Shopee Launches Brand Spotlight Campaign to Help Brands Increase Presence and Deepen Customer Engagement

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With the new Brand Spotlight campaign, brands can unlock more growth opportunities in e-commerce

The future of e-commerce is looking bright. With the global industry expected to grow by $10.87 trillion dollars by 2025[1], online platforms are in a unique position to help businesses gain more traction and drive conversion. Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to innovate its offerings to support the growth of brand partners with Brand Spotlight - a daily campaign that features exclusive deals and product offerings from Filipinos’ favorite brands. Starting January 17, users can look forward to unique daily offers from their favorite Shopee Mall brands, such as new product launches, bundle deals, and other exciting promos that are available only on Shopee.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We want to empower our brand partners with more ways to capture and engage customers. As more consumers want to shop directly from official brand stores on Shopee Mall, we want to provide a focused platform that can help brands unlock more growth opportunities.”

Brand Spotlight is the latest in Shopee's suite of brand offerings designed to promote awareness and deepen customer loyalty. The campaign kicks off with the Brands Spotlight Festival happening from January 17 to 31, where users can expect exclusive offers from leading brands such as Olay, Samsung, Abbott Philippines, L’Oreal, Mikana, P&G Beauty, Unilever Home Care, Unilever Beauty Official Store, Uni-Care Hygienic Products Inc., INSPI, OPPO, Nestlé, vivo, and Pampers.

Participating brands will benefit from Shopee’s omnichannel marketing tools and solutions to help reach new customers, reinforce recall, and drive high-performing sales. Along with Shopee’s integrated marketing support and increased in-app visibility, brands can also take advantage of Shopee features such as Livestream and Shopee Prizes to further engage customers and create excitement.

“Brand Spotlight is part of Shopee’s plan to help brands achieve long-term success,” Yu continued. “We look forward to more collaborations with brands to provide users with the best deals and meaningful shopping experiences.”

For more information on Brand Spotlight and the daily exclusive deals offered by leading brands, visit https://shopee.ph/m/brand-spotlight.

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

[1] Report Linker: Global E-Commerce Market 2021 - 2025

UnionBank clients can now seamlessly do direct cash-in to their Shopee and Lazada wallets!

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UnionBank clients can now do their online shopping more conveniently through the country’s major e-commerce giants Shopee and Lazada -- by directly cashing-in their e-wallets. This new option opens another channel for Bank customers to do their online transactions seamlessly.

Surely, buying essentials online has never been this easy! Shopee and Lazada buyers can now easily cash-in, in real-time from their UnionBank accounts. Customers also enjoy discounts and added benefits with their online purchases, for every top-up transaction.

This was made possible with the collaboration of tech-savvy ShopeePay, Lazada Wallet and UnionBank, combining the power of three digital leaders.

“These partnerships are timely especially now at a time when e-commerce and cashless transactions are exponentially rising. This ensures Filipinos can participate in the headwinds of innovation and a better, more seamless customer experience as a result.” shared by Erika Denise Dizon, UnionBank FVP and Head of Fintech Business Group.

Here’s how it works. To cash-in your ShopeePay using UnionBank Online Banking, go to ShopeePay Wallet, select Cash-in, enter the amount, select online banking as the payment method, and choose UnionBank. You will then be directed to the Bank’s online banking to confirm the transaction.

For Lazada Wallet, click the wallet icon on the upper right portion of the homepage. Select the cash-in button, enter the amount, and select “Add UnionBank account” in the Cash-in Methods page. You will then be directed to the Bank’s online banking site for confirmation of the transaction. Then enjoy shopping!

Kiss your chapped lips goodbye with the new Careline Skin Lip Bomb

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Whether you're hoping to get a peck from your loved ones or even just to level up your makeup routine to start off the New Year, you'll surely want your lips to be healthy and moisturized throughout 2022. The good news is that having soft and plump lips is so easy with the Careline Skin Lip Bomb.

Careline Skin Lip Bomb moisturizes and protects the lips

Careline Skin Lip Bomb is formulated with beeswax that helps prevent the lips from cracking, chapping, and drying. It helps in hydrating and giving everyday protection to your lips against harmful UV rays. It contains Lanolin that soothes the lips and restores its moisture, also enriched with Vitamin E that helps regenerate skin cells making your lips softer. Available in an easy-to-carry tube that comes in handy when you need to moisturize your lips, it has a subtle pink tint that also adds a youthful look to your lips! Plus, it is made in Korea, cruelty-free, and paraben-free so you can be sure that this lip bomb is good and safe to use!

Achieving that perfect pucker with Careline Skin Lip Bomb is easy. Use a small or a pea-sized amount and apply evenly to the lips. Spread the product on areas that often become dry or cracked. Be sure to not expose the product to direct sunlight.

You can also use it as a lip balm, lip gloss, lip tint, and lip mask so you can flaunt your kissable lips even after the clock strikes midnight this New Year!

As you welcome the new year and new beginnings ahead, make sure you start it with a bang with Careline Skin Lip Bomb! Available on Careline’s official store on Shopee (bit.ly/LipBombShopee), Lazada (bit.ly/LipBombLazada), Watson’s and leading department stores, and drug stores nationwide. For updates, check out Careline on Facebook (@CarelineCosmetics), on Instagram (@carelineph), and TikTok (@carelineph).

Earn Scholar for Astra Guild Ventures

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WANT TO BE A PLAY TO EARN SCHOLAR FOR ASTRA GUILD VENTURES?

HERE’S HOW

During these trying times, most especially where work is difficult to come by for those whose industries were hit by the pandemic, people from different walks of life tried to find ways to make ends meet from extra income streams. Some may have put up small businesses, while others discovered play-to-earn games, where one, as the name suggests, can earn through playing.

One of these games is called Axie Infinity, and perhaps there were stories heard about some people earning more than minimum wage (in Philippine Pesos) in a day. Stories also went around where some were able to earn a few thousands in a day because they have these so-called scholars!

These things are true, and they are happening. Jumping in and joining the potential growth can be done too, as the industry is just a small sprout soon to grow into a large and resilient tree. And for a game like Axie Infinity, investing by buying a team is possible, but for those who are risk-averse or can’t afford buying a team, being a player for a gaming guild can be a way to tap into the world of play-to-earn games.

Astra Guild Ventures - The Gaming Guild for You

One of these gaming guilds that you can apply in is called Astra Guild Ventures, or AGV. This gaming guild is a strong growing community, and can be found in different platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Discord. Being one of the biggest gaming guilds, they boast around 2035 scholars and growing! They also are very transparent to their players by providing an earnings dashboard, as this transparency is easily accessed through the blockchain.

Other than that, AGV is expanding to other play-to-earn games, trying to reach its full potential by giving opportunities to those who want to earn while increasing their revenues and profits. Of course, they get to do that as they are actually one step ahead in the executions of plans in their roadmap. The question is, do you want to be part of this?

How to Be and AGV Player

Being part of the AGV community can put you into a spot of being a player for them, and of course, earning while you play. Hours of playing a day need not to be spent, as these games only take around an hour of two in your day. Potential earnings vary, as some actually earn more than minimum wage in a day.

The first step that an applicant must do is to join the AGV Discord channel. From there, you can check the #get-started channel. Just go to the following link:

https://discord.com/invite/astraguild

For the gist of the journey of becoming a player for AGV, it is a must to be active in their Discord channel. Inviting members to the community to help AGV grow is also another factor in determining an applicant’s dedication for the task ahead. And of course, more of what lies ahead may be found by joining and being part of the AGV community.

Being active in the community can also give perks. Some scholars get awarded because of certain events being held, as instant scholarship is given to winners. Keep an eye out on these things by being active!

And let’s just put it out here. AGV is definitely happy to have you on-board! The guild is looking forward in having you around, as growth is definitely on the horizon, and you are part of it. Are you up for the task?

EROC Philippines Launches Its New Affordable M1 Air Fryer for Millennials Living Independently

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● The new EROC M1 Air Fryer boasts a smart temperature control feature that is managed using its signature “One Spin” technology

● There are 6 reasons why an Air Fryer like EROC’s is a must-have today

EROC Philippines, an e-commerce smart home appliance brand, brings a new and affordable must-have kitchen commodity to the local market – the EROC M1 Air Fryer. This new air fryer from EROC features One Spin smart temperature control and a pressurized cooking environment that makes cooking easier and more efficient.

EROC’s newest smart kitchen appliance makes cooking easier for all the members of your household. With its capacity of 5.5 liters, you can cater meals for as many as 8 people!

The EROC M1 Air Fryer will be available on the brand’s official flagship store on Lazada and Shopee starting 19th January with the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of PHP 3,999.00. But as part of the brand’s grand launch, it will be initially available for only Php 1,999.00 from 19th to 21st of January! Furthermore, EROC will be holding a weekly Facebook lucky draw on EROC Philippines starting on 17th January where customers get the chance to win an EROC M1 Air Fryer for FREE.

More Filipino millennials are now keen on having their own homes. In fact, experts forecast that the real estate industry will be driven by millennials this and the coming years. And for every newbie homeowner, furnishing the house is just as exciting as buying it. This is the reason why EROC ensures that Filipino millennials have viable options for appliances that don’t drive up their moving costs further. But besides attainable pricing, using air fryers like EROC’s M1 comes with other benefits perfect for Millennials living independently.

One-Spin Air Fryer

Fast-paced millennials establishing independent lives in the metro need kitchenware that can ease them into their new homes. This entails the need for smarter appliances that don’t come with hefty instruction manuals that are difficult to digest.

Get a kitchen tool that’s easy to use with EROC’s single central knob that operates the M1's intelligent temperature control technology. This appliance’s overall ergonomic design makes navigation simple.

The EROC M1 Air Fryer has an ergonomic design that makes control and navigation quick to understand. It has a singular central knob used to manage the M1’s smart temperature control. After one spin, users can leave the air fryer and work on other items on their checklist.

Smart Temperature Control

Users of the EROC M1 Air Fryer need not worry about over or undercooking. This smart kitchenware comes with a nifty function called smart temperature control which monitors temperature in real-time. Multiple temperature sensors are placed strategically inside of the air fryer cavity which enables the smart appliance to heat up faster with small temperature increments, hence cooking the food evenly at a quicker pace.

No experience in the kitchen? The EROC’s M1 Air Fryer is a great starter smart kitchen appliance with its smart temperature control that lessens the possibility of over or undercooking your dishes.

What also sets the EROC M1 Air Fryer apart is its simulation of a pressurized cooking environment made possible by its well-sealed cavity. Once the user pushes the frying basket and closes the air fryer, its 1400W high heating power is optimized to concentrate on the food being cooked, frying it to perfection.

It is also a plus that the EROC M1 Air Fryer comes with recipes on its top cover thereby ridding the need to review cookbooks and tutorial videos prior to cooking. Very efficient.

Healthier Option

Air Fryers come with many benefits that have catapulted them to the top of preferred kitchen appliances by Millennials and even Gen Zs. But what made Air Fryers popular among the younger generations is their main proposition – they use way less oil compared to traditional cookware yet are still able to seal in the flavor.

Good food doesn’t have to come with bad health consequences. With EROC’s M1 Air Fryer, get the full flavor in any dish without the grease.

Decreasing oil use for cooking reduces calorie and fat intake significantly. This helps users cut off unhealthy oils to better manage their weight. And in a country where hypertension-related diseases continue to be among the top causes of mortality, avoiding deep-fried food is highly recommended.

Small Yet Very Capable

Real estate in central business districts does not come with a lot of space. Because of this, millennials buying new homes are in need of appliances that do not take up much space yet can still do the job. The EROC M1 Air Fryer is only one-fifth in size of a traditional wall oven. Its size also allows it to cook faster with no pre-heating thus cushioning electrical usage. It also has a 5.5L capacity, which can accommodate food for a party for five to eight people.

Water-Based Paint Rinse and Clean

Everybody loves eating but almost nobody likes cleaning after – and that’s the gospel truth. So those living a fast-paced lifestyle, like millennial corporate gladiators, require appliances that are very easy to clean – and the EROC M1 Air Fryer is exactly this.

Thanks to its application of patented “Water-Based Paint” on the frying basket and tray, the EROC M1 Air Fryer does not come with all the cleaning hassle. The water-based paint prevents the oil and other ingredients from sticking to the contacting surface of the frying basket and tray - very easy to rinse and clean.

Sturdy Enough for the Years to Come

Millennials are very conscious about their finances. They carefully select which items to invest in and which ones can benefit them most in the long run. This has challenged brands from the world over to come up with products that provide bang for buck value and longevity of usage.

The build of the entire EROC M1 Air Fryer, for instance, has been designed meticulously to stand the test of time. It has a matte-finish exterior that was molded from premium plastic and its power cord is thicker and longer compared to that of competitors’. Lastly, the M1 Air Fryer’s frying basket is made of heavy-duty steel. The EROC M1 Air Fryer has been tested by international standardization agencies, earning certificates from the European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation; and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive.

The kitchen is the heart of every home. It is where celebrations and special occasions start. To have a smart-functioning kitchen is heaven-sent for any newbie ‘chef’ establishing a life of their own in their new home, hence efficient and affordable cooking buddies like the EROC M1 Air Fryer are an essential addition to the countertop.

For more information on the EROC M1 Air Fryer, customers may visit EROC Philippines on Facebook.

About EROC Philippines

EROC Philippines is an e-commerce smart home appliance brand. The EROC is the word 'core' written in reverse, also a vivid representation of 'decentralization'. We see ourselves as a market disruptor, aiming to overturn the common conception of home-appliance, to redefine healthy living.

LG Announces Call for Entries for LG Ambassador Challenge

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Globally renowned electronics giant LG, announces call for entries to the Philippines’ LG Ambassador Challenge. The program, initiated globally with Korea Friends of Hope International, is a first in the Philippines and a part of LG’s commitment to help the Filipinos through social contribution activities that deliver sustainable growth to local communities. 

The LG Electronics Ambassador Program is an annual social initiative founded in Bangladesh in 2017 which was expanded to other South Asian countries last year. Individuals and organizations are invited to submit ideas and solutions for local issues. The best, realistic, and workable proposals are awarded LG Ambassador status and provided with grants and donations to implement their work even further. 

LG Philippines Managing Director Seungjae Kim shares his excitement about the program “For global companies like LG Electronics which operates in more than 100 locations worldwide, it is crucial that we participate in initiatives to promote mutual growth with local communities and build a company that works with our stakeholders for a better future. This is a trailblazing initiative that looks for innovative programs that can uplift and improve the livelihood of Filipinos. Potential ambassadors are invited to shed light and identify problems, and offer tangible, workable solutions for the betterment of lives.” 

Under an overarching vision that sees various aspects of society working together to achieve a better life for all, the program is open to all groups that strive to solve social problems and alleviate poverty through LG products and technologies. It is a unique opportunity for individuals, groups, and organizations to make a difference. 

The selection process will be based on the necessity, effectiveness, efficiency, specificity, and feasibility of the project. Make a difference and become an LG Ambassador today.

Competition period is extended until January 31, 2022.

See mechanics below:

*Indicate project entry name and location in Subject title.

*All project entries shall include the Entry Form Format:

- Name:

- Designation:

- Organization:

- Telephone number:

- Mobile number:

- Email address:

- Program location:

- Project description:

- Why should LG finance your project:

- Budget (Detailed 100-day implementation plan required, including unit price, quantity and timeline):

*For supporting documents, Pit all photo and photo captions into a single Word file and landscape orientation for video attachment/s

*Submit the digital format entry In not more than 20MB to email address: mktg-ph@lge.com

Shopee Delivers Aid to Typhoon Odette Victims via Shopee Express

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 Shopee collaborated with partner brands and utilized its nationwide Shopee Express fleet to dispatch immediate relief 

Almost a month since Typhoon Odette devastated several provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, millions of Filipinos continue to reel from the aftermath. To support and serve the communities affected, Shopee partnered with several brands and corporations and mobilized its nationwide Shopee Express network to help provide immediate relief to Typhoon Odette victims in less accessible areas.

Reaching the affected communities via Shopee Express

With the typhoon damaging communication and transportation infrastructure, a lot of the affected communities experienced difficulty receiving aid. With its nationwide coverage, Shopee Express trucks and vehicles have been able to transport water, health kits, water filters, solar lights, and other relief goods from brands and organizations such as the Manila Water Foundation, Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc., Unilab, Akari Lighting, Envirocab, Socone, Asia Brewery, Inc., Mitsushi, Herco Trading, Inc., Qoncept Furniture, Foodplus, Del Monte, Dohera Corporation, Universal Robina Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, Lions Club International, and Luzon Clean Water Development Corporation. 

These donations were brought from Metro Manila to key Shopee Express Sorting centers in Cebu, Bohol, and Surigao for repacking before being distributed to thousands of affected residents across Visayas and Mindanao. With the support from various government agencies, such as the Office of Civil Defense, the Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Navy, Shopee was able to expedite distribution to these areas further.

Through this nationwide effort, Shopee Express was also able to immediately provide essentials such as water, sanitary kits, and non-perishable food items to around 10,000 of its affected workers, most of whom are riders and drivers. 

Despite being among those affected by Typhoon Odette, Shopee Express riders also volunteered to help repack and distribute the donations. Some even decided to donate cash from their own pockets to be used for purchasing relief goods.

Elmer Tapales, who started as a Shopee rider last August, said, “I decided to become a rider because of the pandemic, where it was difficult to find employment. Thankfully, there was an opening here so I decided to apply. We were badly affected by the typhoon but we are grateful for the help Shopee gave us.”

Marijon Pinebro works as a maintenance personnel at a Shopee Express Hub, and Typhoon Odette affected them very much. “Shopee helped me a lot, aside from the financial help I received, they also provided assistance and relief goods. I'm so thankful to Shopee.”

Bernadette Sanchez, a security guard at Shopee Express, said, “Shopee helped us a lot and we got to keep our jobs. Shopee even gave all employees, riders, staff, and guards relief goods and provided the needed assistance. I want to thank Shopee for helping us in times of need.”

Keeping the spirit of generosity alive with Shopee Bayanihan

In partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation, World Vision, and UNICEF, Shopee raised more than ₱1 million worth of donations through its Shopee Bayanihan: Typhoon Odette Support initiative, which allows users to donate to the typhoon-affected communities by purchasing e-vouchers on the microsite and checking out via ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet. With the donation drive raising more than ₱1 million worth of donations, Shopee matched the amount to provide an additional ₱1 million worth of total donations to further support these three charities. 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As soon as we learned about the struggles that our kababayans faced in Visayas and Mindanao, we immediately mobilized our resources to provide relief quickly. The Filipino spirit of Bayanihan never fails to shine a bright light amidst dark times. We are thankful to our partner brands, generous users, and our employees who went out of their way to provide support to those in need. We hope that our combined efforts will contribute to the recovery and restoring of livelihoods among those affected.”

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

PHINMA Education fulfills Unbreakable Commitment to accessible education in the next normal

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PHINMA Education, a fast-growing network of schools in Southeast Asia, believes that access to quality education can make lives better for millions of underserved youth. Witnessing that many students are unable to complete their college degrees, the institution aims to make education accessible particularly in some key growth areas across the Philippines.

Christopher Tan, Chief Operations Officer of PHINMA Education

However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, their unbreakable commitment to delivering quality education towards gainful employment for their students and graduates was severely challenged.

“It was a very disruptive year for the educational sector. The pandemic made it very difficult for all types of schools, whether public or private to fulfill their mission of educating their students,” said Christopher A. Tan, Chief Operating Officer of PHINMA Education.

The institution, which operates nine tertiary schools in the country, recognized that flexible learning would be the way forward for students and teachers. While online education became common for most educational institutions in the country, PHINMA Education’s unique market needed a different solution.

“We serve students from lower-income households and many of them are not prepared well in their grade school and high school for college. They are more likely to drop out even under normal circumstances and the big problem with distance learning is not so much the quality of education, but it’s the ability to complete the program,” explained Tan.

The challenge for the institution is to generate creative and innovative approaches to manage these problems differently. They also need to make sure that the distance learning setup would be suited even for students from low-income families. Thus, they launched Flex and RaDLearning, which rely on printed courseware, strong teacher support, and constant interaction with peers. This made the infrastructure that would enable them to connect with their students and faculty the utmost importance.

They partnered with PLDT Enterprise and Smart for connectivity solutions that effectively support the digital learning needs of their students and faculty members. Smart provided tailor-made Giga Study plans that further boost PHINMA Education’s pledge to ease the learning experience of students in the new normal.

“Combining printed modules with remote coaching and the data plan from Smart helped us come up with an almost robust workable solution we can develop for these very difficult times. We appreciate PLDT Enterprise for understanding the underlying principles that we cared about and for coming up with a very flexible plan that gave access to our key programs,” said Tan.

“Giga Study Plan has the key features of stability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. PLDT Enterprise was very generous in developing a program that gave enough bandwidth and access to our students, at the same time, really kept the costs low,” he added.

“PLDT Enterprise heeds the call of the education sector for solutions that will enable students and educators to easily steer distance learning. We are committed to supporting the needs of our partners, such as the PHINMA Education, to empower them in maintaining their unbreakable commitment despite these most difficult times,” said Jojo Gendrano, FVP and Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise.

PLDT Enterprise recently introduced its Unbreakable Commitment campaign to highlight its partnerships with various organizations in the country to demonstrate how fostering partnerships could help companies thrive despite the obstacles they face and in turn, contribute to the lives of Filipinos.

The campaign also reinforces PLDT Enterprise’s unbreakable commitment to empowering organizations through the power of technology.

“Smart Giga Study Plans helped us promise our students that for this year, they do not have to worry about connecting to their teachers and classmates. That’s a very important message especially in times of uncertainty and suffering. We promised our students that they are not going to be alone in going through their classes this year, and PLDT Enterprise helped fulfill that promise,” Tan furthered.

“But one of the important values we see in this partnership is not just the technology but the strategic thinking that we can do together to solve complex social problems.”

Through fostering partnerships that would help them navigate uncertainties, PHINMA Education Network was able to stay true to its unbreakable commitment to providing access to education to students despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the help of the right partner who successfully attends to the needs of its stakeholders, the institution can carry on its mission to educate and guide its learners no matter how unique and tough the journey will be ahead of the next normal.

Watch PHINMA Education’s interview here: https://youtu.be/5lV7Ltxkzms

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com. 

DITO Telecommunity connecting Filipinos after Typhoon Odette onslaught in beleaguered localities

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Nothing is more crucial than staying connected in times of calamity and DITO Telecommunity has been a lifebelt for many Filipinos who have been massively affected by the recent onslaught of typhoon Odette in the country.

Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, the coordinator of San Beda University-Graduate School of Business, joins relief operations to distribute 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), students, drivers, and municipal employees in Valencia, Negros Oriental. Photos were taken by: Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes

While most mobile services were temporarily rendered unserviceable by the catastrophe, the newly laid out DITO cell towers stood resilient in the beleaguered provinces, except for only six of DITO microsites that were affected.

In particular, residents of Negros Oriental were able to rely on the continuous and strong connection provided by DITO.

One resident from Valencia, Negros Oriental who participated in the relief operations, Dr. Jobe Buling-Viernes, coordinator of the San Beda University - Graduate School of Business, started distributing 500 DITO SIM cards to local members of the Philippine National Police, students, drivers and municipal employees.

Using #DitoNaKamisaDITO, #DITONaKami, #DitoTayoSaDITO on social media, recipients expressed their appreciation to the telco for its strong internet speed and reliable connectivity while being economical for as low as PhP39 for 3GB, PhP99 for 10GB, and PhP199 for 25GB.

“What struck me the most is the idea of connecting people and lives during disasters – I’ve really proven that DITO was there,” shared Dr. Viernes.

As government and non-government relief and recovery work began in earnest in the Visayas, DITO also provided 1000 SIM cards to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the AFP Visayas Command and another 250 to the regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management offices for the use of the responders.

This effort is in collaboration with Udenna Foundation's UCare, UShare initiative, a program that aims to feed, protect, and connect the community in the time of COVID, and DITO CME, a majority shareholder of DITO Telecommunity that provides telecommunications, multimedia, and IT services in the country.

Start the year right with these realme gadgets, available up to P8,000 OFF on January 15-17

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Shop your favorite realme smartphones and TechLife devices for as much as 55% OFF during Lazada’s Sulit Sweldo Sale on January 15-17!

2022 is finally here and what better way to welcome the new year than with new gadgets to help you achieve your goals and resolutions. Be it for leisure, productivity or everything in between, realme, the country’s no. 1 smartphone brand for three consecutive quarters (according to Canalys and IDC sell-in data Q1-Q3 2021), has got you covered.

To kick off the year with a bang, realme is joining Lazada’s Sulit Sweldo Sale on January 15 to 17, offering discounts of as much as P8,000 OFF on its well-loved smartphones and TechLife devices. This is in line with the brand’s commitment of providing quality tech and lifestyle products to cater to everyone’s digital-driven needs. 

Here’s a rundown of some of the discounted products you can expect during realme’s three-day sale on Lazada:

narzo 50A (Sale price: P7,289 from SRP P7,990)

If you’re looking to level up in mobile gaming this year, then the narzo 50A is for you! With a MediaTek Helio G85 gaming processor, a powerful 6000mAh battery, and a 50MP AI Triple Camera, among many other features, the narzo 50A is your best bet when it comes to mobile gaming, content creation and many others. Coming in the 4GB+64GB variant and in Oxygen Blue and Oxygen Green colors, the narzo 50A will be available on Lazada at P701 OFF!

realme C21-Y (Sale price: P5,989 from SRP P6,490)

A new year means a new set of memories to make and cherish. To help with content creation, the realme C21-Y is packed with a 13MP Triple AI Camera so you can enjoy taking vibrant and quality photos in different photo modes, whether landscape, portrait, or macro shot. If you wish to capture moments beautifully without breaking the bank, you can check out the realme C21-Y 4GB+64GB variant for only P5,689 on Lazada.

realme 8i (Sale price: P10,989 from SRP P11,990)

If you’re due for a phone upgrade, the realme 8i might be the ideal choice! It promises #infinitelySmooth capabilities with the powerful MediaTek Helio G96 chipset and a 120Hz Ultra Smooth display, allowing users to perform any task seamlessly. The realme 8i also comes with a 6.6-inch LCD display, and content creators get a huge level up with the realme 8i’s 50MP AI Triple Camera setup. Get this best-selling smartphone at P1,001 OFF on Lazada. 

realme Pad (Sale price: starts at P8,990 from SRP P10,990)

Got an exciting list of TV shows to binge-watch this year? Then realme’s first-ever tablet is perfect for you! The realme Pad is designed to be a portable entertainment powerhouse with a 10-inch high-resolution screen, crystal-clear Dolby Atmos quad speakers on each corner, a 7100mAh mega battery for all-day use, and a slim and lightweight body. What’s even better is it will be on sale for P2,000 OFF! Get it on Lazada for only P8,990 (3GB+32GB), P12,990 (4GB+64GB), and P14,990 (6GB+128GB).

realme Book (Sale Price: starts at P29,990 from SRP P37,990)

For those looking to boost their productivity this year, now is the best time to get realme's first-ever laptop, the realme Book with a huge discount of P8,000 for the i3 variant.  The i5 variant will also be available for up to P6,000 OFF.  This device is powered by the 11th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor and equipped with 8 GB dual-channel LPDDR4x RAM, up to 512GB SSD storage, and a picture-perfect high-resolution 14” 2K Full Vision display.

realme Buds Air 2 Neo (Sale price: P1,490 from SRP P1,990)

Need a fresh pair of earbuds for your online classes or work calls? The realme Buds Air 2 Neo might just come in handy. It’s the ideal choice as it comes with  Active Noise Cancellation of up to 25dB, a 10mm Bass Boost Driver that makes for a richer audio experience with deep bass, and AAC high-quality audio technology for higher fidelity. It comes in two colors – Active Black and Calm Gray. Get these stylish earbuds at P500 OFF on Lazada.

Don’t miss out on these incredible offers during Lazada’s Sulit Sweldo Sale starting on January 15 12 m.n. until January 17! To know more about the complete line-up of discounts and other deals, be sure to check out the realme Official Store on Lazada, follow realme on Facebook at www.facebook.com/realmePhilippines or visit www.realme.com.ph. 

Keeping Safe Amidst the Spread of Omicron

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New year, new variant this is how we start our 2022. Due to the highly mutated Omicron variant, coronavirus infection will probably continue rising and will cause another “serious surge”.

As the country faces another variant of concern, it is important to know what Omicron is, how it starts and what are the symptoms of this new COVID-19 variant?

The multiple variations of Omicron may lead to more aggressive resistance to current vaccines. Triple mutations in the strain suggest a stronger immune capacity.

Since the first detection of this strain on November 09, 2021, it has spread to 106 countries and regions as of December 21, 2021.

On December 12, 2021, The WHO said that the Omicron strain is more contagious compared to the Delta strain, as suggested by early data obtained from relevant studies, and that it could undermine the potency of vaccines but cause less severe symptoms.

On December 15, 2021, A report issued by the WHO revealed that the Omicron strain has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and puts exposed individuals at a higher risk of contracting this strain.

On December 31, 2021, The Department of Health detected 10 more Omicron cases - three of which are local cases. According to the DOH, there is already a “high possibility” of local transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in the Philippines. Following the detection of the three local Omicron cases, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced last Friday, December 31, 2021, that Metro Manila will be placed under Alert 3 from January 3 to 15, 2022 - cutting short Alert Level 2 in the region.

Fr. Austriaco, a Filipino priest/microbiologist, says that a rapid increase in cases is to be expected. However, he is optimistic that Omicron might actually be a blessing and may signal the end of the pandemic. “We have to realize that Omicron is the beginning of the end of the pandemic because Omicron is going to provide the kind of population immunity that should stabilize our societies and should allow us to reopen,” he said speaking during a GoNegosyo Townhall. He followed saying the surge caused by Omicron will be mild cases with lesser hospitalizations and fatalities. “It’s milder, but if you’re unvaccinated, it’s still harder for you,” he added.

Getting infected by Omicron comes with its own symptoms and to achieve immunity from this strain once infected, recovery is still the goal

To date, the known symptoms of Omicron are as follows:

● Sore Muscles

● Fever

● Dry Cough/Sore Throat

● Extreme Tiredness

Reminders on health protocols

There are many treatments that were not given much stress throughout the pandemic. Physiological, emotional, and psychological rehabilitation treatments also play a big part in battling this virus. In China, there are three Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) to treat COVID-19 and we are very lucky to have one of these three TCMs registered and widely distributed in the Philippines - Lianhua Qingwen Capsule.

Of course, getting vaccinated is imperative and recommended for protection against the virus, as is getting a booster shot for more protection.

Following the preventive measures of social distancing, wearing of face mask, frequent hand washing, use of sanitizer alcohol, and keeping healthy by exercising, getting sunshine, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep. Early treatment is important. Do not wait until symptoms become worse before taking Lianhua Qingwen. Take it at the onset of symptoms to recover quickly. Remember the importance of the Philippine government’s PDITR +V strategy, which is Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate, and Vaccinate, which is sure to cut off transmission chains. Of course, with the cooperation of all the Filipinos, we can do our share to help control and manage the surge of COVID-19.

Hopefully, all this information will be of good use to the community, companies & organizations, and on a macro scale for local and national governments as the country goes through a “serious surge” of the Omicron Variant. This is a war between an elusive virus and man. If everyone works together, there will surely be success in this war against COVID-19.

Despite its safety, Lianhua Qingwen is currently classified as a prescription drug (Rx)—requiring a doctor’s prescription. Prescription-holding consumers may purchase it in all Mercury Drug Stores, Southstar Drug, Watsons, Rose Pharmacy, and TGP nationwide and other pharmacies at a suggested retail price of P288.00/box (24 capsules/box).

For more information on Lianhua Qingwen, visit www.philarchipelago.com or call tel. no. (02) 8361-7491 to 98 loc. 844.

Personal Collection's Recyclable-to-Biodegradable Transition Promotes Sustainable Opportunities in the Philippines

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Moving from recyclable to biodegradable packaging, a pioneer among Filipino companies, Personal Collection takes strides to reshape the future through green initiatives

Personal Collection Direct Selling, Inc. (PC) has successfully transitioned from recyclable packaging to the newest biodegradable packaging, making it the first company in the Philippines to do so. PC is leading the drive towards ridding the world of plastics that are harmful to the environment by shifting to biodegradable packaging. Its new biodegradable packaging is estimated to decompose in landfills after only five to ten years, while regular plastic packaging may last for at least a thousand years.

The traditional notion that recycling alone could eliminate plastic waste is being questioned by data from the US Environment Protection Agency (FPA) that Americans, for example, recycle only 35 percent of more than 267 million tons of solid waste every year. According to a 2020 study of the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, at the national level, only 40% of packaging waste in the Philippines is collected, and only 9% of the plastic waste is recycled.

Keeping this in mind, PC takes a further step by not just going recyclable but also turning to biodegradable packaging. Through the launch of its “A Green Life is A Great Life” movement last June 2020, PC’s network of sellers has been mobilized to advocate for the advantages of biodegradable packaging as their contribution to helping protect the environment. 

Personal Collection President and CEO Jerome Tuguin said, “We endeavored the shift from recyclable to biodegradable packaging because we believe that this is a sustainable solution that will not only address the major plastic pollution crisis, but will also mitigate many other environmental issues. And we are very enthusiastic to have pioneered this groundbreaking move that also aims to impact the future of every Filipino household.”

PC is also one of the few companies around the world that continues to manufacture the greatest number of biodegradable bottles that are viable for preserving the quality of our environment. Just this December 7, 2021, the company received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for its invaluable work, strategic measures, and active participation to advocate for environmental protection and sustainability amidst the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jerome Tuguin expressed, “We continue to look into more programs and initiatives to support our #GreenLifeGreatLife movement. Last October, we started our coastal cleanups in some parts of the country, and just recently, we planted more than 70,000 mangroves in over 27.5 hectares of reforestation sites in Pampanga and Bataan.”

DUMAGUETE. Before concluding the cleanup drive, PC employees and dealers from the PC Dumaguete branch invite more volunteers to join PC’s mission.

BAYAWAN, Negros Oriental. PC employees and dealers from the PC Bayawan branch are shown collecting trash and other debris along the shoreline of Villareal Beach.

MACABEBE, Pampanga. Volunteers stand 1 meter apart from each other while planting mangrove propagules.

As part of PC’s primary environmental advocacy, a long-term partnership with Marine Conservation Philippines was made to conduct coastal cleanups in different areas of the country. Last October 26, 2021, PC facilitated its first coastal cleanup at Albiga Beach, Siaton, in Negros Oriental. Subsequently, the Siliman Beach cleanup in Dumaguete on November 16, 2021 took place, followed by the coastal cleanup in Villareal Beach, Bayawan on December 14, 2021. In all these cleanup activities, tons of plastic waste and other toxic materials were collected.