SM Cares, Safeguard promote proper handwashing for #SafeHandsAtSM

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SM Cares and Safeguard team up for the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign to educate and encourage people to practice the five steps of proper handwashing – especially in this time of pandemic.

This partnership with Safeguard forms part of SM’s programs to ensure Safe Malling as all SM malls continue to carry out strict safety and sanitation measures to assure the community that the malls are safe, clean, and compliant with health and sanitation protocols over and above government regulations.

People usually wash our hands fast – but did you know that there are proper steps of handwashing.

A virtual media conference on the partnership of SM Cares and Safeguard to encourage the 5 Steps of Hand Washing in SM malls nationwide was helld this Tuesday, June 23, with theme, #SafeHandsAtSM Campaign.

Mr. Steven Tan, SM Supermalls President was at the zoom virtual media conference said :

“As part of our safe malling commitment, handwashing is our first line of defense against illnesses, and is also crucial during a global health crisis. We very excited to partner with Procter & Gamble’s Safeguard, the leading brand in health and personal care, to raise awareness on the importance of this matter.” 

To ensure that all areas of your hands are properly washed, simply follow these steps: 

(1) wash palms;  

(2) back of hand; 

3) in between fingers;  

(4) fingernails;  

(5) and thumbs, 

and keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Afterward, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly, since good handwashing is our most effective shield and protection from all kinds of viruses.

“Safeguard, being 54 years in the country, has become much of a household name. From our beige bar soap from long ago to our hand sanitizers and liquid hand soap now, we have always committed ourselves to serve the needs of the Filipino people, just like SM has. And in the same way, I believe that both have been ingrained so much in Filipino culture that it is only natural to do this partnership,” said Procter & Gamble Vice President for Skin & Personal Care Ms. Shweta Sharma.

As part of the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign, Safeguard has made its liquid hand soap available in restrooms of all SM malls across the country to help the community fight the spread disease-causing germs. Information materials on the five steps of handwashing are also deployed in restrooms and high-traffic areas in SM to remind customers while in the mall.

With this, Safeguard and #SMDaresYOU to take on the #SafeHandsAtSM Challenge on TikTok from June 23 to 30. Just take a full body video of you properly washing your hands and dancing to your favorite tunes, tag your squad and use the official hashtag #SafeHandsAtSM, and be one of the 10 lucky winners who’ll get exciting giveaways!

This partnership with Safeguard forms part of SM’s programs to ensure Safe Malling as all SM malls continue to carry out strict safety and sanitation measures to assure the community that the malls are safe, clean, and compliant with health and sanitation protocols over and above government regulations.

Through simple efforts like washing your hands, not only are you protecting yourself, but those around you. 

To know more about #SafeHandsAtSM, visit www.smsupermalls.com and https://www.safeguard.ph, or visit their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok.

GCash’s GCredit serves 550k customers, partners with CIMB Bank PH for stronger push for Finance for All

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GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, and the most-awarded digital bank strengthened its strategic partnership with CIMB Bank Philippines to further widen the reach of GCredit, a digital credit facility available for GCash users. 

-GCash through Fuse Lending, Inc. disburses P5B in loans; provides credit line to 550,000 customers

GCash and CIMB Bank Philippines aim to help more Filipinos gain access to critical financial tools and services like credit, which has proven to be critical during the current pandemic. With the partnership, CIMB Bank Philippines will provide full back up funding support for the GCredit product line and provide best-in-class digital credit services to GCash users.

“We are happy to announce that with the full support of CIMB Bank Philippines, we can scale up GCredit to reach more customers who are in need of micro loans. This helps accelerate our vision of providing finance for all, which we at GCash have been pushing for the last decade,” GCash President and Chief Executive Officer Martha Sazon said.

Since it was first introduced in March 2018, GCredit has so far empowered 550,000 customers with credit lines, disbursing roughly P5 billion to date. GCredit has also gained popularity during the pandemic, with users extending their budgets for their groceries and payment for their utility bills. For this strengthened partnership, GCash and CIMB Bank Philippines are already working through the necessary regulatory approvals.

GCredit works like a flexible loan or credit card so it gives GCash customers access to money that they can use to buy groceries from supermarkets, medicines from pharmacies, and even utility bills. Any GCash user with an eligible GScore, the first digital credit rating score in the country, is entitled to use GCredit. The higher the GScore, the higher the credit limit that a user can tap. A GCash user may have access to up to P10,000 in credit line with a low daily interest rate computed as current interest rate divided by the number of days on credit.

While it functions like a credit card, GCredit does not require users to submit extensive documentary requirements or queue up to apply for a revolving credit facility.

“We at CIMB Bank Philippines are happy to strengthen our strategic alliance with GCash, the number one mobile wallet in the country. We believe that through our partnership, we will be able to further reach more Filipinos to help them save, gain access to credit, and manage their finances with us” CIMB Bank Philippines Chief Executive Officer Vijay Manoharan said.

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. CIMB Bank Philippines is part of the CIMB Group, ASEAN’s leading universal bank and is present in over 16 global markets.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com (https://www.gcash.com/)/.

Malacañang declares June 24 a special non-working holiday in Manila

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MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang palace has declared Wednesday June 24, 2020 a special non-working day in Manila in connection with the capital’s 449th founding anniversary.

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The holiday declaration was signed on June 9 by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, a copy of which was released by the Palace on Monday evening.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the city of Manila be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures.”

This year’s celebration marks the first Araw ng Maynila commemoration under the leadership of Mayor Isko Moreno after winning against former President Joseph Estrada. Moreno served as Estrada’s vice mayor.

Bundled for free on select devices starting July 1 - Lenovo unveils 3-Year Premium Care service to mitigate warranty issues during pandemic

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To better support its loyal customers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, global technology leader Lenovo is adding another year to its popular 2-year Premium Care warranty solution for select devices in its consumer lineup from July 1 onwards. This means that all new IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion, and IdeaCentre devices are now automatically covered for three years with Premium Care’s International Coverage and Local On-site Service, while those with existing warranties may be upgraded to the same.

“At Lenovo, we are committed to putting our customers first, and this entails not only providing game-changing products but also extending them flexible and affordable technical support and solutions. The pandemic has disrupted day-to-day operations and pushed everyone to set up mobile working arrangements which leads to additional wear and tear to devices. Hopefully, with the added year of maintenance in our Premium Care service, our customers can spend their money on more essential goods in these trying times,” said Lenovo Philippines President and General Manager Michael Ngan.

Included among Lenovo’s robust solutions, Premium Care provides direct and easy connection to real Lenovo technicians, real fast resolution to PC troubles, and holistic comprehensive support even outside of the user’s home country. Aside from covering the usual store and manufacturer warranty, it possesses the following customer services:

·        24x7 access to Lenovo technicians via phone, chat, e-mail, and WhatsApp

·        Comprehensive support for hardware, peripherals, and software

·        On-site Repair on the next business day

·        ‘Getting started’ and ‘How to’ assistance

·        Annual PC Health Check

With all of these solutions combined, Lenovo customers are assured of a hassle- and worry-free maintenance experience even in the middle of the pandemic.

New Premium Care bundled for free

The 3-Year Premium Care service is bundled for free upon purchase of IdeaPad, Yoga, and Legion laptops and the IdeaCentre and Legion Tower gaming desktops with Intel Core i5 or i7 and AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processors. These are:

·        IdeaPad Slim 5	·        IdeaPad Gaming 3i
·        IdeaPad Slim 5i	·        Legion 5
·        IdeaPad Flex 5	·        Legion 5i
·        IdeaPad Flex 5i	·        Legion 5pi
·        Yoga Slim 7	·        Legion 7i
·        Yoga Slim 7i	·        Legion Tower 5i
·        Yoga C940	·        IdeaCentre 3
·        IdeaPad Gaming 3	·        IdeaCentre Gaming 5i
·        IdeaCentre AiO 3

Existing warranty extension available

Meanwhile, users who want to extend their existing warranty for other Lenovo devices need to go directly to their nearest Lenovo or Legion Concept Store or any Lenovo authorized reseller and provide information including the model name of the device, its serial number, and the customer’s name and email address for the registration of the new warranty.

The extension from 2-Year Premium Care to 3-Year Premium Care costs PHP 5,300. Users are allowed to extend their Premium Care warranty up until six months before the expiration of their outstanding device warranty. Meanwhile, those with devices currently under Lenovo’s 2-Year Carry-In Warranty can upgrade to the 3-Year Premium Care Warranty solution for PHP 9,100.

For more information about Lenovo’s Premium Care warranty solution and tips on how to maintain your devices, contact Lenovo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lenovophilippines/ or via WhatsApp at +63 23953354. 

You can also visit https://www.lenovo.com/ph/en/premium-care.

Stranded OFWs and locals get help from PLDT Smart Foundation

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Haira Aba, 29 years old, is the breadwinner of her family in Datu Paglas in Maguindanao. She applied for a job as a domestic helper in Qatar and travelled to Manila. But the COVID-19 pandemic came, overseas travel came to a halt, and as a result, she has been stuck in Manila for the past four months.

54-year old Dennis Sebastian is a mechanical operator and harvester in Tuguegarao – a job he has been doing for six years now. He usually travels back to his hometown in Compra, Liloy in Zamboanga Del Norte three times a year. This year, he was scheduled to return home last April 6. But due to the pandemic, his flight was rescheduled to June 5 – and then was again cancelled.

Aba and Sebastian are two of the 350 returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSI's) at the Villamor Elementary School in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City. They received meals and other assistance from the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) through employee-led fundraising initiatives such as the Fairness, Integrity, Transparency and Accountability (F.I.T.A.) Video Challenge and Kapit Kapatid Program.

The PSF also partnered with the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region.

“Our hearts are with our brothers and sisters who are struggling to be reunited with their families. We understand how important being with family is in order to cope better during this difficult time. We hope that our simple gesture brought them some joy, especially during these trying times,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos.

'The Internet saved me'

According to Aba, her situation is difficult since she is far away from her family. She said that what brought comfort during this difficult time was the help they have received from various organizations and individuals.

“Kailangan kong magtiis. Nakikipagkuwentuhan na lang ako sa mga kasama ko dito para hindi ma-bored. Malaking tulong din ang cellphone at Internet dahil na rin may YouTube,” Aba said.

(I need to endure this. I just talk to some of the people that are also stranded here so that I won’t get bored. Having my cellphone with me and having Internet also helps a lot because there’s Youtube.) 

Finding all means to survive

Unable to fly home, Sebastian stayed for several weeks at a footbridge near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Last June 11, he was transferred to the Villamor Elementary School. In order to buy food, Sebastian said he had sold some of his personal belongings. This included his cellphone, which he sold for P300, a luggage for P500 and his shoes for P200.

According to Sebastian he lived like a nomad for weeks. “Palipat-lipat ako ng puwesto kapag sobrang init at umuulan. Sana hindi na maulit ito kasi apat na buwan na akong hindi nakakauwi. Wala na akong communication [sa aking pamilya]. Pero bago ko ibinenta ang cellphone ko, natawagan ko na sila at sinabi kong h’wag mag-alala,” Sebastian said.

(I keep changing positions and places where to stay, especially when it is extremely hot or when it rains. I hope this never happens again because it’s been four months that I haven’t been home. I don’t have any communication with my family. But before I sold my cellphone, I was able to call them and tell them not to worry.)

On June 25, Sebastian is scheduled to finally come home.

To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit http://beta.pldt.com/covid19/.