Skin Magical’s Ghie Pangilinan, Certified Go Negosyo Mentor

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A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. The mentor may share with the mentee information about her own career path, as well as provide guidance, motivation, emotional support and role modeling. A mentor can also help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts and identifying resources.

This was the role that Ghie Pangilinan, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Skin Magical, played during the biggest women mentorship event. Women entrepreneurs, industry leaders and icons came together to show women power last February 28, 2020 at Go Negosyo’s Mentor ME on Wheels led by presidential adviser Joey Concepcion at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. 

Founded by Joey Concepcion, Go Negosyo is an organization that aims to promote entrepreneurship and the February 28 event was part of the celebration of Women Entrepreneurs and a pre-Women’s Month Offering. The women offered free mentorship advice and business tips to more than 1,500 attendees. 

“Sharing the secrets of the success of Skin Magical and what I have learned from the challenges that I was confronted with is all part of my giving back,” Pangilinan said. “We at Skin Magical want to share our business with as many people as possible and we in fact have monthly caravans where we introduce our products and where we even teach them how to do the Skin Magical business.”

This was not the first time that Pangilinan took part in Go Negosyo’s Mentoring program. She participated in the Mentors for DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and Go Negosyo’s Mentor on Wheels in Pampanga on September 16, 2019.

“I will never grow tired of sharing the Skin Magical story because this is my way of sharing my blessings with everyone,” Pagilinan said. “If I can help just one family overcome their financial problems, then I know that I have done my job as a mentor.”

Pangilinan was joined by about 100 more women entrepreneurs during the whole day mentoring program. 

To know more about Ms. Ghie Pangilinan please follow her on facebook and also the Skin Magical facebook fan page and visit www.skinmagicalph.com

Helping the Frontliners in the fight against COVID-19 : MVP Group provides assistance to health workers, communities

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The Tulong Kapatid, the corporate social responsibility consortium of companies, foundations and affiliates under the leadership of Manuel V. Pangilinan, conducted a series of relief efforts and activities to help frontline health workers, government response teams as well as some underprivileged and homeless families in Metro Manila.

“We are fully committed to supporting our frontline health workers who are working tirelessly to save lives and to combat this pandemic. We will continue to pour in resources to address the needs and demands of our frontline workers, including PPEs and relief packages,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

To date, here are some of the efforts of the Tulong Kapatid:

• Frontline health workers and government hospitals also recently received 14,000 Liters of 70% Ethyl alcohol donation from the Tulong Kapatid. The ethyl alcohol donation was from the Roxol Bioenergy Corporation, a company under the Roxas Holdings, Inc. These were transported and distributed to Metro Manila through the assistance of the Metropac Movers, Inc., PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and the Makati Medical Center Foundation. 

• Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), along with Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), provided personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as nitrile gloves, goggles, and coveralls, as well as boxes of vitamins to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Philippine Genome Center. Initial donation of 500 units of 1,000 virus specimen collection tubes were also turned over to RITM.

• 200 PPEs, 100 boxes of Clusivol, and 10 Tulip Tabletop Water Filters were also donated to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

• MPIC and MPIF will also provide 1,000 full PPE kits containing surgical face masks, N95 face masks, disposable head caps, disposable shoe covers, disposable coveralls, disposable surgical gowns, and anti-fog goggles to frontliners in several hospitals and healthcare centers within the region.

• One Meralco Foundation (OMF) turned over their PPE donation which consisted of goggles, surgical gloves, face shields and face masks to the Rizal Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Lourdes Hospital and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.

• PSF and Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. (AKFI) turned over hygiene kits and care packages which included N95 and surgical masks to frontline health workers at the Philippine General Hospital and East Avenue Medical Center, National Center for Mental Health, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital and Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

• PSF in partnership with Makati Medical Center Foundation (MMCF) also turned over 12,500 reusable facemasks to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and hospital health workers and 14,400 pcs of Ascorbic Acid to the Lung Center of the Philippines. Along with that, PSF and MMCF decontaminated facilities of AFP General Headquarters and LCP.

• PSF is continuously preparing to distribute grocery packs, hazmat suits, ascorbic acids and reusable face masks to several hospitals and communities in Metro Manila and other regions.

• Subscribers of PLDT, Smart, Sun and TNT also continue to convert their MVP Rewards to donations to the PSF.

• AKFI distributed relief packs, hygiene kits and bottled water to street dwellers and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

• In coordination with the Philippine Marine Corps, AKFI distributed almost 3,800 servings of cooked food and water bottles from Maynilad to various hospitals and troops.

• AKFI also provided over 4,000 eggs to various communities and hospitals through the Ronald Mcdonald House of Charities. Through various donors, AKFI also turned over several relief packs, masks and plastic rolls to several hospitals in Metro Manila.

• OMF also partnered with AKFI to provide relief packs to homeless families in Quezon City and in Baseco Compound, Manila. Food packages were also provided to marginalized families in Brgy. Buting, Pasig City, in partnership with the Philippine National Police, and in Bacoor and Ternate, Cavite; Las Piñas City, Malabon and Pateros.

• Meralco provided flood lights to illuminate the parking area of the Lung Center of the Philippines that has been converted into patients’ triage and queueing area.

• Meralco’s electric vehicle subsidiary eSakay also supported Pasig City by providing and operating six electric jeeps to help transport healthcare frontliners to and from Pasig City General Hospital. The initiative began last March 19, 2020.

• Meralco employees raised P1M and has turned over the funds to PDRF’s Project Ugnayan to help feed homeless families in Manila through Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan.

• To help in the mission of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), Meralco through OMF donated 20 desktop computers to the organization. In order to provide scientists with crucial information to mitigate the spread of the disease, the PGC is sequencing samples from COVID-19 patients admitted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), The Medical City, and PGH. PGC will also serve as the operations center of a bayanihan effort of various groups within the University of the Philippines system to help respond to the COVID crisis. Around 200 volunteers are expected to participate in this effort.

• Maynilad also provided around 27,000 bottled water to frontline workers from the Philippine Navy, Philippine National Police, Metro Manila Development Authority, National Capital Region Police Office, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, Lourdes Hospital, several local government units, and to various checkpoints in the metropolis. Maynilad also partnered with DPWH in the disinfection of national highways by providing watering points for its disinfection tankers.

• Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, through NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX and CALAX, continues to do its work to ensure unhampered movement of goods and transit of personnel of industries allowed to operate amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.  It has also supported and cooperated with the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Covid-19 SHIELD in the set ups and smooth operations of its checkpoints. MPTC also continuously provides shuttling services to health workers of various hospitals.
   

The Tulong Kapatid continues to do its part in empowering Filipinos in the time of the COVID-19 crisis. Its commitment to provide a nationwide service is anchored on its core value of malasakit. The Tulong Kapatid fuels sparks of hope as it reaches out to various sectors and communities, including frontline health workers, government response teams and the underprivileged.

Above all, these efforts are ultimately inspired by the frontline workers who are working tirelessly to combat this pandemic. The commitment to serve is now seen through the lens of every frontline worker – a doctor, a nurse, a checkpoint officer, a janitor, a food delivery personnel. Each one of them changing the narrative of what resiliency means into something deeper – one that encompasses bravery and strength. One that can only be aptly described as being a hero. 

Here’s to our frontline heroes.  

Curbing the spread of COVID-19 with Hygienix

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Amidst in the pandemic situation around the world, people focus on thinking and making way  to be safe and to work together to be of help to others.

There now exists a definite duty for every Filipino to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

And one of the simplest things we can do as individuals is to sanitize- either by washing our hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis or by using alcohol if handwashing is unfeasible. 

Even before, and more so at this time of COVID-19, Hygienix has been making products that aim to protect people from disease-causing bacteria. Hygienix products effectively eliminate viruses, kill germs, and destroy harmful bacteria, while keeping the skin energized and moisturized at the same time!

In the frontline for Hygienix in the battle against COVID-19 is the Hygienix Germicidal Soap. Hygienix Germicidal Soap kills 99.99% of germs and common disease-causing bacteria with every use! And because it has a non-drying formula and refreshing scent, frequent handwashing with Hygienix Germicidal Soap turns out to be a pleasure, not just a necessity.

Apart from soap, Hygienix also has two alcohol products that’s proven to fight off COVID-19. Its two alcohol variants: the Hygienix Germ Kill Alcohol and Hygienix Germ Kill Alcohol with Moisturizer both effectively kill 99.9% of germs. That’s because both variants also boast of disinfectant and antiseptic properties! What’s more, it’s safe for frequent use because it does not dry the skin. Hygienix Germ Kill Alcohol is available in 60ml, 150ml, 250ml, and 500ml sizes, while Germ Kill Alcohol with Moisturizer is available in 250ml and 500ml–– perfect to keep handy around the house or bring with you wherever you go. 

Hygienix assures that it is working double time to keep pace with the stronger demand for soap and alcohol.

More than ever, Hygienix fully knows how crucial its role is in helping arm people with the best defenses possible to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

BDO Unibank finds ways for clients to bank during quarantine

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Amidst the lockdown and enhanced community quarantine prevailing in Luzon,  and ever since the extended community quarantine was implemented to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, banks have been serving their customers in new ways.

BDO Unibank remains open to service the banking needs of clients. BDO Unibank encourages the heightened use of online banking service to protect the public from the spread of the pandemic.

The number of open branches is reduced, banking hours are shortened, and skeletal force is in effect where possible. While the objective is to keep serving the urgent banking needs of clients, the adjustments in operations aim to protect the health and safety of both the customers and the front liners.

In this unprecedented situation, customers’ understanding and openness to adapt to the “new normal” is valuable. BDO Unibank, for instance, is offering alternatives to branch banking, from promoting its online and mobile banking services to keeping its other channels available.

This way, even if the branch near them is not available or handling heavier than usual transactions, their banking activity will not be hampered.

Online and mobile banking

BDO encourages its clients to bank from home via its online and mobile banking services. Using its digital channels, clients can pay bills, send money, load up their prepaid mobile phones, and check account balances.

To sign up for online banking, visit www.bdo.com.ph, click on “Online Banking Login,” then “Enroll Now!” on the login box. After filling out the forms, expect an ATM activation code. Use this code to confirm enrollment at the nearest BDO ATM.

Clients with an activated online account can enjoy the ease and convenience of banking using their mobile devices. They can download the BDO Mobile App and access its features using their registered username and password. A One-Time PIN (OTP) will be sent via SMS to add their device for further security.

To learn more about BDO Online Banking, click here: https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/ebanking/online-banking

BDO reminds its clients to never give away their personal information to anyone when banking online. Personal information consists of bank account numbers, usernames, passwords, and One-Time PINs (OTPs). The bank will never ask for this information.

Other banking channels

BDO has it wide network of ATMs and Cash Accept Machines available. Here clients can withdraw and deposit money, and even pay bills.

Cash Accept Machines also allow card-less transactions like cash deposits to Peso savings/ check accounts or cash cards. To learn more about its other services, visit: https://www.bdo.com.ph/ebanking/cash-deposit-marchine.

“Over the past few days we have taken steps to ensure, as best we can, continued and uninterrupted service you have grown accustomed to. Given the enhanced quarantine procedures and the limited transportation available, we have taken steps to ensure continuity of service and ease of adjustment on your part during this difficult period,” the bank said in a statement.

Keeping banking channels open. BDO ATMs and Cash Accept Machines are open for clients to withdraw and deposit money, and even pay bills.

BDO, a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services. 

For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph.

Shopee donates 3,000 test kits and 100,000 masks as part of Shopee Bayanihan’s initiative to support the front liners’ fight against COVID-19 - Shopee works together with Senator Bong Go to help medical front liners

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues its efforts to help contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines with its latest initiative Shopee Bayanihan. 

Together with the Office of Senator Bong Go, Shopee donates 100,000 surgical masks and 3,000 FDA approved COVID-19 test kits to support public hospitals and front-liners in their battle against COVID-19. The 100,000 masks were distributed to over 40 hospitals across Luzon including public and private hospitals from Quezon City, Makati, Pasig, Quezon City, Rizal, and Batangas.

Martin Yu, Associate Director of Shopee Philippines said, “It is important for us to tide through this fight against the COVID-19 outbreak as one community. Our medical front liners and hospitals in the Philippines are working around the clock to contain the outbreak and we applaud them for their hard work and dedication. We are committed to doing what we can to support these medical front liners, the government, and the wider community during this period.”

Senator Bong Go said, “We laud Shopee for their generous donation and for stepping up their social responsibility efforts to help fight COVID-19. Shopee, as an e-commerce platform, helps support our government’s efforts to promote social distancing by ensuring that consumers can get their goods safely and conveniently straight to their own homes. Both the government and the private sector must work together and do what we can to address and respond to the growing threats of COVID-19. Magbayanihan po tayo. Tulungan nating bumangon ang bawat Pilipino bilang isang nagkakaisang bansa. Together, we can heal as one.”

Gerard Ho, Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines said, “I commend Shopee in their efforts to support the Filipino community during this Enhanced Community Quarantine period in the country. Their donation will help medical front liners battle the crisis caused by COVID-19. This is a great example of a private enterprise contributing to the community."

Shopee Bayanihan demonstrates its commitment to provide support to those most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Shopee will continue to work closely with the government and step up its efforts to support them to prevent, detect and manage COVID-19. 

For more information, please visit: https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-bayanihan

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. 

How to help to prevent the spread of COVID-19: There"s a convenient way paying bills through 'GCash

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Social distancing to avoid and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 
Pay bills even while at home using GCash. You can do paying bills online.

Most countries around the world is in the pandemic chaos, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.M ost people infected with the COVID-19 virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

When the community quarantine, lockdown started, everybody is adviced to stay at home.

Social distancing is one very simple thing that we can do and that works. That’s because people didn’t interact with each other, and the virus didn’t spread.

The only way to truly reduce that is with social distancing: Keeping people home as much as possible, for as long as possible until this recedes. 

All sectors of the society must work hand in hand to fight the deadly virus and help people to survive living. Many are working from home to continue life, to have money to buy all they need and pay bills. 

However, even under quarantine, we still need to pay bills.

When we pay bills using GCash, we are able to have social distance and lesser physical engagement with other people where I may catch the virus.

It’s the easiest way to pay your bills, while keeping safe and not breaking quarantine.

It's very convenient using the "GCash Pay Bills" in paying utility bills. Instead of paying bills like, Maynilad and Meralco bills at a payment center out, we can pay it via GCash App while we stay at home

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GCash App offers an alternative way to pay bills that is fast, secure, and can be done easily via smartphone – all while staying home. From utilities to government fees, you can choose to pay over 400 billers nationwide for little to no extra fees.

Meralco and Manila Water said customers can also pay online and other payment channels such as GCash.

Pay bills with GCash and stay on top of your due dates. Download the GCash App today, register, then tap Pay Bills on the GCash dashboard to start.

You can check out the full list of GCash billers at https://www.gcash.com/billers/, where you’ll find additional details such as the length of payment processing, service fees (if there are any), and whether the biller accepts GCredit payment

Download the GCash App or register to GCash on Messenger, available for all networks!

Play Store: bit.ly/GCashAndroid
App Store: bit.ly/GCashiOS
GCash on Messenger: m.me/gcashofficial

How to Pay Bills with GCash

1. From the GCash dashboard, tap “Pay Bills.”
2. Choose the biller category of your bill payment.
3. Choose the biller and fill out the amount to pay and the account details.
4. Review your bills payment details before tapping “Confirm.”
5. Wait for the text confirmation of your transaction.

Prevention is better than cure! Stay safe and pay over 400 billers in the comfort of your own home by using the GCash App

Download it now:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.globe.gcash.android&hl=en

Apple Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/ph/app/gcash/id520020791

KonsultaMD provides 30-day free public access to medical advice

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KonsultaMD is offering the public a 30-day free access to medical advice through its telemedicine hotline to complement existing government efforts in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The free Konsulta subscription is open until April 13 to anyone without existing membership. They may call 78880 via Globe/TM mobile phone or (02) 77988000 via Globe landline, other landline in Metro Manila, and other mobile networks. 

KonsultaMD is a 24/7 health hotline service manned by skilled and licensed Filipino doctors who provide medical assessment and advice, including basic healthcare and permissible medication, over the phone. With KonsultaMD, the public will be able to get immediate and affordable medical attention, anytime, anywhere in the Philippines. 

Due to limited capacity of medical institutions compared to the fast-growing number of people needing immediate medical attention, the Department of Health is looking at telemedicine, particularly primary care teleconsultation, to alleviate surge and minimize risks posed by unnecessary visits to hospitals. 

“There is an overwhelming demand for the healthcare industry and we understand the difficulties both the government and private medical institutions are facing to provide the public with the assistance they need during this outbreak. We are here to help our country by providing everyone with free access to a doctor so that they can seek medical advice without leaving their homes,” said Maridol Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc. which operates KonsultaMD. 

KonsultaMD is equipped with modules and internal protocols in handling different health issues including COVID-19 and provides a telephone triage or a means of determining the urgency of the situation to allow hospitals to focus on critical cases. 

KonsultaMD is an affiliate of 917Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom. 

GCash's #FightCOVID19 raises P4.5M for 7 partners

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Experts all over the world believe that to mitigate the effects and end the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), all sectors of the society must work hand in hand to fight the deadly virus.

It is not the sole responsibility of the government to stop the global pandemic, and it is imperative for people to join in the efforts and collectively stop the virus from further infecting anyone.

This rings true in the Philippines, where the Spirit of Bayanihan is slowly being revived amid the onslaught of natural and man-made catastrophes that struck the whole country during the first three months of 2020.

Various non-government organizations and even individuals have started calling on Filipinos to help in the war against the pandemic, whether it's through volunteerism or through monetary donations.

Donation drives have been launched by various groups to help protect frontline healthcare workers from the virus. These came amid the reported scarcity of personal protective equipment (PPEs) in hospitals.

Likewise, groups and individuals are seeking support to fund relief goods for the families that are in need of food and personal hygiene kits, as major cities and provinces impose their own community quarantine protocols.

For instance, friends Shary Laiz, Erika Jean Ente, and Alyana Singian are encouraging the Twitter universe to donate P20 to their mobile wallets to purchase hand sanitizers and soaps for the homeless. They are part of religious group Agape Christian Church International.

Quezon City-based professional alliance Save San Roque is seeking both donations in cash and in-kind to help the community of Sitio San Roque cope with the effects of the viral threat. The group aims to gather as many goods as they can to distribute to the citizens of the barangay.

People for Accountable Governance and Sustainable Action, a group of friends, also took to social media the call for donations for the purchase of a weekly “survival pack” communities in Tatalon, Talayan, Pinyahan, and Payatas as well as for the mothers in Tondo and Commonwealth. Each pack includes rice, canned goods, coffee, powdered milk, sugar, bread, and vegetables.

Youth-led movement Zero Hunger Philippines is also gathering monetary donations to provide food bags to over 10,000 families in select provinces in Luzon.

Tulong Kabataan, a youth movement, is also building up funds to supply food and hygiene kits to relocation sites and urban poor communities in Tacloban, Quezon City, and Manila.

Medical interns of Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center have also launched their social-media-based donation drive for the staff of the hospital, which is in need of masks, caps, alcohol, gloves, and disposable gowns for frontline employees that are treating suspected COVID-19 cases.

Other non-profits such as Project Tanglaw, Caritas Manila, and Tayo Kabataan are pooling donations to provide food and hygiene kits to the less fortunate and those who are most hit by the threat of the virus, as well as donate PPEs to hospitals in need.

There are hundreds more donation drives that are happening across the Philippines today, signaling the strong revival of the Filipino culture of Bayanihan — only that with the strict implementation of community quarantines and social distancing protocols, donations are facilitated through mobile phones.

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, has been seeing spikes in the number of money transfers from one mobile wallet, as people collectively fight COVID-19 through digital donation drives.

Caritas Manila, for instance, has so far collected almost P850,000 in individual donations through GCash.

“It’s heartwarming to see firsthand how the uniquely Filipino Spirit of Bayanihan works. Since day one, we have envisioned the GCash platform to be a channel of good, and now we are seeing individuals and organizations maximizing the GCash app to efficiently facilitate donations for noble causes. We hope that as we further develop our platform, we continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need,” GCash President Anthony Thomas said.

Mobile digital finance has made it easier for individuals to support causes, as they now have an avenue to practice their generosity through their mobile phones, anytime and anywhere.

GCash and its partners the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), World Vision, UP Medical Foundation, PGH Foundation, Inc., ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, and Ayala Foundation have their own digital donation drive, dubbed #FightCOVID19, which aims to help provide medical gears to hospital workers in the country.

To send their support, GCash users simply have to click on the “Pay Bills” icon on their GCash apps, choose the “Others” tab, and click on “FightCOVID19.” GCash users then have to enter their name and the amount that they are donating to confirm their donation.

So far, #FightCOVID19 has raised roughly P4.5 million in individual donations.

“While we encourage GCash users to support our fundraising, it is encouraging for us to see our mobile digital wallet being used by individuals and other organizations as a conduit of good, especially during trying times. We hope that as Filipinos digitally band together as a nation, we can quickly eradicate the virus and go back to normalcy,” Thomas said.