The Lazy Investor's Way

PetPal revolutionizes business for vets, helps expand clientele

2023-10-25T01:10:00.001+08:00

PetPal, a portfolio company of Globe’s 917Ventures, is transforming the landscape of veterinary practice in the Philippines. With its innovative solutions, PetPal has successfully onboarded over 1,000 licensed and accredited veterinarians and partnered with more than 300 trusted vet clinics across the country.

PetPal's commitment to excellence is evident in its user-friendly platform, which is trusted by millions of pet owners nationwide. It does not only offer a seamless experience for pet owners but also provides veterinarians with an opportunity to expand their clientele and increase their revenue. Dr. Paulo Mercado, DVM, shared how PetPal helped him grow his clientele.

“Through PetPal, I have gained over 90 new clients, all thanks to the convenience and accessibility of online consultations. PetPal has changed the way I practice vet medicine and allowed me to expand my clientele reach,” he said. Similarly, Dr. Gladys Magdaraog, DVM, credited her career growth to PetPal.

“Since joining PetPal, my vet career has experienced tremendous growth. I have gained over 60 new clients and the increased demand allowed me to open my clinic’s second branch. My vet journey with PetPal has been incredibly rewarding both professionally and personally,” she said.

For veterinarians looking to elevate their practice, PetPal offers a myriad of benefits. From setting up a digital clinic to receiving marketing support and nationwide reach, the platform ensures that vets are well-equipped to serve their clients efficiently. Moreover, joining PetPal is absolutely free, with no monthly fees, making it an attractive proposition for both up-and-coming and established veterinarians.

Miguel Guerrero, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at 917Ventures, passionately articulates the mission of PetPal, declaring, "PetPal is committed to elevating pet care standards across the Philippines and empowering veterinarians with the resources and backing they deserve to excel."

Carlo Flordeliza, Senior Venture Builder at 917Ventures, added, "We are immensely proud of the trust and credibility PetPal has built in the industry. It's more than just numbers. It's about making a genuine difference in the lives of pets and their caregivers."

For pet owners, PetPal offers a comprehensive suite of services, from online consultations and home vet visits to vaccinations and grooming services.

The platform also introduces the PetPal Club, where members can enjoy exclusive benefits and discounts all year long. Meanwhile, the digital pet booklet Pet Pawrtal makes it easy and convenient to track pets’ healthcare journey.

With its all-encompassing solutions, PetPal is on a mission to ensure pets live their healthiest lives. As the top digital pet care solutions provider in the Philippines, PetPal invites veterinarians to join their growing community and be part of the revolution.

To become a PetPal vet, sign up at https://expert.petpal.asia/registration. Learn more about 917Ventures and its startups by visiting https://917ventures.com/.

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Top 5 Reasons Why Everyone's Talking About V1BE’s Oktoberfest Celebration

2023-10-12T23:29:00.006+08:00

Cebu City is alive with anticipation as the V1BE Booze and Arts Festival approaches, promising to redefine local Oktoberfest celebrations.

Curious about the buzz surrounding this event on October 27 at the SM Seaside Concert Grounds? Dive into these top 5 irresistible reasons:

Diverse Drink Selection: What’s an Oktoberfest without the booze? Whether you're a fan of international brews or local favorites, V1BE ensures there's a drink (and food) for every palate.

Stellar Music Lineup: Get ready to be wowed by a powerhouse of talent, featuring the likes of Rico Blanco, Shanti Dope, Urbandub, 6cyclemind, Chocolate Factory, Agaw Agimat, Gracenote, Zild, Dilaw, Hey June! and other indie artists and DJs for new sounds and electrifying beats. With such a diverse range of performers, every musical taste is sure to be catered to.

Immersive Experiences: Step into a realm of engaging event experiences, from space-inspired installations, and activities with friends, to gimmicks that are sure to deliver fun, whimsical, and unforgettable moments for Cebu.

Exclusive 'Plus' Lounges: Holders of General Admission Plus, VIP Plus, and SVIP Plus tickets can indulge in the comfort of reserved sitting areas, perfect for unwinding amidst the festival's energy. Benefit from the ease of an exclusive bar section, private portlets, and handy charging stations. And for those with SVIP Plus tickets, the experience is further enhanced with enclosed, air-conditioned tents that provide a clear and comfortable view of the main stage.

Tickets Tailored for Everyone: With prices set at P499 for General Admission, Php999 for General Admission Plus and VIP, Php1,499 for VIP Plus, Php1,999 for SVIP, and Php3,999 for SVIP Plus, there’s a ticket to fit every attendee's preference and budget.

"We're not just hosting a festival; we're creating an experience. An experience that celebrates music, art, and the joy of togetherness. Whether with your family, friends, batchmates or group mates, V1BE is where memories will be made, and stories will be told," said L-Squared Productions Inc., V1BE’s event producer and promoter.

V1BE is a testament to Cebu's rich culture, embodying diversity, inclusivity, and the city's vibrant spirit. So, what are you waiting for? Be part of the V1BE for an Oktoberfest experience like no other.

Secure your V1BE tickets online by going to v1be.beetzee.com, Ticket2Me, and most recently, SM Tickets. V1BE ticket-selling booths are also available at the SM City Cebu Events Center, Lower Ground Level, and SM Seaside City Cebu, Lower Ground Level, Seaview Wing.

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Re-Framing Your Black Friday Online Marketing Strategy

2023-09-24T19:22:00.003+08:00

Looking for alternative ways to improve your Black Friday online marketing strategy? If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we’ve gathered best practices from successful “re-framed” campaigns over the years that you can learn from. Many businesses make the mistake of thinking that Black Friday is all about discounts and deals.

While it is important to offer incentives to customers, you also need to focus on creating a great customer experience. Alright, let’s jump into the good stuff.

Teachable – Smart Discounts

This one is a simple tweak to the pricing which makes it easy to copy. While businesses are offering 25%, 30%, 50%, or even 75% off, Teachable, the online learning creator platform, decided to go original and offer 36%, 47%, and 58% discounts on its annual subscription plans.

This was promoted via a short video post on its Facebook page. During Black Friday season, everyone is offering almost similar deals and discounts. With a small tweak, yours can jump out and grab consumer attention too.

REI - Anti BFCM? #OptOutside

Some years ago, REI, an outdoor clothing and gear store, decided to boycott BFCM (Black Friday Cyber Monday). They encouraged customers to skip the lines and get outside to explore the great outdoors.

Think about it, on one hand they lead a re-frame which was appreciated while also on the other hand, they also get more people to go outdoors and by extension, increase their own product sales down-the-line from people wanting to go outdoors. In 2015, more than 1.4 million people participated in #OptOutside. By 2016, REI had partnered with more than 275 national and local organizations, including: Google, Subaru, and Burton.

Uniqlo - Appreciation Campaign

Uniqlo didn’t go too crazy compared to other brands during this campaign or even compared to this list but their approach is subtle yet worth noticing.

Instead of positioning the campaign as a “promotion”, they did a powerful reframe by making it a “thank you” event – hence ‘Arigato”. This puts the focus back to the customers who feel appreciated. You can even do this for your business too!

Chatty Feet – Charity Incentive

In 2021, a sock company called Chatty Feet told Black Friday to “put a sock in it”. Literally. In an attempt to “drown out the noise” of the sale season, the brand committed to donating two pairs of socks to charity for every pair bought before Cyber Monday.

It is always great to see a brand that walks the talk and really turns Black Friday on its head. Yes they increased their sales while also creating an impact on the beneficiaries of their partner charity organization.

Walmart – #UnwrapTheDeals in TikTok

Every marketer knows that interactive content works, but creating something that really stands out is a challenge. That’s why Walmart’s TikTok campaign that turned Black Friday sales into a fun, engaging, gamified experience is a great case-study in and of itself! The campaign used a shoppable TikTok filter that enabled customers to “unwrap” virtual deals and discover Black Friday surprises.

Using the #Unwrapthedeals hashtag, TikTokers posted their challenges for all to see, and if they liked their win? They could click straight to the product page on Walmart’s website and buy it. Talk about removing friction! The campaign was a phenomenal success, with over 5.5 billion hashtag views, and an 18.4% engagement rate, breaking all TikTok Hashtag Challenge benchmarks.

IKEA – #BuybackFriday

Rather than just relying on the usual Black Friday discount concept, IKEA meshed its brand values with its annual Black Friday marketing to launch the #BuybackFriday campaign. The campaign, which ran for a week in 27 countries, gave customers the opportunity to return used IKEA furniture and receive a credit voucher for up to 50% of the value of the item.

Items that could not be resold were recycled or donated to communities in need. This was a great way to celebrate Black Friday and offer genuine discounts to customers while ‘walking the talk’ of commitment to brand values.

Cards Against Humanity - Price Raise!

The card game company didn’t do any discounts on BF 2021. They did the opposite – they actually raised their prices! And you know what? The $5 price increase was a hit.

The move generated buzz via social media. And the customers seem to like it too, as they reportedly sold more than the previous year. This is one of those crazy Black Friday Marketing strategy that seems doomed but it worked anyway.

MeUndies - Livestream Event

They organized a Facebook Live event to celebrate the sales, if you will. First, they created an actual Facebook event to invite their then 314,000 Facebook followers They then ran an ad campaign where they targeted customers who had opened emails from them in the past, but hadn’t made a purchase in over a year. A DJ and a dance contest (or two) drew in the crowd.

As more and more people tuned in, bigger and bigger BFCM discounts were unlocked. In the end, over 13,000 people tuned it, tallying just under 6,000 engagements. The outcome? Attendees converted at a rate of 25%, 13x the average conversion rate MeUndies sees on Facebook!

Amazon - Humor posts

Humor is one of the most human things and we as humans like sales or marketing campaigns that are human and not robotic. Humor makes us forget we’re being sold to. And since most Brands are not human to begin with, humor is unexpected from a brand’s ads, which makes it pop.

So, tastefully inserting some humor into your tweets and Facebook posts can work wonders on the persuasion side of things. Amazon did their research to find a passionate group within their community and sell to them using humor. That group amplified the joke by sharing pictures of their own cats in their Amazon cat beds.

Hope you learned something from the Black Friday Marketing Strategy list!

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Discover ‘Chat With a Vet’ by PetPal, your direct link to expert pet care

2023-09-21T10:58:00.000+08:00

Ever found yourself concerned about a furry friend and needed pet care right away? Worry no more. PetPal has launched "Chat With A Vet," a service that lets you instantly message and converse with a licensed vet, all for just Php99 per pet.

PetPal understands the bond you share with your pets. That's why it has crafted a platform to ensure you spend more time enjoying their company and less time stressing about their health. With a suite of digital pet care solutions, PetPal is revolutionizing how pets across the Philippines receive care, ensuring they live their happiest and healthiest lives.

Navigating the platform is a breeze. Available every day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., you can get expert advice within minutes. Whether it's a dog, cat, bird, rodent, or any other domestic animal, licensed vets are ready to assist.

To get started with PetPal's "Chat With A Vet" service, simply visit www.petpal.asia/chat-with-a-vet, log in or sign up, and then select your pet and detail your concern. Choose your preferred payment method, be it GCash, credit, or debit card. Wait a brief moment, and you'll be connected with a vet in no time!

"At PetPal, we're dedicated to ensuring every pet owner feels supported. “Chat With A Vet” is our latest endeavor in making quality pet care accessible to all," said Miguel Guerrero, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at 917Ventures.

Carlo Flordeliza, Senior Venture Builder at 917Ventures, added, "We recognize how important pets are to their owners. Our commitment is to provide innovative and genuinely beneficial solutions to make life easier for them."

Beyond chat, PetPal's all-in-one digital pet care platform, known for its ease of navigation and accessibility, offers a range of services from licensed and accredited veterinarians. The platform operates daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., ensuring flexibility for clients with varying schedules.

Additionally, the Pet Pawrtal, a digital pet booklet, ensures that pet owners have all the essential information about their furry friends at their fingertips, making the healthcare journey seamless.

So, the next time your pet acts a bit off or you have a nagging question, remember that PetPal is just a click away. Dive into a world where treats, cuddles, and walks take center stage, and worries take a backseat. Learn more about 917Ventures and its startups by visiting https://917ventures.com/.

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Warning Against Phishing Malware in Gambling Sites and Gaming Apps

2023-09-21T10:47:00.001+08:00

Downloaded games and gambling are popular forms of entertainment for many Filipinos, but some may contain phishing malware that's used to steal accounts in the recent surge of phishing scams according to a recent investigation by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).

Additionally, some influencers may have unknowingly promoted these gaming apps without being aware of their fraudulent nature. I advise you or anyone to be extremely careful when accessing online gambling sites and gaming apps and to avoid them altogether if possible.

How the Scheme Works

* On the Gambling side: Perpetrators who created the gambling apps while falsely claiming to be accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). These apps deceive users with a verification process, redirecting them to a fake website or payment page to top up betting credits. From there, fraudsters were able to access sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, mobile wallet numbers, MPINs, OTPs, and other personal data that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to user accounts.

* On the Gaming side of things: When downloading games from untrustworthy sources, players may receive malicious software that can gather sensitive data like login information or passwords from the victim’s device; and in an attempt to download a desired game for free, find a cool mod or cheat, gamers can actually lose their accounts or even money.

How to Protect Yourself in 6 Ways:

* Protect your personal information - The most common red flag to look out for in downloaded gaming apps is a blatant request for private information such as credit card numbers, or passwords for social media and bank accounts. Also, don’t include identifying information in your gaming usernames – such as your name, date of birth, or location – and avoid sharing personal details on gaming forums.

* Do some Due Diligence or background check research - For gambling apps such as e-bingo platforms, users are advised to check if the company that created them is listed on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) website.

* Only Download from Legitimate Sources - Most of the time, these gaming apps from suspicious sources contain malware that will trick players into clicking a phishing link. These are common in apps where players buy character upgrades or items and play-to-earn games. Stick to reputable download sites to maximize game security.

* Use strong passwords - One of the simplest ways to protect yourself is using a strong password. A strong password comprises at least 12 characters (ideally more) and is a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using sequential numbers (“1234”) or personal information that someone who knows you might guess, such as your date of birth or pet’s name.

* Be alert to hidden charges and scams - Read the manufacturer or hosting company’s terms and conditions to make sure you understand any immediate or future hidden charges. Keep an eye out for potential scams when buying or selling 'property' that exists inside a computer game.

* Keep software up to date - Make sure that you keep your devices and software up to date. Up-to-date software will ensure that you benefit from the latest security patches to address cyber vulnerabilities. Be vigilant against phishing emails Be wary about emails that claim you must click, call, or open an email attachment immediately.

The golden rule is to avoid clicking on any links, opening any attachments, or responding to any email you feel unsure about.

Rest assured that our law enforcement authorities, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) are in close cooperation in continuing to expose these scams, but we encourage everyone to join this crusade by staying informed and aware of these scams and phishing activities.

The public is encouraged to report incidents of scams, fraud, and cybercrime to the PNP-ACG through its hotlines at (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116 or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph.

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GCash, Fuse Lending expand lending portfolio with Sakto Loan offers

2023-09-15T19:37:00.003+08:00

The financial super-app introduces Sakto Loan, an option for users to borrow small amounts of as low as PHP 100

Financial super app GCash, together with Fuse Lending Inc., introduces GCash Sakto Loans, a nano loan offer that enables GCash users to easily borrow small amounts as ‘pambale,’ as it seeks to provide more Filipinos with access to fair, easy, and inclusive loan options without the need for bureaucratic paperwork.

A GCash study found that nine out of 10 Filipinos have to borrow money to make ends meet. But with the rigorous loan application process set by formal institutions and banks, more than half resort to borrowing from informal lenders with high-interest rates and sometimes abusive collection practices.

“Sakto Loans serves as an expansion of our suite of lending options GLoan, GCredit and GGives, which has provided users with a convenient way to borrow money with just a few taps on their phone. Through access to fair lending, we are able to provide more Filipinos access to borrowing means that truly prioritizes their needs,” said Tony Isidro, CEO of Fuse.

During the GCash x Fuse: Borrow for Tomorrow, an immersive product showcase held in Maybank Performing Arts Theater last August 30, GCash officially introduced Fuse as its lending arm.

“We at GCash take great pride in the fact that our story and our success are written and rooted on the ground. We are deeply connected to all our customers. We know them, we seek to understand their circumstances, and we are right there with them, providing digital solutions that ease the challenges of daily life,” Martha Sazon, CEO of GCash, underscored.

Since 2016, Fuse has disbursed PHP100 billion in loans and has helped over 3 million Filipinos achieve their dreams. With the inclusion of a nano-loan offer in its extensive lineup of lending products, GCash and Fuse hope to expand its vision of making financial services more accessible to Filipinos, including the unbanked.

“We are committed to perfecting our lending solutions because we believe that Filipinos deserve better loan options,” Isidro noted. “And we are grateful that in the course of helping borrowers nationwide, we have also grown three times more than we did in 2022.”

GCash Sakto Loans for ‘sakto’ needs

GCash Sakto Loans is an extension of GLoan, GCash’s instant cash loan, and GGives, its light and flexible buy now pay later loan. With no additional minimum requirements needed, GCash Sakto Loans serves as an entry-level loan for those who are not yet eligible to borrow larger amounts on the app but are in need of small amounts to supplement their budget.

With a processing fee as low as PHP 6.50, GCash users may borrow amounts as small as PHP 100 up to PHP 1000 at zero interest, which could be paid either after 14 or 30 days.

“Sakto Loans offer an added comprehensiveness to our already extensive product lineup. In instances where we only need a small amount to get by, this nano-loan feature will save us the time and energy of having to borrow from family and friends or even informal lenders,” Isidro emphasized.

Inclusivity through fair and easy loans

With its borrowing solutions, GCash hopes to level the playing field and provide equal opportunities for every Filipino. Its vision of bringing financial progress to everyone can be seen in the 85% of GCash users who come from C2DE or lower socio-economic classes, the 55% who are female, the 60% who come from the youth ages 19-35 years old and the 70% who are based outside Metro Manila.

While there is still a stigma when it comes to loans, GCash hopes to highlight that borrowing money is one way of bringing Filipinos closer to their goals.

"We're reimagining lending to ensure that it is not only hassle-free and convenient, but is also driven by the individual circumstances of our user base. By putting their stories at our core, we hope to break down barriers so that Filipinos can access the loans that they need to support financial progress,” Sazon added.

Users may access GGives, GLoan and GCredit through the GCash dashboard or find it under “Borrow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery. Kaya mo, i-GCash mo!

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Beware and Avoid Unexpected (Fake) Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery Scams

2023-09-15T19:21:00.001+08:00

You open your mailbox or inbox to find a letter, email, or text message announcing that you've hit the jackpot, winning the lottery. Some even receive an enticing check, claiming it's a portion of your winnings. The message confidently declares that all you need to do is cover some processing fees or taxes and provide proof of your identity, and then the jackpot is yours.

It appears almost too good to be true. But, unfortunately, that's exactly what it is—too good to be true.

What you're actually witnessing is the initial contact in a lottery scam. Its sole purpose is not to deliver the promised fortune but rather to siphon off your hard-earned money or steal your personal information.

Every year, thousands of individuals fall prey to these schemes, and scammers continuously refine their tactics to appear new and enticing, all with the aim of deceiving people just like you. The good news is there are some things you can do to help protect yourself from falling victim to a scam.

Signs or Red Flags of a Scam Communication:

* You have to pay to get your prize. But real prizes are free. So if someone tells you to pay a fee for "taxes," "shipping and handling charges," or “processing fees” to get your prize, you’re dealing with a scammer. And if they ask you to pay by wiring money, sending cash, or paying with gift cards or cryptocurrency to get your prize, don’t do it. Scammers use these payments because it’s hard to track who the money went to. And it’s almost impossible to get your money back.

* Scammers pressure you to act now to get a prize. Scammers want you to hurry up and pay or give them information. They tell you it’s a limited-time offer or you have to “act now” to claim your prize. They don’t want you to have time to evaluate what’s really happening. Don’t be rushed — especially if they want you to do something to get your prize.

* They say paying increases your odds of winning. But real sweepstakes are free and winning is by chance. It’s illegal for someone to ask you to pay to increase your odds of winning. Only a scammer will do that.

Here are 7 tips in order to avoid the risk of getting scammed:

* Conduct due diligence. If you’re not sure about a contest or the company sending you a prize notification, search online to see if you find anything about them. Type the name with terms like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.”

* Look carefully at the envelopes of purported sweepstakes mailers. If your entry form or congratulations letter was sent bulk rate, it means a lot of other people got the same mailing.

* Do hang up on cold calls claiming to be from well-known offices like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). They will not call you out of the blue to tell you you've won.

* Always read the fine print on a contest form and make sure it isn’t missing legally required information such as the start and end dates of the contest, the methods of entry, descriptions of prizes, and various legal disclaimers. If that stuff isn’t there, something is fishy.

* Carefully check for your odds of winning, and be especially leery of contests that don't disclose it.

* Beware of your own eagerness. A survey found that those who reported a high willingness to take risks were three times more likely to become victims of fraudulent prize promotions than those with a low willingness.

* Never hand over your personal information. If the correspondence starts asking for personal information, this should be your first clue that it might be a scam. Never provide your personal and banking information to people or businesses you don’t know.

Lastly, consider calling for help. If you fear you have been scammed, don’t wait to find out – take action immediately. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, the PNP ACG has opened its hotlines at (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116 or via email at acg@pnp.gov.ph. The law enforcement agency encourages everyone to report incidents of scams, fraud, and cybercrime.

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KodeGo revolutionizes job-skills matching with customizable TaaS program

2023-09-15T18:40:00.005+08:00

Innovative startup KodeGo is transforming the job-skills matching landscape with its Training-as-a-Service (TaaS) program, offering educational solutions meticulously crafted to meet the unique needs of different companies.

The TaaS program builds on KodeGo's expertise in technology and skills training to provide a personalized approach that enables enterprises to equip their workforce with specific skills crucial to achieving strategic objectives.

Speaking at the recent ASEAN Innovation Business Platform (AIBP) Conference and Exhibition, KodeGo Entrepreneur-In-Residence Cristina Gervasio shared how they work with companies in two distinct ways to address diverse and evolving business requirements. To democratize education for Filipinos aged 18 and above, KodeGo conducts intensive tech bootcamps, helping its graduates secure placements with company partners in as short as three months.

With over 4,000 enrollees and 1,300 graduates since its launch in 2021, KodeGo opens new job opportunities for individuals from all walks of life – from delivery riders to wedding photographers, all of whom are eager to upskill themselves and enhance their professional value. KodeGo’s commitment to breaking barriers in traditional education is further reflected in the groundbreaking TaaS program and its impact on clients and the larger learning community.

"For our TaaS, the process is simple, yet very effective," explained Gervasio.

"We have a conversation with the human resources team, and they come back to us with a 'laundry list' that needs to be addressed within their current pool of employees. We then craft a very specific curriculum that we both agree upon and embark on that journey together."

One shining example of the TaaS initiative's success is KodeGo's collaboration with shared services company Asticom Group of Companies, where a special six-month cadetship program, namely AstiELEVATE, was designed to upskill 10 young fresh graduates. The tailored course included both technical skills such as Full Stack Web Development and essential soft skills such as leadership modules.

"So far, (TaaS) attrition is at zero because there is so much buy-in from the start from all the parties," added Gervasio.

With their TaaS program, the ability to customize courses demonstrates KodeGo's commitment to evolving alongside the needs of businesses, further underlining its dedication to redefining education and training. For more information about KodeGo's TaaS program, please visit https://kodego.ph/.

About KodeGo

KodeGo is a study now, pay later tech school offering bootcamps on different IT courses to equip beginners, upskillers, and career shifters with critical and highly in-demand skills while offering company matching support to jumpstart and progress their IT career. KodeGo is a portfolio company under Globe’s corporate venture builder, 917Ventures.

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Sun Life Donates Php40M to Promote Health through Basketball for Marginalized Youth Across Asia

2023-08-31T00:06:00.002+08:00

Various communities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam will soon get to enjoy revitalized basketball courts and basketball training programs as Sun Life donates PHP 40 million to promote healthier lives among marginalized youth across Asia.

The philanthropic program will be mounted in partnership with Beyond Sport, a global sport-for- social-change foundation. This is in answer to the 2022 Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance report sponsored by Sun Life, which showed high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents across Asia, contributing to high rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, mental health challenges and other damaging health outcomes.

The report further showed, that in terms of overall physical activity, Hong Kong and Malaysia attained a grade of D, while Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam received an F, which means fewer than 20% of children ages 6 to 17 achieve an average of at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity across the week.

“Promoting movement is an important aspect of Sun Life’s health and wellness advocacy. We constantly explore fun and engaging ways to promote it among Filipinos, especially the youth,” said Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong.

“For this particular initiative, we took inspiration in our country’s love for basketball so we can encourage everyone to make physical activity a part of their lifestyle.”

For his part, Beyond Sport Executive Director Fred Turner highlighted how young people globally face barriers to accessing sport and all the advantages that come with it. “Often, that barrier is as simple as having a safe space to move and play,” he said. “We are proud to partner with Sun Life to improve physical and mental wellbeing outcomes for marginalized youth. We hope this program, built with community and sustainability in mind, will help them develop life-long habits that will allow them to thrive."

The initiative is part of Sun Life’s #MovementMatters campaign, which aims to promote physical activity as an important aspect of living healthier lives. #MovementMatters gains momentum The campaign earlier kicked off with a 3x3 charity event simultaneously held in Manila and Jakarta, Indonesia from August 18 to 20.

The Manila leg, dubbed “Sun Life 3x3 Charity Challenge,” was held at SM Megamall with a total of 349 participants led by various celebrities and basketball influencers such as Gab Banal, Ael Banal, Brent Javier, Jollo Go, Andre Felix, Thor Gomez, Brent Paraiso, John Custodio, Axel Torres, Pat Sugui, Kirst Viray, Ralph Molina Martin Reyes, Miguel Aytona, Hendrix Jim, and Martin Javier.

Sun Life donated PHP 4,000 for every participant in both Manila and Jakarta, and for every like, share, comment, and post on social media with the hashtag #MovementMatters, paving the way for a total donation of PHP 40 million.

The event also aligns with the participation of Team Canada and its top players in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup happening in Manila. Sun Life is the Official Health & Wellness Partner of Canada Basketball. “We’re thrilled about the momentum we’ve set for the #MovementMatters campaign and look forward to everyone’s continued support,” Gonzalez-Chong said. “With our concerted efforts, we can certainly help more people live healthier lives.”

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2023, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.37 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

About Beyond Sport

Beyond Sport invests in organizations, programs and networks that use sport to positively impact communities globally. Believing that when used with intention, sport provides a powerful pathway to effective solutions addressing complex societal issues, the foundation employs a unique and holistic approach that leverages a global network of sport for social change innovators, progressive organizations and expertise built up over nearly two decades. Since 2008, Beyond Sport has provided approximately $9.7M in grants to 389 projects across 63 countries in addition to in-depth capacity-building support. For more information, visit beyondsport.org.

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Cebu Landmasters launches new tower of Costa Mira beachtown in Panglao Island

2023-06-30T23:59:00.003+08:00

Leading developer in VisMin Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) through CLI-Lite Panglao, Inc., the company’s joint venture with Lite Properties Corporation, announced the opening of the third tower of Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao.

Lite Properties Corporation is an affiliate company of Lite Shipping Corporation of the Lim family of Bohol that operates a fleet of roro ferries in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The first two towers of Cebu Landmasters’ beachtown residences in Panglao island in Bohol are now 80% sold since market introduction a few months ago.

Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao is a Php5.3-billion tropical beach community located on a 4.05-hectare lot at Totolan town in Dauis, Panglao Island, Bohol, which is known for its lush greenery and clear waters.

Strategically located near Dauis Bridge which leads to the provincial capital Tagbilaran City, the development connects residents to modern conveniences while being surrounded by natural wonders, including having convenient access to Bohol’s top dive spots.

“Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao was designed with the idea of tropical paradise in mind, one that showcases Bohol’s rich culture and beautiful natural resources while standing out as signature CLI development,” CLI chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III said.

“We take pride in the success of Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao with our partner LiTe Properties Corporation as we launch its third tower to accommodate more residents aspiring for an inspiring and relaxed life in Bohol.”

Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao figures as the second project under CLI’s beachtown residences, following the success of the Costa Mira Beachtown Mactan. The Cebu property was awarded the Best Waterfront Condo Development at the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards 2022.

With the launch of its third tower, the total unit inventory of Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao climbs to 1,056, spread across three categories. Studio units present a floor area from 22 sqm to 25.36 sqm with balcony. Meanwhile, 1-bedroom units offer 38.85 sqm to 45.88 sqm with balcony.

Lastly, the floor area for 2-bedroom units stands at 51.40 sqm. Unit prices at Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao range from Php2.8M to Php8M. Making each unit at this Bohol property special is the design inspiration that takes cues from the local culture.

The masonry wall finish and ceilings are painted to reflect the relaxing beauty of Panglao, while porcelain floor tiles provide a sleek and modern look. Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao also comes complete with exclusive amenities that residents can enjoy.

Families can spend quality time at the adult & kiddie pools or kid’s playground. For those pursuing an active lifestyle, there’s a fitness gym and jogging paths as well. Meanwhile, the clubhouse and indoor & outdoor lounges provide spaces for social interactions or peaceful introspections.

Security is likewise highly valued at Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao, with 24/7 CCTV and a security/guard house ensuring the residents’ peace of mind. The development is managed and maintained by Cebu Landmasters Property Management, or CLIPM.

CLI has more than 100 existing developments in 16 key cities in Visayas and Mindanao, with another Php29.75 billion worth of projects in the pipeline. This year, the listed company will be celebrating its 20th year of providing quality homes to Filipino families in VisMin.

For more information about CLI and Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao, visit https://www.cebulandmasters.com/project/costa-mira-beachtown-panglao/.

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DICT, GeeksPH bolsters PH startup scene with 6th Geeks on a Beach in Panglao

2023-06-30T23:48:00.001+08:00

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and GeeksPH announced the revival of Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) after a four-year break and is set to happen in Panglao, Bohol on November 23-24, during the Philippine Startup Week 2023.

The two-day international conference, known for leveraging Philippine tourism and ICT Industry expertise, will gather hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and globally-acclaimed startup ecosystem players to showcase the country’s startup achievements in both local and international scenes.

GOAB 2023 will offer plenary sessions exploring potential investment opportunities and breakout sessions that will focus on sector-specific topics like Fintech, EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech and other category-specific themes centered around youth and women.

The event will also feature emerging technologies discussion, pitching fest, business matching, investors’ roundtable, and exhibits from various stakeholders. To cap off the conference, a relaxing networking activity awaits the participants.

GOAB 2023 strengthens the DICT Startup Program, celebrates the positive impact of Republic Act 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act (ISA), and highlights the years-long work of the Department for the Philippine startup ecosystem.

This includes the Philippine Startup Challenge, now on its 8th iteration, which encourages senior high school and college students to create innovative ICT solutions that address social concerns.

“The Department has made the development of the country’s ICT ecosystems a priority by creating a portfolio for ICT Industry Development handled by Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue and by implementing several programs geared towards the nurturing of the country’s startup ecosystem, such as the Digital Startup Development and Acceleration Program,” Secretary Ivan John Uy said during the GOAB 2023 Press Launch.

Secretary Uy said that GOAB, along with other DICT initiatives, recognizes the Philippines' progressing startup ecosystem led by budding unicorns like Mynt, PayMongo, and Voyager Innovations. He considers these successful entities as proof of Filipino startups' considerable potential and investability.

As the countdown to the event begins, Secretary Uy invited participants to prepare for two unforgettable innovative days on the beach while strictly adhering to safety protocols. GOAB 2023 will also conduct pre-event workshops with longer and deeper discussions on specialized topics. These workshops will require a separate registration.

The first-ever GOAB was held in 2013 at one of the Philippines’ most beautiful beaches, Boracay. Organized by TechTalks.ph (now GeeksPH), in close coordination with the then-ICT Office (now DICT), the first GOAB was made possible through the support of various startup organizations and local government units.

Learn more about the exciting Geeks on A Beach by visiting https://www.geeksonabeach.com/.

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JobStreet warns job seekers to be vigilant against job scams

2023-06-23T23:58:00.004+08:00

Messaging apps and other social media platforms have become an alternative way for job seekers to find employment opportunities. However, along with convenience come certain challenges, such as job scams, deceit, and fraud.

To take further action against online job scams, the online job platform JobStreet by SEEK has rolled out #ProjectCombat, a regional educational campaign that directly tackles the important signs to look out for during your job search. The digital initiative aims to educate job seekers by equipping them with the essential knowledge needed to distinguish legitimate job ads from fake online job offers.

JobStreet recognizes that there has been a significant rise in baneful scam alerts that job seekers have been receiving particularly via messaging apps. Fraudsters have become more creative in their tactics, disseminating more sophisticated job ads with lucrative salary offers in order to lure applicants. These schemes result in phishing, identity theft, swindling, and more.

According to JobStreet, the top sign that a job listing is fake is when an applicant is being persuaded to send money to proceed with the application. Other common red flags of online job scams typically involve generic messages that don’t include the applicant’s identifiable information, vague offers by companies that you never applied for, and no company email address, website, or other information that can be cross-checked.

When in search of job opportunities, JobStreet encourages candidates to only look at credible job platforms as these provide verified job listings, company authentication, fraud detection, and other preventive measures to prevent fake job ads.

To be more mindful as more scammers are penetrating not only social media platforms but also messaging apps, take note that authorized professional hirers can easily address you by name, provide specific information that matches what you have provided during your application process, and send you a link that directs you to an accurate JobStreet job post.

If you think you’ve been scammed or being targeted by scammers, stop responding and remain vigilant. Immediately contact your local police station or any agency that issued your identity documents for advice.

“Our team’s mission doesn't just end in providing support and jobs to every Filipino, we also ensure security to give jobseekers the confidence to pursue their career aspirations without fear and hesitancy,” said Kim Viray, JobStreet Philippines Head of Marketing.

For guidelines and tips on making online job searches, visit this link: https://JobStreet-about.kinsta.seekasia.com/about-us/safe-job-search-guide/

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Be Summer-Ready: How to capture all the awesome moments with the new Samsung Galaxy A34 5G & A54 5G

2023-05-25T14:47:00.004+08:00

Are you getting ready for your most awesome summer yet? Aside from packing your bags, don't forget to pack your most awesome tool to capture those memories - your Galaxy A54 and A34 5G. With a smartphone like the new Galaxy A series device, it’s like bringing your creative studio anywhere, so you are always ready. To make it even more memorable, here are awesome ways you can capture your summer getaways:

Document your summer awesomeness this season

Seize the opportunity to record every moment, from packing your OOTDs to taking golden hour pictorials with your loved ones. With the awesome camera of the new Galaxy A series, you can take various shots and angles so you can express yourself more. Aside from capturing nature and taking selfies, you can also do personal vlogs to document your getaway with Galaxy A54 5G’s 50-megapixel OIS Main (F1.8) and A34 5G’s 48 megapixels OIS Main (F1.8). Even through videos, you can shoot vast scale views with the Ultrawide feature of the new A series (12MP Ultra-Wide (F2.2) for Galaxy A54 5G and 8MP Ultra-Wide (F2.2)).

Both Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G offer large memory storage of *+128GB and *+256GB along with a micro SD card slot that can accommodate a capacity of 1TB for microSD cards so you can snap more memories without having to worry about the storage space.

Uncover the awesomeness of your summer nights

Do you picture yourself at night on the seaside or on top of a mountain, having deep talks with your friends while munching marshmallow barbeque? The new Galaxy A34 and A54 5G can definitely keep up with you on this! With Samsung's latest Nightography feature, you can make the most out of your summer nightlife with its best-in-class low-light capacity.

Remaster your summer adventures to an awesome level

Express your every summer moment vibe even further with the Galaxy A series. With its latest One UI 5.1 new features like Photo remaster, you can enhance images by reducing blur and noise and increasing resolution with an AI-powered tool just like other third-party apps. Samsung also offers the Object Eraser, where you can remove objects or people in the background of your photos to make them more aesthetically pleasing. And if you feel like being extra, you can also personalize your selfies and wallpaper with stickers.

Plan awesome summer trips anywhere at anytime

Schedule and plan all your itineraries as well as your outfits for your summer getaways using the Galaxy A series. With the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor update for Galaxy A34 5G and Exynos 1380 for Galaxy A54 5G, the new lineup now provides an even better performance so you can check your destinations smoothly. You can also navigate and track your schedules conveniently with super-fast 5G-enabled connectivity.

Awesome durability splashes differently when summer heats

No need to summer-proof your smartphone, as the new Galaxy A series already does this job for you. The Samsung Galaxy A series comes with IP67, making the two models dust and water-resistant that can withstand up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes, so you don’t have to worry when you splash around at the beach! It also has a long battery life of up to 21 hours of playbacks and offers super-fast charging of 50% at only 30 minutes.

Grab the new Samsung Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G so you can be summer-ready! If you're seeking to trade in your old handset, you may save up to PHP 10,150. There are also excellent options like Home Credit's flexible payment plans and 0% Credit Card installment plans for the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G. And bundle offers with more Samsung products: save 50% on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Galaxy Buds2, and save 30% on the Galaxy Watch5 Series. Additionally, their smartphones still come with a Free Travel Adapter.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 and A34 5G is available through samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, and MemoXpress Online.

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com

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GCash FutureCast: 10 New Fintech Innovations For All Filipinos (GCrypto, GStocks PH,..etc.)

2023-04-07T15:42:00.004+08:00

GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App with over 79 million users who enjoy fast, safe, and convenient transactions online. Based on Data.ai, a reputable 3rd party platform, GCash is the #1 Finance Super App in the country with the most downloads, the highest Monthly Active Users, and even the highest Daily Active Users, as GCash is now part of their daily routines.

First launched as an SMS platform in 2005 and later as a super app in 2012, GCash was the first to introduce the QR payment system in the country. It supported the digital migration of Filipinos during the pandemic, and now that the world has reopened, it expands its services to suit the changing needs of Filipinos in a global digital financial landscape.

At this year’s #GCashFutureCast event, GCash ushered in the future of Fintech through 10 ground-breaking innovations for every Filipino.

Tools for financial freedom

GCash has made wealth management products like savings, insurance, and investments easy and accessible. Now it introduces products to help people grow their wealth and to help them protect it.

GStocks PH is AB Capital Securities, Inc.'s (ABCSI) online retail securities trading services made accessible through the GCash app. Its user-friendly and simplified trading interface was designed through collaboration with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Through GStocks PH, users can now trade stocks of over 280 local companies. GStocks PH will be available to more users soon.

GCrypto allows users to discover and explore the world of Crypto and NFTs. Users get access to curated NFT collections, like The House of OhLala by Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera, on the GCrypto NFT Hub. Buying and selling Crypto is also made easier with an exchange powered by PDAX, the Philippines’ leading homegrown cryptocurrency exchange.

GInsure Online Shopping Protect insurance offers users 60 days of coverage up to Php20,000 for all their online purchases for just Php34. The insurance covers scenarios when orders are not delivered, are accidentally damaged, are not as described, or are stolen. The insurance product, powered by Chubb, is embedded in the user’s online GCash payment journey across 1,500 online shops and platforms.

GCash goes global

Traveling Filipinos can now go cashless globally using GCash’s newest services. For overseas Filipinos, they can now use GCash to send money and support to their family back home.

GCash Global Pay allows Filipino travelers to do cross-border QR payments at Alipay+ merchants in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. This eliminates the hassle of paying with cash, or withdrawing money at ATMs where you can incur high service fees. It offers real-time Forex charging, with no service fees.

GCash Card gives travelers the advantage of real time Forex charging at low exchange rates and no service fees. With this, users can access their funds in a single tap at over 100 million shops across 200 countries and territories around the world through VISA’s expansive network.. This enables travelers to enjoy hassle-free shopping and dining experiences wherever they may be. The new GCash card will be available later this year.

GCash Overseas allows overseas Filipinos in Japan, Australia, Italy and the USA to download GCash using international SIM cards. Now they can send money, buy load, and pay bills for their loved ones back home. They can enjoy the convenience of sending money for free with GCash to GCash transactions, saving them the cost of remittance fees. GCash also announced that it is now available in the UK and Canada. GCash Overseas is currently on Beta and is limited to a number of users, but will expand to more users soon.

Borrowing made easier

GGives supports Filipinos with the ability to buy now, pay later with zero credit cards, zero additional documents, zero down payment, and now with zero interest at select merchants. GCash users are now free from the barriers normally associated with installment plans, for both in-store or online purchases.

Borrow Load will allow eligible users to borrow their favorite load promos today at zero cash out, giving them access to their preferred entertainment – even if they’re short on budget. They can now afford to access data-heavy apps with load promos valid for up to 7 days. Borrow Load will be rolling out to more users soon.

Improved security and user experience

GCash has taken steps to make transactions safer and more seamless through two new features:

GChat is a new, user-friendly messenger feature that makes it easier to chat and transact with contacts, share receipts instantly, and trace transaction histories. The feature makes it easier to search for conversations with friends, merchants or customers, while the Gigi and Advisories features allow users to get help anytime in real-time. GChat will be rolling out to users in the next few months.

DoubleSafe is the latest GCash security feature that prevents fraudsters from taking over accounts. It provides an additional layer of security on top of the 2-Factor Authentication and mobile pin (MPIN). DoubleSafe will be activated for every first login to a new mobile phone, and will use facial recognition to secure an account should the user inadvertently share their MPIN and OTP to fraudsters.

At the FutureCast event, GCash CEO Martha Sazon said, “GCash has empowered and enabled every Filipino to remain hopeful and pursue progress. As the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and the first finance app to be a household name in the country, GCash is positioned to be everyone’s enabler to be future-ready. With the 10 new innovations at GCash, our hopes for a better tomorrow begins today.”

About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Finance App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, 79M registered users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 5.2M 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 is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines. GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) and by the IDC in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs.

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JobStreet advocates for Fair Hiring to eliminate exploitative recruitment practices

2023-03-31T23:55:00.000+08:00

Leading online job portal JobStreet intends to enhance its commitment to eradicating unfair hiring practices by cracking down on the exploitation of Filipino workers across the nation. Its parent company, SEEK, is focused on Fair Hiring with the intention to improve working lives by putting an end to exploitative recruitment and modern slavery. This initiative advances as modern slavery continues to rise significantly.

The Philippines faces its own unique risks, according to the 2022 Trafficking in Person Report: Philippines by the US Department of State. The report showed that the local government recorded 1,802 victims, in which traffickers exploited 535 in sex trafficking, 501 in forced labor, and 766 in unspecified exploitations.

Moreover, Filipino workers are disproportionately at risk of falling victim to exploitative recruitment practices due to the export of approximately a quarter of workers to work overseas. The hidden nature of domestic work set within private spheres of employers’ households and the informality of arrangements typically practiced enable the exploitation of vulnerable OFWs and in some cases, forced labor and trafficking.

According to Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) it is estimated that in 2023, 1.5 million Filipinos are expected to enter the labor force, which is more than double the 600,000 before the pandemic.

In response to the high volume of jobseekers, JobStreet has continued its ongoing endeavor to develop the platform to best meet the needs of those helping to be employed through well-suited career opportunities and valuable support including the vetting of safe recruitment. One of the first steps JobStreet has taken to implement safer practices was the hiring of Scott Stiles, Special Advisor of Fair Hiring in Asia.

As far as what Fair Hiring means to JobStreet, Stiles explains that “Recruitment is one of the high-risk activities that can lead to modern slavery, therefore the purpose of the Fair Hiring Program is to improve working lives by eliminating exploitative recruitment.”

For years, JobStreet has had teams focused on spotting concerning job advertisements thus making the company one of the most trusted employment marketplaces within most markets.

Led by Stiles, JobStreet along with parent company SEEK, enacts these processes top-down with the understanding that it needs to “walk the walk’ for itself, thus prompting the rolling out of companywide discussions for customer-facing staff in order to make sure that everyone at the company feels the importance of its purpose and it engaged in keeping the platforms safe.

Trusted by around 30,000 employers in the Philippines and more than 12 million candidates, the platform’s commitment is also demonstrated through its dedicated online security team which regularly surveys the site for evidence of suspicious job ads and advertisers so that they can be removed immediately. The platform’s Terms and Conditions act as a means to ensure that all job ads on the site are for legitimate job opportunities.

Furthermore, JobStreet continuously educates the workforce on spotting potential job scams and actively screens exploitative recruitment schemes.

As far as the role that JobStreet can play in advancing Fair Hiring, Stiles explains,“ most forced labor situations start with recruitment, whether it happens through a recruiter, family member, or on social media. Connecting people to safe jobs is the best way to eliminate situations of forced labor and modern slavery. JobStreet has teams dedicated to ensuring JobStreet is the most trusted platform for candidates and hirers.”

Stiles believes that the platform should serve both employers and candidates which is reflected in its approach to screening for potential partners. “Many companies claim a social purpose. But truly impactful companies align their social purpose with the core competencies of the business. The ones that are most successful can do this in such a way that benefits their clients, employees, and ultimately shareholders—making our marketplaces safe benefits candidates and hirers alike,” says Stiles.

JobStreet’s vision has always been to connect businesses with talent and improve lives through better careers. By leveraging world-class products to match talented job seekers with reputable employers across South East Asia, both parties can expect efficient and safe matching on the platform.

To find safer recruitment opportunities in 2023, visit https://www.jobstreet.com.ph/career-resources/.

About JobStreet by SEEK

JobStreet is the leading employment platform in Southeast Asia, helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and helping organizations succeed. It is a subsidiary of SEEK, a diverse group of companies comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and has a strong presence across the APAC region, including six Asian markets – Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand – through the JobStreet and JobsDB brands. SEEK attracts over 500 million visits a year in Asia.

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New Co-Living Venture "The Pad" by Cebu Landmasters (CLI)

2023-03-30T18:56:00.005+08:00

Located within Banilad High Street, a 7,500 sqm mixed-use property along Banilad Road in Cebu, The Pad Co-Living is CLI’s first co-living space built for students and young professionals looking for a communal space and flexible housing option right at the heart of the bustling city. The two-tower development features 256-room accommodation available for long-term dormitory stays and hostel bookings of up to 440 persons.

The Pad Co-Living highlights a flexible room arrangement for single, double, or multi-sharing occupancy for up to 4 people. Its fully furnished rooms, curated amenities, and soon-to-open retail outlets are purposely built to provide those who are looking for shared living spaces together with people who have similar values, passion, stories, and ambitions.

Designed to complement the lifestyle of a young hardworking Cebuanos, each 15 sqm unit at The Pad Co-Living is complete with a bed with mattress, an ensuite toilet and bath, work desk and chair, a closet, and air-conditioning.

The Pad Co-Living’s five-story building is also adorned with an in-house roof deck lounge, a shared cooking area, 24/7 security, and free wifi access ideal for those with remote work. Adjacent to the building is a rooftop restaurant and swimming pool for hostel guests.

Its strategic location along Banilad Road, Cebu City provides nearby access to central business districts, and commercial and retail establishments and is structured along a national road, making it an easy walk or travel for future residents.

The property is a walk away from Cebu IT Park—a hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms, and a ride away from top educational institutions.

The Pad Co-Living highlights a flexible room arrangement for single, double or multi-sharing occupancy. Its fully furnished rooms, curated amenities, soon-to-open retail outlets, and additional storage spaces are purposely built to provide all a young professional needs in a home in the city.

CLI chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III said: “We’re happy to unveil our first venture into co-living. The Pad will provide a secure transient home to young professionals like IT-BPO workers and students seeking well-located, affordable housing that they will be proud of."

Cebu Landmasters has a total portfolio of 10 properties under CLI Hotels and Resorts.

EARLY BIRD PROMO

The Pad Co-Living is offering a limited promo and special discounts of up to 10% for early reservations made until June 2023, with a minimum of 3 months stay. Be the first to avail of this limited offer by visiting The Pad Co-Living’s official website at www.thepadcoliving.com or get the latest updates through its official Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ThePadCoLiving

The Pad Co-Living is developed by Cebu Landmasters, Inc., and will be managed and operated by its hotel arm, CLI Hotels and Resorts. For bookings and inquiries, you can email thepadcoliving@cebulandmasters.com or send a message through their social media pages.

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Samsung Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G: Awesome Experiences for All

2023-03-16T23:47:00.007+08:00

Samsung Electronics today unveiled the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G, two innovative smartphones that advance Samsung Galaxy’s commitment to designing awesome mobile experiences. These new additions to the popular Galaxy A series will help users shoot steady and crisp videos, see clearly even in bright conditions, and do more of the things they love with a battery life that lasts more than two days.

“Cutting-edge mobile experiences are increasingly essential to everyday life,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “With continuous enhancements to the Galaxy A series, we’re ensuring that more people around the world can access our transformative innovations.”

Take Awesome Day and Night Photographs, Enhanced with Creative Editing Tools

The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G deliver stunning images with clear quality even in bright conditions, making use of Samsung Galaxy’s leading Nightography and AI capabilities. Whether users want to capture the perfect selfie or connect through super-smooth video calls, the Galaxy A54 offers astonishing detail thanks to its 32MP front camera.

The new smartphones produce video with amazing clarity, combatting shakiness and blur with improved optical image stabilization (OIS) and video digital image stabilization (VDIS). Even with unsteady hands or when filming on the go, users can be confident about capturing awesome content. For adventures after dark and in low light conditions, Night mode helps users to capture more detail by broadening the camera’s pixel size.

Users can also now remove unwanted shadows and reflections for the first time in Galaxy A series, thanks to the enhanced editing tools.

Experience Awesome Performance with Vivid Display, Fast 5G and Long-Lasting Battery

Both devices feature immersive Super AMOLED displays, measuring 6.4-inch on the Galaxy A54 5G and 6.6-inch on the Galaxy A34 5G. Both displays have been upgraded for astounding outdoor visibility, even under bright sunlight. With the enhanced Vision Booster and a 120Hz refresh rate, the displays will keep up with users as they move between different lighting conditions.

Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G also guarantee up to four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. These features allow users to access the latest software and security to maximize the smartphone lifecycle.

Stay Connected Without Compromising Security

Enhanced mobile experiences rely on advanced security. With Samsung Knox, data is kept under lock and key with defense-grade mobile security. The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G give users access to the Security and Privacy Dashboard, which makes it easy to see how apps are tracking data and enables simple ways to stop unwanted data collection. When users want to share important files that contain sensitive or personal information with the ultimate level of privacy and control, there’s Private Share. This enables users to share files only to designated recipients within time limits and with screenshots disabled.

The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G are also compatible with the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem to provide seamless connectivity between devices. Users can get 100GB of cloud storage and easily back up photos to OneDrive with a six month trial of Microsoft 365 Basic, accessible on the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G.

Availability

The Galaxy A54 5G starts at Php24,990 and will be available in three awesome colors — Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite, with the Awesome Violet as an exclusive online offer. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A34 5G starts at Php19,990 and will be available in two color options upon pre-order, including Awesome Violet, Awesome Graphite. The Galaxy A34 5G’s Awesome Lime’s color variant will be coming soon as an exclusive online offer.

From March 15 until March 30, customers who will pre-order the Galaxy A54 or A34 5G will enjoy Php2,949 worth of savings, including a FREE Travel Adapter and a FREE Storage Upgrade. They will instantly get the higher memory variant for the price of the lower variant within the same model line-up. Those who will trade in their old devices can also enjoy savings of up to Php10,150. In addition, they will get a 50% discount on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series.

The Galaxy A54 and A34 5G are available for pre-order through samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, and MemoXpress Online.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, memory, System LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.

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100 Proven Social Media Content Ideas for 2023

2023-02-23T00:38:00.000+08:00

Are you struggling to come up with fresh and engaging content for your social media platforms? Creating top-notch content requires a lot of work and dedication, but with this guide and together with consistent effort comes great reward.

Now look no further! We've compiled a list of 100 killer content ideas to help take your social media game to the next level. These can be in any form you like. An image, video, article, audio or any combination of these media.

1. Behind-the-scenes: Take candid photos or videos of yourself, your employees, or snap a shot of your office or workspace.

2. Post a link to an old blog post: There’s nothing wrong with recycling, and updating old posts will gain new engagement, extending their life. Consider making it evergreen too.

3. Post a branded image: Post a funny or inspirational image with your logo or website URL on it.

4. Link to a case study: Case studies are great for delivering useful info in a way that’s often more palatable and actionable than a standard blog post.

5. Ask for & share reviews or testimonials: Eliciting reviews from fans or followers is one of the best ways to get testimonials you can use as social proof on your website.

6. Recommend a tool (or a list of it): Share a (preferably free) tool or resource you think your followers would find useful.

7. Share a favorite book: Share a book or a book list recommendation your fans or followers would appreciate.

8. Share a comic or meme: Getting your customers to laugh with you is a great way to start building relationships.

9. Share breaking industry news: Stay on stop of what’s going on in your industry or niche.

10. Offer a free resource: Build your email list while generating some goodwill with your fans. This could be an infographic, mind-map, e-book, presentation or the like.

11. Latest company news: Anything changing in your business? New employee? New hours of operation? New product offering?

12. Share pictures from a recent industry event: It can be an event your company organized or something your team attended. Don’t forget to use the event hashtag for maximum exposure.

13. Offer expert insights into a topic: This helps establish you as a thought leader in your field.

14. Answer an FAQ: Have a question you get asked a lot? Answer it on social media via text or video.

15. Ask your fans for content ideas: Find out which issues or problems your fans need help with.

16. Benchmark the competition: Find out what your competitors are sharing, and do it better.

17. Post a valuable social media conversation/thread: Could be from LinkedIn, or Twitter in the form of an image, PDF or even a video. Make sure to credit the source.

18. Share your awards or achievements: This will not only motivate your existing customers to engage more but also make new, potential fans to try out your services.

19. Product videos: Got a product/service? What’s a better way to tell your customers about it than a nice video? Get one now and share it with your customers.

20. Start your podcast: Give your fans more ways to absorb your content. Start your own podcast covering topics that your audience wants to know about.

21. Post a job opportunity: Planning to expand your team? Let your fans/customers know and help by getting the word out there.

22. This Day in History: Find out an interesting thing that happened on this particular day in history and share it with your followers on social media. Perhaps something related to your industry or something else.

23. Going Live: With platforms like YouTube and Facebook Live, it is now easier than ever to interact with your audience in real-time and face to face.

24. Show the people behind your brand: Never miss the opportunity to show the human side of your brand by showing the faces of actual people who work for you.

25. YouTube videos: Share inspirational or your brand-related videos from YouTube.

26. How-to tutorials: For a product that needs some explaining in order to be used, create and share how-to tutorials or videos with your audience.

27. Organize an instant sale or giveaway: Post a limited-time offer or coupon with conditions

28. Share useful tools: Unfortunately, we live in a world where people don’t know how to use a lot of essential tools. Fix that. Share products, books, youtube videos, you are obsessed with. Put together an e-book or video that shares the online tools you love to use and why they are so helpful.

29. Share your wisdom: One piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs; new graduates or career shifters.

30. Progress reflections: How have you evolved as a person? How has your business evolved? Or it could be a simple “how it started, how it is going” presentation.

31. Be a content curator: Follow other influencers/bloggers/businesses and share their best content

32. Origin story: Share a story of your career journey and how you started your business

33. Experience sharing: Share a time when a customer taught you a lesson

34. Story time: Tell the story of your biggest 'aha' moment in business; story about how you handled something at work or in life.

35. Post a round up: A list of must-read articles or trends in your industry for the past week/month

36. Infographic or statistics: Share an interesting or shocking statistic regarding your industry

37. Event sponsorship: Share an event your company is sponsoring or speaking at.

38. Predictions: for the future of your industry or another industry that may affect your market

39. An analysis: of the latest trends in consumer behavior

40. People to follow: A list of the top influencers or thought leaders to follow in your industry

41. Create a content series: It could be a list of article features, or a series of interviews with successful professionals in your field

42. Podcasts to follow: A list of the top podcasts or online courses related to your field

43. Takeaways: A summary of the key takeaways from a recent industry event or conference.

44. Talk about mistakes: The mistakes in your personal life, career growth, business growth, friends. A bad story / discuss a list of failure or common mistakes.

45. Your impact: How you or your business is impacting your clients or community. This helps prospective customers understand what you are passionate about, which is sometimes a great differentiator in the market.

46. Host an A.M.A. (ask me anything): This is something celebrities do in the media but with social media, aren’t we all micro-celebrities already?

47. Post a seasonal content: It could be a holiday, a campaign (Black Friday) or the like.

48. Quote an expert/public figure: You can make a quote image or share your learning from that person. But in social media, you can now tag them. Who knows, they may share or reply to your post.

49. Share a self-care tip: People are always interested in taking care of themselves and how others do it.

50. Talk about the ONE failure: It could be in a previous role, in life or that one failure that still haunts you.

51. Share your BIGGEST regret: Vulnerability can go a long way. This showcases your character development.

52. Ask people to sign up for your email list: and tell them WHY they should.

53. Give a shoutout: To a thought leader, public figure, employee, colleague, client or even friends and family.

54. Ask a question: Here are some things you can ask about to start. Ask about your audience how they found you. Post a fact or fiction question about your industry. Request for some feedback. Verify what sort of content they want to see more of.

55. Do a comparison post: This could be a before and after, this or that, how it started vs. how it is going or something relevant to culture or trends.

56. Share your wins: It could be a sale, your learning journey, career shift, goal achieved or the like milestones. No matter what the actual reason is, your community would love it if you celebrated along with them.

57. Horror stories: Stories about your worst customers, employees, colleagues, managers, vendors and what you learned from it.

58. Share your routines: Your exercise, pre-work or post-work, morning, and your evening routines.

59. A day in the life: What your workday looks like. Everything from the tedious things to more exciting activities.This will help your customers understand what it’s really like to be a small business owner.

60. Your Why: What keeps you going? You can share what’s most important to you in your personal life or the mission behind your small business. This helps your customers understand what you are most passionate about and what drives you.

61. Meet The Team: It’s nice for your customers to get to know you as well as the team that helps your small business stay afloat. Can your team members each do a video to introduce themselves? Or are you a family-run business? Let your customers get to know the people behind your business.

62. About Your Business Name: Share how you came up with your business name! Most of your customers might not know the meaning of your company’s name. Share the story of how you came up with the name and what it means.

63. Start-to-Finish Timelapse: It can be fun to watch something at high speed to see the entire process for how something is made from beginning to end. Show off anything you want in a high-speed timelapse: a day in your life, how you create your products or even how you decorate your front desk.

64. The Best Sellers: Show off your best-selling products or services! Highlight one or two of your products that are most popular and explain why people love it. This would be a great video to post when you’ve recently re-stocked some of your best sellers.

65. What You Wish You Knew: Another high-quality type of video content a small business can share on social media is something they’ve learned or wished they had known sooner in their journey as a small business owner.

66. Show Processes: There are probably plenty of things you do everyday in your small business that you could show your customers a behind-the-scenes look while sharing tips for your fellow business owners.

67. Something Satisfying: Who doesn’t love when a super satisfying video pops up in their feed? For example, if you are a baker can you share a video of a perfectly iced cake? Or if you are a chiropractor can you share a super satisfying back crack?

68. Things That Just Make Sense: You might have seen the TikTok trend where people share things in their home that ‘just make sense’. A fun spin on this for small business owners is to share things in your business that make sense and help you run your business more smoothly.

69. Shout-Out to Other Small Businesses: As a small business owner you know how important it is to support small businesses and how much it means to you when someone shows you support. Why not share the love? Give a shout-out to some of your personal favorite small businesses.

70. Create News-Based Videos: Share your thoughts on the most recent events, discuss the week's top news articles, make an event timeline, or conduct interviews to find out how others felt about significant happenings.

71. Company Culture: A video highlighting company culture tells the audience what your business' goals are, its values, and why it exists. These videos are relatable to the audience and grab the attention of a potential job seeker. It also gives the audience a sneak peek into the atmosphere of a company.

72. Reaction Videos: As the name suggests, you’re reacting to content like a movie trailer, music videos, TV episodes, and more. These videos also help you with improved engagement and relatability.

73. Tech Unboxing: This could be new equipment or technology you got for your business. These videos usually involve the opening of packages for the first time.

74. Virtual Tour Video: Utilize this well-liked video format to give audiences a look behind the curtain. For example, you can display your room, house, workplace, neighborhood, or favorite location.

75. Bust Some Myths: Do you have proof that a widely held assumption is untrue? Then, dispel the myth and explain why it is inaccurate. Conveying information is about making people feel like they've learned something new, and these videos are frequently watched and well-liked.

76. Book Review: The experience of reading books is comparable to traveling. Additionally, each journey takes time and effort. Therefore, if you enjoy reading a lot, utilize your knowledge to assist others in selecting the best trip.

77. Talk about New Inventions: Every day, something new is created. Be among the first to use and share videos about the latest device or gadget.

78. Trying things for the first time: Film yourself or your friends or family or colleagues trying out things for the first time in life. This is popular for lifestyle influencers and food creators but equally so for business owners.

79. Challenge Videos: From the ice bucket challenge to the cinnamon challenge, these videos can sometimes manage to capture public attention on a phenomenal scale. Research on the latest trend and make your own challenge video and add a twist to it. Often challenge videos that go wrong are the most popular but don’t purposely sabotage your efforts. A fake fail is not nearly as hilarious as the real thing.

80. Analysis of Scenes: This could be a TV show, movie or a revered classic scene that you can do an analysis, breakdown or reaction on. Some examples of sales, business or finance related scenes can be found on the following: The Big Short, Wolf of Wall Street, Margin Call just to name a few. Sometimes people miss things on first viewing and you can be the one that fills in the gaps for them or share a different interpretation of that scene.

81. Tip of the day: This could be planned or scheduled with assigned days such as #MotivationMonday, #TuesdayVibes, #WednesdayWisdom, #TBT – Throwback Thursday, #TGIF & #SaturdayMorning.

82. Share your favorites: You can start with this list of your favorites - YouTube channel, online course, tool or resource, product or service, influencer, and guilty pleasure.

83. Expectation vs reality: People will always have some weird misconceptions about a particular job, career or even industry. Share the most common myths about what you do and share the reality of it all.

84. Polls: This one is underrated. You can use this as a verification or research tool. You can also hold a poll on a topic from your industry and see/share the results of it.

85. Other people’s content: This one is a no-brainer but also consider adding your thoughts into the conversation. This could be an image, article or another person's video that forwards awareness of your industry.

86. Appreciation post: Give a shout-out to your employee, partner, mentor or adviser who has been there for you in the good times (and bad). The medium can be text, audio or video.

87. Team takeover: To switch things up, consider letting your staff take over your company page for one week. Do also set parameters when implementing this. ;)

88. Review Something: Take a product or show or episode or movie or something and review it. People like hearing what other people think about things, especially if they’re on the fence about buying or seeing something.

89. Show Off a Collection: Collect bottlecaps, baseball cards or vintage postal stamps? Showing off a collection of items you hold near and dear can make a good impression on your viewers.

90. Parody Another Video: Saw a video or person that resonated with you? Might as well make fun of it.

91. Talk About Philosophical Concepts: Why are you here? Does life have meaning? Why are we here? Why are you reading this? This 100 content ideas list can’t answer those questions, but maybe you can!

92. Skills teaching videos: If you’re good at painting, teach them how to paint. If you are good at a particular music instrument, teach them how to play that instrument. If you are good at design, selling, and so on and so forth, you can definitely not just make one video of it but even a series.

93. Completing the bucket list of videos: These types of videos get more interesting with the types of wishes you have. You can start with your smallest of wishes and make a series of videos as you move towards the biggest of them. This could be you trying an exotic food or extreme sport/activity.

94. Compilation video ideas: Compilation videos are one of the most popular and highly viewed video types that require almost zero video production work. All you have to do is find the right content and present it enjoyably.

95. Reviewing your year: It is kind of like a YouTube rewind of your video/image content. It can showcase the many popular videos you have published throughout the year or your ‘Best’ video list of sorts.

96. Cheat Sheets and Hacks: Share hints, tips, and hacks with your audience to help them get the most out of their time. This could be a content series as well.

97. Bloopers: Bloopers from your shot are a great way to show your audience the authentic, unfiltered side of you while also creating a humorous film.

98. Mashups or montage: A video mashup creates a new video from several unconnected segments. You could showcase clips from your top podcasts or Q&A videos as an example.

99. Say Thank You: And last but not least, don’t forget to say thank you to all of your customers, friends, family and local community members who help support your small business.

100. Repurpose existing content: You can take a tweet and make that into a video. Or quote a podcast episode where you said something awesome and turn that into a tweet or short-form video. It could be a vertical video or even an audiogram. It can even be turned into an image. It is up to you!

These proven 100 content ideas are only the beginning. From top ten lists to comprehensive guides, you’ll be able to come up with something that will captivate your audience and help you stand out from the competition.

Remember to mix it up and keep your audience interested. Don’t forget to consider your target audience, set clear goals, and track and analyze your efforts to ensure the best possible results.

So go ahead, get creative and happy creating!

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Lalamove offers trusted same-day delivery solution for SMEs in Cebu

2023-02-15T19:31:00.002+08:00

With Cebu’s market reverting back to its ways pre-pandemic, the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the island are now dealing with a high demand for fast delivery for their customers’ orders, especially consumers now are finding a reliable service provider and access to transparent pricing.

As a go-to reliable logistics partner with its affordable same-day truck delivery service, Lalamove helps business owners to track and monitor the delivery process. SMEs can enjoy making cost management free of any hassles or surprises. Learn more from these Cebuano business owners about how Lalamove helps them deal with rush and bulk delivery orders.

Fresh products delivered fresh to consumers

Offering premium and exotic fruits in Cebu, Prutasan ni Adan’s top priority is to give clients the freshest quality fruits. Having both walk-in and online customers, they tapped Lalamove to assist them in delivering their products to their wide variety of clientele, such as hotel and restaurant owners, corporate clients, professionals, and fruit lovers across the island using Lalamove’s 4-wheel delivery vehicles and small trucks.

According to Bobby Adan, owner of Prutasan ni Adan, it’s actually their third year working with Lalamove, adding, “Knowing that Lalamove is the best in their field, we were able to maximize our reach and accept more customers across Cebu.”

Businesses reach more markets

Cookies N’ Dreams and Souffle Cakes and Chocolate Art are growing baked goods businesses offering a variety of delectable pastries in Cebu. As growing brands in the province, they cater to various events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and more.

“Lalamove has been very efficient. It has passed the test of delivering its services even on busy periods, especially during February and December when our baked products are in high demand,” shared Jeremy Arboleda, owner of Cookies N’ Dreams.

Adding variation to their intricately designed cakes, Souffle Cakes and Chocolate Art also offer food trays and lechon belly packages that are great for small to big celebrations. Owners Nancy Concha and her husband Chef Marvin Concha remarked that aside from Lalamove’s motorcycles being well-suited for their cake deliveries because of their insulated bags, Lalamove's small trucks and sedans have been their reliable delivery vehicles in bringing their products straight to the customers’ events, be it birthdays, parties, weddings, and more.

“Lalamove has been our lifesaver, especially during peak season. With the help of their Sales Team, they can assign drivers for corporate clients like us ahead of time which makes it very convenient,” Nancy Concha added.

Meanwhile, Didang’s Delicious Masareal, a popular souvenir delicacy in Cebu, is able to maintain its good quality product that many generations enjoy through the help of Lalamove’s wide fleet of vehicles. With small or big trucks, the on-demand delivery platform can meet the demands of delivering Masareal to its patrons.

“Lalamove is steadfast in ensuring reliable and affordable same-day delivery service to all its patrons anywhere in Cebu. As the Expert in Affordelivery, Lalamove has an available vehicle that is suitable for every business’s delivery requirements,” said Nelson Judaya, City Manager of Lalamove Cebu.

Reaching more customers and making bigger deliveries for entrepreneurs in Cebu – and even across Luzon – is made possible with Lalamove’s same-day truck delivery. In just a few taps, Cebuano SMEs can book small trucks (1,000 kg) and medium trucks (2,000 kg).

Need bulk delivery for your business? Learn more about Lalamove’s same-day truck delivery by visiting www.lalamove.com/en-ph/ and download the Lalamove app. Explore more business solutions and other exclusive corporate client benefits by having a Lalamove Corporate Account.

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How GCash became our life saver during challenging times

2023-02-14T12:26:00.003+08:00

The pandemic has brought about many challenges, but it has also given rise to innovative solutions that make our daily lives easier. With the lockdown in place, many people were unable to go out and shop like they used to. But for those who were able to adapt, GCash proved to be a lifesaver.

In 2020, my sister got laid off and I was working on a project-based basis and our household finances was very unstable. How bad was it? We even sold our Toyota Revo car during that time. We also got some 'Ayuda' from the government but also from our extended family members (My mother is the eldest of 9). And moving money was very much convenient with GCash.

This is especially useful for those who are unable to leave their homes or who are concerned about exposure to the virus. Food delivery became the norm compared to eating out and the same is true with online shopping. With GCash, you no longer have to worry about carrying cash around or exposing yourself to unnecessary risk. It’s a safe, secure, and convenient way to manage your finances during those trying times.

We got stabilized by 2021 and that's the time my sister also got a job and was now shopping online like crazy. I too spent some money online to celebrate and splurged to have survived the so-called global pandemic.

Of course, reality will always punch you in the face. The situation repeated itself when 'Bagyong Odette' suddenly surged into a Category 5 storm in a few hours and hit Cebu hard. We did not have electricity for one and half months and all sorts of life's necessities were hit (banking, power, food, water).

@iggygo Me vs Typhoon Odette (Rai) | Saving our roof #Odette #odetteph #typhoonodette #typhoonrai ♬ original sound - Iggy Go

People had money, they just could not access it. Long lines were common. From water pumping, fuel stations, and groceries, to even ATMs!! When signal came back, people started sharing information and one of the alternative ways to move money was through GCash. This is so since the banks were closed and the ATMs were intermittent due to limited electricity and signal (depending on the area).

Once again, GCash to the rescue! Enabled me and my sister to access money so we could go to Cebu city to work on a co-working space, for her to be able to do online interviews that were already scheduled, and for me to work online once again.

I can write more about this but here's a video that myself, my cousin and my sister recorded sharing our GCash story just like the recent publishing of #GCashStories!!

I am also hearing that there will be more features in GCash for loans and investments. I am very excited for this to turn my GCash interface into a one-stop shop for not only insurance, loans, and savings but also for investments (in the stock market) as well!

In conclusion, GCash has been a lifesaver for me as a middle-class Filipino during the pandemic. Its user-friendly interface, safe and secure transactions, and various rewards and discounts make it a convenient and innovative solution for managing our finances.

GCash has absolutely changed the way we work, live, and play! If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend that you do. It will make your life easier during day-to-day and as well as challenging times.

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Globe warns vs online offers for SIM registration assistance

2023-02-11T11:24:00.001+08:00

Globe cautions its customers against offers of SIM registration assistance online and advises them not to share personal information to protect their data security and privacy. There are already reports of individuals taking advantage of the SIM registration requirement.

They offer their services through social media either for free or for a fee and request the name, photo, valid ID, birthday, cell phone number, and address of SIM users. Such personal information, when in the wrong hands, may be used to impersonate their owners, access their accounts, steal money or other fraudulent activities. Identity thieves may also open accounts in another person’s name, run up debt, or commit crimes, causing damaged reputation and financial problems.

"We want to remind our customers to be wary of these types of offers and to only use official channels for their SIM registration," said Irish Salandanan-Almeida, Globe Chief Privacy Officer. "Your personal information is valuable and we urge you to protect it from those who may want to use it for unlawful purposes."

Instead of seeking help from unknown individuals, customers may register their SIMs for free at https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg.

Registration through the GlobeOne app will also start later this February 2023. They may also ask a trusted family member or friend for assistance. Globe will also have assisted registration sites for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and users of basic or feature phones.

The list of Globe’s registration sites will be announced through our official websites in the coming weeks. There are 87.9 million SIMs under the Globe network. So far, over 7 million have registered.

To make the SIM registration process accessible and convenient for all, the company is offering multiple channels for registration. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these options and complete their SIM registration before the deadline on April 26, 2023 to avoid the risk of SIM deactivation.

The SIM Registration Act, which requires mobile phone users in the Philippines to register their SIMs with their service providers, is being implemented to address the growing problem of fraudulent activities enabled by anonymous SIM use.

Register for free in a few easy steps on Globe’s official portal. To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

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Galaxy S23 Series: Premium Experience Today and Beyond

2023-02-06T18:41:00.000+08:00

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. recently unveiled the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23, marking a new era of Samsung Galaxy’s ultimate premium phone experience. Samsung Galaxy's epic camera gives users more freedom to explore their creativity, like capturing truly cinematic Nightography videos with transformative AI.

The Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy unleashes premium experiences, including groundbreaking AI, future-ready mobile gaming feature and powerfully sustained game play with the world’s fastest mobile graphics. On the Galaxy S23 Ultra, an embedded S Pen that many long-time Samsung Galaxy users know and love offers more possibilities for productivity, notetaking, hobbies and more. All the Galaxy S23 series’ new standard-setting innovations are housed within a striking design that advances the company’s sustainability commitment with more components made using recycled materials than any other Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

“The value of impactful technology is measured, not just by what it enables for people today, but also how it contributes to a better future,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.

“The entire Galaxy S series lineup is the new standard-bearer of trustworthy premium smartphone experiences. We’re on a mission to redefine peak performance by bringing together powerful, lasting innovations and sustainability."

Samsung Galaxy Camera w/ More Megapixels & Extensive Creative Controls, From Day to Night

Galaxy S23 Ultra makes it easier for any level of photographer to capture phenomenal content. It offers Samsung Galaxy’s most advanced camera system, tailored for nearly any lighting conditions and engineered to render incredible detail. Improved Nightography capabilities transform how the Galaxy S series optimizes photos and videos in a wide range of ambient conditions.

Filming a favorite song at a concert, snapping a selfie at the aquarium, or grabbing a group shot of friends at dinner — users can get sharper images and videos4. Visual noise that usually ruins low-light images is corrected by a new AI-powered image signal processing (ISP) algorithm that enhances object details and color tone.

In a Samsung Galaxy-first, Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a new 200MP Adaptive Pixel sensor that captures epic moments with incredible precision. It uses pixel binning to support multiple levels of high-resolution processing at once.5 And because selfie cameras are more important than ever to how we communicate today, the Galaxy S23 series introduces fast autofocus and our first Super HDR selfie camera, jumping from 30fps to 60fps, for noticeably better front-facing images and videos.

For users who want the ultimate creative control and customization, the Galaxy S23 series offers a suite of tools that differentiate any photography experience – from the Expert RAW app that enables DSLR-style image shooting and editing, Multiple exposures photo art, to Astrophoto settings that can capture a clear view of the Milky Way On Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23, the iconic Samsung Galaxy camera also gets an upgraded look. The contour housing has been removed, marking a new era of essential Galaxy design that makes the entire series stand out.

Premium Performance Makes Way for the Future of Mobile Gaming

For creators and gamers alike, the desire to push limits and constantly reimagine what’s possible requires technology that outpaces expectations. Together, Samsung and Qualcomm optimized the Samsung Galaxy experience with the brand new “Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy”, the most powerful and efficient platform ever in a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and the fastest12 Snapdragon available today. Meanwhile, on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, a 5000mAh battery13 powers a larger camera than Galaxy S22 Ultra without increasing the device’s size.

In anticipation of the future of ultimate digital realism, Galaxy S23 Ultra comes ready to support real-time ray tracing as it comes to the mobile gaming mainstream. Users will be able to see noticeably more lifelike renderings of scenes, thanks to technology that simulates and tracks every ray of light. Plus, Samsung Galaxy’s vapor chamber, now bigger19 and on every Galaxy S23 series model, keeps your gaming marathon going.

Designed with the Planet in Mind

The Galaxy S23 series raises the bar for premium technology that can enrich people’s lives and help contribute to a healthier planet. Since the Galaxy S22 series, Samsung Galaxy increases its use of recycled materials from six internal components in Galaxy S22 Ultra to 12 internal and external components in Galaxy S23 Ultra. Galaxy S23 series also has a wider variety of recycled materials than any other Galaxy smartphone, including pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass and post-consumer recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, PET bottles, and water barrels. The new S series is the first to market Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2, offering durability for long-term use and consisting of an average of 22 percent pre-consumer recycled content25. Plus, every Galaxy S23 smartphone comes in a redesigned packaging box that applied paper made with 100 percent recycled paper.

User-Friendly Security and Privacy Enable a Transparent Experience without Compromise

Secure and private experiences are the foundation of the Galaxy S23 series. Every smartphone comes with Samsung's end-to-end Samsung Knox protection, which has received more government and industry certifications than any other mobile device, platform, or solution on the market.

The Security and Privacy Dashboard on Samsung Galaxy gives users full visibility over who has access to their data and how it’s being used. With just a glance, it’s easy to see if personal data is at risk and receive simple prompts to change settings for a more secure experience. Users can also decide exactly which applications and programs get access to their data and how it can be used.

More Freedom and Flexibility for Connected Lifestyles

At the core of the Samsung Galaxy S series’ premium experience is the uncompromising innovation of Samsung Galaxy Ultra. But the power and creative capabilities of Samsung Galaxy Ultra don’t stop at smartphones. With the brand new, first-ever Galaxy Book3 Ultra, and the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, users can now enjoy the ultimate Samsung Galaxy’s ecosystem.

Across every Galaxy S series model, connected experiences get added benefits. Samsung Multi Control29, which connects mouse and keyboard functionality between a Samsung Galaxy PC and tablet, now extends to Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 for the ultimate flexibility between devices. Plus, enhanced text usability makes it easy to copy and paste text, like URLs, from one device to another to pick up activity on another device.

Pricing and Availability

The Galaxy S23 series comes in four nature-inspired matte hues: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender32. The Galaxy S23 retails for PHP 53,990 for the 128GB variant and PHP 57,990 for the 256GB variant. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23+ starts at PHP 68,990 for 256GB variant, and PHP 76,990 for the 512GB variant. Lastly, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is available at PHP 81,990 and PHP 89,990 for the 256GB and 512GB variants respectively. A samsung.com-exclusive 1TB Galaxy S23 Ultra is also available at PHP 103,990.

From February 2 until February 23, 2023, customers who pre-order the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, or the Galaxy S23 Ultra through samsung.com will enjoy discounts of up to PHP 76,000, including a FREE Memory Upgrade worth up to PHP 8,000. They will instantly get the higher memory variant for the price of the lower variant within the same model lineup. Those who will trade-in their old devices can also enjoy savings of up to PHP 13,000 on top of their old phone’s residual value. In addition, they will get an e-voucher worth up to PHP 5,000, a 50% discount on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series. On top of this, they will also get a FREE 1-year Samsung Care+ coverage worth PHP 5,999, and earn double Samsung Rewards points.

As an exclusive samsung.com offer, the Galaxy S23 Ultra 1TB will be offered as part of a limited-edition Samsung Galaxy VIP bundle with total savings of PHP 38,000. The VIP bundle includes the 1TB Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Watch5 Pro 46mm, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Super Fast Wireless Duo Charger, Galaxy S23 Ultra Leather Cover, and 1-year Samsung Care+ coverage all for a discounted price of PHP 119,378.

The Galaxy S23 series is also available for pre-order through Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, and MemoXpress Online. Customers who pre-order through these channels from February 2 to 23, 2023 will enjoy as much as PHP 65,000 worth of discounts. This also includes the FREE Memory Upgrade, additional savings for traded-in devices, 50% off on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, memory, system LSI, foundry, and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com

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SSS launches WISP Plus: Worker’s Investment & Savings Program

2023-01-30T12:31:00.004+08:00

The Social Security System (SSS) introduces the Worker’s Investment and Savings Program (WISP) Plus, its newest retirement savings scheme for SSS members. In a statement, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino explained WISP Plus is a voluntary retirement savings program offered exclusively to SSS members in addition to its regular social security program.

“We have been spearheading the concept of work, save, invest, and prosper to our members. WISP Plus is a program both for saving and investing. It is an affordable and tax-free savings scheme which will allow our members to save by contributing to the program and invest because their money will generate earnings,” Regino said.

The SSS Chief further elaborated that WISP Plus serves as an additional layer of social security protection apart from the retirement benefits that they will receive from the regular SSS program until their retirement.

“For as low as Php500 per payment, SSS members can already contribute to the WISP Plus and pay their contribution anytime. We offer our members investment earnings based on rates higher than those provided by banks,” he added.

WISP Plus would cater to all SSS members, regardless of their membership type, declared monthly earnings, and last posted monthly salary credit (MSC). The current WISP is another provident fund program that is compulsory for SSS members who are contributing to the regular program under the MSC that exceeds Php20,000.

It was mandatorily implemented in January 2021 as part of the amendment in the SS Law last 2018. Interested SSS members could join WISP Plus by accepting the terms and conditions of the program using their My.SSS account. They can only apply for WISP Plus once, and membership in the program has no expiration.

Moreover, they should not have filed any final benefit claim, such as retirement or total disability benefits, to qualify for the program. Regino added that individuals who applied for their SS number online through the SSS website could easily enroll in the program after receiving their respective SS numbers.

At present, SSS is already implementing two voluntary provident fund programs---the Flexi-fund Program for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) residing overseas, and the Personal Equity and Savings Option (PESO) Fund offered to members living in the Philippines and paying the maximum monthly contributions.

The two programs will eventually be part of the WISP Plus. Meanwhile, Regino also announced during the press briefing that starting January 1, 2023, the new SSS contribution rate will be 14 percent, a 1 percentage point increase from the current 13 percent.

This is part of the implementation of the Social Security Act of 2018, and this will also be advantageous to the SSS members in the form of higher benefits. For employed members, their employers will shoulder the 1 percent increase in the contribution rate.

On the other hand, individual paying members, such as a self-employed, voluntary, non-working spouse, and OFW members, will shoulder the whole contribution rate since they have no employers. He also noted that at the same time, SSS will adjust the minimum and maximum monthly salary credits (MSCs), which will serve as the basis for the monthly contribution of a member.

The minimum MSC will become Php4,000 from the current Php3,000 to Php4,000 while the maximum MSC will be increased to Php30,000 from the current Php25,000.

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World Vision, Citi Foundation launch Project HOPE supporting Cebu’s out-of-school youth

2023-01-24T18:35:00.001+08:00

Representatives from World Vision, CITI Foundation, and Tabogon, Cebu LGU together at the launch of Project HOPE held in Tabogon Sports Complex

World Vision launched Project HOPE at the Tabogon Sports Complex. Funded by Citi Foundation, Project HOPE (Helping Out-of-School-Youths Pave Towards Employment and Engaging in Business), aims to provide sustainable economic opportunities to out-of-school and vulnerable youth by providing entrepreneurial and employable skills training.

“True to the vision and name of this project, we want to spark hope among the youth,” said Jun Godornes, resource development director for World Vision.

About 2,500 youth will benefit from the project through capacity building workshops, as well as trainings on community issues and entrepreneurial development laid out by World Vision. They will also be taught how to save, to improve financial literacy.

“We believe that Project HOPE can empower the youth and arm them with competencies, values and confidence, to help them pursue their goals, improve their lives and contribute to their respective communities,” said Dorski Granada, Citi Philippines Head of Corporate Affairs.

World Vision’s operations manager for Visayas Faith Bullecer-Sy highlighted the project’s intent to provide opportunities for youth to also engage in the agribusiness entrepreneurship programs.

“We want our participants to love agriculture. We also want to invite other opportunities for skills development and other employment opportunities,” said Sy. Sy also recognized the role of the youth in influencing their peers.

“This group can act as advocates to help other youth in becoming educated, empowered, and engaged, and to be part of something that is innovative,” said Sy.

This project is supported by the local government of Tabogon, Cebu in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. At the project launch, Municipal Administrator of Tabogon, Ronnie Hingco, a former World Vision sponsored beneficiary, shared his personal experience,

“Just like you, I have sat there in the audience and listened to the speakers. World Vision took care of me and encouraged me to get involved in their various projects, and now I’m here. Now, I am one of the speakers hoping to inspire other young people to create positive change.”

Also present at the ceremonial launch were World Vision Cebu program manager Josephine Solon, Sogod Municipal Agriculture Office representative Paulino Molit, Tabogon Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office representative Zusana Rios, TESDA registrar Pastor Jun Requina, TESDA trainees, SOGOD Inc., 4H Club and the beneficiaries of the project.

Apart from the 2,500 youth in Cebu, Project HOPE will also provide agricultural and livelihood assistance to 30 youth beneficiaries who will undergo training in “rabbitry farming” in Laurel, Batangas. World Vision will also facilitate the formation of COMSCA (Community-Managed Savings and Credit Association) groups which will allow those living in rural areas, to manage their own savings and credit system.

About World Vision Development Foundation, Inc.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, their families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by its Christian faith and values, it is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people. It serves and collaborates with all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Visit www.worldvision.org.ph for more updates.

About Citi Foundation

The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation.

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Discover the Best of Local Culture and Innovation at Sinulog sa Crossroads

2023-01-13T19:12:00.003+08:00

Music lovers won't want to miss the XRoads Mosh Pit, the biggest gathering of local acts in Cebu, where they can enjoy some of the best music from the region’s growing indie scene. Dance and sing along all night long with your favorite local artists such as The Spirals, Coney Reyes on Camera, Cosmic Kid, Luxxx, Kubra Commander, Hourswekeep, Awkward Dancer and the Harmless Devils, Deanery, Karma, The Pervs, Folding Bed, Alah Ahkbar, and Hollywood Folk Hogan.

And for those who prefer a more relaxed pace, Crossroads Cebu has the traditional Sunset Cookout, where you can chill and listen to a house DJ while dining or going around. But that's not all.

Event partner GOMO is excited to introduce its revolutionary digital service that allows customers to purchase and load data that never expire if not consumed. GOMO will have an activation booth where customers can redeem special prizes. There's also a photobooth and claw machine where you can win exclusive GOMO items and vouchers.

Wonder, Freebie Mnl, and Kroma Pub Co. are also joining the celebration. They are digital publishing platforms covering everything from pop culture and style to deals on food, entertainment, and everything lifestyle. John Bottles Events, Counterflow Productions, and PAWN Records are, likewise, on board.

They serve as primary curators of indie music events in Cebu City, bringing various music and art shows to the forefront and generating high-quality community engagement. Other partners from Crossroads Cebu include Koda & Co, Skin Logistics, Distillery, Commonly Uncommon, Redeemed Tattoo, The Puddle, and From Here Coworking Space. Crossroads Cebu is pet-friendly, so don't hesitate to bring your furry friends along with your family.

Visit the PRWorks Facebook page or @lilaeventsph on Instagram for more information about the event. Don't miss out on this exciting event and experience the best of local culture and innovation at Sinulog sa Crossroads Festival!

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