GCash scan to pay rolls out in transport industry

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GCash is expanding its scan to pay feature in the transport industry through a partnership with Emotors, Inc. Emotors, Inc. is the operator of Zum e-Series which provides e-shuttle service for tenants and employees of the W Group, Globe Telecom, and Mynt.

Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu trying GCash scan to pay for Emotors e-shuttle service.  EMI CEO Elizabeth Lee holds the GCash QR sticker while Mynt President and CEO Anthony Thomas (right) and W Group CEO Francis Wee (2nd from left) look on.

"This is just the beginning of our foray into the transport sector.  Wherever cash is used, we want to offer a quick and hassle-free alternative,” said Ernest Cu, chief executive officer of Globe Telecom.  Globe, together with Ant Financial and Ayala Corp., owns Mynt, the financial technology company which operates GCash mobile wallet service.

Globe Telecom's collaboration with Emotors, Inc. is hinged on three factors: innovative technology, clean and sustainable electric transport, and the demand for services that avoid commuting pain points. 

Emotors, Inc. is a hundred-percent Filipino-owned social enterprise committed to environmental sustainability through the Zum e-Series, an electric tricycle that can seat six passengers. Compared to traditional vehicles, the electric tricycle is quiet, economical, and emits a lower carbon footprint.

Through the service, commuters can enjoy cashless payments by scanning the QR code provided by the pilots. GCash’s scan to pay feature is the only mode of payment available.

The Zum e-Series offers point-to-point transport from the WCC Building to Market! Market! and vice versa.

To use the scan to pay feature, customers must simply download or update the GCash app on their smartphone, tap or point the phone’s camera at the QR code, and input the amount to be paid.

Customers can load their GCash wallet in any of the 12,000 GCash partner outlets nationwide, including Globe Stores, SM Business Centers, Robinsons Business Centers, Puregold branches, 7-Eleven Barcode Cash In, TouchPay kiosks, and many more.

GCash aims to make cashless payments the preferred choice of payment as it eliminates the hassle of bringing money and waiting for change. Merchants don’t need to pay for expensive equipment and will only need a QR sticker linked to a GCash wallet.

To date, GCash has partnered with top establishments like Ayala Malls, Robinsons Department Stores, SM Stores, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Ministop, Mercato Centrale, among others. GCash will soon roll out to the parking segment with a partnership with Megaworld’s Uptown Mall.

Learn more about GCash by visiting www.gcash.com and following them on their social media channels: www.facebook.com/gca shofficial,www.twitter.com/gca shofficial, and www.instagram.com/gcashoff icial.

Winners of the MMFF 2017 Gabi ng Parangal, "Ang Larawan" won Best Picture

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"Ang Larawan" won Best Picture at this year's Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal on Wednesday, December 27 held at the Kia Theatre.

Derek Ramsay won the Best Actor award for the movie All of You, while Joana Ampil won the Best Actress for the movie Ang Larawan.

Paul Soriano won Best Director for the movie Siargao.

Here are the winners from Wednesday's Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 awards night: 

Best Picture - ANG LARAWAN

2nd Best Picture - SIARGAO

3rd Best Picture - ALL OF YOU

Best Actress - Joana Ampil, Ang Larawan

Best Actor - Derek Ramsey, All of You

Best Supporting Actress - Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Siargao

Best Supporting Actor - Edgar Allan Guzman, Deadma Walking

Best Director - Paul Soriano, Siargao

Special Jury Prize - Nick Joaquin, Ang Larawan

People's Choice Award - The Revenger Squad

Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award - Ang Larawan

FPJ Memorial Award - Ang Panday

Children's Choice - Ang Panday

Best Child Performance - Baste, Meant to Beh

Best Screenplay - All of You

Best Cinematography - Siargao

Best Editing - Siargao

Best Production Design - Ang Larawan

Best Musical Score - Ang Larawan

Best Visual Effects - Ang Panday

Best Original Theme Song - Siargao

Best Sound - Siargao

Best Float - Deadma Walking

Best Short Film - "Anong Nangyari kay Nicanor Dante"

People's Choice Award (Short Films) - "Noel"

Star of the Night (Female) - Erich Gonzales

Star of the Night (Male) - Derek Ramsay

Bicol Isarog and Globe myBusiness team up to give holiday travellers a wonderful Christmas surprise

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December 17 was a wonderful day of presents and surprises for travelers journeying from Naga to Manila for the holidays as Bicol Isarog and Globe myBusiness collaborated to give passengers a Christmas they would never forget. 

Passengers of a Bicol Isarog bus from Naga were gifted with items they wished for such as flat-screen television, laptop computer, mobile phone, camera, and Christmas basket, among others, as soon as they alighted from their 12-hour journey to Manila.

Jose Marco del Pilar, Executive Vice President and owner of Bicol Isarog, said they wanted to give back to their passengers, thanking them for their consistent support which helped the company grow and flourish. Bicol Isarog is focused on giving great experience to their riders who often spend a lot of hours on the road traveling.

“A wonderful Christmas for us is bringing something new. Our passengers are the lifeblood of the company so we surveyed and surprised them with gifts and presents that they want for Christmas. We have so many blessings and we want to share these with them,” said del Pilar as he promised that Bicol Isarog will continue to give passengers first class service and comfortable travels to and from the Bicol region.

He also noted that working with Globe myBusiness was important in making the surprise possible. “Globe myBusiness is very engaged and I am happy to say that they have really helped us in more ways than one.” Globe myBusiness assisted Bicol Isarog in meeting their business objectives, both in operations and marketing their services to the customers for better travel experience.

According to del Pilar, Globe myBusiness’ team is proactive in approaching Bicol Isarog to formulate strategies to better serve their customers. “They really gave us very innovative business solutions so our bus company can connect to a computerized system and link ticketing systems nationwide. We have ticketing systems in Manila, Bicol, Masbate, Catanduanes, and the Visayas connected through our WiFi, our Internet, and phone lines.”

“Most of our air conditioned buses also have Globe WiFi. By providing that connectivity to passengers, we give them first-class service. We also have AdBlast service from Globe myBusiness when we need to send out information to our customers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Derrick Heng, Senior Adviser for Globe myBusiness, said that their work with Bicol Isarog was in line with the company’s mission to help businesses flourish by helping entrepreneurs provide great customer experience to their clients.

“Bicol Isarog always wanted to give superior service to their customers so we provide them with connectivity and solutions that will help their passengers enjoy the trip better,” he said.

Heng also noted that the plan to welcome Bicol Isarog’s passengers with presents as they arrive at the terminal is a wonderful opportunity to show how both companies care. “Christmas is the time to rejoice. To create a wonderful experience, simple gestures matter. A simple gesture of giving a present is a way to thank customers for their loyalty that will definitely put a smile on their face,” he said.

Christmas is a special time for Filipinos to spend memorable moments with their loved ones. Globe myBusiness helps make this happen through their partnerships with businesses like Bicol Isarog which have, time and again, given friends and families an opportunity to be together especially during the Yuletide Season. 

Discover more about Globe myBusiness and how it can help your business deliver a wonderful experience for your customers and their families at http://mybusiness.globe.com.ph .

Chef Anton Amoncio in "Let It Snow": An Early Christmas in Canada

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Chef Anton, together with other world-renown chefs, whipped up appetizing recipes using Canada beef.

It was an early Christmas gift for celebrity chef Anton Amoncio who is still in high spirits after participating in “Let it Snow,” a chef exchange program by the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence held in Calgary, Canada. This is the first time that a Filipino chef was featured in the exchange. His trip was made possible through the Culinary Exchange program of the Canada Beef Centre of Excellence and in partnership with Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. 

The week-long event is in celebration of Canada 150, which is the 150th founding anniversary of Canada. Three events happened at different Canadian luxury resorts, highlighting the seasons of Canada: at the Fairmont Banff Springs in early summer, Fairmont Royal York Toronto in harvest season, and Chateau Lake Louise for winter. Chef Anton’s visit to the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the finale of Canada Beef’s Canada 150 celebrations this year. 

Chateau Lake Louise is a luxury outdoor travel experience located in one of the most beautiful sceneries that Canada has to offer.

Chef Anton rubbed elbows with some of the culinary experts including Chef Marty Carpenter, president of the Canadian Beef Grading Agency, and Abe Van Melle, the Technical Manager for the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence. Interesting topics about Canada were discussed over dinner at the Chop Steakhouse and Bar. 

According to Chef Marty, Canada beef is classified by its flavor, which comes from the predominant use of barley in their cattle feed. Combined with the almost vineyard-like culture of their cattle industry, this puts Canada beef in a league of the world’s premier beef products.

Chef Anton also joined in the briefing activities scheduled for “Let it Snow” and toured the kitchen at the head office of the Canada Beef Centre of Excellence. Chef Marty brought the entourage for lunch to the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant at Fish Creek Park where Chef Anton had the opportunity to meet Jean-Francois Fortin, the Executive Chef of the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Michael McLean, who works with the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site.

Chef Anton had his share of the limelight when he presented his own recipes using the best quality Canada beef: Beef Morcon Sliders, Bistek on Green Onion Blinis, and Beef Shortribs Sinigang in Green Mango. He proved once more that Filipino chefs are at par when it comes to culinary artistry. The warm acceptance that Chef Anton experienced in his trip to Canada was enough to melt even the biting cold of winter. 

Chef Anton Amoncio is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Globe expands Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program to 15 regions nationwide

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Globe Telecom, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), is expanding the Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program to realize presence in 15 regions nationwide.

The GFS program is a long-term and modern approach to education that allows 21st century learning methods to be introduced and implemented in public schools nationwide.

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones (center) is all smiles following a report made by Globe Telecom, represented by Globe Director for Citizenship and Advocacy Marketing Maricel Gray (2nd from left) on the telecommunication provider’s commitment to bring all 17 regions in the country under its Global Filipino School program. They are joined, from left, by Globe Manager for Citizenship Miguel Bermudo, DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali and DepEd Director Margarita Ballesteros. 

Around 60 schools were added to the program this year, bringing to 142 schools the total number under its fold. The program now covers 15 out of 17 regions around the country. This was revealed during the presentation and turnover ceremony conducted recently between Globe and DepEd.

Globe has committed in bringing the program to all 17 regions in the Philippines by the year 2020. From current indications, though, that target may be achieved as early as next year.

“Education is one area where Globe continues to focus its strength and capabilities in order to help build a more digitally savvy generation of both teachers and learners. Soon enough, more teachers and learners will benefit from Globe Telecom’s advocacy of a digital-centric lifestyle for everyone, which we believe is the catalyst for growth and nation building,” said Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto. 

For her part, Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in her keynote speech, lauded supporters of the public education sector. “If you are truly seeking truth, if you are truly seeking life, if you are truly seeking the meaning of Christmas, find it among the children whom you are serving,” she said.

Under the GFS program, every school beneficiary will serve as a training hub for teachers in the DepEd Division the school belongs to. The school is also equipped with the knowledge and skills to facilitate workshops regarding 21st century learning skills, and the integration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the classroom.

The schools also receive free internet connectivity that teachers and students can use, free ICT equipment support such as projectors, tablets, pocket WiFi dongles, Virtual Reality (VR) goggles, plus teacher training on Digital Literacy, Digital Responsibility, ICT integration in the classroom, and 21st century teaching concepts and methodologies.

To assess its success upon its implementation, a study released by Taylor Nelson Sofres in 2015 showed the GFS program helped improve digital skills among teachers and students (specifically on usage of mobile technology and computer software), enabled 21st century learning outcomes that involve creativity, communication, collaboration and creativity, increased student engagement in classroom activities, and helped enhance school culture through readiness in ICT integration.