Philippines

Power Mac Center iPhone 17 midnight launch draws massive crowd

Hundreds lined up as Apple fans welcomed the latest devices at midnight

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Power Mac Center | iPhone 17 Series

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

Clara Benin performing ahead of the Power Mac Center iPhone 17 Series Midnight Launch

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:

Philippines

Smart Infinity launches PureVoice

AI-powered noise cancellation for calls

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Smart Infinity has launched PureVoice, an AI-powered service that filters background noise during calls. The service aims to deliver clearer conversations, even in noisy environments.

Launched on November 6, 2026, PureVoice reduces distractions from traffic, crowds, and music. It supports everyday conversations, from important business calls to catching up with family and friends.

PureVoice also works on smartphones without built-in noise cancellation. Users don’t need to install an app or configure additional settings.

Subscribers can simply press 8# during a call to enable or disable the service. Smart Infinity members get first access, with a wider rollout planned for other Smart subscribers.

Smart continues to improve voice calling

PureVoice builds on Smart’s investments in network expansion and modernization.

In 2020, Smart completed its Voice over LTE (VoLTE) rollout. The technology enables high-quality voice calls while allowing subscribers to use mobile data simultaneously.

Smart also introduced Video over LTE (ViLTE). The technology lets subscribers make video calls through their phone’s dialer without third-party applications.

The company also highlighted its performance in quality-of-service tests conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Metro Manila. Smart recorded zero dropped calls in the latest tests, meeting the regulator’s prescribed threshold.

Smart Infinity members can learn more about PureVoice by calling *800.

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Philippines

Lazada kicks off 11.11 Biggest Sale of the Year ahead of holiday rush

With up to 90% off deals

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Lazada Philippines is kicking off its 11.11 Biggest Sale of the Year ahead of the holiday shopping rush. The sale runs from 8 PM on November 6 to November 13, 2026.

Shoppers can enjoy up to 90% off LazFlash Deals and additional Lazada vouchers worth up to PHP 3,000. The promotions cover gifts, household essentials, personal technology, fashion, and everyday lifestyle products.

Featured brands include SharkNinja, Jo Malone, CAROTE Global, Tempur, HONOR, Scrub Daddy, Karat World, and FitFlop.

Filipino shoppers become more discerning

The 2026 eCommerce Savvy Shopper Report by Cube, in partnership with Lazada, highlights changing Filipino shopping habits. The report found that 36% of Filipino online shoppers qualify as “Savvy Shoppers.”

This represents the highest proportion among six Southeast Asian markets surveyed. Another 22% of Filipino respondents fall under the “Near-Savvy” category.

The study measures shopping habits across four dimensions: Verification, Value Optimisation, Confidence & Protection, and Digital Fluency. These dimensions examine how consumers evaluate products and sellers, find better deals, and navigate digital shopping tools.

They also consider how shoppers assess safeguards throughout their online purchasing journey. The findings show that Filipinos now consider more than price when shopping online.

Product authenticity, seller credibility, buyer protection, and reliable information also influence their purchasing decisions.

Lazada aims to address these priorities through its shopping features and services. LazMall offers an authenticity guarantee, while AI chatbot LazzieChat helps shoppers make informed purchasing decisions.

Other in-app tools also help consumers navigate their online shopping experience with greater confidence.

Start holiday shopping early with Lazada

Lazada Philippines brings together trusted global brands and promotional offers to help shoppers prepare for the holidays.Consumers can explore gifts, home essentials, and everyday lifestyle products for the season and beyond.

Shoppers can access the 11.11 Biggest Sale of the Year through the Lazada Philippines app. The sale runs from 8 PM on November 6 to November 13, 2026.

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Philippines

Smart boosts 5G network in Siargao for World Surf League event

Smart expands 5G coverage across Siargao.

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Siargao | Smart

Smart Communications is strengthening its 5G network in Siargao ahead of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, which is being held at Cloud 9 in General Luna until November 10.

The network enhancements aim to provide faster mobile connectivity for residents, tourists, athletes, media practitioners, and spectators attending the competition.

As the event’s official telecommunications partner, Smart has expanded its existing 5G coverage and capacity in key areas of the island. These include Cloud 9, Siargao Airport, Siargao Seaport, and other strategic locations.

The competition marks the first time the Philippines is hosting a stop on the prestigious WSL Championship Tour, bringing international surfing talent and visitors to the island.

“Siargao is an important tourism destination, and we are committed to supporting its continued growth through reliable connectivity,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, Smart’s First Vice President and officer-in-charge.

He added that the partnership with WSL provides an opportunity to deliver better digital experiences to athletes, visitors, and local communities.

Beyond the competition, Smart says improved mobile connectivity can help residents and tourists with digital payments, accommodation and transportation bookings, real-time communication, and sharing their travel experiences online. It can also help local businesses facilitate transactions and engage customers.

Smart 5G offers for WSL visitors

Visitors attending the WSL Championship Tour can access select Smart Unli 5G offers, which include unlimited 5G data and non-stop 4G data starting at PHP 90 for three days.

Smart Postpaid subscribers can also take advantage of plans with Smart Device Link, allowing them to share their primary mobile number and plan with a smartwatch for calls, texts, and mobile data even when their iPhone is not nearby.

Smart subscribers who avail of select offers at designated booths and partner stores in Siargao may also receive freebies.

The network improvements are part of Smart’s continued investment in mobile connectivity across the Philippines. The company also highlighted its recognition from Ookla for Best Mobile Latency and Best Mobile Video Experience.

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