Starting the second half of the year with a blast, interregional powerhouse communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises / COMCO Southeast Asia was hailed by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) as the Agency of the Year (Mid-Sized Agency) at the prestigious Gold Quill Awards 2024 in Chicago, USA, making it the first communications agency from the Philippines and Southeast Asia to receive the highly-coveted global award, and the only consultancy firm from Asia-Pacific to be included in this year’s Best of the Best and Special Award Winners of the internationally acclaimed award giving body.

The Agency of the Year recognition marks COMCO Mundo’s compelling presence and seal of excellence, not just in the Asia-Pacific region, but also across the world as it continues to work with local and international brands and projects with its own unique brand of #MeaningfulStorytelling. The Gold Quill Awards' “Agency of the Year” honor is given to agencies with the highest-rated entries making these top organizations the Global Best of the Best and Special Award Winners. Since the Gold Quill Awards’ inception in 2008, this is the first time that a Filipino and Southeast Asian agency won the much sought-after award in the industry.

COMCO is also the most awarded organization in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific at the Gold Quill Awards 2024 receiving recognitions for its “Save Our Planet, Save Our Seas – The Century Tuna “Saving Our Seas” Initiative” in Corporate Social Responsibility and Climate Change and Sustainability Communication, “UNMASKED: The COMCO Mundo Write to Ignite Initiative Season 3” in Digital Communication and Social Media, and “Igniting Talent – The Camp COMCO Mentorship Program” in Communication Training and Education.

The USA-headquartered IABC is a global network of communication professionals that recognizes the best practices and innovative campaigns of agencies, companies, and brands that foster excellence in the field of communications through the Gold Quill Awards.

“Being the only and the first communications agency in the Philippines and Southeast Asia to receive the highly acclaimed global Gold Quill Awards Agency of the Year recognition from IABC marks another milestone for COMCO. This recognition from the world’s top organization of business communicators puts COMCO on the world’s biggest arena in the practice of our profession. To represent the Philippines and Southeast Asia is an honor we proudly accept as it serves as a testament of what can be accomplished by our commitment to craftsmanship excellence, workplace community culture, and meaningful storytelling,” said Mr. Ferdinand Bondoy, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises / COMCO Southeast Asia Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder.

In 2023, the Public Relations and Communications Association Asia-Pacific (PRCA-APAC), the world’s largest professional PR body, honored COMCO as the Medium PR Consultancy of the Year during the PRCA APAC Awards 2023 for its efforts in community leadership and innovation. Earlier this year, the Dubai-based communications agency of COMCO Mundo, COMCO Middle East & Africa (COMCO MEA) was recognized by Caterer Middle East’s F&B PR Power List 2024 which celebrates exceptional and influential PR firms and campaigns in the region.

Stay updated with COMCO Mundo by visiting http://www.comcomundo.com or following fb.com/comcomundo on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcomundo on LinkedIn, and @comcomundo on Instagram.

It's really a rare opportunity for an establishment, which became an icon, to last more than a hundred years. A century of Filipino hospitality and the very first ever 5-star hotel in the Philippines. Imagine that century long experience, standing tall amidst invasion and military occupations. 

The Manila Hotel, the country’s first 5-star hotel, proudly marks its 112th anniversary this 4th of July. The Grand Dame celebrates with an array of exceptional promotions tailored to delight its patrons.

A hidden health threat is taking lives, and we know little about it. It's time to raise awareness about the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The good news is that HPV can be prevented, and there are solutions to stop it from worsening.

The more we know about HPV, the better. There is an ongoing campaign to inform everyone, including teenagers. The most effective way to spread awareness is through creative and relatable methods.

Ka.SEEN.halaga (HPV. Out!) is a play that delivers both emotional impact and vital information about HPV.

 

Leading smart devices provider, HONOR, has officially confirmed the arrival date of their newest smartphone here in the Philippines! The AI Portrait Master HONOR 200 is coming on July 17. The HONOR 200 also includes portrait modes built through co-engineering with the iconic Studio Harcourt, making it perfect for users looking for studio-level portrait photography on their smartphones.

“The HONOR 200 Pro is created for users looking for an unparalleled portrait photography experience. As an accessible flagship device that delivers robust performance, it is perfect for company employees, university students, content creators, and young entrepreneurs,” HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng said.

Featuring AI-powered portrait capabilities, immersive displays, and robust hardware performance, the HONOR 200 Series is a master portrait smartphone set to revolutionize users’ future lifestyle and provide an unrivaled level of convenience and enjoyment for users who are passionate about capturing and documenting their lives.

With a professional-level portrait camera, long-lasting durability, and human-centric eye protection features, the HONOR 200 Pro is built to revolutionize the user's future lifestyle.

Excited for the AI Portrait Master? Catch it live on Facebook on July 17: https://bit.ly/HONOR200SeriesLaunch_PR
and get a chance to win your very own HONOR 200! Stay tuned for the full mechanics on HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms:
Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

 

Get ready for the next frontier of Galaxy AI. Experience the enhanced capabilities of Galaxy AI integrated into the latest Galaxy Z series and across the entire Galaxy ecosystem. Brace yourself for a world of endless possibilities as we embark on a new era of mobile AI.

On July 10, Samsung Electronics will host Galaxy Unpacked in Paris — where the iconic cultural nexus and trend epicenter becomes the perfect backdrop for the rollout of our latest cutting-edge innovations. The event will be streamed live on Samsung.com, Samsung Newsroom and Samsung’s YouTube channel at 9:00 PM Philippine Time.

Stay tuned and make sure to visit https://news.samsung.com/ph/ for all upcoming teasers, trailers and updates ahead of Unpacked 2024.

Register now for Samsung Galaxy Unpacked by visiting https://www.samsung.com/ph/unpacked/. You can get an e-voucher worth up to P7,000 plus a chance to win a 65” Neo QLED 4K TV worth P135,999.

*Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-194997 Series of 2024

The latest episode of the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE features the Filipino boy band SB19.

Episode 449 marks SB19's first appearance on THE FIRST TAKE. The five-member group gained international recognition as the first Southeast Asian artist nominated for Top Social Artist at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.

SB19 will perform their hit song “GENTO,” known for its catchy phrase and unique dance moves on TikTok. The song conveys the message that small efforts lead to success, and this special version is available exclusively on THE FIRST TAKE.

“It was a true first take, so we were very nervous and overwhelmed, but it was fun and an amazing experience,” SB19 shares. “Above all, we are grateful for this opportunity and for being able to represent the Philippines by performing our song here. We are honored to showcase our music and culture to the world through THE FIRST TAKE.”

THE FIRST TAKE is a Japanese YouTube channel that invites top singers and artists from all over the world to perform a song recorded in one take. Videos on The First Take are filmed in a studio, with shots of the performing artist and a microphone, set to a background that is usually white.

SB19 on the other hand, is the first Southeast Asian group and the first Filipino to be invited in the influential music media outlet. After the initial announcement, HALA THE FIRST SB19 skyrocketed at No. 1, 2, and 35 of X’s trend list in the Philippines, Japan, and Worldwide, respectively.

Aside from this recognition, the Philippines' five-member boy group also recently bagged a nomination for Favorite Asian Act in the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.

SB19’s performance airs at 9 pm today, Manila time via THE FIRST TAKE’s YouTube channel. Watch it here.

About THE FIRST TAKE

THE FIRST TAKE is a YouTube channel that clearly captures the performance of musicians and singers performing in a single take. With the concept “capture the take. This moment. This sound. THE FIRST TAKE. It only happens once,” THE FIRST TAKE presents pure music in overwhelming quality with no exaggerated performance.

The channel started on 15 November 2019 and has now hit 9.69 million subscribers (as of 7 June 2024). Total views have exceeded 1.4 billion, and contents have been viewed from over 220 countries and regions around the world. Growing as a comprehensive music platform, new initiatives have been launched and become viral contents. THE FIRST TAKE INTERNATIONAL features international music stars such as Harry Styles, Avril Lavigne, V from BTS, Jason Chan and Jolin Tsai, having them to give their 1TAKE performance exclusively on the channel.

Follow THE FIRST TAKE on socials:

Website: https://www.thefirsttake.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_firsttake
Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_FirstTake
X: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_first_take
THE FIRST TIMES: https://www.thefirsttimes.jp

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO) has teamed up with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to become the official mobile partner for Filipino athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Mansion Sports Club has opened its inaugural facility in An Phu, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, delivering a cutting-edge football experience that integrates technology, community engagement, and luxurious amenities.

The club reinvents the conventional football field with adaptable configurations suitable for various styles, formats, and teams. The facility can convert a full-sized 11v11 pitch into three 7v7 pitches or six 5v5 pitches. Enhancements like racing seats and sunken goalposts elevate both playing and viewing experiences, creating a professional environment and increased stability.

The club also boasts a multi-purpose press conference room and a video production room for media engagements and game analysis, catering to both players and the media.

Global technology brand HONOR introduced two groundbreaking on-device AI innovations designed to enhance user safety and empowerment during its keynote at MWC Shanghai 2024. The presentation, titled “The Human-AI Synergy: Intelligent Devices Will Empower People Better,” highlighted HONOR’s latest advancements in human-centric AI with the introduction of AI Defocus Eye Protection and AI Deepfake Detection technologies. The keynote emphasized HONOR’s commitment to developing AI-driven hardware that offers personalized services while safeguarding user privacy, reaffirming the brand’s vision of a future where technology empowers individuals.

 

Globe At Home has teamed up with Lalamove, the premier on-demand delivery platform, to provide customers with fast and affordable connectivity at reduced rates.

From April 8 to July 8, 2024, customers who opt for Globe At Home's reloadable GFiber Prepaid internet service can enjoy a 10% discount on motorcycle and sedan deliveries via Lalamove. This offer aims to deliver both value and reliability to consumers seeking uninterrupted internet access.

This will especially help online sellers, who can streamline delivery processes and serve their customers more efficiently through Globe At Home’s Fiber internet connection at an affordable price and Lalamove’s reliable service that can instantly deliver products to your home at a promo.

"Globe At Home aims to provide fast and reliable reloadable UNLI internet connection for those who rely heavily on connectivity for their livelihood, such as online rakets. With this offer, such customers can potentially boost their daily income via online selling while also providing their families with connectivity essential for online learning, work from home, and entertainment and leisure,” said Abigail Cardino, VP and Head of Brand Management, Broadband Business at Globe.

Lalamove Philippines Managing Director Djon Nacario explained, “Just like Globe at Home, we offer convenience to every Filipino across Luzon and Cebu who need door-to-door delivery for their products straight to their customers. In Lalamove, we move things that matter so we’re happy to team up with Globe at Home to provide simple and affordable same-day delivery services from Baguio to Sorsogon, and even Cebu island-wide.”

GFiber Prepaid provides flexibility and convenience as it is reloadable, where customers can top up their accounts as needed and enjoy UNLI internet access with no lock ups and no monthly bills. It is available for only Php 999 on special flash deals.

It promises install agad in 24 hours, ensuring that customers can transition to their new fast internet service without unnecessary delays.

Globe At Home champions sustainable fiber connectivity, adopting green practices across its value chain to deliver a reliable and inclusive broadband service to Filipinos to enable their digital lifestyle. Last year, Globe At Home rolled out recyclable and upcyclable packaging in line with its circularity strategy. GFiber Prepaid was also launched to provide fiber-strong connectivity to more Filipinos at more affordable prices without a lock-in period.

Interested customers can apply for GFiber Prepaid through the dedicated portal at https://glbeshop.co/gfpportal and GlobeOne App.

*Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-190270 Series of 2024.

ABS-CBN is set to make history with its first mainstream Bisaya talk show, "Kuan on One," hosted by the lively and beloved Melai Cantiveros. The show, premiering on July 2 on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel and iWantTFC, promises to bring humor and heartwarming stories to its viewers.

Melai Cantiveros, known for her comedic talent and endearing personality, expressed her excitement for the new show. “Ini ang talk show na para sa mga Bisaya ug mga Bisaya at heart [This is the talk show for Bisaya people and for those who are Bisaya at heart],” she shared in the show's full trailer. Melai’s enthusiasm is contagious, setting the stage for a show that aims to entertain and inspire.

Rejoice tech savvy and enthusiasts!

Leading smart devices provider HONOR has announced the upcoming launch of its AI Portrait Master HONOR 200 Series in the Philippines. The HONOR 200 series, the latest range of smartphones from the brand, has generated significant demand. It features a Four-Layer AI Architecture, which includes Cross-device and Cross-OS AI, Platform-level AI, App-level AI, and Interface to Cloud-AI services.

“It is indeed official! HONOR 200 Series will arrive in the Philippines very soon so don’t dare miss our next announcements. We are beyond excited to push the boundaries of AI and deliver seamless experiences to our users,” HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng said.

HONOR 200 Series First Look

The leading smartphone in the country has started the teaser for HONOR 200 with Studio Harcourt-themed photos, a valuable partnership of the brand. The said studio is a prestigious institution in Paris that was integrated to the DSLR-killer camera of HONOR 200.

Stay tuned for HONOR’s big announcements soon. Head on to HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/. 

The largest national convention for business and marketing students, MADWORLD 2024: Experience in Motion of the Philippine Junior Marketing Association (PJMA), was a phenomenal success, witnessed by thousands of Marketistas all over the Philippines last May 30, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Social media has emerged as a central hub for modern communication.

Users regularly turn to platforms like Facebook and Instagram to share personal updates and engage with their communities. Whether it's documenting travel adventures, celebrating milestones, or showcasing daily routines, people meticulously curate their feeds with captivating photos, stories, and aesthetic reels to highlight their experiences. Additionally, these platforms serve as vital tools for promoting businesses, advocating for causes, and staying informed about current events and trends.

Instant messaging apps such as Messenger and WhatsApp have revolutionized the way we stay connected with family and friends. Group chats filled with humorous videos and memes, along with video calls to share the latest gossip, have made socializing more enjoyable, efficient, and accessible.

Indeed, social media has become an integral part of our lives by providing a platform for entertainment and information, supporting businesses, and fostering communities. Therefore, having access to affordable and generous data is no longer optional but a “must-have” to stay online and connected anytime, anywhere.

At the forefront of providing affordable and value-packed data subscription is DITO Telecommunity, the fastest-growing telecommunications provider in the country, which now officially launched DITO Level-Up Socials -- the newest and exciting mobile prepaid data subscription that offers high-speed and affordable data allocation for Meta apps (Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp), giving Filipinos more reasons to love DITO!

This new prepaid promo aims to provide bigger data allocation so Filipinos can level-up their socials and experience the best of Meta apps at a pocket-friendly price, enabling them to continuously like, heart, and share photos and create video contents for the world to see!

“The launch of Level-Up Socials underscores DITO’s commitment to continuously provide affordable and reliable connection to all Filipinos. Through this, customers can now enjoy subscriptions packed with generous data allocations for META such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Messenger, and WhatsApp,” said Evelyn Jimenez, DITO Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer business.

With DITO Level-Up Socials, customers can enjoy a total of 7GB data (3.5GB for Meta Apps + 3.5GB all-access data) for only PhP 50, valid for three days. Other Level-Up Socials data subscriptions include Level-Up Socials-20 packed with 2.5GB data (2GB for Meta Apps + 500 MB all-access data) valid for one day and Level-Up Socials-70 with a total of 10GB data (5GB for Meta Apps + 5GB all-access data) valid for seven days.