Smart unveils ‘Simple, Smart Ako’ campaign featuring South Korean superstar Hyun Bin

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Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. has made a splash as it unveiled its new campaign featuring South Korean superstar Hyun Bin, who has endeared many Filipinos with his hit K-dramas and movies.

This is the first time a local telecoms company has tapped a South Korean superstar to be the face of its brand, and is a bold statement for Smart as it asserts its commitment to bring amazing experiences to Filipinos through digital technology.

Hyun Bin Phenomenon

“The ‘Hyun Bin Phenomenon’ is pretty much due to digital technology -  Filipinos have developed the craze because they are able to stream his shows, hear the buzz about him online, share their excitement with their friends, and even get to interact with him through social media,” says Jane Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

“This makes him a perfect ambassador for Smart as we empower Filipinos with technological solutions made easy so they can enrich their daily life and pursue their passions,” she adds.

“Filipinos are some of the warmest fans in the world, and I am thankful to Smart for giving me a way to reach out to everyone in the Philippines. Indeed, Smart has brought us closer than ever,” says Hyun Bin, who first won the hearts of Filipinos in 2005, when a local TV network aired a Tagalog-dubbed version of his romantic comedy drama, ‘My Name Is Kim Sam Soon.’

‘Simple. Smart Ako.’

In Smart’s latest TV commercial, Hyun Bin rides a sports car and zooms past the city streets – a fitting reference to the blazing speeds by which Filipinos can enjoy their daily dose of entertainment powered by Smart LTE and Giga Promos. The ad strongly concludes with Hyun Bin delivering Smart’s new tagline in Filipino, “Simple. Smart Ako.”

“'Simple. Smart Ako' sums up our company’s approach all this time to make amazing technology available, and more importantly, simple for every Filipino,” says Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer.

Smart draws from its history of innovating the simple things that are life-changing – from making mobile phones accessible to ordinary Filipinos, pioneering groundbreaking products such as Smart Load and Pasaload, to democratizing mobile Internet along with its massive 3G and 4G network expansion.

“We are embracing our role as a digital lifestyle enabler that keeps innovating to make the life our customers simpler. Now that the world becomes more and more complicated, we believe that what matters most in life are the simplest things,” Panlilio adds.

Country’s fastest mobile data network

Smart’s new campaign follows a string of awards from third-party mobile analytics firms that recognize Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network.

Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, cited Smart as The Philippines’ Speedtest Awards Winner for mobile network speed during Q1-Q4 2019. To win this award, Smart achieved a Speed Score™ of 17.40, with average speeds of 19.62 Mbps for download and 9.45 Mbps for upload.

On the other hand, Opensignal, an independent mobile analytics firm, reported in its April 2020 Mobile Network Experience Report* for the Philippines that Smart remained ahead of competition in terms of Video Experience, Upload and Download Speed Experience, Voice App Experience, Games Experience, and 4G Availability.

Giga Life for everyone

These citations are a result of the continuous network expansion and upgrade of Smart on its mobile data network, which now supports a wide range of Giga Promos catering to the different passions and needs of customers.

Smart offers Giga Video for subscribers who want to binge-watch the latest K-dramas, online shows and series, and Giga Stories for those who love sharing their experiences with friends and loved ones on social media.

Smart also offers Giga Games for avid mobile gamers, and Giga Music for those who want their daily dose of tunes and podcasts, and Giga Work for easy access to a wide range of productivity apps to make work and school life simpler and more convenient.

Smart customers can register to Giga promos by simply dialing *123#.

Know more about Smart’s promos and services by following Smart’s official accounts on Facebook at www.fb.com/SmartCommunications, Twitter and Instagram at @LiveSmart.

DSWD taps PayMaya for distribution of AICS assistance

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In continuation of the efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to improve its delivery of public service, the agency has partnered with e-wallet application, PayMaya, to provide cashless distribution of financial aid to clients of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Under the AICS program, qualified indigent, marginalized, poor, or disadvantaged individuals or families may avail of any medical, educational, burial, or transportation assistance as immediate aid or safety net to help them recover from any crisis situation.

Through the partnership, clients availing of AICS can easily encash their cash aid from any of the 30,000 Smart Padala branches nationwide through their PayMaya accounts. They may also use the funds in their accounts to pay for bills, groceries, or other daily essentials, purchase airtime load, or send money to other PayMaya users through the PayMaya app.

Last month, DSWD also tapped PayMaya as one of the featured payment methods in the ReliefAgad app. Beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) may choose to receive their cash aid through their respective PayMaya accounts.

The Department will continue to find innovative, safer, and convenient ways to improve its cash disbursement mechanisms to provide immediate assistance to Filipinos during the public health crisis. 

(DSWD)

Use PayMaya to get the best deals at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale

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As quarantine guidelines relax across the country, it is still important to continue practicing social distancing in order to curb the spread of the virus. Some physical stores may have started to resume operations but purchasing essentials online remains to be the safest and most convenient option for consumers. And when you pay online using your PayMaya account, your shopping experience is not only more safe and convenient, it is also more sulit! 

In line with this, PayMaya has teamed up with Lazada to provide you with the most affordable deals as you stock up on your daily essentials – from cleaning products to frozen goods and other useful household items you can use at home at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale from June 4 to 6. You can easily get up to PHP200 off* on top of the already discounted items at Lazada when you pay using your PayMaya virtual or physical card.

And to top it all off, you're not just getting much-needed essential goods at a good discount, you are also helping local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) bounce back from the economic crisis when you shop at Lazada during the Bounce Back Sale. Since most MSMEs have been heavily affected by the pandemic, patronizing their products ensures that they get back on the path to recovery in no time. 

To avail of this deal, simply redeem the PayMaya collectible discount voucher from the Lazada app starting June 3 to instantly get 10% off your purchase with a minimum spend of PHP1,200. After that, all that’s left to do is head to the checkout page and enter your PayMaya card details to pay for your purchase. Vouchers are valid from June 4 – 6, 2020 only. 

“We’re glad to work with Lazada in their initiative to support businesses and consumers in these trying times. As the country starts to recover from this pandemic, cashless payment options like PayMaya play a critical role in helping consumers and businesses bounce back from this crisis. For consumers, this means being able to pay for their essentials safely and conveniently. For merchants, this means being able to accepts payments, as businesses transition to online,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya Philippines. 

Going cashless for your online and in-store purchases provides the safest payment experience for you and the merchant you’re transacting with as this reduces contact brought about by cash handling. Apart from purchasing essential items online, you can also use PayMaya to settle your government and utility bills, send money to your loved ones, buy load and gaming pins, and so much more, at the safety of your home. To know more deals you can get with your PayMaya account, visit www.PayMaya.com/deals. Basta Lazada, don’t pay cash. PayMaya! 

If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, it’s easy to switch to a safe and hassle-free way of paying. Just download the PayMaya app for Android or iOS, create and register your own account, and start paying for anything both online and in stores! To make the most our of your PayMaya account, check out https://www.paymaya.com/quick-guide. 

Don’t forget to follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more news and updates! 

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cuts across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing the payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya is enabling national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services. 

Through its PayMaya app and wallet, it is providing millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner agents nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

*10% OFF, capped at PHP200. Minimum spend of PHP1,200 

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB 06398, Series of 2020. 

Grab These Amazing Products for Only ₱6 at the Shopee 6.6 Super Flash Sale! Insane deals are coming this June 6.

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MANILA, JUNE 3, 2020 --- Attention, Shopee fans! Shopee’s 6.6 Super Flash Sale is here with jewelry, bags, electronic gadgets, and home appliances for as low as ₱6. 

During the 6.6 sale, users can also expect up to 80% off on select items, flash deals every ten minutes, cashbacks and vouchers to be given away on D-Day. 

Here are six awesome buys you can check out on June 6: 

1. CK-140 Automatic Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

Make sure you and your loved ones’ blood pressure is stable during this time with this automatic blood pressure monitor. 

2. Popcorn Fast-Charging PowerBank

Keep your mobile phones and other electronic gadgets charged and ready-to-use with this fast-charging power bank. 

3. Catherine Anti-theft Leather Bag

Secure your belongings well with this anti-theft bag that’s made of leather. It comes in two colors: black and coffee brown. 

4. LS Jewelry 18K Gold-Plated Drop Earrings

Complete your look with these gold-plated earrings that come in six different colors. 

5. Seagate 1TB Backup Plus Slim New USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive

Back up all important data in a secure device. There are four colors available: silver, blue, red and gold. 

6. ACE SL-24" TV-3.5A Ultra Slim LED-220 Television

Sit back and relax with the whole family with this 24-inch, USB-ready TV. 

GCash-Makati partnership inspires Makatizen to pursue microbusiness

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As local governments implement initiatives to alleviate the financial situation of their constituents, GCash willingly lent a helping hand to serve as a distribution platform for cash assistance. Makati is the first city in Metro Manila to implement contactless financial assistance through GCash and the Makatizen Card. Under the Makatizen Economic Relief Program, now called the MAKA-tulong 5K for 500K+ Makatizens, the local government provides its individual qualified citizens with P5,000 in financial assistance.

“The P5K financial assistance we are giving to all Makatizens aims to help them alleviate the burden of paying their bills at this time when income for most is hard to come by. I was happy to hear stories on how Makatizens have put this help to good use by also investing in alternative sources of livelihood. I'm proud to say, maabilidad, masipag at maaasahan talaga ang mga Makatizens”, said Makati Mayor Abby Binay. 

One of those who were able to benefit from this partnership is Diana Oblino, a resident of Barangay Olympia. She and five other members of her household were able to receive P25,000 in cash, which they used to pay the pile of electricity and water bills which accumulated during the quarantine.

Not only that, they were also able to open a small sari-sari store to keep their money growing instead of spending it all in one go. 

“Because of the MAKA-tulong Program, we were able to build another source of income that would help us get through these trying times,” Oblino said. 

Oblino said the process of receiving was easy, because they only needed to wait until GCash sent them a notification saying that P5,000 was deposited to their e-wallets. 

“What a relief really, that in our ‘new normal’ – the time of social distancing and quarantine, Makati was able to lessen human-to-human contact and distribute cash through online platforms because of a project launched years ago,” she added.

The MAKA-tulong Program also helped Joeffrey Furo, who is among the first batch of beneficiaries, to use the financial aid as fresh capital for his e-loading business, small sari-sari store and computer repair shop. For Furo, the money came as a beacon of hope amid the crisis, since he was a person with disability (PWD) who had a wife and a child to support. His leg was amputated after he figured in a hit-and-run accident. 

Needless to say, the cash aid inspired many Makatizens to join the community of online food sellers. Rinalyn Binongo of Barangay West Rembo shared on Facebook how she used the money as added capital to expand her online food selling business. 

“We’re very happy to have inspired a significant number of Makatizens to pursue businesses to grow their money amid the pandemic. GCash hopes to extend this kind of assistance to other local governments to help lift the burden of Filipinos who have been greatly impacted by COVID-19, economic or otherwise,” said GCash Vice President for Enterprise Luigi Reyes. 

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. 

For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.