Philippines

vivo V29e 5G now available in the Philippines

Experience innovation

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vivo V29e 5G

The vivo V29e 5G, the more affordable variant from vivo’s latest V series line that includes the vivo V29 5G, is now available in the Philippines.

The vivo V29e 5G is priced at just PhP 18,999, available on the vivo Philippines website, Lazada, Shopee, TikTok, and physical stores nationwide.

The device comes in either Ice Creek Blue or Forest Black. It’s packed in a slim 7.69mm profile with a comfortable grip.

The smartphone is powered by a Snapdragon 695 processor and has a 4,800mAh battery that supports 44W fast-charging.

It has up to 12GB of base RAM plus 8GB of extended RAM. Able to run up to 36  app simultaneously running in the background. It also has 256GB of internal storage.

For its display, the vivo V29e 5G has a 6.67-inch AMOLED 120Hz display with a screen-to-body ratio of almost 92%.

Lastly, it comes with a 64MP OIS ultra-sensing main camera similar to the standard vivo V29 5G, along with the upgraded Aura Light 2.0.

In front is a 50MP 92-degree wide-angle selfie camera that supports 2x zoom and auto-focus.


This article is a sponsored press release by vivo Philippines.

News

Shokz OpenFit Pro launches at Power Mac Center, brings open-ear noise reduction

Open-ear, now quieter

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Shokz OpenFit Pro

There’s a certain kind of listener this is built for. The kind who wants music on, but not the world off.

That’s exactly where the new Shokz OpenFit Pro steps in. Now officially available at Power Mac Center, the latest from Shokz pushes open-ear audio further with a feature that feels almost contradictory at first: noise reduction—without shutting you out.

It’s a balancing act. And from what we’ve seen at the launch, it’s one Shokz is leaning into hard.

Open-ear, but with focus when you need it

Shokz OpenFit Pro

The headline feature here is Open-Ear Noise Reduction—a first for Shokz.

Instead of sealing your ears like traditional ANC earbuds, the OpenFit Pro keeps its signature open design. You still hear your surroundings, but now you can dial in a “focus mode” when things get too noisy.

It works through a triple-mic system paired with an ear-adaptive algorithm, which predicts in-ear noise and counters it with reverse sound waves. The result isn’t total silence, but a cleaner listening experience in places like offices, gyms, or busy streets.

It’s not about isolation. It’s about control.

Bigger sound, richer detail

Shokz is also going after better sound this time.

The OpenFit Pro uses a new Shokz SuperBoost™ dual-diaphragm driver, designed to deliver deeper bass and more detailed highs while keeping distortion low. The 11 × 20 mm driver performs like a larger speaker, giving it more room to breathe compared to typical open-ear buds.

There’s also Dolby Atmos support with head tracking, adding a more immersive layer—especially for supported content.

Built to stay on, all day

Comfort is still a big part of the pitch.

The earbuds use Ultra-Soft Silicone 2.0 and a flexible nickel-titanium ear hook that adapts to different ear shapes. They’re designed to stay secure whether you’re working out, walking, or just going through your day.

The build leans premium too, with an ultra-slim aluminum unibody design that keeps things lightweight and clean.

Calls, battery, and everyday extras

On the practical side, the OpenFit Pro checks a lot of boxes:

  • AI-powered triple-mic system for clearer calls (with wind resistance up to 25 km/h)
  • Up to 50 hours total battery with the case
  • Up to 12 hours listening time (6 hours with noise reduction on)
  • 10-minute quick charge = up to 4 hours playback
  • Qi wireless charging support
  • Multipoint pairing, smart wear detection, and Bluetooth 6.1

It’s also IP55-rated, making it suitable for workouts and light rain.

A different take on listening

Open-ear audio has always been about awareness and comfort.

With the OpenFit Pro, Shokz is trying to add a third layer: focus on demand.

It doesn’t replace traditional noise-cancelling earbuds. It doesn’t try to. Instead, it gives you the option to stay present—while still tuning the noise down when it matters. And for a lot of people, that might be the better everyday choice.

Price and availability

The Shokz OpenFit Pro retails for Php 14,990 or PhP 2498.33/mo for six months with select credit cards. It’s available in Power Mac Center locations nationwide.

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Gaming

God of War: Sons of Sparta takes a more contained approach to Kratos

Filipino devs were part of it.

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God of War Sons of Sparta

There’s a version of God of War that lives in most people’s heads. It’s loud. Cinematic. Heavy with consequence. The kind of game that feels bigger than you.

God of War: Sons of Sparta isn’t that. At least, not in the way you expect.

It’s more contained. 2D. Pixel art. But spend a little time with it, and you start to see what it’s trying to do. Not replace the modern games. Not outdo them.

Just… revisit something familiar from a different angle.

A different take on Kratos

Instead of gods and world-ending stakes, Sons of Sparta focuses on Kratos earlier in his life, training as a Spartan alongside Deimos. It’s more contained. More personal.

You’re still fighting through brutal encounters. But the framing feels different. Less about destiny, more about who Kratos was before everything spiraled. And somehow, even in pixel form, it still feels like God of War.

Where Filipino developers come in

One of the more interesting parts of this project is how it came together.

Mega Cat Studios worked closely with Santa Monica Studio to build the game. That includes a strong presence from their Philippine team.

But it’s not framed as a separate unit.

“There is no separation between Mega Cat Pittsburgh and Mega Cat Philippines,” says Art Director Janley Clavio.
“We operate as one phalanx, and were part of the game from the beginning.”

That last part shifts the narrative from “support work” to actual collaboration.

The kind of work you feel more than you see

The team contributed to environment art, asset production, and overall polish across different areas of the game. Not the flashy headline stuff. But the kind that shapes how the game feels moment to moment.

“Our work supports the player experience without pulling attention away from the story,” Clavio explains.

Think temple interiors and ruined battlefields. Small details that hint at what happened in a place before you got there. It’s subtle. But it adds up.

Staying true to God of War—even in 2D

Working on God of War comes with a certain weight. Fans know how this world is supposed to look and feel. So, even if Sons of Sparta shifts genres, the expectation doesn’t really change.

“We had to make sure it wasn’t just any retro pixel art game—it had to be a God of War pixel art game,” Clavio says.

That meant studying the details. How materials look. How lighting behaves. How environments guide you. And then translating all of that into something simpler—but still recognizable.

A team that knows when to hold back

One thing that stands out from the conversation is restraint. There’s an understanding that when you’re working on something like God of War, you don’t need to reinvent everything. You just need to get it right.

“When you’re working on something fans already love, your job is to enhance it—not reinvent it.”

That mindset shows up across the game. It respects what came before, but still finds space to do its own thing.

Small details, personal touches

There are also a few quiet nods tucked into the game. Nothing too obvious. Nothing that breaks immersion. But enough for the team to leave their mark.

“For our Filipino artists, it’s a point of pride knowing that a little piece of our culture helped shape a world millions of players will explore.”

It’s not something the game calls attention to. But it’s there.

Not just another spin-off

Sons of Sparta is easy to label as a side project. And sure, it kind of is.

But it’s also a good example of what happens when different teams come together with a clear understanding of what they’re building.

A more contained God of War game that still feels like it belongs. A different perspective on a familiar story. And a project where Filipino developers weren’t just involved. They were part of the process from the start.

It doesn’t try to be the biggest entry in the series. And honestly, it doesn’t need to be.

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Accessories

Jackery SolarSaga series: Free power for small devices

Portable solar panels can charge small gadgets directly

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As fuel prices continue to surge as of late, one of the ways to make up for the additional expenses is to turn to alternative power sources. That’s including solar power.

And Jackery is here to help Philippine consumers, with the availability of their portable SolarSaga panels.

These solar panels are an alternative to traditional and permanently installed rooftop solar panels. They are engineered for modern and mobile life with portable, lightweight, and sleek designs. They are built primarily to be set up and put away easily, and charge small devices directly.

Simply put the Jackery SolarSaga panels where sunlight is available, and it will convert up to 25% of sunlight into usable energy.

To charge small gadgets like phones and portable fans, or even smartwatches, the SolarSaga panels come with a USB-C and USB-A port.

Another way is connecting the SolarSaga to Jackery’s Explorer power stations like the Explorer 300 Plus or 1000 Plus.

From there, users can power up devices, essentially for free. On its own, the Jackery SolarSaga panels are available in 100W and 200W variants.

The panels are also IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. This makes them usable outdoors when brought to adventures like camping, picnics, or beach trips.

The panels are already available through Jackery’s Lazada and Shopee platforms, as well as Techroom’s Lazada and Shopee accounts.

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