Philippines
Power Mac Center iPhone 17 midnight launch draws massive crowd
Hundreds lined up as Apple fans welcomed the latest devices at midnight
Power Mac Center once again turned the iPhone launch into a nationwide spectacle. The Premiere Apple Partner officially rolled out the iPhone 17 Series and iPhone Air in the Philippines. It held simultaneous midnight events at Greenbelt 3, SM Mall of Asia, and 41 more stores across the country.
At Greenbelt 3, student Marc Dave Afran was first in line. He was ahead of more than 600 patrons who queued up for hours to be among the first to unbox the iPhone 17. The energy stayed electric through midnight, with fans cheering as doors opened and the first units were handed out.
A night of spectacle and rewards
The celebration blended music, excitement, and massive freebies. Performances by Lola Amour, Rob Deniel, and Clara Benin set the tone at Greenbelt 3. Meanwhile, SunKissed Lola and Janine Teñoso headlined the SM Mall of Asia launch.
Early patrons went home with premium freebie bundles worth up to PhP 30,000. They also got exclusive partner perks from Bo’s Coffee, Grab, and Lojel. Special trade-in offers were also on hand—up to PhP 57,000 off for an iPhone 16 Pro Max—along with up to 50% off select iPhone cases and 30% off premium accessories.
Nationwide participation
Beyond the two main venues, 40 more Power Mac Center and The Loop stores across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao joined in at midnight, giving hundreds more fans a chance to bring home their new iPhone right as the clock struck twelve.
“By opening our doors at midnight, we invite customers to be the first to experience what’s next,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director for Marketing and Product Management. “It’s a celebration of how technology continues to move people and the world forward.”
Exclusive offers continue
Missed the midnight fun? PMC’s “iPhone for All” campaign keeps the excitement going with extended deals, including up to PhP 9,000 savings, 0% installments, and cashbacks depending on your payment partner. Customers can still enjoy trade-in offers, accessory discounts, and even special promos like customized phone cases and gashapon giveaways at select The Loop stores until October 19, 2025.
The iPhone 17 Series and iPhone Air are now available nationwide. Get the via Power Mac Center and The Loop stores. They are also available online at powermaccenter.com and The Loop by Power Mac Center on Shopee.
Here are more photos from the event:
Apps
Live NBA action on Disney Plus now available in the Philippines
Stream the live action starting November 20th
The NBA will now stream live on Disney+ as well for Filipino fans as part of a multi-year agreement.
This marks an expansion of Disney and ESPN’s global relationship with the NBA, bringing live coverage to the streaming platform for the first time.
ESPN, of course, is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is one of the latter’s major divisions.
Under the agreement, fans in the Philippines will get closer to courtside action with special access to live NBA games. There’s also ESPN’s award-winning documentaries and live broadcasts of NBA Countdown too.
Moreover, fans can tune in to legendary voices Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley in real-time with NBA Tip-Off and Inside the NBA.
NBA on Disney+ will officially start on Thursday, November 20 morning (November 19 in the United States) with a double-header featuring these match-ups:
- Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers (8:00 A.M.)
- New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks (10:30 A.M.)
Disney+ subscribers will be able to live stream select regular season and playoff games, including marquee events like NBA on Christmas Day, NBA Draft, the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, and select Summer League Games.
The agreement also includes one NBA Conference Finals series live. Another Conference Finals series and the NBA Finals will both be available to stream on delay as well.
News
Google Wallet rolls out in the Philippines
Android users can now tap-to-pay and store digital essentials in one app
Google has officially launched Google Wallet in the Philippines. This gives Android users a secure and convenient way to pay in stores, online, and in-app. The service also supports digital items such as loyalty cards, boarding passes, event tickets, and more.
Google Wallet is available for download on the Google Play Store starting today. You can add a participating bank card to Google Wallet, then pay with your Android phone or Wear OS device wherever contactless payments are accepted.
Prep Palacios, Country Manager of Google Philippines, said the launch aligns with the country’s growing digital lifestyle and supports faster, safer transactions.
FinTech Alliance PH chairman Lito Villanueva noted the service strengthens financial inclusion, backed by collaboration between the private sector and government.
BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan emphasized that banks and e-money issuers remain responsible for risk management when working with technology service providers. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said Google Wallet supports the nation’s digitalization agenda.
Features and supported partners
Google Wallet stores digital credentials securely. The app holds your payment cards, and Google Pay completes the transaction. You can also add boarding passes from Philippine Airlines and other carriers, with instant alerts for flight changes. The app supports event and cinema tickets, loyalty cards, vouchers, and digital car keys.
Participating issuers include Visa and Mastercard cardholders from banks such as China Bank, EastWest, RCBC, GoTyme, Maya, UnionBank, Wise, Zed, and GCash. Online payments are supported on platforms like Shopee and select merchants via partner payment service providers.
For transit, users can tap and pay at MRT-3 stations, modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City, and other terminals that accept Visa or Mastercard. Google Wallet supports digital tickets from Easybook. Beep App integration will follow soon.
Setup and security
To enable tap-to-pay, users can add a card inside the app, agree to terms, and complete verification. Google Wallet uses tokenization and device-specific security codes for every transaction, with screen lock required for access. Lost devices can be secured or erased via Find My Device.
Google Wallet is now available for download through the Google Play Store.
Accessories
JBL unwraps the season with prizes that go beyond powerful sound
Celebrate the holidays with Unwrap the Unexpected promo and an unforgettable Sound Fest!
The holidays always feel louder when music fills the room.
This year, JBL is giving Filipinos a reason to turn the volume even higher with its Unwrap the Unexpected promo, a Christmas celebration that rewards every purchase with the chance to take home surprises that go from everyday essentials to life-changing grand prizes.
A holiday treat with every purchase
From November 1 to December 31, anyone who buys a participating JBL product from authorized stores or official online partners can register their receipt at jblpromo.com.ph.
The process is simple. You make a purchase, upload your proof of payment, and enter your details before the year ends. Each entry becomes your chance to win a lineup of prizes that includes a brand-new Tesla Model 3.
The promo also offers rewards such as a Vespa S125, a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, and a Lenovo Legion 5 gaming laptop, along with dozens of other exciting items.
Free pass to the biggest JBL music experience
Every successful registration comes with a free Concert Pass to JBL Sound Fest 2025.
The event happens on December 6 at Parklinks Open Grounds in Pasig City. Registration for the pass is open until December 6 at 10 a.m.
The festival is set to gather some of the most celebrated OPM artists in one night of energy, lights, and crowd-shaking sound.
Rico Blanco, Cup of Joe, HORI7ON, Flow G, and Kat DJ will take the stage, along with other performers ready to deliver a holiday concert that lives up to the JBL name.
Expect a night built around powerful music, vibrant production, and a shared love for sound.
How to join
To participate, purchase any qualified JBL product from participating retailers nationwide and register at jblpromo.com.ph by December 31.
Make sure to claim your Sound Fest pass before December 6 at 10 a.m. Full promo mechanics and registration details are available on jblpromo.com.ph.
-
Laptops2 weeks agoSpotlight: ASUS ProArt P16
-
News2 weeks agoThe Mate 70 Air is HUAWEI’s clapback to the iPhone Air
-
Gaming2 weeks agoThe Nintendo Switch is nearing the end of its lifecycle
-
Deals2 weeks ago11.11 sale top picks: Phones, tablets, appliances, gaming gear, more
-
Cameras1 week agoI thought the Insta360 X4 Air would be easy
-
Cameras2 weeks agoCanon announces EOS R6 Mark III camera, RF45mm f/1.2 STM lens
-
Gaming2 weeks agoGrand Theft Auto VI delayed to November 2026
-
Deals2 weeks agoGet a chance to win an iPhone 17 Pro with the ECOVACS 11.11 sale




















