Tuesday, November 5, 2024
November 4, 2024, HONG KONG — Guangdong OPPO Mobile Telecommunications Corp., Ltd. (OPPO) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held a signing ceremony to further deepen their collaboration based on the agreement signed in 2022, contributing to the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). According to the renewal agreement, OPPO will collaborate with PolyU to increase funding and technology investment, upgrading the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Research Centre”, which marks a new chapter in the comprehensive partnership in AI imaging technology.
OPPO signed a collaborative framework agreement with PolyU
The signing ceremony took place last Friday (1 November) at the PolyU campus, witnessed by Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Mr Jason LIAO, President of OPPO Research Institute. The agreement was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Mr Zheng QIN, Head of Industry-Academia Affairs of OPPO. Under the framework of the agreement, the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab” will be upgraded to the “Joint Innovation Research Centre.” Additionally, OPPO will provide no less than RMB 30 million over the next five years to expand the scale of co-trained PhD and postdoctoral researchers, promoting technical development and exploration in imaging algorithms while further deepening the collaborative efforts between OPPO and PolyU in AI imaging technology.
“In the three years of collaboration between OPPO and PolyU, we have witnessed significant technological breakthroughs and notable achievements in talent cultivation through the Joint Lab,” said Jason LIAO. “Adhering to our mission of ‘Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World’, OPPO is dedicated to deepening the integration of academia-industry cooperation in the field of AI through this renewal, bringing more innovative intelligent imaging experiences to global users.”
Prof. TENG remarked, “To address the opportunities and challenges of the AI era, PolyU will officially establish the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences in January 2025. This is an important move to implement the University’s innovation development strategy, aiming to meet growing technological needs and support talent nurturing. The Department of Computing, which houses the Joint Innovation Research Centre will also join the new faculty. The new structure will effectively promote in-depth exchanges and collaboration among research teams, and create more impactful outcomes. We believe that this in-depth cooperation with OPPO will enable us to fully seize opportunities and actively promote technological innovation and knowledge transfer.”
The signing ceremony for the collaborative framework agreement took place at the PolyU campus.
In 2022, to promote in-depth cooperation in GBA, OPPO and PolyU signed an agreement to establish the “PolyU-OPPO Joint Innovation Lab.” Within just three years, the Joint Lab has achieved a series of innovative milestones, successfully developing and implementing various leading imaging algorithms: the AI super-resolution technology has been applied to multiple OPPO products, significantly enhancing the image quality of telephoto photography; the deployment of HDR imaging algorithms enables users to capture high-quality photos under different lighting conditions, greatly enhancing the photography experience.
Furthermore, the Joint Lab has actively explored cutting-edge technologies, including image restoration and detail enhancement based on generative models, as well as interactive image and video editing technologies. These efforts have improved the quality and stability of image generation and provide more possibilities for image and video post-processing. Additionally, the Joint Lab has made significant strides in talent cultivation, nurturing several PhD and postdoctoral researchers who are actively contributing to OPPO’s AI imaging technology, providing a strong driving force for continuous technological innovation.
The evolving collaboration between OPPO and PolyU will propel the further development of AI imaging technology, providing new momentum for technological innovation and talent development in the GBA. Looking ahead, both parties will continue to strengthen the academia-industry cooperation, fully exploring and promoting innovative applications of AI imaging technology.
Mark your calendars—HONOR X7c makes its grand debut on November 6, 3 PM!
Manila, Philippines, November 5, 2024 – We heard you HONOR fans! The all-new All-Angle Water-Resistant HONOR X7c is finally diving in and splashing on November 6, 3 PM.
“From all the clamors and buzz we’ve been seeing online and news, we can’t keep our excitement to finally introduce this extra durable and all-angle water-resistant smartphone from HONOR to the public. Another innovative yet affordable device to uplift the lifestyle needs of Filipino consumers,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.
Extra Powerful and All-Angle Water-Resistant
The HONOR X7c’s IP64-rated design protects against dust and water splashes, ensuring durability in various conditions. Equipped with a long-lasting 6000mAh battery, it powers through up to 28.5 hours of streaming or 21.5 hours of YouTube playback, meeting modern user demands effortlessly.
With 256GB of internal storage for extensive data and photos, the HONOR X7c also features RAM Turbo Technology, delivering a seamless 16GB RAM experience (8GB physical + 8GB virtual) for superior performance.
Watch and Win All-New HONOR X7c
Catch the live launch tomorrow at exactly 3 PM on Facebook and have the chance to win a brand-new HONOR X7c: https://bit.ly/X7cLaunch_PR.
LIKE and FOLLOW HONOR Philippines Facebook Page.
Share the HONOR X7c Livestream on November 6
Add the official hashtags: #HONORX7c #AllAngleWaterResistant #HONORPH
Make sure that your FB profile is in public setting
For more updates, follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).
Check out HONOR’s wide array of products on www.honor.com/ph and shop at any HONOR Experience and Partner stores or online via Lazada (bit.ly/HONORPHLaz), Shopee (bit.ly/HONORPHShpe) and TikTok Shop (bit.ly/HONORPHTikTok).
[November 2024] - Popeyes Philippines, a global fast-food brand renowned for its Southern-style fried chicken and Cajun-inspired cuisine, has partnered with Paywatch to offer Earned Wage Access (EWA) as a new employee benefit. This initiative represents a new-generation approach to enhancing financial support for its workforce.
Popeyes returned to the Philippines in 2019 and has quickly expanded to over 50 outlets nationwide. With a focus on modernization and digital transformation, the company’s commitment to innovation extends to employee welfare. In an industry characterized by rapid growth and high employee turnover, Popeyes aims to improve workforce well-being with EWA—a program that enables employees to access a portion of their wages before payday. This service provides greater financial flexibility for daily expenses and emergencies, helping to reduce reliance on short-term loans.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency Amid Industry Growth
As the demand for convenience food continues to surge, the Philippines' quick service restaurant (QSR) market is projected to reach $7.9 billion by 2026, driven by the fast-paced lifestyle and evolving preferences of Filipino consumers, according to Allied Market Research.1 To keep up with this anticipated growth, Popeyes is investing in operational efficiency through a workforce empowered by financial stability. With EWA, employees can access a portion of their earnings before payday without incurring debt or hidden fees. This immediate financial support reduces financial stress, translating to improved attendance, higher retention rates, and significant cost savings on retraining and rehiring, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency.
"Retaining employees effectively helps our company avoid productivity setbacks. We believe that implementing EWA will enhance our employees’ well-being, leading to improved productivity and higher retention rates.," said Ed Kintanar, Chief Finance Officer of Popeyes Philippines. "Paywatch’s expertise makes them the ideal partner to help us introduce this innovative benefit."
Empowering Employees Through Financial Flexibility
Globally, Paywatch’s EWA solution has been adopted by leading brands, including well-known food service companies. By partnering with Paywatch, Popeyes Philippines demonstrates its leadership in employee welfare within the local QSR sector. The initiative not only aims to boost employee satisfaction but also to optimize business operations by fostering a more resilient and engaged workforce.
"Paywatch is committed to advancing financial wellness across diverse sectors, including food service and retail," said Rowell Del Fierro, President of Paywatch Philippines. "We are excited to see the positive impact that EWA will bring to both employees and businesses, knowing it can enhance financial well-being while also improving overall operations."
By implementing Paywatch’s EWA program, Popeyes is setting a new benchmark for employee care in the fast-moving QSR industry, ensuring that its team is not only financially secure but also highly motivated to deliver exceptional service.
For more information about Paywatch, please visit https://www.paywatchglobal.com/
Monday, November 4, 2024
Manila, Philippines — HUAWEI Philippines continues to drive health forward as it hosted a dance fitness class in partnership with slimming, health, fitness, and beauty giant, Slimmers World. The dance class, which took place last October 31 at HUAWEI Experience Store, SM North EDSA, also featured newly-launched HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series: The Perfect Fitness Companion
The latest edition of the HUAWEI WATCH GT Series is powered by the HUAWEI TruSense System and comes with tailored fitness features including the AI-powered Running Coach, enhanced trail running navigation, free diving support with water resistance of up to 40 meters, and an upgraded Golf Mode (Pro Version) feature with over 15,000 global course maps including over 100 course maps in the Philippines. The watch also tracks users’ daily movements with the Activity Rings feature and supports over 100 workout modes including “dance” along with other sports modes under the “custom” function. This feature tracks basic dance data including timing, heart rate, calories, and training stress. Various dances can be recorded in this feature, including Belly dance, Latin dance, Jazz, Ballet, Plaza dance, and more.
Aside from fitness features, watch wearers can monitor their heart health with Pulse Wave Arrhythmia Analysis capabilities as well as SpO2 and ECG monitoring. The advanced Sleep Breathing Awareness feature monitors users’ sleep quality and helps address issues such as Sleep Apnea. The watch now also comes with an Emotional Wellbeing Assistant, which tracks users’ emotional states and is complemented by the Pet Panda watch face that displays an animated panda reflecting users’ mood, offering a more holistic approach to personal wellness and management.
Slimmers World’s Dance Class with the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series
Guests were then invited to participate in a high-energy dance class led by Slimmers World instructors, Coach Karen Mallari and Coach Rochelle Eugenio. As a special perk, the first few participants to join the event were each loaned a smartwatch, allowing them a firsthand experience with the watch. The session had participants moving to the beat while keeping track of their performance and health metrics using the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series.
The dance class with Slimmers World is the first of several masterclasses and workshops offered by HUAWEI. In November, HUAWEI will offer a GoPaint Masterclass for participants who are interested to learn more about the painting app available exclusively on HUAWEI tablets.
Upgrade Your Fitness with the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series
Take your fitness journey to the next level with the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, now available on Shopee, Lazada, Tiktok, HUAWEI Online Store, and HUAWEI Experience Stores nationwide. Prices start at PHP 12,999 for the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 46mm with black fluoroelastomer strap and HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 41mm with blue fluoroelastomer strap. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 46mm with blue woven strap along with the HUAWEI WATCH 41mm in brown woven and white leather straps, are valued at PHP 13,999. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro 46mm with black fluoroelastomer strap is valued at PHP 17,999 while the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro 46mm with titanium strap is valued at PHP 24,999. The price for the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro 42mm with white fluoroelastomer strap is set at PHP 22,999 and at PHP 31,999 for the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro 42mm with white ceramic strap.
To learn more about the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series and to stay updated on the upcoming masterclasses and workshops from HUAWEI, visit Huawei’s official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).
Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. recently opened its third New Business Office (NBO) in Davao called the Grand Elm NBO.
Located at the heart of one of Davao’s bustling commercial centers, Cybergate Delta 2 along J.P. Laurel Avenue, the Grand Elm NBO is poised to serve the growing needs to Clients and advisors, while also strengthening the company’s presence in one of the fastest growing metropolitans in the country. It will have Branch Manager Don Silver Casumpang at the helm.
Sun Life has two other NBOs in Davao, including the Durian NBO, located in Magsaysay Avenue and Mangrove NBO in Matina.
“Sun Life has always been committed to helping Filipinos live brighter lives since 1895,” says Al Quitangon, Sun Life’s Chief Distribution Officer. “The opening of our third branch in Davao underscores our dedication and commitment to providing accessible financial solutions to more Clients and advisors around the country,” Quitangon concluded.
In addition to serving Clients, Grand Elm is also opening its doors to those who would like to explore a career as a Sun Life financial advisor, providing employment opportunities in the area. Those who are interested to apply may visiting the newly opened branch at Units 3, 4, and 5, G/F Cybergate Delta 2, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Agdao, Davao City, Davao Del Sur.
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SM Supermalls President Steven Tan has made waves in the international business scene by being honored by GuanDian, the leading supplier of industry information and data in China, with the "Award for Most Prominent Commercial Real Estate Contributor of the Year" at the 2024 GuanDian Commercial Annual Meeting's "Performance Index: 2024 Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Performance" in Shanghai, China, on October 31, 2024. This recognition highlights Mr. Tan’s exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the commercial real estate industry.
SM Supermalls prioritizes adapting to evolving customer needs and gaining competitive edges through localized operations. Mr. Tan emphasized, “SM Malls are hubs where communities thrive, where people come together, connect, and experience a shared sense of belonging. We are creating real, lasting impact that helps build stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone belongs.”
Mr. Tan has been instrumental in the growth and innovation of the mall chain, both in the Philippines and China. Under his leadership, SM successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and emerged stronger than ever. His innovative strategies, such as adapting the tenancy mix, creating new experiences, and embracing omnichannel services, have resonated with modern shoppers. As a result, SM surpassed pre-pandemic performance and continues to expand its footprint with new malls in both countries. Tan's exceptional leadership has been recognized internationally, earning him prestigious awards such as the 2021 Asia's Most Influential by Tatler Asia and the 2022 Global Filipino Executive of the Year.
SM China makes the GuanDian Performance Index
The GuanDian Index Research Institute’s "Performance Index: 2024 Commercial Real Estate Performance" recognized SM China, a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), for its outstanding performance in operations, management, branding, and innovation, following extensive field research, surveys, and corporate interviews.
In 2024, SM China actively pursued its strategy of "Deepening Roots in Fujian, Expanding Across China." This included introducing the voco brand in Fujian through the SM Xiamen voco Hotel, completing the SM International Center, breaking ground on SM City Fuzhou, and opening SM Xiamen Wong Street.
SM Prime currently operates eight malls in China: SM City Xiamen, SM City Jinjiang, SM City Chengdu, SM City Suzhou, SM City Chongqing, SM City Zibo, SM City Tianjin, and SM City Yangzhou.
GuanDian, the leading provider of industry information and data analysis in China, is renowned for its annual "Performance Index: 2024 Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Performance" list. This list recognizes remarkable performance in the commercial real estate industry based on rigorous research and analysis. Past honorees include prominent figures such as HuiXian Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Chief Executive Officer Cheung Ling Fung, China Merchants Property Operation Chairman Nie Liming, and CR MixC Lifestyle President Yu Linkang, highlighting the significance of this award.
This award reflects SM Supermalls' unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. As SM continues to expand its footprint both locally and internationally, the company remains dedicated to delivering exceptional shopping experiences and building stronger community ties.
To learn more about SM Supermalls’ global impact, visit www.smsupermalls.com, or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.
Rising sensation JACOTÉNE is back with her latest single and video, ‘Stop Calling’, a defiant anthem that explores the thrill of independence and self-assurance.
JACOTÉNE says of the track, “Stop Calling talks about a desire to break free from a toxic connection. The song is about the frustration and empowerment you feel in the face of a dishonest or manipulative relationship. It’s a situation where you’ve given another person multiple chances, but the lies and manipulation continue. It’s a song about independence and a refusal to be drawn back into an unhealthy dynamic.”
JACOTÉNE continues to prove she’s a force to be reckoned with, bringing her magnetic energy and relatable storytelling to new heights. ‘Stop Calling’ is set to resonate with listeners everywhere, as it offers a liberating escape from old habits and toxic calls—literally and figuratively. This is the first track to come from JACOTÉNE’s upcoming debut EP to be released in 2025.
In the past year JACOTÉNE has played a string of festivals and live dates including her own sold-out headline show in the UK, a Sydney Opera House show for VIVID Festival as well as festival slots on Laneway Festival, Snow Machine, Wanderer, Changing Tides and St Kilda Festivals. She also supported G FLIP on their Melbourne and Adelaide tour dates, and Tems in Sydney and Melbourne.
Over the next few months, she will be playing in Germany, UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, as well as shows in Australia.
There are some voices that stop you in your tracks as soon as you hear them; voices with a triple-threat of power, beauty and uniqueness. JACOTÉNE possesses one such voice. It’s the kind that sounds instantly timeless and full of its own rich character and soul as she uses it to belt out big notes and softer, subtler moments.
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