EMONG'S JOURNALS

For Filipinos, smartphones have become indispensable to help us juggle work, school, errands, entertainment, and everything in between. But with long commutes and screen time stretching well into the night, keeping a phone charged can feel like a constant worry. Because we use our mobile phones as an alarm clock to start the day, a navigation tool during the commute, a mobile office or classroom, an entertainment and a communication hub, and a camera for life’s spontaneous moments, the last thing anyone needs is a phone that runs out of power before you’re safely home. It’s this everyday challenge that Xiaomi addresses with the REDMI 17 Series, launching in the Philippines today, October 19. Equipped with a massive 7,500mAh battery, fast charging, and a spacious display, the new lineup is designed to keep up with the demands of Filipino life without putting too much strain on the budget. Comprising the REDMI 17 and REDMI 17 5G, the series puts ...

The best barkada stories often start with “Tara, kape tayo!” More than a daily ritual, coffee gives friends a reason to come together, swap stories, and catch up on everything from small wins to major life updates. Sometimes, that invitation leads to a favorite neighborhood spot while other times, it turns into a road trip to discover something new out of town, with scenic stops and spontaneous detours along the way. Wherever they end up, one coffee stop can turn into hours of conversation and laughter. With the OPPO Reno16 Series 5G, the barkada brings a Pocket Studio along for the ride. Combining professional-level imaging hardware, versatile shooting capabilities, and AI-powered creative tools, it makes every “Tara, kape tayo!” moment worth capturing, from portraits at scenic stops and close-ups of intricate latte art to candid laughs, spontaneous reactions, and shared discoveries along the way Make every cafe hop a photo-worthy experience ...

Remember the sheer exhaustion of hauling your thick holiday sweaters and heavy luggage all the way across Metro Manila just to catch a freezing-cold midnight bus to Baguio? If your ultimate holiday nightmare involves navigating monstrous cross-town traffic to reach the usual terminals in Cubao or Pasay, exhale. A brand-new transport game-changer has just landed dead-center in Makati, making your much-needed mountain retreat smoother, faster, and wonderfully hassle-free just in time for the Christmas rush. Let’s be honest: as soon as the Metro Manila air drops a fraction of a degree and the malls start playing Jose Mari Chan, every single one of us gets an uncontrollable itch for strawberry taho, pine trees, and that crisp, sweater-weather chill. Baguio is practically calling our names. ​The catch? Getting there usually meant orchestrating a logistical masterpiece. You’d have to survive the punishing crawl of EDSA just to camp out at a ...

Sick of losing hours of your life to bumper-to-bumper gridlock around Quezon City? There’s finally some bright light at the end of the traffic tunnel. The vital ₱2.2-billion connection bridging Mindanao Avenue straight to Quirino Highway has officially smashed through the 96% completion milestone—meaning smoother, faster drives between Metro Manila and the North are practically right around the corner. Zooming into the final stretch ​ ​If your daily commute feels like an endurance test against endless tail-lights, take heart. The much-awaited NLEX-C5 Northlink project is zooming into its final stretch, hitting a massive 96% completion rate for its initial phase. ​We are talking about Segment 8.2 Section 1A—a vital two-kilometer elevated highway engineered to link the Mindanao Avenue toll plaza directly to Quirino Highway. Spearheaded by NLEX Corporation, ...

Power interruptions can happen when you least expect them, whether you're working from home, running a small business, relaxing with your favorite shows, or simply trying to keep your essential devices charged. At the same time, staying connected and keeping everyday routines going increasingly depends on having reliable access to power, even when you're away from a traditional outlet. To help users stay prepared wherever the day takes them, Infinix introduces the XEnergy L1000 and S320, two portable power solutions designed for different everyday needs. From providing backup power for essential home devices to keeping personal electronics charged on the go, the XEnergy lineup gives users a convenient way to keep power within reach when they need it most. Infinix XEnergy L1000: Backup Power for Essential Home Devices A brownout doesn't have to mean putting everything on pause. With the Infinix XEnergy L1000, users can...

Jollibee is offering Burger Steak Saucy-Sarap Savers, featuring meal bundles starting at just ₱99 nationwide from October 12 to December 31, giving customers more ways to enjoy Burger Steak at an affordable price. The bundles offer extra rice and extra sauce for a more satisfying meal, alongside options with fries or Peach Mango Pie to suit different cravings. “We know our customers are always looking for meals that are sulit (worth it) and satisfyingly sarap! That’s why we’re offering them more choices to enjoy Jollibee Burger Steak in ways that work for them, whether they want something heavy with extra rice and sauce or a delicious side like Fries or Peach Mango Pie to complete their meal” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. Customers can choose from a selection of Burger Steak meal bundles for only ₱99, with options that include extra rice and extra sauce, fries, or Peach Mango Pie, all ...