Philippines

Check out this cell tower disguising itself as a palm tree

It’s called a Mono-Palm

Published

October 19, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Image source: Reddit via u/projectbear25

You’ve heard of the term “urban jungle” before. Instead of dense foliage, the city is overgrown with towering skyscrapers and steel lampposts. The only real foliage we see is more carefully planned than organically grown. That said, have you ever wondered how else the natural world intersects with our urban life? Check out this cell tower disguising itself as a palm tree in Bonifacio Global City.

Spotted by Reddit user u/projectbear25, the disguised cell tower literally towers everything else in the vicinity. However, if you didn’t know where to look, you might have mistaken the faux foliage for just an ordinary tree.

Before you freak out, this isn’t a freak of nature or an overblown marketing technique. This is actually a legitimate urban planning strategy. If you’ve ever lived in a gated subdivision, you’ve likely heard of several arguments against the building of cell towers anywhere near the area. Though most arguments stem from scientifically ambiguous claims of their cancer-causing properties, cell towers are often eyesores and ruin the look of a community. Arguments like these have gone for as long as the existence of cell towers.

In 1992, Larson Camouflage, an Arizona company specializing in building artificial landscapes in urban areas, transitioned to camouflaging gaudy cell towers as tall trees. From street level, the faux trees look like tree trunks. Of course, because cell towers need all the coverage it can get, they will often tower over normal-sized trees, creating a weird diaspora for those who care enough to look. Regardless, since the first one, the faux tree tower thrived across the United States and now, the rest of the world.

Because Larson’s first faux tree was a pine tree, the cloaking strategy was usually called the Mono-Pine. However, since its inception, other forms popped up. The BGC one is, for example, a Mono-Palm.

The Mono-Palm is just one example from certainly dozens all over the city. The next time you see a suspiciously large tree in the distance, chances are that it’s actually a cell tower in disguise.

Philippines

Globe, Starlink provide free data, messaging for customers affected by Mindanao earthquake

Globe deploys Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology for disaster response

Published

June 10, 2026

GadgetMatch

Globe has partnered with Starlink to deploy its satellite-to-mobile service in Mindanao areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on Monday. Provinces affected include South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani.

Deploying the service to support emergency communications and disaster response in the badly hit areas had demo permit approval from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

This deployment marks Globe’s first use of Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology for disaster and emergency response.

Over 700,000 Globe and TM customers stand to benefit from the deployment, providing them with messaging through WhatsApp and SMS at a time when it is needed most.

Globe will offer the service for free for up to 30 days as critical support to affected communities until the provider’s network is fully restored.

The network provider will reach out directly to customers to provide them with instructions to connect to the satellite service using their existing Globe SIMs and LTE-enabled phones.

The earthquake, one of the strongest in the country in decades, prompted tsunami warnings for several coastal communities in Southern Mindanao. It also caused network disruptions across multiple provinces, as commercial power interruptions impacted telco facilities.

As of posting time, Globe is working closely with local government units and local electric cooperatives to fully restore its services.

News

realme launches P4 Series 5G, including Power with 10,001mAh battery

realme P4 Power becomes 1st smartphone with 10,001mAh battery

Published

June 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

realme has officially launched the realme P4 Series 5G in the Philippines. This marks the first time consumers in the market can avail of the devices. In the past, realme has offered just models from the C, numbered, and GT Series.

The P4 Series 5G is a new lineup built around long-lasting battery life, along with reliable performance and 5G connectivity. Products under the roster are designed for users who need power throughout the day — and beyond.

The lineup consists of the realme P4 Power 5G, realme P4x, and realme P4 Lite.

The series headliner is the realme P4 Power 5G, which becomes the first smartphone in the country to bring a 10,001mAh battery.

This battery supports 80W Ultra Charging, 27W wired reverse charging, and a TÜV Rheinland 5-Star Battery Rating.

The device is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra and comes with a 144Hz 1.5K HyperGlow 4D Curve+ Display and 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera. It is likewise rated IP66/IP68/IP69 for water and dust resistance.

This variant is offered at a special promo price of just PhP 19,999, exclusively on the realme Official Shopee Store.

Meanwhile, the realme P4x comes with an 8,000mAh Titan Battery, 45W Fast Charging, and reverse charging support. It is available for pre-order via Shopee.

Lastly, the realme P4 Lite has a 7,000mAh Titan Battery. It also has a Military Grade Standard shock resistance (MIL-STD-810H).

The P4 Lite is readily available on TikTok for the 4GB+64GB variant at PhP 4,897 (SRP: PhP 7,499) and on Shopee for the 4GB+128GB variant at PhP 6,136 (SRP: Php 8,999).

The published introductory prices are available until June 10.

Deals

Win a trip to Shanghai Disney Resort with this Disney+ raffle promo

Subscribe for a chance to win

Published

June 4, 2026

GadgetMatch

Disney+ is giving fans and families more reasons to subscribe to the streaming platform with an exciting raffle promo.

Consumers who subscribe to a Disney+ Annual Plan (Basic or Premium) from June 2 to July 21 will get a chance to win a fully paid trip to Shanghai Disney Resort, which happens to turn 10 years this year.

There will be a total of 15 winners, which can bring along up to three loved ones. Each winner will win these prizes:

three days/two nights stay at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel for four
Shanghai Disneyland General Admission park tickets for four (for three days)
Roundtrip economy class flight tickets between Manila and Shanghai for four

Do note that Visa fees and other incidental travel expenses are excluded. Terms and conditions apply.

Beyond the chance to win in the Shanghai Disney Resort promo, subscribers can also enjoy fan favorite titles such as High Potential and Perfect Crown.

An exciting slate of show are also coming to Disney+ in 2026: the NBA Finals, Lollapalooza, Avatar: Fire & Ash, Hoppers, The Bear (Season 5), and X-Men ’97 (Season 2).

K-drama fans can also look forward to a compelling lineup, including Doctor on the Edge, A Shop for Killers (Season 2), Made in Korea (Season 2), Portraits of Delusion, and The Remarried Empress.