Smart, Twitter Bring ‘Lite’ Experience to More Filipinos

Wazzup Pilipinas!

More Filipinos will now have access to up-to-date information as PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications partners with Twitter to bring the Twitter Lite experience to mobile users across the country.

Twitter has launched a data-friendly version of its service called Twitter Lite, which will enhance Filipino users’ mobile-first experience with fast and real-time information on what’s happening around the world and what people are talking about.

Twitter's head of sales for Southeast Asia Tina Pang and head of business development for Southeast Asia and Australia Dwi Adriansah pose for photos with Smart Communications’ senior manager for digital platforms and product development Paul Pajo and vice president for digital products and partnerships Harvey Libarnes during the launch of Twitter Lite in the country in partnership with Philippine telecommunication providers.

Twitter Lite users will still get to enjoy the key features of Twitter on mobile web, without consuming too much data. To activate Twitter Lite, users must log on to mobile.twitter.com on their phone browser, click on their user photo to go to settings, and activate the Data Saver mode. On the Twitter Lite timeline, users will see a preview of images and videos, before choosing which ones to fully load.



Optimal use via TNT, Opera Mini

To maximize the Twitter Lite experience, TNT, Smart’s value brand, is offering three-day access to Twitter, whether via Twitter app or mobile web browser, for just P10. To avail of this service, TNT subscribers may text TWITTER10 to 4545.

Smart Prepaid users may also avail of All Out Surf 30, which offers 300 MB open access that can be used for Twitter for two days, apart from unlimited texts to all networks and 30-minute calls to Smart, TNT, and Sun. Smart Prepaid subscribers may text ALLOUT30 to 9999 to get this data package.

Using Opera Mini further amplifies Smart, Sun and TNT users’ Twitter Lite experience, as the browser compresses data and loads faster. The Twitter Lite option is set on the speed dial of Opera Mini upon installation, giving Smart, Sun and TNT subscribers easy access to the latest news and information on their favorite entertainment and sports celebrities.



Beneficial partnership

“We are happy to partner with Twitter to offer the Twitter Lite experience to our more than 63 million subscribers across the Philippines,” said Harvey Libarnes, vice president for digital products and partnerships at Smart. “This partnership will benefit our subscribers, especially those who have limited connectivity, because they will get to fully enjoy the mobile web features of Twitter while at the same time have access to the latest information anytime and anywhere in the country,” Libarnes added.

“Entertainment is one of the most talked about topics in the Philippines on Twitter. For example, we saw over 4.6 million tweets during AlDub’s first-ever teleserye Destined to be Yours’ pilot episode,” said Dwi Adriansah, head of business development for Twitter Southeast Asia and Australia. “We are excited to partner with two of the largest telcos in the country to bring data-friendly, real-time updates from what’s happening with love couples like AlDub, KathNiel, and JaDine, to the latest teleseryes, as shared experiences to more Filipinos across the nation with Twitter Lite.”

With more than 313 million active users worldwide, Twitter has become a vital platform for social media-savvy Filipinos to stay updated on events and personalities in and out of the country.

How to Get Ready for a Business Trip in 1 Hour

Wazzup Pilipinas!

No matter how schedule-wise you are the unexpected situations may still occur. A sudden need for a business trip, for example, may arise almost out of nowhere. And for a professional like you, saying no is not going to be an option.

Let’s say this sudden trip happens today. You’re given an hour to pack. How do you pull off a miracle like this?

Here are a few tips from the professionals at Aussiewritings.com:

1.       Make a quick list of priorities.

Yes, you still have time to make a list even if you have nothing more than an hour left. Make a list of the important things to bring. Are there documents you need? Is there a package you need to deliver?

Consider this as a quick moment for you to organize your thoughts. Without a clear list, you’ll end up running around, panicking. And when you let the panic set in, that’s when you leave things – important ones – behind.

2.       Figure out what kind of clothes you need.

Do you have an official uniform you need to wear? Don’t forget your pajamas, too!

Aside from those basics, you need to find out what weather you’re preparing for. Is it snowing where you’re going? Is it a tropical country? The research needed to do this won’t take an hour. The few minutes you spend on this can save you from frostbite. Or possibly, a heat stroke.

3.       Pack the electronics.

You’ve got the clothes. You’ve got the documents. Now, it’s time to pack the real essentials – the electronics.

Your laptop, your phone, your tablet – make sure everything’s packed away. Don’t forget the chargers, as well. Think about other accessories you might need. You may need to bring a portable hard drive, or a flash disc. What about your earphones and your power bank?

4.       Take your passport and money.

You can’t leave home without them! Your passport and money are the bare basics you’ll need in any trip. You can afford to forget your toothbrush. You can even afford to leave a few pieces of clothing behind. But you can never afford to leave your passport and money at home.

Make sure you have any alternatives with you, as well. You may want to bring your checkbook. Don’t forget your credit cards as well.

5.       Don’t rush.

You’ll probably think this is a crazy piece of advice. You only have one hour left. Of course, you’re going to rush!

Well, you may not believe it, but an hour is actually a lot of time. It’s more than enough to pack everything you need into your luggage. When you rush, you tend to panic. And when you panic, you waste more time. You rummage through your closet, looking for things you don’t really need. You distract yourself from what’s essential. But when you’re relaxed, your mind functions better.

This is not just applicable to people who have just found out about their trip. You may be one of those people who procrastinate and leave the packing until the very last minute. This is for you, too.

So the next time you have an hour left to pack, take a deep breath. Relax. It’s an entire hour – and that’s more than enough time to pack.

About author: Olivia is a journalist, content-writer and a bookworm. She loves to teach, read and write. Her second biggest love after books is her cat called Patty, who usually kindly assists her while writing. Follow Olivia on Facebook and Twitter.

LTO to Enhance its IT System: Plans Online Driver’s License, Car Registration Transactions

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) today said it will modernize its system to make online transactions possible and more efficient.

LTO chief Edgar Galvante said that part of their strategy is to enhance the agency’s Information Technology (IT) system. This, he said, will improve services, promote transparency, prevent corruption and allow drivers and car owners to transact in comfort and convenience.

“It is being done abroad, why not here?” LTO Assec Galvante said.

The LTO head explained that the idea has been around for some time now. He added that the agency is now working to turn this idea into a reality.

“We are gearing towards online registration of driver’s license application and car registration. We need a credible IT to be able to enforce that,” LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante emphasized.

The LTO chief added that the five-year license with 5 years validity will be available by the end of the year.

Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has expressed his support for online driver’s license application.

Speaking before transport cooperative delegates and government officials at the 3rd National Congress for the Transport Cooperative Sector last Saturday, June 3, 2017, the Transport Secretary said that the Department is considering online driver’s license applications.

“Pinag-aaralan namin na sa hinaharap, kung wala kang violation, online na lang ang application ng lisensya.”