Safety and Convenience drive 2x growth in Tax payments via GCash in H1

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The volume and value of transactions of tax payments done through the GCash app doubled during the first six months of the year, buoyed by the growing demand for digital transactions amid the new normal.

GCash saw the value of transactions for payments to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) surging by 117 percent to P574.89 million in the first half of 2020 from P265.19 million the year prior.

This growth is driven by the 90-percent increase in the volume of BIR transactions during the first semester of the year, ending at 225,222 transactions from 118,731 in the same period last year.

“The surge in both volume and value for tax payments is a reflection that GCash is fast becoming a preferred mode of payment for taxes. Taxpayers opt for a safe and convenient way of paying their taxes. We fully support the government in pursuing a more cashless Philippines, as we all adapt to the new normal,” GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon said.

The increase in BIR transactions made through the GCash app reflects preliminary government data, which showed that 77 percent of the BIR’s total tax collection from January 1 to June 15 were made through electronic means. The filing of income tax returns was extended from April 15 to June 15 due to the limitations on mobility because of the national health situation.

Through its partnership with the BIR, GCash enabled its users to pay for their taxes through their mobile phones. They simply have to click on the Bills Pay tile, select Government, and then click on the BIR option. From there they only have to enter the details required such as form series, the return period, their taxpayer identification numbers (TINs), branch code, and the amount before hitting the pay button.

“By partnering with the government, we are bringing government services closer to the masses -- especially now that we are facing a threat that forces us to limit human interaction. Through our platform, we are enabling people to pay their taxes safely, conveniently, and securely, while empowering the government to process these payments more efficiently,” Sazon said.

Aside from tax payments, GCash also allows users to pay their government dues for their applications or contributions to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Pag-IBIG Fund, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), the National Statistics Office, and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.

How TikTok is inspiring creativity in the new normal

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Filipinos dance to a new beat during Metro Manila Quarantine

With COVID-19 forcing everyone to stay home, more and more people are turning to online platforms for information, connection, and entertainment. And no platform has managed to entertain quite like TikTok.

TikTok has been taking 2020 by storm, with 315 million installs across iOS and Android in Q1. To date, the video-sharing app has been installed in devices 800 million times and was touted as the most downloaded app earlier this year. It now has 2 billion downloads overall, doubling its total from 15 months ago.

While this growth can be partly attributed to the current situation, it can also be attributed to TikTok’s inherent playful personality and how that fits into this digital era. “Our mission has always been to inspire creativity and bring joy. We want to help people stay connected, stay informed, stay entertained,” said John Castro, Community Operations Manager of TikTok Philippines, in a recent webinar organized by M2.0 Communications. “It’s also about inspiring each other.”

Another reason for TikTok’s mass appeal is it is designed for the local user. The app is available in over 150 markets and supports 75 languages, including Cebuano and Tagalog.

What makes TikTok tick?

According to Castro, TikTok’s lifeline is its users, who are mostly Gen Z. This generation is a digital-first generation, with 98 percent owning smartphones. They also spend a lot of time on the internet: averaging 10 hours a day online, streaming at least one hour of video per day, and consuming an average of 68 contents per day.

While Gen Z is certainly a big driver of the app’s popularity, other generations are joining in on the fun as well, resulting in a vibrant and engaged community. And it is that community that sets TikTok apart according to Castro.

“We have dancers, chefs, cooks,” said Castro on the variety of users on the platform all expressing their individual truths. “It's not just about the dance trends, it’s more about the creators, the users, and the community,” he said.

New content for the new normal

A big trend in content creation brought on by COVID-19 is the shift towards authentic content. And this is where TikTok shines, because it is about users expressing their individual truths, in whatever way they choose.

Before the pandemic, lifestyle influencer Laureen Uy posted a lot of travel content. Now, her content has been restricted to things she can do in her own home, forcing her to think of new ways to present her content. “As a content creator, I still want to keep my creativity going even at home,” she said.

As someone new to the platform, she was surprised by the amount of learning on TikTok, inspiring her to also produce informational content. That educational aspect of the short-form video platform is something that TikTok has actively pursued, adding the option for longer-form content so its creators can better inform their audiences.

Ultimately, TikTok’s success will depend on its users. And while the growing user base of the platform will undoubtedly attract marketers, Castro emphasizes the importance of understanding what works on TikTok. “If you’re coming into TikTok thinking you can do the same thing you can do on other platforms, you’re probably going to be mediocre,” he said.

For Uy, it’s about diversifying content for different social media channels. “If my content on Instagram is more fashion and lifestyle focused, my content on TikTok would be focused on fun and infotainment,” she said.

Perhaps the best way for brands to run campaigns on TikTok is through the creators. After all, it is a community-driven platform. It will be an exercise of experimentation and creativity, much like the environment of the TikTok community itself.

“On TikTok, you’ll see different types of challenges and videos you might not see on other platforms,” said Castro. “We want you guys to express your creativity. It can be in the weirdest way possible. We embrace weird, and we want you guys to do that on TikTok.”

Tagaytay Highlands – Highly Resilient and Responsive

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Organizations either successfully adjust to the prevailing situation or simply fall by the wayside in the face of adversity. For some, it is even during adverse natural and high-risk events that they manage to thrive altogether. Tagaytay Highlands takes no exception when a recent natural calamity put its resilience to the test. While quickly bouncing back, it had to respond to another crisis almost simultaneously. From an investor’s perspective, Tagaytay Highlands’ ability to weather overlapping crises is an assurance of its high level of emergency preparedness.

To continuously adapt to the current situation, Tagaytay Highlands enforced new countermeasures to maintain health and safety in the estate. Plastic partitions in members and employees’ shuttle services and golf jeepstars have been installed. Riding capacity has also been reduced to 50% with respect to physical distancing.

Upon entering the property, employees continue to be monitored closely and undergo non-contact thermal scanning. Temperatures are again checked at all main entrances in Tagaytay Highlands. All public entrances/exits and frequently touched surfaces continue to be routinely disinfected and equipped with foot baths. In all of these, Department of Health (DOH) protocols are being strictly followed.

In the employees’ canteen and offices, two-meter distancing is observed. Some offices were transferred to more spacious areas to avoid close interaction amongst colleagues.

Physical distancing is also in place at Tagaytay Highlands’ select restaurants. The Great Room of The Spa and Lodge, which offers food take-out and delivery, temporarily removed dining tables and chairs. 

Club frontliners assigned outside enclosed spaces have been mandated to take extra safety precaution by wearing face shields as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) to add to their face masks. 

In residential properties, safety guidelines, including mandatory temperature checks and physical distancing, continue to be implemented. Homeowners’ mobility is limited to accessing basic services and loitering is highly discouraged.

To safeguard the best interest of its residents, Tagaytay Highlands continues to offer limited service to all its residents by accepting food take-out and delivery orders. Its resident convenience store 7-Eleven is also open. These establishments’ operating hours are regulated in compliance with GCQ rules. Estate services are also on hand at the site to ensure vital utilities and maintenance services are operational and secure. Property management services within the communities continue to be provided. Property management staff, security and multi-skilled technicians are deployed daily on site, with property personnel staying on site to service its residents. Homeowners are updated digitally on club announcements and government advisories. 

Compliant with government’s quarantine guidelines, property management continues to exercise due diligence in the upkeep of its common areas and amenities. Continuous preventive maintenance and emergency repairs are carried out with the support of accredited contractors.

These measures are being undertaken to keep community facilities working in optimal condition, thereby continuously providing all members, residents and homeowners with essential services and operational improvements amid these challenging times.

For forward-thinking investors who have their sights set on future-proofing their property portfolios, Tagaytay Highlands’ high resilience and quick emergency response are key to keeping investor confidence. The exclusive mountain resort continues to be sustainable as it ensures the safety of its residents and is responsive to deal with present and any other high-potential risks.

About Tagaytay Highlands

Tagaytay Highlands is a leisure development of the SM Group of Companies. Nestled in the highest elevations of Tagaytay is a premier leisure destination that speaks of exclusivity and luxury, where stunning views and a breezy, cool climate come together to redefine relaxation. 

For more information on how to own a Highlands home, please call +632 75052422 and +63917 5150158, or visit www.tagaytayhighlands.com. Follow us on Facebook, Tagaytay Highlands, and Instagram @tagaytayhighlandsofficial.

FREIA, an All-Inclusive Investment: The current "new environment" and recent enforced home quarantine has spurred people to re-think the purpose of their traditional living spaces and investment portfolio.

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Now, one's "residence" goes beyond the confines and size of their direct home - it involves their immediate community as well. Over the past 3 months, residence investors have quickly realized just how cramped spaces often are in cities and how healthy living in a sustainable community plays a vital role more than ever.

Freia, Pico de Loro Cove’s latest residential offering, features prime view beach condo units with encompassing vistas of the West Philippine Sea and Mount Pico.

Almost overnight, Real Estate as an alternative investment class has gone beyond value preservation and steady yields to now involve personal and familial longevity, safety, and security. In addition to asset diversification, Real Estate is now a major consideration as a logistical haven, should things sour with one's primary residence.

Getting around the complex is easy and convenient. Pico de Loro Cove provides several open-air multi-seat shuttles available daily

As an investment class, FREIA already stands out from the rest with its proposition of premium seaside living and direct West Philippine Sea views.

Offering premium seaside living to a discerning few, Freia features 223 superior condo units that include spacious 2-bedroom flats and 3-bedroom penthouses.

However, the added-value that FREIA offers goes beyond the four walls of the luxury condo spaces. These include benefits of healthy seaside living in a properly-maintained community; staying close to the city yet sheltered from the chaotic scenes that one endures on a daily metropolitan basis; and how an exclusive set of amenities reserved for Unit Owners means control over the amount of exposure to external elements by staying safely within the confines of FREIA’s gated enclave, among family and familiar faces.

Rising developments within Pico de Loro Cove also offer the possibility of moving in permanently into a home located in healthy and restful surroundings.

A calculated environment for young to mature families and retirees, FREIA Building Property Management follows a similar format to the existing condominiums in Pico de Loro Cove, where healthy lifestyle and over-all experience are paramount. This kind of sentiment is strongly echoed in the words of Mr. Abrantes, a Pico de Loro Cove resident who stayed in the property throughout the entire quarantine period, “Taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa tulong ninyo sa aming mag-asawa during this 2.5 months of ECQ and GCQ, specially all those food supply runs and prescription refill runs that you afforded us. Words are not enough to express our sincerest gratitude toward the services you have given us. Thanks again for all your help.” Certainly, nothing warms the heart more than to hear compliments from Pico residents, such as Mr. Ed Ong, who opined, “Your efforts brought smiles to all of us!”

Regain a sense of wellness following weeks of enforced confinement in Hamilo Coast.

Everything that one can ask for in a tropical haven, Pico de Loro Cove’s fresh sea breezes make it a vibrant change for those emerging from prolonged confinement.

During the quarantine lockdown, the Hamilo Coast Estate, in cooperation with the Pico de Loro Cove Condominiums and Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club as locators, came together to ensure that one's investment in this seaside sanctuary is professionally maintained, beginning from thorough security and health checks at the Hamilo Coast Main Gate, to the daily upkeep of the landscaped grounds and 1.5 kilometer white-sand beach, to the welcoming reception of the staff. This is summed up well in the positive affirmation voiced by one of the condo unit owners, Ms. Dinah, “I was in Pico de Loro since March...and until today, June 2nd we are still here safe and sound. I am happy the way things were handled for the safety of everyone and at the same time still living healthy and have a normal life...We are very lucky to be quarantined in a very beautiful place, the staff are working with all their effort to cater to us and keep us safe. All in all, I am very happy and satisfied the way things were handled during these difficult times. Thank you to the whole team of Pico de Loro!”

Ongoing construction of FREIA beach condominium.

Spending time at the beach is good for one’s health.

Given today’s varied investment environment, FREIA at Pico de Loro Cove continues to prove that it is in a class of its own, implementing strategies that not only preserve asset value but more importantly, promotes an enhanced lifestyle and personal health benefits.

For more information, visit the official website www.hamilocoast.com or call (632) 7945-8000.

Newfound discovery makes some dishwashing liquids effective home disinfectant. Joy PH is one of them.

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In response to the global coronavirus pandemic, Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) commissioned the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) to look into other options for disinfecting homes and workplaces. This was undertaken to mitigate global alcohol shortage, and cope with the sudden surge in demands of alcohol disinfectant at medical facilities as well as home and workplace environments. 

Lab studies conducted by METI/NITE have proven that some cleaning actives also known as surfactants, when used at the right levels, can be effective against SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19. Test findings by Japan’s NITE have confirmed that there is a significant reduction in the virus count on items or surfaces that are exposed to a surfactant diluted to 0.05%-0.2% for twenty seconds to five minutes.

According to the review committee of experts, these seven types of surfactants are commonly found in household products like dishwashing liquids. 

● Sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (0.1% or more);

● Alkyl glycoside (0.1% or more);

● Alkylamine oxide (0.05% or more);

● Benzalkonium chloride (0.05% or more);

● Benzethonium chloride (0.05% or more) (newly added on May 28, 2020);

● Dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (0.01% or more) (newly added on May 28, 2020); and

● Polyoxyethylene alkylether (0.2% or more)

With this research confirming more accessible ways to disinfect your homes and workplaces, dishwashing liquids containing these ingredients can benefit Filipinos and serve as a reliable substitute to alcohol-based disinfectant. This would mean convenience and better value for money given the product’s multi-purpose use of disinfecting various items, not just in the kitchen but other household items as well.

New solution to disinfecting against SARS-CoV-2

Japan METI/NITE recommends the solution ratio of one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid mixed in 500ml water. To sanitize, wipe all items or surfaces with a cloth soaked in this solution. Ensure to squeeze excess liquid out of the cloth to prevent the liquid from dripping. Wipe firmly in one direction to prevent spreading dirt and virus. Leave the items or surfaces to rest with the mixture for about five minutes. Then, wipe off the soap solution with a cloth soaked in water. Finally, wipe dry all items and surfaces with another clean cloth. 

To learn more about the research findings, visit this link: meti.go.jp/english/press/2020/0529_001.html. 

Follow Joy Philippines’ official Facebook page at fb.com/JoyPhilippines for more updates on Joy.