Visa partners Thames International and City Government of Baguio to drive digitalization and tourism growth

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Five-year digital partnership to empower Baguio MSMEs with digital tools, innovation support, and marketing insights for tourism growth

Visa, a global leader in payments technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Thames International, a leading provider of education and training solutions, and the City Government of Baguio to enhance the digitalization of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The partnership launched today with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This five-year Digital Partnership Program by Visa Government Solutions, which partners with governments globally to drive economic growth and digitalization, aims to help MSMEs in Baguio City by driving acceptance of digital payment modes,, supporting innovation, sharing knowledge, and offering marketing guidance and Visa Destination Insights – which provides detailed spending and visitation data through interactive dashboards and reports – to bolster the tourism sector.

[From Left: Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager of Visa Philippines, and Hon. Benjamin Magalong, City Mayor of Baguio City] Visa and the City Government of Barguio sign a Memorandum of Agreement for a five-year digital partnership that would enhance the digitalization of MSMEs in Baguio.

Small businesses playing a key role in Baguio City’s local economy & tourism sector

As the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio is a key part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) alongside Cebu and Iloilo. Since 2017, Baguio has held the UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art title, joining a network of 246 cities globally committed to embedding creativity in sustainable urban development. Beyond its creative contributions, Baguio also boasts a flourishing MSME sector that fuels local growth and innovation.

As of August 2023, Baguio has 22,121 registered businesses, with 19,874 being microenterprises primarily in wholesale and retail. This underscores the significance of small businesses to the local economy and tourism, with MSMEs serving as vital tourism front liners.

From Left: Gian Carlo De Jesus, Program Director of Thames International; Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager of Visa Philippines; Hon. Benjamin Magalong, City Mayor of Baguio City; Jaime Noel Santos, President and Co-Founder of Thames International; and Chancellor Dr. John Batten of Thames International.

Supporting MSMEs to innovate and tap into data to upskill them to drive tourism

The partnership includes initiatives to support MSME innovation and payment digitalization, enhance data insights, and upskill MSMEs in the digital economy. It aims to facilitate connections with technology providers and banks and ensure financial inclusion. The program will also develop a data-first tourism strategy, host workshops on data trends, and use Visa Destination Insights for policy development.

The partnership will also expand its reach through media and official channels, promote digital literacy across sectors, and connect Baguio City stakeholders with global Visa experts. This collaboration will enable peer exchange workshops and innovation study tours, allowing stakeholders to share best practices in building an inclusive, digitally empowered government.

This is a significant step towards supporting Baguio City's tourism sector by enhancing the overall visitor experience and promoting the city’s rich cultural heritage. Small businesses, essential to the local economy, will benefit from digital solutions and the growth of the creative economy, positioning Baguio City to attract more tourists and stimulate local business growth.

Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Thames International and the City Government of Baguio to drive digitalization and support the creative economy. Tourism is a vital part of the Philippine economy, and we are delighted to provide our tools and resources to help drive the growth of the industry. Our partnership enhances the visitor experience, promotes cultural heritage, and empowers MSMEs to boost tourism and local businesses, creating a digitally and financially inclusive ecosystem for all in the Philippines."

Visa collaborates with Good Transport and GHL to enable contactless payments in Cebu and Mandaue City modern jeepneys in first transit project in the Philippines

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Visa, a world leader in digital payments, is collaborating with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), a transit mobility solutions provider, and GHL, a leading nationwide payment service provider and payment acquirer. This collaboration has enabled the use of Visa cards for payments on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City, the second biggest city in Cebu.

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Visa cards can be used to pay on modern jeepneys in Cebu and Mandaue City, creating a seamless transit experience and inclusive acceptance for daily commuters and tourists in the Philippines

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The initiative kicked off today with an official launch ceremony at the Cebu IT Park Transport Terminal, with Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI) working in partnership with local transport operators, Lahug Apas Transport Cooperative (LATRANSCO) and Mandaue Transport Cooperative (MTC), to launch 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu and 20 modern jeepneys in Mandaue City. The onboard terminals in these vehicles now accept Visa payments. This initiative, part of a pilot project, signifies Visa's commitment to promoting transit acceptance in the Philippines with plans to expand to more modes of transit in coming years.

Jeffrey Navarro Talking: Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro at the launch of Visa’s first transit project in the Philippines. The pilot signifies Visa’s commitment to promote transit acceptance in the country with plans to expand to more modes of transit in the coming years.

Jeff Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said: "We are thrilled to unveil Visa's inaugural transit project in the Philippines. This initiative aims to enhance the travel experience for daily commuters and tourists in Mandaue City by offering a wider array of payment options. As tourism in the Philippines rebounds, we have observed a growth in inbound tourism and this partnership will make the transit experience more seamless for tourists. The future of transit, both globally and within the Philippines, is poised to create inclusivity through open-loop, contactless payment systems in public transit, and will be centered around providing commuters with seamless, convenient, and secure payment options.”

Visa Card on Contactless Machine: Visa cards can now be used in select Cebu City and Mandaue City modern jeepneys, providing commuters with more seamless, convenient, and secure payment options.

In February 2024, Cebu experienced a 69% year-on-year increase in visitors, welcoming 104,439 tourists, according to the Department of Tourism[1]. Meanwhile, Mandaue City, a popular tourist destination in Cebu, recorded 228,472 tourist arrivals between January and September 2022[2]. With such strong tourism growth, the ability to use Visa cards on public transit significantly enhances convenience, as travelers increasingly prefer secure, contactless digital payments. Visa's Global Travel Intentions Study highlights this shift, revealing that 97% of Asia Pacific travelers plan to use card payments (credit, debit, or prepaid) on their trips, while only 17% intend to carry foreign currency (cash)[3].

Brezhnev Tero, CEO, Good Transport Solutions Inc. (GTSI), said: “We are proud to partner with Visa and GHL to bring the first-of-its-kind contactless payment solution to the Philippines’ transport sector through our Transport Mobility Solution, the Bus Revenue Tracker System (BRTS). This groundbreaking collaboration not only revolutionizes fare collection with enhanced efficiency and security but also redefines the commuter experience. By leading the way in transport innovation, we are making every journey smoother, faster, and more convenient, setting a new standard for public transport in the country.”

Ceremonial Tapping: [L-R] Gary Lauriano, BOD, Good Transport Solutions, Inc; Brezhnev Tero, CEO, Good Transport Solutions, Inc; Randolph Ian Clet, DOTr Project Manager; MS. Judy Dela Cruz Gabato, DOT 7 Chief Tourism Operations Officer; MR. Jeff Navarro, Country Manager, Visa Philippines; Ceasar Michelena, Chairman, Good Transport Solutions, Inc; Jay Tirona, CEO of GHL Systems Philippines Inc., at the launch of Visa’s first transit project in the Philippines in partnership with GTSI and GHL Systems Philippines. The project enables contactless payments in 120 modern jeepneys in Cebu City and 20 in Mandaue City.

Jay Tirona, CEO, GHL Systems Philippines Inc, said: “This partnership is an exciting example of how technology and digital innovation in payments can come together positively for the private and public sectors, and ultimately, for the benefit of Filipinos who ride these jeepneys every day. These efficiencies drive social and economic change and we need to start with a focused approach, which I believe will eventually and inevitably be adapted across public transport systems nationwide.”

Event: Visa Philippines, together with its partners GTSI, GHL, and representatives from the local government at the launch of Visa’s first transit project in the Philippines that aims to simplify public transit payments by introducing a contactless payment option on select modern jeepneys in Cebu City and Mandaue City.

Faster and more seamless travel through a cashless, open-loop system

The rapid urbanization across Asia Pacific, with 120,000 people moving to cities daily, has underscored the need for efficient public transit systems. Governments, including the Philippines, are investing in these systems as part of their strategies to mitigate road congestion, with a focus on simplifying public transit payments and increasing digital payment options.

Visa’s Global Urban Mobility survey found that 58% of commuters favor a unified payment method for all transport modes, as currently half of them use four or more different methods each month[4]. Meanwhile, another Visa survey[5] showed that implementing open-loop, contactless payment systems in public transit agencies creates a faster, safer, and more hygienic payment experience. Such a system promotes inclusivity and accessibility in public transit, even for those without access to traditional banking services, with modern payment systems simplifying fare processes for transit agencies, reducing costs and mitigating financial risks.

“With Visa making access to payments more inclusive, we are glad to be moving the needle in embracing innovative systems such as the open-loop payment system which significantly enhances the commuting experience for all,” Navarro added. “This approach not only makes urban mobility more efficient and secure but ensures that everyone, especially those underserved by traditional banking services, has access to seamless and reliable public transportation.”

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[1] Department of Tourism, Feb 2024 Inbound Tourism Update. http://www.tourism.gov.ph/files/2024/tourism_demand/04/Inbound/04-08/February%202024%20arrivals%20(as%20of%2005%20Mar%202024).pdf

[2] “Cebu’s tourist arrivals reach 1.8M in 9 months”, December 2022. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/cebus-tourist-arrivals-reach-18m-in-9-months

[3] “Contactless payments, experiential travel top Asia Pacific travel needs”, November 2023. https://www.visa.com.sg/about-visa/blog/bdp/2023/11/27/contactless-payments-experiential-1701068432525.html

[4] “Choice, Convenience, Contactless: Future of Public Transit in Asia Pacific”, October 2023. https://www.visa.com.sg/about-visa/blog/bdp/2023/10/01/choice-convenience-contactless-1696130103907.html

[5] Visa Economic Empowerment Institute (VEEI) and ThoughtLab. “Reimagining ridership: Open-loop payments and the future of urban mobility”, 2023. https://usa.visa.com/content/dam/VCOM/regional/na/us/sites/documents/veei-reimagining-ridership.pdf

Visa expands consumer choice with e-wallet partnerships in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

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Visa, a global leader in digital payments, is actively supporting Southeast Asia's journey into becoming a cashless society. As mobile wallet usage grows in the region, Visa enhances consumer options by enabling cardholders to use their cards directly with merchants or e-wallets such as Maya and GrabPay in the Philippines.

Jeff Navarro, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines, said: “Visa’s research found that in the Philippines, 87% of surveyed respondents have used their mobile wallets in the last 12 months[1]. Our partnerships with e-wallets in the Philippines enable Visa cardholders to cash in their wallets using their cards issued in the Philippines, which is in alignment with the growing preference for cashless transactions in the Philippines. These partnerships provide consumers with more choices and support small businesses by enhancing their ability to accept payments, keeping pace with the expanding use of digital payment methods like cards and mobile wallets. At Visa, we're committed to broadening access to diverse digital payment options that are seamless and secure, to promote financial and digital inclusion."

In the Philippines, Visa cardholders can cash in their Maya wallets for free as part of the “Cash-In for Free” program, effective starting May 1, 2024. This offer is available during the promotional period to all Maya wallet users with a mobile number from any local telco provider who is currently residing in the Philippines.

Additionally, GrabPay users can continue to cash into their wallets for free with their Visa debit, credit, or prepaid cards, benefiting consumers and small businesses through the wider acceptance of mobile wallets. GrabPay users also have the option to set up automatic reloads, which replenish their wallet balances once they drop below a specific amount, creating a seamless payment experience.

Coexistence of cards and digital wallets, a rising trend in SEA

Across the region, Visa has likewise forged partnerships with Vietnam’s MoMo, VNPAY, and ZaloPay, alongside Indonesia’s DANA to provide Southeast Asia with seamless digital wallet funding options as Visa’s latest Consumer Payment Attitudes study shows that more than a quarter of cash-ins to e-wallets come from either bank accounts or credit and debit cards. This trend simplifies transactions by eliminating the need for repeated credential entry.

Previous Visa research supports this trend revealing that during the first half of 2023, one in three respondents applied for a new card, with 43% motivated by the desire to integrate these cards into mobile wallets, thus highlighting the growing convergence and coexistence of cards and digital wallets.

While the majority of payments are made from existing e-wallet balances, Visa's latest Green Shoots Radar survey[2] found that consumers use their cards as a source of mobile wallet funding at 29% for Indonesia, 24% in the Philippines, and 39% of surveyed consumers in Vietnam. Respondents cited convenience, the ability to track expenses, seamlessness, and security as some of the top factors for topping up their wallets using cards.

Poojyata Khattar, Head of Products and Solutions, Southeast Asia, said: “Innovation and strategic alliances are vital to advancing the payments system. Visa is broadening consumer options by partnering with leading e-wallets in the region to allow consumers to use their choice of funding methods, including their Visa cards. By collaborating with Southeast Asian e-wallets, Visa is set to revolutionize payment methods, creating a future for the payments industry focused on convenience, reliability, and security”

As Southeast Asia continues to embrace the integration of cards and digital wallets, Visa empowers individuals and businesses by providing access and fostering a more open and inclusive economy.

[1] Visa’s Consumer Payment Attitudes 2024 study, surveying more than 6,550 consumers across Southeast Asia.

[2] Green Shoots Radar survey survey with 9,900 respondents across 17 markets in Asia Pacific, survey period in Jun 2024.

Cut your spending for everyday transactions with your Maya Visa card! Get up to P200 cashback until July 31

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With oil prices going up, it's now more important than ever to find ways to make the most out of your money. Whether shopping for groceries, paying for gas, or even booking a trip, the country's only all-in-one money app Maya can help you cut your spending on everyday transactions with the new Maya Visa card until July 31!

Just use your Maya Visa virtual or physical card when paying for purchases, and you automatically get a 1% cashback (max of P200) on every transaction worth at least P800. This is a great way to maximize your budget because you know that you're always getting something back in your Maya app!

Because you're using a Visa-powered card for your transactions, you can pay with your Maya Visa card practically anywhere – even abroad. To make this deal even better, you can enjoy it with Visa's other exclusive offers to maximize your budget.

To top it all off, cashing in via Maya is completely free at over 90,000 touchpoints nationwide. This means you're only spending your hard-earned money on things that matter to you (at a lesser price, at that!) – not on unwanted cash in fees.

Getting a Maya Visa virtual card is easy as it automatically comes when you sign up for a Maya account. New users can activate it by cashing in at least P100. You can use the Maya Visa virtual card in your app for online transactions.

Meanwhile, you wouldn't want to miss having your own Maya Visa physical card! This much-coveted card looks very sleek with its black minimalist design. You can score a 25% discount when you purchase your card at https://store.maya.ph/ and start cutting your spending. You can buy a Maya card for as low as P150 and also bundles of two or three cards for your family members and barkada to get free shipping.

You can use your Maya Visa physical card at over 100 million merchants in more than 200 countries and territories, including local stores in the Philippines. You can also use your Maya Visa physical card to withdraw funds at any Bancnet ATM.

Once you're done shopping with your Maya Visa cards, use your cashback as additional funds for your bills, buy crypto, or add it to your Maya Savings account to enjoy the unbeatable 6% interest rate. With Maya, you can enjoy the best deals and manage your funds better because it's an all-in-one money app.

Completely free to download from Google Play Store and Apple App Store, Maya combines the power of an e-wallet with new features like crypto, credit, and an innovative digital banking experience powered by Maya Bank, to allow you to spend, save, grow, invest, and master your money — all in just one app.

To know more about Maya, visit maya.ph or follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, IG, Tiktok, and YouTube and @mayaofficialph on Twitter. Join our Telegram community at https://t.me/TeamMayaPH for Maya exclusives.

Visa’s Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 campaign for Shopee launches in the Philippines

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(MANILA, The Philippines, July 2021) – Visa, Worldwide Sponsor of the Olympic Games, today announced the launch of their Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 campaign in the Philippines. The promotion will run from July 20 to August 8. From July 20 to 23, all Visa cardholders, including credit, debit and prepaid cardholders in the Philippines will be entitled to participate in the campaign by spending a minimum of 2,000 Philippine pesos on their Visa cards at all local merchants on Shopee.

This will entitle Filipino Visa cardholders to a discount of 200 Philippine pesos and stand a chance to win Visa Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 themed merchandise such as tote bags and organizers. In addition, Shopee users also have a chance to win these prizes by answering Olympic Games related trivia questions during Visa’s segments on Shopee Live’s official account from July 19-23 at 5pm (PHT).

From August 6 to 8, Visa cardholders in the Philippines can also receive a discount of 150 Philippine pesos with a minimum spend of 1,500 Philippine pesos at any local merchant on Shopee.

“As a proud sponsor of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, we are pleased to run this campaign for Visa cardholders when they spend online at Shopee. Our joint activation with Shopee proudly features our Team Visa athlete from the Philippines, Carlos Yulo, who is representing the country in gymnastics. It’s our honour at Visa to support Carlos in his quest to showcase his talents on the world stage and bring glory to our home country. We are also excited to offer our Visa cardholders in the Philippines the chance to win limited edition Visa Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 themed merchandise and want to ensure that every time our valued cardholders pay using Visa, they can enjoy a full suite of rewards and benefits that transform their payment experiences,” said Dan Wolbert, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines.

“We are thrilled to partner with Visa to create more rewarding experiences for our shoppers. This campaign allows our users to take part in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 festivities from the safety of their homes, rally together to support athletes representing our country, and drive the growth of the Philippine economy by supporting local sellers,” said Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines.

Visa launches ‘Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog’ online with Tanghalang Pilipino

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The musical, which teaches children and youths the value of their bills and coins, is now on YouTube

Manila, Philippines – Visa’s musical production Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog is now streaming online for free, to promote financial literacy to children and youths while they stay home. 

The musical can be accessed through Tanghalang PIlipino’s Youtube channel as part of its PangsamanTanghalan initiative that makes stage plays more accessible to Filipinos worldwide during the pandemic.

Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog was launched in 2017, together with partners Tanghalang Pilipino and Teach for the Philippines as part of Visa’s financial literacy program. The musical features teenager, Gwyneth who was given birthday money to pay for entrance exam fees. The play focuses on Gwyneth’s journey in learning money management, with guidance from her grandfather Lolo Sally, best friend Jing-jing, and national heroes who magically come to life. 

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“The pandemic has disrupted children’s education, but it has also given them more time to learn life skills such as money management, that are not usually taught in traditional classrooms. By making the skit accessible online, we hope to inspire more children and youths to make smart financial decisions, and help educators teach financial literacy online,” said Dan Wolbert, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.

Since its launch, the musical has already reached over 36,000 students and teachers nationwide. Now on its virtual run, the play will be accessible to more children and educators around the country.

“Our live performances of Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog really showed the power of storytelling in making ideas like money management concepts relatable and memorable to kids,” said Carmela Manuel, Tanghalang Pilipino Company Manager. “In our new virtual stage, we hope online viewers can enjoy learning with Gwyneth and her remarkable mentors.”

While watching the musical at home, young students can learn about saving, budgeting, and avoiding unnecessary expenses while watching the characters sing and dance to original Filipino music.

“Now more than ever, we need more digital resources in continuing children’s education. With the musical going online, financial literacy has become more accessible to students and teachers. We are glad to promote it to our networks, and hope that it will be utilized by parents and other educators out there.” said Patricia Feria-Lim, Teach for the Philippines Trustee.

Stream Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog now at bit.ly/TPVISALLBB.

1st Fil-Global Immigration Expo 2018

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Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation celebrates its 4th year anniversary with their First Fil-Global Immigration Expo held at the Roberts Hall, 4th floor of the Times Plaza Building in UN Avenue, Manila on July 10 (Tuesday), 2018.

Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation offers university, immigration and visa travel services. Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation started in London (August, 2014) and branched out to the Philippines offering immigration and university placement to the UK, New Zeland, Australia, Canada and US.

To give a stepping stone to study.work.live abroad with"most reliable yet affordable university placement processes, Fil-Global Ltd aims to provide and assist people to work and live -  in United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, Norway , Denmark, Italy, Spain, Germany, Malta, Russia , Singapore, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Slovenia and Overseas Nursing Registration Programs.

During the First Fil-Global Immigration Expo,  Bertch Ian Namuag Ranis, Fil Global President and Marketing Director, shared the many services and achievements of the company as well as the many different strengths of participating Fil-Global partner agencies such as:

• ASCENDA School of Management, Vancouver
• ICAE
• Niagara College Canada
• Queensford College
• Pearson
• 9.0 Niner IELTS Review Center
• UCAM
• Regus
• Cornell Institute of Business and Technology
• Pacific Cross Philippines
• EDUCO
• Australian Technical College (Western Australia)
• ACT (WA)

Fil-Global heads and partners shared on the services of Fil-Global:

• FREE Visa Assessment and Immigration Consultation
• FREE IELTS Review
• FREE PTE Review
• FREE Nursing CBT Review Materials
• FREE OET Review
• FREE CV Assessment and Assistance
• FREE HCPC-UK Registration for PT, MT, OT
• FREE 2 Days 1 Night Accommodation at Sea Residences
• BIG savings on Professional Fees
• Family Application Option
• Lifetime Company Support
• Visa Documentation
• Visa Lodging
• Airport Pick-Up, Send Off
• Travel Ticket Discounts
• Hotel Booking Discounts
• Bank Opening Assistance

Fil-Global Ltd. offers the following products and services:

• Immigration and Visa Services
• Student Visa Placement
• University Enrolment Assistance
• Business Development and Marketing Services
• United Kingdom Citizenship And Permanent Residency Visa Services.
• New Zealand Citizenship And Permanent Residency Visa Services.
• Australia Citizenship And Permanent Residency Visa Services.
• Canada Citizenship And Permanent Residency Visa Services.
• Business Visas for start up entrepreneurs wanting to migrate

FOR MORE about Fil-Global, visit their website at www.studyworkliveabroad.com or visit any of their branches:

MANILA OFFICE

12/F Times Plaza Building, UN Avenue cor. Taft Ave., Ermita Manila

0917-1142345 | HQ@fil-global.com

CAGAYAN DE ORO

Wardrobe RCM Building cor. Capistrano and Yacapin Sts., Cagayan De Oro, Misamis Oriental

0926-9236062 | cagayan@fil-global.com

DUMAGUETE

Room 302, Portal West Building, Siliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Occidental

      0933-8599662 | dumaguete@fil-global.co

Visit: Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation , visit Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/filglobalhealthcare/ , Website: https://www.fil-global.com for more information and free assessment “VIP FORM”, just click: https://goo.gl/nTJHc7 ‭ (+63 905 367 3293)‬

Fil-Global Immigration Services Corporation in the Philippines is a duly registered Immigration, University Placement Consultancy and Internship provider servicing local and foreign clients for programs in their country of choice. The company is NOT a recruitment agency and will NOT process working visas or employment application. The company merely processes and facilitates student and training visa.

Visa Winner Meets Visa Team Athlete Michael Martinez at the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Visa, in partnership with Cebu Pacific, awarded Miss Leonila Parungao a VIP trip package for two to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Miss Parungao also had the opportunity to meet Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez, one of the 54 athletes on Team Visa. Martinez represented the Philippines in the Olympic Winter Games, with a last-minute spot secured barely three weeks before the competition started.

“My experience at PyeongChang is certainly one for the books. Meeting the Philippines’ pride and joy, Michael Martinez, was just the cherry on top of this unforgettable trip. It’s not every day you get to witness an event as historic as the Olympic Winter Games, and to meet an Olympian. I’d like to thank Visa and Cebu Pacific once again for this opportunity,” said Leonila Parungao.

Miss Parungao, a Filipina immigrant living in Australia, won the trip—the grand prize for the Olympic Winter Games promo campaign organized by Visa and Cebu Pacific—by booking her Cebu Pacific flight from Sydney to Manila using her Visa payment card.

“We are pleased to have provided Miss Parungao this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and support Michael Martinez’s journey to the Olympic Winter Games this year. At Visa, we are always trying to create exciting and memorable experiences for our cardholders and I really think this is a great of example of us achieving this,” said Stuart Tomlinson, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.

With year-round low fares offered by Cebu Pacific, Miss Parungao is able to fly to Manila to visit relatives at least two to three times a year.

“Our partnership with Visa has enabled more travellers to book their Cebu Pacific flights using the fast and easy payment options of Visa. We look forward to our continued partnership with Visa as we encourage more travellers to fly to different countries, see new places and create new experiences,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing and Distribution of Cebu Pacific.

Cebu Pacific, which flies five times weekly between Manila and Sydney, is the only Low-Cost Carrier plying this route.

Visa Launches interactive play “Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog” and uses National Heroes to provide Financial Education to young Filipinos

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International digital payment provider Visa launched Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog (Crumpled, Round), an interactive play featuring national heroes, developed with Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), the resident drama company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) designed to educate and empower the Filipino youth to make informed financial decisions. 

This is the first program of its kind launched by Visa in the Philippines in support of the government’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion spearheaded by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog will showcase common scenarios faced by a Filipina senior high school student protagonist named Gwyneth who is challenged to make decisions between her needs and wants. Native Filipino heroes such as Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini will also ‘come alive’ from the crumpled bills and rounded coins to help the main character make wise decisions.

Starting October, the show will be performed in close to 10 different schools to make financial literacy education more accessible to the students. This program is aligned with the government’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, in particular, the pillar on financial education and consumer protection. 

The launch also included a panel discussion on the importance of financial literacy in the Philippines, including panelists such as Dan Wolbert, Visa Philippines Head of Sales, Pia Roman-Tayug, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Head of Inclusive Finance Advocacy, Nanding Josef, Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director, and Patricia Feria-Lim, Teach for the Philippines Chief Strategy Officer.

“At Visa, we strongly believe in the importance of financial literacy and it is a key area of focus as part of our corporate social responsibility efforts. Hence, with the support of BSP, we created this financial literacy program and interactive play through Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog where the Filipino youth can relate to various scenarios on making money management decisions. With millennials forming a large population in the Philippines, we believe it is crucial to spread the knowledge of how to manage their money at a young age, and to highlight the importance of making smart monetary decisions,” said Stuart Tomlinson, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam. 

“We believe that financial education should be introduced to learners early on, especially key concepts including budgeting, investing, and setting financial goals. Innovative approach such as blending education and art are most welcome and can help the existing programs of the government. This is a tangible support from the private sector of the objectives of the NSFI, particularly the pillars on financial education and consumer protection,” says Pia. 

Nanding Josef, Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director

“The informative and interactive performances will stimulate creativity and challenge its audience on their perception of money,” says Nanding Josef, Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director. 

With the creative direction of TP, the play will spark critical thinking in these youths on the value of money. “By presenting economic concepts in realistic and entertaining situations, we hope that audiences will find it easier to apply their learnings in their daily lives,” added Nanding. 

Visa’s financial literacy initiative also aims to reach out to students under Teach for the Philippines, a program Visa has been actively involved with previously. 

"Experiential learning has been proven to be an effective method for encouraging mastery and understanding. At Teach for the Philippines, we believe that programs which incorporate financial literacy and theater arts in academics develop the critical life skills of our learners. We look forward to a continued partnership with Visa Philippines, BSP, and Tanghalang Pilipino to bring our learners closer to their full potential and enable them to contribute meaningfully to nation building," said Patricia. 

“We want to secure the future of the Filipino youth and are committed to forging the path to financial literacy and inclusion. We envision the program to reach more students throughout the country in the coming years,” added Stu.

For more updates and information, visit www.visa.com.ph , http://visaapnews.asia/ and @VisaNews

Filipinos can now travel to Taiwan visa-free starting June !

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Through the implementation of visa relaxing measures launched by the ROC (Taiwan) to the Philippine nationals, it is expected that it will greatly enhance the convenience of traveling between Taiwan and Philippines, and further promote bilateral economic, cultural and other exchanges between the two countries.

The ROC announcement lists a Visa Exemption trial program for Philippine nationals, for a period of one year.

“The adjustments are being made following consultations with other ministries as part of an effort to implement the new policy. They are intended to attract nationals from Southeast and South Asian countries to Taiwan for tourism or business purposes, as well as to broaden and deepen Taiwan’s interactions, exchanges, and cooperation with these nations at all levels,” according to the ROC release.

“The new regulations were decided at an interministerial meeting held by MOFA that was attended by the competent authorities in the areas of national security, police affairs, investigation, immigration, tourism, and economy and trade,” ROC MOFA added.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association with Representative Lin [via Taiwan ROC]

Taiwan was earlier reported to already welcome Filipinos holding Philippine passports who want to visit Taiwan for 30 days.

Online registration is required at https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase/ prior to arrival.

The ROC government began simplifying visa regulations for countries covered by its New Southbound Policy, including India and the 10 ASEAN member nations, on August 1, 2016, to attract more travelers to Taiwan for short-term tourism, business, visits to relatives, and cultural exchanges. Measures have included a trial visa exemption program for Thailand and Brunei, inclusion of more countries in and easing of eligibility criteria for the Online Application for ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate system and the distinguished tourist group program, issuance of multiple entry visas of at least two years for nationals of ASEAN members, inclusion of the Philippines in the eVisa program.

Philippine passport holders who intend to visit Taiwan for the purpose of tourism, business, visiting relatives, attending international conference and participating in sport events can apply for the e-visa.

Taiwan is listed on the Visa Restrictions Index 2017 issued by Henley and Partners as one of the 61 countries allowing Philippine passport holders visa-free access.

Create your own Epic Experiences with Visa

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Visa cardholders can now create their own unforgettable experiences as the global payments firm launches Epic Experiences by Visa, an ever-expanding universe of exclusive privileges for Visa cardholders.

In its fourth year, Visa’s homegrown privilege platform is broadening its offerings beyond dining to cater to the different interests of cardholders. Over 80 dining, retail and travel partners nationwide have been added to the list of partner merchants this year. Simply present your Visa card at partner establishments to experience Visa’s signature VIP treatment and exclusive offers. Through this program, Visa gives its members the power to tailor-make their own lifestyle experiences: you can try out the most popular restaurants, keep up with the latest trends, and travel to exclusive vacation spots around the country.

Epic Experiences by Visa - Stuart Tomlinson

“Our vision is to give our cardholders an opportunity to curate their unforgettable life moments through Epic Experiences. Our wide range of partnerships and offers will enable our members to enjoy exclusive privileges that can build on their interests and enhance their lives,” says Stuart Tomlinson, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam.

Epic Experiences by Visa - Sugar Factory

Partner establishments and offers

All Visa Credit, Debit, Prepaid and Commercial cards issued locally and abroad are eligible to enjoy the unique perks of Epic Experiences by Visa. 

Use your Visa card at any of the partner establishments to avail of exclusive promos. Offers are available from March 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information, please visit www.visa.com.ph

Singapore Airlines and Visa Unveil Exclusive Offers for Trips to Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Europe

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Singapore Airlines, together with Visa, invites travelers to jumpstart their adventure with its special all-inclusive Economy Class round trip fares starting from just USD190.

Singapore

Together with the Singapore Tourism Board, SIA brings an attractive all-inclusive round trip fare to Singapore from just USD190, for a minimum of two passengers travelling together. More of the Lion City is now also reachable through the Singapore Airlines Singapore Explorer Pass. With a top-up of just USD 48 per person, travelers may revel in over 20 different attractions (worth SGD 420), including Gardens by the Bay, Madame Tussauds, Singapore Cable Car, Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer and free rides on the SIA Hop on Bus.

Australia

From just USD630, an exciting Australian adventure awaits those who wish to visit Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia alliance provides more choice for domestic and international air travel to and from Australia, with attractive and seamless travel options across Australia. Passengers can smoothly plan their trip to various attractions in The Land Down Under and avail of more travel options and convenient connections. All-inclusive one way add-on rates are also available from USD 60 to USD 80, with trips from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to multiple destinations such as Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Mackay, Port Moresby, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Townsville.

New Zealand

Those who wish to discover New Zealand can kick-off their trips with an attractive all-inclusive fare of just USD800. Through Singapore Airlines’ partnership with Air New Zealand, passengers can make their adventure more exciting with the all-inclusive one-way add-on rates from just USD100 to either Queenstown or Wellington. 

Europe

This offer with VISA is also extended to European destinations namely Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Rome and Zurich from USD 890. The special deal covers options to hop on from select cities to other favorite destinations such as Brussels, Dublin, Geneva, Hamburg, Madrid, Venice, Vienna via SIA’s airlines partners from just USD 60 to USD 120.

30kg baggage allowance, KrisWorld and KrisFlyer

The Economy Class fares come with 30kg baggage allowance, delectable inflight meals and personal KrisWorld inflight entertainment system on Singapore Airlines flights. Customers will also earn KrisFlyer miles that can be redeemed for future flights. Sign-up for free at krisflyer.com and subscribe to the e-newsletter to be among the first to receive the latest promotions of Singapore Airlines. 

Complimentary SGD20 Changi Dollar Voucher & Free City Tour

Passengers travelling beyond Singapore can also redeem a complimentary SGD20 Changi Dollar Voucher which can be used with no minimum purchase, at participating shops, restaurants and lounge at the Singapore Changi Airport. Free city tours await for transit passengers with at least 5-hour transit time.

The promotion is exclusive to Visa credit, debit and prepaid cardholders, valid for sale from 05 October until 31 October 2015 for travel out of Manila until 19 March 2016. For travel out of Cebu, Davao and Kalibo to Singapore and Australia, surcharges may apply. For bookings, visit Singapore Airlines or SilkAir Ticketing & Reservations offices, participating travel agents, or via singaporeair.com using promo code 328936256. 

Singapore Airlines flies from Manila to Singapore four times daily which conveniently connect to onward flights to the rest of the world. For more information, visit singaporeair.com

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