HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 Brings Elite Marathon Intelligence to Everyday Runners in the Philippines

Manila, Philippines — Huawei is redefining how runners train, track progress, and perform with the launch of the HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2, the lightest and most accurate titanium smartwatch in its class. Co-developed with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge—the first and only human to complete a marathon in under two hours—the device brings elite-level running intelligence within reach of everyday athletes. 

Inspired by Kipchoge’s belief that “No Human Is Limited,” the smartwatch reflects a shared mission between the athlete and Huawei: to make advanced training tools accessible to runners of all levels. Rather than focusing solely on elite performance, the WATCH GT Runner 2 empowers recreational and competitive runners alike with precision insights once reserved for professionals.

Working alongside Kipchoge’s team at DSM-Firmenich, Huawei translated real-world elite training experience into smarter wearable performance tracking. The watch captures workout data at one-second intervals, delivering more responsive feedback for pacing and performance adjustments. It also introduces refined running power metrics, helping runners better understand effort efficiency beyond traditional heart-rate tracking.

To support accurate performance monitoring, the smartwatch features a 3D floating antenna system combined with dual-band satellite positioning across major global systems. Even in challenging environments where signals drop, its industry-first AI-assisted XDR positioning system maintains consistent tracking of pace and distance. This ensures runners receive reliable metrics throughout their sessions—whether training in dense city streets or open outdoor routes. 

The WATCH GT Runner 2 also acts as a smart pacing companion through its Intelligent Marathon Mode, integrating environmental conditions, pacing targets, and physiological data into actionable guidance during races. Instead of simply recording workouts, it actively supports better performance decisions in real time.

Beyond performance tracking, the smartwatch emphasizes recovery and long-term progress. By analyzing heart rate variability, sleep quality, and training load, it recommends adjustments to intensity and rest—helping runners avoid overtraining and sustain improvement safely. This approach reflects Kipchoge’s philosophy that consistency and discipline are key to success.

Priced at PHP 19,999, early buyers from April 24 to May 31 can enjoy exclusive bundle offers, including a trade-in token, fluoroelastomer strap, audio wearable bonus, Health+ membership access, and extended protection coverage. Online shoppers can also claim special vouchers while supplies last. 

With the WATCH GT Runner 2, Huawei brings world-class coaching insights closer than ever—turning every run into a smarter step forward.

OWWA, GCash Partner to Provide Digital Payment Access to OFWs Globally

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and GCash have partnered to enable OFWs to pay their membership fees via the GCash app. OFWs can now pay membership fees conveniently and securely using the Bills Pay feature of GCash, anytime, anywhere. This comes at a critical time, as the ongoing Middle East conflict heightens the need for safe, reliable, and accessible digital solutions for Filipinos.

Active membership provides essential support, including emergency repatriation services and reintegration, as well as social benefits like healthcare, legal assistance, and livelihood programs. By digitizing the renewal process, OWWA and GCash are helping ensure that Filipinos have uninterrupted access to these benefits and protections, especially during crises.

“Digitizing the OWWA membership renewal via GCash is a vital component of how our agency is continuously modernizing for the benefit of our countrymen working abroad,” said Atty. Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, OWWA administrator. “We’re glad to have allies in the private sector to help us continue extending the safety of home and the protections of the government to our migrant workers.”

At the signing of the memorandum of agreement, Caunan also cited the broad digital finance advocacies of GCash, which include actively fostering a culture of financial literacy, as key drivers in advancing economic inclusion—contributing to the national goal of making migrant work a sustainable and viable livelihood choice for Filipinos instead of a necessity.

OWWA membership payments will be available through the GCash app starting April 16, 2026. To support OFWs during this time of crisis, transaction fees will be waived for three months or until July 16, 2026.

To pay for your OWWA membership, OFWs just need to follow these steps:

1. Open the GCash app and tap Bills.

2. Select Government, then choose the OWWA icon.

3. Enter your personal details and reference number, then proceed to payment.

Beyond membership payments, OFWs can also use GCash to send remittances, pay bills in the Philippines, and access savings, credit, insurance, and investment products, helping them manage their finances and stay connected to their families.

“Through this partnership with OWWA, we have better opportunities to serve our OFWs with a range of safe, convenient, and real-time services, from gateways to government programs, that ensure continued well-being, to our comprehensive digital financial ecosystem that empowers through true inclusion,” said Cleo Santos, GCash public sector head.

The integration of the OWWA membership into the GCash financial ecosystem is the first significant step in a long-term shared commitment to strengthening support systems for OFWs. GCash looks forward to leveraging digital solutions to complement government services and to ensure that Filipinos remain protected, connected, and supported wherever they are.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

VITRO Santa Rosa, Now TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certified

VITRO Inc., the pioneer in hyperscale-grade data centers in the Philippines, announced that VITRO Santa Rosa (VSR) is now TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certified, confirming its concurrently maintainable design with no single point of failure. The certification was awarded following a rigorous audit conducted by EPI (Enterprise Products Integration), a globally accredited certification body for data center standards.

Inaugurated last April 2025 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., VSR is the country's first AI-ready hyperscale data center. The 50-megawatt facility, located in Laguna's thriving tech corridor, is carrier-neutral and fully integrated into the country's domestic fiber network and global submarine cable systems. It is purpose-built to support the mission-critical operations of local and global enterprises, hyperscalers, AI platforms, and the public sector.

The TIA-942 Certification is administered by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and is globally recognized as an industry benchmark for telecommunications data centers. It provides a detailed design specification for a highly available, secure, and well-connected facility designed to meet today's most demanding IT assurance requirements.

Achieving the Rated 3 Facility Certification means VSR conforms to the stringent standards of ANSI/TIA-942 guidelines, ensuring that any data center component — including major apparatus and equipment — can be removed, replaced, or repaired without disrupting the operations of its customers. The design guidelines emphasize redundancy in data center infrastructure to secure high availability during both unplanned maintenance and infrastructure expansion.

"This certification is a testament to VITRO's commitment to delivering infrastructure that global enterprises and hyperscalers can trust. VSR was designed from the ground up to meet the most exacting international standards, and this certification affirms that the Philippines is ready to compete on the world stage as a premier digital hub," said Victor S. Genuino, President and CEO of ePLDT and VITRO Inc.

VITRO data centers, including VITRO Santa Rosa, are engineered to sustain a minimum of 72 hours of continuous operations through generator systems and fuel reserve, among the highest levels of operational resilience in the country. This reinforces VITRO’s commitment to delivering high-availability infrastructure, purpose-built for high availability and business continuity.

With TIA-942 Rated 3 Facility Certification now secured, VSR continues to raise the bar for data center excellence in Southeast Asia, supporting the Philippines' ambition to become a leading regional hub for digital innovation and investment.

Ragnarok Origin Classic’s “Sakura Vows” Update Redefines MMORPG Romance with a Player-First Approach

While many modern MMORPGs continue to monetize progression through stat-based upgrades and pay-to-win mechanics, Ragnarok Origin Classic (ROOC) is taking a refreshing step in a different direction. With the launch of the “Sakura Vows” update on April 24, publisher Gravity Game Vision reinforces its commitment to a social-first gameplay experience—one where connection, not power, drives engagement.

At the heart of the update is a fully realized marriage system that returns to what made MMORPG relationships meaningful in the first place: shared adventures and memorable moments. Unlike traditional wedding systems tied to stat bonuses or premium currency advantages, ROOC ensures that marriage remains purely social. This aligns with the game’s long-standing promise to players: grow with Monthly Pass only, without introducing hidden progression shortcuts.

The update introduces three wedding ceremony tiers, each offering a unique visual presentation but identical gameplay stats. The most accessible option, the Eternal Contract Wedding, costs only 999,999 Eden Coins, making it available to nearly every adventurer without requiring real-money purchases. Meanwhile, the Sakura Oath Wedding and Beyond the Stars Wedding offer expanded ceremony animations, themed outfits, mounts, and cosmetic collectibles—but still no gameplay advantage. It’s a clear message from the developers: romance should never depend on spending power.

Adding even more depth, the new Wedding Renewal feature allows couples to celebrate their ceremony again at minimal cost, inviting guildmates and friends to relive the occasion. Rather than being a one-time transaction, marriage becomes a recurring social milestone worth sharing.

Beyond weddings, the Sakura Vows update transforms Prontera into a cherry blossom festival setting, introducing seasonal immersion and several cooperative features designed to strengthen player interaction. Highlights include the Out Loud Confession system, the duo-based Rainbow Covenant quest, and the personality-driven MBTI Oracle matchmaking feature, which adds a playful layer to in-game relationships. Players who participate in events and maintain a 15-day login streak can also earn exclusive cosmetics such as the Sakura Headwear.

Looking ahead, additional content continues to expand the experience. The upcoming Love Potion matchmaking feature and the PvE challenge Sakura Spirit promise ongoing engagement throughout the event period.

More than just a content patch, Sakura Vows represents a philosophy in action. Through transparent communication from producer Big Kitty and consistent player feedback integration, ROOC demonstrates that its player-first design approach is not marketing—it’s part of the game’s identity. As cherry blossoms fall across Prontera, the update invites players to build stories that are meaningful, shared, and entirely their own. 

Vivo V70 FE’s 200MP Camera Lets You Capture Once and Create More

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — There’s a common challenge in mobile photography: you take what seems like the perfect shot, only to realize later that the most interesting detail was too small or too far away to highlight. With the Vivo V70 FE, that limitation becomes a thing of the past.

Equipped with a powerful 200MP OIS Ultra-Clear Main Camera, the Vivo V70 FE allows users to capture a full scene in a single shot and refine their composition afterward—without sacrificing image quality. Unlike traditional smartphone cameras that lose clarity when zooming or cropping, this ultra-high-resolution sensor preserves fine details even at up to 900% enlargement.

This capability transforms the way users approach photography. A single wide-angle photo can easily become multiple high-quality images—from mid-range crops to close-up shots—giving creators more flexibility without the need to retake photos.

One of the biggest advantages of the 200MP camera is its exceptional detail retention. Even when zoomed in significantly, textures on flowers, facial details in portraits, or distant architectural elements remain sharp and visible. This makes the Vivo V70 FE especially useful for travelers, content creators, and everyday users who want reliable clarity in every frame.

Another key benefit is ultra-clear photo cropping. Instead of worrying about perfect framing during the initial shot, users can simply capture the moment and adjust later. With 200MP resolution, a single image can produce multiple compositions—wide, mid, or close-up—without noticeable loss of quality.

The camera also delivers impressive results for printing. Photos taken in 200MP mode can be printed up to four times larger than standard 50MP images while maintaining excellent clarity. This makes the Vivo V70 FE ideal for preserving important memories in high-quality physical formats.

Activating the 200MP feature is simple. Just open Photo Mode, tap the High Resolution icon, and start shooting. For best results, users should shoot portraits within about 5 meters and landscapes or buildings from about 20 meters away. Using the main camera at 1x zoom (23 mm) also helps maximize image sharpness.

More than just sharper photos, the Vivo V70 FE’s 200MP camera offers creative freedom. Users can capture moments confidently, knowing they can crop, zoom, and refine later without losing detail.

The Vivo V70 FE is available for pre-order at a starting price of Php 25,999 until April 24 in Vivo stores nationwide, with exclusive perks including a Php 1,000 discount, a Vivo VIP Card, Vivo Buds Air3, and a Globe prepaid SIM with one year of unlimited 5G access. It is also available on Shopee for as low as Php 22,000 until April 25, 2026.