3 Tips to Help Freelancers Price Their Work More Confidently

 

MANILA, Philippines - Learning how to set rates is one of the hardest parts of freelancing. It can be difficult to know whether you’re charging too much, too little, or just enough. If you’re a young freelancer trying to figure it out, here’s an expert guide to pricing your work from three seasoned professionals.

1. Start with a minimum sustainable rate

For many new freelancers, the first step in pricing starts with an important personal consideration: How much do you actually need to earn to make freelancing sustainable? For finance expert Arnel Legaspi, this means building a baseline rate that reflects the minimum needed to sustain both your personal and work expenses.

A freelancer's organized workspace, showing the planning behind setting a sustainable baseline rate.

“I studied freelance platforms to understand what clients were typically willing to pay and what other editors were charging. This became my minimum rate and gave me a realistic starting point,” he recounts.

Meanwhile, for social media manager Kyla Dizon, that baseline becomes clearer when you also factor in the costs of running your freelance business. “From internet bills and electricity to software subscriptions, tools should be taken into account because these things help you do your work,” she explains. Once these expenses are identified, freelancers can identify a true minimum rate that ensures every project contributes to financial sustainability.

2. Charge for the value you are able to provide – not just the hours spent 

Pricing should reflect the value you bring to a client’s business. According to content creator Rini Mendoza, many freelancers fall into the trap of accepting underpaid work just to build experience, but this often leads to undervaluing their own growth. ”The biggest lesson I’ve learned about pricing as a freelancer over the years is that not every work project is to be accepted or considered, especially when the clients are lowballing. That’s why, as they always say, know your worth as a freelancer!” she shares. 

Rini at work, putting into practice the importance of pricing her services based on the value she brings.

When pricing your work as a freelancer, it helps to present yourself as a partner in your client’s growth. Regardless of whether you are a social media manager, virtual assistant, financial planner, graphic designer, or writer, you are being hired because your work creates outcomes, not just output. 

For Kyla, this shift in mindset is what also builds your confidence when pricing your work, so she encourages freelancers to ask: By doing your job, what do you offer your client? How much time are you saving your client? When you understand the value you bring to the table, it becomes easier to price your services with confidence. 

3. Account for platform costs, taxes, and other deductions 

Freelancers have to deal with transfer fees, platform charges, taxes, software subscriptions, and payment delays. For freelancers working with international clients and earning in currencies like USD, exchange rates and conversion timing can also make earnings unpredictable.

Arnel balances client projects while keeping track of his freelance earnings through the GCash Virtual US Account.

Because of this, Arnel, Kyla, and Rini think beyond just setting rates. They also consider how effectively they can manage what they earn. They use the GCash Virtual US Account, a new feature in the GCash app that lets freelancers receive USD payments from clients directly and convert earnings to PHP when it makes the most sense for them. Once withdrawn, funds can be used directly for bills, savings, and other everyday expenses. 

For freelancers, pricing confidently goes beyond setting a rate and involves understanding how that rate is affected by fees, timing, and conversions. Follow these three tips for pricing your work and be sure to use the right tools to support you, like the GCash Virtual US Account.

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About GCash

GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and Largest Cashless Ecosystem. Through the GCash App, users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills via partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 6 million partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash’s mobile wallet operations are handled by G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt, the first and only $5 billion in the Philippines.

GCash is a staunch supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly UN SDGs 5,8,10, and 13, which focus on safety & security, financial inclusion, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, respectively.

G-Xchange Inc. (GXI) is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). To know more, Visit the GCash Help Center or call us at 2882 (Globe/TM) / (02) 7213-9999 (Globe Landline), or Internet Call through the Help Center.

The end of “Tiis Ganda”? Why more young women should refuse to normalize period pain

“Tiis ganda” has long been worn like a badge of honor—an everyday test of endurance where women are expected to look composed, stay productive, and push through discomfort as if it’s part of the job description. From long days at school or work to back-to-back responsibilities, it’s a quiet culture of kaya pa, even when the body is clearly asking for a pause.

But nowhere does this expectation feel more real than during menstruation. Period pain becomes another layer of “tiis”—the kind that can turn reviewing for an exam, finishing a presentation, or even simply getting out of bed into a full-on challenge.

Yet despite how common it is, menstrual pain is still often brushed off as something to simply endure. Somewhere along the way, women were made to believe that suffering in silence is just part of being capable and productive. But when did pain become part of the honor roll checklist?

The “Tiis Ganda” Culture Around Period Pain

“Tiis ganda” has long been woven into everyday womanhood—not just as a cultural phrase, but as an unspoken standard of strength and self-control. It often gets framed as resilience, yet it can also mean normalizing discomfort that goes unseen, unspoken, and unquestioned.

One of the most common—but least openly discussed—forms of this is period pain, or dysmenorrhea, the medical term for painful menstrual cramps that can seriously disrupt everyday life. For many, it could mean throbbing cramps, lower back pain, nausea, headaches, and energy levels so low that even getting through a one-hour lecture feels like a major achievement.

Still, many young women simply power through. Why? The study by the National Library of Medicine found that period pain has been normalized for so long that it barely gets questioned. Add to that the fear of being labeled “dramatic,” the pressure to stay productive, and the long-standing idea that pain is just part of womanhood—and silence becomes the default response.

The result? A culture of tiis ganda around period pain, where resilience sometimes looks like suffering in silence. But while pushing through may seem admirable, painful periods can quietly take a toll: losing focus during exams, zoning out in class, skipping org activities, feeling drained before the day even starts, or missing out on enriching experiences that are part of student life.

Managing period pain more effectively

The truth is, period pain is common—but it shouldn’t be normalized to the point of neglect.

Health experts emphasize that menstrual discomfort that disrupts daily life deserves attention, not dismissal. It is not something students or women in general should be expected to “just live with” as part of being productive or resilient. For many young women, managing menstrual cramps often means continuing through discomfort that may warrant greater attention and care.

There is growing recognition that enduring pain should not be treated as an expected part of being productive or resilient. Menstrual discomfort, particularly when it interferes with daily activities, should be managed proactively. Measures such as adequate rest, hydration, heat therapy, and light physical activity may help alleviate symptoms. More importantly, seeking appropriate relief and support should be considered a routine part of self-care, not an afterthought.

For women students navigating busy school months, Hyoscine N-butylbromide + Paracetamol (Buscopan Venus) helps treat dysmenorrhea at the source, works in as fast as 15 minutes for relief that can last throughout the day, and helps reduce the intensity of future period pain. It can be taken as 1–2 tablets, up to 3 times daily, or as prescribed by a physician.

Ultimately, managing student life should not mean ignoring physical discomfort. Menstrual pain is not a requirement for discipline, achievement, or strength. While resilience remains valuable, it should never come at the cost of unnecessary suffering.

The conversation is evolving—from silent endurance to active care. And in that shift, a clearer message emerges: women and students can pursue their goals fully, without having to “tiis” pain as part of the process.

Your Mid-Year Money Reset: Five Ways to Make the Rest of 2026 Count

 

There's something about the middle of the year that makes people reassess everything: the routines they've kept, the goals they've quietly abandoned, and the habits they want to change. Money shouldn't be any different.

Halfway through 2026 isn't just another milestone on the calendar, it's an opportunity to check whether your financial habits are still helping you get where you want to go. Because the smartest financial plans aren't the ones you never change, they're the ones that evolve as life does.

Whether your priorities have shifted or you're simply looking to finish the year stronger, here are six practical ways to give your finances a mid-year reset with Maya, the country's #1 Digital Bank and leading all-in-one fintech platform.

1. Ask yourself if you're still saving for the right goal

One of the biggest misconceptions about financial planning is that your goals should stay the same all year; but life changes. The trip you wanted to take may have become an emergency fund, a gadget can wait while home repairs suddenly take priority, or maybe you've accomplished one goal and it's time to start another.

That's not falling behind. That's adapting.

With Maya Personal Goals, users can create up to five personalized savings goals while earning up to 8% interest p.a., making it easier to save separately for everything from travel and emergencies to bigger life milestones.

2. Give your savings a promotion

If your savings account is simply holding your money, it might be worth asking: Could it be doing more?

A mid-year reset isn't just about saving more. It's about making the money you've already saved continue working in the background.

With Maya Savings, users can earn up to 15% interest p.a., credited daily, while keeping their funds accessible whenever they need them.

For money that won't be needed anytime soon, Maya Time Deposit Plus offers another way to grow savings over a fixed period with rates of up to 6% p.a. and the flexibility to top up funds anytime.

Because even small adjustments today can make a meaningful difference by year-end.

3. Make every peso do more than one job

One habit worth carrying into the second half of the year? Getting more value from the spending you're already doing. Whether it's rewards, cashback, or perks, everyday expenses don't have to end once you've paid the bill.

With the Maya Black Credit Card, cardholders earn up to 10x Maya Miles at Maya Black Preferred merchants, while its Visa-powered acceptance makes it easy to use whether you're dining locally or traveling abroad. Those Maya Miles can be redeemed for vouchers for shopping, dining, and more, helping stretch the value of purchases you've already made.

Meanwhile, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card offers 5% cashback at Landers, 2% cashback on dining, and 1% cashback on most purchases. Cardholders also enjoy a ₱7.00-per-liter fuel discount at Landers-Caltex stations.

4. Don't mistake flexibility for falling behind

Not every financial surprise comes from overspending, sometimes expenses simply arrive all at once: a family celebration, repairs, school-related expenses, or even holiday bookings. Even well-planned budgets can feel stretched when timing doesn't cooperate.

For bigger purchases that you'd rather spread out over time, Maya's Mini Payments feature lets eligible purchases be converted into 3, 6, 9, or 12-month installment plans at a fixed add-on interest rate at 1% per month, with zero processing fees on Mini Payments created until September 30, 2026.

For more unexpected financial needs, Maya Easy Credit offers access to up to ₱50,000, repayable within 30 days. Meanwhile, Maya Personal Loan provides up to ₱400,000 with flexible monthly repayment terms—all within the Maya app and without the usual paperwork or collateral.

5. Don’t let predictable expenses catch you by surprise

Some of the biggest expenses each year aren't actually unexpected, they're simply easy to underestimate.

Holiday shopping, year-end travel, family celebrations, and school-related costs tend to arrive around the same time, putting extra pressure on monthly budgets.

Planning for them doesn't necessarily mean setting aside huge amounts overnight. Giving yourself a few extra months to prepare can make those expenses feel much more manageable when they eventually come around.

For longer-term goals, Maya Time Deposit Plus lets users grow their savings with rates of up to 6% p.a., while offering the flexibility to top up funds anytime, making it easier to prepare today for what's already on the horizon.

Halfway through the year isn't a finish line or a report card. It's simply a chance to pause and ask whether your money is still supporting the life you're trying to build.

Maybe your priorities have changed. Maybe your spending habits have improved. Or maybe the goals you set in January no longer reflect where you are today. That's not a setback, it's part of life.

Just as we regularly reassess our work, our routines, and our personal goals, our finances deserve the same kind of attention. A mid-year reset is an opportunity to make sure your savings, spending, and financial habits still align with what matters most today.

After all, there's still half a year left to make meaningful progress.

To know more, visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph, and follow @makeyourmoneymaya on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Approval and offer are subject to credit evaluation. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. www.bsp.gov.ph. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788.

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About Maya 

Maya is the #1 Fintech Ecosystem in the Philippines, with Maya, the #1 Digital Bank, and Maya Business, the #1 Omni-Channel Payment Processor. Maya Bank is a digital bank regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), with deposits insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) up to ₱1 million per depositor. To learn more about Maya, check out maya.ph and mayabank.ph. Follow Maya at @makeyourmoneymaya on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok and @mayaofficialph on Twitter.   

For more information:

Nick Wilwayco

Head of Public Affairs and Communications

Maya

nick.wilwayco@maya.ph  

 

Puregold OPM Con Generations 2026 fills the Big Dome in celebration of OPM across generations

Puregold’ s OPM Con Generations 2026, spurred by a high-spirited full-house crowd at the Big Dome, recently delivered Original Pilipino Music’ s biggest and boldest celebration yet with a lineup featuring some of the country’ s most sensational names in music.

Held on July 11 at the Araneta Coliseum, OPM Con knocked it out of the park once more with a remarkable gathering of OPM talent— a feat made possible only by Puregold.

The concert capped weeks of anticipation after tickets were sold out in just two days. Puregold OPM Con Generations 2026 presented a pool of established OPM icons comprising the country’ s most influential music acts and a roster of emerging artists in one event. With thousands of fans filling up the cavernous venue, the evening became a tribute to the artists, songs, and communities that have shaped OPM across generations.

“ The Big Dome has long been a home to some of OPM’ s most iconic acts and unforgettable performances, and seeing it come alive once again for Filipino music is something Puregold will always be proud of,” said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Senior Marketing Manager of Puregold Price Club Inc. “ OPM has the power to bring generations together. Puregold is deeply grateful to the artists, fans, communities, partners, and everyone who helped turn this vision into a true historical moment for OPM.”

Headlined by SB19, Ben&Ben, Alamat, Flow G, Skusta Clee, SunKissed Lola, G22, KAIA, and XONARA, OPM Con showcased the breadth of modern Original Pilipino Music. The performers represented a wide spectrum of genres and styles, from P-pop, folk-pop, and alternative music to hip-hop and contemporary pop, highlighting the richness of today’ s music scene.

The sense of community that has become synonymous with OPM Con was evident throughout the evening. Families, friends, and fandoms came together under one roof, united by a shared appreciation for Filipino music regardless of genre or generation. Their enthusiasm carried through every performance, with deafening cheers, sing-alongs, and thunderous applause, creating an atmosphere that never let up from the opening number to the final encore.

Beyond the performances themselves, the landmark event attested to the increasing enthusiasm in Filipino music and the people who champion it. The overwhelming turnout of the audience underscored the extraordinary response to this year's OPM Con while serving as a powerful reminder of OPM's deep-rooted place in Pinoy culture and the passionate audiences that proudly embrace it.

With three successful editions to its name, Puregold OPM Con continues to grow alongside the Filipino music industry it proudly supports. Over the years, it has become one of the country’ s leading platforms uniting artists, fans, and music lovers through a shared love for OPM. As Filipino music evolves, Puregold remains committed to creating experiences that keep that connection alive.

Five tips for having the best time at Puregold OPM Con Generations 2026

One oxytocin-fueled night, powerhouse OPM acts, and thousands of fans—all these await concertgoers at Puregold OPM Con Generations 2026, the sold-out music event that’s touted to be one of the country’s biggest and loudest celebrations of Original Pilipino Music. 

Returning to the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 11, this year's edition raises the bar with its most diverse lineup yet, bringing together SB19, Ben&Ben, Alamat, Flow G, Skusta Clee, SunKissed Lola, G22, KAIA, and XONARA in one spectacular show.

From P-pop and hip-hop to folk-pop and rock, the talents in this year’s concert showcase the many sounds shaping today’s OPM landscape. If you’re among the lucky fans who have secured tickets, here are five tips to help you make the most of your OPM Con experience.

Stay hydrated and fuel your energy. Concerts can test your endurance, especially with a packed lineup. To sustain your energy throughout the show, remember to drink plenty of water and eat a full meal before entering the venue. Kindly note that reusable tumblers, drinks, and food are not permitted inside.

Arrive early—and explore the venue. As with any major concert, expect long lines for security checks and venue entry, especially as showtime approaches. Showing up two to three hours before the concert gives you enough time to clear security, find your seat, and explore the exciting brand booths in the vicinity before the show begins.

While in the area, make time to visit the Negosyo Fan Zone located at the second floor of Puregold Cubao, where several local businesses will be offering handmade and custom fan merchandise. The fan zone will also hold fun interactive activities, perfect for commemorating the concert or supporting your favorite OPM artists. Best of all, it’s open to everyone, whether or not you have a concert ticket. 

Dress for an all-night concert marathon. Prioritize comfort, as you’ll be singing, dancing, and cheering for hours. Wear breathable clothing and comfortable sneakers, and avoid bringing anything that might weigh you down. Think concert-ready, not just photo-ready.

Pack only the essentials. Bring your ticket, valid ID, phone, wallet, and a fully charged power bank. Packing light makes security screening faster and lets you move comfortably throughout the venue. To avoid delays at the entrance, review the event’s prohibited-items list before leaving home. 

Finally, soak in every moment. Take photos, film your favorite chorus, and share the excitement online, but don't spend the entire evening brandishing your phone. OPM Con Generations was conceptualized to unite different generations and fandoms in one unforgettable celebration. Some of the night’s best memories will come from singing with thousands of fellow fans, discovering new artists, and witnessing once-in-a-lifetime performances that can only happen when the country’s biggest musical acts share one stage.

With history-making demand, a genre-spanning lineup, and immersive fan experiences topping it all, Puregold’s OPM Con Generations 2026, like its previous iterations, will be more than just a concert. It will be a grand celebration of our country’s evolving music, and the Filipinos who continue to make OPM thrive. 

For updates, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, subscribe to Puregold Channel on YouTube, and follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and X, and @puregoldph on TikTok.

 

Chippy Corn Tubes: The New Snack Bringing Friends Together

Some of the best moments with friends happen during the simplest hangouts, like after class kwentuhan, random video calls or weekend bonding moments. These shared experiences help strengthen friendships and create meaningful connections, especially when there’s a fun snack to share.

To make these hangouts even more exciting, Chippy launched a new twist to their classic corn chip snack - Chippy Corn Tubes Sweet BBQ. Chippy Corn Tubes features a unique, tube-shaped chip that is light and crunchy, with a delicious Sweet Barbecue flavour. Its sweet-savory barbecue goodness and satisfying crunch can add an exciting twist to even the simplest hangouts, making shared snacking moments more enjoyable and memorable.

So, if you are looking for a perfect snack to break the ice, for nonstop kwentuhan, and creating shared moments together,  snack up with Chippy Corn Tubes. This new corn-tube snack is available in leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide.

Universal Robina Corporation’s new Chippy Corn Tubes features a unique tube-shaped corn chip that is light and crunchy, with a Sweet Barbecue flavour.

A great companion for get-together moments with friends, the new Chippy Corn Tubes is designed to deliver flavour and fun in every bite.

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Universal Robina Corporation (URC) produces iconic brands such as Jack ‘n Jill Piattos, Cloud 9, Maxx candy, Cream-O, Payless, C2 Cool and Clean, and Great Taste coffee, which have been part of Filipinos’ lives for decades. Chippy Corn Tubes delivers a fun and flavorful snacking experience with its crunchy corn goodness. Perfect for shared moments, it offers a satisfying bite that’s enjoyable anytime, anywhere. With its exciting flavors, playful tube shape, and affordable price, Chippy Corn Tubes is a go-to snack for those looking for a delicious and fun-filled treat. To learn more about URC, visit its website (www.urc.com.ph), Facebook page (@URCPhilippines) and TikTok account (@URCPhilippines).

TECNO and Angélica Dass Co-Launched “100 Portraits of Becoming,” A Living Archive of Human Possibilities

Co-Created by TECNO and Angélica Dass, “100 Portraits of Becoming” Will Present 100 Ways to See Humanity, One Portrait at a Time.

NAIROBI, KENYA, — As AI increasingly shapes how people are seen and represented, an urgent question emerges: how do we ensure technology reflects humanity in all its complexity?

TECNO believes the answer starts with a simple principle — technology should help the world see people more truthfully. With that belief, TECNO and Brazilian visual artist Angélica Dass launch “100 Portraits of Becoming,” a two-year initiative that covers five countries and begins today in Nairobi, Kenya.

Co-created with Angélica Dass, the “100 Portraits of Becoming” initiative aims to capture 100 authentic portraits of individuals worldwide and document their unique journeys of becoming. These portraits — spanning diverse backgrounds — serve as a testament to the human tapestry and spark a global cultural conversation surrounding authentic representation, identity, dignity, and human becoming in the age of AI.

This collaboration builds on a mutual commitment to recognizing the true diversity of human life, bringing together TECNO’s inclusive imaging innovation, which helps individuals be represented more fairly, and Dass’s human-centered approach to portraiture.

“Every image shapes assumptions — why it matters, who matters, and how people are understood. That makes fair and accurate representation increasingly important in the AI era. But beyond representation lies a bigger question: who is the real person behind the image?” said Jack Guo, General Manager at TECNO. “Through this project, we want to move beyond representation as technical accuracy alone and explore representation as recognition — enabling technology not only to capture people faithfully, but to help people feel truly seen. By moving beyond bias, labels, and stereotypes, we hope to build a future where technology reflects people more authentically and allows the world to understand them more fully. Truthful representation is the foundation of genuine human understanding.”

“As a photographer, I realize that I can be a channel for others to communicate. The ‘100 Portraits of Becoming’ initiative with TECNO creates such a channel for people to speak for themselves and be seen on their own terms. That is why this collaboration with TECNO felt meaningful to me,” said Angélica Dass. 

“My portrait practice has always been less about documenting appearance and more about creating space for people to exist beyond assumptions. What moved me about this collaboration is the shared vision and the possibility of bringing that intention into a medium used by millions every day. I am excited that this initiative is not about defining people — it is about allowing identity to remain open, layered, and human. Because being visible is not the same as being understood. True recognition begins when we are seen as we really are.”

Angélica Dass: Seeing Humanity Beyond Skin Tones

The collaboration with Angélica Dass is a natural extension of TECNO’s vision and Dass’s exploration of how technology, culture, and personal stories come together to create truthful forms of human representation. 

As an award-winning Brazilian-Spanish visual artist best known for Humanæ — a global portrait series that challenges conventional ideas of racial identity — Angélica Dass recognized long before others that skin tones are more than just colors; they are reflections of unique cultures and individual identities. Her work emphasizes that every person deserves to be viewed as an individual rather than a category.

In her practice, Dass uses portraiture to let the individuality of her subjects come through, treating skin tone not as a label, but as an entry point into personal narratives. Her impact resonates far beyond traditional galleries; her 2016 TED Talk on skin and identity has reached over two million viewers, and her work has been showcased at leading platforms and institutions including the World Economic Forum, UNESCO, AMNH, the Migration Museum in London, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, while appearing in publications such as National Geographic, Vogue, and Foreign Affairs. 

“One thing I appreciate about the ‘100 Portraits of Becoming’ initiative is our shared belief that portraiture is not simply about recording appearance visually. It is a way of questioning assumptions, challenging labels, and creating space for people to be seen and understood beyond stereotypes.”

From 100 Portraits to 100 Ways of Seeing Humanity in Five Countries

Through “100 Portraits of Becoming,” Dass will photograph 100 individuals across five countries, beginning in Kenya. Participants, who register via a dedicated global website, are photographed in natural light, without filters, and in attire of their own choosing to ensure maximum authenticity.

In addition to stepping in front of the lens, each individual will share their personal stories of growth and evolution, illustrating how they have navigated various cultural and societal shifts to become who they are today.

These portraits and narratives will be featured on the project’s website, creating a “Living Archive.” This digital repository will serve as a space where individuals from all walks of life can be seen, heard, and understood as part of a broader human story. The archive aims to sustain a cultural conversation about dignity and identity as AI continues to redefine representation.

TECNO Universal Tone: Expanding What Technology Can See

“100 Portraits of Becoming” will be captured on the TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra, powered by TECNO Universal Tone Technology, which serves as the technological foundation for the project’s commitment to truthful representation. 

Historically, mainstream AI models and imaging algorithms have often been trained on datasets that conform to a narrow range of aesthetics, leaving them unable to reflect the full diversity of humanity. As a result, people with non-fair skin tones have too often been misrepresented in mobile photography — over-brightened, underexposed, or rendered in ways that do not reflect how they truly appear.

Launched in 2023, TECNO Universal Tone is the industry’s most advanced AI-powered full-spectrum skin tone imaging technology. It integrates TECNO’s industry-benchmark multi-skin-tone color card featuring 372 skin tones and expanding, together with the industry’s largest and most accurate skin tone database.

By supporting more accurate capture of the full spectrum of human skin tones, Universal Tone enables the portraits in this initiative to begin from a place of fairness and authenticity. It helps ensure that each subject is not corrected toward a narrow standard, but represented with the dignity, nuance, and truthfulness that the project demands.

From Nairobi to the World: One Hundred Ways to See Humanity

“100 Portraits of Becoming” begins in Kenya for a reason. Home to one of the world's youngest populations and often described as the “Silicon Savannah,” Kenya represents a future that is already being shaped by the new generation — not elsewhere, but here. From pioneering mobile financial inclusion to advancing local innovation across industries, Kenya has long challenged assumptions about where progress begins. Yet representation often lags behind reality, giving way to assumptions. In global media and increasingly in AI-generated imagery, places like Kenya are still too often framed through inherited narratives rather than lived complexity.

In Kenya, this project starts from a different belief: people should not be defined by the stories told about them, but by the stories they choose to tell themselves. The inaugural portraits reflect that spirit — featuring entrepreneurs, farmers, dancers, artists, and daily creators whose lives cannot be reduced to a single narrative. They are not catching up with the future. They are helping define it. 

“People are always quick to tell you what you are and where you fit,” said Alexander Odhiambo, a Kenyan participant in “100 Portraits of Becoming” and co-founder of Solutech Limited, an enterprise software company serving manufacturers and distributors across Africa. “I stopped waiting for that. The story that counts is the one I'm writing myself.”

What begins in Nairobi doesn’t end here. Over the next two years, “100 Portraits of Becoming” travels to the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil — building a living archive of people, identities, and the moments that define them. The first portraits and stories go live online in early August, marking the start of the full campaign rollout.

The future of imaging is not only about seeing more. It is about understanding more. Through one technology, five countries, and one hundred portraits, “100 Portraits of Becoming” offers one hundred ways to see humanity, one story at a time.

For any related media queries, please contact pr.tecno@tecno-mobile.com.

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About TECNO

As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO has been committed to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies and AI. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, smart gaming, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing,” TECNO is committed to unlocking the newest technologies and AI-powered new experiences for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.tecno-mobile.com.

About “100 Portraits of Becoming” by TECNO and Angélica Dass

“100 Portraits of Becoming” is a global portrait project created by TECNO together with internationally recognized artist Angélica Dass. Over two years, it will produce one hundred portraits across five countries — Kenya, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil — pairing Dass’s portrait methodology with TECNO’s Universal Tone imaging technology. Each portrait moves beyond a face to the person behind it — to the lives unfolding across some of the world’s most dynamic markets. One hundred portraits become one hundred ways of seeing humanity — and one growing archive of who we are, told by the people living it. To participate in the portrait project, please visit: https://www.tecno-mobile.com/100portraitsofbecoming/.