EMONG'S JOURNALS

For consumers who want to experience a vivo smartphone without necessarily buying a brand-new unit, there is another option worth considering: vivo refurbished phones. Unlike ordinary second-hand phones, refurbished vivo units are brand-managed devices that undergo inspection, cleaning, and necessary repairs by vivo customer service professionals before being made available for resale. This gives consumers a more accessible way to own a vivo smartphone, while offering the added assurance of professional quality checks and warranty support. Refurbished vivo phones may come from units previously used by KOLs or ambassadors, as well as store display and demo units. Once these devices are returned, they are handled by vivo customer service professionals and undergo the necessary inspection, cleaning, and repair processes before being relisted for sale. This is what sets refurbished vivo phones apart from ordinary second-hand devices. Rather tha...

New promo gives college learners 12 months of premium study tools—including Study Notebooks, Interactive Visualizations and Gemini Live and 400 GB of storage—at zero cost. MANILA – To help students succeed in school with cutting-edge AI tools, Google today announced that eligible college and university students across the Philippines can claim one full year of Google AI Plus for free. The offer brings Google’s advanced AI tools straight to students, giving them a reliable, personalized study partner to help tackle heavy course loads and stay organized. The centerpiece of the student plan is Study Notebooks, an AI study tool designed to turn overwhelming coursework into clear, manageable lessons. By uploading class materials like syllabi, slide decks, and reading packets, students can have Gemini create a step-by-step study plan. The tool generates learning guides, builds custom practice tests, tracks learning progress, and automatically...

HONOR Philippines today announced the launch of the HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition, a limited-edition smartphone created in collaboration with Pop Mart and available exclusively on Lazada Philippines for as low as Php 49,999. Bringing together HONOR’s premium smartphone technology and MOLLY’s distinctive style, the special-edition device is designed for users who want powerful everyday performance with a more expressive, collectible appeal. "We are excited to bring the HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition to the Philippines and introduce this special collaboration with Pop Mart,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. “MOLLY has a distinct identity and strong connection with its community, and we’re thrilled to bring that personality together with HONOR’s technology and innovation. Through this collaboration, we hope to connect with new communities and give both HONOR and Pop Mart fans a smartphone experience that is both powerful and ...

Leading Global AI devices provider HONOR Philippines officially marks the first day sale of the HONOR Magic V6, making its latest flagship foldable available to Filipino consumers across HONOR Philippines stores, partner dealers, and online channels nationwide. HONOR Philippines PR Head Pao Oga and Digital Marketing and Content Head Eason De Guzman with SM North EDSA Assistant Mall Manager Patricia Arcilla, and Miss Supranational Philippines 2027 Allyson Hetland, Miss Tourism World 2026 Marian Arellano, Miss Eco Teen Philippines 2026 Trexy Roxas, Miss Teen Universe Philippines 2026 Catherine Wardle To celebrate the milestone, HONOR Philippines held a first-day sale event at the HONOR Store in SM North EDSA, bringing together media, partners, guests to experience the Magic V6 and its latest innovations. "We're excited to officially bring the HONOR Magic V6 to consumers in the Philippines," said Stephen Che...

The “ber” months are officially here, bringing more reasons to celebrate, catch up, and make plans for the months ahead. This season, Shell is giving motorists more reasons to look forward to every stop—from free coffee to chances to win dining, wellness, travel, and VIP experiences. For motorists looking for bigger rewards, The Great Getaway runs from September 2 to October 20, 2026, giving Shell Go+ members the chance to turn qualifying fuel and Shell Select, Shell Café, and Shell deli2go purchases into raffle entries. Customers can win rewards designed for different ways to enjoy the Ber Months, including PHP 2,500 dining vouchers for 1,000 winners, Garmin Forerunner 170 watches for 100 winners, El Nido Resort getaways for 20 winners, and an exclusive Shanghai Grand Prix experience for five winners. Shell Go+ Elite members can earn 10x raffle entries on qualifying transactions, giving them even more chances to win. Meanwhile...

Lunch breaks get more exciting at the City of Firsts with the launch of the Araneta City Lunch Festival, a city-wide dining treat that brings more than 60 restaurants to offer specially curated lunch set menus starting at just Php399. Starting September 1, the Lunch Festival is available Mondays to Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving office workers, students, residents, shoppers, and commuters more reasons to enjoy a satisfying midday meal at Araneta City. For as low as Php399, diners can enjoy a complete lunch set that includes an appetizer and a main course from top restaurants across Araneta City’s malls. Participating establishments include a diverse mix of well-known food brands, along with Le Bistro at ibis Styles Manila Araneta City and food concepts at World Kitchens, all offering a wide range of flavors and dining experiences in one destination. This offer is exclusive to dine-in guests. See here the list of particip...

Finding a new place to eat is easy. Deciding whether it’s actually worth your time and hard-earned money? That’s the real challenge. Today’s diners want more than just aesthetic photos or fleeting social media hype. They want to be assured of quality before taking a bite. To help diners find the perfect meal to be delivered, Grab created 5-Star Eats, an in-app food guide that eliminates guesswork and points foodies to highly rated spots guaranteed to satisfy their cravings. Instead of relying on a single critic, an influencer, or a viral food trend, this curated collection reflects what everyday diners are actually choosing.  With real ratings, reviews, and repeat orders from millions of Grab users, 5-Star Eats establishments see a 30% average year-on-year increase in orders—proof that consistent, high-quality food and service at these spots not only attract new fans, but also retain loyal customers who order time and again.  ...