Rants and Raves of a Bum

AQUOS celebrates its 20years anniversary, and will continue to be there as your loyal companion for life.

Sharp Philippines, 21 August 2021- SHARP today announced the Philippine launch of its new flagship Audio Visual products, AQUOS THE SCENES 8K, providing new dimensions of immersive experience in living room. SHARP’s Audio-Visual brand AQUOS marks its 20 years with a celebration this year. AQUOS THE SCENES 8K series debuts as its anniversary models, over two product categories: TV and Sound bar.

AQUOS is the original coined word, combined with AQUA + QUALITY, has been used since 2001 as the symbol of ‘New standard home used TV for 21st century’. In 2000, SHARP declared grand resolution to change all CRT TVs in Japan to LCD TVS in 5years, when only 4% TVs were LCD*2. After 20years, TVs in all around the world now are replaced to LCD TV. During this time, Sharp launch many World’s largest / World’s first TVs, and achieved 50million units accumulated sales in 2020.

Sharp sets its business vision as ‘Changing the World with 8K+5G’, and our aim is to continue to introduce new products and services that meet the expectations of our valued customers. The challenge this time is to set the pricing of this 8K TV more affordable and benchmark to 4K premium TV zone. This is all for diffusing the highest resolution 8K and leading the change of home entertainment in customers house. ‘This is another milestone that Sharp sets new standard home used TV for after COVID-19 century’ said Mr. Kazuo Kito, Sharp Philippines President and General Manager.

When SHARP first introduced our AQUOS brand LCD TV in 2001, SHARP wished and realized its thinner and sophisticated design that brought new lifestyle in customers’ living room. SHARP promises this year AQUOS THE SCENES 8K brings the next level of immersive experience to customers’ living room from its overwhelming images and sound. Social distancing measures have required people to go out less, stroking their desire to enjoy more quality time at home with their family. AQUOS THE SCENES 8K enriches various life-scenes with your family at home, such as Home-cinema scene, Music-live scene, and Latergram scene to share the family memories. "And Android TVTM gives you a smarter, easier way to get more from your TV.”

‘We are able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our AQUOS brand we developed together.’ said Yoshihiro Hashimoto, Senior Executive Managing Officer, Head of Asian, Oceanian, and European Business. ‘AQUOS THE SCENES 8K creates an exciting experience of overwhelming images and sound effects that changes our customers’ houses into a theatre. Just like the first year we launched our AQUOS brand 20 years ago, we offer new value to the market together with our partners’.

AQUOS THE SCENES 8K expands its lineup to TV (DW1X series, 60-/70-inch) and Sound bar (C22CX1 series). Both are designed under the same design concept: Neo-Minimalism. Our designers think minimalism feels ‘something is missing from your decor’ and add ‘Thoughtful design for everyone’ on top of Minimalist beauty. ‘Not only simple, but sleek with thoughtful design.’

Find out more about Neo Minimalist Design

AQUOS THE SCENES 8K TV: DW1X series features first made-in Japan, Deep Chroma Display Pro 8K. Customers can feel the experience of traveling around the world from home with increasing 8K videos provided on YouTube. Moreover, your movie experience will be further elevated to the next level with the new HDR Enhanced+ (patent pending). DW1X series gives you the feeling of being there. Needless to say, DW1X series will feature variety of smart functions which enriches customers’ life to be more fun and convenient.

AQUOS THE SCENES Sound bar: C22CX1 series features OPSODIS technology, which creates 360-degree immersive sound from sources such as cinema, TV and video games. With the simple set-up of a sound bar and sub-woofer, it provides realistic reproduction of any soundscape. Without the need for rear speakers, you will experience scenes such as a helicopter in battle hovering around you, with the surrounding sound coming not only from above, below, left and right, but also from behind you. This uniqueness won the ‘Innovation Award’ from VGP 2021 in Japan. The sophisticated design also won Germany’s 2021 Red dot Award and the 2021 IF Design Award.

AQUOS THE SCENES 8K TV: DW1X series

Picture quality that gives you the feeling of being there

As the flagship model in AQUOS lineup, the DW1 is packed with key features for family seeking premium visual experiences at homes. This model provides 8K Ultra-High Definition (8K UHD) resolution and is available in 60- and 70-inch options. Combined with newly developed Deep Chroma Display Pro and Z2 Revelation Processor, DW1 will turn your living room into a theater room. ‘My team in Japan collaborates with Japan R&D Malaysia R&D team. By matching Japans best technology over local needs’ said Shigeru Kojima, Head of ASEAN, Taiwan, MEA & Oceania TV R&D.

Deep Chroma Display Pro

Achieves a color gamut that exceeds 100%* of the digital cinema color gamut standard, and 167% of the screen brightness compared to the conventional model. Colour area is widen by two elements.

Sharp's unique high quality 8K UV2A panel made in Japan with low reflection structure, and newly developed backlight. *DCI(1976) area ratio

HDR Enhanced+ powered by Z2 Revelation Processor

Sharp’s proprietary processing (patent pending) allows you to experience realistic and deep images.

Nowadays contents brightness is diversified, but it does not always display the contrast comfortably to the viewers. HDR Enhanced+ optimizes middle tones, where people can easily perceive contrast, by optimizing the amount of light by detecting darker and brighter areas, and driving its backlight by areas.

*Effective not only for HDR but also for SDR (non-HDR).

8K contents on YouTube

You can enjoy the beautiful journey around the world through 8K large screen. YouTube is one of the streaming video platforms which provides 8K contents. DW1X series adopts the latest AV1 format adopted for their 8K streaming.

AQUOS 8K Contents Downloader

The app allows customers to enhance the entertainment of 8K, only for AQUOS THE SCENES 8K. With this app, 8K videos*3 shot by smartphone is wirelessly shared and displayed to DW1X via Google Drive*4 with ease. Also you can share 8K photos/videos from outside of your home.

By shooting and uploading data to Google Drive from smartphone, 8K photos and videos are downloaded*4 to inserted USB pen drive of the TV*5, without losing resolution. After downloading, TV presents your family photo album as all the data are kept in the USB.

SHARP COCORO ALBUM

After the scheduled running change, more fun feature to enjoy your 8K photos are coming to AQUOS THE SCENES 8K TV. SHARP COCORO ALBUM performs AI recognition and automatic classification of the family members, places, and time to create memory folders. You can share the fun memories with your family in the living room with the large screen.

Entertainment features
Android TV makes it easier to get more from your TV. Choose from 400,000+ movies and shows from across streaming services. Ask Google to control your TV, get recommendations of what to watch, dim the lights, and more with your voice. Cast photos, videos, and music from smart devices to your TV with Chromecast built-in™. Also it helps to get your job done by mirroring work PC to your living room TV. Google Duo supports remote meeting with friends. Needless to say, all kinds of VOD services are on your hands, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and more VODs are available.

AQUOS THE SCENES SOUND BAR: C22CX1series
Sound quality that gives you the feeling of being there

The C22CX1 series sound bar home theatre system uses OPSODIS technology which accurately simulates many three-dimensional audio formats commonly used in TV, cinema and gaming. OPSODIS simulates how humans perceive sound in a real environment. The unique stereophonic reproduction technology controls the time difference of the sound, allowing the listener to experience a natural stereophonic sound that reaches the left and right ears directly. Customers can further enhance the immersive experience by connecting this soundbar to AQUOS THE SCENES 8K TV.

‘OPSODIS can reproduce 360-degree immersive sound even without special sources nor rear speakers’ said Shigeru Okubo, Head of Audio R&D. ‘By simulating how humans perceive sound and applying original speaker layout theory, the audience will not sense the existence of speakers. Instead, the feeling of being on the scene is achieved.

OPSODIS is a three-dimensional audio technology jointly developed by Kajima Corporation and the University of Southampton. Kajima Technical Research Institute has a wealth of experience in architectural acoustics, such as the design of concert halls and music studios. The Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton is a world leader in acoustics and conducts cutting edge research in many areas of the field.

FREE Sound Bar HomeTheater System worth 50,000.00: 8A-C22CX1

For more information

Check out the SHARP AQUOS TV line-up, including the new AQUOS THE SCENES 8K series online at www.ph.sharp

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Before we get busy with the upcoming holidays, we all know that after Christmas, we will be preparing for the summer break. And ladies, it’s that time again! Time to think about swimwear.

As women, we often receive comments about our bodies like slim down, find the right shape for your body, fat, chubby, too thin and the dreaded, summer beach body. Well, I found an online swimwear shop that has it all from regular to plus sizes.

I found Lime Ricki, an online shop that lets you say goodbye to rules about what we can and can't wear and empower ourselves to accept our bodies, embrace our imperfections and recognize there is no such thing as finding the right body—because you already have it.

Lime Ricki modest swimwear are actually designed by three sisters. These women after a frustrating swimsuit shopping experience, they then decided to make and design swimsuits they wanted to see and to wear. Lime Ricki aims to provide swim wears in all sizes, choices and modest swimwear.
What I like about Lime Ricki is that they have a wide range of stylish swimsuits that compliments you no matter what your shape or size is. Also, their swimwear is made of quality fabric that guarantees comfort when wearing it.

Some things you want to know about Lime Ricki:

1. They are an all-women company---owned, operated and run by a smart, talented and compassionate team of women who think designing and selling swimsuits is pretty awesome.

2. They NEVER airbrush or photoshop our models. They are just right the way they are. (And so are you!)

3. Every order they receive is hand-picked by an actual person in their warehouse in Salt Lake City. And each package is shipped off to you with gratitude and love.

4. Starting in 2018, all of the swimsuits are sewn in the USA, in a responsible factory in Los Angeles, because quality matters to us.

5. Lime Ricki believe in giving back. You can feel good about your purchase, knowing that a portion of all sales goes to charity.

Know that I've introduced you to Lime Ricki, I hope you also visit their website and take a look around their fabulous collections. Add to cart your favorite pieces and see for yourselves why I love Lime Ricki!

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More than a year and a half since the pandemic started, our freedom of movement still remains limited - no thanks to the various quarantine classifications imposed since March 2020. These limitations have altered our very way of life, keeping us from doing many of the things we so freely did before COVID-19 turned life upside down. One of these things is going out to buy medicine and health products—ironically, in a time when good health is even more of a premium.

Now with MyPharma, your friendly neighborhood pharmacist, your health needs are more accessible and convenient, even delivered right at your doorstep.

MyPharma is an online pharmacy whose main objective is to take good care of the Filipinos’ health—one order and delivery at a time. As part of its commitment to ensure good, quality service, MyPharma operates and delivers 7 days a week. It makes your medicines and daily essentials just a click or tap away, and you may even get them on the same day you ordered. If you opt to have your essentials shipped on the same day, there will be a reasonable flat fee of P60, plus P99 shipping fee for orders below P1,500. For orders above P1,500, shipping is FREE for regular delivery and only the same day fee of P60 will be charged. These fees apply within NCR.

Ordering is easy. Visit www.mypharma.ph, register to receive newsletters and avail exclusive promos; choose what you need from their range of products, add them to your cart, and then proceed to checkout. It is a simple, hassle-free process—something you have probably experienced with other online shopping portals.

The pandemic has no doubt made life harder for Filipinos, which means a little convenience can go a long way. And that is exactly what MyPharma, your friendly neighborhood pharmacist, is trying to fulfill with your every order. Because after all that has happened over the past year and a half, every Filipino deserves to have an easy, convenient, and safe way to buy the health products they need.

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Millions of Filipino students, their parents, and teachers will welcome the new school year with continued support in distance education as curriculum-based video lessons developed by Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. begin airing on A2Z and Knowledge Channel on SKYcable, Cignal, GSat, SatLite, PCTA cable affiliates, and soon on Beam DTT. The videos cover subjects taught to students from Kinder to Grade 10 and of the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Lessons for Grade 1 students start at 6 AM on Knowledge Channel and at 7 AM on A2Z from Monday to Friday. Among the subjects taught are Filipino and English with Knowledge Channel shows "Wikaharian" and "Ready, Set, Read." Produced under the foundation's "Basa Bilang" advocacy, these programs aim to help young students to improve their foundational skills in literacy. Other show schedules are available on Knowledge Channel's official Facebook page (facebook.com/KnowledgeChannel).

Knowledge Channel also prepared shows for its School at Home programming on agriculture and the environment for the second quarter of the school year. Among the slated programs for these subjects are "AgriKids," an animated series on teaching students basic agricultural concepts, courtesy of the Agricultural Training Institute, and "Puno ng Buhay," a show co-sponsored by Forest Foundation Philippines in emphasizing the importance of caring for our environment, hosted by Maymay Entrata and Khalil Ramos.

Meanwhile, students and teachers alike can also join School at Home's interactive livestream lessons on kumu's SeenZone channel and Knowledge Channel's Facebook Page every Friday at 11 AM. The weekly lineup includes "Wikaharian Online World" every Monday, "Team Lyqa" every Tuesday, Kuya Kim Atienza's "Knowledge on the Go" and Robi Domingo's "MathDali Math Talks" every Wednesday, "Money Lessons with FQ Mom and Sons" every Thursday, and "Art Smart with Teacher Precious" every Friday.

Teachers may visit knowledgechannel.org to access video lesson guides the first quarter.

For updates and more educational materials from Knowledge Channel, visit its official website or follow its Facebook page and YouTube channel (youtube.com/knowledgechannelorg).

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The easiest way to buy a house would be to pay for it in cash, which as some of the latest figures show, make up about 36 percent of the market. If you already own a home that's increased significantly in value and plan to move to an area where homes are much less expensive, you've received a windfall, or have the money available for any other reason, that might be possible, but for most you'll need to secure a home loan and finance the purchase.

If you don't have much cash and are trying to come up with the answer to the question, "Should I rent or buy a house?" when you need to move quickly, you may have to rent. That's one of the main reasons most buyers can't purchase a home: money. And, the process of buying, including obtaining a home loan, is going to take longer no matter how you look at it. Purchasing a home isn't cheap, but the better news is that you might be able to get the keys to your very own home without having to come up with a lot of cash. In fact it can be done with very little money with multiple types of loans, grants, and incentives available.

If you have an excellent credit score of 740 or higher but little money available, it's going to be even easier. These options can make your dream of becoming a homeowner possible without taking months or even years to save up.

VA Home Loan

The Veterans Administration (VA) sets the rules for home loans to veterans. While the VA doesn't issue loans, it gives authority to mortgage lenders, credit unions, and banks to offer them. If you're a veteran who meets the qualifications, the amount you can be loaned may be as much as the full appraised value of the home. And, the seller might pay as much as 6 percent of the home price in closing costs. If your credit isn't stellar, the VA is a good option as its credit guidelines aren't as strict. The guidelines for a VA loan simply require that the veteran earns enough money to make the monthly payments, expected living expenses, and any current debt.

FHA Mortgage

FHA Mortgages have long-been popular for obtaining home loans among those who don't have the cash, or have very little, for the down payment. The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) works like the VA when it comes to mortgage, in that it doesn't issue loans but grants permission to banks and other lenders according to particular guidelines. The downside is that a 3.5 percent down payment of the home's sale price is required, but the money doesn't have to come from the borrower like others require. It can be gifted from parents or other relatives. FHA mortgages also have more lenient credit standards and allow the seller to pay closing costs.

Conventional Mortgages

Originally, when banks began offering mortgage loans, they required 20 percent of the home's price as the down payment. That's a very large chunk of money with today's home prices, but thankfully, that requirement has been lowered to just 5 percent. While they can still be a significant amount of money, for a $250,000 property, that means $12,500 instead of $50,000, which is a lot easier for most to come up with.