The National Security Council of the Philippines has debated whether TikTok should be banned for government employees. The reason for wanting to ban the video-sharing app is a matter of national security.
Photo from RMN NetworksPhoto from Unsplash
However, the effectiveness of the ban is being questioned. Banning TikTok does not ensure that employees will stop using the app, considering that some people know how to use different hacks, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), to battle the restrictions.
Other countries, such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Taiwan, The UK, and the US, have banned TikTok from government-issued devices.
Photo from Unsplash
Moreover, TikTok said they do not share user data with the Chinese Government. However, the countries mentioned above are still concerned about China’s National Intelligence Law. The abovementioned law states that the government can demand the cooperation of citizens and companies regarding Chinese National Intelligence.
Photo from Unsplash
However, the idea remains that if TikTok will be banned from the Philippines, other Chinese-made applications should be, too. But, this could disrupt the freedom of expression and economic opportunities. TikTok and other platforms are not only for entertainment purposes but have also been helping business owners.
Photo from Unsplash
What do you think? Should TikTok be banned for government employees?
The best gift a beauty fan can ask for is to get a beauty treatment from Dr. Vicki Belo herself. A lucky fan’s Christmas is definitely getting merrier as Belo grants him a wish.
Photo from Preview.phPhoto from @90skabaklaan on InstagramA post snippet from @90skabaklaan on Instagram
The fan (90skabaklaan on IG) posted a photo of Vicki Belo on Instagram from 30 years ago. Belo took notice of the photo and replied to the post.
Photo from Inquirer.net
“Grabe ang galing mo. Where did you find this picture bullying tuloy ako. What’s your beauty wish this Christmas? Come to belo bgc (where I mostly go) so I can make your wish come true. #fairygodmother.”
Moreover, the celebrity doctor shared the photo on her official Instagram page with the caption, “ I grew up really conscious about a lot of things about myself, which led me to become a *dermatologist and putting up my own clinic.”
A post snippet from @victoria_belo on Instagram
A fairy godmother indeed. We all wish we could get a free beauty treatment from Belo to slay the Christmas season and, of course, the new year!
Shop now to get the chance to avail of the 0% interest with Home Credit
The holiday season is not just about parols and endless gatherings, it’s also the perfect time to give something special to yourself and loved ones. And one of the many things you can wrap and place under the Christmas tree is a shiny new laptop!
Thanks to Home Credit, the country’s leading consumer finance company, you can cop best-selling laptops with its incredible 0% interest offer on various installment options for up to 18 months. Surely, you can make your holiday dreams come true without breaking the bank through a laptop loan!
Check out these top laptop models that can match your lifestyle:
Apple Macbook Air 13.3 inch
The Apple Macbook Air 13.3 inch sets a new standard for mobility and power, redefining the on-the-go computing experience. Packed with remarkable features, this ultra-portable laptop boasts an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours of Apple TV app movie playback and 15 hours of wireless web browsing, thanks to its 52.6W lithium-polymer battery.
The inclusion of the M2 with 8-core GPU enhances its capabilities, accompanied by a 30W USB-C power adapter for convenient and speedy recharging. With the added convenience of a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable and fast-charge capabilities using a 70W USB-C power adapter, the 13-inch model stands out as a beacon for on-the-go efficiency. Driven by the M2 chip, the Macbook Air delivers supercharged performance, ensuring blazing-fast operations within its sleek and compact design.
ASUS VivoBook 14
For those who want a perfect blend of performance and affordability, the ASUS VivoBook 14 is a stellar choice. The ASUS VivoBook 14, inspired by innovation and designed for versatility, is a remarkable addition to ASUS’s lineup of cutting-edge laptops.
Crafted with precision and powered by the 12th gen Intel processors, this laptop embodies the perfect blend of style and performance. Its 14-inch NanoEdge display with slim bezels provides an immersive viewing experience, making work and play more captivating than ever. The VivoBook 14’s compact and lightweight design ensures that you can carry your creativity wherever you go. The ErgoLift hinge not only adds a touch of elegance but also tilts the keyboard for a comfortable typing experience.
Acer Aspire 3 A315-510P-38RD
For those who value affordability without compromising on performance, the Acer Aspire 3 is a reliable companion as it brings computing excellence within reach. Boasting a 15.6-inch display, this laptop is perfect for a range of activities—from work presentations to holiday movie marathons.
The Acer Aspire 3 also features Acer Bluelight Shield™ technology that helps reduce eye strain during extended screen time, a thoughtful touch for those long holiday work sessions or cozy movie nights. To add, the Aspire 3 is designed with practicality in mind, featuring a Precision Touchpad for accurate navigation and a full range of connectivity options, including USB and HDMI ports. The inclusion of Acer TrueHarmony™ also ensures clear audio for an immersive multimedia experience.
HP 15S-EQ3067AU Natural Silver
The HP 15S-EQ3067AU Natural Silver laptop combines power and elegance, making it the perfect companion for the holiday season. Whether you’re tackling work tasks or editing your holiday photos, this laptop delivers a performance that matches its sophisticated design. Under its silver hood is the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor that ensures robust performance for multitasking, content creation and more.
Paired with 8GB of RAM, this laptop provides a smooth and responsive user experience. The generous 512GB SSD storage further enhances speed, allowing you to store your holiday memories, projects and multimedia files with ease.
Got work to do? Experience the convenience of Windows 11, which comes pre-installed on this laptop. Windows 11 offers a modern and intuitive interface, enhancing your productivity and providing a seamless user experience.
Realize your holiday goals with Home Credit’s 0% interest offer
Now, here’s the real magic: Home Credit’s 0% interest offer on these fantastic laptops. Imagine being able to choose the laptop that suits your needs and budget and then enjoying flexible installment options with 0% interest for up to 18 months. This means you can make your holiday goals for your loved ones come true while saving more!
Whether you’re upgrading your current laptop or surprising a special someone with the gift of technology, Home Credit’s 0% interest rate offer this holiday season is your ticket to a tech-filled celebration.
To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in Shopping Mall Philippines.
Cyber sports have become increasingly popular and a multimillion-dollar industry like traditional sports. It can comprise single-player and multiplayer games, requiring a lot of planning and dedication.
Well-liked Online Sports Games
Cyber athletes are skilled professionals who follow rigorous schedules and have teams, sponsors, and coaches. They are always improving their strategic skills to win competitions and matches. Like traditional sports, cyber sports have gained official recognition and have support from sizable gaming facilities, qualified analysts, and broadcasters.
Cybergamers dedicate eight to twelve hours daily or more to their computers, matching traditional athletes’ work. A large selection of casino slot machines, cybersports wagers, and sports wagers are available at GGBET. The platform fills legal gaps by operating under a gambling license. Additionally guaranteed are user confidentiality and data security.
Photo from TAIWAN EXCELLENCE
These are some of the most well-liked cybersports titles:
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Dota 2
League of Legends is a video game.
Fortnite
Overwatch
Photo from Counter Strike.netPhoto from ESPORTS.GGPhoto from Polygon
Among the genres covered are sports, fighting games, tank simulators, shooters, strategies, and MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). Players must be fast to respond, focused, and cooperative. These games have gained popularity, with millions of enthusiasts and casual viewers tuning in to watch broadcasts of competitive matches.
Photo from SportsPro Media
The growth of cyber sports has led to the construction of enormous gaming arenas and the hiring of expert analysts and commentators, making it a lucrative industry.
Which Video Games Are Popular?
Apex Legends
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Dota 2
Fortnite
League of Legends
Overwatch
PUBG for Mobile
Valorant
Among the genres covered are sports, fighting games, tank simulators, shooters, strategies, and MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). Players must be fast to respond, focused, and cooperative. Large gaming arenas, expert analysts, and commentators have all arisen due to these games’ success, making this a noteworthy and profitable sector.
Photo from Unsplash
Describing Esports Betting
Esports betting is regarded as the most difficult challenge to conquer. Some might find it strange that anything done passively is a sport. The most obvious parallel between traditional sports and Esports is their fierce competition. Our working definition of Esports includes this competition but does not include single-player video games.
The Harvard International Review (HIR) defines “Esports” as highly organized competitive video game performance. This definition is precise but simple.
It is how Esports are characterized, although there are four basic categories under which Esports betting falls:
Real money bets on the outcomes of games involving other teams, similar to how football fans wager on the outcome of a game
Bets well-placed on video games that use in-game skins, typically through unlicensed gaming sites
Esports tournaments happen on daily fantasy sports websites like DraftKings
Bets on a player’s performance in an Esports competition. Paying to enter an in-person Esports tournament and earning a prize for first place is similar to competing in a heads-up competition; however, this can also happen virtually.
Photo by Legal Sports Report
The way that people categorize Esports has moved beyond dinner-table conversation and is currently being discussed in legislative circles worldwide. The success of Esports betting companies sparked these disputes, and the outcome of these regulatory conversations might influence the future of Esports wagering.
When discussing Esports betting, it is crucial to remember that each category has a different legal system in place.
Is There a Win-Win Sports Betting Strategy Online?
Banking: You should keep your bets to a maximum of 10% of your whole money. These fundamental guidelines can help players manage their bet money skillfully and lower their chances of suffering large losses. It’s best to focus on particular bets, such as determining which squad will win the pistol round or get first blood. Keeping an eye on and evaluating the team’s performance during pivotal points in the game may improve the accuracy of betting evaluations.
Put wagering plans into action: Establish a systematic approach to betting by defining and following exact stake amounts. It can help you control your bets and avoid rash or excessive bets.
Keep up knowledge and perform statistical analysis: Keep up with the latest game developments, the arrival of strong new players to the team, and other important details.
Examine Odds and Wagers: Look for cybersports events with favorable odds, and think about putting bets with different bookies on different results of the same game.
Photo from Lifestyle Beauty
When it comes to live matches where teams are given a map and given the task of choosing characters, analyzing the game dynamics and calculating the winning probabilities for each team based on this information can be a useful tactic for making profitable bets.
Once your results align with the predictions made on blogs and forums, you can rate the participants. To confirm your betting decisions, obtain expert advice and estimates.
While these tactics might be helpful, there is no way to create a surefire strategy that guarantees success. It is essential always to follow moral guidelines when placing bets.
Photo from Unsplash
Conclusion
Like any sport, cybersports require a lot of training. The common misconception about cybersports is that they are played by kids playing computer games; however, these athletes are skilled professionals with teams, sponsors, coaches, and strict schedules who use cutting-edge tactics.
Since its inception, cybersports have developed into a booming sector with a growing fan base and appeal. The user experience has been significantly enhanced by virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The company’s future is bright, as evidenced by the growth in sponsorship over the years.
Living where we do, we might have a very standardized view of Christmas. We don’t have ourselves to blame at the end of the day since we grew up where we grew up, and perhaps traveling during the holidays has never been an option either because of financial constraints, or the fact that Filipinos require family members to go home during the season.
However, it is nice and interesting to actually have a peek into other cultures’ practices of Christmas. Due to different religions, backgrounds, and traditions, different countries may have Christmas practices that can be relatively shocking to us, but the best part is always finding out why they do what they do, and ultimately respecting their chosen way of celebration.
Photo from Unsplash
Here is how Christmas is celebrated around the world, particularly in the countries Italy, Austria, and the Philippines!
Italy
In the enchanting realm of Italian Christmas traditions, there’s a peculiar visitor who swaps the classic milk and cookies (apparent in Western culture on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus) for a more sophisticated pairing: wine and sausages. Meet La Befana, the wine-drinking witch who graces Italian households on the eve of the Epiphany, January 5th, twelve days after Santa Claus has made his rounds.
Photo from Amazing World Reality
Unlike the stereotype of a drunk relative in a party, La Befana is a mythical figure in Italian folklore. The story goes that, centuries ago, when the Three Wise Men invited her to witness the birth of Christ, she declined the offer. Regretful and devastated for having missed the divine spectacle, she embarked on a quest to find the baby Jesus. And so, every Christmas season, she glides across the Italian landscape on her broomstick, carrying a sack of presents for the good children and, perhaps less appealingly, lumps of coal for the naughty ones.
Photo from Italian Cultural Society
The act of leaving out a glass of wine and a plate of sausages for La Befana is a charming tradition that reflects the warmth of Italian hospitality. It’s a way for families to extend gratitude to this mythical visitor, who, despite her initial refusal to witness the birth of Christ, has become a beloved figure in the Christmas narrative. The choice of wine and sausages adds a touch of authenticity to the tradition, aligning with the rich culinary tapestry that is characteristic of Italy.
Photo from Unsplash
While the legend of La Befana might seem whimsical, it serves as a reminder of the diverse and intricate nature of Christmas folklore across the globe. Each country weaves its own tales and traditions into the festive season, creating a mosaic of customs that reflects the unique identity of its people.
Austria
In Austria, the Christmas season brings not only the anticipation of presents from St. Nicholas but also the fear of Krampus, a horned, hairy creature that haunts the nightmares of mischievous children. While the threat of receiving a lump of coal from La Befana might seem ominous to some, Austrian kids must contend with the terrifying prospect of Krampus, who serves as the eerie enforcer of Saint Nicholas.
Photo from Paul Mansfield
This unique Christmas tradition takes center stage on Krampusnacht, observed on December 5th in many Austrian towns, particularly in the alpine villages surrounding Salzburg and Tyrol. On this night, the streets come alive with the unsettling presence of dozens of men donned in frightening Krampus costumes. The half-goat, half-demon figures brandish sticks and parade through the streets, striking fear into the hearts of misbehaving children.
Photo from Discovertheburgh.comPhoto from TRIBLIVE
This practice is both a spectacle and a warning, as the Krampus symbolizes the consequences awaiting those who find themselves on Santa’s naughty list. Much more terrifying than simply not receiving a gift from Santa in exchange for bad behavior, if you ask me. It is a stark contrast to the more benevolent figure of St. Nicholas, emphasizing the dual nature of the Christmas season.
Philippines
There’s not much explaining to do here considering how you can already tell just by looking around you. But of course, our beautiful and beloved traditions are very much noteworthy. With our Spanish and Western influences, we can see the manifestation of these through our Christmas celebrations.
Photo from Cranraz by Virtual Paper Clip
The religious aspect of Christmas is the most important in the Philippines due its close ties to Catholicism. This importance translates into a Philippine Christmas tradition called simbang gabi, wherein people gather into a devotional 9-day mass which occurs at dawn. It is said in Philippine folklore that if you complete nine full days in mass, you are granted one Christmas wish and it will come true.
Design-wise, the Spanish-Western fusion is also apparent, given the Santa Claus booths in malls and prints all over the place, as well as the belen which is a depiction of Christ’s birth in the manger with Mary and the Three Kings.
Photo from America Magazine
Due to the lack of chimneys in Filipino houses, the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus isn’t really practiced, but a lot of Filipino children still do believe in the legend, and best believe, any household already is bejeweled as early as September in the Philippines.
Photo from Unsplash
So, as families set out their glasses of wine and sausages, put on half-goat half-demon costumes, or wake up at 4 am to prepare for a mass, they all not only participate in a charming ritual but also contribute to the rich narrative of Christmas celebrations at large. Each culture in locations all around the world has their own distinctive flair to the season’s festivities, blending folklore, tradition, and just plain celebration of the highly-anticipated holiday. Wherever you are, have a merry, merry Christmas!
Mali, Manila Zoo’s only elephant standing, bids farewell after passing away yesterday, November 28, 2023.
Photo from Tatler AsiaPhoto from Inquirer.net
Her death was confirmed and announced by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna. Mali’s death is reportedly caused by congestive heart failure. After almost 42 years, Mali is now running free, as she deserved in the first place, but it’s a sadder freedom than anyone imagined.
Mali Arrives in the Philippines
Vishwa Ma’ali, or Mali, arrived in Manila in May 1981 and has been inhabiting the Manila Zoo before her death in 2023. She was three years old when she came to the Philippines from Sri Lanka.
Photo from ABC News
Mali is dubbed by the members of the Ethical Treatment of Animals as one of the saddest and loneliest elephants in the world. This is because Mali has been the only elephant captive at Manila Zoo.
Photo from Peta AsiaPhoto from the dodo
Despite efforts to free her, none of the Manila Mayors permitted the poor gentle creature’s release.
YouTube Premium is giving people more reasons to switch with their exciting new addition to their subscription perks – ‘Playables,’ which is an exclusive gaming feature for Premium members. With over 30 arcade games seamlessly integrated into the YouTube app on Android, iOS, and Web, this innovation eliminates the need for downloads, offering a gaming experience that gives you the overall YouTube experience.
Photo from ISP.PAGE
Premium subscribers can go into the world of gaming by simply launching the YouTube app on their devices or by visiting the YouTube website. Navigating through the homepage or the explore menu reveals a dedicated ‘Playables’ shelf. Users then have to activate the ‘Play games on YouTube’ option, found on the experimental features page.
Photo from Yugatech
To access the ‘Playables’ feature, users need to tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the mobile app, scroll down to ‘Your Premium benefits,’ and select ‘Try experimental new features.’ It’s important to note that this feature is exclusively available to Premium members until March 28, sparking speculation about potential expansions and the introduction of more premium games, reminiscent of the Netflix Games service.
Photo from Unsplash Photo from Unsplash
This announcement follows YouTube’s recent development of enhanced bitrate offerings on 1080p videos to Premium users. The feature, initially available on iOS, has now been extended to Android devices and smart TVs, ensuring that Premium members enjoy an enhanced video streaming experience.
YouTube Premium continues to elevate its subscription offering with the introduction of ‘Playables,’ providing a new dimension to the YouTube experience for gaming enthusiasts. As YouTube continues to experiment and expand its premium offerings, subscribers can look forward to an even more enriched and personalized platform.
Now is an excellent time to revisit your old Google accounts.
Starting December 1, 2023, Google will permanently delete Google accounts that have been inactive for two years. All contents, including photos, calendar entries, e-mails, contacts, and drive documents, will be permanently removed.
Photo from Unsplash
“If a Google Account has not been used or signed into for at least two years… the account and its contents – including content within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar) and Google Photos will be deleted.”
Business and School-managed accounts are not included
Google emphasizes that only personal accounts will be deleted. Business accounts and school-managed accounts will not be removed. Moreover, accounts with active subscriptions to any applications or uploaded videos on YouTube will not be deleted.
Photo from UnsplashPhoto from Unsplash
Why is Google Deleting Accounts?
Google’s account deletion is to purge their system of inactive accounts that are prone to getting hacked or compromised. According to Google, inactive accounts often have old or re-used passwords without security checks.
This is also a move by Google to prevent identity theft and other cybersecurity risks.
Photo from Unsplash
How to Protect Your Accounts from Deletion
There is a way for you to keep all your Google accounts and make them active. All you have to do is sign in and use Gmail, Google Drive, and more.
Photo from Unsplash
Simply read or send an email, upload something on Google Drive, download an app from the Google Play store, and watch a YouTube video. Moreover, you can also use Google search or access a third-party application by using your Google account.
Photo from Unsplash
Save Your Google Data
You can also opt to save your Google data.
Users can open this link, which will explain how to use Google Takeout. Google Takeout allows users to download all data or save only specific ones like email or photos.
Downloaded data will be stored in either Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive.
AirAsia offers a “Buy 1 Free 1” hotel stay for people who use the AirAsia Superapp to make hotel reservations. Users can get a free one-night stay in selected hotels in Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Jakarta.
Photo from airasia Super App Photo from Economy Traveller
To avail, head to the “Hotels” option on the app and pick two nights of your choice with the buy one free one offer.
Fly in Early January and Get 22% off your Flight
For AirAsia’s 22nd birthday sale, they are dropping another 22% off on flights. The one-way base fare for domestic flights promo is P79 to P449. Moreover, the one-way base fare promo for international flights is P479 to P2,838.
Photo from @airasia on Twitter
The booking period is from November 27 to December 3. Meanwhile, the travel period is from January 8 to September 30, 2024.
Photo from Philstar LifePhoto from NEWSROOM.AIRASIA.COM
What are you waiting for? Book your flights and hotels via AirAsia’s Superapp.
Your favorite K-drama rom-com is getting a Philippine adaptation, and the cast is perfect!
Photo from Rappler
Lee Young-Joon (Park Seo Joon’s Character) will be played by Paulo Avelino, and Kim Mi So (Park Min Young’s Character) will be played by Kim Chiu in the PH Adaptation.
Photo from @viuphilippines on InstagramPhoto from @viuphilippines on Instagram
Joining the official cast are Romick Sarenta, Kaori Oinuma, Gillian Vicencio, Pepe Herrera, Franco Laurel, Yves Flores, JC Alcantara, Cai Cortez, Phi Palmos, Kat Galang, Brian Sy, with special participation of Kim Won Shik.
The PH adaptation of What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim will be produced by Dreamscape Entertainment. The series is a collaboration between ABS-CBN and Viu.
Photo from @viuphilippines on Instagram
What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim is a hit Webtoon-based South Korean rom-com that revolves around the romance progress of an arrogant vice-chairman and his lovely secretary who decides to quit after being with him for a long time.
The PH adaptation will be coming in 2024, and we are already feeling great chemistry between Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino.
