FACT: Not all living spaces are designed with big windows that let in a lot of natural light. Unfortunately, this is not a good thing for those who need to shoot good photos and videos at home.

No more dark and shadowy photos and videos!

Last year, I had to send a taped message to be used during the launch of my book Embracing Disability This Ability in the Philippines since I wasn't able to fly back home and couldn't make it to the event.

At the time, hubby and I had difficulties finding a good spot in the townhouse we were living in. So we just settled for a place across the living room window to get the best illumination. Still, it wasn't as well-lighted as we wanted.

screenshot from last year's video

The thing is, poorly-lighted videos can distract viewers from understanding one's message fully but we didn't have time to figure out a solution. And no, cellphone flashlights didn't help! 

Fast forward to this year when I was requested to send another video for a Christmas outreach program to encourage fellow special needs parents who also have kids with cerebral palsy.

Thankfully, I found a very functional ring light online that can be mounted on a tripod and even comes with a tiny remote so users can easily stop and start recording whenever needed.

Needless to say, hubby and I were happy with the results. Aren't advances in technology awesome?! 

P.S. For those wondering, I bought the selfie right light here and the well-lighted photos were taken using hubby's Pixel 2 XL and my Pixel 3. 

Note: Google's NOT a sponsor of this blog although I wish it is! We are just really happy with our phones :)

    

The title of this post is not misleading; I am just stating a fact. People with active lifestyles are, after all, always ready to go on adventures and need tough gear that can withstand rough handling and inclement weather.

true to individual preferences, hubby gravitated towards the manly-looking bags while I went for the display with colorful ones :)

URGe, which stands for Urban Rugged Gear, is a shop that would delight the mobile urban warrior because it carries the latest products and accessories from premium active lifestyle brands that are well known around the world. 

URGe's newly-opened Greenbelt 1 branch

If you want to be sure that you're buying genuine items, know that URGe is an official distributor of Otterbox, Goal Zero, YurBuds, LifeProof, GoPro, LeefiBridge,  and B&O Play. Likewise, please take note that it is also the ONLY distributor of Mission Workshop, WaterShot, Ethnotek, and Drifter in the Philippines.

URGe founders Anthony Kierulf, Jay Tengco,  Jaycee Dee, and Joanne Tengco

Jay Tengo, president of Tenkiebox, assures that URGe carries innovative products, backed by the latest technology and world-class standards, that are "designed to take your active lifestyle to greater heights." For sure, anybody who likes doing outdoor activities would definitely appreciate finding innovation, style, and convenience in just one destination.

URGe's friendly staff at the Greenbelt 1 branch

According to Tengco, whether you are someone who has a demanding job that takes you out of the of the comforts of your office, a road warrior always out working on the field, or a weekend wanderer in search of a new adventure, "URGe has the perfect products that [will] best suit and protect your precious gadgets."

Otter Box display

Here are some of the products you can find at the store:

As to brands exclusively available at URGe:

"Stylish, durable, and convenient to use -- that is the URGe guarantee. Whenever you purchase a product from us, you know that you are getting the best!" pronounces Tengco who encourages active individuals to "let URGe be your adventure buddy as you pursue your passions and quench your thirst for adventure without any worries."

visit URGe and find the adventure buddies you need!

URGe is located at 2/F Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center Makati City and 2/F Theater Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center. For more details, please visit www.urge.ph.

* photos without watermark courtesy of First Tier Brands

Design vs. functionality -- for many users, this is usually the case when choosing a new personal device. However, an impressive aesthetic feature most often doesn't translate to a gadget's power and performance. This dilemma prompted HP to reinvent the personal laptop experience to come up with user experience without compromise; an innovation that promises versatility by tastefully merging existing stylish designs and unmatched performance; and to provide a smarter, finer edge suited for discriminating users. 

Recently, HP Philippines unveiled the HP Spectre x360, its latest hybrid innovation in a event hosted by the ever lovely Tessa Prieto-Valdes. Dubbed A Finer Edge, the launch was held at the Century Mall Events Center in Makati City to celebrate the union between artisanal craftsmanship and functional ingenuity. 

Apart from the exclusive preview of the premium laptop, guests were able to admire versatile art pieces from the Benildean Industrial Designers Organization (BInD) as well as listen to renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue talk about his design processes. As a fan of his magnificent pieces, I appreciated the snippets he shared of his work, many of which highlighted Filipino artistry and creativity to various design expos all over the world.

Pallasena Viswanath, HP Philippines, Inc. managing director described the new HP Spectre x360 as a device that can either be used as a laptop or a tablet. "It provides exceptional performance and design to complement the dynamic lifestyles of our tastemakers. But more than the aesthetic flexibility and the exquisite craftsmanship, it also gives users a finer edge, as the HP x360 makes their experience more meaningful beyond functionalities."

Having seen the gadget up close, I'd say the laptop slash tablet is definitely elegant and eye-catching, thanks to cutting-edge engineering that puts a premium to everyday digital experience. The HP Spectre x360 transforms into four different angles to accommodate the varying needs of its users: as a laptop for industry-level work performance and a tablet for people on-the-go as well as on stand and tent modes for those who enjoy movies and music.   

To further put mobility at ease, the new unit sports a hidden piston hinge mechanism to make way for a 10.4mm and 2.45lbs featherweight, seamless design feature. It retains its predecessor's distinct lux copper metal accent and two-tone gray carbon fiber and aluminum top finish.

Users will likewise get the most out of every frame and every pixel with the 13-inch, edge-to-edge, durable, and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass and vibrant full-HD display to ensure crisp pictures and ultra-wide viewing angles that cover all details. Bringing to life entertainment with outstanding quality and a more dynamic sound is a pair of Bang & Olufsen HP speakers, amplified by HP Audio Boost.

Despite its compact frame, the HP Spectre x360 can run up to 9 hours of battery life with its hybrid polymer batter system while the hyberbaric cooling technology by Intel also guarantees optimum usage, drawing cool air inside towards the processor. Its backlit keyboard and track pad likewise makes this laptop very user-friendly. To deliver an impressively-smooth performance, the Spectre x360 has full Intel Core i5 or i7 power supply and Windows 10 operating system.

With design and technology taken to a whole new level, the HP x360 can definitely equip users with a smarter, finer edge. It's price tag starts at SRP P75,990.

  

Late in the evening of November 10, a throng of Apple fans lined up for the Midnight Launch of the iPhone 7 at Beyond the Box, Resorts World Manila. 

Aptly named after what many consider a lucky number, which signifies 'completeness' and 'perfection,' the latest iPhone model is finally made available through the country's foremost Apple Premium Reseller.

After the countdown led by Tim Yap at the strike of 12, the midnight of November 11, 2016 proved  once more just how sought after the iPhone 7 really is as evidenced by the iPhone's history of sold out launch dates. 

I haven't been to the Divisoria area for years so when I had the chance to visit the place last week, I excitedly looked forward to the trip, knowing quite well there will be shopping involved. After all, the area is known for its really affordable merchandise items.

the revitalized Tutuban Center

That morning, my husband and I went straight to Tutuban Center, the bargain hunter's paradise. It recently underwent a number of renovation work and building improvements just in time for the coming Christmas season and the changes are really good!

Here are five reasons why you should go there to do your Halloween and Christmas shopping:

1) Re-live history at the Tutuban Center Main Station, a heritage building with the Bonifacio Shrine across its entrance. This is where the original Tutuban train station built in the 1800s first stood. I love that steps were taken to preserve its history, which included repainting based on the heritage color palette as well as improving lighting for its facade's details. The building has also retained features like brick walls and century-old wrought iron pillars that lead all the way to the food court.

in front of the heritage building

Filipinos are reported to be one of the world's most social media engaged communities. According to a 2015 survey by theperfectinsider.com, the Philippines ranked 8th place among the 10 top countries with the most number of Facebook users. Meanwhile, smartinsights.com found that our country is 5th in Youtube and Twitter, and 4th in Google+ as of August 2016.

The statistics only confirmed how Filipinos have willingly embraced and welcomed innovations that made mobility and social engagement integral parts of our lifestyles. I am sure anybody who owns at least one mobile gadget will acknowledge how technology indeed helped us pursue the things we are passionate about.

Promate Technologies, a multi-awarded Dubai-based digital lifestyle accessory brand, brings to the Philippines products that range from computer peripherals to mobile and car accessories. Dimples Conde, Promate Philippines Country Manager, shared that they are re-envisioning lifestyle technology to bridge the gap between the high-tech world and everyday life by delivering pioneering accessories for absolutely any place people are virtually connected during their waking hours.

I am a big fan of LED lights. They have proven to be a very big help in lowering our electric bills at home. Sure, they are priced higher than the regular bulbs, but the long-term savings are worth it! 

About a year or more ago, my husband and I started to slowly replace the lights around our house. I say slowly because we'd buy just one or two bulbs at a time when we do our grocery shopping if we can fit them in the budget. You see, we have lights that are kept on the whole night and used to cost us a lot in terms of electricity. 

Nowadays, we worry less about lighting consumption because we know we won't have to pay as much as before thanks to our LED bulbs. Plus, we are assured that they will last for years!

How many of you reading this right now have already fell victim to a mobile phone crime? I, and several members of my family, have already lost phones to pickpockets in the past. Recently, one of my sons even experienced being held up by five criminals (at high noon!) and had his phone brazenly taken out of his bag while bystanders looked and did nothing :( 

borrowed from thetimes.co.uk

According to statistics from Inspira Research, mobile phones are usually targeted by criminals because this commodity is easy to resell. Every year, thousands of Filipinos lose this personal piece of property that, unfortunately, not only costs money but also carry valuable information that includes phone numbers, photos, videos, access to emails, personal accounts, and even credit card data. 

Technology and communication expert, Engr. Jun Lozada, who is the president and CEO of Galileo Software Services Inc. acknowledges that people who have been victims of mobile phone theft are left with the feeling of helplessness and of being violated. The traumatic experience have even extended to deaths attributed to robbery attempts. 

"Hold-up and snatching incidents have [likewise] been a commonplace scenario in our streets," describes Lozada. "We need to feel safe whenever we go out. This is why we developed TARA (Theft Alarm and Recovery Application). It is like a seatbelt for your mobile phone. As our tagline says … No mobile phone/device should be worth a life, not even a scratch."

Women are now often described as "empowered" and "successful." Thankfully, we no longer stay in the background because many of us have found our voices, chosen careers we excel in, and involve ourselves in activities fueled by passion and curiosity. All these allow us to inspire other women to also lead meaningful and purpose-driven lives.

This March, FUJIFILM Philippines celebrates Women's Month with a series of female photography talks. Dubbed Click to Chic, the workshop was launched yesterday at Oakwood Premier in Ortigas with the aim to help aspiring female photographers learn how to maximize their FUJIFILM cameras, especially the X-A2.

Present during the March 2 event were model and host Janeena Chan, lifestyle and travel blogger Camie Juan, and young celebrity Miles Ocampo. All young ladies own an X-A2 camera and gushed about how much they love taking photos with it. These members of the X-A2 Circle of Influencers shared basic photography skills and practical tips on how to best use the camera in beauty, travel, and lifestyle photography.

I've always wanted a camera that can be genuinely submerged in water and still be able to take clear photos. Years ago, we bought a film-based one and used it during a trip to the beach. When the photos were developed, the pictures were mostly blurred with lines that must have been made by water that damaged the negatives. That was such a bummer!

Fast forward to the 21st century where digital action cams are now all the rage. Unfortunately, the high-end ones (think GoPro) sell for quite a fortune while the cheaper units, according to friends who bought some, were not as good.

Last month, my family and I finally discovered an affordable waterproof camera during Cherry Mobile Philippines' Mardi Gras Soiree that I can honestly say is great value for money! The Cherry Action Cam's 12MP camera takes really clear photos and videos, even while underwater. My husband and son used it in the pool after sunset and they were still able to get good shots.

One of the things in my wishlist since I started running again last year is to find a smartwatch with features that could help make realizing my fitness goals easier. I think I may have finally found it … 

The Huawei Watch, which was first revealed during the Mobile World Congress last March, is finally in the Philippines! This beautiful timepiece, powered by Android Wear, represents the next evolutionary step for Huawei in terms of wearable technology.

Aside from the built-in heart rate monitor, which is a fitness enthusiast's coveted feature, the fully circular Huawei Watch boasts of a 1.4-inch touch-sensitive AMOLED display, scratch-proof sapphire crystal lens, cold-forged stainless steel frame, and 6-Axis motion sensors.

Charles Wu, country manager of Huawei's consumer business group, shared that aside from being the first smartwatch in the brand's wearable family, the Huawei Watch is also first in the market to truly bridge the gap between fashion and technology.

"As part of our expanding line of premium wearable products, the Huawei Watch was designed and created to enhance and be part of the consumer's everyday lives," he described. "It is our response to consumers' requests who are looking for a smart watch that combines timeless design and truly usable features."

He added that their latest product is a continuation of their commitment to "Make It Possible" as they deliver a premium smartwatch that is technologically innovative, allowing users to coordinate with their smartphones whether it is Android or iOS.

During the Christmas season, it is a typical scene in malls to see people having photos taken with Santa Claus. However, this past weekend, at lot of shoppers at the SM Mall of Asia took selfies with a group of male models in red and white outfits. 

Instead of gifts, the handsome men gave out free WiFi connections and invited mall goers to join them at the Cyberzone event center. There, Huawei Device Philippines held a mini fashion show featuring the #HotspotHotties to launch its latest line of pocket WiFi devices. 

Charles Wu, country manager of Huawei’s consumer business group, explained that the #HuaweiHotspotHotties characterize the sleek and elegant design of their new WiFi devices that are guaranteed to make heads turn for a second look. “But, more than just its refined and stunning appearance, Huawei’s new connectivity devices also deliver fast, uninterrupted 3G and LTE connectivity wherever you go.”

The event aimed to educate internet users of the advantages of the devices'  features as well as let them experience for themselves why they should opt for Huawei when shopping for a pocket WiFi.

Huawei is known for building telecommunication networks around the world. Finally, the brand officially opened its first Experience Shop at the Cyberzone area of SM Mall of Asia. The store is said to symbolize Huawei's continuous growth from a reliable and respected brand into an aspirational brand with a meaningful purpose.

Charles Wu, Country Head of Huawei Technologies Philippines, affirmed that innovation has always been in the DNA of Huawei as they fearlessly envision cutting edge technologies. "But rather than innovate just for innovations' sake, Huawei creates innovations that serve as tools to realize the vision and passion of its consumers."

Designed with simple, all white, minimalist interiors that reflect the "Huawei and I" philosophy, the 100sqm Huawei Experience Stop aims to establish better engagements with end-users where consumers can quickly find and try out the devices they are looking for. In addition, the well-designed store layout, with its inviting and relaxing space, engages visitors' visual and auditory senses with the top-of-the-line fixtures on the ceilings, the fit-outs, and the long stretch of audiovisual output that highlights the lifestyle themes of the shop.

All of us look for certain features before we can truly say we prefer a particular smartphone. I've been using the ASUS Zenfone 2 ZE500KL Laser for the past two weeks and I found so many things I like about it. Here's sharing 10 reasons:

1. Right size. The first thing I look for in a mobile phone is pocketability. I want a main communication gadget that I can easily put in my bag or pocket. This is quite difficult to do with a phablet or tablet. I also appreciate the ergonomic arc design, with its curved back and thin edge measuring just 3.9mm, this phone comfortably fits my palm for ultimate comfort without sacrificing style.

2. Pleasing to the eye and with very functional design. The ASUS Zenfone 2 Laser has a beautiful and striking back cover. I have the red one and it is really attractive. What I found quite unique is that the volume keys are found at the back, not on the side of the phone. This makes it easy for the index finger to adjust sound volume or use the rear key for other functions like take a selfie.

3. Great display. The 5.0-inch HD (720x1280p) IPS display offers vibrant colors, good brightness levels, and wide viewing angels. Outdoors, the readability is okay even under sunlight. The 72% screen to body ratio is definitely 10% better than that of the first generation ZenFone 5.

ASUS Philippines recently held an event at Valkyrie in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig to launch not just one, but several new products that will cater to the different needs of its consumers.

ALL-IN-ONE PCs

First up is the Zen AiO Pro Series, a premium range of all-in-one PCs that fuse art with industry-leading technology. It provides the perfect balance of beauty and performance for the ultimate all-in-one computing experience.

Elegantly presented in an all-aluminum Icicle Gold color design, the Zen AiO Pro is powered by 6th-generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor and gaming-grade NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX™ 960M graphics with up to 4GB of video memory. All these ensure superb stutter-free high-resolution movies and videos in vivid, lifelike colors, or play even the very latest games at full resolution with high quality settings.

The Zen AiO Pro aims to provide out-of-the-ordinary performance for truly-immersive family entertainment. Both models are equipped with a powerful six-speaker ASUS SonicMaster Premium sound system that delivers 16W of incredibly rich and clear stereo sound. Too, whether it's for home entertainment or creative workspace, users get full connectivity across all devices allowing it to become the ultimate digital hub for work or play.

Other leading-edge technology features of the Zen AiO Pro include the latest USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, up to PCIe® 3.0 x4 M.2 SSD storage. This means you get blindingly-fast data transfers of up to 10Gbit/s —twice as fast as USB 3.0, and over twenty times faster than USB 2.0. With these speeds, even the biggest data transfers take no time at all.

Zen AiO Pro uses the latest USB 3.1 Type-C connector for improved ease of use — the connector is reversible, so it can’t be inserted the wrong way round. And for all-device connectivity, Zen AiO Pro also has a full complement of 4 USB 3.0 ports plus a USB 2.0 port, along with the latest ultra-fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

As to multimedia entertainment, the stunning FHD 10-point multi-touch IPS display will provide vibrant, pin-sharp visuals that make every detail visible, along with wide viewing angles and ultra-responsive touch interactivity. Zen AiO Pro also has a color gamut of up to 100% sRGB, which ensures accurate, rich and vivid color reproduction.

My MacBook Air may already be three years old but it continues to work perfectly fine. I keep telling my husband that in case this laptop conks out one of these days due to old age, I'll probably just buy another one because it has been, so far, the best laptop I've ever owned. Seriously.

You see, the MacBook Air's aluminum unibody design looks modern and minimalist while the tapering edges also make the laptop genuinely attractive and impressive. The amazing thing is, the chassis design, which is the same since the laptop was launched in 2010, remains elegant-looking and classy, resonating with the luxurious feel that Apple gadgets provide.

Gorgeously thin at 17mm in diameter, the MacBook Air weighs only 1.4kg, light enough that it's barely noticeable inside a big shoulder bag and sturdy enough to assure you that it's not going to easily break. Overall, this laptop sends the indisputable message that the MacBook Air is an engineering feat and one that would be hard to copy.

So, if you've also been considering owning a MacBook Air, now is the perfect time to turn that dream into reality! This month, from September 1 to 30, 2015, the MacBook Air 11" and 13" 128GB variants will be available in super easy #Zero24 installments at Beyond the Box in three unique lifestyle bundles at no extra cost.

Which of the following Lifestyle Bundles fits you best? Check them all out so you can get most out of your new MacBook Air lifestyle by taking full advantage of the complimentary add-ons.

Digital Walker has set the bar for industrial class and fashion forward digital accessorizing since it opened its first futuristic and pop-art inspired store in 2004. Until now, it remains a great place to find hip, quality, and trailblazing tech accessories that enable today's technocrats to get their geek on in style. 

No wonder tech-savvy customers have repeatedly come back to check out the latest in music headgear, portable speakers, gizmo protectors, and a few cult-loved gadgets.

To push the envelope further, this popular gadget accessory store brought a new twist in its Eastwood Mall location. Recessions Coffee by Digital Walker is a coffee and tech lover's dream because the cafe is located right inside the fun and funky tech store. What's more, patrons can order a great cup of coffee at whatever price they'd like to give or can afford. Just pay-want-you-want! 

Barely two months since the Flare X and CUBIX were introduced to the market, the country's leading local phone brand, Cherry Mobile, continues to make strides as it strengthens its relationship with Google, with its Android One initiative.

Less than a year since the release of the groundbreaking Android One smartphone in the Philippines, Cherry Mobile recently unveiled the Cherry Mobile Android One G1, which was described as having "all the sweetness of Android."

This latest smartphone, certified by Google, has a 1.2 GHz Quad-Core processor backed by an Adreno 306 graphics-processing unit. Upgraded from its predecessor, the G1 has an increase of 2GB RAM with 16GB of built-in memory, expandable up to 64GB for added file storage space using a micro SD card.