy of the email then visit any Great Image studio. You will get a complete portrait session, a 3R photo with it's soft copy. You only have to pay 20 pesos! This isn't a joke!

Step 3: Take your phone and take a shot of your 3R photo which you printed out on Step 2. Upload the photo on Great Image's Facebook page and share your Mom’s story. Tip: Start with telling the story of how great your Mom is!

Step 4: Tag the official Instagram account of Great Image at @greatimageph and use the hashtag ‪#‎MeetMyNanay. After posting, you will get the chance to win these prizes:

THE GRAND PRIZE - Php 10,000 plus Great Image Gift Certificates worth Php 3,000

2ND Prize - Php 5,000 plus Great Image Gift Certificates worth Php 2,000

3RD Prize - Php 3,000 plus Great Image Gift Certificates worth Php 1,000

Plust 7 CONSOLATION Prizes to win Great Image Gift Certificates worth Php 500.00

So go head on to that website and start shooting and sharing your Mom's story so you could win these prizes! I might try it too probably this weekend!

For more information about their services:

Great Image

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.greatimage.com.ph

SM Employees Continue to Reach More Communities

There's a saying that goes "If you choose your passion, you never have to work a day in your life!". Those words actually come close to my personal journey. This is also true for some of our friends from SM. You see, they've been doing a lot of things in the shadows and they've won several internal and external awards through their CSR arm SM Cares. I personally witnessed this when they helped a foundation that serves persons that are differently abled, the deaf and mute. They have some really good employees, they also help children, the elderly and less privileged communities.

It's quite nice to see private corporations insert these things on their employee relationships. It gets the ordinary people a chance to help those in need and make them better versions of themselves. Mr. Kevin Bonifacio who is a Resident Engineer of SM City Tarlac says "I really love participating in activities like these with my colleagues. Through the Adopt a Daycare Program of SM, we were able to take time off our busy schedules and participate in a worthwhile program that can make us feel better. It also reminds me of when I was a kid, where the simplest gift and show of concern for someone can already bring me genuine happiness. We also get motivated and get the needed morale boost so we can work efficiently the next day when we go back to the four corners of our office. That to me is priceless!"

Michael Uy, one of SM's Mall Managers says that the experience is quite humbling. Being a volunteer at SM North EDSA’s Brigada Eskwela, he was able to be a part of the team that helped repair damaged classroom furniture and repaint walls of a public school near their area. He adds “It inspires us to work harder. The most fun part is the teamwork that all volunteers had during the whole activity!”. Having a mall in different parts of the Philippines has not only proven to have benefited the economy but bring a different change in the community. They've been doing this for quite some time now and it has really brought out the best in their employees, to have the chance to help a brethren in need. That feeling of volunteerism brings pride, makes the employees be more positive in the office and in turn make them more productive even if it's outside their office. That's about 2,500 of their workforce, and they've never been happier. 

I wish I could do the same in my community. I really appreciate it when they take their time and help other people, we all should do that! 

For more information about their cause:

SM CARES

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Visit their official website

http://www.smcares.com.ph/

Rest, Good Food and Fun at Azalea Residences in Baguio City

I think this is only my 5th time in Baguio City and I feel it's not the same when I don't stay in Azalea Residences. I've already figured out that this is my home when I'm here. The place is clean, secluded but still right in the middle of where the action is. This summer, I didn't really get to go out that much because of family matters, so when the opportunity to go here with blogger friends arrived, I pounced on it like a hungry tiger who's been on a diet for 8 years. 

I'm keen on actually relaxing this week so I could get that little rest and recreation that I've been longing for all summer. It's almost La Niña season as PAGASA predicts so I might as well do this without the torrential rains in the midst. It's still hot in Quezon City so I braved out sitting 6 hours so I could get fresh air and perhaps some good lovin in Baguio City. First off, I'd like to give kudos to the people maintaining the hotel as they've kept the place spick and span. The rooms must have been renovated, and the front desk offices must have been reconfigured because I could see a lot of new things when I went to check in. They've got Azalea Vacation Club too of which I've been told that you'll get a lifetime 50% off on room rates here and in Boracay. They also have free nights every year if you avail of it too. You may ask the people manning those tables if you're around the area. I think that needs a little research soon!

Then off we go to TRADISYON for lunch. I've been here before so I'm raring to have my fix of Filipino comfort food, and I think that's what we got!

The in house restaurant isn't that expensive too as most of the ala carte dishes are to share. We had Pork Binagoongan, a mix of Chorizo and Tripe, the lovely Pinakbet (which I loved!) plus freshly grilled stuffed squid. They clearly weren't joking about the Filipino comfort food part on their namesake. They also have buffet promos happening on weekdays and weekends so try to check their Facebook page for details on that. Then get your money's worth!

We gave ourselves a few hours of rest, then woke up to go to Cafe Yagam. The cafe is quite close to Azalea and is easily found on Google Maps. The establishment is known for their high altitude arabica coffee that's heavily demanded outside the country. If you're there for food, try the home grown Cordillera food they have on the menu. Then have the rice cakes and the famous coffee. I'm telling you, it's all worth the journey there.

I highly suggest you also ask about the rice cake with coconut cream as it is heavenly. They also have Pesto Sandwiches if you're up for something filling. You can also watch the whole community do this process of doing manual, quality assurance as they discard coffee beans that don't pass their standards. It was endearing to see them do this seriously as there are a lot of people, their families, that earn a living off of it. A visit to the place would also help the locals maintain something that would show part of their lives that could be greatly appreciated by tourists, local or otherwise. Then we prepared to shop since there's a UK night market near Burnham Park and Session Road, something I enjoyed most!

Here's a video I made of our day in Baguio. It was quite a remarkable trip to the north and I'm so glad I did it with blogger friends! I think we connected on different levels, it was lovely!

Here's our second day adventures at Bencab Museum

Day 3 includes a cafe, plus our Treetop Adventures in Camp John Hay!



Thank you so much to Azalea Residences for being my home in Baguio City. I couldn't tell you how much I enjoyed everything, I'll be uploading the interview I also did with the cafe owner very soon so stay tuned for that!

Update, we've got the owner of the cafe interviewed on this video. I learned a lot in those few minutes just talking to her!

Til the next Azalea Residences visit! :)

For more information about their hotel:

Azalea Residences Baguio City

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.azaleabaguio.com/