Vivo V50 Lite Continues to Win Over Filipinos Months After Launch

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Months after the launch of the Vivo V50 Lite, the excitement surrounding this feature-packed smartphone shows no signs of slowing down. From tech reviewers to everyday users, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

In a market filled with endless smartphone options, the Vivo V50 Lite stands out for its perfect balance of power, functionality, and value for money. For many Filipinos, it’s a clear choice — the Vivo V50 Lite is a game-changer.

Battery Power for an Unstoppable Day

From the moment the day starts to the time it winds down, this smartphone keeps up with every hustle and adventure.

“Yung 6500mAh BlueVolt Battery talaga ang nagpasold sa’kin. Kahit maglaro ako nang matagal, hindi agad nauubos,” shared James, a mobile gaming enthusiast from Bicutan.

The Vivo V50 Lite packs a massive 6500mAh BlueVolt battery, paired with 90W FlashCharge technology, allowing users to go from empty to fully charged in under an hour. Whether it’s gaming, streaming, or working on the go, this device ensures you stay connected without limits.

Next-Level Photography, Anytime

Today’s fast-paced digital lifestyle demands more from a smartphone camera, and the Vivo V50 Lite delivers in style.

Social media-savvy Gen Z user Ron said, “My favorite camera feature[s] of the V50 Lite [are] hands-down the Aura Light Portrait mode, especially paired with the 2× zoom for portraits for the nicest and clearest shots.”

Equipped with a powerful 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera and an 8MP Wide-Angle lens, enhanced by bright Aura Light, the V50 Lite makes every shot Instagram-worthy. And for selfie lovers, its 32MP front camera captures every detail flawlessly.

Premium Quality at an Affordable Price

For many Filipinos, especially students and young professionals, affordability without compromise is key — and the Vivo V50 Lite hits that sweet spot.

“Very sulit na for its price lalo na since student pa lang ako and I really need[ed] a phone that has compact features, especially sa battery and processor para less hassle since mabigat yung workload ko sa school,” shared Nico, a college student from Antipolo.

Priced at just Php 13,999, the Vivo V50 Lite offers premium features at an accessible price, making it a smart investment for anyone seeking reliability, style, and power in one sleek package.

Now is the time to experience it yourself — the Vivo V50 Lite is available at Vivo stores nationwide and online.

Converge Makes Waves at the 2025 National Retail Conference & Expo

Manila, Philippines – Converge Global Business, the corporate and large enterprise unit of leading broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc., bannered its technology-driven solutions at the 2025 Philippine Retailers Association National Retail Conference & Expo (NRCE) held at the SMX Convention Center, attended by over 700 retail industry and business leaders.

Benjamin B. Azada, Converge Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, delivered a powerful keynote, emphasizing the essential role of advanced technology in creating authentic and meaningful customer experiences.

"Customers are looking for human interaction, enhanced by technology and not diminished by it. Technology shall bridge between digital tools and supporting authentic customer experience," Azada shared during his talk, "From Fiber to Future: Converging Tech and Tao for the Filipino Retail Experience", on the second day of the conference.

Converge did not stop at an inspiring keynote. Its visually striking and interactive booth earned accolades from attendees, being recognized as one of the “Best 10 Booths” of the country’s biggest retail conference and among those most visited, too. The interactive booth showcased Converge’s future-ready solutions, such as Managed WiFi and Intelligent Surveillance, and its resolute mission to bridge the digital divide in the Philippines. Attendees were entertained firsthand on how Converge uses its technology innovations to shape the future of retail and help Filipino businesses deliver modern customer engagement solutions.

During his presentation, Mr. Azada highlighted how Converge empowers retailers with solutions for omnichannel personalization. By providing reliable, scalable connectivity—including Converge Starlink for Business for remote areas—businesses can seamlessly integrate systems like Point of Sale (POS), e-commerce, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM). This enables real-time engagement and instant feedback, ensuring that every business, from remote producers to urban shops, can offer a consistent and modern service.

To further enhance the customer experience, Converge offers solutions for in-store engagement and security. The company provides secure Managed WiFi with Anti-DDoS protection as a value-added service and enables businesses to host and scale loyalty platforms on secure cloud environments. By using its robust infrastructure to protect customer data, Converge helps businesses build trust, encourage deeper engagement, and create a safer digital environment for all.

To ensure a best-in-class experience, Converge is significantly expanding its global infrastructure. The company will activate two new international submarine cable systems this year—the Bifrost and SEA-H2X—to drastically increase international bandwidth. It will also open two new data centers in Metro Manila and Pampanga. These facilities and new cables will provide enhanced stability and reliability for businesses of all sizes, enabling them to scale operations with confidence and ensuring consumers enjoy seamless digital experiences.

"The 2025 National Retail Conference & Expo presented an incredible convergence of retail and technology thought leaders," Azada added. "Converge takes pride in being a part of these progressive conversations and offering breakthrough solutions that empower businesses to achieve and deliver more."

The Expo served as a hub for professionals across the retail and tech industries to explore innovations, exchange insights, and uncover new opportunities. Through its active participation, Converge reaffirmed its commitment to taking Filipino businesses beyond connectivity by delivering high-performance technology solutions tailored to today’s evolving market demands.

Visit www.convergeict.com or email them at globalbusiness@convergeict.com to learn more about their business solutions or discuss how they can be tailored to suit your specific needs.

Globe Achieves GSMA Certification for Number Verification API, Advancing Security in Digital Financial Transactions

Globe has achieved a significant milestone with the GSMA Open Gateway Certification for its upcoming Number Verification API. This was awarded after Globe demonstrated full compliance with the technical specifications for the Number Verification API (Version 1.0). This confirms that Globe’s future API offering will meet rigorous global standards for security, interoperability and is built on a standardized set of APIs, providing a consistent developer experience.

This accomplishment is a major step toward strengthening digital transaction security in the Philippines and protecting Filipinos from growing threats such as fraudulent account creation and account takeover attempts. As digital financial services become more widespread, this validates Globe’s role in building a safer digital ecosystem for everyone.

This milestone lays the foundation for a future service that will allow financial institutions and other enterprises to leverage Globe's network for real-time, secure mobile number verification. The service will also simplify integration, making it easier for banks and financial institutions to adopt the technology. When launched, the API will provide a powerful layer of authentication, helping to prevent unauthorized account access and fraudulent transactions.

“This is a testament to Globe’s dedication to building safer digital ecosystems,” said KD Dizon, Head of Globe Business. “We are laying the groundwork for secure, standards-based tools that will empower our partners and strengthen public trust in digital financial services.”

“We commend Globe for achieving certification for the Number Verification API and launching new services that will strengthen digital security in the Philippines,” said Henry Calvert, Head of Networks at GSMA. “Certification of CAMARA APIs plays a critical role in giving enterprises—both local and global—the confidence that their services are built on standardized, interoperable foundations. This ensures easier integration, stronger security, and a consistent developer experience aligned with global specifications.”

The achievement is a key component of Globe's strategy to expand its enterprise offerings with advanced API solutions for fraud prevention. It underscores the company's continuous effort to develop innovative digital tools that meet the evolving security needs of modern businesses.

To learn more about Globe’s API solutions and enterprise services, visit www.globe.com.ph/business.

Globe Conducts PH’s 1st 5G-Advanced Successful Live Pilot Trial, a Milestone in Digital Innovation

Globe has taken another step forward in shaping the country’s digital future with the successful live pilot trial of 5G-Advanced, the first of its kind in the Philippines.

The trial moves the company closer to providing next-generation wireless experiences for Filipinos and reinforces its leadership in 5G and mobile innovation.

Held in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, the pilot was designed to test the peak performance and potential impact of 5G-Advanced across a wide range of use cases, from everyday consumer applications to enterprise-level solutions.

During the activity, Globe recorded an impressive peak download throughput of ~2.5 Gbps in a real-world environment, showcasing how 5G-Advanced can offer higher speeds, lower latency, enhanced reliability, greater capacity, and enable differentiated service offerings compared to current 5G networks.

The initiative utilized a 5G Stand-alone (SA) network with advanced technologies, including Massive MIMO and Carrier Aggregation of three 5G/NR Component Carriers (3NRCA) for a combined 210MHz bandwidth. Paired with a 5G-SA capable phone, this technical leap unlocks a new level of performance, enabling multi-gigabit speeds for a flawless user experience, from instant movie downloads to immersive, lag-free cloud gaming.

“Globe has consistently demonstrated its commitment to technological leadership, always standing at the forefront of enabling telecommunications technology in the Philippines. We continue to introduce and implement cutting-edge innovations that redefine connectivity and empower Filipinos,” said Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz.

Also known as 5.5G, this technology is the next stage in mobile evolution, developed to meet the demands of an increasingly connected world. It introduces smarter and faster capabilities to support technologies like Extended reality (XR), Advanced Internet of Things (IIoT), connected and autonomous vehicles, and AI/ML applications.

Globally, the 5G-advanced rollout is well underway. According to a Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) report from May 2025, only 6 operators have commercially launched services, while 20 are in various stages of evaluating, planning or live trialing the technology. In Southeast Asia, Singtel (Singapore) and AIS (Thailand) are at the forefront with 5G+ branded networks. For the Philippines, Globe being the 1st to live pilot trial reaffirms the company’s unwavering commitment to pioneering digital technologies and enhancing connectivity for the Filipino people.

See the speedtest results here: https://www.speedtest.net/result/a/11040673809

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Bringing Reliable Connectivity to More Communities: Eastern Communications Furthers its Reach in Mindanao

Eastern Communications, the Philippines’ pioneer telecommunications and ICT solutions provider, continues its mission to bridge the digital divide by officially expanding its services in two key cities in Mindanao: General Santos City and Dipolog City. Through its signature Via Eastern launch events, the telco celebrates its growing presence in Southern and Western Mindanao—empowering local communities, driving innovation, and supporting regional growth.

Eastern Communications Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer Edsel Paglinawan said, “We’re excited to officially launch our services in General Santos and Dipolog, and to expand to more areas across Mindanao. Our presence in these key digital cities reflects Eastern Communications’ continued mission to transform how businesses in manufacturing, retail, IT-BPM, and MSME sectors operate, helping them better serve their communities and drive inclusive progress across the cities. By equipping enterprises of all sizes with reliable connectivity and future-ready ICT solutions, we’re building a digital foundation that empowers communities, fuels regional economies, and drives long-term, inclusive development.”

Empowering General Santos: The Tuna Capital of the Philippines

On August 12, Eastern Communications marked its official entry into General Santos City with a launch held at the Grand Summit Hotel. General Santos continues to rise as a vital hub for trade and innovation, taking the spot as the 15th most competitive city in the country and 3rd among highly urbanized cities in Mindanao in the 2024 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).

"This partnership opens new doors for our businesses, government, and communities, allowing us to connect better, work smarter, and innovate faster. We look forward to collaborating with Eastern Communications in building a more inclusive, progressive, and future-ready GenSan," said General Santos City Councilor Michael Pacquiao.

General Santos City, or GenSan is home to six of the nation’s seven tuna canneries and employs over 200,000 individuals and serves as a key driver of the Philippines’ fishery exports. To support this thriving industrial hub, the government-led Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) has initiated the rehabilitation of the General Santos Fish Port Complex, further strengthening the city’s vital contribution to the industry.

Eastern’s expansion brings advanced digital solutions tailored to support key local industries, including manufacturing, retail, MSMEs, tourism, agriculture, and the growing IT-BPM sector.

With business-grade connectivity services like Eastern Fiber 1 and Internet Direct Service (IDS), local enterprises benefit from fast, secure, and scalable internet, essential for boosting productivity and meeting global business standards to stay competitive in international markets.

For the agricultural sectors in Mindanao, consistent enterprise-grade internet is critical to support agritech applications such as cloud-based platforms, agricultural robotics, and automated machinery, helping farmers monitor crops, predict weather, and grow more successful harvests.

Meanwhile, for the region’s canning companies and smart manufacturing, business-grade internet is no longer optional, it’s a necessity for meeting international standards, achieving global competitiveness, and expanding to global markets. Reliable, high-speed connectivity enables real-time inventory tracking, smart aquaculture operations, seamless coordination across production lines, and efficient logistics and export operations such as blockchain-based traceability systems.

Unlocking Digital Growth in Dipolog: The Gateway to Western Mindanao

On July 22, Eastern Communications held its launch at D’Hotel & Suites in Dipolog City, capital of Zamboanga del Norte. Known as the “Gateway to Western Mindanao,” Dipolog is quickly emerging as a business hub, powered by growing tourism, trade, and logistics infrastructure. In the 2024 CMCI rankings, Zamboanga del Norte climbed to 47th in economic dynamism nationwide, with Dipolog retaining its title as the Most Competitive Component City in Region 9.

“In this fast-paced, digital age, connectivity is not just a luxury, it is a necessity. Reliable communication bridges communities, empowers businesses, and connects our people to a wider world of possibilities. With Eastern Communications now part of our local landscape, we are assured of better access to technology and services that will help our communities thrive and compete,” said Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Governor DareI Uy.

“This development reflects a shared belief that "Bag-ong Zanorte" is ready for the future. Let this launch be a reminder to all of us that progress is best achieved when we work hand in hand-government, private sector, and the community. Together, we can ensure that no Zanortehanon is left out of the opportunities that the digital age brings,” added Governor Uy.

Driving Inclusive Progress Through Connectivity

While over 50 million Filipinos are now online, regions in Mindanao still face gaps in internet access. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that internet connectivity in Mindanao remains low, with only 28.5% of households in the Zamboanga Peninsula being connected. This highlights the urgent need to expand internet infrastructure as a foundation for meaningful digital transformation in the region. Eastern Communications is working to bridge this gap by establishing strong digital foundations and has connected key Mindanao areas, including Davao, Zamboanga, Butuan, and Cagayan de Oro. Backed by its recent network infrastructure expansion, the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN), Eastern continues to build digital resilience and drive inclusive growth in the country, one city at a time.

As part of its Mindanao expansion, Eastern Communications is now equipping enterprises in General Santos and Dipolog with future-ready digital tools, helping fuel inclusive growth, strengthen industries, and prepare communities for a more connected tomorrow.

To learn more about Eastern Communications’ business-grade internet, cloud, cybersecurity, and other ICT solutions, visit eastern.com.ph or talk to us at 0919-081-7788 or 0917-300-7788.