No “Rush”: Gyl St-Pierre’s Slow But Sure TikTok Success

MANILA - He is a huge fan of the MMA Fighter, Georges St-Pierre. Thus, adapting the name Gyl St-Pierre. Gyl has been creating short form videos on TikTok for over four years. As one of the pioneers of the app, he was able to see how its content and trends really changed over the years. “Dati, di pa ganito yung TikTok, na kahit anong pwede mong gawin. It was all hand gestures saka yung transitions,” he recalls. 

As TikTok evolved, so did Gyl’s content. He started off with transition videos and comedy skits, and eventually shifted to sharing TikTok tips. He says, “Imbis na yung mga usual content, sabi ko magturo nalang ako. Eventually, after siguro ng TikTok Tip No. 28, kasi yun yung sumikat, rumolyo na sya ng tuloy tuloy. Nag-iinclude na ako ng, hindi lang tips, pano gawin yung hashtag trends. As in yung kahit na mga simple na function sa TikTok like pano mag-duet, tinuro ko na rin, kasi hindi pa rin pala yon alam ng mga tao.”

These how-to videos are some of Gyl’s most-viewed posts. You can check out his TikTok Tip 28, which teaches newbies how to get noticed by more established TikTokers and their followers, here.

https://www.tiktok.com/@gylisgod/video/6807368740812918018

This video on how to do TikTok duets is another fan favorite, with over 3.2M views to date. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@gylisgod/video/6815163972480748802

While cities were on quarantine due to the ongoing pandemic, Gyl’s following really started to grow. But it was only after he established the “Ya Cult” that Gyl St-Pierre was finally propelled to true TikTok famous status. After reaching the 1-million follower mark, Gyl shared this emotional thank you video to his fans on the platform. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@gylisgod/video/6829276445605514498

When asked about his rise to popularity and what’s coming next for him, Gyl shares, “Kung hindi nag-quarantine, I don’t think mahi-hit ko yung 1M. Before kasi, nasa 800k lang ako eh. Naging way yung Ya Cult trend to amplify my content. And ngayon, I’m making my content centered about sharing and teaching.” 

As a creator, Gyl would like to be known as someone who shares his knowledge and know-how freely, without being asked by anyone. He hopes that users who are just starting out on TikTok will be able to learn a lot from him, too. His ultimate tip for starting creators is this.

“Sipag and tiyaga lang. Kasi at the end of the day, kung kunyare nakaasa ka lang, parang you bank on it sa isang video mo lang, ito binuhos ko dito lahat, tapos nag-flop sya, sobrang masamang feeling. Sisipagan mo lang paggawa ng content, tiya-tiyagain mo lang mag-post araw-araw. Ayun, yun lang talaga.

Follow @gylisgod and other amazing creators on TikTok today. Simply download the app on your iOS and Android.

The best stores to go to for your daily essentials : Use PayMaya for safe, contactless payments and get great deals too!

Safety is core to everything we do everyday and most especially these covid days.

One of the biggest priorities during this pandemic is ensuring that our families stay safe and healthy. Apart from following standard health measures like social distancing, online shopping has also been the go-to of most consumers when it comes to purchasing essentials to limit their contact. 

But if you can't avoid going out to buy your day-to-day needs, make sure that you stay safe by using contactless payments like PayMaya QR. 

Paying via PayMaya QR lessens the risk of transmitting the virus through cash-handling. By simply scanning the QR code at the counter, you can already pay for your purchases within minutes - no need to exchange cash and coins with the cashier. 

On top of giving you a safe and convenient payment option, PayMaya also gives you the most value out of your hard-earned money. 

#ScanToPay with PayMaya QR for your purchases to get 1%, 10%, or 100% Balik Bayad or a maximum of P500 Balik Bayad for your transaction until September 30, 2020!* You can enjoy up to P500 worth of cashback every month. 

Check out this list to see where you can #ScanToPay: 

1. Supermarkets

Groceries are an absolute essential during these times, especially when we’re all spending more time at home. Get all your favorite groceries at trusted places such as Rustans Supermarket, Shopwise, Super 8, Robinsons Supermarket, San Roque Supermarket, and Waltermart, which offer the best prices for everything you need. 

For even better deals on a wider selection of items, especially for those looking to buy in bulk, check out Landers Superstore. For those in the provinces, you can still enjoy a safe and rewarding payment experience from PayMaya in your trusted LCC Supermarket, Gaisano Grand, Gaisano Capital, Gaisano Brothers, Metro Retail Stores Group, Prince Retail, and Felcris Supermarket. 

2. Drugstores 

When it comes to the medicines and health-related goods, there is always Mercury Drug and Watsons. They have a wide selection of medicines ranging from generics to well-known brands at reasonable prices, as well as a complete selection of grocery and wellness items. Customers can also enjoy PayMaya perks in Southstar Drug, GNC, Rose Pharmacy, Lorach Quality Drug Care, and Amesco Drug. 

3. Restaurants 

For take out food, there are so many good places to go to. For your chicken fix, you can order from McDonald’s, Jollibee, KFC, Popeyes and Gringo. If you want to go Chinese or Korean, try Mann Hann, Panda Express, Chow King and BonChon. You can also have an all-Pinoy feast at home with Ambers, Kuya J, Zubuchon, and Choobi Choobi Flavors. For your pizza cravings, there’s Shakeys, Domino’s, Gino’s Brickoven Pizza, Landers Central, and Pizza Hut. You can even pay via QR when you have pizza delivered from Yellow Cab. If you’re up to splurging a little, why not try Vikings or Wolfgang’s Steakhouse? Finish up your meal with a yummy dessert from Wildflour, Café Mary Grace, or Dairy Queen. 

You can also treat the family to something sweet or to popular Pinoy dishes from Goldilocks, no matter what the occasion is. Get a P100 cashback for a minimum purchase of P500 once per week until July 11! 

PayMaya users in Cebu and Davao can also enjoy up to 100% cashback when they order food at Bigby's, The Dessert Factory, MyJoy, The Fat Cow Group, Casa Verde, Grillers Steak House, Fat Jim's, Penong's, Annipie Bakeshop, and Pearl Farm Maranao Restaurant. 

4. Gas stations 

While most of us are staying safe at home, some can’t avoid going outside – especially for work or shopping for essentials. When you need to go out for a drive, make sure you fuel your car with gasoline that’s got the best value for your money. Top up at Petron, Total, Cleanfuel, Unioil, Metro Oil, Powerfill, SeaOil, RePhil, or Marz Fuel for more gas for your buck and a smooth ride. 

Enjoy the safety and convenience of PayMaya QR and these great deals with PayMaya! If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, there’s always time to sign up and make the most out of your shopping—just download the PayMaya app for Android or iOS, register for an account, and find out what it’s like to shop with the fastest, safest, and most rewarding to pay for anything online and in stores! Remember, for all your essentials, don’t pay cash, PayMaya! 

To find out more about all the exclusive deals you can avail of with your PayMaya account, visit www.paymaya.com/deals or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides 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 touchpoints 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. 

*Until June 30, a minimum purchase of P500 is required to avail of this promo

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Real Estate Market in the Philippines

The Philippine real estate industry is among the best in the world. Apart from the local investors, meaning, the Filipinos, few of the biggest investors to this industry in the country are people from mainland China, Southeast Asians, and of course the Westerners. With the threat of COVID-19 around the globe, how has this affected the local real estate market?

The Philippine Real Estate Industry

Philippine Star’s Mary Ann Reyes wrote, “Several developers have focused on incorporating green architecture in their developments, due to an increase in temperature and carbon emissions and to facilitate natural lighting and ventilation utilizing renewable energy.”

These are only among the recent developments that real estate developers and owners are placing in these homes. Yet, the pandemic is changing the way the world economy moves.

However, with the continuous impact of the deepening COVID-19 crisis, the real estate market is also being affected. Data from Global Property Guide revealed that the housing market will slow down this year, since potential buyers are expected to take on a different approach, the “wait-and-see” strategy, out of the health crisis. No one can blame them since, at the end of the day, great caution when investing is the best choice.

The Global Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting about 2.6 billion people, combined figures from deaths, infections, and recovered. This includes individuals under the lockdown and quarantine measures from the government. The impact in the worldwide economy cannot be denied, especially that people are advised to stay at home, offices, and shops. Under the “new normal,” the real estate sector isn’t spared.

News reports even say that it might take a year or two before businesses in the Philippines can recover. In the real estate market, the changes in the trends are already evident. For instance, the demand for online real estate shopping continues, but because of the work break, the scrutiny and inspection of these living spaces have come to a halt. In general, the demand for these real estate establishments is also being affected negatively.

Paying Rent

Part of managing real estate investments in paying rent. This is in part of the business owners who manage stalls in these condominium buildings, and unit owners who own spaces. The pandemic, coupled with the global meltdown has urged businesses to close down offices, and thus, it is more difficult to make these rental payments. Many individuals have submitted letters to landlords requesting waivers in their account, in lieu of the recent crisis. The responses are mixed.

The disease is adding a burden to the current status of the Philippine economy. While it remains lucrative for investors to pool in their investments, they know that the country’s economy is still, generally, risky. Widespread corruption is present, affecting stability.

In 2019, the economic growth of this Southeast Asian nation submerged to an eight-year low at 5.9 percent, after achieving 6.2 percent in 2018. The figures point back to the implementation of that year’s national budget and the impacts of the trade war between China and the United States. The International Monetary Fund is predicting a 6.3 percent growth rate for the Philippines in 2020, but the parties are yet to see.

In the country, the real estate industry is classified into condominiums, single-detached and attached houses, duplex houses, and townhouses.

Kathryn Bernardo is the newest face of Gatorade Ion

Gatorade Ion, the drink that’s best for everyday hydration, takes a step further into promoting this important hydration reminder to all Filipinos by officially welcoming popular young Filipino actress, host, and celebrity Kathryn Bernardo to its ranks as its newest brand ambassador in a catch-up session on Instagram Live last June 20.

Bernardo is the perfect personality to endorse Gatorade Ion—with her showbiz schedule, hobbies, and interests keeping her busy and regularly exposed to heat all the time, she always needs fluids to make sure she performs her best. Gatorade Ion’s optimal amount of fluids and ions and formula of low sodium, no preservatives, no artificial flavors, and colors are what keeps non-stop go-getters like her hydrated. 

“I’m so happy and very honored to be the newest endorser for Gatorade Ion,” said Bernardo. “I believe hydration is very important for anyone, especially in a warm country like the Philippines where everyone is always on-the-go. Gatorade Ion is the best way to help us avoid the dangers of being dehydrated. It is in citrus quench in flavor, which makes it so refreshing on a hot day. It’s my new favorite go-to drink, I swear.”

“We’re really excited to have Kathryn aboard for Gatorade Ion,” said IC Sta. Maria, PepsiCo Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration. “Regular hydration every day is a must, and with her lifestyle, Kathryn is the ideal person to promote the benefits of staying hydrated.”

The catch-up session with Bernardo, hosted by her good friend and fellow celebrity Robi Domingo, revealed that she had taken advantage of the quarantine to pursue new activities, such as baking, watching K-dramas, and learning to play the piano, just to name a few.

And she also even gave a special message to boyfriend Daniel Padilla, who takes care of Bernardo and her family during the quarantine by bringing them goods and groceries. “Hindi enough ang thank you. Grabe lang yung alaga niya [sa aming lahat]. Hindi siya nagkulang—siya talaga yung nagse-set ng bar. I’m really thankful.”

No matter what we do and what we’re into, one thing that’s a must for everyone from all walks of life is the need for everyday hydration. The risks and dangers of dehydration, especially in a tropical climate such as the Philippines, are all too real—which is why we need to constantly hydrate.

To keep up with everything about hydration, everyday life, and Gatorade Ion’s newest partnership with Kathryn Bernardo, follow @gatoradeion on Facebook, IG, and Twitter. Stay hydrated with Gatorade Ion! Available in convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide. #GatoradeIon #EverydayHydratION

Enjoy Greater Cost Savings and Convenience with ShopeePay Day! On June 25, users can enjoy exclusive discounts, free shipping, and vouchers

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches ShopeePay Day, to offer greater convenience and cost savings as more Filipinos turn to cashless payments when they shop online. On June 25, ShopeePay users can look forward to exclusive limited-time deals and promotions, including free shipping and coins cashback.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, “Many Filipinos rely on e-commerce to meet their everyday needs as they live, work, and play from home. We are pleased to introduce ShopeePay Day to meet this trend, and offer our users greater convenience and savings as they shop with us.  As e-commerce takes on greater importance in people’s lives, Shopee will continue to innovate and introduce initiatives to enhance the online shopping experience for all.”  

On June 25, ShopeePay users can enjoy the following benefits as they shop from home: 

● One-day Exclusive Free Shipping: Users can enjoy free shipping with no minimum spending on ShopeePay Day.

● Exclusive Limited-time Deals and Promotions: ShopeePay users can look forward to exclusive promotions, including ₱125 off with every ₱500 minimum spend and further discounts when they purchase physical and digital products or pay their bills via ShopeePay. 

● Special Lucky Draw: From June 25 to 27, regular ShopeePay users stand a chance to win exciting prizes via a special lucky draw when they top up their ShopeePay wallets . This includes ShopeePay credits, Shopee coins, and vouchers. 

First-time ShopeePay users can easily activate their ShopeePay accounts in three simple steps:

1. Users need to log in to the Shopee platform, click on the ShopeePay tab, and then click ‘Setup ShopeePay’. 

2. Users should fill up the personal information form. They will receive a one-time password on their mobile phones after they complete the form.

3. Users need to create and re-confirm their ShopeePay pin. 

Visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay for more information about ShopeePay.

Download the Shopee application for free through the App Store or Google Play and activate ShopeePay. 

Globe, GCash introduce exclusive data promo for prepaid subs

Globe prepaid subscribers are up for a treat, as they get a new exclusive mobile promo from GCash that enables them to avail of more mobile data connection for less, allowing them to enjoy streaming videos, to connect with loved ones on social media, and to use their time for productivity.

Through their GCash apps, Globe prepaid subscribers may avail of the exclusive data bundle GoEXTRA90, which offers users with 8GB of mobile data plus unlimited calls to Globe and TM, unlimited texts to all networks, and 1GB of GoWifi access. This is 32GB for 360 pesos per month.

“Customers do not have to worry about staying connected with their loved ones even during the middle of the pandemic, because GoEXTRA90 lets them do this without having to leave the safety of their homes and without breaking the bank. We are offering this exclusive promo to our Globe prepaid subscribers to allow them to do more with less,” GCash President & CEO Martha Sazon said.

With GoEXTRA90, GCash users can enjoy these benefits for the low price of P90 when they register through the app. Even Globe Prepaid subscribers who are non-GCash users can avail of this exclusive promo simply by downloading the app for free in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.

The pandemic has forced everything to go digital, including schools and offices. GoEXTRA90 is the best alternative to conventional internet and mobile data plans because it provides a week’s worth of fast internet access and unlimited texts and calls for less than a hundred pesos.

“As demand in mobile data and Internet connection rises because of the pandemic, we at Globe have to provide better deals to make the lives of our customers easier. This exclusive bundle with GCash will definitely help promote productivity, while providing Filipinos with a means to cope with the effects of the community quarantines,” Globe President Ernest Cu said.

With GoEXTRA90, GCash users who are Globe Prepaid subscribers get better value for money. For 8GB of mobile data, subscribers can enjoy 96 hours of internet browsing or watch 16 hours of standard definition of videos online. This can also be used to attend online meetings via Zoom for those in a work from home setup or classes for students under remote learning.

On the other hand, the free voucher gives discounts to GCash users when they shop or dine in their favorite stores by using GCash as a payment method.

To subscribe to GoEXTRA 90, open the GCash app on Android or iOS, choose the Buy Load option, and look for the GoEXTRA90 in the ONLY ON GCASH! or the SURF tab.

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/.

Shopee Sees “Online-First” Shift for Food Products, as Filipinos Adapt to the New Normal

Consumers do a larger share of food shopping online, with a 2.5 times increase in users who buy food items on Shopee multiple times a month

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, highlights significant changes in the food and grocery market as Filipinos become more “online-first” for food products. 

In particular, people are doing a larger share of food shopping online, with a 2.5-times increase in users who buy food items multiple times a month on Shopee. Sellers and brands adapt to this "new normal" by offering a wider variety of online food products and using live streaming to assure buyers of quality in real-time.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines, said, 

“Social distancing has been a big part of our lives, and we have seen major changes in the way people think about and shop for their daily needs. In particular, buying food and groceries has become ‘online-first’ as consumers view e-commerce as a one-stop channel. Sellers and brands are adapting quickly, with Shopee as a vital platform for them to reach new customers. We see this as long-term evolution, and Shopee will continue to lead this trend in the years ahead.”

Shopee outlines four major trends in the food and grocery market in the Philippines:

1. Consumers become “online-first” for food products

Filipinos see e-commerce as the preferred channel for food and groceries, marked by:

● More Filipinos are shopping for food online: Shopee has observed a 2.5-times increase in the number of users who buy food products multiple times a month. This shows that Filipinos are shifting a larger share of food and grocery shopping online to reap the convenience of e-commerce.

● People shop for food around the clock: E-commerce is making it more convenient for consumers to shop for food items at any time. As a result, shopping activity stays high throughout the week, peaking on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

2. Food and grocery shopping evolve as people adapt to Covid-19 pandemic

People are also buying a wider variety of food items online, as they make lifestyles changes at different stages of social distancing and the Covid-19 pandemic:

● High demand for staple foods and baking supplies in March: The onset of social distancing motivated people to ensure ready food supplies at home, with demand for staple foods and baking supplies increasing by 70 times.

● More “offline” food products bought online: Filipinos became more comfortable with buying food and groceries online as social distancing continued. In April, demand for beverages and alcohol grew 8 times on Shopee.

● Top products: Caramelized sugar syrup, evaporated milk, and food flavorings for baking.

3. Rural and male consumers among the most active online food shoppers

As buying food products online becomes a norm, Shopee has observed that shopping activity is proliferating among rural and male consumers:

● Spike in grocery demand among rural consumers: Consumers outside Metro Manila are also seeing e-commerce as a key channel for food and groceries because of reduced access to physical stores. Shopee’s food shopping activity from areas outside of Metro Manila increased 2.5 times in the past few months.

● Men are doing more grocery shopping and cooking: Male food shopping activity increased up to three times from 2019. Men appear to be doing more home cooking and grocery shopping in recent months, with seasoning products and baking ingredients as the most popular among male users on Shopee.

4. Brands and sellers digitalize with Shopee, use new tools to sell food online

Brands and sellers are adapting to the new “online-first” environment through Shopee. They are offering an extensive range of food products and leveraging new tools to sell online:

● Offering more choice and variety: Shopee has seen steady growth in the number of brands and sellers offering food products online, creating more buyers’ preference. On Shopee, the array of food products on the platform has doubled from 2019.

● Using new tools to sell food online: Brands and sellers use live streaming to sell food products more effectively. In recent months, Shopee Live has become a vital tool for sellers to showcase new items and assure product quality in real-time, driving more views and sales.

Tao said, 

“The Covid-19 situation and social distancing measures have created major changes in consumers’ lifestyles, affecting how brands and sellers conduct their businesses. We are committed to helping the Filipinos during this time of need, and we will continue to improve our platform to provide the daily necessities of every consumer, brand, and seller.” 

Download Shopee for free through the App Store or Google Play.

SM Cares, Safeguard promote proper handwashing for #SafeHandsAtSM

SM Cares and Safeguard team up for the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign to educate and encourage people to practice the five steps of proper handwashing – especially in this time of pandemic.

This partnership with Safeguard forms part of SM’s programs to ensure Safe Malling as all SM malls continue to carry out strict safety and sanitation measures to assure the community that the malls are safe, clean, and compliant with health and sanitation protocols over and above government regulations.

People usually wash our hands fast – but did you know that there are proper steps of handwashing.

A virtual media conference on the partnership of SM Cares and Safeguard to encourage the 5 Steps of Hand Washing in SM malls nationwide was helld this Tuesday, June 23, with theme, #SafeHandsAtSM Campaign.

Mr. Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President was at the zoom virtual media conference said :

“As part of our safe malling commitment, handwashing is our first line of defense against illnesses, and is also crucial during a global health crisis. We very excited to partner with Procter & Gamble’s Safeguard, the leading brand in health and personal care, to raise awareness on the importance of this matter.” 

To ensure that all areas of your hands are properly washed, simply follow these steps: 

(1) wash palms;  

(2) back of hand; 

3) in between fingers;  

(4) fingernails;  

(5) and thumbs, 

and keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Afterward, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly, since good handwashing is our most effective shield and protection from all kinds of viruses.

“Safeguard, being 54 years in the country, has become much of a household name. From our beige bar soap from long ago to our hand sanitizers and liquid hand soap now, we have always committed ourselves to serve the needs of the Filipino people, just like SM has. And in the same way, I believe that both have been ingrained so much in Filipino culture that it is only natural to do this partnership,” said Procter & Gamble Vice President for Skin & Personal Care Ms. Shweta Sharma.

As part of the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign, Safeguard has made its liquid hand soap available in restrooms of all SM malls across the country to help the community fight the spread disease-causing germs. Information materials on the five steps of handwashing are also deployed in restrooms and high-traffic areas in SM to remind customers while in the mall.

With this, Safeguard and #SMDaresYOU to take on the #SafeHandsAtSM Challenge on TikTok from June 23 to 30. Just take a full body video of you properly washing your hands and dancing to your favorite tunes, tag your squad and use the official hashtag #SafeHandsAtSM, and be one of the 10 lucky winners who’ll get exciting giveaways!

This partnership with Safeguard forms part of SM’s programs to ensure Safe Malling as all SM malls continue to carry out strict safety and sanitation measures to assure the community that the malls are safe, clean, and compliant with health and sanitation protocols over and above government regulations.

Through simple efforts like washing your hands, not only are you protecting yourself, but those around you. 

To know more about #SafeHandsAtSM, visit www.smsupermalls.com and https://www.safeguard.ph, or visit their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok.

GCash’s GCredit serves 550k customers, partners with CIMB Bank PH for stronger push for Finance for All

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, and the most-awarded digital bank strengthened its strategic partnership with CIMB Bank Philippines to further widen the reach of GCredit, a digital credit facility available for GCash users. 

-GCash through Fuse Lending, Inc. disburses P5B in loans; provides credit line to 550,000 customers

GCash and CIMB Bank Philippines aim to help more Filipinos gain access to critical financial tools and services like credit, which has proven to be critical during the current pandemic. With the partnership, CIMB Bank Philippines will provide full back up funding support for the GCredit product line and provide best-in-class digital credit services to GCash users.

“We are happy to announce that with the full support of CIMB Bank Philippines, we can scale up GCredit to reach more customers who are in need of micro loans. This helps accelerate our vision of providing finance for all, which we at GCash have been pushing for the last decade,” GCash President and Chief Executive Officer Martha Sazon said.

Since it was first introduced in March 2018, GCredit has so far empowered 550,000 customers with credit lines, disbursing roughly P5 billion to date. GCredit has also gained popularity during the pandemic, with users extending their budgets for their groceries and payment for their utility bills. For this strengthened partnership, GCash and CIMB Bank Philippines are already working through the necessary regulatory approvals.

GCredit works like a flexible loan or credit card so it gives GCash customers access to money that they can use to buy groceries from supermarkets, medicines from pharmacies, and even utility bills. Any GCash user with an eligible GScore, the first digital credit rating score in the country, is entitled to use GCredit. The higher the GScore, the higher the credit limit that a user can tap. A GCash user may have access to up to P10,000 in credit line with a low daily interest rate computed as current interest rate divided by the number of days on credit.

While it functions like a credit card, GCredit does not require users to submit extensive documentary requirements or queue up to apply for a revolving credit facility.

“We at CIMB Bank Philippines are happy to strengthen our strategic alliance with GCash, the number one mobile wallet in the country. We believe that through our partnership, we will be able to further reach more Filipinos to help them save, gain access to credit, and manage their finances with us” CIMB Bank Philippines Chief Executive Officer Vijay Manoharan said.

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. CIMB Bank Philippines is part of the CIMB Group, ASEAN’s leading universal bank and is present in over 16 global markets.

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

Malacañang declares June 24 a special non-working holiday in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang palace has declared Wednesday June 24, 2020 a special non-working day in Manila in connection with the capital’s 449th founding anniversary.

Getty Images

The holiday declaration was signed on June 9 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, a copy of which was released by the Palace on Monday evening.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the city of Manila be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures.”

This year’s celebration marks the first Araw ng Maynila commemoration under the leadership of Mayor Isko Moreno after winning against former President Joseph Estrada. Moreno served as Estrada’s vice mayor.

Bundled for free on select devices starting July 1 - Lenovo unveils 3-Year Premium Care service to mitigate warranty issues during pandemic

To better support its loyal customers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, global technology leader Lenovo is adding another year to its popular 2-year Premium Care warranty solution for select devices in its consumer lineup from July 1 onwards. This means that all new IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion, and IdeaCentre devices are now automatically covered for three years with Premium Care’s International Coverage and Local On-site Service, while those with existing warranties may be upgraded to the same.

“At Lenovo, we are committed to putting our customers first, and this entails not only providing game-changing products but also extending them flexible and affordable technical support and solutions. The pandemic has disrupted day-to-day operations and pushed everyone to set up mobile working arrangements which leads to additional wear and tear to devices. Hopefully, with the added year of maintenance in our Premium Care service, our customers can spend their money on more essential goods in these trying times,” said Lenovo Philippines President and General Manager Michael Ngan.

Included among Lenovo’s robust solutions, Premium Care provides direct and easy connection to real Lenovo technicians, real fast resolution to PC troubles, and holistic comprehensive support even outside of the user’s home country. Aside from covering the usual store and manufacturer warranty, it possesses the following customer services:

·        24x7 access to Lenovo technicians via phone, chat, e-mail, and WhatsApp

·        Comprehensive support for hardware, peripherals, and software

·        On-site Repair on the next business day

·        ‘Getting started’ and ‘How to’ assistance

·        Annual PC Health Check

With all of these solutions combined, Lenovo customers are assured of a hassle- and worry-free maintenance experience even in the middle of the pandemic.

New Premium Care bundled for free

The 3-Year Premium Care service is bundled for free upon purchase of IdeaPad, Yoga, and Legion laptops and the IdeaCentre and Legion Tower gaming desktops with Intel Core i5 or i7 and AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processors. These are:

·        IdeaPad Slim 5	·        IdeaPad Gaming 3i
·        IdeaPad Slim 5i	·        Legion 5
·        IdeaPad Flex 5	·        Legion 5i
·        IdeaPad Flex 5i	·        Legion 5pi
·        Yoga Slim 7	·        Legion 7i
·        Yoga Slim 7i	·        Legion Tower 5i
·        Yoga C940	·        IdeaCentre 3
·        IdeaPad Gaming 3	·        IdeaCentre Gaming 5i
·        IdeaCentre AiO 3

Existing warranty extension available

Meanwhile, users who want to extend their existing warranty for other Lenovo devices need to go directly to their nearest Lenovo or Legion Concept Store or any Lenovo authorized reseller and provide information including the model name of the device, its serial number, and the customer’s name and email address for the registration of the new warranty.

The extension from 2-Year Premium Care to 3-Year Premium Care costs PHP 5,300. Users are allowed to extend their Premium Care warranty up until six months before the expiration of their outstanding device warranty. Meanwhile, those with devices currently under Lenovo’s 2-Year Carry-In Warranty can upgrade to the 3-Year Premium Care Warranty solution for PHP 9,100.

For more information about Lenovo’s Premium Care warranty solution and tips on how to maintain your devices, contact Lenovo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lenovophilippines/ or via WhatsApp at +63 23953354. 

You can also visit https://www.lenovo.com/ph/en/premium-care.