2021's best entertainment and lifestyle apps – The Manila Times
Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.
More Filipinos have been embracing the digital life. Especially in the time of pandemic, they have also started heavily relying on mobile applications not only for messaging or socializing, but also for work, education, entertainment, health, and more. It seems as though every need has a matching app.
In this issue, The Manila Times Lifestyle and Entertainment section lists down some of the best mobile applications available today.
In a country with the longest imposed lockdown, in-home entertainment is the way to cope with cabin fever.
While Netflix remains the top entertainment app choice for streaming TV and movies in 2021 — international streaming guide JustWatch released an internal study indicating Netflix makes the 35 percent streaming market share in the Philippines as of the first quarter of 2021 — more subscription video on demand platforms with their original content are now available to Filipinos.
HBO Go. This is regional streaming service offers a mix of blockbuster movies, dramas and comedies as well as kids and family content — including originals from Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. and HBO Max. Recently, they have also produced Filipino content such as Erik Matti's “On the Job: The Missing 8” and “7 Days of Hell,” and Brillante Mendoza's “Gensan Punch.”
iQIYI. Viewers can explore highly-rated Asian dramas, shows, and movies of various niches in iQIYI. What makes it unique is its immensely huge library and its multilingual support with the availability in Mandarin, English, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese, and still adding. Last November, the global streaming service joined forces with ABS-CBN to produce original Filipino shows for their subscribers worldwide, including the recently released “Saying Goodbye” headlined by Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin, and “Hello, Heart” starring Gigi De Lana and Gerald Anderson.
WeTV iflix. It is the home of the most riveting originals, heart wrenching dramas, top-notch variety shows and lighthearted romcoms, all bundled for a premium streaming experience. The platform has already produced a number of Filipino original series including “Beauty and the Boss,” “B&B: The Story of the Battle of Brody & Brandy,” “BetCin,” “The Kangks Show” and soon, “Drag Den with Manila Luzon.”
Vivamax. All the top Filipino blockbuster movies and hit television series from every genre are in this proudly Filipino video on demand application. In less than a year since its launch in 2020, Viva's very own streaming service venture has already reached one million subscribers, making it the fastest-growing in the Philippines. They have already expanded their global reach to 71 territories since going live.
Viu. A leading pan-regional video streaming service, Viu offers favorite Korean dramas, reality and variety shows, Japanese dramas and anime, Chinese dramas, Thai dramas, Viu Originals, TagDubOnViu for free. It has recently launched its first original Filipino musical narrative series “Still” which features Julie Anne San Jose, Christian Bautista, Bituin Escalante and Gab Pangilinan, among others.
iWantTFC. Owned and operated by ABS-CBN, iWantTFC stores over 10,000 hours of content and programs, over 1,000 films, and several live on-demand channels and video on demand. Most of its content and films are produced by ABS-CBN Corporation's divisions such as ABS-CBN Entertainment and ABS-CBN Films. In addition, there are over 20 original films and over 50 original series produced by iWantTFC.
Taking care of the body and mind play important roles in staying physically and mentally active especially in this challenging time. For this reason, more industries are putting their focus and money into innovative solutionsto help people manage their daily lifestyle and conditions independently.
A good app can be a great way to manage it all. Here are a variety of different health, beauty and self-care apps that Filipinos are using this past year:
Parlon. A go-to platform for beauty and wellness services in the Philippines, Parlon gives consumers a better and more convenient way to discover and access relevant information. Their partners enjoy an expanded online presence and increased visibility as Parlon accommodates the most complex service menus. From brows, or hair, to massages, Parlon's extensive listing brings beauty and wellness to customers' fingertips.
HomeLab PH. The first-of-its-kind mobile app in the Philippines, HomeLab PH gives Filipinos access to a wide range of treatments and medical services they can book from and avail at their own homes or offices. This includes Covid testing and laboratory tests such as hematology, thyroid, hormonal, microscopy and microbiology, and immunology-serology. HomeLab's core services also include diagnostic imaging such as ultrasound for women, X-rays, and 2D echos.
eZConsult. A virtual care network giving patients access to comprehensive healthcare services wherever they are, eZConsult was co-created with doctors and patients to make their healthcare experiences seamless, simple and safe. Get the right care at the touch of a button – speak to a GP, consult a specialist, get medicines, get tests and access platforms that help a person manage their condition better.
KonsultaMD. The largest telehealth company in the Philippines, it is membership service which allows users to have 24/7 unlimited access to licensed doctors, no appointment needed. One can consult a doctor via voice or video call anytime and as often as they want. All calls with KonsultaMD are recorded as confidential medical records and are covered by the same privacy guidelines that regular physicians follow.
mWell. Fully-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation that offers an integrated tech-based healthcare platform in the Philippines, mWell is meticulously created for the holistic well-being of Filipinos as it provides professional consultations, wellness programs, products, and delivery services. This high-performance app is backed by a powerhouse of top names in the healthcare, wellness, and tech industries.
St. Peter's e-store. While the rest of the app and e-commerce in this list aim to better people's well-being, St. Peter's deathcare online store offers products and service for the inevitable death. Accessible through www.online.stpeter.com.ph, customers can conveniently purchase and pay online for pre-need traditional and cremation plans.
