Enjoying Wonderful World

March 10, 2018

Globe and Hineleban Foundation “rainforestation” efforts underway, now covers 34 hectares in Bukidnon

Globe to step up support with 30M donation within 5-year period

Globe is stepping up its "rainforestation" efforts in partnership with Hineleban Foundation, which now covers 34 hectares in Bukidnon. The leading telecommunications provider committed to donate P30 million within a 5-year period to cover 300 hectares of denuded primary rainforests in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur.

A portion of land at Barangay Kalugmanan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon being prepared for Hineleban's reforestation program.

“Our partnership with Hineleban Foundation for this initiative is supportive of our environmental sustainability policy which seeks to lessen the impact of our operations to the environment. This partnership can truly make a difference because it is a sustained effort, using the tested and successful techniques of Hineleban Foundation to increase forest cover by 2021," Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, said.

Beyond reforestation efforts, Hineleban and Globe have been working together since 2016 to tap local communities to become guardians of the rainforests. The land area, which is the focus of the foundation's reforestation program, covers six mountain ranges, engages more than 21 barangays and is home to the indigenous people of Bukidnon and Maranaos of Lanao del Sur.

Currently, the 34 hectares are being planted with Brazilian and Caribbean pine trees and other indigenous tree species. The reforestation benefits around 826 households of surrounding communities in Sitio Bagalangit and Baranggay Kalugmanan, Manolo Fortich. The next phase will commence this year and will benefit local families in Barangay Baylanan in Talakag, Bukidnon.

The 300 hectares of denuded primary rainforests, that will be covered by Globe Telecom’s financial support, form part of the 4,896 hectares total target area of “rainforestation” by Hineleban Foundation in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur. Hineleban Foundation’s “rainforestation” program will be implemented in five phases over a five-year period, which started last December 2016 until December 2021. It will follow the rainforestation model methodology that comprises 3 major components: reforestation, food security and sustainable livelihood development.

Urooj Malik, chairman and chief executive officer of Hineleban Foundation, welcomed Globe Telecom’s commitment to step up support. “There is an urgent call to action in the Philippines. To date, the country is down to less than 1.8 percent of primary forest cover since the 1970s due to massive environment degradation caused by kaingin, rapid conversion of rainforest into farms, massive logging operations and forest fires. With the environmental crisis we are facing today, we are thankful that we can find individuals and companies who find sustainable ways to grow while protecting our environment," Malik said.

Hineleban Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization based in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The group is composed of individuals focused on the restoration of the environment and sustainable livelihood for the Lumads and the Bangsamoro through Transformational Business Partnerships, with the objective of fostering peace through inclusive development. The foundation believes that “rainforestation” of the mountains of Mindanao is the only long-term solution to reducing the effects and risks of climate change and to attaining food self-sufficiency, bringing back three crop cycles per year.

Globe Telecom’s P30 million donation to Hineleban Foundation will be funded in part by the fees collected from postpaid mobile and broadband customers who continue to use paper billing. In 2015, the company launched its paperless billing campaign to contribute to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal of Life on Land – centered on protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. While majority of the company's customers have already shifted to paperless billing, there are still those who prefer to receive paper bills. These customers will help fund the reforestation program and indirectly will be able to participate in the company's green initiative.

OPPO A71 2018 raises the bar in entry-level smartphone experience

Manila, Philippines (March, 2018) – OPPO Philippines strengthens its entry-level smartphone offering with the new OPPO A71 2018, carrying a mid-range class processor and includes OPPO’s A.I. Beauty Technology for Php7,990. Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor found in smartphones at the mid-range level, the A71 2018 elevates the standard of speed and battery efficiency in its price point.

Selfies will never be the same with the A.I. Beauty Technology infused in the 5MP front camera, for this allows more personalized selfie experience by analyzing the subject’s face in more than 220 facial points. Similar with the OPPO F5, the A71 2018 can also detect the skin tone, age and race for a natural looking selfie.

Along with a 13MP rear camera, capturing moments will be fun and easy with multiple modes such as time-lapse, panorama and even expert mode for ultra-HD 42MP shots. All these features are seen through the 5.2” HD display and compact shell body that is easy to hold and carry around.

In addition to value for money, the OPPO A71 2018 comes with a free pre-installed screen protector and transparent protection case. The smartphone also has all-around connectivity with dedicated dual-sim slot and microSD storage for expansion. This gesture is a standard in OPPO smartphones, ensuring that customer experience is on-top of mind in every aspect.

Running on Color OS 3.2 under Android 7.1.1, the A71 2018 runs smooth with premium features like O-Share to transfer files from other OPPO smartphones in lightning speeds. Plus, with its battery efficient processor, the 3,000mAh battery can last for more than 12 hours.

“We keep on pushing the industry by coming up with the best smartphone in every price point. We believe the A71 2018’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor and A.I. Beauty Technology will elevate the smartphone experience in the entry-level arena,” said Eason de Guzman, Public Relations Manager of OPPO Philippines.

The OPPO A71 2018 will be available in all concept stores nationwide starting tomorrow. For more information, customers may visit https://www.oppo.com/ph/.

They can also follow OPPO on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/ to see the latest updates and events from the brand.

March 9, 2018

#IShapeMyWorld : Levi’s® celebrates fearless Filipino women

MANILA, March, 2017- On International Women’s Day, Levi’s® #IShapeMyWorld campaign is celebrating the female form, in all its forms, and highlighting stories of extraordinary, fearless women who have shaped the world on their own terms. In a series of online videos, Levi’s® revealed that three extraordinary Filipino women are adding their voices to the #IShapeMyWorld campaign: superbike racer Love-Love Tioseco, nature artist Wiji Lacsamana, and brave mom Jasmine Mendiola.

Because #IShapeMyWorld features the Levi’s® 300 Shaping Series, women with different body types are celebrated together with women from different age groups, backgrounds, and professional fields.

Phenomenal women

The new advocates of the #IShapeMyWorld had their unique battles to win on the path to debunking traditional gender roles and succeeding in their own chosen careers.

Love-Love became the only female superbike racer from the Philippines in 2000. After 18 years, she remains the only woman racing a 1000cc displacement motorcycle in the Philippines. For Love-Love, the best competitions have been those where she landed a spot on the top five against 15-20 other men. Though she sometimes encounters disparaging comments, she does not let them put her down and stop her from winning more races.

“I have accepted that you cannot please everybody. I love my passion. Criticisms, bashers, haters, none of you guys can put me down.” --- Love-Love said of her critics.

Artist Wiji’s love for creating things that are readily available from nature gave birth to her homegrown brand Radioactive Mushrooms in the Forest. Wiji believes that it is important to create things that make a positive impact on the environment and future generations. That’s why Wiji only uses natural ingredients for her cosmetics and scents. Even her watercolor tattoos are made of vegan ink.

“Your own little way can help change the world because if you affect one person this way, you inspire them to live this way. Then hopefully they’ll inspire another person and just pay it forward,” Wiji said.

Mompreneur Jasmine had to go through an emergency hysterectomy when, after giving birth to her third child, she started losing a lot of blood. The doctors had no choice but to remove her uterus, rendering her unable to bear a child again. Despite encountering complications such as acute kidney failure, Jasmine recovered and went on to become a work-from-home mom, a successful bridal makeup expert, and a style and image consultant.

For women who are going through tough times, Jasmine has this advice to share:

“When you feel that life just gets too much for you for whatever reason, don’t doubt yourself, believe in your own strength and shape your mind according to how you want to live your life.”

Levi’s® is inviting you to be part of the #IShapeMyWorld conversation!

Share with us what people said to define your limits and what you did to prove them wrong. Tag us on Facebook @Levis.philippines and use the hashtag #IShapeMyWorld to share your story of defeating obstacles and changing perceptions when others said you couldn’t.

City of Dreams Manila sets the bar for CSR initiatives with more than 4,000 active volunteers

City of Dreams Manila recognizes the participation of more than 4,000 of its employees or approximately 80% of its workforce who in 2017 engaged in the luxury resort’s fourth year of long-term and sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

City of Dreams Manila’s year-round outreach program last year included provisions for basic needs, social and learning activities for orphans and the elderly; refurbishing classrooms through the Department of Educations ‘Brigada Eskwela’ campaign; annual blood donations for Red Cross; relief goods for those affected by disasters; and mangrove and tree-planting and coastal clean-up drives. The various undertakings were aptly named “Spoonful of Dreams” for the care of orphans and street children, ”Connecting Dreams” for the special time spent with the elderly, “Headful of Dreams” for educational sessions for children and elders “Hopeful Dreams“ for hospital visits to indigent patients and “Growing Dreams“ for environmental protection.

“Volunteerism is ingrained in our employees’ commitment to give back to the community in meaningful and creative ways. Various CSR activities are held at least twice a month and during these undertakings, employees throughout the ranks in different departments work together to help the less fortunate and conserve the environment,” states Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Benning.

Volunteers visited the integrated resort’s adopted orphanage in Paranaque, Bahay Aruga, monthly, providing the children with meals and creative learning activities. During the festive season, the orphans were brought to DreamPlay, the DreamWorks-inspired interactive play space at City of Dreams Manila as the volunteers assisted them in experiencing the various attractions of the popular facility, having their photo ops with Dreamworks’ animated characters and joined them at a hearty lunch at Chez Gingy.

Employees also contributed their time visiting the elders, orphans, sick and abandoned children at the Missionaries of Charity in Tondo, Manila, did general cleaning and laundry services to help provide the residents a more comfortable living space, prepared and cooked meals for the residents. In addition, to support the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela campaign with the Paranaque city government, volunteers cleaned and refurbished 12 classrooms in San Dionisio Elementary School, Paranaque.

Upon the invitation of benevolent blogger Jane Go, volunteers from DreamPlay and other departments together with DreamPlay character Puss in Boots brought gifts and cheer to children confined at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, a government owned tertiary hospital in Quezon City that provides pediatric medical care and clinical research.

Through the Purple Center Foundation, one of the resort’s beneficiary institutions, volunteers also gave immediate assistance and relief in the aftermath of a typhoon and fire in two separate incidents in Tondo, Manila. Canned food, bottled water, and medical supplies were provided to 1,500 families affected by the typhoon. Linens, bed sheets, cutlery, plates, glasses, and other basic items were given to 700 families whose homes were gutted by the fire.

City of Dreams Manila’s team members also reached out to various non-government institutions, among them: Anawim, a sanctuary to poor and abandoned elderly in Rodriguez, Rizal, with whom they engaged in social activities, provided care and basic needs; My Father's House in Manila for children in need of special protection, parental care and spiritual nurturing; Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta, a social enterprise which provides continuous holistic development to persons with disabilities including a livelihood program and rehabilitation; and the Hospicio de San Jose and Virlanie Foundation’s orphanages.

For the employees’ participation in the integrated resort’s semi-annual voluntary blood donation drive for its blood bank, the Philippine Red Cross, presented City of Dreams with plaques of appreciation for their commitment to help save lives.

Apart from the scheduled CSR programs, the Security team of City of Dreams Manila also spearheaded various CSR activities supported by other colleagues from various departments, such as: the coastal cleanup along Manila Bay and tree-planting in Cavite, a special thanksgiving tribute to the war veterans in Paranaque’s 16th district, providing them wheelchairs, walking canes, medicines and vitamins, bed pans, adult diapers, and food packs; and its own “Drop of Hope” campaign, periodically providing bags of food, water, and basic necessities to street children and families living along the coastline of Metro Manila.

The long-term volunteering efforts of City of Dreams Manila’s employees demonstrate the staff’s commitment to be good corporate citizens and their growing awareness and contributions towards the social and economic needs of local communities – an advocacy that they are determined to uphold.

Puregold is 1st national supermarket chain to accept mobile payments via GCash scan to pay

Mobile payments pioneer GCash has partnered with Puregold, one of the country's biggest supermarket chains, to implement quick response or QR payments acceptance starting at Puregold Qi Central in Quezon City.

This marks Puregold’s shift towards embracing modern and convenient payment methods and makes Puregold the first national supermarket chain to accept GCash QR.

From L-R: Pamela P. Co, Puregold Director; Ferdinand Vincent P. Co, Puregold President; Susan Co, Puregold Vice-Chairman; Lucio Co, Puregold Chairman; Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO; Anthony Thomas, Mynt President and CEO

The GCash QR scan to pay feature is now accepted in 233 Puregold stores in Metro Manila and nationwide. With over 300 stores nationwide, the supermarket chain has been an inspiration for close to two decades in serving all classes of Filipinos with its vast array of products, ranging from consumables, apparel, and even household equipment.

Celebrities Fourth Pagotan and Yayo Aguila shop at Puregold using GCash scan to pay

“Puregold has been in partnership with the GCash team for the past five years and we always believe in the capabilities of their people. We also know that GCash Scan to Pay is the next big thing to hit the Philippine retail market. By being a first-mover, we stand to gain competitive advantage in the market,” said Ferdinand Vincent P. Co, President of Puregold Price Club, Inc.

Co added that since they have customers who already use the GCash cash-in services in Puregold stores, GCash Scan to Pay will be very beneficial to them. “We wanted to offer the full GCash service to our customers as a way of educating them about secure, cashless shopping. We have already tested GCash Scan to Pay in our affiliate company, My Baby Planet, and we are able to see how easy and convenient it is to use.”

“GCash is working hard to change the landscape of how Filipinos usually pay for their purchases to eliminate the pain points of payments such as the hassle of bringing money, waiting for change, or getting into misunderstandings over payments. We want everyone to experience the convenience of using GCash for their everyday needs -- from buying load, paying bills, sending money, and now with supermarkets like Puregold, you can just scan to pay using your phone,” said Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt which operates GCash.

To use the scan to pay feature of the GCash App, customers only need to download or update the GCash App in their iPhone or Android smartphone, register for an account and load their GCash wallet in any of the 12,000 GCash partner outlets nationwide, including Globe Stores and all Puregold branches. Once done, they only need to point the phone’s camera at the GCash QR code at the Puregold cashier counter, and input the amount to be paid. Goodbye coins, hello easier grocery shopping!

Celebrating its 20th year, Puregold shoppers who will use GCash Scan to Pay will be eligible to join the weekly 100% cashback promo and the grand raffle promo, wherein GCash will raffle off an iPhone X, a motorcycle, an entertainment system, an appliance package, sari-sari store package and more cell phones. On top of that, GCash users of Puregold will also be eligible for the 10 percent rebate promo when they scan to pay with GCash at Puregold until March 31, 2018.

GCash, which is operated by Mynt, a fintech company owned by Globe Telecom, Ant Financial and Ayala Corp., has been aggressively campaigning to its partners for cashless payment systems using the GCash App scan to pay feature.