B. Braun Avitum set to start Make-A-Wish Christmas campaign

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Leading renal care provider and dialysis center, B. Braun Avitum, announced the resumption of its annual Christmas campaign, this time in partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines.

Founded in 1980 in the U.S., the Make-A-Wish Foundation helps fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses. It was established in the Philippines in January 2000.

During the holiday season, B. Braun employees reach into the kindness of their hearts and “adopt” (i.e., buy) a customized B. Braun Bear. This program contributes to the Foundation’s cause of granting a wish for children currently afflicted with a critical illness. 

Medical research and doctors agree that a wish can help improve a child’s quality of life and serve as a catalyst to better health: when a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope.

On top of contributing to the cause of Make-A-Wish Foundation, B. Braun Avitum will be granting the wishes of its own dialysis patients. Part of the proceeds offset the cost of dialysis treatments, typically scheduled 2 to 3 times a week, for patients financially burdened by a crucial procedure.

For an additional cost, an employee also has the option to sponsor a bear for a child at the Bahay ni San Jose Orphanage, an annual beneficiary of B. Braun’s charity work.

A non-government group run by the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph, the orphanage is the first and only Catholic institution involved in the care of special children with multi-disabilities.

“Sponsoring a bear puts a smile on a kid’s face,” said B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. Managing Director Eduardo Rodriguez. “Our plan is to send out a bear for all 116 children at the Bahay ni San Jose Orphanage this Christmas, together with a personal note bearing the sponsor’s name.”

For 20 years, Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines has granted a total 3,575 wishes – with 110 from this year – on its own, as well as together with a number of philanthropic corporate partnerships, including B. Braun.

B. Braun runs its Make-A-Wish campaign under B. Braun Cares, the medical company’s umbrella CSR (corporate social responsibility) program, which includes, most especially, charities that help out young B. Braun dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The B. Braun Cares program also supports its Global CSR program, B. Braun for Children.

Hope for a better tomorrow appears to be a recurring theme in most B. Braun charities. A touching video on its Make-A-Wish program sums it up best, “My favorite wish is the next one. And the one after that, and the next 10, and the next 100, because as with life, a wish has less to do with what has been and more to do with what’s coming up.”

At the moment, B. Braun’s Make-A-Wish program is open only to employees. This will, in the future be open to the general public.

For more information, visit the Make-A-Wish website at https://makeawish.org.ph/.

HOPELINE 24/7 mental health support now in HealthNow app

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As mental health issues rise due to isolation, fear, and worries that accompany the current pandemic, it becomes necessary to make it easier for the public to access mental health support services whenever and wherever they need them.

Thus, HOPELINE, the 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support desk of New Good Feelings (NGF) Mindstrong, partnered with telehealth service integrator HealthNow to give the public more ways to reach the hotline. HOPELINE can be found under HealthNow app’s Urgent Help button in the welcome page. Globe and TM subscribers will be able to call the hotline toll-free. 

HealthNow is a joint undertaking of 917Ventures, a corporate incubator wholly-owned by Globe, and AC Health, the healthcare arm of Ayala Corporation. It is a mobile application that helps patients to conveniently consult with a doctor, buy medicine for delivery, and schedule clinic appointments without leaving their homes. The app may be downloaded from Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS.

Beia Latay, CEO of HealthNow, said: “Our partnership with HOPELINE is an important step to allow more people access to mental and emotional support services, even if this means simply having someone to talk to when they need it the most. We knew that we wanted to collaborate with a reputable group like NGF, whose mission is aligned with ours as we strive to accompany Filipinos in their healthcare journey during these complicated times.”

In its pursuit to provide a platform for a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, toll-free HOPELINE 2919 was created in 2012, with Globe providing the necessary technology for it. Since then, the hotline has received over 14,000 calls mostly related to issues of depression, suicidal thoughts, and relationship problems.

The psychological impact of COVID-19 on Filipinos these past months has been devastating. In a study conducted by Tee et al last August, it showed that “anxieties and stress caused by social distancing practices and the economic recession have led to a rise in mental health issues, worsening of health conditions and has even led more the more vulnerable to commit suicide.”

The integration of HOPELINE in HealthNow is part of the Globe Group’s efforts to support mental health awareness in the Philippines. Aside from conducting mental health webinars, Globe has also partnered with UP Diliman Psychosocial Services (UPD PsycServ) for free counseling or psychotherapy services. It also launched Hope Bank, an online support community particularly for front liners and patients suffering from COVID-19 and other illnesses. Globe is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as UNSDG No. 3 which ensures healthy lives and promotes well-being for all of all ages.

For more information about HealthNow, visit https://healthnow.ph/

Reinvent your world with Globe & BLACKPINK!

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In line with Globe’s mission to bring world-class connectivity and entertainment into its customers’ homes, the telco has launched its newest campaign with global K-Pop group, BLACKPINK

Following its announcement in early December, the partnership with BLACKPINK will allow the telco to reach out to more customers and to the popular group's millions of fans in the country. 

Globe and BLACKPINK’s partnership sends a strong message of reinvention - transforming oneself through powerful self-expression aided by digital technology with an attitude for resilience amidst modern-day challenges. 

Side by side with its customers in this reinvention journey, Globe provides world-class partnerships, a consistent and dependable network that gets better every day, and the most advanced technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and 5G that will bring products and services to life. 

“We believe that Filipinos have the power to reinvent themselves in this new digital world. With Globe as their life partner, we will open up a world of greater possibilities, we've never done before. BLACKPINK embodies the meaning of taking control and reinventing to achieve one’s dreams. We want to inspire our customers to be in control so they can do more and be more, especially with all the new technologies we have today,” says Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe’s Deputy Chief Commercial Officer. 

As part of the reinvention campaign, a new TVC was launched with a full-blown digital take over and pre-show, all streamed on Globe’s social media and online platforms. Watch Globe’s sizzling new TVC here! 

For more information, visit our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Ring in the New Year in Dubai

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Dubai has implemented safety measures at every touch point since its successful reopening in July, to ensure the health and safety of citizens, residents, and tourists. Escape to exquisite experiences and create new memories in Dubai and celebrate the New Year with a big bang from a range of dining experiences, special shopping offers, music and entertainment. The city truly has something for everyone.

Dining Experiences: 

Indulge in a culinary journey and travel across the globe through the gastronomic culture in Dubai. Enjoy authentic Thai flavors at Pai Thai in Jumeirah Al Qasr, one of the most beautiful floating restaurants in Dubai. Be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of the City's skyline as you feast on Mediterranean staples at the rooftop restaurant Paros at Jumeirah Lake towers. If you fancy modern American cuisine, then Chicago Meatpackers at The Pointe in Palm Jumeirah is the place to be.

For a taste of traditional Lebanese cuisine, complete with performances from a live Arabic band, head on over to Al Nafoorah at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. For a scenic view of the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, head on over to Hillside Brasserie or The Duck Hook, both at Dubai Hills Golf Club, and satisfy the meat lover in you with a great selection of meat dishes on New Year's Eve.

Wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and practicing hand hygiene are mandatory in public. While dining, masks can be removed and children below the age of six who struggle wearing a mask are exempted.

Shopping in Dubai: 

If shopping is on the agenda, Dubai is the city for you. The Dubai Shopping Festival commenced on December 17, 2020 and will run until January 20, 2021, offering concerts, cash prizes, and great retail deals across all malls such as The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates. If bargaining is more your forte, head to the souks and discover an array of gems at the Textile, Gold and Spice souk. Additionally, Global Village, which is part theme park and market has over 20 pavilions, offering traditional handicrafts from across the globe.

Music and Entertainment:

Do you want to sing your heart out or do you prefer dancing all night long? There are plenty of places to jam the night away! Atlantis, The Palm brings the legendary rock band KISS to perform live in Dubai. Enjoy a high-octane DJ set at Dubai Opera, or if you like being by the water, visit a laidback setting at QD’s at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, overlooking the Dubai Creek water and city skyline or the Barasti Lockdown Breakout.

Gearing up for the New Year won’t be complete without a spectacular firework display in Dubai. Expect a colorful and cheerful display from the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and the Palm fireworks. For a great vantage point to the pyrotechnics, pitch camp at Kite Beach or visit Souk Al Bahar and the Dubai Mall, to name a few, or tune in to a livestream of the Burj Khalifa celebration.

How to get there: 

Emirates operates 18 weekly flights to Dubai from 3 points in the Philippines including Manila, Cebu, and Clark, connecting Filipino travelers to Emirates' global hub and to the rest of the world. Passengers across all classes can enjoy the airline's world-renowned on-board offers and service, including its regionally inspired dishes and award-winning in-fight entertainment.

Emirates is the first airline to provide passengers multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover. This cover is offered by Emirates on all tickets purchased on or from 1 December 2020, at no cost to customers. In addition to COVID-19 medical cover, this latest offer from Emirates also has provisions for personal accidents during travel, winter sports cover, loss of personal belongings, and trip disruptions due to unexpected air space closure, travel recommendations or advisories, similar to other multi-risk travel insurance products. For more details on the policy visit here.

 

GCash drives PH digital transformation, hits over PHP 1 Trillion Transactions in 2020

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GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, exceeded its 2020 business targets, one of which is hitting its PHP 1 trillion transaction commitment earlier this year -- an impressive 254% YoY growth -- while it continues to empower millions of Filipinos with digital financial tools and services that helped them adapt into the new normal. 

The service peaked at PHP 7.5 billion daily gross transaction value, and more than 6 million transactions a day. Meanwhile, its customer base ballooned to more than 33 million -- a third of the Philippines’ national population -- coming from 20 million in 2019.

“The remarkable growth GCash experienced this year shows that Filipinos have embraced financial technology. People have realized that fintech isn't just an option but a necessity, allowing them to fulfill their financial lifestyle conveniently,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

Sazon credits the exponential growth of the mobile wallet firm thanks to people’s readiness to shift to cashless, consumers finding fintech a necessity during the pandemic, and by providing consumers a great journey within the GCash ecosystem, making financial services as easy as messaging. The growth is driven by an unprecedented surge in usage in GCash to GCash money transfers, bank transfers, online and offline cash-in services, and bills payments, all of which have become necessities during the pandemic.

According to data from App Annie, a third-party global app ranking firm, GCash has been definitively the number one mobile wallet in the country for eleven consecutive months this year: It widened the gap further in active users, leading more than double than the next banking app, and almost three times the size of the next mobile wallet. Their data also showed that the GCash app also overtook popular streaming and social services such as Netflix, Twitter, Grab, and TikTok. This reflects the Filipinos’ growing reliance on digital finance to manage their personal finances and to carry on with their daily lives while also staying safe with contactless transactions provided by fintech apps like GCash.

“We observed that Filipinos rapidly adopted GCash while they adjusted to the stay-at-home lifestyle, and have meaningfully impacted their lives. Thanks to GCash's pivot to fulfill the needs of its customers during the new normal, our growth reached remarkable heights in a span of a few months,” added Sazon.

Part of the strategies driving the mobile wallet’s PHP 1 trillion transaction value growth further are its participation in popular culture and traditions, such as the global 12.12 online sales, and even replacing physical red envelopes -- ang paos -- with its very own digital version, prompting Filipinos to send money to their loved ones during the holiday season using the GCash app.

GCash is also leading the financial service sector, by inducing more than 3 million Filipinos to open their own savings accounts through GSave as of November 2020, and have extended over PHP 8 billion in much-needed credit through GCredit. The growth in these services demonstrate the positive disruption being provided by financial technology in the country, offering vast convenience to its customers.

“While we experienced unprecedented growth in GCash this year, our ultimate objective is to democratize finance to all Filipinos and further enable their financial lifestyles. We are positive that fintech services such as GCash will play a key role in the ongoing payment revolution in the Philippines in the coming years,” Sazon said.

GCash's performance in 2020 accelerates the fulfillment of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Digital Transformation Roadmap, where the agency aims to shift at least 50 percent of retail payment transactions to digital and to have at least 70 percent of Filipinos have their own e-wallet by 2023.

Earlier this year, GCash hit a record PHP 100 billion transaction value during the first seven months of 2020, and has disbursed over PHP 16 billion SAP disbursements to 2 million Filipinos nationwide.

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/.