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TECHNOLOGY

Tonik builds on Google Cloud to accelerate financial inclusion, open banking innovation in PH

January 12, 2022 1:11 p.m.

SINGAPORE – Tonik Digital Bank (“Tonik”), the Philippines’ first digital-only neobank, is tapping Google Cloud’s advanced platform to accelerate financial inclusion for all Filipinos.

Leveraging Google Cloud’s expertise in scalable infrastructure, application programming interface (API) management, machine learning (ML) and data analytics, the bank has taken just 10 months to become an established leader in open banking innovation and delivering next-generation financial services.

  Tonik, which is part of Singapore-headquartered fintech firm Tonik Financial Pte. Ltd., was launched in March 2021 after obtaining an initial rural bank license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Its digital platform provides core services like deposits with interest rates of up to six percent per annum.

There are also unique features for customers to create separate pockets of savings to meet specific goals over time called “Stashes,” such as affording a vacation, a college education, or accumulating an emergency fund.

“Fewer overheads from being branchless allows us to offer industry-leading interest rates that enhance Filipinos’ financial wellness, but our value proposition cannot be solely driven by lower costs. We have had to first earn the trust of consumers by investing heavily in a superior customer experience,” said Greg Krasnov, Founder and CEO, Tonik. “Google Cloud has enabled us to deliver frictionless and customer-centric services that allow Filipinos to easily embrace the financial system. This collaboration – having played an integral role in Tonik being entrusted with more than US$100 million in consumer deposits to date – will empower us to continue expanding our product portfolio and drive real societal impact across the region.”

Secure APIs Open Up New Possibilities for Consumers and Developers

  With the BSP requiring banks to conduct due diligence by verifying each customer’s identity to prevent fraud and money laundering, applying for an account traditionally involves individuals having to first visit a physical branch to present valid government-issued identification (ID) to an officer.

This makes it difficult for millions of Filipinos to open accounts or make deposits. Unlike urban cities that have bank branches or ATMs at every corner, the people in rural Philippines – who account for 52.6 percent of the total population[1] – must travel long distances and arrive before the branch closes.

  By using Google Cloud’s Apigee API Management platform to build and scale open banking APIs, Tonik could quickly integrate its mobile application with capabilities from third-party providers to make account opening and cash deposits fast, seamless and convenient.

To help Filipinos set up accounts in under five minutes – instead of hours or days, Tonik interoperates with Daon, its partner for automated customer onboarding and biometric authentication.

The process starts with Tonik asking the customer for a selfie and a scanned copy of their ID. Tonik extracts text from these images through Google Cloud’s optical character recognition (OCR) APIs and shares the information with Daon through another trusted API.

Daon then cross-checks the customer’s identity against official sources that issued the ID. This complex data flow is invisible to the user, who only needs to download the Tonik mobile application, verify their identity for account opening, and start banking.

Using APIs, Tonik also exchanges data securely with authorized ecosystem partners like 7-Eleven convenience stores and pawn shops to capture transactions in real-time. When a user makes a deposit at a 7-Eleven, which are readily available across the Philippines, they would see the completed transaction on their Tonik application and start earning interest immediately.

 “Interoperability is core to our business strategy and everything on our digital banking application is therefore API-driven,” said Arivuvel Ramu, Chief Technology Officer, Tonik. “As our architectural foundation, Google Cloud’s industry-leading Apigee API Management platform allows us to unlock new digital channels, expand our business model, and generate new revenue streams. While APIs are not new to conventional banks, they tend to be private APIs tailored for a specific partner, which means third parties cannot reuse that API. In line with our commitment toward supporting broader ecosystem innovation, we have taken the private APIs that we have developed and converted them into public APIs.”

 Third-party developers who want to create new features or services for Tonik’s ecosystem of partners and users can now reuse its public APIs to do so expeditiously. Apigee also provides a sandbox environment for developers to test and refine what they have created. Issues that would cause downtime can then be identified and rectified before the feature or service is authorized and rolled out to its intended users.

  “Customers trust us with sensitive information like demographic and transaction data. As a custodian of data and a facilitator of open banking innovation, it is imperative that we uphold the highest standards of consent management and API security. By capturing and managing customer consent on what data we are permitted to share with authorized third parties, Apigee ensures that we comply with stringent regulatory requirements like PSD2. Apigee simultaneously secures our APIs to avoid data breaches by malicious users,” said Ramu.

  Pooling Insights to Deliver Financial Wellness and Hyper Personalized Customer Experiences

  Tonik currently serves more than 190,000 customers. To further advance financial inclusion and achieve its target of growing its active customer base to a million users by December 2022, the bank has built an intelligent data lake using Cloud Storage on Google Cloud and BigQuery to provide hyper personalized customer experiences and help many Filipinos access loans for the first time.  With data generated from every event along the customer journey and residing across systems, connecting datasets and analyzing them manually is an uphill task. A cloud-based contact center software, for example, captures customer interactions and feedback across channels, while a core banking system captures deposits and withdrawals.

  By unifying data across systems and applying machine learning, Tonik can, for instance, implement quick and accurate alternative credit scoring methods. This enables it to serve individuals who have not formally engaged with financial institutions in the past, have no credit histories, and do not qualify for traditional bank loans as a result. Tonik has recently pioneered a consumer lending product called “Quick Loan” without the need for credit histories or collateral, followed by approvals within 30 minutes and real-time disbursement.

  “To drive financial inclusion and transcend physical distance, pivoting to digital-first business models and customer interactions are now a necessity,” said Ruma Balasubramanian, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Google Cloud. “Tonik, through its mature API- and data-led strategy, is creating an open finance ecosystem that will accrue richer digital user experiences and flexibility for players to securely share and maximize digital assets – with Filipinos the ultimate beneficiaries. Google Cloud is proud to be a part of Tonik’s innovation journey. We look forward to supporting the bank’s continuous commitment toward serving the Philippines’ unbanked and underbanked, while it scales for growth and empowers the region’s fintech developer community.”

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TECHNOLOGY

Pre-order vivo V50 Lite until April 25 to enjoy exclusive perks

1:30 p.m. April 18, 2025

There’s a new must-have phone in town and it’s Maine Mendoza-approved. Meet the all-new vivo V50 Lite with features that are perfect for go-getters, creatives, and trendsetters.

Whether you’re a heavy user or someone who’s always on the go like Maine, the massive 6500mAh BlueVolt battery will keep you powered all day. And when it’s finally time to recharge, vivo’s 90W FlashCharge ensures you’re back to full power in a flash. It’s no wonder this is Maine’s latest favorite!

But the vivo V50 Lite isn’t just about battery life. It’s built to impress from the inside out.

What makes the vivo V50 Lite a game-changer?

  • SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance – Engineered for durability so you can stay worry-free even during accidental drops.
  • IP65 Dust and Water Resistance – Ready for unpredictable weather and everyday mishaps.
  • 60-Month Smooth Experience – Enjoy reliable performance that lasts for five years.
  • AI SuperLink – Stay connected even in weak signal areas with this smart, always-on connectivity solution.
  • 50MP Sony IMX882 Camera with Aura Light – Capture vibrant, clear, and well-lit photos even in low light.
  • 120Hz Ultra Vision AMOLED Display – See and scroll with incredible clarity and smoothness.
  • Dual Stereo Speakers with up to 400% Volume – Experience rich, immersive audio whether you’re watching or listening.

Choose the right vibe for you

The vivo V50 Lite comes in three powerful variants to match your lifestyle:

  • 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM (4G) – Php 13,999
  • 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM (5G) – Php 16,999
  • 12GB RAM + 512GB ROM (5G) – Php 19,999

Until April 25, vivo fans who pre-order the V50 Lite will enjoy exclusive perks:

  • Php 1,000 Off
  • Limited Edition vivo Buds
  • vivo VIP Card with 5-year battery warranty and 6 months extended warranty

Visit any vivo store nationwide and secure your vivo V50 Lite today. Don’t miss out as this is your chance to own the phone that’s not only smart and stylish, but also Maine Mendoza’s top pick for 2025.

The vivo V50 Lite: power meets beauty. Pre-order yours now!

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TECHNOLOGY

Samsung unveils epic screens for the ultimate gaming experience

5:19 p.m. April 8, 2025

As the Philippine gaming community continues expanding rapidly, the urge for top-tier gaming displays has never been greater. Samsung stands at the forefront, unlocking a new phase of gaming for Filipinos through its Odyssey lineup that is set to take users beyond reality.

Samsung’s gaming monitors deliver unparalleled speed, precision, and immersion from the revolutionary glasses-free Odyssey 3D to the ultrawide Odyssey G9 and the industry-first 4K, 240Hz OLED G8. 

A New Dimension in Gaming with the Odyssey 3D

The 27-inch Odyssey 3D (G90XF model) monitor introduces a next-level 3D experience, without the need for special glasses. By combining advanced eye-tracking with a lenticular lens, it delivers vibrant, lifelike 3D visuals through Samsung’s Reality Hub app. 

Samsung has collaborated with top developers like Nexon (The First Berserker: Khazan) and Neowiz (Lies of P, Overture DLC) to ensure seamless 3D optimization. The built-in AI-powered 3D conversion enhances both gaming and video content, supported by a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms Gray-to-Gray (GtG) response time for fluid, responsive performance on its 4K screen. AMD FreeSync™ Premium and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility eliminate choppiness and lag, even during fast-paced action.

For deeper immersion, Edge Lighting adapts to in-game visuals, illuminating the gaming space with synchronized ambient colors that amplify the 3D visuals and bring game environments to life. 

Stunning OLED Brilliance with the Odyssey OLED G8

Available in 27” and 32”, the Odyssey OLED G8 sets a new standard for gaming displays. It features the industry’s highest pixel density for a 27” display, paired with the world’s first 4K resolution monitor with 240Hz refresh rate, delivering unmatched fluidity and responsiveness. 

Its quantum dot technology and VESA DisplayHDR™ TrueBlack 400 ensure vivid colors and deep contrasts. Built for long-term durability, it features dynamic Cooling Safety and Samsung OLED Safeguard+ to prevent burn-in and ensure prolonged performance. 

Other standout features include AI image upscaling, customizable Core Lighting+, and a sleek metal design, making this monitor as stylish as it is functional. Glare-free technology, certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), reduces screen reflections, while the AI processor optimizes lower-resolution content for the full 4K experience.

Expanding Horizons with the Odyssey G9

With its expansive 49” Dual QHD curved display and Picture-in-Picture features, the Odyssey G9 (G91F model) is ideal for immersive gameplay and multitasking. The HDR10+ GAMING supports optimized brightness and color range for a dynamic picture. A 144Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro guarantee smooth, vibrant gameplay. The Odyssey G9 also streamlines gaming access with Auto Source Switch+, automatically detecting connected devices and displaying them as soon as they are powered on, making gaming setups more effortless.

Unleash Victory with your Next Phase of Gaming

The advanced features and seamless connectivity ensure Filipino gamers stay ahead in the rapidly evolving gaming landscape. Each movement is presented with accuracy, giving players a clear competitive advantage, because when it comes to gaming, second best is never an option.

Pre-order Samsung’s Odyssey monitors until April 19, 2025 and enjoy exclusive discounts and perks. Early bird customers receive PHP 3,000 worth of e-vouchers, along with special deals such as up to Php 27,600 on the 32” Odyssey OLED G8,  Php 19,800 off on the 49” Odyssey G9, and Php 45,850 off on the 27” Odyssey 3D. Elevate your gaming setup and seize the victory you’ve been striving for.

To know more about Samsung’s latest gaming technology, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/monitors/odyssey-gaming-monitor/.

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TECHNOLOGY

DigiPlus bags 7 wins at 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards

3:56 p.m. April 4, 2025

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the pioneer in digital sports and entertainment in the Philippines and the company behind leading gaming brands such as BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, won seven honors –  including five coveted gold awards – at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards. 

This milestone places DigiPlus among the most awarded companies in the region this year, spotlighting its strategic growth and transformative impact across digital entertainment, social development, and investor relations. 

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program that recognizes innovation across all 29 markets in the region. Widely regarded as the world’s premier business awards, the Stevie Awards represent a prestigious recognition of business excellence. 

DigiPlus bagged five Gold Stevies for ‘Innovative Achievement in Growth’, ‘Innovation in Investor Relations’, ‘Excellence in Social Impact Companies’, ‘Innovation in Annual Reports’, and ‘Innovation in Corporate Websites’. The company also clinched Silver and Bronze Stevies for ‘Achievement in Product Innovation’ and ‘Innovation in Brand Renovation’ respectively. 

At the core of these wins is DigiPlus’ commitment to innovation and digital transformation. From redefining the player experience through localized and immersive content, to launching a refreshed brand identity that resonates with a more connected and tech-savvy user base, DigiPlus has embraced a future-forward mindset. The company’s calculated investments in big data, cutting-edge technologies, and stakeholder engagement have not only fueled business growth, but also opened inclusive pathways to digital participation through its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation. 

“This momentous victory at the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards affirms DigiPlus’ emergence as a true powerhouse of innovation and progress, reshaping industry boundaries and redefining digital consumer engagement on a global scale,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco. “Through consistent growth and business performance, DigiPlus reaffirms its unwavering commitment to creating long-term value.”

Winning entries in the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards undergo a rigorous, multi-layered evaluation by an esteemed panel of judges composed of business and industry leaders across the region. “The 12th Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards received an impressive array of outstanding entries,” said Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards. “This year’s winners have clearly shown their dedication to innovation, and we commend their resilience and imaginative efforts.”

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