AlipayHK and GCash launch cross-border remittance service powered by Alipay’s blockchain technology

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Real-time remittance service made available between Hong Kong and the Philippines   

AlipayHK and GCash today announced the launch of a cross-border remittance service through their e-wallet platforms, powered by cutting-edge blockchain technology developed by Alipay, the online payment platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group (“Ant Financial”, “Ant”). This is the first blockchain-based cross-border digital wallet remittance service globally, offering a fast, secure, convenient, transparent and low-cost way to transfer money directly between individuals in Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Alipay has applied blockchain technology to streamline the remittance process, radically improving the speed of delivery, enhancing transparency of the process and drastically reducing costs while ensuring better security measures when sending money across borders. This service between GCash and AlipayHK will provide round-the-clock, real-time money transfer between Hong Kong and the Philippines at a competitive exchange rate with much lower transaction fees, which will be further waived during an initial three-month trial period. With a few taps through AlipayHK’s mobile phone application, money will be transferred within seconds to a GCash user.

Blockchain technology allows us to change and radically improve the speed and efficiencies for remittance services. Based on the smart contract, once a user submits a remittance application, all network participants including AlipayHK, GCash and Standard Chartered Bank, the first and core partner bank supporting on this initiative, are notified. The segmented procedures of the remittance process can consequently take place in parallel, enabling the verification and execution of the transaction to occur simultaneously. Through the blockchain platform, the sender and receiver are also able to track their money with every step of the way – from when the remittance application was made, until when the receiver successfully obtains the money. All information stored, shared or uploaded through the blockchain remittance platform is further encrypted with the most advanced protocols to protect the user’s privacy.

“We are very excited to introduce this new remittance solution to our users in Hong Kong, and in particular to the Filipino community in the city,” said Jennifer Tan, CEO of Alipay Payment Services (HK) Limited (APSHK). “What used to be a long process of physically going to a remittance booth, queuing in line for hours and filling out forms, is now easily and securely done over the mobile phone in just a few seconds. Together with GCash, we aim to provide Filipino expatriates a more convenient, seamless experience to transfer money back home to their families in the Philippines. We will also continue to provide tailor-made solutions for our customers as we aim to enhance their daily lives through our secure and fuss-free approach.”

Canning Fok, Group Co-Managing Director of CK Hutchison Holdings and Chairman of Alipay Payment Services (HK) Limited said, “This cooperation with GCASH to bring remittance to the Philippines using the new technology is the first step and there are many other places Hong Kong people need to remit money. I’m happy to see that the AlipayHK team is hard at work to expand this service to more people, bringing us closer to our families and friends with a cheaper and quicker solution.

Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of Mynt, the operator of GCash said, “GCash is building a cashless ecosystem to make financial services affordable and accessible to every Filipino as we aim to provide the Philippines’ underserved market with convenient options for load top-up, remittance, and cashless payments for goods and services, among others. This time, in partnership with AlipayHK and Ant Financial, GCash is able to achieve another breakthrough to make sending money to the Philippines easier, more convenient, and more secure for Filipinos abroad. We believe that for overseas Filipinos, sending money home to their family’s GCash mobile wallet will soon be the norm.”

Standard Chartered has been an integral partner in the development of the solution and will provide the underlying banking infrastructure to support this pivotal initiative.

Lisa Robins, Global Head, Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered, said, “Remittances are a lifeblood of many communities in the Philippines, the third largest remittance market with US$33 billion of inflows in 2017. We are proud to collaborate with Ant Financial, and act as their banking partner for this new service to make remittances easier, cheaper and more secure. This evidences our joint commitment to deliver financial services to the unbanked and underbanked and exemplifies our “Here for Good” brand promise.”

Eric Jing, Executive Chairman and CEO of Ant Financial said, “We are thrilled to witness AlipayHK and GCash jointly launch the groundbreaking cross-wallet remittance function. Ant Financial is dedicated to exploring fintech breakthroughs and applying them to benefit more people in more places. This is a new starting point and significant step forward in accelerating Alipay’s pace to promote tech for good, and financial inclusion globally. Through leveraging our technological capabilities, we are committed to bringing financial services to the large underserved populations in Asia and beyond together with our ecosystem partners who share our vision and mission.”

“Ant Financial and Alipay have been exploring the cutting-edge blockchain technology since 2015. Blockchain is revolutionizing the remittance industry, and we look forward to further innovating and expanding the application of the technology in global remittances, together with local wallet partners and other ecosystem partners,” Jing added.

Since the launch of Alipay in 2004 and the establishment of Ant Financial in 2014, the Company has built an integrated technology platform and ecosystem of partners to bring more secure, transparent, cost-effective and inclusive financial services to individuals and SMEs globally. The Company will continue to invest in developing its blockchain, AI, security, IoT and computing capabilities to upgrade its global technology platform for the next generation.

Starting from 2015, Alipay has formed nine strategic partnerships with local partners outside Chinese mainland, sharing their technology know-how and risk management capabilities to provide more mobile payment and inclusive financial services to local users. In the year ended March 31, 2018, Alipay, together with its global partners, served approximately 870 million annual active users globally and over 15 million small businesses in China.

Buy an HP Deskjet GT All-in-One Printer until July, get a Php1000 discount and free ink

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HP gives its enterprising customers the best reasons to take advantage of high-volume printing opportunities, all summer long and until past mid-year, as it extends its “HP DeskJet GT All-in-One Printer” promo from now until July 31, 2018.

Get your own HP DeskJet GT 5820 e-All-in-One Printer at a discount with free HP Black Original Ink to enjoy printing thousands of high-quality pages at an extremely low-cost. 

The extended promo enables more users to enjoy the convenience of printing thousands of high-quality pages at an extremely low cost as every purchase of HP DeskJet GT 5820 e-All-in-One Printer or HP DeskJet GT 5810 All-in-One Printer gives a P1000 instant discount and a free bottle of HP GT51 Black Original Ink.

The HP DeskJet GT printers’ high-capacity ink tank system can produce high-quality printouts of up to 8,000 pages using its tri-color bottle set and up to 5,000 pages using its black bottle set, to offer hassle-free printing at an extremely low cost. With the transparent ink tanks, consumers can also easily monitor ink levels and enjoy efficient spill-free refills.

Even with their hectic work schedule, entrepreneurs can rely on the HP DeskJet GT to directly print, scan, or copy from any device by connecting their smart phone or tablet to the printer using the HP All-in-One Remote app.

So hurry, go to any authorized HP reseller nationwide and get the HP DeskJet GT All-in-One Printer at a P1000 discount with free HP Black Original Ink. Promo is extended until July 31, 2018. Visit www.hp.com or see posters and print ads for more details.

Vivo Unlocks the Future with the Launch of X21 in the PH

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Global smartphone brand Vivo has unlocked the future of mobile technology in the Philippines as it introduced a new flagship, the X21 with the pioneering In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology, at its launch in Okada Manila on June 21.

Vivo Philippines’ VP for Sales Ms. Hazel Bascon gave her welcome message during the Vivo X21 launch.

The event, held in the Grand Ballroom of the picturesque oceanfront integrated resort, was well-attended by media partners and other guests despite the heavy rain.

Vivo Philippines Vice President for Sales Ms. Hazel Bascon during her opening remarks highlighted the global smartphone brand’s dedication to innovation.

“What is about to unfold before you is the reveal of the world’s first smartphone to feature an In-Display Fingerprint Scanner housed in a beautifully-designed all-glass build, a smartphone that is truly exceptional in more ways than one,” she said.

Vivo Philippines representatives Mr. Patrick Villareal and Ms. Jomarie Morales then went up on stage to explain each of the specs of the Vivo X21. The pair discussed how the In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology as well as the other features such as the AI Face Access, front and rear cameras with all-pixel dual-core sensor on the X21 work.

Partners got the lowdown on the X21 straight from Vivo representatives.

Sharing tech expertise

During the launch, Vivo also invited on stage some of the respected industry experts to discuss the X21. They are Mr. Louie Diangson of Yugatech, Mr. Daniel Moral of GadgetMatch, Mr. Mark Milan Macanas of TechPinas, Mr. Giancarlo Viterbo of GadgetPilipinas, Mr. Peter Jan Icogo of Gizguide, Mr. Jamie Inocian of Unbox, and Ms. Alora Uy Guerrero of Revu.

Mr. Diangson discussed the In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology and the AI Face Access of X21. Mr. Morial then explained how efficient the X21’s AI photography.

On the other hand, Mr. Macanas talked about Vivo X21’s front camera, specifically its AI Face Beauty.  Mr. Viterbo, moreover, shared how Vivo X21’s AI Game Mode keep interruptions at bay while playing PUBG Mobile and other games.

Tech experts shared their thoughts on the Vivo X21.

Vivo X21’s chipset, Qualcomm Snapdragon 660AIE, is the most powerful in the Philippines to date, Mr. Icogo confirmed. Meanwhile, Mr. Inocian focused on Vivo X21’s 6.28-inch + FullView™ Display.

Ms. Guerrero, finally, highlighted why Vivo X21 is one of the most advanced phones when it comes to audio playback.

Exciting partnerships

Vivo Philippines newest partner is Shopee Philippines.

Vivo also announced its partnerships with Shopee Philippines and Akulaku. Ms. Bascon and Brand Director Ms. Annie Lim from Vivo Philippines exchanged tokens with the representatives from Shopee Philippines, Ms. Jane Lim, and from Akulaku, Mr. Sean Duxiang.

Shopee Philippines is an online shopping mall. Through the new partnership, Vivo has put up its official online store on Shopee Philippines.

Vivo Philippines’ executives welcomed Akulaku as its newest online partner.

Akulaku, meanwhile, is an online installing shopping mall that also provides financial services in Southeast Asian countries. Vivo smartphones can now be bought online installment payment options on Akulaku.

Exhilarating FIFA fever

Vivo, as the Official Smartphone Sponsor, of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 brought the football fever to the launch of X21. To get a glimpse of all the excitement in Russia, Vivo displayed some FIFA merchandise at the lobby.

During the presentation of the X21, Vivo mascots also showed the crowd how to do the #PassTheSwag FIFA dance. Vivo Philippines endorsers Vern and Verniece Enciso, Chie Filomeno, Maris Racal, and TJ Monterde then strutted the new flagship with a Vivo FIFA ball on their other hand while they proudly sport their favorite FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 team jersey.

Vern was wearing the jersey of the FIFA World Cup 2014 champs Germany while her sister Verniece was clad in a jersey of Spain, the FIFA World Cup 2010 victors Chienna and Maris, meanwhile, were proudly wearing the jersey of Brazil, the five-time FIFA World Cup title holders.

TJ, on the other hand, expressed his support for the national team of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal.

Moreover, the Vivo Philippines team including Ms. Bascon, Mr. Villareal, Ms. Morales, as well as Brand Director Ms. Annie Lim were also bitten by the FIFA fever in their football-inspired garb.

Exquisite #OOTDs

The Vivo Philippines endorsers also took cues from the new X21 for their second look for the night.

The Vivo X21 has ditched the metal body for a new 3D glass back cover. The design was inspired by Iceland’s Wake Black Beach, a rapidly cooling lava granule that is deep and dark yet free of impurities.

Vern and Verniece proved that they are young fashion icons in their Patty Ang creations.

Chienna and Maris, meanwhile, showed off that simplicity is the key to achieving elegance.

Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose looked every inch a star during the Vivo X21 launch.

Julie Anne San Jose who performed the closing number for the night looked like a total performer in her sparkly ensemble.

The unstoppable Darren Espanto entertained the crowd with his energetic performance.

Darren Espanto who had a mini-concert at the launch with her four-song set and Mccoy de Leon who made sure he would be part of the event despite the rains looked dashing and sleek in their tailored outfits.

Vivo endorsers and executives pose for photos at the launch of the pioneering X21.

Ms. Bascon also revealed the price of Vivo X21 towards the end of the program.

Ms. Hazel Bascon announced that the Vivo X21 would be available at select stores starting June 22.

The Vivo X21 is retailed for Php29,999 in authorized shops nationwide.

The list of participating stores can be found here: http://vivoglobal.ph/x21_stores/.

stylefestph Brings the Best of Philippine Fashion and Beauty this September

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stylefestph brings together fashion, beauty, and business in one platform, allowing local designers and design students, local brands, and young content creators to showcase their talents and merchandise to a local and international audience.

Get ready to strut your style as Globe Telecom, in partnership with SAGA Events Inc. present stylefestph, a fashion and beauty festival, from September 7-9, 2018.

This Fashion and Beauty festival will have three major activities, all of which are indispensable for seasoned stylistas and casual followers of fashion alike:

stylespotting

Spot the next big trend in Philippine fashion and beauty at the home of stylefestph, the Grand Hyatt Manila, as the country’s most influential designers and brands take their latest creations to the runway.

stylespace

stylespace brings together both local and international fashion and beauty retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers in a three-day exposition at the Globe Iconic (Bonifacio High Street Amphitheatre). It is designed and curated to seamlessly connect digital and physical retailers.

styletalks

Learn from innovative thinkers from the fashion and beauty brands, digital retailers, and influencers, who will discuss and share their thoughts on the hottest industry topics during exclusive talks at the Grand Hyatt Manila.

Designer Mentorship Program

stylefestph’s Designer Mentorship Program gives the opportunity of a lifetime as 8 winning emerging designers will be mentored by the stylecouncil, an esteemed group of fashion experts and mentors, plus have their very own collections released in both ZALORA.com.ph and 0917 Lifestyle sold at Globe stores and at shop.globe.com.ph.

The stylecouncil comprises head mentor and renowned designer Inno Sotto; celebrity fashion stylist Pam Quiñones; Paulo Campos, co-founder and chief executive officer of online fashion retail portal ZALORA Philippines; Sarah Santiago, Editor in Chief of Wonder.ph; Leah de Guzman, head of Globe Lifestyle; Carmina Sanchez-Jacob, co-founder of Fashion Exchange International; and Jigs Mayuga, professional make-up artist.

stylefestph is made in partnership with ZALORA Philippines and, Grand Hyatt Manila--the official residence of stylefestph. It is co-presented by FrontRow and in cooperation with Globe myBusiness, Globe Postpaid, and Globe Rewards.

Visit stylefest.ph for all the exciting announcements leading up to the festival. Followstylefestph on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates. For all your social media posts, please use the hashtag #stylefestph.

Electrolux shares baon-making tips for moms

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With the school year starting, it’s back to worrying about whether to prepare packed meals for your child or just provide more allowance for food. Undoubtedly, letting them eat out is more time-saving and convenient. But while it’s a tempting option, doing this regularly is expensive and unhealthy.

As such, health experts often advise to make home-cooked meals - but of course, cooking at home is much easier said than done. It takes time and effort to create delicious and nutritious baon for kids, especially if yours are picky eaters. So to help you create healthy and yummy meals for their kids as the school year starts, here are some tips from Electrolux Philippines.

Here’s an easy way to get kids to eat their veggies – make veggie kebabs! 

Plan your meals

Although it may seem tedious at first, meal planning is one of the best ways to save money and be more efficient at cooking.

Start by making an inventory of everything in your refrigerator and pantry. By knowing what you currently have, you can determine what meals to make, or what additional ingredients to buy. It’s wiser to pick recipes based on common ingredients, or things you can easily get from the store.

Planning meals are vital to your kids’ healthy diet so remember to choose balanced recipes with a good mix of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Interactive tools like meal planning applications and websites can also help make this task easier to manage by helping you create grocery lists, choose recipes, and track your children’s’ calorie intake.

Get creative with veggies

Make the most out of leftovers by making One-Pot Pasta meals. 

Throw in remaining ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, and other vegetables to a pan, 

then add the pasta, olive oil, and other seasonings to your taste. Be creative! 

It’s no secret that most kids aren’t fond of their greens. One way to get your kids to eat vegetables is by using creative preparation and presentation - like making vegetarian sushi. Combine all kinds of vegetables or fruits with rice and seasoning to create tasty sushi rolls. Another way to serve veggies is to turn them into kebabs. By marinating and grilling them with herbs, garlic, and balsamic glaze, your veggies can achieve a deliciously tangy taste. Place them on skewers with some chicken or shrimp and you have a healthy lunch!

Healthy switches

Instead of buying packaged sweets and chips, give your kids sandwiches like peanut butter with sliced fruits, or grilled chicken & cheese with lettuce and tomatoes. Not only are they healthier, but more filling and satisfying as well. If you want variation from regular burgers, try switching the meat patties to tuna. It’s incredibly simple and cheap to make using canned tuna—not to mention, it’s also packed with nutritious omega 3, iron, and potassium.

As for drinks, you may opt to switch packaged beverages with homemade juices. Freshly made juices do not have added preservatives, sugars, and artificial flavoring. Just make sure you have a juicer or blender handy then get your kids to pick out what fruit blend they want for the day!

Let nothing go to waste

Making extra servings can actually help you save a lot of time since you no longer need to go through the lengthy prep time before every meal. You can easily store extra servings in the refrigerator or freezer to preserve their freshness, then heat them up when needed.

And don’t forget about leftovers! To make use of leftover ingredients, try making One Pot Meals – meals such as stews or pasta that you can make by putting together all your ingredients in one pot. The great thing about One Pot Meals is that you can be as creative as you like as long as the ingredients can complement each other. If you still have unused ingredients such as onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, or mushrooms, you can chop them up then put them in a pan. Afterwards, add the pasta, pour olive oil and season everything to taste.

The Electrolux 520L NutriFresh™ Inverter Refrigerator has the capacity to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh and nutritious 7 days longer than the average refrigerator.

With the Electrolux NutriFresh™ Refrigerator, you can keep your fruits and veggies fresh for long a time so you can make healthy shakes and juices for your kids’ baon to school! 

Have the right kitchen appliances

When it comes to food preparation and cooking, Electrolux offers a wide variety of kitchen appliances to suit your every need.

If you’re worried about how long your leftovers or ingredients will last in storage, the Electrolux NutriFresh™ Inverter Refrigerator EHE5220AA can go a long way in helping you prevent food spoilage. Since it’s equipped with technology that stabilizes temperature, deodorizes, and minimizes water loss, fruits and vegetables can stay fresh for up to a week. It also lessens utility costs because of its energy saving features.

The Electrolux 30L Table Top Microwave with Grill and Convection is a 4-in-1 cooking appliance that is a perfect fit for smaller kitchens. 

If you live in a condo or apartment with a smaller kitchen, the Electrolux Tabletop Microwave Oven with Grill & Convection EMS3087X is the right fit for you. This 4-in-1 appliance combines the convenience of a microwave and the performance of an oven, grill and even a steamer, which allows you to prepare different types of dishes so your kids won’t get tired of the same old thing.

The Electrolux 68 L Built-In Oven allows you to grill, bake, or roast food, with plenty of room to cook multiple dishes at the same time. 

For something bigger but just as versatile, you can use the Electrolux Built-In Oven EOB2200BOX to bake, grill, and roast food. It comes with the InfiSpace™ feature that can extend the 68-litre capacity to a 74-litre capacity to give you plenty of room to cook multiple dishes in one go. It also comes with an enamel coating that repels grease and dirt, making it easier to clean.

The Electrolux 60cm Built-in Induction Hob takes less time and energy 

to cook your favorite dishes. 

If you’re looking for a convenient way to cook, you can use the Electrolux Built-in Induction Hob EHED63CS. Induction is faster and uses much less energy than other cooking technologies because it heats the cookware directly while the cooktop remains cool in the process, making it safe to touch and easy to clean – perfect for creating delicious dishes in less time and with less fuss.

Although preparing packed meals at home can seem tiresome and overwhelming, the long term pay-off is worth it. Not only is it more nutritious for your child, but more cost-friendly as well. Cooking isn’t always easy, but with a bit of practice, time, and guidance, you’ll eventually see that there are plenty of ways to be creative and efficient when it comes to making baon everyday!

For more tips on healthy eating, visit visit www.electrolux.com.ph and follow @ElectroluxPhilippines on Facebook and Instagram or @ElectroluxPH on Twitter.