Smart Padala strengthens leadership in remittance, launches new campaign with Angel Locsin as brand ambassador

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Angel Locsin

Smart Padala, the remittance brand of PayMaya Philippines (formerly Smart eMoney, Inc.), launches today its new campaign with Angel Locsin as its brand ambassador as part of efforts to further strengthen its leadership in the remittance service industry.

The new campaign aims to reinforce the brand message of Smart Padala which is PadaLapit. 

Based on data from the first National Baseline Survey on Financial Inclusion released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas mid-2015, it is estimated that on average, Filipinos take around 22 minutes to reach the nearest financial services touch point. It also costs an average of P43 for a roundtrip fare.

With 15,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide, there is a Smart Padala center in almost every municipality so users do not need to travel, spend for the fare, and consume time just to send or receive money remittances. Smart Padala makes home feel closer by sending the remittances of family breadwinners to their loved ones in the most accessible, convenient, and secure manner. These centers include the recently launched Smart Padala International flagship stores that enable Filipinos to receive the remittances of their loved ones abroad.

“Since the brand was launched over ten years ago, Smart Padala has been enabling our countrymen to send and receive money anywhere in the country in a fast, easy, secure, and affordable manner. With this campaign, we reaffirm and strengthen this ‘PadaLapit’ brand that has made us a fixture of Filipino life,” said Benjie Fernandez, co-COO of PayMaya Philippines and COO of Voyager Innovations.

Known to be a family-oriented celebrity and an advocate of various causes, Angel Locsin was chosen by Smart Padala as the ideal ambassador for the brand as it intensifies its push for financial inclusion. 

“Angel Locsin represents the family and service-oriented values of Smart Padala. Aside from being a devoted daughter, she also supports advocacies such as the Philippine Red Cross and women’s rights. We’re happy to welcome her to the Smart Padala family,” said Lawrence Ferrer, Vice President and Head of Domestic Business at PayMaya Philippines.

“I’m proud to be the new ambassador of Smart Padala. Naniniwala ako sa brand dahil malaki ang naitutulong ng Smart Padala sa mga manggagawa at pamilyang Pilipino. By representing the brand, I hope to help in Smart Padala’s mission to uplift more lives and communities,” said Angel Locsin. 

On top of enabling mobile money remittance, Smart Padala also fosters entrepreneurship in the community. 

“The backbone of our business is our army of Smart Padala community partners. Part of our mission is to help families and communities by providing micro-entrepreneurship opportunities. Anyone can be our partner and open a Padala center — all they need is a cellular phone, our basic business documentary requirements, and the driving passion to be of service,” said Paolo Azzola, Managing Director and co-COO of PayMaya Philippines. 

“PadaLapit Lang With Smart Padala” from L-R: Benjie Fernandez, co-COO of PayMaya Philippines and COO of Voyager Innovations; Smart Padala ambassador Angel Locsin, Paolo Azzola, Managing Director and co-COO of PayMaya Philippines; and Lawrence Ferrer, Vice President and Head of Domestic Business at PayMaya Philippines

PadaLapit Lang with Smart Padala!

With 15,000 Padala centers nationwide, sending money to loved ones anywhere in the country can be as simple as buying mobile load from a nearby sari-sari store. 

To make mobile money more inclusive, Smart Padala launched last year its Pick-Up Anywhere service, which allows users to send money to anyone, regardless of mobile network, to be redeemed at any Smart Padala center nationwide. 

It also launched promos such as Padalang Padalow for lower customer service fees and incentives to Padala partners. 

“Smart Padala is truly a Filipino brand. It has made its mark not only as the global pioneer in mobile money but as an inclusive financial services enabler, making lives easier for the unconnected, unbanked and uncarded. We are committed in bringing this vision of bridging the digital divide through relevant services such as Smart Padala,” said Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO at PayMaya Phiippines. 

PayMaya Philippines is the digital financial services unit of PLDT and Smart Communications (Smart), under the Voyager Group. Aside from Smart Padala, among its innovative services include: PayMaya, the leading over-the-top digital payments app in the Philippine market; PayMaya Business, suite of solutions for businesses of any size; and Smart Money, the pioneering mobile money service linked to the Smart SIM and mobile phone. 

To know more about Smart Padala, visit www.smartpadala.ph and like its official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SmartPadalaPH.

Lazada Celebrates Brands with Free Metro Manila Shipping

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The country’s one stop shopping and selling destination (www.lazada.com.ph) is proud to unveil the latest version of its new Mobile App and free shipping services for Metro Manila deliveries in time for the Big Brands Sale this July 5-11. 

Free Shipping for all Items

Lazada now offers free shipping for deliveries within Metro Manila, giving more reasons to click that checkout button faster without having to rationalize the total purchase amount versus shipping costs. 

This empowers customers around Metro Manila to experience the joy of online shopping even more through the convenience of shopping for low ticket, everyday essentials such as grocery items, toiletries and even small gadget accessories that they can avail at Lazada without having to add random items to reach a certain minimum requirement. 

Brand Power 

As an additional treat to all customers, Lazada will be holding its Super Brands Sale this July 5 to 11, with discounts up to 80% off! Top deals on the radar are: Samsung Home Theater System at Php 4,699, Nescafe Dolce Gusto at Php 2,999 with a free box of Cappuccino capsules, and BCBGeneration shoes starting at Php 1,980. 

Also featured are The SM Store’s home must-haves starting at Php 498, Casio watches from Php 845, Pampers Baby-dry Diapers from Php 540 and Tresemme Keratin Smooth Hair Conditioner at Php 252. Metro Manila deliveries are absolutely free of shipping charges, for all items, regardless of total purchase amount. 

Shop Smarter with the enhanced Mobile App 

With the new Lazada Mobile App, one can shop better than ever. At a glance, customers get access to app-only deals, top brands, flash sales, new arrivals and product recommendations. 

With expanded menu and tabs, users can now shop by brand or by category for a more intuitive navigation. The product detail page has also been reorganized to cater to every discerning shopper’s needs when viewing an item: product highlights, features, reviews and ratings in one go. 

Download or update the Lazada mobile app for free to enjoy more effortless shopping, anytime & anywhere!

About Lazada

Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) is Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion and sports equipment. Lazada is continuously striving to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments and free returns. Lazada mobile applications for Android, iPhone and iPad provide additional convenience to its consumers’ allowing them to shop anywhere, anytime.

For more information, please visit http://www.lazada.com.ph. 

For updates on Lazada’s latest innovations, as well as activities, contests and promotions, connect with us via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines).

Smart Padala helps bolster PH economy as leader in mobile remittance industry; Launch of its new campaign with its new brand ambassador Angel Locsin

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PayMaya Philippines (formerly Smart eMoney, Inc.) continues to lead the mobile remittance industry with its Smart Padala service on the back of a new consumer brand campaign coupled with strong remittance volumes here and abroad, further bolstering the Philippine economy as investor and consumer confidence likewise continues to expand.

Remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), in particular, reached $25.8 billion in 2015 and accounted for 9.8% of the country’s economic output last year. But with the brisk growth in mobile-based remittance led by PayMaya Philippines’ Smart Padala remittance service, further expansion is to be expected.

The company expects an overall transaction throughput volume of P200-billion by end-2016. PayMaya Philippines will source the throughput volumes from its PayMaya digital payments wallet app, PayMaya Business and trade payment solutions, Smart Padala mobile money transfer and remittance service.

Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO of PayMaya Philippines and Voyager Innovations.

“Opportunities in this industry remain huge as there is a still vast need to service the gaps for the unbanked and uncarded Filipinos. We are sustaining Smart Padala’s momentum as the leading mobile remittance service in the country through our new brand campaign, more pervasive on-ground presence with our flagship stores, enhanced services, more partnerships and inclusive innovations. Through these efforts, we hope to drive financial inclusion as we also grow our business,” said Orlando B. Vea, president and CEO of PayMaya Philippines and Voyager Innovations.

According to a recent mobile money report by the GSMA, mobile money has immense potential to change lives and livelihoods around the world because of its security, convenience, and instantaneous nature. It is also available in majority of economies with fewer than 20% of the population having access to formal financial institutions, such as the Philippines.

Digital and mobile money services are therefore seen as critical elements in bridging economic growth through financial inclusion. Based on data from the 1st National Baseline Survey on Financial Inclusion released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last year, 7 out of 10 Filipinos are still unbanked.

It also takes Filipinos an average of 22 minutes to reach the nearest financial services provider. In terms of cost, the average round trip fare to reach a financial access point is P43. Meanwhile, for a country with a 119 million population, mobile phone penetration is at 117%, underscoring the huge role of mobile in enabling financial access.

Angel Locsin,  Smart Padala brand ambassador

Vea reaffirmed this positive outlook during the unveiling today of the new Smart Padala logo and the launch of its new campaign with celebrity Angel Locsin as its brand ambassador. The campaign aims to reinforce the unique selling proposition of Smart Padala as the most accessible, convenient, innovative and relevant mobile money remittance service in the Philippines.

Mobile money as driver for progress

With the most number of touchpoints at 15,000 Padala partner centers and growing, Smart Padala has started rolling out its rebranded flagship stores across the country. Aside from stronger presence and merchandising with the new logo, the flagship stores also offer enhanced services including international remittance, bills payment and as fulfillment center for other upcoming financial technology services.

Smart Padala has also been deploying consumer-oriented promotions such as its Padalang Padalow for lower customer service fees and incentives to Padala partners.

Benjie Fernandez, co-COO of PayMaya Philippines and COO of Voyager Innovations

“Underlying this campaign is our commitment to provide financially inclusive services, a mission that remains unchanged since we launched the brand ten years ago. What has further grown is the increasing use case of mobile as a tool for socio-economic progress. From just being a tool for communications, the use of mobile for financial services is helping individuals, families, businesses and communities," said Benjie Fernandez, co-COO of PayMaya Philippines and COO of Voyager Innovations.

Financial inclusion through innovation

“PayMaya Philippines continues to take an active role in accelerating financial inclusion in the Philippines through inclusive innovations. We have transitioned from a SIM-based, telco-based platform to an app-enabled, over-the-top digital platform to serve more users, with an eye not just in the Philippine market but beyond,” said Paolo Azzola, Managing Director and co-COO of PayMaya Philippines.

To make mobile money more inclusive, PayMaya Philippines introduced the Smart Padala Pick-Up Anywhere enhanced service in December last year, allowing customers to send money to anyone, regardless of mobile network, and to be redeemed at any Smart Padala center nationwide.

PayMaya Philippines, part of the Voyager Group, is the digital financial services unit of PLDT and Smart Communications (Smart). Its services are regulated by the BSP to ensure all user transactions are secure. Aside from being the first non-financial institution in Asia to be granted an issuing and acquiring license by Visa, PayMaya Philippines also counts MasterCard as its partner. 

To know more about Smart Padala, visit www.smartpadala.ph or like their official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SmartPadalaPH.

SMART announces free mobile live streaming of the inauguration of PH's first 'Social Media President’ via freenet

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Filipinos will be able to watch the livestreaming of the June 30 inauguration of Rodrigo Duterte as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, on mobile and for free.

Smart, TNT and Sun subscribers nationwide will be able to do this using freenet, the free data platform of Voyager Innovations, the digital innovations unit of PLDT and Smart Communications (Smart), in cooperation with Cignal TV.

Subscribers only need to download the freenet mobile app from the Google Play Store or the SafeZone app from the Apple App Store to view the free mobile livestream of Duterte’s inauguration on June 30 and take part in the historic event no matter where they may be in the country.

The occasion also marks the launch of the new freenet brand for Voyager’s sponsored data platform, previously called SafeZone. Through freenet, users will continue to be able to access select apps and websites for free by downloading the freenet app on their phones and never worry about unintended data charges. About 70 brands and enterprises are already using the freenet platform to allow their users to access their sites and apps for free.

“Just a few weeks ago, we told our subscribers to ‘Welcome Change’. In the coming days, we’ll all be witness to the coming of that change as we welcome the new leader of our country. Smart is proud to enable Filipinos to digitally participate in this occasion using their mobile devices for FREE, through freenet,” said Ariel P. Fermin, executive vice president and head of consumer business at Smart and PLDT.

“At Voyager we see a future with no digital divide, with each and every Filipino able to take part in the emerging digital economy. Giving them free livestream access to the next President’s inauguration is a step in our pursuit toward digitally enabling our citizens from today and beyond, through game-changing digital initiatives such as the newly rebranded freenet” added Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO at Voyager Innovations.

‘Social Media President’

Widely dubbed as the country’s first-ever “Social Media President” for having fully utilized the power of social media during the elections, president-elect Duterte is expected to break tradition as he assumes the highest post in the land inside the Rizal Hall of Malacañang, instead of the usual bigger location at the Quirino Grandstand.

But despite having a more intimate venue, the incoming administration has vowed to let as many Filipinos witness the pivotal event with the aid of the same technology that helped Duterte get elected into office – social media.

With almost half of the country having access to the Internet via their mobile phones, millions of Filipinos are expected to tune in as the country welcomes a new President.

#TayoPH

Aside from Duterte’s inauguration, June 30 likewise marks “Social Media Day” all around the world. In the Philippines, the occasion will be marked with a community event led by TweetUp Manila at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier in Taguig City, a celebration supported by Smart, Voyager Innovations and PayMaya Philippines.

With the theme “#TayoPH,” the event sets forth a reminder that social media can be used to bridge, to give a voice and to empower citizens--the way it did during the last elections.

“With the most digitally engaged elections we have witnessed so far, we have seen people use social media to advance their causes but also, sadly, to put down others with a different point of view,” added Voyager Innovations Chief Operating Officer Benjie Fernandez. “As we witness the coming of change promised by the new President, let us also remember the critical role of social media and digital innovations for social good and the socio-economic development of our fellow Filipinos.”

Through game-changing digital platforms such as freenet, Fernandez said Voyager Innovations aids in the digital and financial inclusions of Filipinos with the help of technology. Among the areas of digital life that its platforms and services are enabling include financial technology, digital commerce, rich mobile marketing, digital payments and next-generation communications.

UASHMAMA now in Manila, Eco-friendly, stylish and practical products from Tuscany

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The next big thing

WASHABLE PAPER – sounds like an oxymoron, right? But it does exist, and it’s now conveniently available in the Philippines. 

Five years ago, an Italian family-run business called “Le Sorelle” (The Sisters) from Montecatini in Tuscany, Italy, came up with the novel idea to add products made of washable paper to their existing line. Marco Marconi, the head of the family toyed with this idea having had an extensive background in leather and women’s footwear. After coming across a material called cellulose fiber, he spent years researching and experimenting on how this material could be used later on. 

As such, he eventually discovered “washable paper” through the use of virgin cellulose fiber. Like leather, this fiber can be stretched and tanned to withstand washing and daily use. The resulting material is something that looks and feels like leather but is much lighter and can also be washed and folded easily. 

The beginning of something great

Because of this, the Uashmama brand was born, delivering products that are 100 percent made in Italy by local artisans. They then chose the name Uashmama for their signature line of products made with washable paper – “uash” because this paper is washable and “mama” as a fitting tribute to the family’s matriarch. 

Starting with traditional bread bags, the Uashmama brand slowly gained a following in their community, with restaurants in the neighborhood becoming their first big clients. Soon after, customers at these restaurants started to take notice of the unique “paper bags” and demand for the products eventually grew. 

By and by, Uashmama has extended its product range to offering home, table, and fashion lines, with its iconic paper bag remaining to be its bestselling item not just in Italy, but in the different countries that it is now available in. 

Aside from its physical stores in Italy and in Australia, Uashmama has also developed a presence online, attracting more buyers through its official online shops http://www.uashmama.com" www.uashmama.com and www.uashmama.com.au. 

Unique and stylish, another reason why people love Uashmama is that it’s also proud to be eco friendly. The virgin cellulose fiber used is made from cultivation and not deforestation. They use vegetable dye to color the fiber and mimosa vegetable extract for tanning the leather components as opposed to chrome tanning. Equally admirable is their support for their community as they also wholeheartedly promote local artisans and provide decent employment in the town of Montecatini. 

Through the years, demand for washable paper has grown significantly, prompting several brands to come out with products similar to Uashmama’s. In spite of this, the brand has remained to be the leader for washable paper products. Aside from being the pioneer in this niche market, its products’ quality continues to be superior compared to other brands. 

Use it your way

Described to be “used for anything and everything” and “looks great anywhere”, fans of the Uashamama brand are happy to use it as a storage solution for their home, plant pot covers, bread bags, containers for fruits and vegetables, kitchen utensils, bathroom accessories, make-up brushes, towels, magazines, blankets, the list can go on and on. It really depends on your needs and imagination on how you want to utilize this cool, new product.

In addition to being a great product for the home, Uashmama also has a chic line of handbags and backpacks that are perfect for those who like modern designs that are also highly functional. Great for work, school, or travel, everyone can find a Uashmama bag that’s perfect for them. 

Meant to support a greater amount of weight, expect Uashmama products to be infinitely more durable than the average paper bag. The company takes great strides to research and develop ways to constantly improve on their products. 

To maintain its quality, it is advisable to handwash Uashmama products – unroll it, then wash it with warm water, using a mild soap or detergent, then dry flat. Uashmama products with brighter colors should be washed separately. 

Uashamama bags can last for a long time (some say up to 10 years given the right care) and can be used in a variety of ways. However, it is important to note that while they are washable, Uashmama products are not waterproof – when exposed to rain, water marks may form on them, especially on the lighter colors. These can be easily cleaned with a sponge and a bit of mild soap and water.

Stylish, practical, safe, and eco-friendly – what more can you ask for? As consumers are becoming more discerning about the products that they buy for themselves and for their loved ones, a brand like Uashmama is definitely a godsend. It boasts form, function and so much more. 

Uashmama products are available online through www.uash-it.com. It is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by INEXPH Inc. 

You may also request for the catalog by emailing info@inexph.com or inquiring directly through their Instagram account @uashmama_ph.