3:30 p.m. December 12, 2024

AMID the increasing social media activity of young Filipinos, leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has launched an advocacy campaign that advances digital literacy and privacy awareness among school children.

Through its Corporate Governance and Data Privacy (CGDP) Group, Converge introduced its Project PIGLET (Privacy Integration through Guided Learning of Emerging Technologies), which intends to educate learners on the importance of protecting their personal information online. 

To kickstart the initiative, Converge tied up with its neighboring primary school Francisco Legaspi Memorial School (FLMS) in Pasig to engage its pupils in Grades 2 to 6 in a child-friendly discussion on digital literacy and responsible online behavior. 

“The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about the potential risks in the internet since children nowadays are already given access to gadgets and social media. We believe it is essential to start educating kids to be more vigilant from an early age, both at home and in school, to help them avoid falling victim to these threats,” said Converge SVP and Corporate Compliance and Data Protection Officer Atty. Laurice Esteban-Tuason. 

During the launch, Converge hosted a storytelling session for the pupils, along with their parents and teachers. Integrating a child-friendly spin on the topic, the story follows the adventures of the ‘Astro Kids’ in the ‘Internet Universe,’ where they encounter deceptive monsters, feigning friendliness, tricking them to share their personal information like their full name, birthday, address, and contact information.

With the help of Captain Conrad, the Astro Kids successfully defeated the monsters in the story, guiding the participants to be cautious and not to easily trust individuals who seem overly friendly in cyberspace. Additionally, the students were encouraged to inform their parents or teachers about such incidents of potential identity theft, fraudulent schemes, and misinformation.

“The technology is constantly evolving, and our call is for all of us to be aware and vigilant as we navigate all these. We hope that the lesson we impart through this program is a step to a safer online and digital experience for all of us,” added Esteban-Tuason.

Next year, Converge plans to explore other approaches to engage students at other academic levels and visit more schools throughout the country to spread the campaign. 

Converge has been actively striving to help foster safe and secure online spaces for Filipinos. In 2022, Converge collaborated with UK-based child abuse watchdog Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to combat the distribution of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

Additionally, Converge partnered with the Stairway Foundation last year to raise awareness about ways to safeguard kids against online sexual abuse and exploitation.

Moreover, ensuring that its network won’t be used for criminal activities, the company also blocked almost 12 billion entry attempts to illicit and harmful web addresses as of end-2023. 

6:30 a.m. November 30, 2024

Xiaomi’s latest lineup of fitness wearables make health and wellness tracking super stylish and functional

Whether you’re living an active life or not, you shouldn’t underestimate the benefits of tracking your health and exercise. Keeping tabs on your fitness and wellness is easier than ever through the smart devices we own — and now that fitness wearables are more accessible than they were before, there’s nothing stopping you from your best and healthiest life.

But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to think about which fitness wearable you’re going to go for. Fortunately, Xiaomi’s latest lineup of smart wearables narrow down the best choices for you, no matter your fitness level and budget.

1. For the starter: Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active

Looking to get your first wearable but want to dip your toes before going all out? Try the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active, the entry-level option in the Smart Band 9 series.

It’s got a 1.47-inch display on a light 9.9-mm body, and keeps track of 50 different sports modes for 18 days on a full charge. It’s water-resistant up to five meters, which means you can also take it on your swim. Personalize it with colorful straps and over 100 customizable digital watch faces, making it uniquely yours.

Get the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop for only P1,199 and at authorized offline stores starting November 30.

2.                   For the casual: Xiaomi Smart Band 9

If you’re already using a wearable and want some more functionality on a bigger budget, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 is a great choice to try.

The Smart Band 9 goes up to a stunning 1.62-inch AMOLED display also on a thin 9.9-mm body, and goes up to over 150 sports modes on a battery that goes longer at 21 days on a full charge. It can also monitor more vitals, including your heart rate, SpO2, stress, and your sleep quality, allowing for more insight into your health.

Get the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 on Lazada and at authorized offline stores for only P1,879.

3.                   For the enthusiast: Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro

Want to take your monitoring and tracking to a whole new level? The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro is the top-of-the-line in the Smart Band 9 series, offering the most features and functionality for power users.

The Smart Band 9 Pro has a beautiful 1.74-inch narrow-edge quadrilateral display resting on a high-quality metal frame with new straps. Along with the features in the Smart Band 9, the Smart Band 9 Pro also has professional workout analysis that personally guides you in doing your exercises and making the most out of your active life. Staying healthy has never been easier and more stylish.

Get the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro on Lazada and Shopee for only P3,799 and at authorized offline stores starting November 30.

4.                   For the super-stylish: Xiaomi Watch 2

You might need the tracking and monitoring functionality of a fitness wearable, but maybe you still want the piece on your wrist to look like a traditional watch. That’s where the Xiaomi Watch 2 comes in.

The Xiaomi Watch 2 is the ultimate lifestyle wearable, with a classic-looking 1.43-inch round AMOLED display. The water-resistant (up to five meters) watch has a wide array of sensors, from its 161 sports modes to health trackers to even environmental sensors that can tell you temperature, humidity, and direction. The Xiaomi Watch 2 can last up to 65 hours on a single full charge, and you can make it uniquely your own with over 200 customizable watch faces and colorful strap options.

If you want to go all-out in choosing a wearable, you can’t go wrong with the Xiaomi Watch 2.

Get the Xiaomi Watch 2 with a free three-month Spotify subscription on Lazada for P8,499 and Shopee for P7,599, and at authorized offline stores.

So if you’re looking for your first or your next fitness wearable, your best bet is with Xiaomi’s lineup!

To learn more about Xiaomi’s smart wearables, visit the official website at http://mi.com/ph. 

10:20 p.m. November 15, 2024

Enduring everyday life requires Filipinos to have a mobile device that can be their reliable companion to take on any challenge that arises.

The OPPO A3, OPPO’s strongest A Series device yet, stands out for its durability and reliability, making it a perfect companion for Filipinos in all conditions.

Embodying the #OPPOLangSakalam reputation, the OPPO A3 has been proven and tested to endure accidental falls.

If you’re always on the go, whether for work or school, it’s possible that your phone might take a tumble here and there. Smartphones can get damaged when such situations occur but with the OPPO A3 by your side, you can continue with your day with its ability to still function perfectly without any problems in case it accidentally slips out of your hands or pockets.

Carrying the durability standards of the OPPO A Series, the OPPO A3 passed the Military-Grade Shock Resistance (MIL-STD 810H), putting users’ minds to ease if ever these circumstances come about.

During several tests to see its durability, including a test from a height of 1.2 meters in different angles, the OPPO A3 showed no functional damage after going through it 26 times. When dropped on a marble tile face down from a height of 0.3 meters for 100 times, the device also didn’t show any function issues.

Apart from passing the Military-Grade testing, the OPPO A3 also acquired the SGS Certification for its strong build, which adds peace of mind to users. After being stepped on for 100 times during another test, the phone showed no signs of functional damage.

Face your battles boldly with the OPPO A3

The OPPO A3’s Military-Grade Shock Resistance and SGS Certification proves its durability and reliability, making it the perfect smartphone for everyone. What’s more, the OPPO A3 also comes in multiple variants and stylish colorways, offering users options that will fit their needs.

• The OPPO A3 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM variant is priced at Php 8,999, available in Starry Purple and Sparkle Black.
• The OPPO A3 8GB ROM and 128GB RAM is priced at PHP 9,999 while the OPPOA3 8GB ROM and 256GB RAM is priced at PHP 11,999 available in Starlight White and Sparkle Black.

Get a hold of the OPPO A3 in all OPPO stores nationwide and online via OPPO’s e-commerce platforms on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

For more information on the OPPO A3, visit OPPO’s official website at www.oppo.com/ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page.