Enjoying Wonderful World

March 2, 2018

National Book Store to offer GCash scan to pay in all branches nationwide

GCash and National Book Store are taking their partnership to another level. National Book Store, with over 230 stores nationwide offering books, school and office supplies, will be adapting GCash scan to pay cashless payment service in all of its stores by the end of May this year.

National Book Store Managing Director Xandra Ramos-Padilla tries the GCash scan to pay feature while (from l-R): National Bookstore VP and CFO Adrian Ramos, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, and Mynt President and CEO Anthony Thomas look on

“The expansion of Globe and National Book Store’s partnership is a testament to the growth of GCash in the country,” says Ernest Cu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Globe.

“National Book Store is one of the most recognizable names in the Philippines, and being able to extend GCash’s reach to Filipinos is a big step for us in encouraging more and more people to have a better shopping experience,” says Anthony Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Mynt, which operates GCash.

“We, at National Book Store, are very excited to embrace the use of GCash scan to pay in all of our stores across the country. I think allowing the customers to have the option of paying using GCash benefits everyone involved most especially the shoppers,” says Xandra Ramos-Padilla, Managing Director of National Book Store.

Currently, only National Book Store branches at all Ayala Malls nationwide are allowing the use of GCash scan to pay, with other stores to follow suit in the coming weeks. The use of GCash allows customers to have a more convenient shopping experience by going cashless.

To use the scan to pay feature, Globe users must download the GCash app on their smartphones and update to the latest version of it before registering an account. They must then top up their GCash wallet at any GCash partner outlets. With over 12,000 GCash partner outlets nationwide, including Globe Stores, SM Business Centers, Puregold branches, Robinsons Business Centers, 7-Eleven Cliqq kiosks, and TouchPay kiosks, shoppers can easily fund their GCash wallets.

National Book Store customers, who will use GCash scan to pay also get a 10% cash back capped at P500 until end of next month. The promo is also available in National Book Store’s affiliate specialty stores Powerbooks, Art Bar and Noteworthy.

To date, GCash has already more than 4,000 QRs being accepted in various merchants nationwide, including the biggest players in the retail industry such as Ayala Malls, Robinsons Department Store, SM Malls, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls Cinema, Puregold, Ministop, and NCCC Malls. Smaller sellers, especially MSMEs are also adapting GCash scan-to-pay feature making GCash the dominating the landscape in the Philippine retail e-payment system.

Ice Seguerra renews recording contract with Universal Records

Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Ice Seguerra ( also known as Aiza Seguerra) has renewed his recording contract with Universal Records.

The contract signing was held on February 27, 2018 at the Universal Records office in Quezon City. Present during the signing are Universal Records Executive Vice President Ramon Chuaying, General Manager Kathleen Dy Go, Operations Manager Peter Chan, Head of OPM Production Ito Rapadas, and Ice.

Ice released his first album under Universal Records “Araw Gabi: Mga Awit ni Maestro Ryan” in 2015, which was Certified Gold. Talking about his upcoming second album, Ice said “I feel very excited working with Universal Records again, especially as music is transitioning to the digital age. At the same time, I’m very happy to be working with people I trust because they let me put myself out there [with songs I personally wrote.]”

Ice is currently preparing to record original songs and is set to release his album’s first single during the second quarter of 2018.

March 1, 2018

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ now available for pre-order with Globe!

Gearing up for the most anticipated unveiling of the latest devices in the first quarter of the new year, Globe Telecom opens its pre-orders of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, the newest flagship phones from one of the biggest tech companies in the world.

Zero in on the moments you feel most alive with the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, powered by Globe and ThePLAN.

With ThePLAN 1499, bring home the Galaxy S9 with larger than life data of 8GB for more binge-watching moments on the go. Stay connected with family and friends using the unlimited texts to all networks, and unlimited calls to Globe/TM. Plus, enjoy premium freebies including a three-month membership with Spotify Premium, as well as a six-month subscription to Netflix. Yours for only P2,499 (ThePLAN 1499 + P1,000/month cashout)!

The latest Samsung devices come free with ThePLATINUM Plan 4999. Platinum customers get the Globe Priority Network that keeps mobile experience at its optimal level, enjoy All-Month Data Surfing that allows them to surf, watch, listen and play to their heart’s content, and access to Thea, Platinum Virtual Concierge, which answers Globe-related concerns or help with hotel reservations and restaurant bookings.

With striking smartphone photography innovations like the dual aperture and slow-mo features, a top-notch screen-to-body ratio, and new fun tools like the AR emoji and photo language translation, Samsung continues to change the way we use our smartphones. Whether you choose the 5.8-inch Galaxy S9 or the 6.2-inch Galaxy S9+, get the best mobile experience with ThePLAN from Globe.

To pre-order, visit globe.com.ph/GalaxyS9. For re-contracting customers, call ‎(02) 730-1300.

Learn more about Globe postpaid plans at globe.com.ph/postpaid/theplan. Follow us on Facebook or visit the Globe website at globe.com.ph.

#GlobeGalaxyS9

Earth Hour 2018 tackles biodiversity in a changing climate

Countdown is set for March 24 as World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines urges Filipinos to join the much-anticipated Earth Hour 2018 with the theme #Connect2Earth, which calls on the urgent need to care for our planet’s biodiversity.

The WWF Ambassadors together with WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma and Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director Atty. Gia Ibay. In photo are (from left): Mr. Rovilson Fernandez - WWF-Philippines National Ambassador; Ms. Janine Gutierrez - WWF-Philippines National Youth Ambassador; Atty. Gia Ibay - Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director; Mr. Joel Palma - WWF-Philippines President and CEO; Ms. Iza Calzado - WWF-Philippines National Ambassador and Mr. Marc Nelson - WWF-Philippines National Ambassador

This year, Earth Hour’s Manila staging will come home to the iconic Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City, the venue of the Philippines’ first Earth Hour switch-off event 10 years ago. Annually, Earth Hour attracts millions of people around the world to converge around major world landmarks, cities, and communities to hold switch-off events for 60 minutes – starting at 8:30pm, as a sign of commitment to address the plight of our planet and our people.

WWF-Philippines’ President and CEO Joel Palma shares his thoughts on Earth Hour’s global theme, “Collectively, we must now look deeper and see how our water, food and energy consumption is endangering our planet’s biodiversity. It’s time to connect to Earth and rekindle our role as stewards of the environment.”

From a symbolic moment to a social movement

Earth Hour started as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has since grown into one of the biggest global open-source movement for the protection of the environment in more than 7,000 cities and 180 countries.

Over the years Filipinos have embraced Earth Hour, inspiring climate action within our government, communities, businesses, and organizations. “Beyond the Hour” initiatives have inspired national advocacies pushing for low-carbon cities, renewable energy development, sustainable food production and consumption, forest and water conservation, and wildlife protection of endangered tamaraws, whale sharks and Irrawaddy dolphins among others.

The WWF Ambassadors together with WWF-Philippines President and CEO Joel Palma and Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director Atty. Gia Ibay answering questions about the Earth Hour 2018. In photo are (from left): Mr. Rovilson Fernandez - WWF-Philippines National Ambassador; Atty. Gia Ibay - Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director; Mr. Marc Nelson - WWF-Philippines National Ambassador; Mr. Joel Palma - WWF-Philippines President and CEO; Ms. Janine Gutierrez - WWF-Philippines National Youth Ambassador and Ms. Iza Calzado - WWF-Philippines National Ambassador

Together possible

Earth Hour aims to raise awareness on the crucial importance of biodiversity as a viable resource link that families, communities, nations, and future generations all depend upon. Understanding this interconnectedness is key in solving Earth’s most pressing challenges.

Supporting Earth Hour’s vision, WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Iza Calzado, Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson led the campaign’s kick-off at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas last February 27, together with National Youth Ambassador Janine Gutierrez to help build public engagement.

Earth Hour highlights this year will include activity booths, exhibits and cultural performances by local artists to amplify #Connect2Earth messages creating a meaningful celebration to honor our planet. Earth Hour do-it-yourself (DIY) activities and partnerships with businesses and organizations are also encouraged to promote and further strengthen the grassroots movement here in the country.

Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director Atty. Gia Ibay talks about the Earth Hour 2018 #Connect2Earth.

Using this year’s official hashtag #Connect2Earth, WWF-Philippines is encouraging everyone to harness the power of social media and help share their commitment to a “one planet lifestyle” by sharing stories and photos of their sustainable living actions to care for our planet’s biodiversity via Earth Hour Philippines’ Facebook event page – http://bit.ly/EarthHourPH2018 that will go live by March 1, 2018.

WWF-Philippines’ Head of Climate and Energy Program and Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director Atty. Gia Ibay reiterates, “Sustained and concerted efforts are needed to help solve the planet’s deteriorating biodiversity that is further threatened by our changing climate. Governments, businesses and communities all win significant gains when we all work together and bring positive change for the planet.”

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network since 1997. As the 26th national organization in the WWF network, WWF-Philippines is successfully implementing various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia.

Let your kids join PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6, discovering your child’s potential through fun, learning activities

To help nurture our child’s gift, PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6, a venue for children to play and learn, continuously commits into helping the next generation of talents and allow them to discover and develop skills set focused in the field of Art, Engineering, Dance, and Music.

Yvette Villegas, the brand manager of PROMIL® Four, said that the i-Shine® Talent Camp 6 brings a whole new fun, and learning experience for parents and their kids.

“We’re so excited to finally open the most exciting PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6 yet, where we will witness, once again, the awesome talents of the young participants,” Villegas added. “This year, we are also bringing back our camp masters on board, who will help discover, nurture, and inspire their talents so that they will shine brightly.”

This season, the PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6 showcases four different workshops namely, Music, Dance, Arts, and Engineering. Maestro Ryan Cayabyab returns as the camp master who will lead the Music Workshop, Teacher Georcelle Sy, of the G-Force Dance School for the Dance Workshop, Teacher Robert Alejandro and his team from Papemelroti for the Art Workshop, and a new set of workshops focused on Engineering to be led by Teacher Lei Sta. Maria of Engineering for Kids.

The PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6 will run from April 2 to May 3, 2018. It will be conducted in different locations in Metro Manila and will be concluded through a recital on May 11, 2018 where the participants of all four workshops will perform.

The PROMIL Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6 will also visit key cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao via road shows to allow children outside Metro Manila to experience the thrill of the workshops.

PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6 is now accepting enrollees for the summer activity. To enroll, parents should purchase any of the participating PROMIL Gold® Four or PROMIL® Four variants, which has a corresponding discount to any of the kid’s chosen talent workshop. The pre-registration, on the other hand, will be done online through PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp 6 website.

Since its inception, the PROMIL® Four i-Shine® Talent Camp helped discover and nurture the young Filipinos’ gift in partnership with parents. It is initiated by PROMIL® Four, a milk brand, specially formulated for children above three years old. It is also the only brand that contains NUTRISSENTIALS®—the combination of the unique and important nutrients that help support mental and physical development to help Nurture the Gift, together with balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

As parents, we know that our children already have the skills one sort or other. Some kids will have a knack for singing, while others will excel in painting.

Letting them explore on their own is essential to discover and nurture their true gifts. For instance, motivating kids to participate in various activities is a good opportunity to discover their interests. Aside from stimulating their creativity, doing this will also help push children to explore their full potential.

While they are young, allowing your kids to realize their talents is helpful in honing their skills. And as parents, we can be the number one support that they need.