10 Finds for Every Kind of Woman at the Shopee’s International Women’s Day Fair

Is your bestie one of these women? This March 8, make her feel special with gifts up to 90% off that she’ll truly love

MANILA, MARCH 6, 2021 - Every kind of woman is worth celebrating no matter what they choose to do in life. Whether she’s a boss babe or a wonder mom, each one is special and can be a wonderful inspiration for little girls out there. They all represent different facets of womanhood and chase after equally important dreams.

This International Women’s Day, show your appreciation for all the strong, independent ladies in your life. Shower these women with sweet, thoughtful products tailored to their interests. Shopee’s International Women’s Day Fair features the perfect presents up to 90% off. What better way to honor the different kinds of women you love than with the wonderful gifts below? 

Everything a girl boss needs to stay on top

The high-flying career woman is a go-getter who knows what she wants to achieve in life. Dressed in her absolute best, she grabs the attention of the room and knows how to take charge. She needs fool-proof beauty products to help her look put-together during stressful, meeting-filled days at work. L'Oreal Paris Excellence Fashion Parisian Cool Ash Hair Color will give her tresses rich, vibrant color minus the damage, thanks to its protective serum and conditioning balm. For bold, well-groomed eyebrows, Teviant Eyebrow Duo in Highness provides a smooth, highly pigmented formula that’ll keep each hair in place.

Baby essentials to keep the super mom flying high

Supermoms can do everything. From juggling their career to taking care of their newborn baby, we don’t know how they manage to do it all. That’s said, it’s not without its challenges—such as bottle feeding! Help out your mommy friends with functional baby-feeding gifts. For instance, they can easily disinfect two baby bottles at once with the 59S UV Sterilizing Mommy Bag. Through UVC LED Disinfection technology, the product eliminates 99.9% of germs, viruses, and bacteria. For moms on the go, Philips Avent Bottle Warmer conveniently heats up milk in less than three minutes. This thermos can keep its contents hot for up to six hours.

Workout-ready gear for the fitness enthusiast 

The fitness buff is into cycling, yoga, pilates—you name it. They’re your go-to buddy for all workout-related activities because their energy and enthusiasm are contagious! Get them geared up for your next Zoom workout together. Moving Peach Fitness Long Sleeve Sportswear’s quick-dry, spandex fabric is perfect for both yoga and high-intensity exercises. Keep them feeling cool and fresh throughout each workout with Lactacyd Feminine Wash All Day Care, which is formulated with natural milk extracts. 

Essentials to protect female frontliners

Filipina frontliners are today’s modern heroines. They sacrifice their health and risk their own lives to take care of the country. While they’re out there fighting a health crisis, equip them with the necessary battle gear. The Ilwoul Nano Fiber Mask provides respiratory protection with 4 layered filters. Each light, breathable mask is washable up to 20 times. You can also help keep their hands virus-free with Nippon White Ginger Hand Wash. Its non-drying formula keeps hands squeaky clean and lightly scented with white ginger.

Makeup haul to keep the beauty junkie on fleek

The beauty junkie comes to your rescue during beauty emergencies, such as sudden breakouts or broken nails. More than that, she is an artistic soul who simply wants to create beauty. So what do you get someone who already has everything in her makeup stash? Keep her stocked up on basics such as highlighting powder and mascara! Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder is infused with ultra-reflective pearl pigments to give her skin a glowing finish. Meanwhile, Maybelline Falsies Lash Lift Mascara promises clump- and flake-free length and volume with its double-curved lifting brush and fiber-infused formula.

Shop for all these products and more at Shopee’s International Women’s Day Fair and enjoy discounts of up to 90% off. For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/m/international-womens-day-fair. 

Don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay! Make your shopping experience more convenient and rewarding when you shop, buy load, and pay bills with ShopeePay.

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

We Got tackles romantic relationships gone astray on reggae tune “LDR”

Eight-piece reggae outfit We Got has finally dropped their new single just in time for summer.

Released under Sony Music Philippines, “LDR” is an easygoing tropical tune that shows how cruel a long-distance affair could be most of the time.

Punctuated by offbeat rhythms, syncopated bass lines, and punchy horns, the song cuts through the emotional core with its realistic take on relationships gone astray.

In a collective statement, We Got shares how “LDR” managed to tackle themes that center on trust, temptation, and eventually, lost love. “We have observed that this situation keeps happening over and over. We made this song not to raise more hurt feelings, but to help them realize that there’s more to life than dwelling on lost relationships.”

“LDR” was produced by Raymund Marasigan, who has worked with the crossover act on numerous occasions, particularly on their previously released tunes “Ligaya,” a cover of The Eraserheads’ beloved ‘90s hit, and “Lihim Na Pagtingin,” an original which has amassed more than a hundred thousand streams on Spotify alone.

The band considers working with the acclaimed rock icon as one of the best things that happened to them individually, and as a band. “From his years of experience in the music industry, he was able to share his techniques to make our songs more unique.”

“LDR” was recorded at Kodama Studios with Shinji Tanaka at the helm of mixing and mastering duties, and Hazel Pascua serving as the track’s sound engineer. It will be part of an upcoming record to be released soon via Sony Music Philippines and Soupstar Music.

We Got’s latest single “LDR” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide.

 

 

7-Eleven Makes Bank Transactions Convenient With 320 Cash-Recycing ATMs

Now you don’t need to travel far to your bank’s ATM whenever you need to deposit or withdraw cash —you can do your cash withdrawal and balance inquiry ATM transactions at 7-Eleven stores in Metro Manila and Cavite starting this March.

This convenience is made possible by Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC), the exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven in the Philippines, in partnership with Pito AxM Platform, Inc. (PAPI), a Philippine subsidiary of Seven Bank, Ltd. of Japan (Seven Bank).

The ATMs in 7-Eleven, operated by PAPI, are cash-recycling ATMs, which means customers can withdraw or deposit cash in real-time with any of its partner banks. Customers can now withdraw cash while the deposit functionality of the ATMs will be activated in the near future. The ATMs also have a unique feature of adapting the customer interface screen to that of the partner bank and thus providing a familiar, easy-to-use interface for users.

As of this publication, BDO Unibank account holders can withdraw cash and perform balance inquiries free of charge from the ATMs in 7-Eleven stores. Other bank account holders, through BANCNET, can also do withdrawal and balance inquiry transactions subject to ATM fees charged by their banks. PAPI plans to expand the number of partner banks in the near future to allow more convenient and cost-efficient banking services to more customers.

By the first week of March, customers can already conduct their bank transactions in more than thirty (30) 7-Eleven stores in NCR. PAPI and PSC aim to install ATMs in at least 320 stores by the end of the first half of 2021. This number will gradually increase throughout the year, with the end goal of covering the majority of 7-Eleven stores in the future.

Seven Bank, which operates more than 25,000 ATMs in Japan, established PAPI in April 2019 to promote its ATM business in the country. In February 2020, PAPI struck a business alliance with PSC, intending to install, operate, and maintain ATMs at 7-Eleven stores in the Philippines.

PSC operates the largest convenience store network in the country. It has 2,978 stores in the Philippines as of December 31, 2020.

For more information on where to find the ATMs, please visit https://www.7-eleven.com.ph/whatsnew/atms-in-7eleven-list-of-stores/.

Withdraw Anytime, Anywhere. BDO and BDO Network Bank ATMs are strategically located to ensure convenient cash withdrawals to accountholders.

BDO ATMs offer convenient cash withdrawals to accountholders

BDO Unibank, Inc. and BDO Network Bank offer clients the most expansive ATM network in the country to continuously perform cash withdrawals anytime, anywhere. Currently, there are over 4,400 BDO and BDO Network Bank ATMs strategically located all over the Philippines.

These ATMs operate 24/7 at accessible locations where people go to or pass by regularly, such as corporate offices and commercial places like malls, and, even in locations near their residence.

Besides withdrawing cash, account holders can enjoy the following benefits:

• Check your account and Cash Card balances

• · Withdraw up to Php 50,000.00 cash per day

• · Transfer money (Fund Transfer) to enrolled or unenrolled BDO accounts or select BancNet member bank accounts

• · Pay your bills through our wide selection of Billers and Merchants

• · Load SMART, Globe, and Touch Mobile (TM) prepaid mobile phone and broadband services

• · Avail of cash advance from your Amex, JCB, Mastercard, Visa, Diners, KFTC, and UnionPay credit card

At select ATMs, account holders can also make card-less cash withdrawals using biometrics (fingerprint and/or facial recognition) or a QR Code generated via the BDO Digital Banking App.

Account opening made easy

BDO understands the value of cash accessibility. While a lot of people have resorted to online banking amid the pandemic, many still prefer to withdraw their cash.

For those who wish to take advantage of the bank’s wide ATM network, just follow these easy steps:

1.     1. Fill out online form here: https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/accounts/how-to-open-an-account

2.     2. Select your preferred BDO branch and the date and time of your visit.

3.    3. Bring the minimum cash deposit and two valid IDs during your branch appointment to complete your application. Cash deposit amount varies depending on the type of account.

 

One Screen Channel unveils award-winning films by Regal Entertainment this March

Movie enthusiasts are in for an exciting treat as Cignal TV and Regal Entertainment Inc. bring top-tier cinematic pieces to the comforts of your home. Through One Screen Channel, films that have acquired recognition both here and abroad will now be seen on Cignal’s channel on all weekends of March up to December. Critically-acclaimed films Die Beautiful and So Connected will kick-start this moviefest that promises to make you look forward to your weekend movie bonding.

“Our long-term partnership with Regal Entertainment is hinged on providing entertainment as well as significance in the ideas and themes that we air,” Cignal TV Inc. FVP and Head of Channels & Content Management, Sienna G. Olaso, said. “We are excited to use the One Screen platform in bringing these masterpieces closer to the audience, presenting a thematic block of films that is unique for every month.”

Get ready to cry, laugh, and fall in love as this special film screening will usher in award-winning films in the likes of Elise, Blue Moon, Signal Rock, and Die Beautiful which will air this weekend alongside So Connected.

Die Beautiful (March 6) follows the story of Trisha, a transgender, who dies during a beauty pageant. In this massive hit by Director Jun Lana, viewers are treated to a heartwarming movie that takes a closer look at the issues that confront a transgender woman beautifully played by Paolo Ballesteros.

So Connected (March 7) by Director Jason Paul Laxamana gives a take on fate and destiny in this film that stars Janella Salvador and Jameson Blake. Trisha, a struggling waitress, buys a phone from a black market seller. Unknown to her, Karter, the owner of the stolen phone, still has access to the device and is trying to locate her.

Up next in April, gather with your barkada and get your popcorn ready as you bundle up for friendship-themed films that are sure to make you celebrate friendship. As the month of new beginnings embark, the theme ‘Barkada, Old and New,’ is best suited to reunite with old pals, start afresh and leave hard feelings behind.

Are you more into heavy drama? Does the line “Walang himala!” ring a bell? Is the Shake, Rattle, and Roll series your cup of tea? Or does a powerhouse cast get you hooked more than anything? All these themes and more await your welcome in the months to come.

COO and Vice President of Regal Entertainment Inc., Marie Roselle Y. Monteverde, suggested that making its viewership aware of the things happening around the community is effectively delivered through films. According to her, “It is imperative that we continue to materialize our big idea for this project: ‘Tatak Regal, Tiyak Na De-Kalidad’ by augmenting the Filipinos with high-brow and quality content that will enrich and widen their perspective on key matters in the country, at the same time letting them enjoy the experience.”

Make sure to catch the rest of Regal Originals starting this month at 8:00 p.m. on One Screen Channel on Cignal (CH. 9) and SatLite (CH. 35). Viewers may access the channel via Cignal Play App, available on Android and iOS.

Cignal TV was launched in 2009 and is currently the country's premier DTH satellite provider, with over 3 million subscribers. It is the leader in Pay TV in the Philippines with its nationwide coverage and availability. It transmits 134 channels including free-to-air, SD and HD channels to household and commercial venues in the country. It also offers a mix of 17 audio channels and on-demand service through pay-per-view channels and content add-ons. Cignal is owned by Cignal TV, a subsidiary of MediaQuest Holdings, the media partner of PLDT Group.

Not yet a Cignal subscriber? Contact Cignal at 8888-5555, 0949-9977600 to 7603, or sales@cignal.tv. You may also enjoy One Screen for free on Cignal Play. Just download the app via App Store or Google Play. For SatLite subscribers, One Screen is available on Channel 35. For more information, follow One Screen on Facebook.

5 Women Who Inspire and Empower Other Women Online and in the Real World

 

TikTok celebrates International Women's Day with #SheShines2021, a webinar showcasing notable female creators who help make the app a positive and inclusive community.

Manila, Philippines - March 5, 2021 - TikTok takes pride in being a positive and inclusive platform, where women are empowered to express themselves creatively and authentically. Female creators on the app have helped transform TikTok into a real, inspiring, fun, and educational space for all, and they continue to do so each time they share creative new content.

Antoinette Taus (@antoinettetaus)

Filipino-American actress, humanitarian, and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme, Antointette Taus, is a long-time fixture in the local entertainment industry. Recognized as one of the most influential role models of the youth of her generation, Antoinette's main mission is to empower the youth to take the lead in the transition toward a future that is centered on the betterment of people and the planet—without leaving anyone behind. She founded the non-profit organization “CORA” (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation) and the purpose-driven business “The Sustainable Planet”, which are dedicated to creating sustainable programs and solutions to help solve global issues focused on hunger, poverty, inequality, mental health, plastic pollution, and climate change.

For Antoinette, in order to be supportive of other women, you must first, be kind.

"Uplifting each other, being kind to each other, not judging each other. Just imagine, you don't even have to look for support if naturally we just always tried to either to be kind or uplift everything around us that women and the girls are doing."      -- Antoinette Taus

 

Pau Kimberly (@paukimberly)

Self-love advocate, Pau Kimberly, uses TikTok as a platform to make others feel better about themselves. In a lot of her videos, she encourages her followers, the women in particular, to rise up after each fall. In Pau's content, one powerful message that we all need to hear shines through - "You are enough."

"We as a society are not yet used to women standing up for themselves, women that are strong and independent, women that are empowered, women that are not believing in timelines, women that are very career-driven. I use my platform to raise awareness that we shouldn't care about others' opinions. We as women are enough, and are worthy, in our own rights."  -- Pau Kimberly

 

Veronica Limcaoco (@beloynica)

Veronica "Ron" Limacaoco is an active member of Girls Got Game PH (@girlsgotgameph), a non-profit organization that works to empower young women through sports. The group organizes roving sports camps in underprivileged areas throughout the Philippines. Here, girls can learn how to play different sports, which helps them build self-confidence. As a result, Girls Got Game PH actually helps to build our country's future, one self-reliant woman at a time.

Veronica believes that women must work together to empower one another.

"There's no one perfect way to do things, like we are all after the same goal - Women empowerment. We are just doing it differently, I might be doing it through sports but in the end we only have the same goal, and it's impossible for one person, one organization to do it all. So, the best thing to do is work together."     -- Veronica Limacaoco

 

Nove-Ann Tan (@ihomeschoolph)

Homeschooling advocate, Nove-Ann Tan, is a hands-on homeschooling mom who also provides support for other homeschoolers. She has also authored two books, "I Homeschool: How to Homeschool Without Losing Your Mind" and "Happy Wife, Happy Life", and hosts a weekly podcast where she shares valuable insights and information about homeschooling.

For Nove-Ann, it is important to make other women feel that they are not alone in whatever they may be going through.

"It's making a message that 'Hey, you are not alone, I am here.' Magtulungan tayo. Never be ashamed of your your weakness, of what you're going through, because you will never know, you'll be a blessing. May isang taong lang na mag-swipe sa TikTok mo, kahit na isang tao lang ang matulungan sa message mo, it would be very valuable."    -- Nove-Ann Tan

 

Maica Teves

Maica Teves is the Executive Director of Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran (SPARK!) Philippines. SPARK! is an NGO composed of women who are committed to help empower and elevate more women to become active partners in national development. Maica feels that there is so much that can be done each day to show support and encouragement towards other women.

"I've seen time and time again the tangible results of women supporting other women, and I always say that it always starts with even simple daily interaction. There are many ways that women can empower each other - By being a role model, by offering support, celebrating each other's wins."  -- Maica Teves

To know more about their advocacies, please visit wearecora.org, girlsgotgame.ph, and sparkphilippines.org.

Discover more inspiring female creators to follow on TikTok! Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

RBank Remit: Send your remittances in just one click!

To help the millions of Filipinos who are sending and receiving remittances in the Philippines, Robinsons Bank has introduced its new service, the RBANK REMIT.

RBANK REMIT promises an easy, fast, and reliable remittance service that can be accessed through the RBank Digital Online Banking via mobile app or web.  

As long as senders have an Robinsons Bank account enrolled in the RBank Digital online banking, they can send to RBank’s partner remittance centers all over the country! 

Recipients are also able to receive funds in real-time and can instantly go to the remittance center and present the necessary requirements (valid ID, reference number) to claim.  

Clients can now use RBank Remit to send their remittances to Cebuana Lhuillier with 2,500 branches nationwide.  

Don’t miss the opportunity to send your remittance with ease. If you don’t have a Robinsons Bank account, open now via online at https://rbankdig.onelink.me/Judl/RbankSignUp . Once you have an account, simply enroll it in RBank Digital Online Banking and start using RBANK REMIT! That easy!

Robinsons Bank is the financial services arm of the JG Summit Group of Companies, one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. It currently ranks 18th among universal and commercial banks in the country, with assets amounting to Php 131.088 Bn as of December 2019. The Bank is recognized as the Fastest Growing Commercial Bank in the Philippines for 2020 by the Global Business Outlook; and the Best Commercial Bank in the Philippines for 2020 by the International Business Magazine. RBank was also recognized as an Outstanding Employer at the PH Best Employer Brand Awards 2020. 

 

For inquiries and concerns, you may reach Robinsons Bank through its Customer Care Center at (02) 8637-CARE (2273) or domestic toll-free 1-800-10-637-CARE (2273); or visit its website at www.robinsonsbank.com.ph. 

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/robinsonsbank/ and join our Viber Community

at www.bit.ly/RBankCommunity to get the latest updates. 

 

 

Fiber 101: Why it’s the reliable and practical way to have good internet connection in urban areas

One of the many challenges facing property owners, customers, and most families is how they can have better internet connectivity in their offices or homes. What is more perplexing is how to do this right in the middle of an urban area where installing a cell tower can be a major challenge.

Globe has the best solution for this concern: fiber connection inside the home.

Fiber is a technology that offers high-speed connection, with speeds that reach up to 940 Megabits per second (Mbps) with low latency or lag time. It uses light to transmit and receive data signals as against the electrical signal that digital subscriber line (DSL) technology uses.

Globe’s fiber technology is the best alternative to places wherein there are no available space or property to install a new cell tower or a cell site. Fiber is also the most practical solution to improve internet connectivity without literally disturbing the peace and order in a community or even the house and building itself.

Fiber also solves the concern where the cell tower signal is blocked by thick walls, confined places and other factors that impede the penetration of signals in one’s residence or place of work. More importantly, bringing fiber to the home (FTTH) doesn’t require that much time and energy to do so.

“Technology is always evolving and that's why Globe continuously invests in its network to bring the latest technology in the world available to customers. Fiber is the best alternative in urban areas where building a new cell site is a challenge. If we are talking about the need to connect with wider capacity but with less concerns in a short time, then fiber is the best way to do so,” said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.

Fiber is fast. It can send data as fast as 70% of the speed of light. Since light travels very fast on fiber optic cables, fiber connection can generate speeds up to 100x faster than DSL. Simply put, with fiber technology the whole household can enjoy watching their favorite TV series, movies, concerts or bond together by playing online games without worrying about buffering or lags.

Its material is made of glass as compared to copper with DSL. Because it is made of glass, it weighs lighter and is more compact. These are reasons why fiber is more practical and more viable in the long run. It will never rust and it is not much of a burden, literally, on poles.

“Contrary to popular belief, installing fiber in your homes is not as invasive as you think. Globe technical teams will first determine the best way to bring fiber cables to your homes before actually installing them. Instead of using a traditional modem, a small Optical Network Terminal (ONT) box will be placed in the customer’s home to convert the light signals into digital data,” added Agustin.

Agustin also explained that it is better and always more practical and convenient for property owners, developers, and contractors to build their fiber network simultaneously with the building or construction of their property. Not only will it save so much money and effort in the long run, but it will also serve as a prime attraction for prospective customers or investors.

Globe is eyeing to bring fiber to at least 1 million Filipino homes this year.

To know more about Globe at Home’s better technology and how to get a free fiber upgrade, please visit: https://www.globe.com.ph/broadband/free-fiber-upgrade.html

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), specifically UN SDG No. 9 which emphasizes the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

For more information visit www.globe.com.ph

realme 7 retail price slashed, now at Php 11,990

Coming at the heels of the well-received launch of digital lifestyle experience realme TechLife and the recent cutback on the realme 7 Pro selling price, the leading smart technology company reinforces its aim of making interconnectivity attainable for every Filipino with another price drop, this time on the realme 7. 

The midrange model is available for only P11,990 beginning March 5 via Lazada, Shopee, and official realme dealers and stores across the country.

realme follows TechLife launch with a Php3,000 price drop on one of its most powerful smartphones starting March 5

The realme 7 is the first smartphone in the world to be powered by the MediaTek Helio G95 Gaming Processor. Boasting industry-leading features and cutting-edge capabilities, the realme 7 is also the first to receive the TÜV Rheinland Smartphone Reliability Verification. This certification, which includes 22 major and 38 minor tests, vouches for the product’s durability and reliability for various daily-use scenarios. Introducing the model’s new cut-rate price tag is among realme’s steps to make Smart Living more accessible to all.

“With digital increasingly becoming the primary platform and norm for our modern communities, realme is working to make sure that a highly efficient and enjoyable Smart Living ecosystem is available in the market at a competitive rate,” Austine Huang, realme Philippines’ VP for Marketing said. “We want to bring the wonders of tech to the Filipinos’ fingertips. And that, of course, begins with the most-used device: the smartphone.”

Premium Specs for Premium Experience on a budget

The realme 7 packs value for money with its Octa-core CPU paired with a super Carbon Fiber Cooling System. This combo makes for a device with the power to host large apps and massive games, with zero lag. Users can finally say goodbye to AFKs and an overheating unit!

Capture a sharper and smoother reality

Users are also enabled to snap a carbon copy of reality with the help of realme 7’s Sony 64MP Quad Cam. This produces ultra-high resolution pictures with unparalleled clarity. The smartphone’s seamless 6.5” mirror-designed screen also lets you enjoy your photos, watch your favorite films, join video conferences, and view other displays in incredible detail.

Your favorite digital activity, for hours on end

realme 7’s massive 5,000mAh battery can support extended hours, giving users time to immerse in and maximize the phone’s capabilities, with a low turnover time for charging. On a single full-charge, digital natives can game for 9 hours, binge movies for 15 hours, or listen to their favorite music for 81 hours -- all uninterrupted.

The realme 7 series is fully integrated into the realme Smart Living ecosystem, with capabilities and applications that work with and complement both the recently launched realme Smart TV and the realme Watch S Pro.

To stay updated and know more about the realme events and promos, you may visit and follow realme’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.

 

Most affordable Air Fryer from XTREME is now available!

The long wait is finally over! XTREME Appliances has launched their brand new kitchen appliance, the 3.5L XTREME Home Air Fryer. Using this appliance, Filipino consumers can now enjoy a healthier way of cooking their frozen and fresh food.

“We saw the demand for air fryers. We checked what specific features/settings buyers are looking for. From there, we decided to bring the air fryer to the Philippine market and sell it at a fair price”, shares VP for Marketing Mr. Stephen Cheng.

The main spotlight of this cooking appliance is its features: air-fry, roast, bake, broil, and de-hydrate. It carries a digital touchscreen display, a functional timer that lasts up to 1hr and 30 minutes with an automatic shut-off and temperature up to 200 Degrees Celsius. It also has a large capacity of 3.5L barrel that can provide enough food for the entire family and friends; you can even roast a whole chicken in it! Cleaning will never be a problem, you can skip worrying about the hard-to-remove burned food thanks to its non-stick coating barrel. This device promises to cook food faster, therefore, saving more energy and time; as well as space because of its compact design- compared to a regular deep frying machine or convection ovens. 

The 3.5L XTREME Home Air Fryer works by distributing a rapid air heat system around the food, making it cook evenly and creates better crispiness and flavor unlike the traditional way of cooking.

Is the XTREME Home Air Fryer worth it? With the price of ₱2,995, you can achieve your ideal level of crispness and flavorful dishes in just one device without getting into a mess. Bring out that cooking perfection now at a very budget-friendly price!

Keep updated on the latest news and happenings of XTREME Appliances: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. For the full list of products and exclusive discounts, please visit XTREME on Website, Lazada, and Shopee e-commerce.

 

COVID-19: Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost a full year, says UNICEF

UNICEF unveils ‘Pandemic Classroom’ at United Nations Headquarters in New York to call attention to the need for governments to prioritize the reopening of schools

NEW YORK, 3 March 2021 – Schools for more than 168 million children globally have been completely closed for almost an entire year due to COVID-19 lockdowns, according to new data released today by UNICEF. Furthermore, around 214 million children globally – or 1 in 7 – have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning.

The analysis of the school closure report notes that 14 countries worldwide have remained largely closed from March 2020 to February 2021. Two-thirds of those countries are in Latin America and the Caribbean, affecting nearly 98 million schoolchildren. Of the 14 countries, Panama has kept schools closed for the most days, followed by El Salvador, Bangladesh, and Bolivia.

“As we approach the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are again reminded of the catastrophic education emergency worldwide lockdowns have created. With every day that goes by, children unable to access in-person schooling fall further and further behind, with the most marginalized paying the heaviest price,” said Henrietta Fore UNICEF Executive Director. “We cannot afford to move into year two of limited or even no in-school learning for these children. No effort should be spared to keep schools open, or prioritize them in reopening plans.”

School closures have devastating consequences for children’s learning and wellbeing. The most vulnerable children and those unable to access remote learning are at an increased risk of never returning to the classroom, and even being forced into child marriage or child labor. According to latest data by UNESCO, more than 888 million children worldwide continue to face disruptions to their education due to full and partial school closures.

The majority of schoolchildren worldwide rely on their schools as a place where they can interact with their peers, seek support, access health and immunization services and a nutritious meal. The longer schools remain closed, the longer children are cut off from these critical elements of childhood.

To call attention to the education emergency and raise awareness about the need for governments to keep schools open, or prioritize them in reopening plans, UNICEF today unveiled ‘Pandemic Classroom,’ a model classroom made up of 168 empty desks, each desk representing the million children living in countries where schools have been almost entirely closed – a solemn reminder of the classrooms in every corner of the world that remain empty.

“This classroom represents the millions of centers of learning that have sat empty—many for almost the entire year. Behind each empty chair hangs an empty backpack—a placeholder for a child’s deferred potential,” said Fore. “We do not want shuttered doors and closed buildings to obscure the fact that our children’s futures are being put on indefinite pause. This installation is a message to governments: we must prioritize reopening schools, and we must prioritize reopening them better than they were before.”

As students return to their classrooms, they will need support to readjust and catch up on their learning. School reopening plans must incorporate efforts to recover children’s lost education. UNICEF urges governments to prioritize the unique needs of every student, with comprehensive services covering remedial learning, health and nutrition, and mental health and protection measures in schools to nurture children and adolescents’ development and wellbeing. UNICEF’s Framework for Reopening Schools, issued jointly with UNESCO, UNHCR, WFP, and the World Bank, offers practical advice for national and local authorities.

UnionBank’s Solid 2020 Results Highlight Robust Customer Acquisition together with Strong Cost Control

Despite the global effects of COVID-19, particularly in the banking industry, UnionBank’s recently-disclosed 2020 Financial Results underscore the strategic importance of its digital transformation almost five years ago; as it is now harvesting its strategic rewards.

The Bank was able to achieve a net income of Php11.6 billion, despite credit reserves growing by nearly five-fold year-on-year or close to Php7.0 billion more than 2019. Earnings performance translated to a return on equity of 11.9%, way above the industry average of 6.6% in 2020.

The Bank recorded the highest growth rate in its CASA deposits of 24%, in the last twenty years. This was brought about by retail customers trusting the availability and security of the Bank’s digital channels, together with corporate accounts moving collections to the Bank, because of visibility over transactions and best-in-class, self-service cash management implementation.

From the original target of attracting a million new customers, UnionBank was able to attract twenty-four million new accounts in 2020 with a large portion coming from digital account opening. It is the only Top-10 universal bank in the country that was able to introduce, during the crisis period, an account that can be fully-opened, without going to any “physical branch, which resulted in large customer adoption.

The growth in customers and digital transactions resulted in strong operating income for the year. Revenues were at an all-time high of Php42.1 billion driven by the expansion of net interest income by 29% to Php28.7 billion.

Growth in operating expenses was kept at low single-digits despite robust business growth due to sustained efficiencies from digitization. Due to these efficiencies, 2020 OpEx grew by 4% despite the effects of the pandemic.

The Bank’s transformation to become “Digital to the Core” has indeed opened the proverbial “jaws-of-the-tiger”, where the upper-jaw representing revenue-and-new-customers growth dramatically “opened-up wide”, while the lower-jaw representing costs – particularly costs-per-transaction – correspondingly went significantly lower. This dual-impact from the “jaws-of-the-tiger” was clearly reflected in the Bank’s solid 2020 results.

UBX, the Bank’s technology and innovation firm, signed up more than 140,000 MSMEs across its platforms namely i2i, BUX, Sentro, and SeekCap.

CitySavings Bank also continued to deliver efficient services to teachers and motorcycle loan borrowers with the help of its mobile sales app. As of December 2020, CitySavings has an outstanding portfolio of P46.5 billion in teachers' loans, P4.3 billion in motorcycle loans, and P2.3 billion in MSME loans.

“I am pleased with the Bank’s 2020 performance despite a challenging year. This was a product of all UnionBankers who continued to push boundaries and whose heroic efforts during this crisis has propelled us to greater heights. As we line up new features in our digital channels and Tech Up especially more of our underbanked and unbanked countrymen, we aim to move full throttle in 2021 with the end in view of achieving a bank of enduring greatness,” said Edwin R. Bautista, President, and CEO.

Teleperformance launches Cloud Campus hubs at Fairview and Aura sites, revolutionizes work-at-home environment

Manila, Philippines - Teleperformance, a global leader in digitally integrated business services, recently launched its newest Teleperformance Cloud Campus hubs through a global virtual event. Teleperformance Founder and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Julien led the activity and introduced to the audience the Cloud Campus facilities now operating at TP Aura and TP Fairview.

The Cloud Campus solution is a revolutionary and innovative new global operating model of Teleperformance. It is specifically designed to enable a socially enriched work-at-home environment, allowing companies to easily expand their business and deliver superior customer experiences through Teleperformance’s unique, cloud-centric solution.

The Cloud Campus hubs at Teleperformance Aura and Fairview sites serve as the operational command center of virtual teams. Home-based interaction experts can now work from anywhere while remaining connected to their Teleperformance team through the Cloud Campus hubs, which come with innovative features to help employees stay engaged and connected while maintaining operational efficiency. The highly functional design blends proprietary Teleperformance technology, analytics, and process excellence (T.A.P.) with best-of-breed technologies to form a uniquely efficient global solution.

The operating capabilities of Teleperformance Cloud Campus include virtual talent acquisition, training, development, coaching, team building, learning, client interaction, quality control, and data security management, as well as emotional well-being and rich social interaction for employees. Gamification is utilized for employee fun, socialization, and education as part of the new Teleperformance ‘campus life’.

The Cloud Campus hubs include Training Rooms that are technology optimized to recreate the experience of onsite training like video conference systems, digital whiteboards, and wallboards with performance dashboards. Virtual technology allows managers to see their team’s schedule and connect with them for huddles or one on one sessions, and space for support teams – such as Training, Supervisors and other Managers, IT Helpdesk Support, Quality, and Workforce Management – that will allow more efficient knowledge transfer and increased focus on the special needs of the remote employees.

To further support work-at-home employees, Teleperformance also employs the TP Digital Floorwalker, a digital assistant that uses machine learning to handle questions from agents that can result in improved first call resolutions and reduced average handle times for calls. The Cloud Campus hubs also utilize dashboards to monitor the internet speed of employees, allowing for the faster intervention of connectivity issues.

For Teleperformance, protecting sensitive information is key, which is why their Cloud Campus solution ensures that data remains secure within remote environments. Their Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Architecture is PCI-certified, and other security measures include multi-factor authentication, device lockdown, and the usage of virtual sessions to ensure that no data is stored locally. The Teleperformance Cloud Campus hubs also employ TP Observer, a consolidated solution that provides real-time monitoring and system alerts for risk elements and suspicious patterns to detect a data breach and fraud attempts.

“In 2020 our R&D teams, helped by our Operations, had built an end-to-end digital platform to manage efficiently and safely work from remote all over the world. Today, thanks to Teleperformance Cloud Campus, we serve our clients from any place in the world with a remote workforce – whatever can be the external or internal constraints – through this wonderful, bulletproof digital platform. This platform is going to help you better manage your customer interaction and your customer experience,” said Daniel Julien.

“The Teleperformance Cloud Campus model was designed to help businesses who are looking at remote work as part of their growth plans in the new digital economy. It thoughtfully addresses the main concerns of companies for processes that are to be handled from a home environment, such as security, performance and control, and engagement of remote teams. Teleperformance Cloud Campus also allows companies to ensure the health and safety of their employees, which remains a priority now and most certainly in the future, without compromising business continuity,” noted Mike Lytle, Chief Executive Officer of Teleperformance USA, Canada, and the Philippines.

Teleperformance Cloud Campus is available to support all industries, geographies, and applications. This delivery model is currently deployed globally in a diverse set of industry sectors including e-commerce, utilities, telecom, and healthcare – several of which were implemented before the COVID-19 outbreak. Teleperformance now has more than 200,000 employees, or 80% of its active employees, working from home worldwide. An increasing number of clients and Teleperformance work-at-home employees will continue transitioning to the Cloud Campus delivery model this year.