Category Archives: PR Newswire

PR Newswire

Hankyung.com introduces: Superalink, the easy and fast global eSIM data roaming platform

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SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Gadget Singapore Ltd., a subsidiary of Gadget Korea, was established to drive the company’s global expansion. With its founding, the company launched the Superalink platform to provide eSIM-based data roaming services worldwide and solidify its position in the global market. Recently, Gadget Singapore became a full member of the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association), gaining international recognition for its technical reliability. GSMA full membership signifies the highest level of service quality and technological expertise, providing customers with the assurance of a globally recognized certification.

Superalink provides seamless connectivity anywhere in the world through innovative eSIM technology, allowing for easy data roaming without the need for a physical SIM card. As a GSMA full member, it ensures smooth compatibility and stability with global networks, offering customers fast and reliable communication services wherever they are.

The Korean platform ‘USIMSA’ recently surpassed 2 million users, achieving this milestone approximately seven months after surpassing the 1 million mark. This accomplishment demonstrates the platform’s growing acceleration and proven reliability in the domestic market. It also shows that customers trust the superior service quality and affordable pricing of the eSIM data roaming services provided by Gadget Korea. The satisfaction of these customers is reflected in the trust of the 2 million users.

Superalink is continuously improving its services to meet customer demands. Recently, it has enhanced service quality and expanded its network through new investments and MOUs with telecom operators across different continents. The Superalink eSIM service is easy to install and can be used immediately via a QR code, eliminating the need for complicated local procedures. To further maximize convenience, a feature enabling instant connection with a single button within the app is set to be added in the future. Users no longer need to swap SIM cards and can enjoy data roaming services anywhere in the world.

Why choose ‘Superalink’?

  • GSMA Full Membership: Internationally recognized reliability
  • Global network coverage: Stable communication networks built through partnerships with continental telecom operators
  • 2 million users milestone: Proven service quality
  • Easy eSIM installation: Simple eSIM registration without hassle
  • Competitive pricing: High-quality data at reasonable rates
  • Immediate use: Receive a QR code instantly and start using it immediately in your desired country

Sang-hyuk Yu, CEO of Gadget Korea, stated, “The GSMA full membership is a crucial indicator that proves the global standard of our services. Additionally, the fact that 2 million customers trust and choose us is Gadget Korea’s most valuable asset. We will continue to provide the best services, and we look forward to more customers experiencing safe and efficient data roaming through Superalink’s global eSIM data roaming service.”

PR Newswire

Vidu 1.5 Launch Marks New Emergence in Multimodal AI, to Introduce Groundbreaking Consistency Controls that Reshape the Future of AI Video Production

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Shengshu Technology officially releases Vidu 1.5, marking the global debut of long-context capabilities similar to those in Large Language Models within its visual model, showcasing a new emergent capability. This is a major upgrade to its groundbreaking multimodal generative models. Vidu 1.5 introduces the world’s first Multiple-Entity Consistency capability, which seamlessly integrates people, objects, and environments to create stunning video effects—something that couldn’t be achieved, until now.

With Vidu’s Multiple-Entity Consistency feature, images with no relation to each other, be it characters, objects and even environments, can be integrated into a single video featuring all three characteristics. Moreover, the resulting generated video from Vidu 1.5 is capable of ensuring visual consistency even with complex inputs that require the processing of multiple subjects or environments – and this has not been possible until today. For example, if Vidu 1.5’s generated video features multiple entities, their unique attributes will remain distinct throughout the footage, instead of character traits that tend to blend or become inconsistent midway.

Multiple-Entity Consistency works by enabling users to upload multiple images—for instance, a photo of a person, an image of a rose detailed outfit, and also a shot of a moped. Vidu 1.5 will combine these images into a single continuous, fluid video featuring the person dressed in a rose-accented shirt, riding on a moped. Or by uploading two images of the same individuals alongside a photo of the pyramids, and using a prompt like “a man looking up at the pyramids,” Vidu 1.5 would seamlessly combine these elements, delivering a cohesive video that aligns perfectly with your expectation.

Taking it a step further, Vidu 1.5 also introduces Multiple Angle Consistency, a feature that allows you to either generate videos using any inputted images as references or by uploading three photos of a single subject. The model ensures visual continuity and fills in missing details, providing a seamless 360-degree view of the subject. The result is a cohesive video that accurately presents the subject from any angle, enhancing realism and dynamic storytelling. And this also applies to facial movements, accounting for a more natural-feeling continuity between subtle facial expressions.

Beyond presenting stronger character emotions, Vidu 1.5 also introduces Advanced Control. This enables greater precision over camera movements, angles, and cinematic techniques, of course without detracting from the visual consistency that would otherwise yield unwanted transitions or skipping between frames. In fact, advanced cinematography styles including adjustable dynamic ranges offer a higher degree of control over speed and scale resulting in complex shots like zooming, panning and tilting or a combination of these.

With Vidu 1.5, we’ve significantly enhanced detail generation and clarity at up to 1080p, bringing to life visuals like never before. For instance, you can now clearly see the intricate patterns on a cake or the vivid texture of a sizzling steak amid flames and oozing red juices. This level of detail transforms the storytelling experience, making every frame richer and more immersive.

Vidu 1.5 expands its appeal to animators and anime creators with Expanded Animation Styles, including Japanese fantasy and hyper-realistic styles. This upgrade caters to both casual creators of short-form content and professional filmmakers, delivering polished, production-ready videos with superior clarity and precision compared to other generative AI platforms.

The breakthrough in Vidu 1.5’s controls lie in major advancements Shengshu Technology has made in semantic understanding. The update offers more nuanced language comprehension, interpreting text prompts with impressive precision and enabling video outputs that better reflect complex storytelling and scene requirements. Last but not least, Vidu 1.5 generates a 4-second clip in just 25 seconds, showcasing Vidu’s ongoing advancements with improving the speed and accuracy of generating video.

“The future of content creation is here, and it is powered by the limitless possibilities of AI,” said Jiayu Tang, CEO and co-founder of Shengshu Technology. “Together, we can ignite a global wave of inspiration, reshaping industries, and democratizing creativity. At the core of this transformation lies the ability for anyone to engage in high-quality content production, unlocking new opportunities and breaking down traditional limitations.”

To learn more about Vidu 1.5, please visit https://www.vidu.studio/

About Shengshu Technology

Founded in March 2023, Shengshu Technology is a leading innovator in deep generative models, specializing in advanced diffusion probabilistic techniques. In 2022, Shengshu introduced the world’s first new technical framework, U-ViT, which explores the fusion of Diffusion Models and Transformer architectures for a wide assortment of multimodal generation tasks. Shengshu Technology made the leap from research to commercialization with the launch of its flagship product, Vidu, in July 2024. This AI video generator enables creators to bring their visions to life, whether for art design, game development, film post-production, or social content creation. Our mission is to develop the world’s most advanced multimodal generative models, seamlessly integrating text, images, videos, and 3D content. We are at the forefront of applying generative AI to art, design, gaming, filmmaking, and social media, with the goal of enhancing human creativity and productivity.

PR Newswire

New Study Shows Filipino Consumers Who Access Piracy Sites and Services at Severe Risk of Cyber Threats

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Expert, IP Office and Industry Representatives Call for Site Blocking Laws to be Passed

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new study commissioned by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) showed that Filipino consumers who access piracy sites and services are at severe risk of cyber threats such as identity theft and ransomware. The study found Filipinos are up to 33 times more likely to encounter a cyber threat on the most popular piracy sites compared to legal film and TV websites.  

These findings were presented in a study released on 13 November during an anti-piracy symposium organized by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), GMA Network, Inc. and Globe Telecom. ACE, the world’s leading antipiracy coalition, is led by the MPA.  

The study was authored by Dr. Paul Watters, Honorary Professor of Security Studies and Criminology, Macquarie University in Sydney.  

“As the digital landscape grows increasingly complex, the risks to consumers accessing piracy sites – especially younger consumers – have never been more urgent,” Watters said. “Consumers today navigate an online environment fraught with hidden malware and exploitation, often without realizing the true danger they face. My research highlights the urgent need for effective action to protect consumers, as every click on a piracy site brings not only legal and ethical implications, but significant threats to users’ safety and security. We owe it to the next generation to build a safe and secure internet, which protects young people from cybercriminals.”

To mitigate the risk of consumer harm posed by piracy sites, the study recommends the enactment of proportionate and transparent site blocking laws that will target piracy sites and services, increased funding for Filipino law enforcement to enhance digital forensics and incident response capabilities, and the development of a national awareness and education campaign.  

“IPOPHL’s voluntary site-blocking initiative has emerged as a key tool in the fight against digital piracy,” said IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba. “While it has only been implemented this year, we’ve already disabled access to nearly 20 sites with the help of the National Telecommunications Commission and internet service providers. Nevertheless, a law will institutionalize our site-blocking regime to create more outcomes, unlock the full potential of our creative economy and protect our consumers from the alarming cyber threats of piracy sites. IPOPHL is still hopeful to see a site-blocking law passed soon.”  

“The MPA’s experience in almost 60 countries around the world shows that site blocking is one of the most effective tools in our toolbox to combat piracy,” said Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the MPA. “This is particularly true in jurisdictions like the Philippines, where the most visited sites are run by operators based elsewhere in the world. The enactment of site blocking legislation is the next key step towards protecting Filipino consumers, content creators, and the creative industry in the Philippines and around the world.” 

The study also showed that raising consumer awareness and education – particularly with teens and pre-teens – is crucial to mitigating the cyber risks associated with piracy sites in the Philippines.  

“The study confirms what we have long feared about online piracy in the Philippines,” said Mr. Joseph T. Francia, First Vice President and Head of International Operations for GMA Network, Inc., an ACE member company. In addition to the negative economic impact to the Filipino entertainment industry, digital piracy has far more serious consequences to the Filipino consumers who are unwittingly exposed to a host of cyberthreats by visiting pirate sites. GMA is committed to continue raising consumer awareness and education on the cyber risks associated with digital piracy.”

“At Globe, we believe in a digital world that is safe and empowering for everyone,” said Yoly Cristiano, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer for Globe, an ACE member. “This study underscores the critical need for collaborative action to protect consumers, especially young people, from the hidden dangers of online piracy. We are committed to working with the government and partners like the MPA, ACE and GMA Network to promote responsible digital citizenship and ensure a secure online experience for all Filipinos.”

The full report is available here.  

About The Motion Picture Association 

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves as the leading voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world. Its member studios are Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO. 

About The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) is the world’s leading coalition dedicated to protecting the legal creative market and reducing digital piracy. Driven by a comprehensive approach to addressing piracy through criminal referrals, civil litigation, and cease-and-desist operations, ACE has achieved many successful global enforcement actions against illegal streaming services and unauthorized content sources and their operators. Drawing upon the collective expertise and resources of more than 50 media and entertainment companies around the world—including sports channels and associations—and reinforced by the Motion Picture Association’s content protection operations, ACE protects the creativity and innovation that drives the global growth of core copyright and entertainment industries. The current governing board members for ACE are Amazon, Apple TV+, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association and Chairman of ACE.

About the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)

An agency attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), IPOPHL was created by virtue of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of the Philippines. It is mandated to protect IP and create policies and programs that shape the IP system to be a tool for promoting innovative and creative activities, facilitating transfer of technology, attracting foreign investments and ensuring market access for products.

The IPOPHL sits at the National Committee on IP Rights as vice-chair. It is also an ex-officio member of the National Innovation Council and the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, which are respectively tasked to foster innovation and creativity in the country.

About GMA Network

GMA Network, Inc. is the Philippines’ leading broadcasting company, which produces the most innovative, most trusted, and top-rating TV programs.

Also known as the Kapuso Network, GMA brings superior entertainment and responsible, unbiased, and timely delivery of comprehensive and accurate News and Information to Filipinos anywhere in the world – through its TV, radio, online platforms and wide array of other media-related ventures: program syndication, film production, music publishing and distribution, set design, audio-visual production, and new media.

Based on Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data from January to September 2024, GMA Network including GTV and other digital channels tallied a combined people net reach of 92 percent or 67 million viewers in Total Philippines. Headquartered in Quezon City, GMA operates a network of 115 TV stations and 21 radio stations throughout the country.

Officially listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2007, GMA Network, Inc. is regarded as one of the most notable organizations that promote sustainability in the country, being the first media and broadcasting company in the Philippines to sign with the United Nations (UN) Global Compact.

For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.

About Globe

Globe Telecom, Inc. is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed services. It offers innovative digital solutions in the areas of fintech, healthtech, adtech, climate tech, shared services and venture capital. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implementing universal sustainability principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders in the country and in the region.

PR Newswire

Mastercard launches Pay Local, enabling Asia’s digital wallet providers to process card payments from more than 2 billion Mastercard cardholders

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International travelers can now pay like locals at more than 35 million merchants across Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of the Singapore FinTech Festival, Mastercard today introduced Mastercard Pay Local, a global service that makes it easy for consumers to make card payments to merchants using local digital wallets. With Mastercard Pay Local, resident cardholders or international travelers can easily link their credit or debit cards to a digital wallet and immediately shop at participating merchants, without needing to set up or top up a prepaid account.  

Leading wallets in Asia Pacific, such as DANA in Indonesia, Touch ‘n Go in Malaysia, Bakong in Cambodia, and LankaPay in Sri Lanka, will use Mastercard Pay Local to facilitate payments for consumers at more than 35 million merchants in the region that accept these wallets. Beyond Asia Pacific, the service is also geared towards regions where digital wallets are widely used for everyday purchases, such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

Mastercard Pay Local benefits everyone involved:

  • Residents can pay the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that do not accept traditional card payments, while tourists and international travelers can enjoy convenient, seamless payments across the destinations they’re visiting.
  • Hundreds of millions of MSMEs can experience increased reach with minimal infrastructure investment or disruptions to their operations.
  • Wallet operators can extend their customer base by attracting individuals who primarily use cards, providing a smooth consumer experience and achieving quicker time to market.
  • Card issuers can deliver more points of acceptance for the consumers they serve.

“With Pay Local, Mastercard is extending its global network to partner wallets and expanding acceptance by making it possible for Asia’s digital wallets to process card-based payments. This creates a low-cost, simple, stable, and secure connection between over 35 million merchants in Asia Pacific and two billion Mastercard cardholders,” said Sandeep Malhotra, executive vice president, Products & Innovation, Asia Pacific, Mastercard. “Locals benefit from new payment options while tourists can use their cards as they do at home, making travel infinitely easier, with one less thing to worry about while on the road.”

Pay Local builds upon Mastercard’s existing collaborations with leading wallet providers, including Alipay and Weixin Pay in the Chinese Mainland and Octopus in Hong Kong SAR, to offer a convenient way for international visitors to pay like locals when traveling to these locations, regardless of where in the world their Mastercard card was issued.

In addition, a range of digital wallets across the region already accept Mastercard cards for funding, enabling easy payments at merchant locations that accept these wallets, including GrabPay in Southeast Asia, Maya in the Philippines, ShopBack in Singapore, and TrueMoney in Thailand.

Businesses that would like to learn more about Mastercard Pay Local should visit the information page and fill out the form. A member of Mastercard’s team will get in contact with more details.

Hear from our partners:

DANA:
“At DANA, we are committed to enhancing the accessibility and convenience of digital payments for all users. By collaborating with Mastercard, we are excited to offer international travelers a seamless way to register and bind their cards to DANA, furthering our mission of bridging financial inclusion across borders. This collaboration reflects our dedication to improving user experience and supporting global financial mobility as we anticipate increased international travel,” said Darrick Rochili, chief innovation officer of DANA.

Touch ‘n Go:
“As Malaysia’s leading digital wallet and financial services provider, we are proud to have expanded our services beyond national borders, enabling users to travel cashless and make seamless payments internationally. Our collaboration with Mastercard underscores the strength of our open platform strategy, allowing us to extend cashless payment solutions to international travelers visiting Malaysia, contributing to the country’s tourism industry and economy. We are pleased to offer inbound tourists the convenience of cashless transactions via QR payment at over 2 million merchants, retail outlets, and service providers across Malaysia,” said Alan Ni, CEO at TNG Digital.

About Mastercard
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
www.mastercard.com 

PR Newswire

Toshiba TV Celebrates International Animation Day, Bringing Animation Classics to Life

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HONG KONG, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As the world prepares to commemorate International Animation Day in October, Toshiba invites you to rediscover the magic of your animation classics on the cutting-edge television series: X9900, Z870, and Z670. Whether it’s the enchanting classics, the adventure-filled tales, or the groundbreaking CGI masterpieces, the Toshiba TV series is engineered to bring the magic back and help users rediscover the joy and wonder of these timeless classics, but with an upgraded experience that makes those cherished memories sparkle like never before.


Embark on an Adventure with Impeccable Visual and Surround Sound

Equipped with its stunning 4K OLED picture quality, the X9900 faithfully reproduces every vivid detail, texture, and movement of these beloved animated tales. Paired with the immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound system, viewers are transported straight back to the carefree days of their youth, surrounded by the endearing characters and fantastical worlds they grew up with.

Relive your Favorite Animation with The Filmmaker Mode

Featuring the revolutionary REGZA Engine ZRi, the Toshiba Z670 is equipped with The Filmmaker Mode that supported QLED TVs, which ensures viewers can relive their excitement on animation the same as the original film director visioned. The AI-powered technology automatically optimizes picture and sound quality to a cinematic level, providing an immersive viewing experience that allows you to fully dive into the timeless animated worlds.

Appreciate CGI Masterpiece with Vibrant Colors

From early cartoons to modern animated films that blend traditional and digital techniques, the Toshiba TV series allows animation fans to appreciate the evolution. Even for the most intricate animations, Mini LED Z870 handles them like a pro, as its Total HDR Solution delivers deeper contrasts and brighter, more vibrant colors for a truly cinematic experience of those cherished cartoon favorites.

This International Animation Day, rediscover the magic of your favorite animation with the Toshiba TV series. Let the superior audio-visual quality ignite your imagination and appreciation for the art of animation again, paying homage to the importance and beauty of this timeless medium.

For more information please visit: @Toshiba TV Global

About Toshiba TV:

With 70+ years of history in TV production, Toshiba TV is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, innovative ideas and groundbreaking inventions. By prioritizing superior image quality and auditory experiences, Toshiba TV sets new standards in entertainment. Toshiba TV stems from the excellence quest of customers, providing the world with responsible products to make the world a better place. Emphasizing attention to product details and technological advancement, Toshiba TV integrates aesthetically pleasing design, quality assurance, and brand reputation to underscore its commitment to authenticity in the actual world and a sincere dedication to its consumers, showcasing Toshiba TV’s long-standing design philosophy and continuous pursuit of product quality.

PR Newswire

SFC+, the most comprehensive digital marketplace app for global Filipinos, is now available on App Store and Google Play

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Seafood City, the largest Filipino grocerant in North America with 1 million weekly in-store foot traffic, over 400,000 active membership base, and the largest Filipino online and in-store collection of vendor partners, has partnered with leading Filipino brands to launch its one-stop digital marketplace app for global Filipinos in North America, SFC+.

Elewin Rebaya, SFC+ President and CEO
Elewin Rebaya, SFC+ President and CEO

A comprehensive digital marketplace app, SFC+ brings together U.S. and top Filipino brands and services, allowing its members to easily shop for authentic products, pay bills, send remittances, and even invest in the future of their loved ones in the Philippines. 

“SFC+ is a digital hub for Filipinos in North America that gives them exclusive access to U.S. and top Philippine brands, discounts, rewards, and a host of exciting benefits every time they shop, save, earn and pay with Suki Points using the app,” said SFC+ Inc. President and CEO Elewin Rebaya. “We created this app with the goal of reaching and serving more Filipinos globally, as well as to enrich and meet their ever-evolving lifestyle demands.”

Through SFC+, users can seamlessly connect with leading brands like ABS-CBN, the SM Group, Philippine Airlines, SMDC, BDO Unibank, Smart, Globe, East West Bank USA, and BayaniPay, among others, simplifying global transactions and bringing the best of the Philippines to North American shores.

“From purchasing items and services to paying bills and even investing in the future of families and relatives they support, SFC+ will make these experiences rewarding for every global Filipino through our membership program,” said Rebaya, who is also the Executive Vice President of Seafood City.

With every partner brand, SFC+ members enjoy exclusive access, curated deals, discount savings, and Suki Points. SFC+ members further enjoy the privilege of paying with Suki Points for their purchases at any Seafood City store including online.

SFC+ will add more brands to its roster to expand its service offerings to global Filipinos.

Features designed for the global Filipino

Some of the key features of SFC+ include zero-fee remittance, bills pay, and embedded banking services by BayaniPay with East West Bank USA and BDO Unibank; opening of BDO Kabayan Savings in the U.S.; digital shopping for Seafood City locations; discounted iWantTFC subscription; converting Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles into Suki Points and vice versa; end-to-end purchase of SMDC condominiums including access to 91 SMDC prime properties while enjoying services from experienced specialists; premium access to thousands of SM brands and outlets through the SM Gift Pass Choice; discounted balikbayan box shipping with LOGO; and direct donations to the ABS-CBN Foundation International and Gawad Kalinga USA.

SFC+ is the official marketing and service partner of SMDC in North America.

“By partnering with SFC+, we are extending our reach to global Filipinos, offering them a seamless platform to invest in the good life, no matter where they are in the world. Through this collaboration, we reaffirm our commitment to building communities that enhance lives and connect people to progress,” said Jessica Sy, SMDC AVP and Head of Corporate Planning and Development.

“We are proud to be part of SFC+ to deliver tailored banking solutions to the Filipino community in the U.S.,” said Parker Shi, Chief Operating Officer of East West Bank USA. “Through this collaboration, we aim to enhance the financial well-being of Filipinos by providing convenient access to essential banking services and exclusive rewards.”

“There’s a thriving community of global Filipinos in North America that we aim to serve strongly and vibrantly through SFC+,” said Talino Venture Studios CEO Winston Damarillo, who also helmed the creation of SFC+. “We didn’t just build an app; we built a home, and its doors will remain open to Filipinos who long to connect and celebrate their Filipino roots wherever they are in the world.”

Discounted Philippine Airlines flights

SFC+ members can now book discounted Philippine Airlines flights and earn Suki Points by using promo codes upon purchase of PAL tickets. For business class purchases, 1,000 Suki Points will be awarded, while 500 Suki Points for economy class.

“We welcome SFC as our latest partner under the Mabuhay Miles program. Our shared values of promoting Filipino culture and tradition have made our partnership truly special and memorable,” said Philippine Airlines President and COO, Stanley Ng. “Surely the Suki Points of SFC+ customers can take them to exciting destinations and even help them fly home once they start redeeming with Mabuhay Miles or convert their Mabuhay Miles into Suki Points,” he added.

Win a condo, free round-trip flights

Everyone who downloads and signs up on SFC+ will get a chance to win a grand prize of an SMDC condominium and round-trip PAL tickets to the Philippines through the Suki Condo Sweepstakes. About 20,000 people who have signed up on SFC+’s waitlist will each receive 1,500 Suki Points while non-waitlisters will each get 1,000 Suki Points. Both may also choose between 15 lbs Calrose rice and a $10 gift card while supplies last.

“Since 1989, millions of Filipinos in the U.S. and Canada have found a home away from home in Seafood City stores,” Rebaya said. “This is our way of giving back to our countrymen who keep on giving. Our ecosystem of benefits is the advantage they unlock once they download the app and become SFC+ members.”

***

About Seafood City

Seafood City Supermarket is the largest Filipino grocerant in North America. A de facto community town center or hub for Filipino-North Americans wherever it operates. It is anchored by a full service supermarket, various food service operations, including iconic Philippine brands, plus services and merchants relevant to the lifestyle of the Filipinos in the region. From its humble beginnings in San Diego, California, Seafood City now has numerous operations in the United States and Canada including those in California, Nevada, Texas, Washington, Illinois, Hawaii, Arizona, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. The push towards the Midwest and the East Coast is part of its expansion plans.

About Talino

Talino Venture Studios is an award-winning global venture studio for inclusive fintech. Born in the intersection of Silicon Valley and Southeast Asia, Talino Venture Studios is on a mission to bridge financial inclusion for over 1.7 billion people around the world. It uses the successful venture studio model to build repeatable, scalable, and profitable fintechs that empower underserved, underrepresented groups around the world with financial access and mobility. Talino Ventures Studios (talinolabs.com)

PR Newswire

SUSTAINABLE MARKETS INITIATIVE UNVEILS SUPPORT TO COMMONWEALTH MEMBER STATES AT CHOGM

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In support of His Majesty King Charles III’s visits to Australia and Samoa, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), SMI launches further support for Commonwealth Member States

  • Pacific Hub launched in Australia to enhance alignment of industry, finance and country efforts to accelerate delivery on global climate and biodiversity targets.
  • Marine Mangrove Sanctuary launched in partnership with SpaceX and Rotary International in Samoa to restore mangrove ecosystems, mitigate sea level rise, increase community connectivity and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.
  • Private Sector Training Programme for government officials extended to enhance public-private partnerships and project delivery in the Commonwealth.
  • SMI’s Impact Accelerator, along with a recommendation to establish High-Level Climate Investment Authorities, launched to provide end-to-end support for governments to develop industry partnerships and investment ready projects aligned with sustainable transition. 
  • The SMI’s Nature-Risk Tool, developed by AECOM, has been made available to all Commonwealth member states to assist them in assessing Nature-risks associated with physical infrastructure and urban planning.
  • The Natural Capital on African Governments’ Balance Sheets Initiative launched to explore making natural capital assets as a core component of national balance sheets.

APIA, Samoa, Oct. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In the presence of His Majesty King Charles III, as well as leaders from the Commonwealth as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting’s Business Forum, the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) has launched several initiatives to further enhance its commitment and support to Commonwealth Members States.

His Majesty King Charles III, founder of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) when he was The Prince of Wales, during a roundtable organised by the SMI
His Majesty King Charles III, founder of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) when he was The Prince of Wales, during a roundtable organised by the SMI
  • Pacific Hub: Connecting SMI’s global CEOs with CEOs and climate leaders in Australia, the SMI launched its Pacific Hub to enhance alignment of industry, finance and country efforts to accelerate delivery on global climate and biodiversity targets.
  • Marine Mangrove Sanctuary: In collaboration with Rotary International and Space X, the SMI is launching a Marine Mangrove Sanctuary in Samoa to restore and maintain the mangrove ecosystem, mitigating sea level rise and preserving cultural heritage.
  • Private Sector Training Programme: SMI introduces a climate-based training programme for government officials in Commonwealth Member States. This programme will support the delivery of climate and biodiversity-related projects and the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions.
  • Impact Accelerator:  SMI launches its Impact Accelerator for Commonwealth Member States which provides end-to-end support for Governments to develop industry partnerships and investment ready projects aligned with sustainable transition.  The SMI further recommends establishing High-level Climate Investment Authorities within governments to better coordinate and crowd-in private sector support and investment.
  • Nature Risk Tool: SMI’s Nature Risk Tool, developed by AECOM, will now be available to all Commonwealth nations to assess the impact of infrastructure on local biodiversity globally.
  • The Natural Capital on African Governments’ Balance Sheets Initiative was launched as an institutional investor-public partnership, led by the SMI Africa Council. This initiative aims to embed Nature as an investable asset class.

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi M.V.O., CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, emphasised the urgency of these initiatives: “It is an honour to be in Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Being welcomed into the community of Nono’a Saleimoa to launch their Mangrove Sanctuary, we saw first-hand how Pacific communities are on the front lines of climate change and biodiversity loss. With future generations in mind, we also saw the passion of community members for restoring harmony with Nature.  The SMI is delighted to bring private sector CEOs together with Commonwealth governments at CHOGM, and through our new Pacific Hub, to accelerate practical, scalable actions that advance a genuinely sustainable future for all.”

Recognizing the importance of biodiversity restoration across the Commonwealth, Dr Hubert Danso, Co-Chair of the SMI Africa Council, highlighted that “Africa’s natural capital forms the backbone not only of our economies, but also of global business models and societies. To protect and expand this value, we must invest at scale in our ecosystems. Through mandate-aligned institutional investor-public partnerships with governments, we can unlock risk and Nature-adjusted returns, that drive benefits for Nature, people and planet.  Through these efforts we aim to demonstrate that what’s good for Africa and the world, can also create sustainable value for investors.”

Pacific Hub

The new SMI Pacific Hub, is the latest addition to the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s regional engagement activities, joining a cohort of five other Hubs and Councils including North America, Africa, China, India, and Greece.  As part of its regional and country approach, the Pacific Hub will provide a forum for CEOs to look more practically at sustainability efforts across industry and finance while exploring how the region’s private sector is actively working with governments to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and biodiversity targets in the region.

Marine Mangrove Sanctuary

The Sustainable Markets Initiative announces the Marine Mangrove Sanctuary in collaboration with Rotary International and SpaceX. The sanctuary in Nono’a Saleimoa, Samoa will restore and maintain the mangrove ecosystem to mitigate the onset of sea level rise.  Starlink will enable project leads to record, in real-time, key data points regarding the progress of the project such as: number of mangrove seedlings planted, growth of seedlings, time spent planting and maintaining the site, and general updates from site visits. The project demonstrates the value of remote access connectivity to support underserved and remote communities across the Commonwealth. The SMI’s partnership with Starlink includes a focus on rapidly scaling support for Nature-capital and post-disaster monitoring.

Government Training Programme

The Sustainable Markets Initiative will now offer Commonwealth Member States access to its highly successful Government Training Programme, which has so far had over 800 participants from over 85 countries register worldwide. The programme has convened subject matter experts from across the public and private sectors along with non-governmental organisations to develop climate-based training that can help support government officials (and others) responsible for delivering and developing climate-related projects and the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

SMI Impact Accelerator and High-Level Climate Investment Authority

The SMI also offers support through its Impact Accelerator.  The private sector is ready to mobilize capital, however to date there is a limited pipeline of “investment-ready” projects. The Sustainable Markets Initiative strives to fill this gap by offering end-to-end support for project development, industry partnerships and capacity building.  Recognizing the urgency and complexity of public-private partnerships for transition, we strongly recommend that High-Level Climate Investment Authorities (HCIA) be established to offer an empowered and coordinated docking point that is focused on private sector partnerships and capital mobilization.  The SMI has a range of guidance available on how to best establish these HCIAs.

SMI Nature Risk Tool

The Sustainable Markets Initiative has recently launched its SMI Nature Risk Tool and is now offering it to all Commonwealth Member States.  The SMI Nature Risk Tool recognizes that infrastructure development often leads to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, pollution, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Powered by AECOM, and using datasets from the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), the SMI Nature Risk Tool enables infrastructure investors and promoters to analyse any piece of land globally, providing expert-reviewed descriptions of the location’s habitat and biomes early in the site selection process.

About The Sustainable Markets Initiative

Founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020, then the Prince of Wales, the Sustainable Markets Initiative has become the world’s ‘go-to’ private sector organisation on transition.  Launched in 2021, the Terra Carta serves as the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s mandate with a focus on accelerating positive results for Nature, People and Planet through real economy action.  Complementing the Terra Carta, the Astra Carta was launched in 2023 to support a default sustainable approach to space while leveraging space resources for sustainability on Earth.  Read more: www.sustainable-markets.org

PR Newswire

Vantiva and e& Deploy First eSIM-enabled 5G Fixed Wireless Access Gateway for United Arab Emirates Subscribers

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More powerful Customer Premise Equipment improves wireless service area by 40%;
Introduces self-installation and automated antenna optimization

PARIS, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Vantiva (Euronext Paris: VANTI), a global technology leader enabling Network Service Providers to connect consumers worldwide, today announced it has been selected by longtime partner e& UAE, the telecom arm of e& in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to deploy a new 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) gateway in the country. Featuring the region’s first eSIM installed on a customer premises equipment, the gateway allows for a simplified and OPEX saving self-installation, letting the end-user activate the solution without a technician’s visit and physical SIM card.

“Vantiva has proven to be an ideal collaborator in developing a new gateway that could help us address multiple market challenges to keep up with new and emerging customer needs,” said Saleh Ahmed, Senior Vice President, e& UAE Customer Operations. “We have supercharged this gateway with not only the state of the art Wi-Fi 6 technology available but also with the most powerful 5G transmitter that extends our service area to more households and businesses. The addition of the eSIM will also allow our end-users to have a plug-and-play installation process and get online immediately.”

Based on Vantiva’s Cobra FWA platform and designed for residential and business users, the gateway incorporates an innovative Indoor5G™ self-optimizing algorithm and high-gain antenna technology. This enables each device to fine-tune its internal antenna system autonomously, aligning it with e& UAE’s towers for optimal 3.5GHz reception.  Combined with increased transmission power (PC1.5 29 dBm), Vantiva’s Indoor5G™ technology significantly improves connectivity and addresses indoor reception performance challenges by enabling e& UAE to address a 40% larger area around their base stations and connect more homes while reducing the cost of ownership for the FWA service.

“e& UAE continues to transform the broadband experience for its customers, and we have appreciated the opportunity to once again collaborate and develop a 5G FWA gateway for their markets,” stated Mercedes Pastor, Senior Vice President of the Customer Unit, Eurasia at Vantiva. “We have always been committed to innovation, and that commitment shines through with this gateway that sets a new standard for performance and accessibility. With decades of wireless connectivity experience and investment in software, we have extended the amazing e& UAE broadband experience to their 5G FWA subscribers by providing a common application framework.”

Additional Features
Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, this device can be supplemented with Wi-Fi nodes or mesh extenders running EasyMesh R2 software.
It also incorporates Homeware™, Vantiva’s highly modular and application-oriented software stack, based on OpenWrt standards and deployed with over 10 million gateways around the world.

Leveraging Vantiva’s Homeware™ APIs and Vantiva’s NaviGate Companion™ backend, e& will integrate a mobile app to help with the Wi-Fi set-up. This app will let end-users manage their home gateways and extenders using their iOS or Android mobile phones or tablets.

CONTACT: Vantiva Press Relations: press.relations@vantiva.com 
Thatcher+Co. for Vantiva: vantiva@thatcherandco.com

PDF – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2538236/Vantiva_e_October_23_2024_en.pdf

PR Newswire

NEC Indonesia and Sinar Mas Land Forge Partnership for Adaptation Finance Development to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NEC Indonesia and Sinar Mas Land, through its subsidiary PT Samakta Mitra, have started a strategic partnership to mitigate the impact of climate change by leveraging Adaptation Finance and disaster mitigation visualisation technology. Adaptation Finance is an initiative developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), designed to assess the risks and impacts of natural disasters caused by climate change. It aims to identify risks early, plan mitigation strategies, and foster greater business resilience.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin a joint study on Adaptation Finance in Indonesia between Sinar Mas Land and NEC Indonesia was signed by Irvan Yasni, CEO of Technology Advisory and Business of Sinar Mas Land, and Joji Yamamoto, President Director of NEC Indonesia, at the Biomedical Campus, BSD City, last 15 October 2024. Yutaka Ukegawa, Corporate Executive Vice President of NEC Corporation, and Mulyawan Gani, Chief Transformation & Data Officer of Sinar Mas Land, were also in attendance.

Irvan Yasni, CEO of Technology Advisory & Business at Sinar Mas Land (second from the left), together with Joji Yamamoto, President Director of NEC Indonesia (second from the right), signs a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate a joint study on Adaptation Finance in Indonesia, witnessed by Mulyawan Gani, Chief Transformation & Data Officer of Sinar Mas Land (far left), and Yutaka Ukegawa, Corporate Executive Vice President of NEC Corporation (far right).
Irvan Yasni, CEO of Technology Advisory & Business at Sinar Mas Land (second from the left), together with Joji Yamamoto, President Director of NEC Indonesia (second from the right), signs a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate a joint study on Adaptation Finance in Indonesia, witnessed by Mulyawan Gani, Chief Transformation & Data Officer of Sinar Mas Land (far left), and Yutaka Ukegawa, Corporate Executive Vice President of NEC Corporation (far right).

Joji Yamamoto shares, “This collaboration marks an important first step in realising the Adaptation Finance initiative for mitigating the climate change. We believe that the technology and solutions offered by NEC can contribute to developing adaptive financial solutions that can be applied across various sectors. We look forward to this partnership with Sinar Mas Land’s subsidiary, PT Samakta Mitra. Previously, NEC implemented the same solutions in Japan, supported by major insurance companies. The success of this endeavour emphasises the significant potential of this collaboration to bring positive impacts to Indonesia’s financial services industry, particularly in addressing the growing climate challenges.”

Irvan Yasni adds, “Adaptation Finance presents a great opportunity to create a more sustainable and safer environment in the face of disaster risks resulting from climate change. Together with NEC Indonesia, we will conduct a joint study on Adaptation Finance to develop case studies that anticipate adaptation steps and solutions to climate change across various sectors. By applying technology with disaster risk and climate change mapping, insurance companies can estimate potential losses and mitigate existing risks, allowing for more effective mitigation efforts.”

Through this collaboration, Sinar Mas Land and NEC Indonesia will develop risk visualisation solutions capable of mapping the potential for natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and tropical cyclones. This will thereby accelerate the adoption of disaster risk mitigation solutions among insurance companies, banks, and investment firms. This initiative also supports better protection for communities and infrastructure in the future.

By utilising data-driven solutions, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), NEC Indonesia will identify potential threats, assess environmental impacts, and provide more effective risk mitigation recommendations. This technology enables more strategic and sustainable allocation of funds, allowing Adaptation Finance to deliver positive effects on society, the business community, and the environment. (*)

About PT NEC Indonesia

NEC first established its representative office in Jakarta in 1968. To this day, PT NEC Indonesia continues to play an important role in providing innovative ICT solutions to promote safety, security, and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. As a leading provider of information and communication technology, PT NEC Indonesia provides world-class services and technology including telecommunications networks, biometric identification, intelligent solutions for Banks and other Financial Services, Public Transportation and Logistics, Retail, Manufacturing, as well as government applications and infrastructure and business enterprises to support the digital transformation journey. For more information, visit us at http://id.nec.com/.

About Sinar Mas Land

Sinar Mas Land is a property developer in Indonesia with over 50 years of experience. Sinar Mas Land has developed more than 50 projects across Indonesia. The company’s success in property and real estate development in Indonesia has been recognized by independent and credible institutions, earning various prestigious international awards such as the MIPIM Award in France (2018), ASEAN Energy Awards (2019), Asia Pacific Property Award (2021), Cambridge IFA’s Global Good Governance Award (2021), and FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards (2022).

With the support of a solid management team, Sinar Mas Land is renowned as a developer of independent townships (through the BSD City Development) and a pioneer in the development of the clustered residential concept. In addition, Sinar Mas Land is also a trailblazer in the development of innovative Strata Mall/Trade Center (ITC) projects in Indonesia. Sinar Mas Land is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange as PT Bumi Serpong Damai Tbk, and on the Singapore Exchange. Sinar Mas Land has strong strategic partners such as Sojitz Japan, Aeon, Itochu, Mitsubishi Corporation, Hongkong Land, and local partners like Kompas Gramedia and Kalbe. For more information, please visit: www.sinarmasland.com.

Source: PT. NEC Indonesia

PR Newswire

A Comprehensive Introduction of the oneClick+ antigen platform

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SHANGHAI, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sanyou Bio provides oneClick+ antigen one-stop solution, from antigen analysis to personalized preparation, to help tumor immunotherapy research and development. oneClick+ antigen platform is designed to provide high-quality annotation-related protein sequences, including protein amino acid sequences, isoelectric points, subcellular localization, structural domains, modification sites, and other properties, and to demonstrate non-redundant datasets, which help scientists to simplify the antigen analysis process and solve antigen expression difficulties. Sanyou provides high quality protein expression products covering mammalian, insect and bacterial expression, three major high quality protein expression systems to help your protein expression research.

oneClick+ Antigen Access Address
Visit https://www.oneclick-plus.com/. Start accessing the oneClick+ platform and select “Design Antigen”, to begin a one-stop shop for your antigen information. 

Platform Highlights

  1. Simplified input operation
    The oneClick+ platform for antigen analysis only requires you to enter the Uniprot ID corresponding to the protein. If you need to place a customized order, you can also select the desired expression system, protein amount, and other notes.
  2. Output Sequence Full Visualization
    The report outputs the amino acid sequences of the corresponding proteins, and proteins with > 2000 amino acids can also be displayed completely.
  3. Simplification of output information
    The output report demonstrates the physicochemical properties of the relevant antigen, including the number of amino acids, molecular weight, isoelectric point, subcellular localization, and protein type, in addition to the antigen’s transmembrane structural domains, signal peptide and modification sites, and three-dimensional structural features, which filters out redundant information and reduces the time required to find information.
  4. Protein preparation difficulty evaluation function
    Sanyou Bio extracted the data of 56,547 proteins from Uniprot database, and analyzed the number of amino acids, cysteines and glycosylation sites at the amino acid level, and issued a protein preparation difficulty assessment, which is intended to be a reference for scientists to judge the difficulty of protein preparation. (You can click Protein preparation difficulty assessment to see the specific analysis process.)
    (Note: Due to the diversity of proteins and other multifaceted factors, the following is not a foregone conclusion and is for reference only.)
  5. Free reports to help research
    To obtain antigen information report outputs through the oneClick+ platform, you can enter your email, and we will send them to you in the form of a zip package. In addition, if you have any antigen customization needs or other questions, you can also leave your contact information and we will contact you within 24 hours.