PNP, with aid from GCash, uncovers online exploitation and trafficking on social media, messaging apps

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The Philippine National Police, with the aid of GCash, has uncovered the proliferation of online children and women trafficking during recent arrests of cybercriminals conducted by the law enforcement body.

A human trafficking suspect allegedly exploited victims on a popular social media platform. Posing as clients under various aliases, he purchased pornographic material from victims and then used it to coerce them into further sexual exploitation. The victims were subsequently trafficked to the Middle East for forced labor and prostitution, reportedly using various social media aliases including Lester James Ang, LJ Garcia, Harley Garcia, Mark Harley Garcia, Mark Harley Dave Garcia, and Mark Harly Dave Garciano. He was eventually traced and arrested by an operation led by the PNP Anti-cybercrime group.

Two more separate cases of online child sexual exploitation have been reported by PNP-ACG involving a suspect named Mary June Netuliano Espiritu, who was put into custody for purportedly selling explicit videos of her daughter on social media. In a similar case, Leonisa Postetad Ligo is facing charges for allegedly prostituting two minor victims through a popular messaging app.

As the largest digital ecosystem, GCash recognizes its role in keeping the public and cyberspace secure— while safeguarding the well-being of women and children.

“To create a financially inclusive cashless ecosystem, we must ensure that the digital landscape is safe for users and their children by supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts against cybercrimes. Our commitment extends to protecting the community from all threats, especially involving women and children,” said GCash vice president and head of corporate communications Gilda Maquilan.

GCash urges the public to report any incidents of scams, fraud, or cybercrime to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) by calling (02) 8414-1560 or 0998-598-8116, or by emailing acg@pnp.gov.ph. Users can also report cybercrimes through the official GCash Help Center at https://help.gcash.com by messaging Gigi on the website and typing 'I want to report a scam.' Alternatively, they may contact the GCash hotline by dialing 2882.

For a safer digital experience, GCash reminds its users to remain vigilant, never share their MPIN or OTP, and avoid clicking on suspicious links that could lead to phishing or fraud. GCash will never ask for personal information through private messages.

Collecting in Real Time: Toki’s Top 5 Livestream Auction Moments

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Livestream auctions are the ultimate thrill ride—bidders battling it out in real-time, and the energy is electric. Toki, the first social commerce platform for collectibles here in the Philippines, has taken this excitement to a whole new level. They've created a virtual space where collectors can not only score awesome stuff but also hang out and interact.

Here are the top 5 moments from Toki's livestream auctions that totally stole the show:

Moment 1: Bigboy Cheng’s PHP 45K Funko Pop Madness

Famous collector BigBoy Cheng auctioning the Family and Friends Exclusive Funko Pop.

Funko Pops are all the rage, and when Bigboy Cheng dropped the Family and Friends Exclusive Funko Pop, collectors went wild. The bids soared as fans from everywhere tried to snag this rare gem, especially since all proceeds benefited those who were affected by Typhoon Carina. The livestream bid ended with a jaw-dropping PHP 45,000 price tag, setting a new record for the most expensive item ever sold via auction on Toki.

Moment 2: The Epic 9-Hour Auction Marathon

Hubbyte Toy Store's previous livestream auction on Toki impressively ran for nine hours.

Toki’s usual auctions are about 1.5 hours, but one of Hubbyte Toy Store's shows stretched to an insane nine hours! Bidders and viewers were glued to their screens as the livestream featured everything from Demon Slayer Nendoroids to Bandai One Piece Gashapons. Just when you thought the auction was over, the audience kept on clamoring for more! Viewers would request for their toy lines and Hubbyte would comply after some lighthearted teasing. Talk about the Toki community’s passion!

Moment 3: TheMonYu’s NBA Bonanza – Over 100 Items Sold!

Toki’s livestream auction with The MonYu’s NBA collection had over 100 items sold.

NBA fans, rejoice! TheMonYu’s huge NBA memorabilia collection went under the hammer and it was a hit. More than 100 items, including cards of legends like Michael Jordan and LeBron James, were sold in a single livestream. TheMonYu’s haul was a major win for collectors and set a new benchmark for most items sold in a Toki auction.

Moment 4: 17 Minutes of Pure Adrenaline, Rapid-Fire Bidding

Collector BigBoy Cheng’s auction for the China Blue Funko Pop skyrocketed from P3,000 to P10,000 in just 17 minutes. 

The Big Boy Cheng China Blue Funko Pop auction further reinforced the concept of suspense in Toki’s livestream auctions. Priced at a seemingly reasonable P3,000 when the bidding commenced to ascend rapidly as the entire livestream was closely watched. The bidders were outbidding each other as the tension mounted before the final bid of P10,000 was reached, all within 17 minutes! This moment further underlined how collectible Funko Pops are in isolation when they become super exclusive and rare!

Moment 5: 500+ Viewers for Kokoy de Santos’ Debut Auction

The launch of actor Kokoy de Santos’ first livestream auction with Toki.

Toki’s auctions are already unique, but actor Kokoy de Santos’ first one is a game changer. Kokoy, an indie artist and former sticker collector turned art aficionado, drew in more than 500 viewers on various platforms. He auctioned off Funko Pop from across different lines and as a bonus, performed a snippet from a BINI dance for his engaged fans. At the end of the auction, as a thank you to all the viewers commenting during the livestream on the Toki website, he raffled off exclusive Toki x Secret Fresh t-shirts that he autographed. The auction definitely showcased Toki's commitment to foster a vibrant community and creating engaging experiences for all.

These moments are just a glimpse of the excitement Toki brings to the table. Whether it's record-breaking auctions or high-energy bidding led by influencers, Toki’s livestream auctions are always a blast. Don’t miss out—check out www.tokiasia.com and who knows, you might just score big!

Is your online lover too good to be true? Know the red flags of a love scammer

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Dating in the digital age has become easier with so many apps and services to choose from. By the end of 2023, it was reported that 441 million people were using dating apps actively, generating around $8.7 billion in revenues globally through matchmaking services.

The appeal of dating apps is that you’re not limited by geography. You can meet people online in your city or in another country; you get to see how they look like from their profiles; find out their interests; and if you begin chatting, you can judge if you’re compatible enough to go on a first date.

 

Many Filipinos have fallen victim to romance scams, among other fakery proliferating online. Now there’s a Facebook page that crowdsources information and experiences so that you can be more aware about scams. Called Online Alerto, it’s a Facebook community page dedicated to the dissemination of invaluable insights, resources, and strategies related to digital literacy, cybersecurity, and responsible online behavior.

 

Acting as a collaborative platform, it facilitates members in validating their online purchases and transactions while fostering an environment where personal experiences are exchanged to help enhance online safety and awareness among all members. Online Alerto is absolutely free—all you need to do is join the community page to raise your own awareness about cybercrimes.

 

While identity theft and hacking are the leading cybercrimes globally, love scams are rapidly on the rise. In Southeast Asia, these crimes have two victims: those deceived by the scam and those that are trafficked into doing the scams.

 

Online Alerto has pooled resources on the internet for warnings and tips on avoiding love scams.   

 

                                                   

Avoid these red flags

• ·       The person expresses strong emotions and love for you very quickly, often within days or weeks of initial contact.
• ·     They quickly ask you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly on WhatsApp or SMS, where they can manipulate you more easily.
• ·       If an individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information, they could later blackmail you or extort money from you.
• ·       When you make plans to meet in person, they always come up with an excuse why they can’t.
• ·       They ask for money for various reasons such as travel expenses, medical emergencies, or business opportunities. This is often the biggest and most obvious red flag.
• ·       They tell you stories to elicit sympathy, such as being widowed, having a sick child, or facing some urgent crisis.
• ·       They ask you many personal questions, but they avoid sharing their personal details or give information that cannot be verified such as a home address or workplace.

 

What scammers say to hook you in

"I or someone close to me is sick, hurt, or in jail."

"I can teach you how to invest."

"I'm in the military far away."

"I need help with an important delivery."

"We've never met, but let's talk about marriage."

"I've come into some money or gold."

"I'm on an oil rig or ship."

"You can trust me with your private pictures."

 

Ways to protect yourself

• ·       Reverse search the person’s photo by using online searches like Google Images.
• ·      Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers use details shared on social media  and dating sites to better understand and target you.
• ·       Maintain a healthy level of skepticism, especially if things seem too good to be true.
• ·       Suggest a video call early in your communication.
• ·    Check their social media profiles for consistency with what they've told you. Look for a reasonable number of friends, photos, and posts over time. A lack of social media presence or a newly created profile can be a red flag.
• ·       If you decide to meet in person, choose a public place and inform a friend or family member about your plans. Ensure the person you meet matches their online presence.
• ·      Some dating apps offer identity verification features, like blue checkmarks, to indicate users who have verified their identity through the app.

Join Online Alerto on Facebook to better protect yourself from romance and other scams and learn from other people’s experiences.

 

 

Community builders empowered to build better communities with Nas.io

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From the online bulletin boards of local villages and cities, online marketplaces, fan groups, school associations, and even home improvement pages, Filipinos have continued to remain active in participating in their numerous online communities as a go-to source for discussing their favorite topics with like-minded netizens.

More and more companies, interest groups, and organizations are building communities to create deeper, more meaningful relationships with and among their users and members. According to market research company GWI, in 2020 alone, 76% of all internet users participated in an online community, a statistic that has annually increased by 2% over the past 3 years.

With the rise of online communities today, builders and innovators are expected to carry out the operational work of reaching members and managing offline and online events — all while nurturing genuine and authentic connections with their followers.

Today, community leaders can do away with using multiple platforms and save hundreds of hours on administrative work through streamlining various operations, made possible using Nas Company’s newest platform, Nas.io.

Founder and CEO of Nas Daily and Nas Company Nuseir Yassin awards Community Creator Jam Blauta of the Barangay Virtual Assistants (Barangay VA) for being the first community to gather 10,000 members in Nas Company’s newest community platform, Nas.io.

Nas.io is the latest tech platform released by global content creator and founder and CEO of Nas Company, Nuseir Yassin. Nas.io equips community leaders with modern, intuitive tech solutions that make it easier to start and manage a growing online community.

Connect and communicate with members

One of the biggest challenges community managers face is reaching their audience, especially with the ever changing algorithms of the most popular social media platforms. Community managers have turned to smaller niche groups on group chat platforms. However, this presents its own problems, such as it being easy for members to get lost upon joining.

Nas.io solves this by functioning as a management layer on top of existing chat platforms like Facebook Groups, WhatsApp, Discord, Telegram, or Slack. Managers can use it as a tool to provide community members context on what conversations to expect through a custom community landing page. Nas.io also includes a unique feature called Magic Reach that allows community managers to send emails and messages to their communities. This intelligent messaging feature automatically finds the best way to send messages to community members. The tool is designed to learn how users or members prefer to be contacted, and which platform they are most active in.

Create and manage events

Aside from consistent communication, community builders also aim to create perfect events both in-person and virtual for its members.

From setting calendar invites to creating virtual meeting rooms, to making an event page and setting up a registration form, Nas.io simplifies the process of creating and managing events. By filling up three basic fields, community managers can automatically generate a personalized Zoom link shared to its members, which will lead them to a customized event page. Through the platform’s feature of sending and saving notifications to the members’ calendars, emails, and the mobile app, community managers can expect higher attendance and engagement rates. The platform can also be programmed to handle the member authentication to ensure exclusivity. And, should there be an admission fee to join these events, a hassle-free payment processing system can also be set-up by the manager.

Make communities sustainable

All the longest existing communities include monetization. This is why Nas.io includes monetization features that allow community managers to earn in order to sustain their community.

From membership subscription fees, exclusive content access, and event participation, creators can set-up their communities to be free, paid or even NFT-gated. This means that members are given several payment options that can be fulfilled through credit or debit cards, PayPal, and even crypto.

Filipino Communities started using Nas.io in its early stages

Prior to its official launch, Filipino communities started using Nas.io in its beta stage and have demonstrated great potential in the market.

Philippine Country Head of Nas Company Jacqueline Maye Lim said, “We at Nas Company aim to enable the creators, entrepreneurs, marketers to add value to their members through our platform. We have seen early signs of this in our beta launch where we have amazing communities that help their leaders build a deeper connection with their audience enabling them to solve their problems and add value to them. Whether it’s about finding alternative employment, or simply saving on important life milestones, communities are everywhere.”

Barangay Virtual Assistants (VA), more commonly known as Barangay VA, is one of the largest communities on Facebook with over 30,000 members. Despite the number of followers, community leader Jam Blauta shares that he can’t reach all thousands of his followers.

“As a community manager, I need to easily secure my audience and reach them instantly whether through SMS or email. The reality is, the number of social media followers doesn’t matter anymore that when you post content, you only reach 10% or sometimes even less. This is why Nas.io is the best thing that has happened in helping me reach the community of virtual assistants.”

To date, over 10,000 aspiring virtual assistants are using Nas.io, where they are educated, trained and given free advice and online courses on how to get employed.

Founder and CEO of Nas Daily and Nas Company Nuseir Yassin recognizes Community Creator Camille Fornela of The Budgetarian Bride for reaching over a thousand followers in the beta stage of Nas Company’s newest community platform, Nas.io.

Another up-and-coming group is Camille Fornela’s The Budgetarian Bride, an online community of brides, grooms, and wedding planners, who come together to discuss budget-friendly nuptial options and real experiences on wedding planning. Today, The Budgetarian Bride’s community has helped almost 4,000 soon-to-be married Filipinos plan their dream weddings without breaking the bank.

“Having multiple content formats available in one platform and connectivity to existing ones is essential in growing my community,” said Fornela.

 Founder and CEO of Nas Daily and Nas Company Nuseir Yassin, together with his team from Nas Company in the Philippines, pose for a group photo with the attendees of the ‘Nas Daily Community Meet-up’ held last November 12, 2022 at the New Frontier Theater, Quezon City.

Yassin awarded community leaders Jam Blauta and Camille Fornela in an exclusive community meet-up held at the New Frontier Theater last November 12, 2022. He highlighted their success in engaging local audiences in their respective communities that are transforming Filipinos’ lives.

Visit nas.io to know more about how you can create your own communities today.

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About Nas Company

Nas means people. Nas Company is on a mission to build community products that bring people together. Nas Company has successfully built communities over the years and are now building tools and integrations that will allow others to manage engaged communities faster and better than ever before.

About Nuseir Yassin

Nuseir Yassin is the founder and CEO of Nas Company and Nas Studios with over 50 million followers across the world. Nas.io and Nas Academy are housed under Nas Company with the mission to Bring People Together by building innovative education and community tools for creators.

Entravision MediaDonuts Reports Strong Growth in 2022, Poised for a Solid 2023

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Entravision MediaDonuts, an advertising, media, commerce, and ad-tech solutions company with world-class commercial partnerships with Twitter, TikTok, Spotify, Criteo and other tech platforms in Asia-Pacific, is gearing up to fast-track growth and expansion in 2023.

Speaking during a media gathering at Shangri-la The Fort, Pieter-Jan de Kroon, CEO of Entravision MediaDonuts, said that the company continues its strong growth trajectory and expansion in the region, which has only accelerated further since the acquisition by Entravision in July 2021.

“2022 is shaping up to be a stellar year for our company, and the Philippines plays an important role in this growth story,” de Kroon added.

The Philippines is a dynamic and high-growth economy–and the growth rate of the advertising industry, especially digital, is proof of that. A study by eMarketer in March 2022 projects digital ad spend in the Philippines to total USD 585.7 by end of the year. The amount is expected to rise to USD 631.9 in 2023, representing an almost 8% increase year-on-year.

Says de Kroon, “The Philippines continues to be one of the markets driving marketing spend and growth in the region. Filipino advertisers are always open to learning new advertising platforms for that competitive advantage, and that has contributed significantly to this growth.”

Entravision MediaDonuts is firmly founded on 3 pillars

The Entravision MediaDonuts business is built on three main pillars: Social Media, Retail Media, and Performance Marketing.

Social Media continues to command the majority of time spent online by users, and therefore also the majority of investment by advertisers. Entravision MediaDonuts is uniquely positioned as the Exclusive Sales Partner of Twitter in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as TikTok Marketing Partner in SEA. Through geographical expansion, new partnerships, and social commerce capabilities, Entravision MediaDonuts’ expertise can help customers drive success on social media platforms.

Retail Media is expected to grow to a USD 160-billion industry by 2027. Through exclusive partnerships with Criteo, the largest commerce media platform for the open internet; Carousell Media Group, the number 1 recommerce marketing platform in Greater Southeast Asia; and ShopBack, the leading shopping and rewards platform in Asia-Pacific, Entravision MediaDonuts is uniquely positioned to help its clients build sophisticated retail media strategies that drive GMV growth.

Performance marketing remains a major component in the business, and it has evolved towards a mobile app performance business in APAC, driving app installs at scale for fintech, e-commerce, edutech, and gaming apps optimized towards lower funnel goals such as account opening, sales, and in-game purchases.

“We’re seeing strong demand from advertisers to drive online sales both through marketplaces as well as direct-to-consumer,” de Kroon says. “With our Social Commerce capabilities as well as Retail Media solutions, we’re well positioned to help advertisers ride this new wave in digital advertising that is designed to drive actual business outcomes for brands.”

On top of being awarded several high-profile contracts, Entravision MediaDonuts’ operations also expanded in 2022 to include Bangladesh and Cambodia, in addition to its current markets in Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

“We’re very excited to expand into new markets and are very bullish on our prospects in Cambodia and Bangladesh. In 2023, we will continue our geographical expansion with new openings in APAC.”

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About Entravision MediaDonuts

Entravision MediaDonuts is a leading advertising, media, commerce, and ad-tech solutions company with world-class commercial partnerships with Twitter, TikTok, Spotify, Criteo, and other tech platforms serving 9 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Entravision MediaDonuts is a business unit of Entravision, a leading global advertising, media and ad-tech solutions company connecting brands to consumers by representing top platforms and publishers. Learn more about our offerings at www.mediadonuts.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

COMCO SEA Wins Big in the 19th Philippine Quill with 3 Top Awards and 30 Metals

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Trailblazing and global award-winning communications agency COMCO Southeast Asia has accomplished yet another milestone after winning 3 Top Awards and 30 metals from the prestigious 19th Philippine Quill Awards organized by the International Association of Business Communicators’ (IABC) Philippines.

For the much-coveted Communication Management and COVID Communications categories, COMCO Southeast Asia bagged both Top Awards for its landmark initiative “Dear Survivor: The COMCO Southeast Asia Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2” besting over 800 entries nationwide. The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” is an initiative of ComCo Southeast Asia championing the triumph of the human spirit through inspiring stories during these challenging times. “Dear Survivor: The COMCO Southeast Asia Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2” was co-presented by Eastern Communications and Jobstreet, sponsored by AirAsia and Xiaomi, and supported by Teleperformance. Beneficiaries of the program include Gawad Kalinga, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Save the Children, World Vision, and WWF.

Moreover, the “Camp COMCO House Wars: The Force of Learning in New PR and Smart Social”, COMCO Southeast Asia’s award-winning intensive and comprehensive talent incubation initiative, industry linkage course and apprenticeship program, also won a nomination for the Top Award in Communication Training and Education, alongside Awards of Excellence for Communication Training and Education and Communication Management – Internal Communications. Camp COMCO House Wars has partnered with various brands and organizations such as Unilab Foundation, Starbucks, FWD Insurance, Theo & Philo artisan chocolates, CARA Welfare Philippines, and ABS-CBN among others, to deliver this landmark initiative. Camp COMCO Mentorship Program started with its first cycle in 2016 and continuously growing as it reaches its 18th Cycle this year, with over 100 graduates in a span of 6 years.

In total, COMCO Southeast Asia won an overwhelming number of 30 Quill Excellence and Merit Awards together with its partner brands in various industries and sectors such as JobStreet, Teleperformance, Lamoiyan Corporation’s Licealiz, Defensil, Unilab Foundation, and World Vision, as well as SEA Wave magazine, which made them the Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up.

Since its creation in 2016, COMCO Southeast Asia has already won a total of 137 awards and citations from various local and international award-giving bodies such as IABC Quill Awards, MarCom Awards in USA, Mumbrella Awards, Marketing Event Awards, Spikes Asia, Anvil Awards, Kidlat, ARAW Advertising Values Awards, The Filipino Times Awards in UAE, ASEAN PR Excellence Awards, Marketing Interactive Asia’s PR Awards Asia-Pacific, PRCA APAC (Public Relations and Communications Association Asia-Pacific) Awards, CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) Excellence Awards in the United Kingdom, Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia in Hong Kong, The Gold Standard Awards, APAC Tambuli Awards, and Stevie Awards.

"Together with our client partners, our mission is to continue igniting social change with real and impactful campaigns. While our main goal for the programs we create and implement is to touch lives and make a difference, we are truly grateful that our authentic projects have been recognized with awards from reputable organizations like the IABC and this just inspires us to continue with our mission of #MeaningfulStorytelling," said COMCO Southeast Asia's Regional Integration and Chief Executive Director Ferdinand L. Bondoy.

The Quill Awards is organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), and it is one of the world’s most prestigious awards programs in the field of business communication. For two decades, the Quill Awards have only been bestowed to the most reputable organizations and corporations in the Philippines that are making a difference in business and society. To win a Philippine Quill means being recognized as achieving the highest Global Standard for business communication practices.

To know more about COMCO Southeast Asia, visit comcosea.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comco.southeastasia on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcosea, and @comco_sea on both Instagram and Twitter.

Ready for Adulting? ShopeePay shares Financial Tips for Fresh Graduate

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Get instant savings when you send money, buy load, pay bills, and more with ShopeePay.

Social media feeds are flooded with graduation photos, videos, and congratulatory greetings. With one chapter closing, comes another one. If you’re a fresh college graduate, it’s time to welcome the “adulting life” and the grown-up responsibilities that come with it. As you build your career and earn your own money, you’ll have greater purchasing power. Hence, it’s important to take control of your finances early on. ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, can help you in this aspect.

With ShopeePay’s cost-saving features and rewarding perks, you can become a financially-savvy young adult. Here are tips to help you get ready for adulting:

Set aside a budget for savings and expenses

Allocate a portion of your monthly income for expenses and a percentage for savings. To avoid accidentally using your savings, you can transfer your allotted expenses to your ShopeePay wallet and use it for your transactions. Skip admin fees and cash in for free when you link your BPI or UnionBank account. For other banks, simply use your bank’s online app and cash in via InstaPay to get up to P25 cashback on your first two InstaPay transactions per month.

Send money for free when you make your transactions

Online money transfers are very convenient. However, you have to pay additional interbank or e-wallet fees if your recipients have different bank accounts. The fees seem like a small amount at first, but they add up over time. If you’re using ShopeePay, you don’t need to settle any fees because you can send money for free to any bank, e-wallet, or Shopee user.

Aside from the instant savings, you’ll also stand a chance to win coins and money when you join ShopeePay promos like ShopeePay Mission and Happy Hour. If you’re lucky, you can add your winnings to your budget.

Be more cost-effective when giving gifts

When it comes to gift-giving, you don’t necessarily have to purchase actual presents and pay additional delivery fees. Sending money is an economical and practical alternative to convey your good wishes. Now that you’re an adult, you’ll come to realize that a lot of people appreciate monetary gifts. ShopeePay has a feature called Ang Pao that allows you to instantly send money to multiple people in one go, all for free, which is a perfect way to gift your friends during special occasions. You can also use Ang Pao to surprise your parents—a thoughtful way of giving back to them after putting you through school.

Take advantage of discounts when paying bills and personal necessities

As you take on more responsibilities in your household, bills tend to pile up. Every month, you’ll have to pay for utilities like electricity, water, cable, landline, and internet. With ShopeePay, you can conveniently pay your monthly bills online and even get up to 100% cashback for your transactions for new users (minimum spend P180, capped at 180 coins).

Connection is important as you grow your professional network, both online and face-to-face. When reloading your prepaid SIM, buy mobile data and load with ShopeePay to get up to a 10% discount.

Be a smart spender and bargain hunter

Adulting is also about having fun and rewarding yourself as long as it’s within your budget. Before making a purchase, think hard first if it’s something you’ll be using for a long time. The next thing you should consider is where to buy it and how to pay for it so you can get your money’s worth. If it’s on Shopee, pay for it with ShopeePay to access shipping discounts and cashback vouchers. For more bargains, make it a habit to check “ShopeePay Near Me” on the Shopee app to enjoy exclusive deals for as low as P1 from groceries, gas stations, food & beverage outlets, and more.

Navigating the real world and taking on financial responsibilities can be challenging for new graduates. Follow these tips from ShopeePay and start developing good financial habits.

To learn more about ShopeePay, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. Follow ShopeePay’s Instagram and Facebook pages to be updated with the latest promos.

Click and snap! This is why the Samsung Galaxy S22 Series is the perfect runway partner

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Fashion plays an important role for Gen Z and millennials. Clothing allows them to express themselves and make their mark without even having to speak. For proof, simply tap the hashtag #fitcheck on social media and see countless content creators breaking the rules of fashion and setting trends.

Social media has become the playground for fashionistas and smartphones have become a status symbol and accessory, like luxury watches and designer handbags. Among those smartphones is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Series, now a coveted “it phone” for discerning individuals because of its epic innovations in its segment.

Samsung advanced content creation with Nightography, which captures more light, motion, and detail at low-light settings. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the first smartphone in the S Series to carry a built-in S Pen. Its all-day battery is designed to keep creators connected so they can shoot content, stay in touch with their followers, and stay ahead of trends.

It’s not just its innovations that have made the Galaxy S22 Series the gold standard for smartphones. Samsung also elevated its design colors to turn it into the perfect runway partner. They come in a variety of hues that suit every kind of personality.

The Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra come in Phantom Black, a premium and elegant color designed for the urban sophisticate. It evokes power and timelessness. This variant is perfect for black-tie events, where guests are required to come in a tuxedo or a lavish gown. Pair this with a statement-making accessory such as a luxury watch or a sculptural bag.

All three smartphones also come in Phantom White. This color conjures images of Japanese or Scandinavian minimalism. Like Phantom Black, this color is also elegant, yet more open and inviting. Phantom White goes well with neutral outfits in brown, beige, and dark shades of green, yellow, and blue.

Green is another color available for all variants of the Galaxy S22 Series. In color psychology, green represents freshness and nature. This color is vibrant, fun, and refreshing. The green Galaxy S22 Series suits daring fashionistas who enjoy playing with prints and colors. Pair this color with confidence.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra comes in an exclusive Burgundy variant. This deep and rich red channels grace and power, a reflection of Samsung’s premium image for the Ultra variant. If Phantom Black is for sophisticates who want quiet luxury, Burgundy is for those who want to flaunt their style.

Lastly, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ come in the Pink Gold option. This fun and flirty color is for fashionistas who love expressing themselves. It’s brimming with personality. This goes well with visually-striking ensembles such as floral prints or flashy colors.

The Galaxy S22 Series is available at Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores and authorized stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, MemoXpress Online, and telco partners at the following prices:

●       Galaxy S22 Ultra - PHP 68,990 SRP (128GB) / PHP 72,990 SRP (256 GB) / PHP 80,990 SRP (512 GB)

●       Galaxy S22+ - PHP 56,990 SRP (128GB) / PHP 60,990 SRP (256GB)

●       Galaxy S22 - PHP 45,990 SRP (128GB) / PHP 49,990 SRP (256GB)

Make your case, make a statement with a FREE Silicone Case with Strap worth PHP 1,999, plus a Lucky Box Strap worth PHP 1,299 with every purchase of the Galaxy S22 Series, until May 31, only.[1]

Immerse in your own world while strutting down the street with 20% off on Galaxy Buds2, Buds Live, and Buds Pro until May 31, 2022 only.[2]

Customers can also purchase the Galaxy S22 Series for as low as PHP 1,916.25/mo at 0% interest for up to 24 months via Samsung Authorized Stores Nationwide. Citibank card holders can get up to 36 months installment at 0% interest for as low as PHP 1,277.50/mo.^[3] On the other hand, PNB card holders can get their first installment month for FREE and pay 0% interest for up to 24 months in select Samsung Experience stores and Abenson Stores.^[4]

Trade-in an old smartphone for the Galaxy S22 Series to get tokens worth up to PHP 8,000 in participating Samsung Experience Stores and Authorized Stores.^[5] Customers can also trade-in their devices via Globe and Smart to receive discounts worth up to PHP 7,200.^[6]

Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores.

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.

To know more about the Galaxy S22 Series, visit samsung.com/ph

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[1] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-141533 Series of 2022

[2] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-142583 Series of 2022

^[3] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-136353 Series of 2022

^[4] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-133888 Series of 2021

^[5] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-136457 Series of 2022

^[6] DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-137343, 138547 Series of 2022

TikTok Strengthens Resources to Help Filipinos Make Informed Decisions During the 2022 Philippine Elections

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●      TikTok and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) join forces to guide local users on accessing credible election information

●       TikTok also partners with GMA News and Public Affairs to educate Filipinos to discern between mis- and disinformation in the lead up to the 2022 Philippine Elections

Manila, Philippines - March 2, 2022 - TikTok, a leading destination for short-form mobile video, today announced its partnerships with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and GMA News and Public Affairs to provide access to authoritative election information ahead of the Philippines 2022 elections. These important partnerships support TikTok's commitment to protect the integrity of its platform and combat election misinformation.

"At TikTok, our top priority is to ensure that users are able to consume authentic and verified information on our platform. To strengthen this commitment, this partnership with COMELEC and GMA News and Public Affairs will provide Filipinos credible, fact-based content and recognise mis- and disinformation. Through our 2022 Philippine Election Guide we also hope to provide Filipino voters with easy access to credible information about the elections process and make informed choices," said Kristoffer Rada, TikTok Head of Policy, the Philippines.

TikTok and COMELEC Extends Partnership

The partnership between TikTok and COMELEC kicked off last year, with the #RightInformationThisElection campaign, providing users with easy access to reliable and authoritative election information, including how to vote. This year, TikTok extends its partnership with COMELEC through a dedicated on-platform election microsite. In addition to the removal of violative content, the 2022 Philippine Election Guide banner found on the Discover page will house a repository of accurate and reliable videos via the verified COMELEC TikTok account, to provide Filipinos with the information they need to take part in elections. We have also included leading global news agency, Agence France-Presse, to help verify harmful misinformation so that it can be removed from our platform.

TikTok and GMA News and Public Affairs Launches its #eLeksyonSerye campaign

TikTok has also teamed up with GMA News and Public Affairs, one of the country’s foremost organizations for the coverage of the 2022 elections, joining 50 other partners comprised of the most respected names in the fields of telecommunications, media, education, business, law, and public service in the country, all of which have pledged their support to keep a close watch on the electoral process and help voters make informed decisions on Election Day.

The partnership enables GMA News and Public Affairs to take on a new approach in educating Filipino voters, beginning with the #eLeksyonSerye campaign, which officially begins on March 1, 2022. The campaign will feature a series of informative content leading up to the elections, including an interactive Online E-Leksyon Quiz that helps people determine how well they know their voter rights and responsibilities, and the country’s political system.  The E-Leksyon Quiz will also feature pillars and senior reporters from the GMA News and Public Affairs team, who will pose multiple choice questions to their followers on TikTok. Viewers will have 3 seconds to answer each question, and their final score at the end of the quiz will show users whether or not they are #Eleksyon2022-ready.

TikTok's mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy, and it is in that spirit that it has chosen not to allow political advertising. This has been the platform's position since October 2019. Any paid ads that come onto the platform must fit the standards that TikTok has set, and the nature of paid political ads is not something the platform believes fits its experience. More specifically and as outlined in TikTok's advertising policy, it does not permit ads for the promotion, reference, or opposition of: a candidate for public office, a current or former political leader, political party, or political organization, content that advocates a stance (for or against) on a local, state, or federal issue of public importance in order to influence a political decision or outcome.

To learn more about the upcoming elections, visit https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSenwpbuM/ on TikTok today! Download the app on your iOS and Android devices to get started.