Rising Kapamilya Artist MAKI Releases Heartbreaking Song "HBD"

Rising Kapamilya artist Maki welcomed 2024 with a brand new alternative pop single called “HBD.”

The song immediately hit the top spot of Spotify Philippines’ New Music Friday playlist while Maki got featured as the playlist’s cover artist.

“HBD” is a track about remembering the birthday of one’s former lover while musing on whether to reach out or let go. Written by Maki and Nhiko Sabiniano, it also speaks of acceptance of a lost love in the process.

Maki introduced “HBD” through an intimate launch party held last January 7 at Magdamag Market Café in Quezon City where he and his fans shared their HBD stories or experiences of longing for loved ones on their birthday.

His latest music follows the successful “Tanong” EP he dropped late last year under Tarsier Records, featuring equally heartbreaking songs “Kailan?,” “Bakit?,” and “Saan?,” which is his biggest hit to date with 50 million streams on Spotify alone.

Check out Maki’s “HBD,” now streaming on various platforms. For details, follow Tarsier Records on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Aurora Music Festival Clark 2024 Promises To Be Bigger, Reveals Massive Two-Day Lineup of Performances

If you’re craving that awesome energy, great live music performances from your favorite artists and amazing company from your buddies, it’s time to prepare for another awesome weekend extravaganza filled with fun and unforgettable AURORA atmosphere!

It’s happening once again at Clark Global City on April 6-7, 2024, promising a weekend filled with pulsating beats, incredible performances, and a breathtaking display of more than 20 hot air balloons. After the massive success of the only OPM Music Festival that tours Clark, Cebu, and Davao, rest assured to get supreme enjoyment and a festival atmosphere that you will cherish forever.

This year, expect nothing but the best OPM lineup. Aurora Music Festival Day 1 will feature sensational acts SB19, Moira Dela Torre, December Avenue, Juan Karlos, Adie and Cup of Joe. Meanwhile, it’s time to rock out on Day 2 because it’s set to be equally spectacular with performances by icons Rico Blanco, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Orange & Lemons, Itchy Worms and Andrew E.

More than 20 hot air balloons will paint the Clark sky, creating a stunning backdrop to the musical festivities. Attendees can look forward to a mesmerizing display that adds a touch of magic to the entire weekend.

Come and be part of this unparalleled celebration of music, culture, and adventure at Clark Global City in cooperation with Clark Development Corporation and The Medical City Clark. Produced by EPIC EVENTS, EGGSTOP, and MR. MACCHIATO, and proudly presented by the FWD Insurance, Official Insurance Partner. The festival is a celebration of the vibrant OPM (Original Pilipino Music) scene, featuring an outstanding lineup of artists over two days.

Tickets on sale now! Visit https://ticket.epiceventsph.com, www.smtickets.com and all SM Tickets outlets and via Shopee https://shopee.ph/aurorafestival.

For inquiries, call 09674911488, 09670960373 or message the official Facebook Page at @ClarkHotAirBalloonFest or @ClarkAuroraFest

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SMART Partners with UnionBank to Reward Subscribers with up to P5,000 Welcome Gift

Smart subscribers have one more reason to celebrate the new year as mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) to bring more exclusive rewards to subscribers with their new UnionBank Credit Card.

Under this exciting partnership, qualified Smart Prepaid subscribers will receive a P2,000 Welcome Gift with their new UnionBank Rewards Credit Card, while qualified Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity subscribers will receive a P5,000 Welcome Gift with their new UnionBank Rewards, UnionBank Miles+, or UnionBank Reserve Credit Card.

Eligible subscribers can make the most of this exclusive Welcome Gift as they shop at their favorite stores or their go-to online shopping apps and e-commerce platforms. Smart subscribers can learn more about the perfect UnionBank Credit Card that suits their lifestyle at https://smart.com.ph/Pages/ubwelcomegift/.

How to redeem your exclusive Welcome Gift from Smart and UnionBank

Smart Prepaid subscribers with a new UnionBank Rewards Credit Card may receive their P2,000 Welcome Gift by linking their UnionBank Rewards Credit Card to GigaPay on the Smart App, and then purchasing PowerAll 99 on the Smart App.

On the other hand, Smart Postpaid subscribers with a new UnionBank Rewards Credit Card may receive their P5,000 Welcome Gift by simply enrolling their Smart Postpaid account to the Auto Bills Payment on UnionBank’s website.

Aside from this exclusive Welcome Gift, UnionBank Rewards cardholders may also enjoy No Annual Fees Forever with an accumulated spend worth P20,000 within 60 days of card approval.

UnionBank Miles+ and UnionBank Reserve for Smart Infinity members

Meanwhile, Smart Infinity members on Plan 3500 may get their P5,000 Welcome Gift with their new UnionBank Miles+ Credit Card by simply enrolling their Smart Infinity account to the Auto Bills Payment on UnionBank’s website. UnionBank Miles+ Credit Card also gives users a chance to redeem a Welcome Gift of 30,000 never-expiring miles with an accumulated spend of P40,000 within 60 days of card approval.

In addition, Smart Infinity members on Plan 5000 and Plan 8000 may also receive their P5,000 Welcome Gift with their new UnionBank Reserve Credit Card by simply enrolling their Smart Infinity account to the Auto Bills Payment on UnionBank’s website. Application to UnionBank Reserve Credit Card is by invite only and Plan 5000 and Plan 8000 members are automatically eligible to apply.

On top of this Welcome Gift, UnionBank Reserve cardholders may also redeem as much as P18,000 worth of eGift from Giftaway merchants with an accumulated spend of P40,000 within 60 days of card approval.

This exclusive promo will run until February 29, 2024.

Smart’s collaboration with UnionBank is part of its thrust to bring exclusive rewards and epic lifestyle treats to the fingertips of subscribers on top of empowering them with the best mobile network experience possible. Learn more about the latest treat from Smart and UnionBank at https://smart.com.ph/Pages/ubwelcomegift .

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New Tech For the New Year: 5 Amazing Gadgets Under P7,000

It’s the season of fresh beginnings, and what better way to start off the new year than with tech upgrades that won't break the bank? Whether you're shopping for the little ones, your significant other, or treating yourself, our curated list of top 5 tech upgrades under P7,000 is sure to make 2024 a memorable one.

The Perfect Smartphone for Gaming & Entertainment

The recently launched Infinix HOT 40 SERIES, comprising the HOT 40 Pro, HOT 40, and HOT 40i, emerges as a budget-friendly gem, especially if you’re looking for a reliable upgrade for gaming and entertainment. Boasting a robust processor, a whopping 5,000 mAh battery paired with 33W Enduring FastCharge, and stellar camera capabilities, this series ensures an immersive experience without breaking the bank.

With a price tag below ₱7,000, both the HOT 40 Pro and HOT 40 come in an exclusive gift box with Free Fire thematic wallpapers and a phone case. A must-have for Infinix fans and mobile gamers, these editions are an exciting addition to the tech scene.

● HOT 40 Pro: P6,999

● HOT 40: P5,999

● HOT 40i: P 4,799 (128GB) | P 5,299 (256GB)

Gear up and level up your gaming prowess with the unstoppable Infinix HOT 40 Pro exclusively through Infinix's online stores on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

Affordable Smart Living

Priced at ₱2,995, the SwitchBot Hub 2 stands out as a cutting-edge, Matter-enabled smart home hub designed with the contemporary, tech-savvy household in mind. Serving as the nerve center for a myriad of smart devices, it seamlessly ensures broad compatibility and an extra layer of security. This hub is a game-changer for overseeing SwitchBot devices and a plethora of other intelligent gadgets, fostering a more connected home environment. Boasting user-friendly features and seamless integration with popular voice assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, the SwitchBot Hub 2 is not only affordable but also a powerhouse in streamlining and elevating your smart home experience. It's the go-to choice for those seeking efficiency and affordability in their quest to transform their home into a tech haven.

Print Your Family Photos

With a price tag of ₱6,569.00, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 Smartphone Printer emerges as a stellar pick for photography enthusiasts keen on the tangible allure of instant prints. Tailor-made for the creatively inclined - be it avid scrapbookers or journal aficionados—this printer adds an intimate touch to crafts with the magic of instant photos. Beyond the realm of solitary creativity, it caters to the social butterflies among us, facilitating the seamless sharing of tangible mementos of digital memories at gatherings or events. For those who find joy in the intersection of technology and nostalgia, the Instax Mini Link 2 makes a compelling case as a must-have gadget.

Kick Back & Listen to Music

For those seeking respite from the daily grind, you can take it slow and blast your favorite tracks with JBL Go 3 Portable Waterproof Speaker (P2,399). This compact speaker is equipped with the Original JBL Pro Sound, ensuring high-quality from your smartphone's streaming services for up to five hours worth of playtime. It's the perfect travel companion as it's not only compact, but also waterproof and dustproof. Easily match your style and personality with the JBL Go 3 Portable Waterproof Speaker's bold colors and designs.

Achieve Your Fitness Goals

Getting fit and being more mindful of one's health is often part of many people’s new year's resolutions. An easy way to keep track of your progress is with the SoundPeats Watch Pro 1 & Fitness Tracker (P2,899). It supports 13 sports modes, such as running, walking, yoga, and more, while also recording how many calories you've burned per activity. The Heart Rate Monitor & Sleep Quality Tracker ensures that you're living a healthy lifestyle every day. Equipped with other practical functions that make everyday routines a breeze, the SoundPeats Watch Pro 1 can be your budget-friendly smartwatch to achieve your fitness goals.

There's an abundance of options for those who appreciate both innovation and affordability. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a creative, or anyone in between, these choices ensure joy and practicality without emptying your wallet. Welcome 2024 with much-deserved tech upgrades!

About Infinix:

Infinix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures, and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the Infinix brand, which was founded in 2013.

Targeting today’s youth with first in-class technology, Infinix creates trendy, powerful, and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want.

For more information, please visit: http://www.infinixmobility.com/

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Beautiful Animation, Timeless Adventure and More Reasons Why "MIGRATION" is a Must-Watch Movie

“Migration” is Illumination’s latest original comedy that families shouldn’t miss.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/h6MQPmWJaEo?si=llryH5lbd50Ck0Kp

In “Migration,” the Mallard family is led by dad Mack (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani), who is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, and mom Pam (Elizabeth Banks), who prefers to shake things up and show their kids - teen son Dax (Caspar Jennings) and duckling daughter Gwen (Tresi Gazal) - the whole wide world. When a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam seizes the opportunity and persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.

Find out what some reviewers are saying about the movie!

Says Deadline, “It is the kind of animated entertainment that all ages will find something to like, and in terms of the creative talent involved it is a breath of fresh air in the genre.”

“Benjamin Renner’s new comedy ‘Migration’ offers a winning combination of a charming narrative and distinctive animation style,” says The Hollywood Reporter.

“It’s breezy and lighthearted but manages to hit a bullseye when it comes to the type of stories we need this season,” Collider shares.

Of the film’s animation, the Los Angeles Times says, “Where many animated productions sport a plastic sheen, ‘Migration’s’ textured look conveys a less-manufactured touch. There are lovely vistas taken in from the air. The hue palette is more muted than the usual candy-colored explosions. The light feels gentler with mellower shadows. We’re often in the magic hours of dusk or dawn. In the distance, the haze blurs to an almost watercolor effect.”

“Illumination soars to creative new heights with a hilarious CGI adventure that's beautifully animated. Migration delivers a feast for the eyes that tickles your funny bone with wonderful character dynamics,” says MovieWeb.

“Migration,” from Universal Pictures International, is now showing nationwide.

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TCL Honored with Over 40 Awards and Accolades for 115-inch TV and Other Innovative Products Across Categories at CES 2024

TCL Electronics, a leading consumer electronics brand and the world's top two TV brand, today announced that multiple of its products and technical solutions, including the 115-inch QM891G QD-Mini LED TV, smartphones and tablets with TCL’s new NXTPAPER 3.0 display technology, RayNeo X2 Lite AR Glasses and TCL Q Class soundbars have been honored with the recognitions from authoritative media and organizations.

This year, TCL made a spark at CES with a leading portfolio of innovative technologies across multiple categories. Taking center stage, TCL won six accolades at the 2023-2024 Global Top Brands Awards Ceremony (GTB) organized by Asia Digital Group and European Digital Group, with support from International Data Corporation and TWICE. This event was characterized by professionalism and credibility in the global consumer electronics industry. Bill Jiang, Vice President of TCL Industries and General Manager of Global Marketing Center, attended the ceremony and accepted the awards on behalf of the company.

Notably, TCL’s 115-inch QM891G, the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV, received the "Innovative Display Technology Gold Award of the Year” from GTB for the breakthrough in display technology that it represents. The latest tablet TCL NXTPAPER 14 Pro and RayNeo X2 Lite AR Glasses, both part of one of the industry’s first smart connected mobile devices entertainment solutions by TCL, also took home the “Eye Protection Display Technology Innovation Award” and “AR Glasses Innovation Award of the Year” respectively.

In addition, TCL was recognized by GTB as “2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 10”, “2023-2024 Global TV Brands Top 10” and “2023-2024 Global CE Brands Top 50” for its commitment to “Inspire Greatness” through an extensive line-up of innovative products.

Aside from the recognitions from GTB, the TCL 40 NXTPAPER smartphone was also honored with a CES 2024 Innovation Award in the “Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps” category. As the world's first and one of the smartphones optimized for human eyes, TCL 40 NXTPAPER is recognized for bringing a revolutionary full-color, paper-like comfort visual experience to smartphones.

Moreover, many of TCL’s innovative technologies and smart products across categories that were unveiled at CES 2024 received “Best of CES 2024” awards from international media. In total, TCL was honored with over 34 recognitions from authoritative technology media, including Digital Trends, Android Authority, and more.

Boasting best-in-class quality and outstanding innovation in its comprehensive product portfolio, the company has also been recognized by various authoritative organizations. Its pioneering X955 and C755 TV Series were the first in the world to be certified by TÜV Rheinland for their Realistic Visual Experience. The 27R83U/34R83Q Professional Monitor Series received Pantone Validated recognition at CES 2024, which is based on the Pantone Matching System (PMS), the only validation with the real world color testing over 2,000 colors.

Over the years, TCL Electronics has been on a consistent journey of growth and transformation into a globally leading intelligent technology company. With several R&D centers worldwide and strong support from thousands of industry partners worldwide, TCL Electronics is leveraging this global synergy to continuously expand its product portfolio, create further breakthroughs in innovation and empower users to pursue greatness.

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