Globe extends bill payment due dates up to May 15

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Globe Telecom is extending the bill payment due dates for its mobile and broadband postpaid customers, including all business and enterprise clients nationwide, up to May 15.

This in effect, gives Globe customers up to 60 days of bills payment extension equivalent to two months of unpaid bills. Globe initially provided a 30-day bill payments extension which expired on April 15. 

Customers may expect a larger amount in their next bill due to previous unpaid bills prior April. Any late payment fee that may reflect on their Globe At Home billing statements during this period will be waived.

The move is in response to the national government’s decision to continue the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon wherein people are requested to stay at home and practice social distancing to minimize possible exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Local government units in other parts of the country have also adopted similar measures.

“We want to ease the worries of our customers who cannot leave their homes yet and who may be financially burdened due to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and employment,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

However, for those who want to avoid the burden of accumulated bills, Globe said they may still opt to settle their bills using any of the company’s digital channels -- GlobeOne app and Globe At Home app where they can also monitor data usage and subscribe to offers. GCash is another available alternative for settling bills anytime and anywhere. For business customers, they may also use bank online payment and wire transfer services.

Meanwhile, Globe reiterated that as part of its commitment to keeping customers connected while inside the security and safety of their homes, Mobile Postpaid and Platinum customers are given an option to temporarily suspend their monthly spending limit or extend existing suspension further.

The spending limit is a special feature that helps customers take better control of their Postpaid spending. It is the maximum amount that can be used for services when one has exceeded the monthly plan, in order to stay within budget and avoid bill shock. For more information on the spending limit and how to suspend it, please read https://www.globe.com.ph/help/postpaid/spending-limit.html

Mega Prime’s new ambassador Chef Rosebud hosts an online cooking demo to share healthy and practical recipes to Filipino moms during ECQ

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Mega Prime has signed up its newest ambassador—Chef Rosebud Benitez, a top-rated celebrity cook and hands-on mom who has become a household name for her mouthwatering recipes. 

Known for her versatility as a chef, Chef Rosebud has always used Mega Prime’s wide array of high-quality products that has made cooking much easier for moms. “I always have Mega Sweet Chili and Oyster Sauce in my kitchen, because they can be paired easily with any dish. With Sweet Chili, there’s no need to think of a complicated dish,” she shared.

Both Mega Prime and Chef Rosebud are passionate about helping everyone come up with yummy dishes that the whole family will enjoy. That is why homemakers are looking forward to what the partnership between Mega Prime and Chef Rosebud has to offer. 

During this enhanced community quarantine, Mega Prime is aware of the different sentiments of Filipino families in the kitchen at home. With this, Mega Prime is kicking off its partnership with Chef Rosebud through a Facebook Live cooking demo featuring healthy, nutritious and practical recipes to upgrade our everyday meals. 

Happening on April 25, Saturday at 3:00PM, Chef Rosebud will be featuring some of her go-to Mega Prime products that can turn simple dishes into super meals that moms can do at home during the quarantine period. 

Chef Rosebud joins Marian Rivera, who serves as Mega Prime’s main ambassador, in reaching out to moms. Together, the two will add even more dynamism to the Mega Prime Mom Club, which has been steadfast in its efforts to turn Filipino moms into savvy homemakers. 

“I like the products of Mega Prime because the taste is very close to "panlasang Pinoy". They have a variety of products for all our cooking needs and offer value for money. You don't have to pay a premium but what you're getting is of premium taste, which is very important for price-conscious moms,” she said.

Don’t forget to tune in at https://www.facebook.com/MegaPrimeQuality and get ready to cook the yummiest but pocket-friendly dishes with Chef Rosebud and Mega Prime!

Davao's Honesty Jeepney: Creativity sparked by COVID-19

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Many of us may have heard of the honesty system, which is practiced in many establishments like coffee houses and souvenir shops in many countries, including the Philippines. 

In this system, everything is done through self-service. Customers can list down the items they are buying, leave the corresponding payment, and take their goods. They even collect their change by just getting it from the pool of money.

A different kind of honesty system, which became particularly useful in these adverse times, was the honesty jeepney that plied the streets of Davao City before an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was implemented. 

Instead of the usual way of having jeepney passengers pass on their payment from one to another until it reaches the driver, passengers of that jeep put their payment in containers that have been strategically placed and spaced out in the seats--in keeping with social distancing protocols. 

A video that went viral on the internet since March 24 showed containers made of repurposed Shell Rimula engine oil plastic canisters were used not just to serve as dividers between passengers but to hold passengers fares. 

In the video, a passenger was also heard jokingly saying, Bawal kumupit [Stealing is not allowed.]. 

https://www.facebook.com/abscbnNEWS/videos/241739523538118/?v=241739523538118

During pre-ECQ times when social distancing was especially important and contact must be minimized especially in usually crowded public transport, the honesty system in that jeep had been useful in ensuring that people were safe from coronavirus infection, even in public transportation. 

Because of strict social distancing rules, only six to 10 passengers were allowed at a time in jeepneys in Davao City. Jeepneys were still able to do their usual business in Davao City before an ECQ prevented them from operating last April 4.

Creativity amid adversity 

Jefferson Camasin, the netizen who was able to capture the footage of the honesty jeepney, said that the driver was willing to risk losing profit just so his passengers could be safe and have less chances of catching the virus. 

Camasin said that he and his fellow passengers praised the driver and supported the jeepneys honesty system by paying the correct fare. Some of them even gave tips, knowing how difficult it was to earn a living that time when jeepney drivers can only ferry a few passengers at a time.

HBO, HBO Family, Cartoon Network and Boomerang to air Sesame Street: Elmo's playdate special

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A half-hour special Sesame Street: Elmo’s Playdate is set to entertain kids and families on HBO, HBO Family, Cartoon Network and Boomerang – as well as the regional streaming service HBO GO. Part of Sesame Workshop’s Caring for Each Other initiative, the special is aimed at helping kids and families around the world feel connected in this time of uncertainty and features everyone’s favourite “Sesame Street” friends. 

Celebrity guests include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anne Hathaway and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Sesame Street: Elmo’s Playdate will premiere at the same time across HBO GO (where it will be available until mid-June), HBO, HBO Family and HBO On Demand* on Friday, 24 April at 8.30am. It will also air on Sunday, 26 April at 6.45am on Cartoon Network and 8.30am on Boomerang.

The half-hour special follows Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, and a few famous friends as they find new ways to play and learn together. Celebrating everything from the EMTs, doctors, and other everyday heroes who are helping families through the health crisis to the simple pleasures of baking cookies at home, the playdate takes the form of a cosy video conference that will feel very familiar to today’s viewers. 

Celebrities and Sesame Street friends will sing songs, play games, and take silly dance breaks. Tracee Ellis Ross plays a game of “Elmo Says,” Lin-Manuel Miranda pops in for a few rounds of “Old McDonald Had a Farm,” Anne Hathaway and Elmo get moving with “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” and more. Kids will love getting a visit from their Sesame Street friends, and caregivers will appreciate how the special models playful learning opportunities they can use at home.

Sesame Workshop is committed to supporting families through this unprecedented time of uncertainty with the new Caring for Each Other initiative. As the situation evolves, SesameStreet.org/caring will be updated to meet the changing needs of caregivers and young children.

Caring for Each Other resources are designed to help parents provide comfort and manage anxiety, create routines, foster playful learning at home, and keep kids physically and mentally healthy. Additionally, over 110 Sesame Street ebooks are available for free on all major ebook platforms.

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About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children since 1969. Today, Sesame Workshop is an innovative force for change, with a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder. We’re present in more than 150 countries, serving vulnerable children through a wide range of media, formal education, and philanthropically-funded social impact programs, each grounded in rigorous research and tailored to the needs and cultures of the communities we serve. For more information, please visit www.sesameworkshop.org.

About WarnerMedia

WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, HBO Now, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. WarnerMedia is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).

Child rights organizations call for the prevention of physical and humiliating punishment against children during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Physical and psychological violence, particularly at home, are among the most pervasive types of abuse experienced by Filipino children. Both can be worsened by the COVID-19 enhanced community quarantine.

In fact, 3 in 5 children have experienced some form of physical violence, the 2016 National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children revealed. Sixty percent of these cases happened in their own homes, with 1 in 2 children experiencing corporal punishment. 

“This disturbing figure can exponentially increase, especially now that parents and caregivers are experiencing added stress,” said Rowena Cordero, Joining Forces Alliance Convenor and Save the Children Philippines Chief of Programs. 

“Children should be protected from experiencing violence at home. And parents need to be supported in coping with stress and in ensuring that parenting practices respect and uphold children’s rights.”

While the quarantine measures imposed by the government help in controlling the spread of COVID-19, it may also unintentionally expose children to increased protection risks. 

The economic, health, and security problems resulting from the pandemic may take its toll on the mental health of parents and caregivers. Hence, they may be unable to effectively manage their stress and frustration. As a result, these adults may resort to using physical, humiliating, and degrading punishment on their children.

To prevent this from happening, we urge the government to:

● Ensure timely delivery of social protection and amelioration programs. 

● Establish accountability and feedback mechanisms for families and children.

● Provide mental health and psychosocial support for parents and caregivers, through online platforms or hotlines, in coordination with private groups.

● Set up hotlines and online platforms where children and the public can send complaints about child abuse cases.

● Regularly assess child protection risks throughout the COVID-19 response, including disaggregated data of children based on age, sex, and disability.

● Closely monitor children at increased risk of violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect.

In particular, we call on the Department of Social Welfare and Development to:

● Activate child protection programs and response and referral mechanisms. 

● Ensure that protection and social welfare services are adequately funded and are central throughout all the stages of the COVID-19 response.

We also urge all local governments to:

● Set up child-friendly hotlines for reporting and psychosocial counseling.

● Ensure compliance with the DILG Advisory (2 April 2020) on the activation of the Barangay Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk and the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

● Disseminate information by dovetailing informative leaflets in relief distribution i.e., stress management, how to report child abuse, among others.

“The rights of children to be protected from all forms of physical, humiliating, and degrading punishment in all settings should be everyone’s concern, especially of the government,” said Cordero. “As much as we don’t want children to be exposed to COVID-19, we also don’t want them to be vulnerable to any form of violence.”

About the Joining Forces Alliance

The Joining Forces Alliance on the Elimination of Violence Against Children is a global alliance of child-focused international non-governmental organizations. We are advocating for a renewed commitment of governments to achieve the rights of children. We are composed of ChildFund Alliance, Educo, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, Terre des Hommes International Federation, and World Vision.