GCash, NBI sign agreement to run after cyber criminals

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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and GCash, the country’s number one finance super app, have signed a memorandum of agreement to further strengthen their collaboration to go after perpetrators of online fraud, scams, and other cybercrimes.

From left: Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, GCash Chief Legal Officer, Atty. Gilbert Escoto, GXI Chief Legal Officer, Oscar "Renren" Reyes, G-Xchange Inc (GXI) President and CEO, Atty. Medardo de Lemos, NBI Director, Atty. Jose Justo Yap, NBI Deputy Director for Operations

Under the partnership, GCash will assist NBI in preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting cyber crimes that involve the use of the GCash mobile app or the transfer or receipt of proceeds from any crime or unlawful activity. This will be done by providing relevant information and data under prevailing laws, rules, and regulations. The agreement also further solidifies the priority of GCash to secure the funds and data of its users.

The signing ceremony was graced by key officials from the government agency namely NBI director Atty. Medardo G. De Lemos, NBI officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Office of the Deputy Director for Operations Jose Justo Yap, G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI) chief executive officer Oscar Enrico Reyes Jr., and GCash Group Head of New Businesses and Corporate Affairs, Winsley Royce Bangit, together with other key leaders from the bureau and GCash.

“As more and more Filipinos embrace the digital space for their daily transactions and investments, it’s critical for law enforcement agencies to have an active partner like GCash with whom we exchange technical knowledge and expertise on the latest cybersecurity measures. This partnership is a big milestone in our shared fight against scammers, fraudsters, and other cybercriminals,” said De Lemos.

GCash is also working actively with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and other law enforcement agencies to further employ up-to-date security technologies, and strengthen security measures, through continuous threat and intelligence sharing, and better ensure safer transactions for its customers. This also includes adhering to the strictest anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and anti-fraud standards. In line with this, GCash also reminds users to protect themselves when using digital wallets and become more attentive in the face of fraud.

“We’ve seen a concerning rise in online scams, investment fraud, and various cybercrimes in recent years. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we work together with authorities to protect Filipinos against perpetrators,” said Reyes.

As the country’s biggest digital ecosystem and a pioneer in inclusive digital finance, GCash continues to bolster its vision of “Finance for all” to allow Filipinos to have easy access to safe, secure, and convenient digital financial products and services – empowering communities across the nation.

Filipinos can download the GCash app for free on Google Play and the App Store. For more information, visit www.gcash.com.ph

NREA sets program to boost PH reality sector

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Envisioning a robust and vibrant real estate sector in 2024, the National Real Estate Association (NREA) is primed to launch a comprehensive set of initiatives to stimulate activity within the industry. Such was the objective laid out by Red J. Rosales, NREA’s new national president, following the association’s recent Strategic Planning Session and Board Meeting held at the Makati Sports Club on January 10, 2024.

Consultant Imelda C. Magtoto, NREA Chairperson, disclosed that the NREA’s upcoming year-round activities are expected to empower members and real estate practitioners in their quest to boost the country’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program, which aims to see every Filipino have a home to call their own.

NREA STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION AND 1ST BOARD MEETING, JANUARY 10-, 2024, 1:00 – 5:00 PM AT DASMARINAS ROOM, MAKATI SPORTS CLUB.

Seated from left : Exec. Vice President Ma. Loren B. Sales; President Red J. Rosales; Board Chairlady Imelda C. Magtoto and Board Vice Chair Ruth Marie C. Atienza.

Standing from extreme left : Trustee and Education Chairman Rodolfo D. Leonen; Treasurer Nicole Lim Choa; Vice President for Chapter Affairs Zenaida S Fruto; PRO Christian Q. Mulingbayan; Vice President for External Affairs Ador Z. Tolentino, Jr.; Vice President for Internal Affairs Jovi Francis W. Tupaz; Member Lemuel B. Branal; Secretary General Lourdes Bernadette B. Carlos and NREA Metro Rizal Chapter President Cheryl Sanguyo.

Red J. Rosales, NREA’s new national president

All these projects will run under the overarching 2024 theme: “NREA Realizing the Dream of a Thriving Real Estate Industry”.

The following committees were formed to implement NREA’s programs and projects this year: (1) Network Expansion, headed by VP-Chapters Zenaida Fruto; (2) Revenue Generation, led by Treasurer Nicole Lim Choa; (3) Engagements, led by VP-Internal Jovi Francis Tupaz along with Vice Chair Trustee Alma Grace Sarra; (4) Education, led by Trustee and Education Chairman Rodolfo Leonen; (5) Advocacy, led by VP-External Lawyer Ador Z. Tolentino, Jr.; and (6) Public Relations, headed by PRO Christian Mulingbayan along with Vice Chair Christopher Cahilig.

President Rosales also announced his five-point plan for the NREA:

First, the enhancement of member engagements and benefits. The NREA hopes to develop a comprehensive engagement strategy that will drive members to participate in organization activities and decision-making processes. Part of these will be the establishment of a mentorship program and the creation of exclusive perks and benefits for NREA members.

Second, the promotion of industry research and thought leadership. The organization is set to establish an NREA Research Center to spearhead research initiatives, analyze and study industry data, and generate actionable recommendations for the sector’s growth and development.

Third, the expansion of global partnerships and market access by establishing an international presence for NREA through overseas offices and representatives that can provide localized support and services to Filipino real estate professionals operating abroad.

Fourth, the acceptance of social responsibility and sustainability. A NREA Sustainability Task Force will be mounted to develop and implement sustainable practices within the organization and encourage members to adopt environmentally conscious real estate strategies.

Lastly, the empowerment of the next generation of real estate leaders. A NREA Youth Council will be created to provide a platform for young members to engage with the organization, share their perspectives, and contribute to NREA’s growth and innovation.

Indeed, the year 2024 is looking bright for the NREA. They hope to build on their reputation and goodwill within the industry and continue working with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development as a longtime partner and collaborator. With their focus turned to these objectives, President Red J. Rosales is confident that the NREA will affirm its status as the “One-Stop Trade Organization”.

‘Big Winner Ka Sa Petron’ Engine Oils Promo

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Attention, motorists, gearheads, and thrill-seekers! Get ready to rev your engines and fuel your dreams because Petron Corporation, the undisputed industry leader, is dropping a first-ever engine oils promo. Mark your calendars from January 8 to June 30, 2024, because the ‘Big Winner Ka Sa Petron’ Engine Oils Promo is roaring into action!

Here’s what’s waiting for you at participating Petron service stations, Car Care Centers, auto supplies, auto repair shops, and other retail outlets nationwide:

· Win BIG with every purchase of PETRON REV-X and PETRON BLAZE RACING Engine Oils. These top-tier lubricants, trusted by champions, are your ticket to a pot of incredible prizes, as follows:

· 50 lucky winners will drive away with a cool Php 10,000 worth of fuel, loaded onto their Petron Value Cards! Fill up your tank and your wallet with this exciting reward.

· Two grand prize winners will bring home the ultimate joyride — a brand-new Toyota Vios 1.3 E CVT! Imagine cruising in style and comfort, knowing your fortune came from caring for your car with Petron’s top-tier engine oils.

This is your chance to win big while giving your engine the best care. PETRON REV-X and PETRON BLAZE RACING Engine Oils are formulated with cutting-edge technology to deliver outstanding performance, protection, and fuel efficiency. So, not only are you giving your car the TLC it deserves, you’re also putting yourself in the running for incredible prizes.

Here's how to join:

Step 1. PURCHASE. Buy Petron Rev-X or Petron Blaze Racing engine oil with a promo sticker. Participating products are 1-liter, 4-liter, and 6-liter sizes, with a corresponding sticker entry.

Step 2. PEEL, TAKE A PHOTO, SCAN QR. To officially enter the raffle, peel off the tamper-proof sticker to find the 8-digit unique alphanumeric code. Take a photo of the sticker with its unique code, then scan the QR code to go to the promo microsite: https://onlinepromo.petron.com/PEOP/PromoDetails.

Step 3. ENTER DETAILS. In the promo microsite, enter your details with the unique alphanumeric code from your sticker. Attach the photo of the sticker with the unique code.

Step 4. Sit back and wait for the monthly draws. There will be a total of 50 winners of Php 10,000 worth of fuel via PVC points, with a grand prize draw for the Toyota Vios 1.3 E CVT in April and July.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Show your engines some love and fire up your dreams with the Big Winner Ka Sa Petron Promo.

Filipinos increase adoption of online-to-offline dining solutions: Grab 2023 Report

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• The Grab Food & Grocery Trends 2023 report sheds light on the evolving consumer behavior on delivery apps in the post-pandemic era

• Among the highlights of the report is the growing dependence of Filipinos on delivery apps to discover restaurants and stores.

Grab recently published the Southeast Asia (SEA) Food and Grocery Trends 2023 report, identifying trends and shifts in how consumers are ordering food and groceries online in the post-pandemic era. The report found that while Filipino consumers are ordering more than before, they are increasingly relying on the GrabFood platform for more than just deliveries.

Combining survey insights from Southeast Asian food and grocery delivery users as well as data insights from Grab’s platform, the report found that consumer food journeys are shifting to a blend of online and offline experiences. Amid the resurgence of dine-in culture, 9 out of 10 consumers surveyed said they prefer food and grocery brands with an integrated online-to-offline (O2O) experience. This was demonstrated by solutions like Self Pick-Up and Dine-In, whose contribution to Grab Philippines’ Total Order Volume increased by 3.6x from 2021 to 2023. Furthermore, 94% of Grab users say they read reviews on the app; 60% pre-purchased vouchers online; and more than half placed their orders digitally at tables in restaurants.

“The everyday food journey of Filipino eaters has significantly evolved in the post-pandemic environment. GrabFood now takes on a new role, catering to the demand for a convenient experience that transcends on-demand deliveries. We remain dedicated to innovating solutions that enable our merchant-partners to seamlessly interact with our highly active userbase, enabling them to efficiently adapt to ever-changing consumer behavior,” said Grab Philippines Director for Deliveries Greg Camacho.

Another captivating finding from the report is that a staggering 89% of Filipino Grab users use the app to discover new restaurants and stores they have never tried before. Food delivery apps are now the second most popular way Filipinos are discovering new F&B outlets – ahead of social networks like Instagram, friends and family, and even food blogs.

The report also highlighted the following consumer trends and recommendations for food and mart merchants:

• Filipinos Go Big for Christmas: Filipinos do love the holidays, especially Christmas. The trends report shows that GrabFood orders increase gradually starting as early as two weeks before the beloved celebration. Topping the list of top items ordered are catering sets, whole cakes, bakery and pastries, and frozen yogurt.

• Subscriptions drive more and larger orders: GrabUnlimited subscribers spend 3.1x more per month and order 2.4x more frequently per month compared to non-subscribers.

• Don’t overlook the Merienda opportunity: While lunch may be the most popular time for orders, Merienda orders between 3 to 6pm have the highest basket value, as people tend to order snacks in groups. In fact, 87% of Filipinos said they are likely to snack during this time.

• Growing eco-consciousness: 44% of consumers in the Philippines say they are willing to pay more for sustainable brands, and 96% are more likely to support brands with sustainable practices. As consumers make more eco-conscious choices, brands can get a headstart by reducing packaging, whether by removing extra layers, or opting for natural materials such as banana leaves.

• Savory Food Top List of Most Popular Orders: In 2023, Filipinos enjoyed an array of tantalizing flavors, with burgers, chicken sandwiches, fried chicken, and pasta reigning as the top orders on GrabFood. Nevertheless, sweets continue to attract interest among foodies, with cakes, milk tea, and coffee securing their spots in the top 5 most-searched items.

• Group Orders on the rise with more workers back in the office: Group Orders on Grab were 1.6x higher in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Most popular at lunchtime and for deliveries to workplaces, merchants can tap into this office lunch crowd by offering bundled deals during this peak time.

Grab continues to find ways to improve merchant discovery on the app and deliver more value to GrabFood and GrabMart users. This includes a revamped Group Order experience with new functionality such as bill-splitting and Dine-In Deals that allow consumers to discover new restaurants and pre-purchase attractive in-store deals.

Camacho adds that the latest trends report is one of the many efforts of Grab to share actionable insights with its merchant-partners in a bid to help them better understand their customers and make data-backed decisions for operations efficiency and consumer satisfaction.

Chevron holds annual coastal cleanup in Batangas for sea turtles nesting season

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Chevron employees and members of the local government in Batangas joined hands during the annual coastal cleanup in San Pascual Batangas.

To help pave the way for a safer sea turtle nesting season, Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of Caltex fuels and lubricants, and its partners managed to collect about 685 bags of non-biodegradable and biodegradable trash from the coast of San Pascual, Batangas during a recent coastal cleanup. 

CPI has been organizing the coastal cleanup in San Pascual for 10 years which is a nesting site for Olive-Ridley sea turtles. The activity also aims to boost the volunteerism spirit among the people of CPI and the community in San Pascual. More than 80 participants, composed of employees and contractors from CPI and the local government unit, joined this year.

The coastline in San Pascual straddles the Chevron Batangas Terminal, which has been a major facility of Chevron for more than 65 years and a home to marine animals, including sea turtles. More recently, 10 Olive Ridley sea turtle nests were spotted near the foot of the wharf between the causeway. To date, Chevron Batangas has released a total of 111 hatchlings. CPI commits itself to making the shoreline a safe habitat for sea creatures as part of its dedication to human safety, livelihood, and the environment.

Bayad strikes alliance with Pisopay.com, powering bills payment services

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Bayad, the pioneer brand in the outsourced payment collection system in the Philippines, beefs up its partnership with Pisopay.com Inc., a cloud-based financial application provider taking a more aggressive stance in the e-commerce industry through its remittance and bills payment services.

CHAMPIONING DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION: In photo from left to right are Pisopay.com CEO Ariel Surca, Pisopay.com Chairman Jae Jung Jang, Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer, and Bayad Chief Marketing Officer Dennis Gatuslao.

Under the partnership, Pisopay.com will integrate its biller brands with Bayad, allowing Bayad’s physical and digital touchpoints to accept payments for government institutions like Bureau of Quarantine, LTFRB, and selected LGUs nationwide, academic institutions like Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, National Maritime Polytechnic, Baliwag Maritime Academy and Scuola Maria in Batangas, e-commerce business like Palengke.PH, and many others.

Bayad President and CEO Lawrence Y. Ferrer shares “We value the way people do payments, and we make sure to highlight security and convenience in our collection service. This is why we are constantly maximizing our cybersecurity measures and upgrading our real time posting features to enhance end to end transaction processing. Through our partnership with Pisopay, we believe that we will be able to serve Filipinos from all walks of life as we elevate their payment experience”

Pisopay.com Chairman Jae Jung Jang also shares: "Pisopay is your worry-free financial partner, powering businesses with fast, secure payments, collection, and remittances. We're a one-stop shop, simplifying complex finances through trusted technology. Let us handle your money worries so you can focus on what matters. We respect the value of your hard work, and the least of your worries will be how your transaction is treated, and with our partnership with Bayad, we are assured of double security and a wider reach to our clients nationwide, especially to communities that are unbanked, providing a seamless service, wherever and whenever.”

 

For fintech institutions like Pisopay.com that are interested to be part of Bayad’s extensive bills payment collection network, you may send an email to partnerships@bayad.com. Bayad enables partners to attain nationwide presence and provides end-to-end support services for efficient payment and collection processing. 

 

Ready, Set, Biyahe: Lalamove Philippines opens 2024 with Partner Driver Health Fair series in Luzon, Cebu

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With the commitment to holistically support its partner drivers, leading on-demand delivery platform Lalamove Philippines welcomes 2024 with a reward to thousands of delivery drivers for their hard work over the holidays through the “Ready, Set, Biyahe: Partner Driver Health Fair Series” in Luzon and Cebu.

Existing and aspiring partner drivers of Lalamove in Mega Manila are free to join in the Ready, Set, Biyahe Partner Driver Health Fair series, with the first stop to be held on January 20, 2024 at the Lalamove QC Hub in 518-C, A. Bonifacio Avenue, San Jose, Quezon City. The next leg will be on January 27, 2024 at the Lalamove Hub in Pampanga at Gruppo del Diamante Magalang, Ave., Angeles, Pampanga, while the final event will be on February 4, 2024 in Cebu. Activities in the three locations start at 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

“We want to kickstart the year by rewarding our dedicated partner drivers with our first-ever Partner Driver Health Fair. All year round, Lalamove partner drivers enjoy health benefits from our Panalomove program, but through the Health Fair, we’re bringing these on-ground with more health and wellness treats for them,” said Djon Nacario, Managing Director of Lalamove Philippines.

Ready, Set, Biyahe Partner Driver Health Fair Benefits

For a “biyahe-ready” 2024, all active Lalamove delivery drivers will get access to free health consultations in partnership with Doctor Anywhere, which include blood pressure and blood sugar check-ups. Partner drivers can also get free eye check-ups, thanks to Executive Optical partnership with the on-demand delivery app.

Lalamove has also teamed up with InvestED, a leading student loan provider in the Philippines, to offer free well-being workshops about stress management and budgeting.

Pag-IBIG will also be readily available on the ground to give partner drivers a more convenient way to access the government agency’s perks such as a fast collection of the Pag-IBIG Loyalty Card and easily assist them with their Pag-IBIG multipurpose loan applications.

Early bird attendees can also expect tons of freebies from Petron, GCash, Prestone, Organique, and so much more.

How to Join the 2024 Partner Driver Health Fair

Lalamove partner drivers may register via bit.ly/LalamovePartnerDriverHealthFair2024    to enjoy the perks of the Health Fair and will only need to present a Viber confirmation upon entering the venue.

Walk-in Lalamove partner drivers are also free to participate in the events series. Lalamove will also be ready to onboard interested individuals to apply as a Lalamove partner driver at the event with a 50 percent deposit fee discount. They can quickly participate in the programs, provided they bring the following requirements:

1. Professional Driver’s License
2. Valid NBI Clearance
3. Vehicle Official receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR)
4. Deed of Sale
5. Letter of Authorization (LOA) if the vehicle is owned by someone else

New and existing Lalamove partner drivers also get to purchase a Lalabag (a thermal bag) on-site for PHP 999, which is available for a limited time only.

The Health Fair series is a continuous commitment of the country’s leading on-demand delivery platform to holistically support its partner driver community as they enter this year with a healthy lifestyle and renewed enthusiasm.

“Our partner drivers worked extremely hard during the holiday season to cater to the peak demand in delivery orders. As we open the New Year, we want to give back to our partner drivers because they deserve the best,” remarked Nacario.

For more information on Lalamove partner driver benefits, visit https://www.lalamove.com/en-ph/driver/exclusive-benefit.

Teleperformance bags nine awards, re-enters longest and largest awards program in Europe

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Teleperformance, a global leader in digital business services, bagged nine awards at the European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards (ECCCSA) in December.

The recognition was awarded to TP by “the longest running and largest awards programme in the customer contact industry.” In 2022, Teleperformance bagged eight awards at the prestigious program. 

The organization’s ECCCSA awards this year include the following:

●       Best Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Partnership (Large)

●       Best BPO Partnership (Small)

●       Two-time Best Multilingual Customer Service

●       Best Supporting Team

●       Best Cross-Functional Collaboration

●       Two-time Best Approach to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

●       Best New Customer Contact Operation

TP bested large names in the field after the award-giving body had a thorough review of the organization’s remote work solutions, comprehensive security measures, and exceptional client support. Among Teleperformance’s cutting-edge technologies are the multi-awarded Cloud Campus,  a cloud-centric model to support work-at-home-agents (WAHA); and TP GenAI, the company’s very own artificial intelligence (AI) platform. 

“Our title as a leading digital business solutions provider knows no borders. Teleperformance’s triumph in the prestigious European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards reflects our team’s unparalleled commitment to deliver exceptional customer service across the globe,” said Teleperformance Philippines’ Chief Executive Officer Rahul Jolly. 

To date, Teleperformance operates in 95 countries globally, with nearly 500,000 employees currently serving 170 countries in 300 languages and dialects on behalf of many of the world's most respected brands.

In 2023 Teleperformance Philippines was certified as a Great Place to Work® in the Philippines for the sixth consecutive year. TP is the first, the largest, and the first BPO company in the country to achieve the Great Place to Work® certification.

To learn more about Teleperformance Philippines, visit their website at www.teleperformance.com.

 

 

Eastern Communications celebrates 145 Years of High-Tech and High-Touch Services to Filipinos

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Eastern Communications' Co-Coordinators Atty. Aileen Regio and Vince Tempongko give their celebratory message at Eastern’s 'Timeless Connections' 145th anniversary celebration

Premier telecommunications company, Eastern Communications, welcomes its 145th year anniversary bringing life-changing innovations from households to businesses as the longstanding connectivity and ICT solutions provider in the country.

Eastern Communications’ Co-Coordinators Atty. Aileen Regio and Vince Tempongko shared that Eastern has been a prevailing telco partner of businesses, organizations, and families since it was founded in 1878. Its 145th milestone anniversary signifies its commitment to uphold its promise to deliver high-tech and high-touch solutions to Filipinos.

“Marking our 145 years of service, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support of our partners and the Ka-Eastern community. This milestone marks our legacy of linking lives—unseen but omnipresent; we experience these links in familial ties, in agreements among businessmen, in the very bond we each have to our country as Filipinos. We are proud to be the link that keeps families and businesses better connected,” said Regio.

"As pioneers of connectivity, we take pride in building the foundations of the Philippine telecommunications industry. Positioned at the forefront of change, we transform today's ideas into tomorrow's realities with our unwavering personalized service. With valued partners, we eagerly anticipate writing the next chapters of Eastern Communications for centuries to come," expressed Tempongko

Pioneering Advancements

Eastern Communications was the pioneering connectivity service provider in the country and was commissioned by the Spanish government to provide the country’s first telegraphic services. With this, Eastern helped bridge communications in the early times and foster innovation for flourishing businesses. It also pioneered the first data center in the country and was the first Philippines telecommunications company to receive the ISO 9001:2015 mark for business operations.

Over a century later, it evolved into a company offering business-grade solutions, including Connectivity, Network, Security, Cloud, Data Center, and Business Applications. These recognitions underscore Eastern's commitment to delivering cutting-edge products and shaping the country's digital transformation.

As Eastern Communications celebrates its rich history, it also looks forward to a promising future in 2024, driven by a commitment to progress and a vision for continued excellence.

Delivering Trailblazing Innovations

Building on its legacy of firsts, Eastern commits to delivering outstanding telco services and has previously expanded its services through the Philippines’ largest submarine cable network—the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network (PDSCN)—which is a joint infrastructure project with partners Globe Group and Infinivan Inc.

For 2024, Eastern Communications eyes focus on ICT solutions. It will continue to widen its ICT portfolio, including the newly launched CIXA Cybersecurity suite and the DDoS Protection offering in collaboration with Nexusguard (NXG). Additionally, the company supports business operations and remote work through Google Workspace for Enterprise and Education in its latest Business Applications offerings.

Meanwhile, for Eastern’s Cloud and Data offerings, it reinforce its data services by partnering with more data center platforms like Digital Edge, HPE DC Solutions, and ePLDT, to lay the foundation for a more interconnected society.

To mark its achievements and build excitement for its 145th anniversary milestone, Eastern hosted a series of 'Hats Off' appreciation night events with its most loyal customers and partners. These events honored the longstanding commitment of its stakeholders, highlighting the joint success of Eastern and its partners and building anticipation for achieving greater heights ahead.

For more information about Eastern Communications’ world-class services, visit eastern.com.ph.

 

Moneybees extends over-the-counter crypto buy and sell services to jewelry store patrons

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Moneybees, a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) specializing in over-the-counter (OTC) crypto exchanges, has consistently expanded its service outreach by tapping the jewelry appraisal industry by partnering with Willyn Villarica Jewelry to enable even more Filipinos to conveniently buy and sell crypto using fiat.

Strategically located at Market Market in Taguig City, the branch has become a go-to destination for both jewelry enthusiasts and crypto traders to seamlessly convert their digital currency. The branch facilitates a seamless transition from the digital realm to tangible assets, allowing users to effortlessly convert their cryptocurrency holdings into physical cash.

Crypto enthusiasts can purchase and sell major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USD Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), and Ripple (XRP), among others.

Moneybees has been partnering with businesses that are Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Supervised Financial Institutions (BSFIs) to make crypto as accessible as possible amid the rapidly developing digital assets market.

“Our long-term partnership with Willyn Villarica Jewelry provides convenience for more users to use peso to purchase the digital assets they want. and to take advantage of cryptocurrency-related services straight from a reputable physical location,” Moneybees Chairman and CEO Jay Ricky Villarante stated.

Established in 2013, Willyn Villarica Jewelry has been dependable in jewelry services and money exchanges. The incorporation of Moneybees' services has garnered a positive reception due to its location, fast transaction speed, and convenience for both first-time cryptocurrency clients and repeat customers, thereby contributing significantly to the store's revenue stream.

Willyn Villarica Jewelry owner Willyn Villarica shared, “Being one of the first partner locations of Moneybees, I have been witness to the growth and the contribution of Moneybees in educating the public about the concept of cryptocurrency. I appreciate the fact that the people behind Moneybees have the genuine desire to uplift the lives of the Filipinos through financial literacy.”

Willyn Villarica Jewelry has another branch that houses Moneybees crypto services, Dominion Pawnshop, located in Bulacan. The branch accommodates inquiries on Moneybees’ cryptocurrency services, integrating conventional retail and online financial services for users to easily explore and engage with digital currency.

As the crypto market experiences a resurgence, Villarante anticipates a growing interest among Filipinos in exploring and trading cryptocurrencies. Moneybees is spearheading this adoption by partnering with traditional currency exchange providers to make crypto even more accessible.

To learn more about how Moneybees is transforming the accessibility of cryptocurrencies, visit https://www.moneybees.ph/.

ABOUT MONEYBEES

Exchange cash and cryptocurrencies safely and instantly. Moneybees lets you buy and sell cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, USDT, and Ethereum, at government-licensed Moneybees outlets. It is duly registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and with the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP).

For more information, visit https://www.moneybees.ph/.

Transaction model:

BUY CRYPTO: The customer hands over the payment, and Moneybees sends the crypto directly to the preferred crypto wallet of the customer

SELL CRYPTO: The customer sends crypto to Moneybees, and the customer receives Peso in cash or directly to their bank account

On the other hand, it's also the best way to cash in into these exchanges as Moneybees send the crypto directly to the customer's preferred wallet.

It must also be noted that for Moneybees, Know-Your-Customer (KYC) is a must. All customers who will avail of the Moneybees services are required first to do a KYC.

How to become a Moneybees partner?

Moneybees welcomes interested entities to be a partner with the following requirements:

● Must either be a registered entity either at the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) or at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

● Must have a license from the BSP, e.g.:

○ Remittance Agent License

○ Money Exchange License

○ Money Service Business License

○ Other BSP-Supervised Financial Institutions

● Must be registered at the Anti-Money Laundering Council

● Manual Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Program (MTPP)

● Must have a valid Business Permit to Operate

● Must be willing to provide complete documentary requirements

● Must have at least 1mbps internet connection in the physical outlet and a mobile phone

For more details, please feel free to reach Moneybees at

● info@moneybees.ph

● support@moneybees.ph

ABOUT WILLYN VILLARICA JEWELRY

Established in 2013, Willyn Villarica Jewelry has been the definitive authority in jewelry appraisal services, offering diverse services, including foreign exchange, jewelry sales, cleaning and repair services, jewelry manufacturing, gemstone identification, diamond grading, and comprehensive jewelry appraisals, consistently setting the benchmark for quality and expertise. Willyn Villarica Jewelry is a BSP-supervised financial institution (BSFI).

COMCO Mundo announces major promotions on its Epic 7th year

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 Camp COMCO’s top graduates appointed to key positions

To cap off its “Epic 7 Years” celebration, global award-winning and powerhouse communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises announces major promotions for its various business units.

As the group of companies continue to grow, COMCO Mundo announced the promotion of Joyce Yu as Account Operations Director and Business Unit Administrator of COMCO Southeast Asia, the New PR and Smart Social agency of the group.  As a seasoned communications expert, Joyce specializes in Public Relations, Advertising, Events and Activation and Branding. Ms. Yu successfully spearheaded COMCO SEA’s PR campaigns and events the European Higher Education Fair 2022 and 2023, Eastern Communications, Philusa Corporation, Remy Martin, World Vision, Alaxan, Lalamove, Teleperformance, Jobstreet, Skechers, LaLiga, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), among others.

COMCO Mundo also continues to discover and develop millennial and Gen Z talents through the Camp COMCO Mentorship program, an intensive and comprehensive talent incubation initiative, industry linkage course, and apprenticeship program designed to transform communication, marketing, and multimedia arts students and fresh graduates into revolutionary practitioners of the new disciplines and global practices of New PR and Smart Social. Included in the major promotions this year were the top graduates of the industry-acclaimed Camp COMCO Mentorship Program and Grand Champions of the House Wars pitch competition, the culminating activity and test for Camp COMCO apprentices where they develop strategic communications plans for actual brands and organizations.

Starting with homegrown talent Queenie Resmundo from Camp COMCO Cycle 2’s House Flying Fox, she is now the Agency’s newest Senior Account Operations Manager and Business Unit Administrator Pro Tempore / Partner for COMCO Southeast Asia. Jam Bufi, a graduate of Camp COMCO Mentorship Program Cycle 5, has been promoted to Associate Integrated Communications Manager and Business Unit Administrator Pro Tempore for TARO AOX Inc., the specialist agency for digital, emerging technologies and integrated communications of COMCO Mundo.

Paula Sison from Camp COMCO Cycle 19’s House Flying Fox continues to expand her skills and craft in the PR industry as well as demonstrate her leadership potential as she takes on her new role as COMCO Mundo's Senior Executive Initiatives and Communications Officer. Also qualifying for accelerated promotion are fast-rising young PR practitioners Mabel Villanueva from Camp COMCO Cycle 15’s House Bearcat and Gabbie Marcelo from Camp COMCO Cycle 18’s House Whaleshark who are now Brand Communications Officer and Executive Initiatives and Communications Officer, respectively. With her groundbreaking performance from her apprenticeship to her actual career practice in COMCO, Narah Faigal from Camp COMCO Cycle 15’s House Whaleshark also earned an accelerated promotion to Multimedia Arts Officer.

Demonstrating her exemplary work and leadership potential, Hiacynth Ablanez from Camp COMCO Cycle 17’s House Hawksbill got an early promotion which is ahead of her anniversary. She now holds the position of Senior Digital and Social Associate of TARO AOX Inc. Breakthrough graphics designer Gabby Gonzales from Camp COMCO Cycle 16’s House Bearcat is also promoted to Senior Multimedia Arts Associate.

In addition, with her expertise and experience in Finance and Accounting Management, Mhyles Mercado was given an accelerated promotion and is now COMCO Mundo’s Corporate Services Supervisor.

“As the years passed by, we have witnessed our talents’ commitment, passion and excellence in our craft. We are incredibly proud of them! We can’t wait to see a brighter future for COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises as we continue to mentor and hone these amazing talents who carry out and showcase our unique brand of meaningful storytelling,” said Mr. Ferdinand L. Bondoy, COMCO Mundo’s Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder.

To know more about COMCO Mundo, visit comcomundo.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comcomundo on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcomundo, and @comcomundo on Instagram.

Beating the holiday rush: Here’s how 3 business owners winged it this season with these “delivery hacks

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Christmas is upon us, and you know what that means: traffic, crowded malls, with everyone rushing to buy gifts and prepare for parties. For business owners, this season is great news, but the heightened demand for products and services can be a double-edged sword.

But three business owners are ready to face the holiday rush. Here’s how Aguirre Office Furniture, Bloomingails.ph, and Etiquetta PH are powering through this season:

Aguirre Office Furniture

The orders and inquiries started pouring in as early as October for Aguirre Office Furniture, a national provider of office furniture, services, and office solutions.

According to their Chief Financial Officer Ken Arocena, the holiday season has given them a 50 percent increase in orders.

However, Arocena shared that their operations require additional resources to manage the increased demand. “Given this, we have to deal with potential shipping delays and managing customer expectations,” he added.

The solution, according to Arocena: Lalamove. He remarked that Lalamove’s wide array of services, especially affordable rates, helped Aguirre Office Furniture keep up and deliver what they promise to their clients, which is the ease of how they do business.

Arocen also noted that their “secret hack” is using Lalamove’s multiple booking feature. He explained, “It’s how we minimize logistics costs and send our orders to multiple locations in one go.”

Bloomingails.ph

For Bloomingails.ph, one of the most trusted flower shops in Manila, the demand is quite high, especially for their fresh mini pine trees, wreaths, and Christmas centerpieces. According to their Chief Executive Officer Abigail Ang-Santander, their event styling business is very robust as well, as this season is a time for a lot of celebrations.

Since part of their business is making sure every special occasion is perfect for their clients, the Bloomingail.ph CEO explains, “We prepare and send out orders very early or after rush hour if the client is amenable to accepting late deliveries. But we make sure we’re on top of our inventory and don’t have to do lots of rush orders for suppliers.”

This peak season, Abigail also heavily relies on Lalamove. She remarked, “With Lalamove, I can book multiple drops and multiple vehicles, especially for our time-sensitive products to reach our clients on time.”

When asked about her favorite feature of the on-demand delivery app, she shared, “We can always rely on trusted partner drivers. This is crucial because we always need to make sure the items are carefully delivered, plus the partner drivers are courteous not only to us but to the recipients – our clients – especially, despite being stuck in traffic the whole day.”

Etiquetta PH

Every year, Etiquetta PH, a souvenir shop, always urges its customers to book in advance to beat the holiday season. “We offer early bird promos as early as August, as well as scheduled pickups of set date of releasing orders, so by the third week of November, we’re already dispatching the items,” shared Etiquetta PH Chief Executive Officer Ria San Juan-Gumaru.

This mompreneur explained that this is their process in anticipation of the major challenges for their business. These include logistics issues, whether it’s delays in the delivery of raw materials or shipping of orders to their customers due to the heavy traffic.

When the peak season ushers in paired with increased demand for logistics, Lalamove always comes to the rescue for Etiquetta PH. According to Ria, “Lalamove’s user-friendly app makes booking seamless and efficient. It’s easy to schedule deliveries, and you don’t have to fill in a ton of information.”

Her favorite, though, proven to help with their business, is Lalamove’s vast fleet of delivery vehicles. “I can choose the most suitable option according to my needs. This flexibility ensures we can adapt to the ever-changing demands of the peak season,” she adds.

“Supporting the needs of the micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) is always a priority for Lalamove, especially during this time of year. Our platform is here to make the holiday season easier for our business owners, one delivery at a time,” remarked Lalamove Philippines Managing Director Djon Nacario.

No need to worry about the high demand during the holiday season. Learn from these business owners and go for their logistics tactics with Lalamove, your trusted delivery partner in Luzon and Cebu.

Visit https://www.lalamove.com/en-ph/ for more information.

PLDT Home makes Christmas more meaningful with exclusive Holideals gifts

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PLDT Home is playing Santa this Christmas with overflowing gifts for families. The PLDT Home Holideals promo is back with a trove of rewards including exclusive deals, treats, and chances to win smart entertainment and appliance packages.

If you haven’t completed shopping for your Christmas gifts yet, PLDT Home’s Holideals got you! PLDT Home enables you to get the most value out of your gift purchases by giving you more rewarding experiences that you can share with the whole family at home this holiday season.

A Rewarding Christmas for loyal subscribers

Of course, gift shopping remains a huge part of the Filipino holidays. It’s ingrained in our culture to shop for gifts for our loved ones even when we’re tightening our belt. Now you don’t have to miss out on the joys of shopping for gifts and groceries for the season. PLDT Home gives away up to P250,000 worth SM gift certificates to lucky subscribers who upgrade their plan or avail any device or entertainment add-ons.

Level up your home entertainment system with these two prizes that the whole family will enjoy beyond the holidays. Five winners will get the Smart Entertainment Set worth P40,000 each. The set comes with a 50" Crystal UHD 4K Samsung Smart TV, Samsung C-Series Soundbar, Philips Hue Play White & Color Smart Light, Google Nest Mini (2 pieces), and a one-year subscription to HBO Go to complete the package.

Five winners will also be chosen for the Smart Home Appliance Set worth P40,000 each. The set will raise your cooking game and enhance your home network as it comes with Instantpot Vortex 4-in-1 Smart Air Fryer, Eufy RoboVac G30, Google Nest Hub Max, and Essenza Mini Nespresso Machine.

Christmas is all about giving and togetherness. Beyond the overflowing gifts and prizes, PLDT Home, the most reliable broadband internet in the Philippines and Ookla’s Fastest Internet for five consecutive years, is making sure that families and friends stay connected through the holidays, enabling them to strengthen their bonds with loved ones.

To learn more about PLDT Home’s Holideals, visit www.pldthome.com.

FSSI supports social entrepreneurs to grow local communities

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Social investment non-profit organization Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI) continues to scale up social entrepreneurship by offering financial and non-financial products to Filipino enterprises, promoting inclusive socio-economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The British Council, supported by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, reported that social enterprises in the country have struggled to balance their environmental and financial goals to achieve business stability and effectively measure their overall impact. FSSI addresses this challenge through its triple bottom line (3BL) approach, which measures People, Planet, and Profit as the main indicators. Through this approach, FSSI has benefited over 280 local social enterprises, resulting in deeper support to the communities they belong to, more paths to sustainability, and more profitable businesses – all at the same time.

“Social enterprises aim to create social and environmental impact, while maintaining a viable business at the same time,” said Sixto Donato C. Macasaet, Executive Director at FSSI. “In order to achieve their goals, we and our partners from national civil society organizations and international organizations help them address their challenges through our needs-based services that include loans, developmental deposits, seed capital, and equity investment.”

Boost socio-economic impact

Women-led enterprise Mallig FST Multi-Purpose Cooperative is engaged in lending, savings deposits, agricultural inputs trading and mechanization services, and rice milling. In 2022, the cooperative expanded and opened a gas station in Mallig, Isabela to create jobs for their immediate community.

The cooperative also started the construction of a multi-purpose building which will be used as the cooperative’s office, convenience store, agricultural trading store for bulk purchase of agricultural supplies, and other stalls for rent. Through FSSI’s Investing in Women project, they are able to augment their working capital for agricultural inputs trading and thus, offer agricultural inputs to farmer members at a lower price. They also give them technical advice for better yield per cropping.

“We are now able to establish a one-stop-shop that will cater to the various needs of farmer members and non-members alike in Mallig,” said Marilyn Binag, Manager at Mallig FST Multi-Purpose Cooperative. She added that this will also be an opportunity for the cooperative to grow beyond its 642 members—234 of whom are women—by helping them realize their potential economic contributions through helping more communities even outside of Isabela.

Empower local communities

Nueva Ecija-based women-led social enterprise Kilusang Lima para sa Lahat Multi-Purpose Cooperative (K5 MPC) already began partnering with FSSI through a loan program in 2006 to sustain its financial support to its members who are farmers and owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Our members' need for capital for various purposes outweighs the share capital contributed by investing members,” said Guillermo Bacsa, General Manager at K5 MPC. Guided by the 3BL approach, in 2006, FSSI offered K5 MPC a credit line to support their members and to empower the communities they serve and contribute to local economic development.

FSSI joined the inauguration of K5 MPC's Peaks and Waves Bed and Breakfast at Dingalan, Aurora. (L-R: Nikki Natan, FSSI Knowledge Management, Advocacy, and Communications Officer, Leah Embuido, FSSI Financial Services Manager, Mark Tañedo, FSSI Credit Officer, Evelyn Roxas, Sherlyn Alcantara, and Ma. Loida Dela Cruz, K5 MPC Board Directors)

In 2022, K5 MPC worked with FSSI, under a renewed partnership, to expand its services to nearby province, Aurora, and launched its first lodging business, “Peaks and Waves Bed and Breakfast.” FSSI supported the construction of the lodging house which now contributes to the local economy of the town of Dingalan through tourism, employment generation, and environmental protection by segregating, composting, and recycling wastes, and reusing containers to reduce plastic usage.

“Our members’ trust is a vital part of community development,” Bacsa said. “By empowering them and providing them solutions that fit their needs, our capital grew from PHP 60,000 to PHP 40 million to date.”

Founded on the principles of People, Planet, and Profit, FSSI offers customizable services that empower social enterprises to ensure they thrive in their respective sector and foster holistic community development.

To discover more about how FSSI supports local social enterprises, visit fssi.com.ph or go to their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FSSI.Philippines.

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About FSSI

The Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI), a social investment organization established in 1995, works for the development of sustainable communities through social entrepreneurship. We provide financial and capacity building services to social enterprises across the country which live out the triple bottom lines (3BL) of social equity, environmental protection, and economic development.

For loans and project-related inquiries, please contact our Project Development and Monitoring Unit through Nezar Viernes at nezar.viernes@fssi.com.ph or mobile 0967 221 3160 or Carol Cepeda at carolinecepeda@fssi.com.ph or mobile 0917 855 8129.