Tech This Week: Acer PH's Hope for the Holidays, Globe Partners with Gawad Kalinga for Affordable Internet

Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Ivana Alawi, Janina Vela, Cong Velasquez, and Awi Columna have come together in the music video, "Finding Joy", a song that talks about breaking barriers and staying hopeful even during difficult times.

With composition and lyrics by Mart Sam Olivades, Felichi Salva Cruz, and Penelope Ann Medrano, the song was released by Acer Philippines, powered by Windows 10 and 11 th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors. "Finding Joy" is both serious and light-hearted and is the perfect song for the season as it expresses hope and optimism.

Daniel, Janina, Cong, and Awi are the voices behind the catchy song which premiered on Acer’s YouTube channel on December 15 and played in leading FM Radio Stations, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Magic 89.9, Wave 89.1, and Play FM 99.5. Aside from being an actor, Daniel is also a singer who used perform in a band. Janina is a YouTube star, content creator and singer known for her beautiful soothing voice. Cong Velasquez is also YouTube sensation and member of rock band COLN. Awi is a rapper whose popular songs include "Panaginip Lang" "Peke" amd  "Bulalakaw".

Present in the music video as well are Acer’s ambassadors; Alodia and Ashley Gosiengfiao, COLN Band, Junnieboy and Vien, KuyaNic and Luponwxc, TNC Pro Team DOTA 2, ArkAangel Predator PUBG, Een Mercado, Kang Dupet, Armel Tabios, Kim “Gabbi” Santos, Tims Radrup, Damien “Kpii” Chok, Marlon Marcelo, Kuku Palad, and Reg Rubio.

"We at Acer Philippines see "Finding Joy" as the anthem for the times. The world has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic but we should not feel defeated by this. Acer Philippines, despite the lockdowns and quarantines brought about by the pandemic, has retained its leadership in consumer and gaming PCs. It shows that even during challenging times, people are capable of breaking barriers" said Acer Philippines Managing Director Manuel Wong.

It was also during the pandemic that Acer Philippines also opened its first online store in the country to cater to those who cannot go to Acer's physical stores, demonstrating its commitment to its customers. You can stream “Finding Joy” on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer. Visit Acer’s Official Social Media Pages for more details: Facebook – @AcerPH, Instagram – @acerph, Twitter – @acerphils, www.acer.com.

Globe Teams Up with Gawad Kalinga to 
Provide Residents with Affordable Internet

Globe Telecom formally announced their new partnership with Gawad Kalinga to provide access to high-speed, reliable and low-cost internet for Gawad Kalinga village residents in Parañaque, Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Imus, Cavite last December 10. This recent initiative is part of Globe’s long-standing mission to sustain and develop communities by providing and enhancing internet access for underprivileged Filipinos who have zero or limited access to basic connectivity, which is a critical need for learning, livelihood and work online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the active support of the Parañaque, Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Imus, Cavite local government units, the project allows Gawad Kalinga village residents in the respective areas to connect to the internet through KonekTayo WiFi — for as low as P15 per day, without any need to spend for devices, monthly fees or modems. 

Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO said, “During this time, internet access serves as a vital means for communities, especially for the disadvantaged, to empower them to access health services, livelihood opportunities, financial services, online education, and work from home. We are happy to be partnering with Gawad Kalinga so we can make connectivity within reach for families that need it the most.”

Globe’s KonekTayo WiFi and Gawad Kalinga’s partnership is set to bolster efforts to widen the availability of affordable internet in Gawad Kalinga villages with the deployment of KonekTayo WiFi across various locations in the country which include Quezon City, Laguna, Trece Martires, Cavite, Iloilo City, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City. 

Luis Oquiñena, Gawad Kalinga Chairman remarked, “We thank Globe and KonekTayo WiFi for this partnership that puts community support and nation-building through digital transformation and inclusion. And, of course, we are grateful for the leadership and support of Sta. Rosa, Laguna Mayor Arelene Arcillas; Imus, Cavite Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi; and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, paving the way for this shared vision to come to fruition. By capacitating our residents with an affordable means to connect, we’re able to empower them to meet their everyday needs, whether it is for distance learning, remote working, accessing digital services or starting their small online businesses.”

Formerly known as KapitWiFi, KonekTayo WiFi is a fast and secure community WiFi service that aims to provide households with affordable internet. With KonekTayo WiFi, customers simply need to connect to a KonekTayo WiFi hotspot, purchase a promo and surf all day.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically UNSDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.