Max’s Group partners with GCash on e-payment via QR Codes

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Max’s Group, Inc. (MGI), the largest casual dining company in the Philippines, has partnered with GCash, the pioneer in electronic payments using QR codes, to help jumpstart the country’s move into a cashless ecosystem.

MGI is composed of Max’s, Pancake House, Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, Yellow Cab, Teriyaki Boy, Dencio’s, Maple, Singkit, Kabisera, Sizzlin’ Steak, and Le Coure de France.

“I think there is a great opportunity for us to address the consumer needs especially the phone as a wallet since there is a great amount of convenience that comes with that,” said Sharon Fuentebella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGI.

Dave Fuentebella, MGI Chief Financial Officer added: “find the use of GCash scan to pay feature to be seamless so we are anticipating that it will grow as more customers use this payment gateway facility. We’re excited to see how this will evolve. Right now, we are very happy with how GCash is being used. We’re just waiting for it to be rolled out in all our stores for other consumers to experience it as well.”

The GCash scan to pay feature will be available in at least 50 stores across MGI’s network by the end of November, with more stores slated to rollout the service in 2018.

GCash pioneered in the Philippines the use of the reversed QR payments via smartphone, a move which is expected to change the landscape of how Filipinos usually pay for their purchases.

Through the scan to pay feature of the GCash App, customers can use their GCash account to pay for goods and services by simply scanning QR codes displayed by merchants and establishments. For the consumers, this eliminates the hassle of bringing money, waiting for change, or getting into misunderstandings over payments. Merchants, on the other hand, would no longer need expensive machines to process mobile money transactions but only QR stickers with a unique code that is linked to their GCash wallet.

Albert Tinio, GCash President and CEO, on the other hand, welcomed Max’s Group to the fold of early adopters of e-payment, particularly the scan to pay feature of the GCash App. 

“We are glad to see a big restaurant chain like Max’s embracing the future of e-payments in the Philippines. QR scanning via mobile phone as a mode of payment is already widely-accepted in China, India and other countries in Asia and we want to replicate its success here through the help of our partners like Max’s Group,” he said.

By making QR codes available to anyone, even to ambulant vendors and sari-sari store owners, GCash will be paving the way for a cashless society which means faster, more convenient, and secure transactions for both merchants and consumers.

Its introduction is in line with the thrust of GCash investors – Globe Telecom, Ant Financial, and Ayala Corporation, to accelerate financial inclusion and upgrade payment services in the Philippines.

Stars to align, collide at Golden Fiesta’s Heart Healthy Camp at BGC on Nov. 26

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Get ready to be starstruck on November 26, Sunday, when celebrity hotties engage health buffs in a holistic fitness program on the second leg of Golden Fiesta’s Heart Healthy Camp.

To be held at Track 30th in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the Heart Healthy Camp will feature high-profile ‘fitspirations’ who will take time off from their packed schedules to sweat it out with camp participants.

Power couple Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico of the wildly popular ‘hubby vs. wifezilla’ videos will take their “feud” to the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp as they lead other celebrities and fitness enthusiasts in trying out various fitness routines. 

The celebrities will be split into two groups—Team Solenn and Team Nico—as they compete in circuit training. 

The second leg of Golden Fiesta’s Heart Healthy Camp will also be graced by former Philippine Azkals player Anton del Rosario and his fiancée, fashion designer royalty Sam Richelle; Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong; Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani; volleyball superstar Rachel Daquis; actress Maricar de Mesa; Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Parungao; model-mom Angel Jones; singer-actress Ana Roces; and model June Macasaet.

Scores of young professionals who aspire to be heart-healthy will have a chance to interact with their celebrity fitspirations as they learn and enjoy new fitness techniques at the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp—all for free.

Interested participants may register at Track 30th as early as 5 a.m. on Nov. 26. They will get a free test to check their current fitness status using Golden Fiesta’s Karada machines, which will also determine whether they are suited for the beginner, intermediate, and advance levels of activities. They will also receive a special event passport that will be stamped after they finish each fitness activity, plus a Finisher’s Shirt and other special treats from Golden Fiesta upon completing all activities.

Aside from joining various stations of workout activities manned by professional coaches and trainers, participants may watch a live cooking demo—using heart-healthy Golden Fiesta Canola Oil—by celebrity chef and fitness buff Jose Sarasola. The chef-actor will teach participants how to prepare simple but healthy recipes at home, like Golden Fiesta Lettuce Salad with Guyabano Vinaigrette, Golden Fiesta Bangus Back Fillet and Adobo Kangkong Duo, and Golden Fiesta Japanese Chicken Katsu in Curry Sauce. A food sampling will follow. Registered nutritionist and dietician Fia Batua will also give free consultations to participants on how to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.

“It’s not every day that we get a chance to train with our celebrity idols and fitspirations, not to mention jump-starting a new fitness regimen with them—for free. This is why we encourage everyone, especially residents of the metro and nearby areas, to sign up for the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp on Nov. 26,” said Carl Constantino, category marketing manager at NutriAsia.

“It is a great opportunity for you to evaluate your lifestyle and initiate positive changes, including making the right food choices. After all, it’s an event made possible by heart-healthy Golden Fiesta Canola Oil.”

After the BGC leg, the Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp will be held at Eton Centris Walk in Quezon City on December 3, Sunday. 

The Golden Fiesta Heart Healthy Camp is coming soon to a venue near you, so don’t forget to check out Golden Fiesta’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GoldenFiestaPH/ for updates on upcoming legs.

Golden Fiesta by NutriAsia, the country’s number one cooking oil brand, is available in leading supermarkets nationwide. NutriAsia is a powerhouse of beloved, timeless, and iconic Filipino food brands that include Datu Puti, UFC, Silver Swan, Papa, Jufran, Mafran, Mang Tomas, and Golden Fiesta.

World Vision shifts to recovery aid for returning families in Marawi

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World Vision commits to support early recovery efforts for Marawi as thousands of its displaced families start returning to the city.

"We will continue to stand with the people of Marawi, especially with the children who are at the heart of our response," assures Rommel Fuerte, World Vision's National Director in the Philippines.

In coordination with the government, local partners and the conflict-affected communities, World Vision continues its humanitarian efforts to address the evolving needs of the affected people.

"We have started our post conflict assessments in some areas of Marawi. Our next steps will be based on the result of the said activity. We will ensure the participation of the affected population and will continue to engage local partners in the implementation of early recovery interventions," explains Ajab Macapagat, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director. World Vision targets to help at least 1,000 families in the city, focusing on livelihood, psychosocial and education interventions.

Following the Philippine President's declaration of Marawi's liberation from the armed groups which attacked the city last May, the government continues to facilitate the homecoming of families to the cleared barangays or villages.

The 5-month armed conflict has displaced about 400,000 people and affected more than 80,000 school-aged children. It has also disrupted the livelihood of more than 69,000 farmers and around 118,000 workforce.

Macapagat further explains, "The early days of the response focused on home-based IDPs in Iligan City, Balo-i and Munai in Lanao del Norte and Lumbayanague, Marantao and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur. Now that the government has cleared several areas in Marawi, the response will now shift in helping the families as they reintegrate themselves in the city."

39-year old Raisa is one of the many displaced mothers who now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from the rubble. She takes care of her three children and is also 5-months pregnant. 

"Some people were afraid of us after the Marawi crisis started so more than the relief items, it matters that people come here, talk to us and listen to us," shares Raisa.

She has been attending World Vision's women and young child space (WaYCS) in the outskirts of Piagapo in Lanao del Sur.

"The 10-day WaYCS has also been a good venue for me to mingle with other mothers and get support as I take care of my children, especially the baby inside me," she explains. 

Her child Hanzela, also joined the child-friendly space and was given a learner's kit.

To date, the organization, through its local partners Ecoweb, Mindanao Tri-partite Youth Core (MTYC), Rawaten, Lanao Youth Council and Tapukan Farmers' Movement for Progress and Concord, Inc. has reached at least 40,000 people through its multi-sectoral interventions. 

About 20,000 children were served through setting up of 14 child-friendly spaces and provision of learner's kits while 4,000 families or approximately 20,000 people were given hygiene kits that included toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear for both children and adults, sanitary napkin, nail cutter, malong, bath and laundry soaps and other non-food items like mosquito net, fleece blanket and plastic mat. World Vision, through the departments of education and social welfare, has provided 12 temporary learning spaces and 1,000 5-gallon water.

'Things I Like App' makes it easy to shop for gifts

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Every holidays and celebrations, anniversaries and birthdays, these are times when we express ourselves not only in our words but through our actions, giving gifts.

Every year, I take a lot of time choosing gifts I think my family members and friends will like. 

This holiday season, everybody is doing making list, planning and thinking of Christmas gifts for family, relatives, friends, officemates and love ones. Gifts for geeks and athletes? Gadgets? Ideas for home cooks, beer connoisseurs, and wine lovers? And even goodies for your favorite pet?

Gift them with the things they like! 

'Things I Like App' makes it easy to shop for gifts. 'Things I Like' is a modern app that changes the usual way of receiving and giving gifts to your special someone.

This is the ultimate guide to easy find the perfect gift for anyone and everyone. Things I Like is a modern-day wishlist app. You will know exactly what your friends like and really want. Forget about guessing gifts to give. With Things I Like, you can find the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones.

Through this application, you can share the things you want for every moments of your life. By giving hints of what you like, your friends, family and special someone will know what you really want.

Download the app now!

Google Play: 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thingsilikeapp&hl=en

App Store: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/things-i-like-gift-giving/id1268612476?mt=8

How it works?

Step 1: Create an account using the app.

Step 2: Follow your friends.

Step 3: Get to know your friends' bucketlists.

Step 4: Post a wishlist on your profile.

Check this out, download and shop! https://www.thingsilikeapp.com/

Google Play: 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thingsilikeapp&hl=en

App Store: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/things-i-like-gift-giving/id1268612476?mt=8

Happy Holidays! Enjoy shopping with 'Things I Like App'! 

Passengers and bikers share why Angkas matters

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With yesterday’s announcement that Angkas had suspended operations while seeking dialogue with the LTFRB, Manila has lost not only a crucial mode of transportation, but also a beloved one.

This comes at a difficult time for metro dwellers, with the upcoming holiday season bringing traffic to a fever pitch. Given the continued growth of car sales (a record 420,000 units were sold last year, with 65% percent of the vehicles hitting the roads of Metro Manila), a solution to the gridlock doesn’t seem obtainable. 

In 2015, then-Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan mentioned that the country’s every day potential income loss had grown to at least 3 billion pesos due to the worsening traffic. With the recent incidents involving the Manila Metro Rail Transit System (MRT), which serves approximately half a million passengers every day, Angkas was and would have been a saving grace. 

Angkas gave passengers a safer, more professional alternative to the habal-habal that have long plied Metro Manila roads. It required safety training, skills assessment, background checks and a professional license before onboarding bikers to its platform, and offered safety gear, transparent prices and personal accident insurance to both its passengers and its bikers.

It is unfortunate that, due to restrictions in regulatory laws in the Philippines, Angkas was deemed illegal, and voluntarily suspended its services in order to engage with regulators. The move has caused strong sentiment among the public, who rallied to support the motorcycle app by sharing how Angkas not only helped them get their time back from traffic but also provided stable jobs to many.

Here are just a few stories shared by Angkas users about how the app transformed their lives.

Bianca Dalisay, posted on Facebook how through Angkas, she no longer needed to wake up at 4 a.m. to avoid spending 3 to 4 hours in traffic during her commute to Makati. It has even helped those who need to be at their workplaces quickly, like those in the medical profession, do their jobs better. https://www.facebook.com/carda.dalisay.7

In Cebu, a city also known for heavy traffic, Angkas has become the preferred mode of transport as opposed to the older habal-habal, as posted by Berniemack Arrellano on Facebook.

Riding Angkas has also saved some riders from missing critical appointments, such as flights. Juliane Paulene Laguilles mentioned how hopeless she was while being stuck in traffic on the way to the airport. She then saw an Angkas poster and tried the app. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155033696198473&id=747013472

In the face of a personal tragedy, Angkas was also there for commuter Pan Cho, who shared on Facebook how the app helped him to get the money he needed for his mother’s funeral service. He needed to be at the insurance company located in Cubao before the cut-off time at 1 pm. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1827577363949128&id=136359393070942

Angkas has not only aided thousands of commuters but also provided stable jobs for its bikers, giving them professional training and the opportunity to earn more for themselves and their family. 

In a long post on Facebook, biker Roderick Manabat thanked Angkas for the many blessings it has brought his family.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1839621552945668/permalink/1976764809231341/

RJ Pinlac shared how being an Angkas biker has helped him as a working student.

https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/posts/1839268852760556?comment_id=1548200721936701&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D

Meanwhile, Ferds Llaguno, another working student who recently graduated in Criminology in Cebu thanked Angkas for helping him to pay off his tuition fee debt. Through his continued work as an Angkas biker, he had hoped to eventually take his board exam, a dream that would not be possible for someone with a minimum wage job who is also burdened with debt and needing to support a family. 

https://www.facebook.com/menard.umali/posts/10155266197554624

The loss of Angkas is also tremendous for women like Ehlie Roxas, a full-time student. Instead of her husband being able to help care for their child part-time, she posted, he now has to take a full-time job to make ends meet. 

https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/posts/1839268852760556?comment_id=438677533197103&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R9%22%7D

A photo of a family enjoying a meal at a fast-food chain on Facebook says it all. “Can you provide the simple things in life that make a family happy?” shared Rhey Chel Ann, the wife of an Angkas biker. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1839621552945668/permalink/1972341506340338/

Managing traffic in a growing city like Metro Manila is certainly no easy task. With more cars on the road increasing traffic congestion, Angkas hopes to work with the LTFRB to be a part of the solution. It has reached out to the agency with a plea for two-wheeled vehicles to be included under the TNVS or Transportation Network Vehicle Service category. Many citizens have also joined this call, sharing their stories online and urging regulators to engage with Angkas.