Puregold is 1st national supermarket chain to accept mobile payments via GCash scan to pay

Tweet

Mobile payments pioneer GCash has partnered with Puregold, one of the country's biggest supermarket chains, to implement quick response or QR payments acceptance starting at Puregold Qi Central in Quezon City. 

This marks Puregold’s shift towards embracing modern and convenient payment methods and makes Puregold the first national supermarket chain to accept GCash QR.

From L-R:  Pamela P. Co, Puregold Director; Ferdinand Vincent P. Co, Puregold President; Susan Co, Puregold Vice-Chairman; Lucio Co, Puregold Chairman; Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO; Anthony Thomas, Mynt President and CEO

The GCash QR scan to pay feature is now accepted in 233 Puregold stores in Metro Manila and nationwide. With over 300 stores nationwide, the supermarket chain has been an inspiration for close to two decades in serving all classes of Filipinos with its vast array of products, ranging from consumables, apparel, and even household equipment.

Celebrities Fourth Pagotan and Yayo Aguila shop at Puregold using GCash scan to pay

“Puregold has been in partnership with the GCash team for the past five years and we always believe in the capabilities of their people. We also know that GCash Scan to Pay is the next big thing to hit the Philippine retail market. By being a first-mover, we stand to gain competitive advantage in the market,” said Ferdinand Vincent P. Co, President of Puregold Price Club, Inc.

Co added that since they have customers who already use the GCash cash-in services in Puregold stores, GCash Scan to Pay will be very beneficial to them.  “We wanted to offer the full GCash service to our customers as a way of educating them about secure, cashless shopping. We have already tested GCash Scan to Pay in our affiliate company, My Baby Planet, and we are able to see how easy and convenient it is to use.”

“GCash is working hard to change the landscape of how Filipinos usually pay for their purchases to eliminate the pain points of payments such as the hassle of bringing money, waiting for change, or getting into misunderstandings over payments. We want everyone to experience the convenience of using GCash for their everyday needs -- from buying load, paying bills, sending money, and now with supermarkets like Puregold, you can just scan to pay using your phone,” said Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt which operates GCash.

To use the scan to pay feature of the GCash App, customers only need to download or update the GCash App in their iPhone or Android smartphone, register for an account and load their GCash wallet in any of the 12,000 GCash partner outlets nationwide, including Globe Stores and all Puregold branches. Once done, they only need to point the phone’s camera at the GCash QR code at the Puregold cashier counter, and input the amount to be paid. Goodbye coins, hello easier grocery shopping!

Celebrating its 20th year, Puregold shoppers who will use GCash Scan to Pay will be eligible to join the weekly 100% cashback promo and the grand raffle promo, wherein GCash will raffle off an iPhone X, a motorcycle, an entertainment system, an appliance package, sari-sari store package and more cell phones. On top of that, GCash users of Puregold will also be eligible for the 10 percent rebate promo when they scan to pay with GCash at Puregold until March 31, 2018.

GCash, which is operated by Mynt, a fintech company owned by Globe Telecom, Ant Financial and Ayala Corp., has been aggressively campaigning to its partners for cashless payment systems using the GCash App scan to pay feature.

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

Follow us on our social media channels:

www.facebook.com/gcashofficial 

www.twitter.com/gcashofficial

www.instagram.com/gcashofficial

GCash to adopt Alipay cashless payment model in China and rest of Asia

Tweet

GCash is adopting the cashless payments model of Alipay, China’s leading third-party mobile and online payments platform, which is enjoying unprecedented success in China, India and the rest of Asia to give people ease, convenience, and security when purchasing goods and services from lowly street vendors to high-end shops.

Alipay is operated by Ant Financial which has earlier entered into a joint venture with leading Philippine telecommunications provider Globe Telecom and the country’s oldest conglomerate Ayala Corporation to boost the operations of Mynt, parent company of GCash mobile wallet service.

“I believe e-payments have a tremendous amount of potential in the Philippines given the continuous growth of smartphone penetration and the number of unbanked Filipinos. Only a very select group of Filipinos have access to financial services so we want to provide that access to them. Part of financial services is cashless payments. It has taken off in other countries like China and India where the people have realized its value because of the convenience and security that it provides -- merchants and buyers don’t have to prepare change, e-money cannot be easily stolen, payments can easily be tracked, among other things,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

A Filipino shopper uses the scan to pay feature of the GCash App at a store in one of the popular malls in the Philippines

At present, 7 out of 10 Filipinos are unbanked while 9 out of 10 do not have access to formal credit. This situation has led to the popularity of cash payments in the country.

Eric Jing, Ant Financial Services Group CEO said: “Ant Financial is working closely with Mynt to bring digital financial inclusion to Filipinos. Imagine a day when you can just pick up your phone and pay using QR codes when you shop, buy tickets, buy food. We’re leveraging technology to provide that. We will use technology to make financial services more transparent and easier to access especially for those who are underserved or unserved. Digital payments with GCash is only the beginning of many new things. I am looking forward to GCash creating more benefits for the individuals and micro and small businesses in the Philippines and to provide financial inclusion for everyone.”

Aside from the scan to pay feature of the GCash App which was allows QR scanning to pay for goods and services, GCash customers can also use the app to cash in, top up their prepaid credit, borrow load, book movies, transfer money, and pay bills.

In China where Alipay started its operations, cash is becoming obsolete as people are doing away with paper money and coins to pay for about everything. Instead of cash, they use smartphones to scan QR codes – a type of barcode which includes the merchant’s information - and pay from their electronic wallet.

Electronic payment using QR codes has become a way of life in China that practically every business, big or small, even street performers are already part of the ecosystem. Right now, over half a billion Chinese are using Alipay’s e-payment system.

A similar trend is occurring in India with Paytm, India’s largest digital wallet where Ant Financial is also an investor. Paytm has already registered over 200 million customers for its digital wallet with a goal of reaching 500 million by 2020.

Global City Innovative College Applies 21st Century Learning to Senior High School

Tweet

GLOBAL City Innovative College, an internationally recognized educational center, forming the next generation of innovative, professional leaders for the GLOBAL Community. GIC believes that education is not only a leveling tool for poverty, it is through education that the hopes of our next generation and the progress of our country lies.

Global City Innovative College (GIC) now applies 21st Century learning to Senior High School --- Six or seven years in elementary + four years in high school + four years in college.

That’s the equation that most of us are familiar with. But the Philippine government has modified the formula with the recent addition of two more years in high school. 

Beginning school year 2016, students will not be accepted into college unless they finish grades 11 and 12. And high school diplomas will only be issued to graduates of grade 12. 

The mandate on Grades 11 and 12 or what is collectively referred to as Senior High School has caused confusion and elicited a lot of complaints from parents and students. But is it really such a bad thing?

Engr. Mike Tan, Global City Innovative College (GIC) President,  rationalized during a meeting with a group of parent writers:

Engr. Mike Tan, Global City Innovative College (GIC) President

“Senior high school will allow our graduates to meet the global standard requirement of twelve years of basic education. It will let Filipinos be globally competitive. Those who want to work abroad will not have to take additional state examinations or certifications and will receive commensurate compensation.”

“It will still be like high school but with specialization. The curriculum will be geared towards the student’s interest. The specialization will be reflected in the student’s choice of tracks and strands. The tracks and strands offered at GIC prepares students better for specific college programs. So the students move up to the next level better equipped,” explained Dr. Gerry De La Zerna, GIC Chairman for Senior High School.

The track is similar to what we refer to as ‘course’ in college while strands are similar to what is called ‘major’ in college. 

Dr. Gerry De La Zerna, GIC Chairman for Senior High School.

Established in 2002, GIC offers Bachelor of Science courses on Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Information Technology, Tourism Management, Medical Technology, Accountancy and Accounting Technology. And now they are introducing their Senior High School program. 

“GIC wants to play a role in the country’s new education framework and do our share in bridging the gap between the high school and the tertiary levels. We also see this as an opportunity to cascade our approach to education to more students,” related Mike. 

“We employ 21st century learning. We offer a kind of education that addresses the needs of students to thrive in the future. We teach timeless skills that will serve as a strong foundation regardless of what the future holds. This is done through holistic and innovative education,” he continued. 

Students who enrol in GIC will have a unique 3D experience – discover, develop and direction.

“We believe that these 2 years are critical yet confusing to a young student’s life stage. GIC’s 3D approach will help them discover their innate talents and gifts. Our unique enrichment programs for grades 11 and 12 aim to develop these talents and gifts by honing them with the needed skills needed for the 21st century. Finally, GIC will help them determine and focus on the direction to take for the important life choices they will make for their career or further education. This innovative approach will be rooted in the 21st century education framework and fully compliant with the requirements of the Department of Education,” Mike guaranteed. 

GIC offers Academic and Tech Voc tracks. Under the Academic track they have three strands: Accountancy Business and Management (ABM), Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS). 

Under the Tech Voc track, they have two strands: 

The first is Home Economics which includes pastry and bakery production; food and beverages; and tour guiding and tourism promotions. 

The second is Information and Communications Technology (ICT) where they have animation, computer programming and medical transcription. Slots per strand are limited. 

To help the students decide on which track/strand to take GIC conducts a career assessment prior to enrolment.

“We discuss the results with the parents and emphasize to them that students who pursue their interests are more likely to succeed. If students take up what they want, truancy in college is reduced,” Gerry disclosed. 

Education the GIC way sounds really fun! Students will be thrilled that they will not be given assignments to bring home. “We want our students to do the assignments in school. We want them to be well-rounded and enjoy their social life and family life,” shared Gerry. 

And there will be only four days of school.

“The fifth day will be spent as immersion in their industry of choice. For example, if the topic is about interviews, we will let them spend the fifth day of the week going on interviews. We want them to get the experience so that when they return to the classroom, they will understand the discussion better. If it’s all lecture then everything remains abstract. They will not comprehend until they go through it. And the experience will make them remember better,” justified Gerry.

“Senior high school is more about skills but not just technical skills, we must not forget the soft skills such as attitude and personality. They have to learn more skills that will match with what the industry wants like critical thinking, decision making, and presentation skills. These are the things we will teach you in GIC through our curriculum enhancement,” emphasized Gerry.

A required subject, the Life course is an example of an enhancement. 

“This is where we guide them to discover themselves and embrace their uniqueness, we teach them to explore their community and relate with others properly. It is also in the Life course where we prepare them for the professional world and life realities,” said Mr. Jayson Bergania, GIC Director for Innovative Holistic Development Education.

Last but not the least, the teachers at GIC are industry practitioners who can provide real life examples and impart their experience from the field.

After graduating from Senior High School in GIC, students can explore three options. 

1- They can move up to college for higher studies and pursue the specialization track taken in senior high school.

2- No entrance exam if they enrol in GIC! 

3- Or they can get a job armed with a TESDA certification (when applicable) of the chosen specialization in senior high school.

However, with this, their chances of moving up will be limited to middle management positions at the most. Because companies usually require a college degree for promotion to higher levels. The third option involves starting their own business.

“At the end of the day, the objective is to have GIC’s high school graduates be both industry-ready and college-ready,” concluded Mike.

Know more about Global City Innovative College and its Senior High School program through www.global.edu.ph or by calling (02) 882-4242 and (02) 666-8881 to 82. 

GIC is located at PET Plans Tower Annex, 444 EDSA, Makati City 1211 (near Estrella Street and Rockwell). 

Get updates at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlobalCityInnovativeCollege/

Twitter: GCICph

Instagram: GCICph

YouTube: GCICph

Skyscanner reveals the Best Time to Book for Filipinos

Tweet

Traveling takes a big chunk of the typical Filipino vacation. Families and barkadas make it a point to go out-of-town or out of the country on holidays. With all these free days pre-marked on their calendars, it is important that they strategize so that they can book their flights at the lowest possible prices.

Skyscanner, a leading global travel search site, did a study on the millions of flights purchased by their customers over the past three years to arrive with the best time to book. The study shows that on average, 3-4 weeks in advance is the optimal time to book flights. This suggestion, however, depends on the type of flight you book or the airlines you book with. When traveling with a budget airline, prices are likely to go up as the day of the flight approaches. If traveling on long haul flights or for more than 5 hours, prices are likely to fluctuate as the flight day grows near, and this does not guarantee the best seats.

In the Philippines, we have always loved the idea of discounts and because of this, booking early has always been a trend. Below are the top outbound destinations in the Philippines alongside the number of weeks you need to book in advance for maximum saving:

·       China. If you book 28 weeks in advance, you can save as much as PHP 7 000 per flight which means more money for shopping and buying souvenirs.

·       Malaysia. Because Malaysia is relatively near, it can be a go-to destination for last minute getaways and short vacations, but booking close to your departure date can be quite expensive. Consider booking 31 weeks in advance so you will only have to pay 46% of the actual flight cost.

·       Japan. Book a flight to the land of cherry blossoms 14 weeks in advance and you can save as much as PHP 6300. Like with Thailand, booking four tickets will make way for another friend or relative to tag along in your trip.

·       Thailand. Save as much as PHP 2990 if you book 16 weeks ahead. The discount you will get from booking four tickets is enough to get you another flight for free!

·       Singapore. This country is the most visited by Filipinos in 2013 according to a recent study by Skyscanner. The best time to book flights going to Singapore is 25 weeks in advance. By booking this early, you can save as much as PHP 1600. This is almost 24% less than the average flight cost.

According to the Best Time to Book study, on average, it is best to book 20 weeks in advance regardless of where you want to go. The study also suggests that the cheapest month to travel is in February and it is most expensive in April. This is for the reason that less people travel on February because they are making way for their summer travels which usually happens in April.

Booking flights during these suggested time frames enables you access to loads of discounts and the best seats possible. If you book early, you can save almost 18% less than what you will have to pay for the average ticket price. Moreover, you can skip the stress of looking for available flights at the last minute which are most likely to be overpriced. Booking your flights early will not just give you these perks but it will also help you focus on the other aspects of your vacation such as relaxation and educating yourself, which is ultimately the point of traveling.

Some simple rules to bear in mind to get the best price:

1.     Book smart: Avoiding peak season travel and flying at less popular hours of the day, can really help to lower costs.

2.     Be flexible:  Costs to different destinations can vary significantly depending on the airlines operating that route and the Thai airports offering these flights. If you are planning your next trip but are open to destinations, running a search to ‘everywhere’ can help find the countries that offer the best value flights at any time.

3.     Compare and contrast: Using a travel comparison site like Skyscanner allows you to compare the widest range of airlines and online travel agents, so you’ll be able to see where you can get the best deal.

4.     Track prices Skyscanner’s analysis has found that keeping an eye on the flight prices a few months in advance of travel, is the best way to find a good value flight. Using a flight tracker price alert service, either by email or via the app can help monitor when prices drop on a chosen route.

Skyscanner offers price alerts on all routes to enable flights to be monitored by email. The Skyscanner app offers widgets for Android, Live Tiles for Windows Phone and “watch” functionality for iOS, all of which allow customers to track the latest price changes on a chosen route.

About Skyscanner

·  Skyscanner is a leading global travel search site providing instant online comparisons for millions of flights plus hotels and car hire.

·  Founded in 2003 by three IT professionals, Gareth Williams, Barry Smith and Bonamy Grimes, Skyscanner is the no.1 travel search website in Europe and no.3 worldwide, receiving over 50 million visits per month.

·  Skyscanner’s travel search site is available in 40 countries and in 30 languages.

·  Skyscanner’s highly-rated free mobile apps are available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Windows 8 devices and have been downloaded over 20 million time. Download the app at http://www.skyscanner.com.ph/mobile.html

·  The company employs over 200 staff and has its global headquarters in Edinburgh, with a second Scottish office in Glasgow. Skyscanner also has offices in Singapore and Beijing and plans to open a Miami office in 2013.

·  Follow Skyscanner on Twitter @SkyscannerPH

·  Like Skyscanner on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/SkyscannerPhilippines

·  Visit Skyscanner website at www.skyscanner.com.ph

Join the Philippines’ Biggest Music Event of the Year – the 7107 International Music Festival!

Tweet

7107 International Music Festival will be rocking the Philippines this February 22-23, 2014.

7107, which represents the number of islands in the Philippines is organized by a team spearheaded by individuals who are well-versed in the entertainment, events and music industries.

7107 International Music Festival is a two-day outdoor music festival happening at the Global Gateway Logistics City in Clark, Pampanga.

According to Mr. Jeff Pradhan, GGLC Vice President for Sales & Marketing, the event will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Clark and Central Luzon as an alternative venue for major events and activities outside Manila. He also said that GGLC with CDC is in support to “putting the best show in a site that is accessible”, noting that Clark has a land area that could accommodate events of this magnitude. 

The said music festival is expected to draw a crowd of 20,000 to 30,000 coming from the region and different parts of the country.

The organizer, 7107 posted in their official Facebook page the line-up of the artists performing in the two-day music festival which includes: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Empire of the Sun, The Asteriods Galaxy Tour, Red Jumpsuit Aparatus, and local bands like Up Dharma Down, Radio Active Sago Project, among others. According to Mike Pio Roda, Co-Founder of 7107, the crowd should expect “…something they haven’t seen in the Philippines”. He added that they are inviting around 20 international acts to perform in the festival. The event organized by 7107 in coordination with the Clark Development Corporation will take place at the Global Gateway Logistics City in Clark.

7107 International Music Festival is the music event of the year, with all your favorite bands and performers all in two days with one ticket purchase. Everything you will need to satisfy your music cravings will be in the festival, making it a once in a lifetime music event that you should not miss. 

The Philippines has recently seen the influx of concert parties—music lovers as well as partygoers come together to witness their favorite acts from all over the globe perform their favorite hit songs. With the crazy line-up of exciting bands and artists performing in the country, it is hard to choose which ones one should prioritize to see. The biggest enemy, in this case, will be limited time or resources, but fret no more because we have the solution.

7107 International Music Festival will be rocking the Philippines this February 22-23, 2014. 7107, which represents the number of islands in the Philippines is organized by a team spearheaded by individuals who are well-versed in the entertainment, events and music industries.

“It has been our personal mission to promote the Philippines; the islands, its talent, its culture and its music throughout the world,” shares Tina Herrera, the festival’s Executive Producer. “We are thrilled that 7107 International Music Festival will serve as unique platform for our local artists to shine side by side with legendary performers. Through this International Music Festival, we are able to push our local talent on to the world stage and open up avenues for local artists to collaborate with international acts, further pushing their music to a global audience.”

The festival is not just a night of performances but a two-day outdoor music festival featuring a spectacular line-up of bands from around the world. If you are not yet sold with the idea of a two-day concert, here are other reasons why 7107 IMF is the must-see concert party of the year:

It’s in Clark, Pampanga. You read that right. This festival will not be in the Metro so you won’t have to worry about the traffic, hustle and bustle going in and out of the venue. The festival will be held in Global Gateway Logistics City, a modern, state-of-the-art compound in Clark.

“We wanted enough room to play around with,” says Herrera. “With over 100 hectares of land, it is the perfect canvas to start the 7107 International Music Festival. Because we had tourism in mind when we started this project, we wanted to take concert goers away from their usual environment and give them a chance to do a bit of travelling.” 

Two days of international and local acts. Get ready to see international acts like Red Chili Peppers, Kaskade, Empire of the Sun, and Kendrick Lamar, plus performances from local artists such as Up Dharma Down, Kjwan and Radioactive Sago Project. With the spectacular and diverse lineup, we are sure that we have something to satisfy anyone’s musical craving!

Experience the tastes of the world. By taste, we mean food. There will be something for all kinds of taste buds; even those of the picky ones, as the festival will also house different concessionaires from all over. It brings together foodie favorites to the country’s culinary capital.

It boosts the country’s tourism. With different performances from around the globe packaged into two days, the festival will not only be attended by Filipinos but by people all over the world as well. The festival is slated to attract more than 20,000 concertgoers across Asia and Europe. 

“Tickets have sold well, even before the phase 2 lineup,” shares Herrera. “We’ve had sales from Canada, USA, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan, Beijing, New Zealand and others.” 

It’s for a good cause. Part of the proceeds of the festival will be used to rebuild, rehabilitate, and fund relief projects for the Typhoon Yolanda victims. This is a guilt-free concert party as the proceeds will go to HelpPH and the EJ Litton Foundation. 

According to Herrera, “We want 7107 International Music Festival to be a reminder to our countrymen that music moves, and help is on the way.”

With all these amazing things going on in the festival, you might get lost in your schedule or worse, in the venue. The 7107 team found a solution to your worries by introducing the 7107 International Music Festival smartphone application. 

“Our team has developed an app for the festival wherein attendees can keep track of what’s going on as well as get to know all the bands that will be present in the event,” shares Mike Pio Roda, Co-Founder and Producer. “Features of the app include tidbits about the performers, food and beverage, as well as the festival’s schedule of activities. Because there are two separate stages in the event, having this app makes it easier to track the bands you don't want to miss—where they’ll be, which stage, and at what time.”

The app allows you to create your own personalized schedule of your favorite acts and performers. You can also check out the vendors, retailers and attractions that will be present in the festival. All the things you will need to know will be right at your fingertips.

Proceeds from the event will go to survivors of the Super Typhoon Yolanda. - See more at: http://www.clarkisit.com/international-music-fest-set-clark-feb-2014/#sthash.tbQxSjkd.dpuf

Here are the ticket prices: 

General Admission: PHP 10000.00 

VIP ADMISSION: PHP 25000.00 

+Parking Pass: PHP 300.00 per day / PHP 600.00 for the weekend 

General Admission – Gets you access to all general areas for the entire weekend. 

VIP Admission – Gets you access to all general areas plus VIP bars, lounges, view deck and additional bathrooms for the entire weekend. 

VIP Table Packages: 

Php 300k table package + VAT include the following: 

10 VIP passes 

Exclusive toilets 

Php 50k consumable for both days

Premium bottle service 

Bar chow

Premium view of main stage 

Limited edition merchandise

Getting to Pampanga 

From Ninoy Aquino Airport to Pampanga: 1.5 hour drive

From Clark International Airport to Pampanga: 15-minute drive

From Angeles City to Pampanga: 15-minute drive 

Once You Arrive in Pampanga//Going to the Festival 

Complimentary shuttles will be provided by participating hotels, going to and from the venue. Please see Accommodations for a complete list.

Global Peace Festival 2013 Philippines: One World, One Celebration, One Family on November 21 at Araneta Coliseum

Tweet

In celebration of Global Peace Festival "One World, One Family, One Celebration" the Philippines will be hosting the Global Peace Festival on November 21 at 4:00 PM in Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.

Global Peace Festival 2013 Philippines: One World, One Celebration, One Family is expected to draw 15,000 peace-minded people from various sectors of society, including international delegates from neighboring South East Asian countries, Mongolia, Nepal, Korea, Japan, North America and Latin America. Admission to the festival is FREE.

Launched in 2007, the Global Peace Festival (GP Festival) is a project of the Global Peace Foundation. The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) is a global movement of committed peace builders working in partnership based on common aspirations, principles, and values. GPF promotes and celebrates persons and programs that contribute to reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony and cooperation, and sees all people as one global family.

In line with this, the Global Peace Foundation will also be convening the Global Peace Leadership Conference 2013 Philippines on November 20-22 at The Manila Hotel on the theme “Moral and Innovative Leadership: A Platform for Sustainable Peace and Development”.

The program includes several break-out sessions on November 21 for different sectors such as the Global Young Leaders and Students Assembly (GYLSA) 2013 for high school, college, and community youth leaders. This year’s theme, Vision, Service, Innovation acknowledges the importance of good character, service to others, and innovative efforts among young people to help advance sustainable community and national progress, as well as United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals.

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon (GPF International), Secretary Dinky Soliman (DSWD), Secretary Armin Luistro (DepEd), Tony Meloto (Gawad Kalinga), and Anthony Zuniga (Juan2Help.org) are just some of the confirmed speakers for these events. Global Peace Festival and its conferences are endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Education (DepEd).

Aside from the main event and conferences, Global Peace Foundation is also inviting youth leaders and organizations to join the GPF Youth Contests (grand finals on November 9) and the GPF Coastal Clean-up on November 17 in Manila Bay. An innovative approach to peace building, the GP Festival combines multi-cultural celebrations with service initiatives that engage volunteers from every background, drawing upon the shared ideals of the world’s faiths and united by a vision of One Family under God.

For inquiries, registration, and ticket reservation, you may contact 

+63-02-3517652 (Telefax); +63-02-7381465 (Phone); 

or email info@globalpeacephilippines.org 

  gplc2013@globalpeacephilippines.org (GPLC)

 and,youth@globalpeacephilippines.org (youth activities).

Conference delegates may also register online at

  http://www.tinyurl.com/RegisterGPLC and 

http://www.tinyurl.com/RegisterGYLSA.

For more information and updates, visit http://www.globalpeace.org and http://www.globalpeacephilippines.org

Manila Water Foundation upholds importance of proper handwashing

Tweet

Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, visited different parts of the archipelago spreading the value of handwashing as part of proper hygiene and healthcare. The Foundation joined over 100 countries, involving more than 200 million people across five continents in celebrating the 2013 Global Handwashing Day.

Carla Beriña-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation, imparts that handwashing serves as an easy and cost-effective measure in preventing different infections and diseases. “This simple task can lower the number of people affected by fast-spreading illnesses that take a toll not only on one’s health, but also on the family’s budget. When done properly, regularly and collectively, handwashing can create healthier communities”, says Beriña-Kim.

On its first year to lead a series of events for the Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines, Manila Water Foundation staged a week-long celebration that saw more than 7,000 people participating in its activities. Students, teachers, and school personnel from different schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Laguna, and Boracay Island were visited by the Foundation, informing them on the proper way of washing one’s hands and how responsibly transforming this into a habit may reduce vulnerability to different health risks and infections. 

Partakers were encouraged to stamp their handprints on the pledge wall to signify their commitment to practice proper handwashing and to encourage their family and friends to do the same. In a move to further its advocacy, Manila Water Foundation extended its efforts by setting up booths that deliver information on the benefits of handwashing in Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Pavillion Mall in Biñan, Laguna, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Marquee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga. Participants showed their support to the cause by contributing in the pledge sticker wall. As its culminating event, the Foundation conducted an information and education drive at the Boracay Beach Front Station One and enjoined tourists and locals alike to practice proper handwashing.

The successful celebration was co-presented by Manila Water, Laguna Water, Clark Water, Boracay Water, and supported by the Department of Education, Globe Telecom, Ayala Malls, Unilever (Vaseline as official soap sponsor), Universal Robina Corporation (Granny Goose Tortillos, Mang Juan, Hunt’s and Refresh), Unilab (RiteMed and Ceelin Plus) and Enchanted Kingdom, as well as media partners, The Philippine Star, Business World, Health Today and Working Mom.

Global Visas - Making Dreams Come True

Tweet

Have you ever tried getting a work visa but felt so overwhelmed with the requirements and procedures that when you finally reached the in-person interview, you felt you gave a bad impression? Or even worst, has your visa application been rejected because you lack the necessary requirements? The steps to obtain a visa are tedious; the requirements are extensive. Each person's situation is different and there is no proper explanation or a single document, certificate, or letter which can guarantee visa issuance.

But with all these complexities and uncertainties, why do Filipinos leave the country in the first place? Why spend so much money applying for a visa when there’s an oft chance that their visa application might be rejected? The simple truth is that Filipinos have more job opportunities abroad. Other countries pay better and provide better benefit. The minimum wage in the Philippines is quite low compared to other countries while local companies do not compensate their employees well. There are also those workers who do not find their salaries enough to sustain them and their families. It is for this reason that Filipinos travel out of the country in order to get better compensations.

The first steps for getting a visa:

Luckily for Filipinos who wish to work abroad, Global Visas Philippines offers step-by-step consultation and comprehensive solutions to your immigration problems that will enable you to work abroad and strive towards your future endeavors. 

Global Visas offers insightful tips when getting a visa. First, figure out if you need a visa in the first place. Then, locate the nearest embassy, collect the necessary documents, ace the in-person interview and successfully navigate past immigration officials at the airport. To help ensure approval, emphasize crucial points throughout the process: the exact purpose of your trip; the duration of the trip; sufficient funds to cover expenses while abroad; you may also need to provide evidence of social and economic ties back home that would compel you to leave and return home in a timely fashion. 

Whatever your reason for moving overseas, It needs to be noted that its equally important to be prepared for your new environment. That's why Global Visas Philippines do much more than simply arrange visas. Global Visas’ experts provide a complete relocation solution, removing all the stress and hassle from international relocation and allow you to adapt more easily to your new lifestyle. Global Visas’ experts also assist with preparing for employment, finding the fastest way to relocate, shipping, banking, foreign exchange, and much more. They provide this valuable service for thousands of delighted clients every year. Global Visas Philippines' innovative processes ensure that Filipinos can live and work in any country of their choice!

As a world’s leading provider of immigration solutions, Global Visas is responsible for the dreams and the future of thousands of Filipinos each year. Their global presence is a vital component of their business, allowing them to provide continued support and advice long after Filipinos have arrived in their new country.

Each Filipinos who opted to work abroad have their own reasons why they prefer to work abroad. To work or not to work abroad is probably a matter of choice but one thing remains constant, every Filipinos dreams to have a decent and quality of life. With Global Visas we make that dream come true.

About Global Visas Philippines

Employing government-accredited experts and qualified solicitors, we provide immigration solutions to both individual and corporate clients. Our global office network and innovative processes ensure that our clients can live and work in any country of their choice. We help our clients with International Employment Solutions and, using immigration law in ways that benefit our clients, we are able to help them to study or work abroad and work towards their unique goals, on their own terms.

For more information please visit: http://www.globalvisas.ph/

Yahoo! Technostorm Expo Brings the latest technology and gadgets to Filipino users

Tweet

Yahoo! Philippines launched Technostorm on-ground exposition last Monday at Trinoma, Quezon City. This technostorm expo featuring telecommunications and cutting-edge technology products and services from leading global and local brands. This includes Microsoft, Smart Telecom, Nokia, HP, Epson, Sony, Wi Tribe, PLDT, Sharp, Sun Cellular, LG, Samsung, Lazada, Globe and Phillips.

Hosted by Yahoo!, the expo runs from November 26 to December 2, 2012, and accessible to anyone who is a technology enthusiast. Filipinos can now visit the Technostorm expo to experience the products, watch demos, attend the tech talks and hear from the experts before contemplating on making a purchase.

Technostorm began with a “Virtual Expo” on Yahoo!, featuring the up-and-coming products and services of the country’s leading tech, telecommunications and connectivity brands. Utilizing Yahoo!’s rich media solutions, the brands created an interactive web page complete with product information, drive-to-site links, video features and a full preview of the gadgets before bringing these online experiences to the Filipinos on-ground.

“Technostorm is a celebration of all things tech. Yahoo’s digital capabilities provide a unique platform for Filipinos to explore, discover and understand the world of technology, and bring them face-to-face with gadgets and devices that create connectivity,” said Arlene Amarante, Country Ambassador and Sales Director of Yahoo! Philippines. 

“At Yahoo!, we are always looking for creative ways to connect people with what matters most and are committed to bring inspiring and entertaining experiences to our users.” Amarante concluded.

Here are some pictures of great people who were the speakers in the event sharing the latest technology and gadgets. 

Enjoy the wonderful world of Yahoo! Philippines Technostorm expo until December 2, 2012.

Checkout more photos at Enjoying Wonderful World Yahoo! TechnoStorm Expo @Trinoma

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! is focused on making the world's daily habits more inspiring and entertaining. By creating highly personalized experiences for Yahoo! users, they keep people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the world. In turn, Yahoo! create value for advertisers by connecting them with the audiences that build their businesses. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and has offices located throughout the Americas, Asia Pacific (APAC) and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions.