Vivo V80 Lite 5G Goes on Exclusive Shopee Promo, Bringing Long Battery Life and Premium Features to Filipino Consumers

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Filipino consumers looking for a smartphone that can keep up with demanding workdays and busy lifestyles can take advantage of an exclusive Shopee promotion for the Vivo V80 Lite 5G. The smartphone will be available through the Vivo Official Store on Shopee from October 9 at 8 p.m. through October 16, giving shoppers a limited-time opportunity to purchase the device with up to 16% total discount.

The Vivo V80 Lite 5G is priced at Php 24,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant and Php 27,999 for the 6GB + 256GB variant. Customers using Shopee SPayLater can also enjoy 0% interest for up to six months, with monthly payments starting at Php 3,840.

Built for the Demands of Everyday Life

For young professionals, smartphones have evolved beyond communication devices. They serve as productivity tools, navigation companions, entertainment hubs, and platforms for staying connected with friends, family, and colleagues.

The Vivo V80 Lite 5G is designed around these everyday demands. Its 10,000mAh BlueVolt Battery provides substantial capacity for extended use, supporting activities such as calls, messaging, navigation, streaming, social media, and other daily tasks without constantly searching for a charger.

The device also features a 6.83-inch 1.5K OLED display with HDR10+ and up to 2,000 nits peak brightness, delivering a bright and detailed viewing experience. Whether users are reviewing work content, browsing social media, watching videos, or enjoying entertainment after work, the display is designed to provide an immersive viewing experience.

Durability is another highlight. With IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, the Vivo V80 Lite 5G offers added protection against dust and water under rated testing conditions. This makes it a practical companion for daily commutes, outdoor activities, workouts, and other situations beyond the office.

“Shopee’s 10.10 sale gives consumers another convenient way to get the V80 Lite, with payment options that make the device more accessible,” said Liu Lu, Brand Marketing Director of Vivo Philippines.

The Vivo V80 Lite 5G will be available through the Vivo Official Store on Shopee starting October 9 at 8 p.m. during the exclusive promotional period.

Binance Intelligence Brings AI-Powered Finance to a New Generation of Users

Binance is taking another step toward making financial markets easier to understand and access with the launch of Binance Intelligence, a new AI product stack designed to help users understand financial information, develop strategies, and build AI-powered applications on Binance.

Unveiled during a livestreamed event featuring Binance Co-CEO Richard Teng and VP of Product Jeff Li, Binance Intelligence brings together three core products: Binance AI, Binance AI Pro, and Binance Agent OS. Together, they aim to bridge the knowledge gap between everyday users and experienced market professionals.

Making Financial Information Easier to Understand

Binance AI provides a free, adaptive experience that personalizes financial information according to a user's knowledge level and interests. Instead of requiring users to navigate multiple charts, news sources, research platforms, and on-chain data tools, the system brings relevant information together in one experience.

Features include an adaptive "For You" interface, AI-powered tool tips, personalized market briefs, market and portfolio widgets, and insights covering crypto, stocks, and macroeconomic developments. The AI-generated Market Brief is refreshed every four hours and can be delivered in text or audio.

Turning Ideas Into Strategies

For users looking to take a more active approach, Binance AI Pro functions as a finance-focused AI agent capable of turning natural-language instructions into visualized strategies and automated workflows.

Users can describe an idea such as monitoring their portfolio or exploring diversification across crypto and stocks. The system can then generate an editable workflow without requiring coding skills. Users can refine the strategy through conversation, test strategies through paper trading where available, and approve workflows before execution.

Importantly, users remain in control. Live strategies operate through dedicated sub-accounts funded manually by the user, helping limit an agent's ability to move funds independently.

Giving Developers the Tools to Build

The third component, Binance Agent OS, is designed for developers. The platform connects AI applications and agents with Binance's trading, market data, wallet, payment, and on-chain capabilities.

With support for APIs, the Binance Wallet Agentic Hub, programmable payments, the Skill Hub, and Model Context Protocol (MCP), developers can create financial AI applications with configurable permissions and dedicated sub-accounts.

Together, these technologies represent Binance's broader vision of combining blockchain's accessibility with AI's ability to simplify complex information. As financial markets become increasingly connected, AI-powered tools could play a growing role in helping both newcomers and experienced users navigate the digital economy.

Globe Reports 1,245 Cases of Cable Theft; Urges Government Action to Protect Critical Infrastructure

Globe is calling for stronger government action against the theft and pilferage of telecommunications equipment, warning that the growing problem is disrupting connectivity and putting critical network infrastructure at risk. The company and its tower company partners have recorded 1,245 pilferage cases as of September 2026, leading to service outages nationwide, with more incidents continuing to be reported.

Each affected site can mean disrupted mobile and data services for customers who rely on connectivity for work, education, business, emergency communications, and access to essential digital services. Beyond the immediate service disruption, repeated theft also undermines investments intended to expand coverage, improve network quality, and strengthen resilience.

“This is no longer simply a matter of stolen equipment. When critical telecommunications infrastructure is damaged or taken, communities can lose connectivity and the investments being made to improve network services are undermined,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, General Counsel of Globe. “We need stronger, coordinated action across government, law enforcement, local communities, and the telecommunications industry to address this problem.”

Globe is urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to help bring together telecommunications operators, tower companies, and relevant government agencies toward a more coordinated response. The company is also seeking stronger participation from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), local government units, and barangays nationwide to strengthen prevention and enforcement on the ground.

Barangay and LGU officials play an important role as the first line of defense in communities where telecommunications facilities are located. Globe is calling for closer coordination with community officials and tanods to watch vulnerable facilities, report suspicious activity, and help verify whether individuals working on telecommunications equipment are legitimate and authorized crews. Greater attention should also be given to the illegal sale and purchase of stolen cables, equipment, and other network materials, addressing the market that makes infrastructure theft profitable in the first place.

Existing laws already provide avenues to prosecute theft and the buying or selling of stolen property, including provisions of the Revised Penal Code and the Anti-Fencing Law. Globe believes stronger and more consistent enforcement, supported by coordination among national agencies, LGUs, communities, and industry players, can help deter repeat incidents and hold those responsible accountable.

Telecommunications companies continue to invest heavily in network infrastructure to expand and improve services across the country. When equipment is repeatedly stolen or damaged, resources that could otherwise support network expansion and upgrades have to be redirected toward replacing equipment and restoring affected sites.

Globe continues to work with authorities and industry partners to secure network facilities and restore affected sites as quickly as possible. With pilferage already causing more than a thousand site outages this year, Globe is pushing for a coordinated national response that addresses theft from prevention and community vigilance to enforcement and the illegal resale of stolen telecommunications equipment.

Enchanted Kingdom Marks Its 31st Anniversary With Enhanced AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY and a Night of OPM Music

Enchanted Kingdom (EK), the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, renews its commitment to sustainability and biodiversity as it celebrates its 31st Anniversary with the second set of enhancements to its award-winning flying theater, AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY this October.

As a highlight of its Fiesta ng Saribuhay anniversary campaign, EK will continue to share more enchanting stories of Saribuhay through the attraction’s new and enhanced pre- and post-show experiences that showcase the rich biodiversity of the Philippines and reinforce its call for Filipinos to appreciate and take care of our environment.

Among the enhancements is Kwento ng Agila, an immersive walkthrough accessible upon entering the AGILA building. Through immersive visuals and storytelling, the new entry experience takes guests behind the scenes of the attraction, revealing its inspiration, the symbolism behind its architecture, and its development by an all-Filipino team.

Further along the walkthrough, guests will be introduced to the world of the Agila, or Philippine eagle, through a glimpse of its natural habitat and the various species that thrive within its ecosystem. It also traces the lifecycle of the Agila, highlighting its plight as one of the critically endangered birds in the world.

This builds on EK’s steadfast commitment to eagle conservation, earlier demonstrated by its adoption and continued support for the care and breeding of Enchanting Kagitingan, a male Philippine eagle, in partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

Additionally, the immersive experience extends beyond the atrium lobby, as augmented reality (AR) brings the landing queue leading to the Enchanted Forest to life through the guests’ smartphones.

EK has also given PUGAD, the attraction’s in-house concept store, a new direction as part of the AGILA improvements. The refreshed retail space will now incorporate an enchanting mix of entertainment and learning to encapsulate the overall AGILA experience.

The attraction’s existing facilities remain operational and accessible to all guests, while its newly updated areas will officially launch on October 17.

Almost a decade after its launch, AGILA The EKsperience: SARIBUHAY was reimagined in October 2025, placing renewed focus not only on tourism but also on sustainability and appreciation for the country’s natural heritage. It was later recognized as the Best ASEAN New Tourism Attraction by the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) in January 2026.

EK celebrates its 31st Anniversary with Fiesta ng Saribuhay.

EK is all set to celebrate its 31st Anniversary as it releases more updates on its events, shows, and other offerings throughout October.

Following the announcement of its anniversary events in late August, the theme park has unveiled the complete lineup of performers at its Fiesta ng Saribuhay Concert on October 17 at the Spaceport Grounds. The spectacular night will showcase world-class Filipino music and talent through live performances by award-winning R&B hitmaker Dionela, 1Z Entertainment’s rising P-pop girl group XONARA, indie band Sacred Red, and other up-and-coming artists, alongside EK’s homegrown talents, SMS and Kingsmen.

The celebration will culminate in the Lipad ng Agila: A Pyromusical Fiesta, giving EK’s signature evening send-off a magical twist as vibrant pyrotechnic displays and symbolic imagery bring the spirit of the festivities to the night sky.

Every weekend in October, the EK Storyverse Characters will bring all the magic and excitement across the Park’s themed zones during the Fiesta ng Saribuhay Anniversary Parade. And on October 17, street dance performers will join in the parade as it serves as a festive prelude to the concert proper.

Meanwhile, Run to 31: Takbo ng Saribuhay, a fun run celebrating biodiversity through fitness and togetherness, will take place on October 11 in partnership with the United RSBS Boulevard Stakeholders Federation (URSF). Registration is now open at the EK Online Store, with 1.5K, 3K, and 5K routes available for interested participants.

SMS and Kingsmen will also mark the Park’s 31st Anniversary with new music. The P-pop girl group will release their rendition of Lipad, while the all-male vocal group has re-recorded a festive version of their song, Saribuhay. Both tracks will soon be available on all major streaming platforms.

Meanwhile, parkgoers can immerse themselves in other seasonal experiences at the Agila Grounds, including the Ube-Matcha Festival from October 14 to 18, which showcases the fusion of local flavors with other well-loved favorites, and Palarong Pinoy, a set of skill-based activities featuring traditional Filipino street games, launching just in time for the main anniversary festivities.

More in-park food options also await Filipinos as EK welcomes new tenant partners, with Minimelts launched in September and Mango Royal scheduled to open on October 3.

*Schedules are subject to change with prior notice.

Globe Leads Manila in VoLTE Call Setup Speeds as 5G Voice Adoption Evolves

The quality of mobile voice calls is increasingly defined not only by audio clarity but also by how quickly a call connects. According to Ookla data, Globe Telecom leads operators in Manila with a median Voice over LTE (VoLTE) call setup time of just 1.65 seconds, delivering a fast, responsive calling experience.

In comparison, DITO relies heavily on Evolved Packet System (EPS) fallback, where devices transition from 5G to 4G LTE to establish a voice call. This results in a considerably slower median call setup time of 4.59 seconds.

The difference matters because users perceive call setup delays differently depending on how long they are. Psychological research indicates that calls connecting in under two seconds can feel almost instantaneous, while delays exceeding four seconds can create uncertainty and anxiety. Across operators, compliance with the two-second target varies dramatically, ranging from 98.5% to just 0.1% of calls.

Globally, VoLTE remains highly competitive with newer Voice over New Radio (VoNR) technology. VoLTE delivers a global median call setup time of 1.87 seconds, compared with 1.96 seconds for VoNR. VoLTE also has a slightly higher percentage of calls meeting the target setup time, showing that established LTE voice infrastructure remains highly capable.

VoNR nevertheless represents an important step in the evolution of 5G voice services. However, the performance advantage is not universal. Of the eight operators tested, only six connected calls faster using VoNR than VoLTE. Furthermore, the slowest five percent of VoNR calls can experience substantially longer setup times, potentially because of coverage gaps, paging delays, or other network conditions.

The biggest delays occur when devices are forced to use Circuit-Switched Fallback (CSFB) to legacy 3G or 2G networks. CSFB produces a median call setup time of 4.48 seconds, making it approximately 2.4 times slower than VoLTE. More concerning, 5.5% of CSFB calls take longer than 10 seconds to connect.

The findings highlight an important reality in the transition to 5G: newer technology does not automatically guarantee a faster user experience. Network coverage, voice architecture, device behavior, and fallback mechanisms all play critical roles.

For operators, improving voice performance means more than deploying 5G—it means ensuring users can connect quickly and consistently, regardless of network conditions.