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.

Doing Good While Doing Well: Philam Group institutionalizes annual donation to intensify CSR efforts

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This year, Philam Group  pledge to do more by institutionalizing its annual donation to intensify its CSR efforts.

Many companies adhere to a sense of corporate social responsibility through educational and social programs that benefit a marginalized sector of the population or the society at large. 

One of these is the Philam Group of companies, which has been a staunch advocate of the importance of giving back to the community. 

Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos

“For the past 69 years of philanthropic success, we have been actively enriching the lives of Filipino families through our various CSR programs. This year, we want to do more by pledging a portion of our annual income to ensure our CSR programs continue to expand its reach and enable us to serve more communities,” Philam Life Chief Executive Officer Aibee Cantos said during the recent briefing with the press dubbed as “Doing Good While Doing Well," held at the Philam Tower, Makati City. 

The Philam Paaralan is one of the notable projects of Philam Foundation, Philam Group’s CSR arm.  Philam Paaralan aims to build classrooms in calamity-stricken areas around the country, in coordination with the Department of Education. To date, the program has constructed 101 classrooms for the past four years.

The Philam Paaralan classrooms are typhoon-resilient, fully-furnished and complete with water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities that are essential in providing schoolchildren a healthy environment conducive for learning.

The Philam Group, composed of Philam Life, BPI-Philam, and Philam Asset Management Inc., (PAMI), has pooled their combined annual donation amounting to Php31 million, which will be used to finance more Philam Paaralan classrooms and other noteworthy projects. 

A ceremonial check turnover from Philam Group to Philam Foundation was held during the event.

Also present during the event were AIA Regional CEO Gordon Watson, Philam Foundation President Max Ventura, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, and Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc.

In his speech, Commissioner Dooc commended the Philam Group’s selfless act of institutionalizing its annual donation that would benefit more marginalized sectors of society.

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro 

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro also gave a short message, thanking the Philam Group for being a forerunner in providing support to the education sector. The DepEd has been working closely with the Foundation in identifying schools that are most in need of new classrooms.

“Given Philam Group’s strong financial position, we want to be able to ‘do good while doing well,’ and we are happy to create a sustainable contribution to the community thorugh the Philam Paaralan programme. In line with our thrust to empower more Filipinos to live longer, healthier and better lives, we want to build more classrooms and give more children a healthy education and a better life for the future,”  said Cantos. 

For more information on Philam Life and Philam Foundation, please visit www.philamlife.com

Panasonic scholarship application is open! Creating new breed of leaders for nation-building

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Panasonic has announced recently the opening of application for its 2016 Panasonic Scholarship Program (PSP) in the Philippines.

PSP-Philippines is administered by Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation (PMPC) along with the support of Panasonic Precision Devices Philippines Corporation (PPRDPH).  The program, which is part of the global corporate citizenship activities of Panasonic for the next generation is offered to full-time senior college students in a state university enrolled in engineering, industrial design or accountancy or those individuals, who are enrolled/accepted in any TESDA-accredited institution, specializing in the fields of electro-mechanics, consumer electronics or refrigeration & air conditioning course for the school year 2016 ~ 2017.

“It is the objective of our Panasonic Scholarship Program to contribute to the development of responsible breed of leaders by bringing out not only the best in them but their commitment towards nation-building,” said PMPC president Shinichi Hayashi.  

Inquiries about the scholarship programs and application process can be coursed through Panasonic Scholarship Office – Philippines via e-mail at  jafanika.sibal@ph.panasonic.com

jafanika.sibal@ph.panasonic.com or 

lorenzo.magsingit@ph.panasonic.com 

Application ends on July 22, 2016.

Panasonic Corporation (Japan) funds the Panasonic Scholarship Program for its localized programs in the region, including the Philippines.