GCash in 2020 Catalyzing growth of the new digital economy

Tweet

2020 has been a year full of challenges, with the world still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 economically. In the Philippines, consumers have adjusted to the new normal by adopting, among others, fintech services to make their financial lifestyles more convenient and themselves safe against the pandemic.

Dedicated in its commitment in democratizing payments, GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, shares how Filipinos have embraced digital finance through a snapshot of its performance this year.

Over PHP 1 trillion in transactions have passed through the GCash app during 2020, peaking at a PHP 7.5 billion daily gross transaction value, and with more than 6 million transactions in a day. The mobile wallet company also grew its users to 33 million, a 65% growth versus last year.

GCash Forest, the mobile wallet’s multi-awarded, gamified solution in reducing the nation’s carbon footprint, has now over 6.7 million users actively collecting carbon points, which in turn can secure the users an actual tree to be planted in select forest sheds in the country. 

“GCash has played an integral role in keeping not only the economy going this year, but keeping Filipinos safe and sane during the pandemic. We’ve seen not only heads of households and young adults use the GCash app for their financial lifestyle, but even consumers that advocate a greener Philippines, in maximizing what our platform has to offer,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

GCash is also revolutionizing the way Filipinos handle their money. As of November 2020, 3 million GSave accounts have been opened, demonstrating how banking behavior is shifting from traditional physical branch visits, to simply transferring to a digital savings account. Lending is another example: Over PHP 8 billion have been extended to more than 900,000 Filipinos in need of funds through the app’s GCredit service, disrupting existing processes for loans in the country. 

As a force for good, GCash users have donated more than PHP 40 million in 2020 alone as relief to those who have been affected by COVID-19 and the typhoons near the end of the year through the mobile wallet’s CSR initiative GCash for Good. Gone are the days where donations are only done through banks, with donors scanning deposit slips as proof of transactions. Once again, behavior has shifted from traditional to digital. 

Shopping is another use case consumers have applied GCash to: this year alone, Filipinos spent over PHP 16 billion on popular online shopping sites such as Lazada and Shopee. Meanwhile, more than 600,000 merchants and social online sellers opened up shop during the pandemic with GCash as the primary mode of payment.

“Aside from regular financial transactions such as money transfer and bills payments, we’ve noticed shifting behaviors on how money and digital money is being used, namely on entertainment, savings, donations, and online shopping,” added Sazon, crediting the mobile wallet’s quick pivot on user needs to further expand financial inclusion in the country through digital transformation.

GCash is so pervasive in society that it’s becoming a verb: A Filipino on average mentions the word “GCash” on social media every second of every day in the country, not yet including other communication media such as personal conversations, texts, and emails. Memes have also popped up this holiday season, asking ninongs and ninangs to just send their aguinaldos using GCash.

The outlook of fintech indeed is bright in the country, especially now that the new normal is here. This year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced their 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. GCash fully supports this endeavor, and is confident that it will be able to accelerate meeting this goal, as 1 in 3 Filipinos already have a GCash account. 

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/.

 

Canva empowers home based entrepreneurs with its accessible suite of tools

Tweet

With the passion for helping more online entrepreneurs, Canva has launched Canva for Negosyo, the Filipino business owner’s partner in creativity and productivity for their digital footprint. It’s an online hub that offers a wide selection of resources useful for designing, marketing, and managing a small business online: from video tutorials on branding and graphic design to customizable marketing templates and toolkits.

Entrepreneurs who are looking to present their products and services to attract more customers can choose from among Canva’s many user-friendly templates and toolkits. Then, there are entrepreneurs, like Sandee Sevilla, who use Canva as their main business tool.

Sandee Sevilla, who use Canva as their main business tool.

Sandee, a stay-at-home mom, creates banners, visual content, marketing assets, and various other designs for her clients. “I had a client 3 years ago who needed a postcard. I did my research, saw Canva, tried it and fell in love with it.” She has been taking on her clients’ design needs ever since, averaging 30 clients a month. “I have taken on more than 600 projects already, with 14 regular clients who ask me for social media graphics, banners, etc.,” she says proudly.

Currently she earns up to 150,000 pesos monthly. Sandee has been able to provide employment opportunities as well. “I started as a one-woman team, but with the big demand, I then had to hire my first assistant.” Now, she has five team members who are mostly fellow Filipino stay-at-home moms.

With her home based business allowing her to earn as much as P20,000 to 30,000 a month back in 2016 to 2017, Sandee has been able to contribute significantly to their family income, “We have been able to move to a bigger home where my four kids now have rooms of their own. My husband and I have also transferred them from public school to private school.”

“For me, Canva is a time-saver because it is so easy to use. It allows me to compete internationally even though I am just a self-taught designer. It has opened so many doors for me. There are really a lot of opportunities through Canva,” Sevilla shares.

Maisie Littaua, Head of Growth for Canva Philippines says that Canva is happy to partner with “homepreneurs” in building their online businesses. “Canva is designed for ease of use, and with our toolkit, we offer a variety of choices which small businesses can harness for their growth. Madaling matutunan at gamitin ang Canva, at maraming business opportunities ang pwedeng pag-gamitan ng skills dito. With Canva, truly, your imagination is your limit.” 

Canva for Negosyo also hosts a series of webinars covering topics such as Intro to Canva and Designing 101, Branding for your Business & Social Media Mastery, and Designing Your Marketing Materials on Canva. A Canva for Negosyo Facebook community is also online, where members can network and share their own tips on how to expand their market. These and other business help tools are available on Canva.

If you are a small business owner, a local entrepreneur, visit https://www.canva.com/canva-for-negosyo/ to know more about Canva for Negosyo.

Series streams worldwide on January 13; Charlie Dizon takes on first horror role: NIGHTMARISH TALES OF MISFORTUNE IN iWANTTFC’S HORROR ANTHOLOGY SERIES “HORRORSCOPE”

Tweet

 

iWantTFC welcomes the New Year with its first original 2021 offering titled “Horrorscope,” an anthology series about how one’s astrological sign can bring misfortune and terror, which begins streaming worldwide on January 13.

 

Starring Charlie Dizon, Elisse Joson, Patrick Quiroz, Fino Herrera, Iyah Mina, and Paolo Gumabao, “Horroscope’s” Zodiac-based chapters are a follow-up to Jake Cuenca’s “Scorpio” episode in “Sitsit,” which is also available on iWantTFC.

In the “Virgo” episode of “Horrorscope,” MMFF 2020 Best Actress Charlie Dizon takes on her first horror role as Ronalyn, an idealistic rookie police officer who is forced by her superiors to join a group of corrupt “ninja cops” in exchange for a promotion.

 

To be accepted, Ronalyn needs to extract information from and then execute a suspected drug runner held captive by the group, who turns out to be her ex-boyfriend and first love Dado (Fino Herrera). Before her bosses find out about their real connection, Ronalyn then must choose between doing what’s right and saving her own life.

 

In the “Leo” episode, Iyah Mina plays the controlling fashion designer Leona, who is mourning the passing of her younger boyfriend Jonas (Paolo Gumabao). Her only wish is to be with him again, so she hires a necromancer to bring Jonas back from the dead.

 

But raising the dead has its own tragic consequences, and karma befalls the obsessed Leona as her dead boyfriend yearns for her to share his grave.

Patrick Quizon, meanwhile, plays the earnest sacristan Ponce in the “Libra” episode, where he helps a priest exorcise the devil from a mysterious lady named Clarissa (Elisse Joson). During the ritual, Clarissa becomes too strong and her womb swells to give birth to the prince of darkness.

 

As both of them become overpowered by Clarissa, the priest decides to kill her as a last resort. But Ponce is paralyzed by fear and his conscience, unable to decide whether to help the priest with his morbid solution or save Clarissa and her unborn child.

 

“Horrorscope” is created, produced, and directed by Ato Bautista, who also helmed the “Scorpio” episode in iWantTFC’s “Sitsit” movie series.

 

Standard and premium subscribers worldwide can watch the three episodes of “Horrorscope” on the iWantTFC app (iOs and Android) or on iwanttfc.com starting January 13. 

For updates, like www.facebook.com/iWantTFC, and follow @iwanttfc on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/iWantTFC.  For inquiries and concerns about the service, users can also send a message on iWant TFC’s Facebook page or e-mail support@iwanttfc.com.

Get and Refill Your Favorite NutriAsia Sauces and Condiments at the Reopened BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) Store in Quezon City!

Tweet

Great news! There’s now an eco-friendlier way to get your favorite NutriAsia sauces and condiments! NutriAsia has reopened their BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) store at the Quezon City Hall!

Relaunched to the public on 7 December 2020, the BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) store at the Quezon City Hall gives everyone a safe and sustainable way to purchase NutriAsia sauces and condiments. As the name suggests, you can bring your own bottle to refill with Datu Puti Soy Sauce, Datu Puti Vinegar, and Hapi Fiesta Vegetable Oil. The BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) store also has strict health protocols, so you don’t have to worry about risking your health!

Ordering a refill at the store is easy as 1-2-3.

1. Simply scan the QR code on the NutriAsia Facebook page or go to http://bit.ly/QCBYOB (BRING YOUR OWN BOTE)form to fill out the order and waiver forms. After completing the forms, you’ll get a confirmation e-mail which you’ll have to show at the store.

2. When you arrive at the store, you’ll turn your bottles over for checking and sterilizing.

3. Once you’ve refilled them, they will be weighed, and you will pay the required amount in cash.

If you don’t have empty bottles available, you can also purchase new ones at the store! For as low as P20, you can buy UV-sterilized 500ml bottles to store your refills. 

You can also purchase other well-loved NutriAsia sauces and condiments, like Locally, Jufran, Datu Puti Pinoy Originals, that are in eco-friendly packaging, such as cans, tetra-paks, and glass bottles.

  

Get your NutriAsia sauces and condiments now while saving money and helping out the environment! 

The Quezon City BYOB (Bring Your Own Bote) store is open Mondays to Fridays, 8AM to 5PM.

True Blends Tea and Coffee CEO Joyce Yu is Officially Announced as a Lark Business Mentee

Tweet

The Lark Your Way to Success webinar series officially comes to a close with the announcement of the businesses who were chosen as mentees for Lark's New Normal Business Council and Mentorship Program.

In an effort to provide support for Filipino entrepreneurs, Lark launched its New Normal Business Council and Mentorship Program with a webinar series called Lark Your Way to Success. The program aims to equip business owners with knowledge and know-how vital to success in the new work landscape. The webinar series, which took place throughout November and early December, featured talks by industry experts and key opinion leaders on how to adapt to the new ways of work, evolve for the future, and innovate with technology.

As the webinars have officially concluded, Lark announces the CEOs and businesses who have been selected as mentees for the New Normal Business Council and Mentorship Program. 

They are Joyce Yu, CEO of True Blends Tea & Coffee; and Mark Joseph David, CEO of Pal Maritime Corporation. Both mentees will be granted private coaching sessions with Lark's resource speakers, training sessions with the Lark team, as well as an additional 100GB Lark cloud storage for one year, and PHP300,000 worth of PR support.

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tIhlaDEIejBZSMn4El2m1gSjUpDULUkU/view?usp=sharing) 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19cePYZpYifcUVjn2QQRcuBCr0o4BWKVh/view?usp=sharing)

In order to qualify as mentees, the business' CEO should have attended all three tracks of the series. The company must also have been operating for at least one year, and should have at least 10 employees. The CEO's response to the question "Why should you and your company be the beneficiary of the mentorship program?" was also evaluated, as part of the shortlisting process.

Introducing business mentee Joyce Yu, CEO of True Blends Tea and Coffee

From its humble beginnings as a cozy cafe cart in the Ateneo de Manila High School cafeteria, Joyce Yu has grown True Blends Tea and Coffee into a multi-branch coffee shop, with stores in key cities across the country. True Blends is now a top of mind destination for those in search of honest-to-goodness tea and coffee concoctions and tasty snacks.

Joyce, who is a registered Medical Technologist, shares that she relied on her favorite Mocha Frap to keep her awake while reviewing for her board exams. When she decided to put up a business instead of pursuing medicine, it was this experience that inspired her to put up a coffee shop of her own. Using their wedding angpao as capital, she and her husband started True Blends in 2009 with just coffee on the menu.

2020 was pegged to be a year of aggressive expansion for True Blends, but their plans had to be put on hold when the pandemic hit. Instead of being discouraged, Joyce saw the need to adapt and find opportunities amidst this crisis. One thing she did to help build resiliency among her team, whom she credits as essential factors in her 11 years of business success, was to allow them to open up their own satellite branches of True Blends in their communities.

Moving forward into a new work normal, Joyce is excited to use Lark as an all-in-one solution for her business. Admittedly not very techie, Joyce is also looking forward to learning more about the app and its features. From what she has seen and heard about Lark so far, a feature that she appreciates is the cloud storage, which can conveniently hold all their franchise-related documents in one place. By onboarding all of True Blends' franchisees into the app, their virtual collaboration can improve as well.

At the awarding event for the selected mentees, Joyce shared this piece of advice with aspiring business owners. "Dream big and start small. Use your skills and resources. Plan, focus, start doing it, and most importantly, pray, ask for guidance all the time."

To fellow business leaders, Joyce shared this message. "This may be a very difficult time for all of us, but it is time to pivot, find more opportunities, not just to earn but also to help each other as a nation."

To learn more about Lark, visit www.larksuite.com.

Lark is available on Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. Click here to start using Lark today.