Enjoying Wonderful World

December 22, 2020

Give back and spread a Merry GCash Christmas through app donations

GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, are encouraging Filipinos to give back during the holiday season by donating through the GCash app and giving beneficiaries a Merry GCash Christmas.

Coming from a total of over PHP 23 million gathered from its #UlyssesPHAid and #TulongCagayan donation drives, GCash is looking forward once again to the unwavering Filipino “bayanihan” spirit to spread the yuletide cheer to communities that need aid and support.

“More than an app, GCash has genuinely become a force for good by democratizing donations through financial technology, and removing traditional barriers towards the same. Financial assistance arrives significantly faster, and is mobilized immediately for helping those in need,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

A part of GCash’s Merry GCash campaign, customers can donate using the app by simply going to Pay Bills, looking for #GCashGivesBack, and entering the amount they want to donate. Customers will be provided with an SMS receipt as a proof of transaction.

GCash is working with twelve NGO partners, namely, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc., Animal Kingdom, Kaya Natin Movement, Kusina ng Kalinga, Mama Earth Foundation, Operation Blessing, Project Biyahero, Project Pearls, Pusod Inc, Smile Train, Tanging Yaman Foundation, and Virlanie Foundation, in helping affected communities. All proceeds collected from December 2020 to January 2021 will go directly to the aforementioned beneficiaries.

Previously, some GCash users have also mobilized their GCash accounts to create their own fundraisers for the benefit of affected communities by typhoon Ulysses.

“Coming from a very challenging year, we want as many Filipinos to still feel what the Christmas spirit is all about, and one way of making it possible is through GCash. Your donations will go a long way in making families a little bit happier this holiday season,” Sazon added.

Aside from giving back this Christmas through donations, ninongs and ninangs can still also give pamasko to their inaanaks by sending money through the app through Send Pamasko -- no need for physical red envelopes, while staying safe against the pandemic.

GCash has also launched the Merry GCash campaign this holiday season, with over PHP 30 million in prizes and surprises in store for customers. Customers may visit facebook.com/gcashofficial for more information.

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.

Joy, delivered: Jollibee App gets over 1M downloads!

Jollibee is definitely bringing Joy online through the Jollibee App, with its easy-to-use and convenient features that makes ordering your favorite meals a breeze. In just a few months since the Jollibee App was launched last September 2020, the mobile app has quickly racked up to 1 million downloads to date!

To thank its loyal patrons and as a special holiday perk, Jollibee is extending its app-exclusive promo that gives customers P50 off for every P500 worth of purchase and P100 off for a minimum order of P1,000 for delivery orders. This special treat is available on the Jollibee App until December 31, 2020. Whether it’s to satisfy that craving for a Jollibee Super Meal, Jolly Spaghetti Pan, or for some mealtime family bonding over a Chickenjoy bucket, Jollibee lovers have more reasons to have their langhap-sarap favorites delivered!

Ordering through the Jollibee App is not only rewarding, but also convenient and easy to use with its user-friendly design and interface. Once downloaded, customers can create an account and save their delivery address and contact number for future orders. There’s also a store locator feature to help them find the branch that is nearest to their location.

Payment is also simple and can be done in a few easy steps. Customers can opt to pay cash when their delivery arrives or choose online payment via the PesoPay Portal. The app even allows them to claim discounts for PWDs and senior citizens for every order.

SCPA Celebrates A Pascong Pinoy

2020 has been a challenging time for the Filipino people. With the lockdown extending beyond the initial 6 months, multiple businesses were affected and millions displaced from their jobs. The last agenda on anyone’s minds is celebrating the holidays as we approach the pandemic’s first anniversary.

And yet, Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. (SCPA) saw God’s covering upon their company from COVID-19's economic and social effects throughout the year. As a response to His goodness, the management decided to push through with their annual Christmas party through virtual means! The goal was to inspire employees to share their blessings with their families and those in greater need.

As their way of gratitude and in line with their first-ever virtual Christmas party, SCPA commissioned local recording artist, DJ, and producer Silverfilter to write the company’s very own holiday theme song – “Pasco”.

Marketing Director Lea Sio-Pacis shared a bit about the conceptualization. “When we were creating the song, our inspirations were local TV station IDs broadcast over the holidays, SCPA’s purpose of providing Filipinos with high-quality hygiene products, and our core values of Service, Christ-Centered Principles, Passion, and Accountability. Because of the Christmas theme, it was very organic for the focus to be on our Lord Jesus Christ while also referring to SCPA’s continued service following Christ’s example.” With those ideas in mind, Silverfilter proceeded with writing and arranging.

Isaiah 9:6

To mark this historic occasion, SCPA’s holiday theme song was the driving force behind the Christmas party’s music video competition. Each SCPA branch interpreted “Pasco” by highlighting Pinoy culture, our collective struggle, and our hope in the Lord through distinct, creative visuals.

We are happy to share with you one entry each from SCPA’s Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao branches!

SCPA Luzon:

https://www.facebook.com/scpainc/posts/3654316681273275

SCPA Visayas:

https://www.facebook.com/scpainc/posts/3654314874606789

SCPA Mindanao:

https://www.facebook.com/scpainc/posts/3654292647942345

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Give Yourself the Gift of Healthy Skin this Holiday Season

Without a doubt, the biggest headline of this year is this pandemic, with our greatest achievement being alive and healthy. For having survived COVID-19 thus far, we all deserve some respite. And one way to reward yourself is by giving yourself the gift of staying healthy.

PRIORITIES

The skin is the largest organ in the body¹ but skin health is often not given the attention it needs. Priority is given to the organs that give us the sense of sight, hearing, and these days, the sense of taste and smell. Unless presented with a pressing emergency, our skin usually plays second fiddle. The skin is the first thing we see in a person because it covers most of our body. Moreover, it lets us know if our body is feeling pain, heat, coldness, or some sort of illness. That said, we should give it the same care that we do to our other body parts.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Many may think that this pandemic allows our skin to breathe without irritants and pollution from our outside environment. But what people don’t realize is that the pandemic causes us a lot of stress² from facing the invisible enemy and the challenges that come with it. Unknown to most, wearing face masks can also take a toll on the skin, causing friction between the mask and the skin.

STRESSORS

Beyond this pandemic, the holiday season can likewise bring harm to our skin. The weather, one of the coldest in the year, can lead to dryness and flaking.

Moreover, the stress from holiday planning given a new normal can also lead to more stresses on the skin.

But don’t fear – there's hope for your skin yet this season. From the C in Christmas, turn to another C - collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, ³ for help.

Collagen provides structural support for connective tissues, muscles, and skin. ⁴ Collagen helps the skin become healthy by maintaining its strength, flexibility, and elasticity. Collagen also helps hydrate the skin, minimizing dryness, flaking, and even wrinkles. ⁵

VITAMIN FOR THE SKIN

Vitamin C, a vitamin that helps promote collagen production making it is essential for healthy skin and hair. Since the body does not produce Vitamin C naturally, the skin needs supplementation. ⁶

POTEN-CEE + C

Poten-Cee is the Philippines’ top adult Vitamin C brand⁷ that has hydrolyzed collagen, that is broken down for better absorption. This Christmas, give yourself the gift of Vitamin C + Collagen for that healthier, hydrated skin, so you can face the holidays and the stresses of the pandemic, full face forward.

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¹Skin. National Geographic. In https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/skin/#:~:text=Skin%20is%20the%20human%20body's%20largest%20organ.&text=Body%20organs%20aren't%20all,2%20square%20meters)%20of%20it. Accessed January 2017

² Bowe, Whitney, M.D. This Is Your Skin on Stress

In https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/fashion/this-is-your-skin-on-stress.html

³McCintosh, James. "What is collagen and why do we use it”? In https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881#:~:text=Collagen%20is%20the%20most%20abundant,to%20provide%20strength%20and%20structure. Accessed December 2020

⁴Howard D. The Top Three Causes of Dry, Dehydrated skin, The International Dermal institute. In: http://www.dermalinstitute.com/us/library/18_article_The_Top_Three_Causes_of_Dry_Dehydrated_Skin.html. Accessed March in 2018.

⁵ Kim DU, Chung HC, Choi J, et al. Oral intake of Low molecular weight collagen peptide improves hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling in Human skin. Nutrients. 2018. 10(7):826.

⁶ Vitamin C. In https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002404.htm Accessed December 2020

⁷IMS Certification YTD June 2020.

DOT Launches new “Have a Safe Trip, Pinas” Videos to Guide Local Tourists on How to Travel Safely in the New Normal

“Have a Safe Trip, Pinas” is the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) latest campaign focused on promoting the observance of health and safety protocols among local tourists and the general public when traveling amidst the pandemic.

The campaign aims to promote safe travels in the new normal and, in this new series, utilizes Pinoy humor to drive the message across. The videos showcase safety precautions on enjoying the amenities, dining in a restaurant, boarding tourist transport, and booking a hotel starring actors Kim Molina, Beauty Gonzalez, and Jun Sabayton. The video also includes guest appearances of comedian and theatre actor Jerald Napoles.

In the video series, DOT advises everyone to observe “Physical Distancing Always” or “PDA.”, while to cooperate in temperature checks and filling up health declaration. The DOT also emphasizes the need to sanitize often, wear a mask and face shield, and opt for contactless transactions.

The videos show that guests are required to book in advance to avoid crowding. The limited capacity in establishments gives guests more “me time” and “space” for peace and relaxation. Also, recycling and taking care of the environment are still a must when going on vacation.

The series highlights that all leisure activities are still welcome as long as guests follow the safety guidelines and that tourists can still experience the beauty and joy in travel amidst the pandemic. As the trio says at the end, “Enjoy guys. Travel safe. Mabuhay! Pag naglalakbay.

Recently, DOT released a rendition of the song “You,” performed by Armi Millare, along with a narrative of a young man and woman meeting on an island to highlight the magic of traveling even in the most unusual of times.

Visit philippines.travel/safetrip for information on reopened destinations and their respective health and safety protocols. The DOT official app is also available for download at app.philippines.travel.

Watch the series at DOT's social media pages: