Philippines

Google, YouTube implement measures to support Philippine midterm Elections

From voter assist to combating misinformation

Published

on

Google YouTube

Google and YouTube are rolling out several features as the Philippines gears up for the 2025 midterm elections on May 12th. These include initiatives aimed at connecting Filipino voters with reliable election-related information and safeguarding their platforms from potential abuse.

The two platforms are proactively implementing tools to enhance voter access to credible sources. On YouTube, users searching for information on 2025 senatorial candidates will now see an information panel displayed above search results. The panel will provide key details about the candidate. This includes their political party, and a direct link to Google Search for further information.

On Election Day itself, YouTube’s homepage will feature a prominent shelf dedicated to live coverage from authoritative news organizations. These live streams will be available in both English and Filipino. This will allow viewers to stay updated on election news and results as they unfold.

Additionally, a “How to vote” playlist from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will be promoted on YouTube. This starts on May 12th and will offer Filipinos essential voting guidelines, requirements, and a step-by-step process.

Google Search will continue to prioritize authoritative information through its ranking systems. This is to ensure that voters receive relevant and contextual details on various election-related queries.

Platform Integrity, combating abuse

Beyond providing information, Google and YouTube are emphasizing the protection of their platforms from abuse. The company reiterated its long-standing policies against harmful content. This applies universally to all content, regardless of language, generation method, or political leaning.

Specifically, content that misleads voters on how to vote or encourages interference in the democratic process is strictly prohibited on YouTube. The platform will swiftly remove content that incites violence, promotes hate speech, disseminates harmful conspiracy theories, or threatens election workers.

Google’s latest Transparency Report indicated that the Philippines ranked 8th globally for video removals. These are due to policy violations on YouTube between October and December 2024. Over 153,000 videos have been taken down. Repeated policy violations can lead to channel termination.

Navigating AI-generated content

In response to the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content, Google and YouTube have introduced policies and tools to aid users in discerning its nature:

  • YouTube Content Labels: Creators are now required to disclose the presence of altered or synthetic content in their uploaded videos. Labels indicating such alterations will appear in the video description panel, providing crucial context. For election-related content, these labels will be directly visible on the video player, irrespective of the creator, political viewpoints, or language.
  • Google’s “About this Image” and Gemini’s Double-Check: Google Search’s “About this Image” feature assists users in evaluating the credibility and context of online images. Gemini’s double-check feature assesses whether web content supports its responses, offering an additional layer of verification.
  • Digital Watermarking: Google is actively working on embedding watermarks using DeepMind’s SynthID in all images generated through its products.
  • Industry Collaboration: Google and YouTube have joined the C2PA coalition and standard, a cross-industry initiative focused on providing greater transparency and context for AI-generated content. This collaboration will bring C2PA’s technical standards for metadata to Ads, Search, and YouTube.

Furthermore, Google is actively training media organizations through AI Workshops. This will equip journalists and news leaders with the knowledge and tools to responsibly leverage generative AI in their work. This includes election news coverage.

Supporting Media Literacy and COMELEC

In lieu of allowing political advertisements during the election cycle, Google and YouTube are proactively supporting media literacy programs and the COMELEC. This is to ensure that voters have access to trustworthy information.

Google has invested in local media literacy initiatives, partnering with organizations like CANVAS to create the YOUTHink magazine. IIt teaches readers to identify reliable information. YOUTHink has been adapted for various regions in the Philippines and published in multiple languages, including Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano.

In a collaborative effort to strengthen election integrity, Google has also provided specialized training workshops for COMELEC. These sessions detailed Google’s strategies for safeguarding elections on its platforms, best practices for platform safety on YouTube during critical periods, and a comprehensive overview of reporting tools available to government partners.

This collaboration aims to facilitate more effective coordination between COMELEC and YouTube in addressing potentially policy-violating content.

News

OPPO Find X9 now available through Smart Postpaid, Infinity

OPPO’s latest flagship has triple Hasselblad cameras, more advanced features

Published

on

The flagship OPPO Find X9 is now available through Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity plans for customers in the Philippines.

Subscribers can get the device through Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999 and Smart Infinity Device Plans 5000/8000.

Here are the inclusions:

Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999 (PhP 32,500 one-time cashout)

  • 15GB data
  • Unli 5G data for 12 months
  • Unli AllNet Calls & Texts
  • Unli Landline Calls
  • Access to Smart Postpaid Perks
  • Extra 30GB free data for 6 months
  • Free Landers Premium Membership (for eligible subscribers)
  • PhP 1,000 worth of shopping GCs (Dec. 6 to 12 only for new line)

Infinity Device Plan 5000 (PhP 7,200 one-time cashout)

  • Unlimited data
  • Unli calls and texts
  • PhP 1,500 monthly consumables for in-app purchases, content subscriptions, more
  • 1GB roaming for 5 days/month
  • Personalized assistance
  • 24/7 dedicated personal account manager
  • More exclusive lifestyle perks and privileges

Infinity Device Plan 8000 (device is complimentary)

  • Unli data, calls, and texts
  • PhP 3,000 monthly consumables
  • 2GB roaming for 7 days/month
  • Personalized assistance
  • 24/7 dedicated personal account manager
  • More exclusive lifestyle perks and privileges

As an exclusive launch offer, in-store subscribers will also receive a complimentary DJI Osmo Mobile SE stabilizer.

The Smart website also shows that the Find X9 is bundled with a free Enco Buds3 Pro.

Flagship find

The OPPO Find X9 features a triple Hasselblad camera system powered by OPPO’s all-new LUMO Image Engine.

It has three 50MP cameras at the back — one rear, one telephoto, and one ultra-wide — as well as a 32MP front camera.

OPPO’s latest flagship handset is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor. It has a 16GB+512GB configuration and a massive 7,025mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC and 50W AIRVOOC charging.

In front is a 6.59-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with a remarkable 95.4% screen-to-body ratio, 1,800 nits HBM brightness, 100% DCI-P3, and 460ppi pixel density.

Continue Reading

News

Google Year in Search 2025: NBA Finals, Halalan, Dionela, Alex Eala, more

Elections, AI, rising icons, sports, Korean series, more

Published

on

Google has released its Year in Search 2025, revealing the trends and moments that shaped the online habits of internet users this year.

Specifically for Filipinos, Gemini AI topped the overall trending list. Just under that is “Halalan 2025 results”, as it is a mid-term general election in the country. It shows that Filipinos are still very invested in what’s going on as far as politics are concerned.

During the 2025 elections, citizens voted for 12 senators to elect into office, representatives from their legislative districts, as well as local positions in provinces, cities, and municipalities.

Netflix series Squid Game also made the Top 10 list at No. 6. Reflecting the Philippines’ unwavering love for basketball, “OKC vs Indiana” also made it to No. 9. The Oklahoma City Thunder, of course, beat the Indiana Pacers in seven games to hoist this year’s NBA title.

Curiously, Khan Academy also made it to the magic 10, pretty much implying that several Filipino professionals constantly have upskilling in their minds.

Alex Eala, Dionela rise

Moving on to more specific lists, Filipino tennis rising star Alex Eala was definitely a talk of the town this calendar year. She is the most searched female personality overall, topping the likes of Bea Borres, AJ Raval, Jessica Sanchez, and Mika Salamanca, to name a few.

She is also ranked fourth in the list of most searched sports terms, behind “OKC vs Indiana”, “Pacquiao vs Barrios”, and “NBA standings 2025”.

Interestingly, the Golden State Warriors are No. 8 on that list but the Los Angeles Lakers have not made an appearance in this year’s Top 10.

Meanwhile, for male personalities, Dionela is at No. 4 on a more diverse list which includes Andy Byron (No. 1), Ed Gein (No. 2), and even Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon (No. 7) and Bronny James (No. 8).

Taylor Swift’s fiance, NFL star Travis Kelce (No. 9) and Kendrick Lamar (No. 10) wrap up the male personalities list.

OPM power

Dionela did make his presence felt on another list — Songs — where his famous track Marilag” is at No. 2 behind Earl Agustin’s “Tibok”.

In fact, it’s a rather OPM-laden list, showing how invested Filipinos still are in their own music. There’s Cup of Joe’s “Multo” (No. 4) and even Ogie Alcasid’s “Nandito Ako” (No. 5) which has enjoyed quite a resurgence, thanks to social media and former American Idol runner-up David Archuleta even singing it during a recent music festival.

Trending social media hits “Gnarly” and “Opalite” by KATESYE and Taylor Swift, respectively, round out the most searched songs list.

Entertainment

And speaking of Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, Netflix’s Physical Asia is curiously missing from the most searched shows and series this year. Although, they are No. 9 in the more specific Top Korean Series list.

Just behind Squid Game are When Life Gives You Tangerines, S Line,and Bon Appetit, Your Majesty on both lists.

For movies, the term “Final Destination” is the most searched, thanks to the franchise’s sixth installment, Final Destination Bloodlines.

Horror/mystery movies have been quite impressive this year, with “Conjuring” referencing Conjuring: Last Rites and Weapons at No. 8 and No. 10, respectively.

Of course, Kpop Demon Hunters has likewise made noise, coming in at second. Superman took the third spot, while another superhero movie, Thunderboltsis at fourth.

Farewells

For farewells, the passing of Meteor Garden female protagonist Barbie Hsu shocked a lot of Filipino fans — especially those who grew up watching the hit Taiwanese drama series from the 2000s.

The death of Emman Atienza, the daughter of TV personality Kuya Kim Atienza, also resonated deeply among younger audiences as she spoke candidly about mental health issues prior to her passing.

Among other top searches under the category are for Pope Francis (No. 3), celebrities Nora Aunor (No. 5), Gloria Romero (No. 6), Pilita Corrales (No. 10), and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (No. 7).

AI-related

Lastly, when it comes to AI-related search terms, Filipinos continue to learn more about how AI can help their everyday lives.

Gemini AI comes in at first, DeepSeek is at second, while Claude rounds out the top three. There’s also ChatGPT (No. 8), Nano Banana (No. 10), and Verse (No. 6).

Continue Reading

Cameras

Canon EOS C50 cinema camera price in the Philippines

Smallest, lightest cinema camera made for today’s filmmakers, creators

Published

on

Canon Philippines is capping the year strong with the release of the Canon EOS C50 in the market. The cinema camera is priced at PhP 189,998 for the body along with an XLR handle.

The Canon EOS C50 is designed for both filmmakers and creators who need mobility and professional-grade quality.

It has the same 3:2 Open Gate recording feature also on the EOS R6 Mark III, which gives users flexibility for post-production.

Creators can extract full 4K footage along with cropped 2K vertical or square versions from the same capture with the Simultaneous Crop Recording feature.

This is ideal for producing multi-platform content, like 16:9 landscape videos for YouTube then vertical shortform videos for social media.

Also, an added edge is the up to 7K 60p RAW recording capability on the C50, compared to just 7K 30p for the Mark III.

Filmmakers can also record at up to 4K 120fps should they need high frame rate captures. Recording in 4:2:2 10-bit is also available for rich color and flexibility in post-production.

In addition, the EOS C50 features dual CFexpress and SD card slots. 7K RAW can be saved to CFexpress while other formats can be saved to the SD card.

Different format, resolutions, and color sampling can be assigned for backup, distribution, or quicker edit-ready files.

Photo performance

For stills, users can take advantage of the 32MP CMOS sensor for capturing up to 40 shots per second (with electronic shutter).

The camera also supports pre-continuous shooting and AF performance improvements with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.

Enhancements include Auto setting, animals, vehicle priority, and eye AF, as well as the new left/right priority.

Moreover, the camera features Dual-Base ISO with Auto Selection, automatically switching between ISO 400 and ISO 3200 depending on the scene.

This ensures the highest signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a wide dynamic range. Users can also manual select the ISO to match lighting conditions.

Professional interface

Onto its controls, the EOS C50 has a TIME CODE terminal, which is perfect for seamless multi-camera setups. It also features two XLR terminals and a handy control dial for professional audio input.

There are 14 assignable buttons, each thoughtfully positioned for quick, instinctive access while filming. There are about 100 customizable functions available so the camera can match a user’s workflow.

During the launch event, Canon Philippines demonstrated a wide range of scenarios for the EOS C50, including multi-angle live broadcasts with just one camera.

Continue Reading

Trending