GCash provides Filipinos access to savings amid COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic highlighted the importance of keeping an emergency fund, studies show.

A recent consumer expectations survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed that more Filipinos are now building their own savings accounts, with 73.9-percent of respondents setting aside money in their banks for unforeseen situations.

Aside from its impact on public health, COVID-19 is also proving to be a financial emergency. The BSP is bracing for a downturn for the national economy, as well as a 2.2-percent increase in the price of basic goods. Businesses are also taking a big hit from the lockdown, as massive layoffs are still expected to come, leaving Filipinos financially handicapped in the middle of a public health crisis.

Having reached more than two months of quarantine which last until May 31, the Philippines is one of the countries with the longest lockdowns in the world. In an effort to flatten the curve general community quarantine has been imposed in most parts of the country until June 15, while seriously affected areas remained under tighter quarantine protocols.

This has forced a lot of Filipinos to grow more mindful of their personal finances. According to a white paper released by AdSpark, Inc., a portfolio company under Globe Telecom’s 917Ventures, consumption of Personal Finances as a topic grew by 800 percent from January 2020 to end of March 2020 when most Filipinos were required to stay at home.

Mindful of these, GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, is empowering Filipinos to efficiently manage their finance and save up for their futures.

GCash Save Money, a collaboration between GCash and CIMB Bank PH, provides an easier way for Filipinos to set up their own savings account or emergency fund. It is the first ever bank account that can be opened and maintained straight from the GCash app.

This spares verified GCash users the trouble of filling up multiple forms and lining up at the bank just to open up a bank account. GCash Save Money allows depositors to earn 3.1 percent per annum on balances, paid out monthly. This interest rate is the best in the industry, beating traditional banks that only offer up to 0.25 percent per year.

As an added bonus, GCash Save Money users who have average daily balances of P100,000 and above in the months of June or July 2020 are entitled to a 4-percent interest rate p.a. prorated for those months.

Users would also not have to worry about fees as well as there is no initial deposit and maintaining balance.

“Now more than ever, it’s important for us to practice financial literacy and make wise spending decisions in the middle of a pandemic. GCash Save Money shows us that it’s possible for all walks of life to set up their own emergency fund. Financial inclusivity is at the heart of this collaboration,” GCash Head of Data and Financial Services JF Darre said.

Any Filipino citizen above 18 years of age who owns a fully verified GCash account and a valid government ID can deposit under GCash Save Money.

GCash Save Money users can easily track their balance and transaction history through the “Save Money” button in the GCash app. They can also seamlessly move up to P100,000 per month between the deposit account and the e-wallet.

“GCash Save Money is also more secure than traditional cash handling and the Filipino habit of keeping cash in various places in their houses. Aside from being regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), GCash Save Money accounts are also insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) for up to P500,000,” Darre said.

As digital fund transfers increase in number as millions are in lockdown, financial technology is expected to play a big part in the new normal. Mobile wallets and e-deposit accounts are not just a matter of convenience in the era of social distancing, they have become necessities to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by making transactions go contactless instead.

“GCash Save Money is enabling more and more Filipinos to save as the days go by, especially now that they Filipinos are more mindful of their personal finances. We have seen this trend grow through our new customers and we are happy to empower them with a digital tool that allows them to financially secure themselves for the future,” Darre said.

So far, GCash has opened 2.2 million GCash Save Money accounts to date, further promoting financial inclusion in the country.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.

'FPJ's Ang Probinsyano' and other favorite Kapamilya shows return on cable and satellite TV

Cardo Dalisay and other iconic Kapamilya teleserye characters are returning to TV to bring entertainment, inspiration, and relief to Filipinos as some of the well-loved ABS-CBN shows will be shown on Kapamilya Channel, which will be available on cable and satellite TV nationwide beginning June 13.

Kapamilya Channel will be available on SKY, Cablelink, G Sat, and most member-cable operators of the Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA) nationwide.

While Kapamilya Channel will initially be seen by cable and satellite TV viewers only, ABS-CBN will find more ways to reach more Filipinos and bring news, public service, and entertainment to every Kapamilya around the world.

Viewers can watch Cardo’s adventures in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” starting with a ten-episode recap of this season’s story before the new episodes are released. Also on weeknights, the mission of brave soldiers in “A Soldiers” Heart” will continue while weekdays will unveil the family drama in “Love Thy Woman.”

“Magandang Buhay” momshies Jolina Magdangal, Melai Cantiveros, and Karla Estrada will continue their heartwarming discussions on weekday mornings, while the new season of “The Voice Teens” will feature talented teen singers and superstar coaches Apl.de.ap, Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, and Lea Salonga on weekends.

“TV Patrol” will continue to deliver the most relevant news and information to viewers every evening. More movies and classic TV shows will also be aired on the channel to provide relief and inspiration to viewers.

Besides the many well-loved programs that will be going back on air, some new shows will also be launched.

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo will be seen every Saturday in the new show called “Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan,” while Angel Locsin will be hosting “Iba ‘Yan” every Sunday. Both of these are public service programs that will put the spotlight on stories and experiences of real people and the life challenges that they face.

“The World of a Married Couple,” the highest-rating cable Koreanovela, also makes its debut on Kapamilya Channel on June 15.

Filipinos from all over the world, meanwhile, will not be left out because they will be able to watch all Filipino programs on Kapamilya Channel, including the new episodes, on TFC.

Encouraged by the overwhelming love and support of the public, ABS-CBN remains committed to serving its audiences even after it was ordered to stop operating its radio and television stations on May 5 by the National Telecommunications Commission.

The cable and satellite TV channels that will carry the Kapamilya Channel are owned and operated by other companies and are not covered by the cease and desist order issued by the NTC to ABS-CBN.

Welcome your favorite Kapamilya shows on Kapamilya Channel on SKY, Cablelink, G Sat, and most member-cable operators PCTA nationwide beginning June 13.

Huggies Offers Top Tips Every Parent Should Know Living In The ‘New Normal’

Kimberly-Clark’s HuggiesÒ brand keeps its promise to be the trusted parenting partner moms need through every step of their motherhood journey with Huggies Club: Facebook Live, a five-week series of online forums that brought up relevant topics and addressed the most pressing concerns that they deal with today.

Gathering thousands of moms online, the digital videos proved to be a relatable and reliable support system as it connected them to fellow moms, such as Kryz Uy, Patty Laurel-Filart, and Dimples Romana; as well as experts from various fields ranging from developmental pediatrics, child care development, mental health, nutrition, and more. Whether expectant, new, or going into their nth child, moms were able to gain access and listen to expert tips and credible advice so they can give the comfort and care they need for themselves and their children. Now that we’re adjusting to the new normal, here are some key takeaways from the sessions that every mom should take note of.

Dimples Romana

Don’t panic and be in touch with your doctors and loved ones.

Whatever the situation we find ourselves in today, it’s important to not panic. This is especially true for pregnant moms as it can be a daunting experience to give birth in the midst of a pandemic. Keep in mind that pregnancy doesn’t increase the risk of getting COVID-19, so prioritize being healthy physically and mentally, as well as practice the necessary precautions of sanitizing and physical distancing. Being bombarded with worries and feeling scared is inevitable, so it’s also essential to constantly be in touch with your doctors and loved ones for the proper care and reassurance that everything will be alright. Nowadays, we are fortunate to have many technological solutions at our disposal to help us do just that.

Take a holistic approach to health.

When faced with an unfamiliar situation, it’s always good to cover all bases. While we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine to be created, it’s advisable for parents to continue staying on top of your children’s health and ensure they are protected from head to toe with other available vaccines and treatments in the market today. Preventive measures should be every parent’s priority to keep their children’s immune system at its strongest because this lessens the risk of getting sick and contracting the virus. It’s no doubt that meeting our pediatricians is trickier given the quarantine measures, so going out and coordinating with them for scheduling vaccines should be properly mapped out.

Establish routines at home.

We’ve all gone through an abrupt change, but one thing remains the same and that is the growth and development of our children. We’re challenged to answer our children as they bring up questions why they suddenly stopped going to school, or why they can’t go out, meet, and play with their friends. It’s crucial that you create an open environment at home to talk about what’s happening without revealing too much as this may pose fear. It’s also important to create a safe space for your children to properly express their feelings so you’re able to determine their needs. The next step is to create routines and sort tasks in schedule so you can reestablish a sense of normalcy for them to grow physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally even at home. This helps you create boundaries, especially if you’re a working mom too.

Prioritize your mental health.

Finding that perfect recipe of being present in meetings, following deadlines, all while doing household chores and attending to your children’s needs takes a bigger toll on your mental health. What’s important is for you to not be too hard on yourself, take everything one step at a time, and strike a balance. Help yourself stay calm and collected by stopping when you’re feeling overwhelmed and take a minute to do a mindfulness activity, such as doing breathing exercises or even hugging yourself.

A healthy diet and proper exercise can help improve your mood during these times.

We sometimes struggle to keep structure in our day, making us forget to do physical activities, and even skip meals as we lose track of time at home. This can easily make us feel more tired, groggy, and irritable which can take a toll in our physical, social, and emotional well-being. Now more than ever, it’s vital to practice exercise and healthy eating habits. A nutritious and mood-boosting meal should always comprise of half a plate of fruits and vegetables, ¼ plate of rice or any other carbohydrates, and ¼ plate of protein such as chicken, fish, pork, or beef. Though it may be difficult to introduce a variety of food especially to young children, make it a proactive approach by nurturing a healthy diet while pregnant and exposing different flavors to your infant. For toddlers and pre-school aged children, slowly introduce changes to food by being creatively incorporating it in their meals. In terms of physical activity, limit screen time to a minimum. This can be done by assigning age-appropriate household chores and encouraging active play at home, such as crawling, playing catch, running around, or dancing.

“As we wrap up our Huggies Club: Facebook Live sessions this month, we hope that we were able to be a source of comfort and care for moms everywhere dealing with this new and unique situation. Carrying out our goal to be the trusted parenting partner of Filipinos, our commitment is unwavering in discovering new ways to continue guiding moms through every step of their motherhood journey,” said Brian Duruin, Head of Marketing, Kimberly-Clark Philippines, Inc.

For all the latest updates, you may like and follow Huggies Philippines Facebook page. If you missed it, you can also find the recorded Huggies Club: Facebook Live sessions there. 

Register at Huggies Club to gain access for more specialized content and exclusive perks. 

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

Smart unveils ‘Simple, Smart Ako’ campaign featuring South Korean superstar Hyun Bin

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. has made a splash as it unveiled its new campaign featuring South Korean superstar Hyun Bin, who has endeared many Filipinos with his hit K-dramas and movies.

This is the first time a local telecoms company has tapped a South Korean superstar to be the face of its brand, and is a bold statement for Smart as it asserts its commitment to bring amazing experiences to Filipinos through digital technology.

Hyun Bin Phenomenon

“The ‘Hyun Bin Phenomenon’ is pretty much due to digital technology -  Filipinos have developed the craze because they are able to stream his shows, hear the buzz about him online, share their excitement with their friends, and even get to interact with him through social media,” says Jane Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

“This makes him a perfect ambassador for Smart as we empower Filipinos with technological solutions made easy so they can enrich their daily life and pursue their passions,” she adds.

“Filipinos are some of the warmest fans in the world, and I am thankful to Smart for giving me a way to reach out to everyone in the Philippines. Indeed, Smart has brought us closer than ever,” says Hyun Bin, who first won the hearts of Filipinos in 2005, when a local TV network aired a Tagalog-dubbed version of his romantic comedy drama, ‘My Name Is Kim Sam Soon.’

‘Simple. Smart Ako.’

In Smart’s latest TV commercial, Hyun Bin rides a sports car and zooms past the city streets – a fitting reference to the blazing speeds by which Filipinos can enjoy their daily dose of entertainment powered by Smart LTE and Giga Promos. The ad strongly concludes with Hyun Bin delivering Smart’s new tagline in Filipino, “Simple. Smart Ako.”

“'Simple. Smart Ako' sums up our company’s approach all this time to make amazing technology available, and more importantly, simple for every Filipino,” says Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer.

Smart draws from its history of innovating the simple things that are life-changing – from making mobile phones accessible to ordinary Filipinos, pioneering groundbreaking products such as Smart Load and Pasaload, to democratizing mobile Internet along with its massive 3G and 4G network expansion.

“We are embracing our role as a digital lifestyle enabler that keeps innovating to make the life our customers simpler. Now that the world becomes more and more complicated, we believe that what matters most in life are the simplest things,” Panlilio adds.

Country’s fastest mobile data network

Smart’s new campaign follows a string of awards from third-party mobile analytics firms that recognize Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network.

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, cited Smart as The Philippines’ Speedtest Awards Winner for mobile network speed during Q1-Q4 2019. To win this award, Smart achieved a Speed Score™ of 17.40, with average speeds of 19.62 Mbps for download and 9.45 Mbps for upload.

On the other hand, Opensignal, an independent mobile analytics firm, reported in its April 2020 Mobile Network Experience Report* for the Philippines that Smart remained ahead of competition in terms of Video Experience, Upload and Download Speed Experience, Voice App Experience, Games Experience, and 4G Availability.

Giga Life for everyone

These citations are a result of the continuous network expansion and upgrade of Smart on its mobile data network, which now supports a wide range of Giga Promos catering to the different passions and needs of customers.

Smart offers Giga Video for subscribers who want to binge-watch the latest K-dramas, online shows and series, and Giga Stories for those who love sharing their experiences with friends and loved ones on social media.

Smart also offers Giga Games for avid mobile gamers, and Giga Music for those who want their daily dose of tunes and podcasts, and Giga Work for easy access to a wide range of productivity apps to make work and school life simpler and more convenient.

Smart customers can register to Giga promos by simply dialing *123#.

Know more about Smart’s promos and services by following Smart’s official accounts on Facebook at www.fb.com/SmartCommunications, Twitter and Instagram at @LiveSmart.

DSWD taps PayMaya for distribution of AICS assistance

In continuation of the efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to improve its delivery of public service, the agency has partnered with e-wallet application, PayMaya, to provide cashless distribution of financial aid to clients of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Under the AICS program, qualified indigent, marginalized, poor, or disadvantaged individuals or families may avail of any medical, educational, burial, or transportation assistance as immediate aid or safety net to help them recover from any crisis situation.

Through the partnership, clients availing of AICS can easily encash their cash aid from any of the 30,000 Smart Padala branches nationwide through their PayMaya accounts. They may also use the funds in their accounts to pay for bills, groceries, or other daily essentials, purchase airtime load, or send money to other PayMaya users through the PayMaya app.

Last month, DSWD also tapped PayMaya as one of the featured payment methods in the ReliefAgad app. Beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) may choose to receive their cash aid through their respective PayMaya accounts.

The Department will continue to find innovative, safer, and convenient ways to improve its cash disbursement mechanisms to provide immediate assistance to Filipinos during the public health crisis. 

(DSWD)

Use PayMaya to get the best deals at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale

As quarantine guidelines relax across the country, it is still important to continue practicing social distancing in order to curb the spread of the virus. Some physical stores may have started to resume operations but purchasing essentials online remains to be the safest and most convenient option for consumers. And when you pay online using your PayMaya account, your shopping experience is not only more safe and convenient, it is also more sulit! 

In line with this, PayMaya has teamed up with Lazada to provide you with the most affordable deals as you stock up on your daily essentials – from cleaning products to frozen goods and other useful household items you can use at home at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale from June 4 to 6. You can easily get up to PHP200 off* on top of the already discounted items at Lazada when you pay using your PayMaya virtual or physical card.

And to top it all off, you're not just getting much-needed essential goods at a good discount, you are also helping local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) bounce back from the economic crisis when you shop at Lazada during the Bounce Back Sale. Since most MSMEs have been heavily affected by the pandemic, patronizing their products ensures that they get back on the path to recovery in no time. 

To avail of this deal, simply redeem the PayMaya collectible discount voucher from the Lazada app starting June 3 to instantly get 10% off your purchase with a minimum spend of PHP1,200. After that, all that’s left to do is head to the checkout page and enter your PayMaya card details to pay for your purchase. Vouchers are valid from June 4 – 6, 2020 only. 

“We’re glad to work with Lazada in their initiative to support businesses and consumers in these trying times. As the country starts to recover from this pandemic, cashless payment options like PayMaya play a critical role in helping consumers and businesses bounce back from this crisis. For consumers, this means being able to pay for their essentials safely and conveniently. For merchants, this means being able to accepts payments, as businesses transition to online,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya Philippines. 

Going cashless for your online and in-store purchases provides the safest payment experience for you and the merchant you’re transacting with as this reduces contact brought about by cash handling. Apart from purchasing essential items online, you can also use PayMaya to settle your government and utility bills, send money to your loved ones, buy load and gaming pins, and so much more, at the safety of your home. To know more deals you can get with your PayMaya account, visit www.PayMaya.com/deals. Basta Lazada, don’t pay cash. PayMaya! 

If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, it’s easy to switch to a safe and hassle-free way of paying. Just download the PayMaya app for Android or iOS, create and register your own account, and start paying for anything both online and in stores! To make the most our of your PayMaya account, check out https://www.paymaya.com/quick-guide. 

Don’t forget to follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more news and updates! 

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cuts across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing the payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya is enabling national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services. 

Through its PayMaya app and wallet, it is providing millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner agents nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

*10% OFF, capped at PHP200. Minimum spend of PHP1,200 

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB 06398, Series of 2020. 

Grab These Amazing Products for Only ₱6 at the Shopee 6.6 Super Flash Sale! Insane deals are coming this June 6.

MANILA, JUNE 3, 2020 --- Attention, Shopee fans! Shopee’s 6.6 Super Flash Sale is here with jewelry, bags, electronic gadgets, and home appliances for as low as ₱6. 

During the 6.6 sale, users can also expect up to 80% off on select items, flash deals every ten minutes, cashbacks and vouchers to be given away on D-Day. 

Here are six awesome buys you can check out on June 6: 

1. CK-140 Automatic Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

Make sure you and your loved ones’ blood pressure is stable during this time with this automatic blood pressure monitor. 

2. Popcorn Fast-Charging PowerBank

Keep your mobile phones and other electronic gadgets charged and ready-to-use with this fast-charging power bank. 

3. Catherine Anti-theft Leather Bag

Secure your belongings well with this anti-theft bag that’s made of leather. It comes in two colors: black and coffee brown. 

4. LS Jewelry 18K Gold-Plated Drop Earrings

Complete your look with these gold-plated earrings that come in six different colors. 

5. Seagate 1TB Backup Plus Slim New USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive

Back up all important data in a secure device. There are four colors available: silver, blue, red and gold. 

6. ACE SL-24" TV-3.5A Ultra Slim LED-220 Television

Sit back and relax with the whole family with this 24-inch, USB-ready TV. 

GCash-Makati partnership inspires Makatizen to pursue microbusiness

As local governments implement initiatives to alleviate the financial situation of their constituents, GCash willingly lent a helping hand to serve as a distribution platform for cash assistance. Makati is the first city in Metro Manila to implement contactless financial assistance through GCash and the Makatizen Card. Under the Makatizen Economic Relief Program, now called the MAKA-tulong 5K for 500K+ Makatizens, the local government provides its individual qualified citizens with P5,000 in financial assistance.

“The P5K financial assistance we are giving to all Makatizens aims to help them alleviate the burden of paying their bills at this time when income for most is hard to come by. I was happy to hear stories on how Makatizens have put this help to good use by also investing in alternative sources of livelihood. I'm proud to say, maabilidad, masipag at maaasahan talaga ang mga Makatizens”, said Makati Mayor Abby Binay. 

One of those who were able to benefit from this partnership is Diana Oblino, a resident of Barangay Olympia. She and five other members of her household were able to receive P25,000 in cash, which they used to pay the pile of electricity and water bills which accumulated during the quarantine.

Not only that, they were also able to open a small sari-sari store to keep their money growing instead of spending it all in one go. 

“Because of the MAKA-tulong Program, we were able to build another source of income that would help us get through these trying times,” Oblino said. 

Oblino said the process of receiving was easy, because they only needed to wait until GCash sent them a notification saying that P5,000 was deposited to their e-wallets. 

“What a relief really, that in our ‘new normal’ – the time of social distancing and quarantine, Makati was able to lessen human-to-human contact and distribute cash through online platforms because of a project launched years ago,” she added.

The MAKA-tulong Program also helped Joeffrey Furo, who is among the first batch of beneficiaries, to use the financial aid as fresh capital for his e-loading business, small sari-sari store and computer repair shop. For Furo, the money came as a beacon of hope amid the crisis, since he was a person with disability (PWD) who had a wife and a child to support. His leg was amputated after he figured in a hit-and-run accident. 

Needless to say, the cash aid inspired many Makatizens to join the community of online food sellers. Rinalyn Binongo of Barangay West Rembo shared on Facebook how she used the money as added capital to expand her online food selling business. 

“We’re very happy to have inspired a significant number of Makatizens to pursue businesses to grow their money amid the pandemic. GCash hopes to extend this kind of assistance to other local governments to help lift the burden of Filipinos who have been greatly impacted by COVID-19, economic or otherwise,” said GCash Vice President for Enterprise Luigi Reyes. 

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. 

For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.

Online Communities surge as social distancing continues Filipinos flock to online communities to find their everyday essentials during Metro Manila Quarantine

Amid the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, more and more Filipinos are turning to online community groups to find their everyday essentials and more.

According to Viber, its usage in the Philippines surged in the past weeks: messages sent on the app have increased by 120 percent, calls received by users are up by 85%, and the average number of community engagement has also risen by 120%. 

“The significant increase in community engagement tells us that Filipinos want to stay connected, and do it more purposefully. With everyone confined to their homes, Filipinos are striving for closer and more meaningful interactions,” said Veronica Feleo, Business Development Manager, Rakuten Viber, during a webinar series titled Social in the Age of Social Distancing organized by M2.0 Communications, Inc.

Feleo was joined by fellow panelists Lia Ejercito, Head of Digital and Social for M2.0, and Niña Cruz-Zialcita, Chief Inquisitor at Best of the Best Manila, one of the largest Facebook Groups in the Philippines.

“At the start of the year, when all of the experts were declaring that [direct] social was going to be a big thing this year, we expected more of a slow burn,” said Ejercito. “But the reality is, now, there's been such a drastic shift, and I think that is coming as a result of COVID-19 and the whole ECQ situation that we've experienced in the past few weeks.”

Amid the lockdown, information and food essentials have been top of mind for many Filipinos, with the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Advisory Community and the Food Contacts Community among the top-performing communities on Viber during this period.

Virtual communities

User-generated content communities have become so popular that Viber even has a dedicated community that serves as a directory for existing communities on the app. These user-created groups serve as channels that cover a variety of topics and interests, ranging from hyper-local marketplaces to neighborhood coordination points.

“The expectation was that [direct] social would overtake mainstream social," said Ejercito, adding "[Direct] social platforms have also replaced a lot of face-to-face interactions.”

Best of the Best Manila—a thriving private Facebook Group in the country with over 22,000 members—started out as a group of friends with shared interests. The group functions as a recommendation channel for what are the best experiences in Manila, covering food, entertainment, travel and lifestyle. Cruz-Zialcita recalled, “We started out asking questions about the best bread or the best printer. It caught on from there.”

During the lockdown, however, Cruz-Zialcita noted that discussions have taken on a different track: “These days, the questions are grounded on what people need: Who are the best fruit suppliers? What are the best home exercises?”

Digital Bayanihan

Beyond sharing information and sourcing basic necessities, online groups have also become platforms for digital bayanihan. During the onset of the lockdown, Best of the Best Manila raised over P200,000 from its members, which were donated to support frontliners in their fight against COVID-19.

“I don't think that COVID is the reason for why these communities exist. It maybe just propelled all of these types of groups and made them grow so much more active," said Ejercito. “But if we go back to how direct social was discovered in the first place, it was all about referrals. It works, I think, because it's very personal, it's very direct, and it's very authentic."