BENCH Techs-up with UnionBank: Digital payments enhanced in 800+ stores across the nation

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Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has partnered with Suyen Corporation (BENCH Group) to help the leading clothing and lifestyle brand digitize payments in its more than 800 brick-and-mortar and affiliate stores all over the country, for easier and more convenient transactions for its customers.

The contract signing ceremony between UnionBank and BENCH took place last November 14 at the UnionBank Plaza in Pasig City.

To help BENCH digitize its transactions, UnionBank will be generating in-store QRPH codes that will serve as additional payment channels for shoppers. This will allow them to quickly pay for their purchases without worrying about loose change. They also won't need to use their on-hand cash or fall in line to withdraw cash at ATMs, saving them time.

Because the partnership leverages QRPH's wide range of accepted payment providers through partner banks and popular digital wallets, shoppers can pay for their purchases digitally without worrying about using services or apps they are not familiar with, and simply opt for those that they are already using.

"We believe that the use of QRPH in our offline stores should bring many benefits and convenience to our customers. We want to thank UnionBank for this initiative in tapping us as a partner," said Vice President for Business Development Group of BENCH Bryan Lim.

"This great milestone promises to trailblaze the way we do our business in our respective fields and keep up with the changing needs of our customers," said UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head Gerry Austria. "This is a valuable opportunity to ensure that our customers will have a more enjoyable way of shopping."

Jollibee teams up with Bench for new 'LOVE PINOY' Shirts

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IMAGE Jollibee

Two of the country's proudly Filipino, world-class brands are teaming up to launch the exclusive and limited-edition Love Pinoy shirts! 

Every Pinoy across the country can now easily show pride in who they are and express their love for everything Pinoy in this new collection from the country's number one fast food chain Jollibee and leading clothing and lifestyle brand Bench.

The collection consists of 4 designs, with 2 designs each exclusively available at Jollibee stores and Bench official retail and online stores. The shirts available in Jollibee come in different styles in red or white, with the "Love Pinoy" statement present on both designs. This is seen more prominently at the back of the red shirt, while the Jollibee mascot is featured at the front of the white shirt so Pinoys from all walks of life can have different styling options to choose from.

Jollibee customers can get their own Bench x Jollibee Love Pinoy shirt for only P455 when they order any Jollibee food item via Dine-in, Take Out, Drive-Thru, and Delivery in participating Jollibee stores nationwide from October 30 to November 4, 2022. Those who would love to get first dibs on the shirts can also get their own as early as October 29, exclusively via the Jollibee Delivery App.

IMAGE Jollibee

To promote the collection, both Jollibee and Bench tapped its common endorser, Francine Diaz, to be the main face of the campaign. Back in June, Francine was also among the young artists featured in Jollibee's Independence Day campaign, making her the perfect choice to embody the 'Love Pinoy' messaging.

Don't miss this chance to proclaim your love for all things Pinoy and collect all 4 designs of the limited-edition shirts from Bench and Jollibee! For more info and updates, follow Jollibee on Facebook, and on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @Jollibee.

Crash Landing On You’s Captain Ri, is definitely landing on the Philippines -#SmartHyunBin

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Get ready to fall head over heels with our newest ambassador #SmartHyunBin

"Hello Philippines, I am Hyun Bin," the Korean actor said in a video where he's seen looking dapper in an all-black ensemble.

The video was posted on Facebook, a day after the telco's CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan confirmed that the Korean actor is the telco's newest endorser.

Hyun Bin's sweet greeting came a day after the telco dropped a teaser video featuring The CLOY star looking cool as he entered a sports car.

Crash Landing On You’s Captain Ri, is definitely landing on the Philippines. An article by Inquirer.net quoted a text message from Bench owner Ben Chan saying, “… hopefully end of this year or early next year when traveling is allowed and when all is relatively back to normal.”

This, after Bench’s Instagram page teased fans and set the internet roaring with OMGs by sharing a simple animation of the words “Your crush, landing soon.” With the caption, “After months of keeping it a secret, the wait is almost over,” a lot can’t possibly contain the energy spike it induced.

Bench is known for being able to sign on Korean stars as its brand ambassadors and eventually invite them to visit the country. Some of these include Lee Min-ho and Park Seo-joon.

It seems that the Korean actor’s ties to the Philippines are quite cemented. Just to add to Bench’s announcement, communication giant Smart also launched Hyun as its endorser, this time setting Twitter on fire with his “Mahal ko kayo.”

Smart Communications posted a nine-seconder ad teaser with the big RiVeal on June 1st.

“Crash Landing on You” is a Korean drama that immediately got the hearts of Filipinos swooning. 

It stars Hyun as Captain Ri, who plays a North Korean army captain and Son Ye-jin, as Se-ri, an heiress in South Korea who accidentally paraglides to the North.

The K-drama’s finale in February this year broke the rating records of the finale of “Goblin” back in January 2017 for broadcasting station TVN, according to Nielsen Korea. It scored a nationwide average rating of 21.683 percent and a peak rating of 24.1 percent.

Bench + 39 retail brands to accept GCash Scan to Pay this January

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The Bench and Suyen Global Brands will expand the use of GCash scan to pay feature to include all of its retail outlets and its other brands nationwide by mid-January, to make shopping more convenient and secure.

In photo are  Suyen Board Chairman Ben Chan (2nd from left) and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu (2nd from right).  With them are Suyen VP for Business Development Bryan Lim (left) and Mynt President and CEO Anthony Thomas (right).

By simply scanning the GCash QR (quick response) codes present in the stores, GCash users can pay for any item at Bench and at least 39 other affiliated brands which include Paul Smith, American Eagle, The Face Shop, Aldo, Assembly, Aldo Accessories, Bench Body, Bench Fix Salon, Bench Kiosk, Bobbi Brown, Call It Spring, Cotton On, Cotton on Kids, Cath Kidston, Charles and Keith, Dimensione, Estee Lauder, Fox, Her Bench, Human, Jo Malone, Kashieca, La Senza, Maisen, Multibrand, Marugame, Mothercare, Origin, Pablo, Pedro, Paul, Personal Exchange, Repetto, Rubi, Skin Expert, St. Marc, Typo, Under Armour and Vero Moda.

Aside from the convenience of shopping without carrying cash, GCash users can enjoy a 30 percent cashback of up to P500 until January 31 this year when they scan to pay with GCash in Bench and all of its other brands.

“GCash is here to ensure that customers are given the convenience and security they deserve when paying for goods and services. With the GCash scan to pay feature, anyone with a GCash account and smartphone can easily pay the exact amount using their phone.  There is no longer any need to wait for loose change or pay in smaller denominations, or even stand in line for a  long time,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom.

Using the GCash scan to pay feature is simple. With their iPhone or Android smartphone, customers only need to download or update to the latest version of the GCash App, register for an account, and then fund their GCash wallets at any of the more than 12,000 GCash Partner Outlets nationwide, including Globe Stores, Puregold branches, SM Business Centers, Robinsons Business Centers, 7-Eleven Barcode and Cliqq kiosks, TouchPay kiosks and pawnshops such as Cebuana Lhuillier, Villarica and Tambunting. Once it’s done, customers will simply tap on the Scan QR, point a phone’s camera at the partner’s QR code, and pay.

GCash is being operated by Mynt, a company owned by Globe Telecom, Ant Financial, and the Ayala Corporation.

GCash now dominates the country’s retail e-payment landscape as there are more than 4,000 GCash QRs being accepted in several merchants all over the country, including the biggest players in the retail industry such as Ayala Malls, Robinsons Department Store, SM Malls, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Cinema, Puregold, Ministop, and NCCC Malls.

Learn more about GCash by visiting www.gcash.com. 

Follow social media channels: 

www.facebook.com/gcashofficial 

www.twitter.com/gcashofficial

www.instagram.com/ gcashofficial.

Global pop icon Britney Spears finally coming to Manila !

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Breaking News: Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop icon Britney Spears is coming to Manila on June 15, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena for her first-ever and much-awaited concert in the Philippines.

Iconic pop sensation Britney Spears is one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history with nearly 150 million records worldwide. In the U.S. alone, she has sold more than 70 million albums, singles and songs, according to Nielsen Music. Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Spears became a household name as a teenager when she released her first single “…Baby One More Time,” a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash and international hit that broke sales records with more than 20 million copies sold worldwide and is currently 14x Platinum in the U.S.

Her musical career boasts countless awards and accolades, including six Billboard Music Awards and Billboard’s Millennium Award, which recognizes outstanding career achievements and influence in the music industry as well as an American Music Award and the 2011 MTV Video Vanguard Award. So far, Spears has earned a total of six No.1-debuting albums on the Billboard 200 chart and 22 top 40 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 — four of which went to No. 1. Spears has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and won for Best Dance Recording in 2005.

Her cutting-edge pop concert Las Vegas residency, “Britney: Piece of Me,” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has been voted “Best Show in Las Vegas” and “Best Bachelorette Show in Las Vegas.” Spears has also been creating fragrances for over ten years, and currently has 21 fragrances available in over 85 countries around the world.

Tickets to Britney Spears – Live in Manila will be on-sale beginning April 5 at 10AM. Book online at SMTickets.com or call 470-2222. Presented by Smart, Bench and Wilbros Live.

#ShareACoke Philippines!

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A fun-filled event last Saturday July 12 at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall, Coca-Cola Philippines hosted a fun afternoon to invite everyone to Share a Coke with each other.

#ShareACoke, the phenomenal Coca-Cola campaign that has taken over 50 nations by storm is finally in the Philippines.

Coca-Cola Happiness Ambassadors  Enchong Dee, Julia Montes, and Joseph Marco who shared personalised Coke cans and balloons with guests

Coca-Cola has released the most popular Pinoy nicknames, terms of endearment, and group names on personalized Coca-Cola products for a more fun and personal way of sharing a Coke.

http://instagram.com/p/qUVw9rMJdU/

http://instagram.com/p/qRPf_xMJSH/?modal=true

Leading the celebration was Jasmin Vinculado, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Philippines, who also headed the first ever Share a Coke campaign in Australia.

Jasmin Vinculado, Marketing Director of Coca-Cola Philippines

“We brought Share A Coke to the Philippines with one goal – to share happiness. Sharing a Coke is a simple yet fun and exciting way for us Filipinos to be able to show our appreciation to people who make us happy. For mothers who cook our breakfasts every day, for the fathers who drop off their children to school every morning, for the friends who listen to our never-ending problems, for the manang who serves our food in the cafeteria, for the manong who opens the door for us and wishes us a great day with his bright smile, for everyone who has shown us kindness—we would like to share a Coke with them simply because we know that happiness is made more real when shared.” Vinculado enthuses.

L-R: Enchong Dee, Jasmin Vinculado, Julia Montés,  Coca-Cola FEMSA CEO Juan Ramon Felix Castañeda, Ben Chan, Joseph Marco

Among the event’s highlights was a celebration of the long-standing partnership between Coca-Cola and the country’s leading teen clothing brand Bench/. 

Jasmin Vinculado and Bench CEO, Ben Chan

Staying true to the essence of Share a Coke, Vinculado, on behalf of Coca-Cola, shared a Coke with Ben Chan, Chairman and CEO of Bench to show the company’s appreciation for all the years they have worked together.

This was followed by a fashion show, where models clad in stylized Share a Coke shirts showcased their personalized Coca-Cola bottles and cans on the catwalk. At the same time, they entertained and interacted with the co-models and guests alike by showing them the many ways of sharing a Coke.

Coca-Cola Happiness Ambassadors Joseph Marco, Julia Montes, and Enchong Dee gave the audience a blast by sharing personalized Coke cans bearing terms of endearment “Crush,” “Hottie,” and “Love” to some unsuspecting guests.

The message of the event was simple:

Sharing a Coke is a simple yet personal way to show appreciation for people who make you happy. It inspired all attendees to show gratitude for even the small, everyday gestures that otherwise go unnoticed – like how your officemate “Jen” makes work more exciting, how your barkada serves as your second family, how your BFFs provide the best shoulder to lean on, how your kuya is always there to protect you, or how your ‘nay loves you unconditionally.

Showing our appreciation for other people’s simple gestures by sharing a Coke has never been more fun and exciting. 

The personalized Coke packs are available in sari-sari stores, convenience stores, groceries, supermarkets and even vending machines nationwide. You may also drop by Share a Coke booths in supermarkets, malls and schools to have your own personalized Coca-Cola printed in an instant.

Here are Atty. Adel Tamano, Vice President-Public Affairs and Communications of Coca-Cola Philippines and Ben Chan.

For more details, please check out www.shareacoke.com.ph or visit the official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram of Coca-Cola Philippines.

Karylle wishes everyone ‘Sweet and Spicy’ New Year

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Happy. . . Sweet and Spicy New Year! Wearing Polka Dots during the celebration of New Year has been a tradition.

With the forthcoming celebration of the New Year, singer-actress-TV host Karylle gives a new twist to the tradition by coming up with a “Sweet and Spicy” twist to it. Karylle’s “Sweet and Spicy” underwear line for Bench highlights her different personas – the sweet Showtime host and the spicy underwear Bench endorser.

Karylle’s line of underwear is available at all Bench stores nationwide.

For more updates, please follow Karylle: On Twitter and Instagram: @anakarylle

O+ Bench + Joseph Marco’s New Adventure

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Fashion and Technology . . . as the two ever-changing worlds of fashion and technology have grown more competitive than ever, we have come to realize that the key is, “keep up or be left behind.” Interlinking individuals through the power of mobile technology has tremendously become more of a need than a statement of luxury, similar to the case of fashion where trends come and go and modern consumers are always on the prowl for the next big thing.

The two are undoubtedly united by key elements to thrive: innovation and democracy. With constant reinvention remaining as the driving force of these worlds’ operations, the clamoring market has been granted access to their needs and wants.

Fashion, today, has been accessed not just by the chosen few, and technology has paved the way to an interconnected way of living. And so, what better way to celebrate limitless possibilities than to meld these worlds into one.

Bound by the common thread of pushing for endless possibilities, Bench/, in its silver year, ushers in a seamless marriage of talent and vision with O+, the US-born Android mobile technology brand.

Enjoying 25 years of dominance in the market of fashion faithful, Bench/ has tremendously undergone evolution along with its clout of Filipino fashion lovers. The retail giant has cemented a name that has bridged markets of varying social brackets without compromising its design stamp and persona.

On the other hand, O+’s Android series has recently broken ground in local shores. Work and play come hand in hand in its lineup of smart phones and tablets. Aiming to make a dent in the tech-savvy market, O+ brings in revolutionary partners for the young and young-at-heart who are always on the go.

And one with O+’s vision of limitless possibilities, through the revolutionary Air Shuffle technology, today’s Android brings us to greater heights by allowing swifter navigation using the unique motion sensor that allows users to easily switch FM radio stations, browse stored photos and music with one swoosh of the wrist, even capture Instagram-worthy moments without the need to touch the capture button.

In this unique collaboration, O+’s young ideals mesh with the 25-year tradition of excellence and ingenuity established by Bench/.

With the guiding principle of sharing without limits, last December 2, 2012 at the new Glorietta 1 Activity Center Bench/ and O+ were set to cultivate a new-breed of Filipino fashionistas by highlighting unsung heroes in the world of fashion—the stylists.

A first in the country, invited are six celebrity stylists, Sidney Yap, Adrian Concepcion, Ton Lao, Myrrh Lao To, Edlene Cabral, and Kate Paras, who compete in an exemplary display of creativity, vision, and technique. Each stylist will head a team of make up artists and hair experts to produce five (5) coherently-styled looks fusing elements derived from Bench/ and O+.

Each collection were judged on creativity, originality, and relevance to the theme. The judges in the competition are esteemed names in fashion and entertainment: top designers Randy Ortiz and JC Buendia, Manila Bulletin’s Liza Ilarde, Preview’s Vince Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s JJ San Juan, Philippine Star’s Christopher De Venecia PMAP President Phoemela Barranda, and Bench endorser Joseph Marco.

Fashion and technology display an exemplary union with Bench and O+ pushing for going beyond the ordinary. Coinciding with the competition, the biggest supersale on fashion and technology was also been mounted by Bench and O+ at the new Glorietta Activity Center from 1PM-9PM.

Visit and like more photos at Enjoying Wonderful World Bench and O+ at Glorietta

Korean superstar Lee Min Ho is in Manila!

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The newest “GlobalBenchSetter,” Lee Min Ho was met by his fans at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1  as he arrived past noon. Korean superstar Lee Min Ho is in Manila courtesy of global brand Bench which he endorses.

Everyone is so thrilled to see him upclose. He greeted everyone by saying "Mabuhay!" He said that he wants his fans to tell him more about the tourist spots here in the Philippines.

My favorite Korean actor  Lee Min Ho is the South Korean actor who is best known for his leading role in 2009 as 'Gu Jun Pyo', the leader of the group of students known as F4, in the South Korean television series Boys Over Flowers. He started his career in small drama roles in 2006, but he came to prominence with his acting role in Boys Over Flowers. He has subsequently appeared in the 2010 romantic comedy drama Personal Taste and the 2011 action drama City Hunter and the love / drama "Faith,"

He won the excellence award in the MBC Drama Awards 2010. He bagged the best actor and hallyu star awards for "City Hunter" in the Korea Drama Festival Awards in 2011.

Lee Min Ho’s 4 days  staying in the country for doing mall shows  and TV guesting., Lee Min Ho will grace the Benchsetter Fun Meet on November 16, Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

On November 18, Lee Min Ho will also have a mall tour at SM North EDSA Skydome (3pm), Glorietta new Activity Center G/F (5 pm) and at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall G/F (6 pm).

ABS-CBN is the official media partner of Lee Min Ho's visit in the Philippines and Min Ho will appear on The Buzz this Sunday.

Photo Sources : Lee Min Ho Facebook