B. Braun Avitum brings Christmas smiles to Bahay Ni San Jose orphans

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B. Braun Avitum Philippines, the country’s leading renal care provider and dialysis center, fulfilled once again its pledge to bring holiday cheer to the orphaned children of the Bahay Ni San Jose Orphanage and its affiliates, the Bethany House Sto. Niňo Orphanage and the St. Joseph Home for Special Children.

 

Now on its 12th year, the annual B. Braun for Children campaign this time benefited a total 118 children in the care of the orphanage network administered by the Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph. The sisters’ wards have either been neglected, abandoned, or orphaned at a young age. Some have special needs.

 

The charity is run in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation Philippines, whose goal it is to help grant the wishes of children afflicted with a critical illness.

 

B. Braun raises its funds from the generous participation of its employees, who buy and adopt B. Braun Bears under the B. Braun Bears Program.

 

Apart from gifting hundreds of the specially-produced bears that carry the “B. Braun Cares” and the Make-A-Wish Foundation logo, the B. Braun volunteers brought care packages of food and canned goods, and also participated in some holiday activities, such as dance numbers, with the children.

 

“We would like to thank the B.Braun family, for your unceasing support to the needs of our children. Thank you for sharing your blessings with us especially during this time of COVID19 Pandemic.  A joyful thanksgiving for your benevolence and generosity.  Your visit made a great impact to the children especially your joyful presence,” said Sr. Ella Ann Bernardo, OP of Bahay Ni San Jose.

 

“You made their Christmas especial!  Thank you for extending not just material things but also love and care.  Though there were physical distancing and protocols it doesn’t hinder to celebrate the true essence Christmas. May the Lord reward you hundredfold. Thank you again for your thoughtful gifts to the staff and the Children of Bahay Ni San Jose. God bless you!”

 

In addition the Christmas campaign, part of the funds were allocated to the dialysis treatment of indigent patients treated at B. Braun Dialysis Centers in the Philippines. The subsidies could not have come at a better time, in light of financial difficulties many are facing due to the pandemic.

 

The charities fall under B. Braun Cares, the medical company’s umbrella CSR (corporate social responsibility) program.

 

“Just witnessing the smiles on the children’s faces as they received the B. Braun Bears for Christmas was a touching moment for us,” said B. Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. Managing Director Eduardo Rodriguez. “Bringing joy into their hearts is certainly one of the best ways to end an eventful year for B. Braun Avitum Philippines.”

LifeWear Magazine 2021 Spring/Summer Issue Available on March - “Find Your Healthy” is theme of latest issue

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February 23, 2021 Manila, Philippines - UNIQLO, the Japanese global apparel retailer, today announces the launch of the 2021 Spring/Summer issue of LifeWear magazine in March 2021. First published in August 2019, LifeWear magazine is a free magazine that conveys the UNIQLO LifeWear philosophy of making the everyday lives of people richer and more comfortable. The theme of Issue 04 is “Find Your Healthy” and reflects the belief that leading a healthy life is the first step to creating a brighter future. With that thought in mind, this latest issue is filled with hints for living your best life in the new season.

 

Main Contents of the 2021 Spring/Summer Issue

Find Your Healthy with UNIQLO 2021 Spring/Summer Collection

What sort of clothing will make people healthy in the new spring season? Fashion pages present 15 topics drawn from this season’s latest collection. Clothing with characteristic UNIQLO comfort and everyday usefulness, such as the Kando Jacket and items with UV protection functionality, offer comfort with preppy styles and stylings that radiate a classic mood.

Hello, Haruki Interview with Haruki Murakami

This interview comprises 26 questions posed to author Haruki Murakami, whose work has captivated readers in Japan and around the world. The interview was conducted at the studio that produces “Murakami RADIO,” the radio program that Murakami himself hosts, and covers topics including novels, music, and fashion. His answers to probing questions regarding the ideas for his novels, future plans, and other aspects of the creative process is essential reading for Murakami fans.

 

Build the Future Interview with Tadao Ando

Globally renowned architect Tadao Ando has long been involved with social activities in addition to his architectural work. In 2020, Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest that he funded was donated to the city of Osaka. This interview reveals his thoughts on that library and contributing to society.

 

Backstage at the Louvre

Last January 2021, UNIQLO concluded a partnership agreement with the Louvre Museum in Paris. This series of interviews with Louvre staff provide a behind-the-scenes look at this awe-inspiring palace of beauty. Discover the philosophy of the Louvre that can’t be seen by viewing its collections.

 

UNIQLO and Our Town

A new series from this issue presents cities around the world with which UNIQLO has a deep connection. This issue features a guide to Hamburg, Germany, where UNIQLO opened its first store in October 2020. This city, the hometown of fashion designer Jil Sander, is filled with charms to make you want to explore its streets.

Overview of LifeWear magazine 04

 

Magazine:                                     A4 modified size, 120 pages, bilingual Japanese and English, planned for distribution nationwide; digital version is also available online.

 

Main distribution locations:      UNIQLO stores nationwide

Special website:                           https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/en/contents/lifewear-magazine/

Introduction video:                      https://youtu.be/XZPUQRVwu7c

GCash launches QR on Demand, the newest way to transfer money

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GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, launches QR on Demand, a new money transfer feature that allows for more security and convenience for its users, letting them send and receive money using their own personal QR.

 

QR on Demand’s Send via QR lets its users scan or upload another customer’s QR code, so users are assured that they’re sending money to the correct person. This also eliminates the process of having to enter a mobile number manually, making the process of sending money faster, and avoids money incorrectly sent to wrong numbers.

 

Receive via QR on the other hand allows customers to generate their own personal QR code that can be scanned by other users or uploaded to the app to send money to. This is even more secure since it doesn’t divulge a customer’s GCash number publicly, and doesn’t expire so other users can use the same QR code to send money multiple times. Fully verified GCash users can also assign a peso value to the code itself so that a certain amount will be auto-generated every time the code is scanned, assuring customers of exact payments for every transaction.

 

Sending and receiving money via QR also protects users against the pandemic, a phenomenon that continues to impair both Filipino citizens and the Philippine economy even in 2021. Just last year, GCash enabled over half a million social sellers to continue doing business transactions online using GCash.

 

“GCash continues to innovate for better means of transferring money and better customer experience, while at the same time keeping Filipinos safer and more secure in this highly digital world,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash. 

 

“Aside from money transfers, the new QR on Demand feature can also be used by enterprising citizens in conducting informal businesses,” she added.

 

GCash has pioneered the use of QR codes for payments in the country. In 2017, it launched the GCash QR feature which allowed users to scan a merchant’s QR code and pay cashless. It worked by using the user’s smartphone camera to scan a GCash Partner Merchant’s QR code, and was deployed in major areas such as malls, and to even smaller vendor partners, such as sari-sari stores, fishball vendors, and sorbetes vendors. Learnings from this previous feature are translated and combined with its Send Money service, ensuring for a fast and seamless customer experience.

 

GCash is constantly pushing for the adoption of cashless payments as it supports 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.

 

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/

Allianz PNB Life Launches Allianz Shield to Protect Filipinos from the Unexpected

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The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most challenging and life-changing event for today’s generation. Some have lost their jobs, while others have lost their lives. Needless to say, this health crisis has underscored the need for people’s safety and protection from the unexpected.

To answer today’s growing need for better safeguards, Allianz PNB Life, one of the major life insurers in the Philippines championing sustainability has launched Allianz Shield, a regular pay, a unit-linked insurance plan that protects policyholders against unexpected situations, such as the diagnosis of a critical illness or accidental death and dismemberment. It covers at least 10 times the annual premiums depending on the insured’s age upon application, for as low as PHP 15,000 annually.

“The previous year showed that many Filipinos are vulnerable to health and financial crises. Not everyone has a backup plan in times of need. And unfortunately, many have been challenged economically because of the domino effect of COVID-19,” said Allianz PNB Life Chief Marketing Officer Gino Riola. “With Allianz Shield, we want to make sure the unexpected expenses are taken care of as well.”

According to Rio, Allianz Shield can help people build a well-rounded protection plan that gives them PHP 1 million coverage upon death, PHP 1 million coverage upon diagnosis of a critical illness and another PHP 1 million coverage for accidental death and dismemberment*. “This plan comes with an additional rider coverage that waives succeeding premiums until age 65 of the insured upon diagnosis of a critical illness or upon contracting total and permanent disability. It gives our clients the option to withdraw their investment funds, which are free of charge for up to four times in one year,” he said.

Allianz Shield also comes with a Loyalty Bonus, giving funds a boost every five years, as long as the policy remains in force and your premiums are paid regularly.

Additionally, Allianz Shield also offers a complimentary Life Event Benefit Rider, which credits back to the policyholder a part of the insurance charges you have paid, in the event of marriage, birth of a child, demise of a family member, involuntary loss of employment, divorce, or separation.

Interested applicants can contact a Life Changer, message the Allianz PNB Life Facebook page (facebook.com/allianzpnblifeofficial), or visit the Allianz PNB Website at www.allianzpnblife.ph.

 

*This example is for a female aged 30 years old with quarterly premiums of PHP 6,000, payable in 10 years.

About Allianz PNB Life

Allianz PNB Life began its operations in 2001 and is among the major life insurers in the Philippines. Worldwide, Allianz is also considered the most sustainable insurer from 2017 to 2019 according to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. We are a leading provider of Variable Life products, complemented by a full line of Life protection offerings for individuals and institutions. All our products and services are designed to meet the lifetime financial planning, wealth accumulation, and well-being aspirations of every Filipino Family.

Allianz PNB Life’s main headquarters is in Makati City, the country’s main business district, with eleven business centres strategically located in key cities across the archipelago. It has the support of over 220 employees and more than 1000 financial advisors to serve our dear policyholders and deliver great customer service experiences. For more information, visit allianzpnblife.ph or facebook.com/allianzpnblifeofficial.

 

Converge promotes a safer digital experience for children

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Committed to promoting safer internet, Converge seeks to rid the Philippines of online child sexual exploitation

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc. (PSE:CNVRG), the country’s fastest-growing high-speed fixed broadband provider, joins forces with millions around the globe to raise awareness for better and safer internet usage. With lockdown restrictions forcing the young and old alike to study and work remotely, extra precautionary measures must be extended to the online community. 

A study released by the Washington-based International Justice Mission reveals that the Philippines is the global hotspot for online child sexual exploitation, worsened by lockdown restrictions. Increased risk of harm through the spread of false information or malicious content that is especially dangerous for children puts Converge in the position to protect the younger generation by promoting the responsible, respectful, critical, and creative use of digital technologies. 

“People stuck at home during the pandemic continue to seek human connection through the online community. In light of Safer Internet Day, we would like to remind parents and guardians of children to take proactive steps in using the internet responsibly,” said Converge Founder and CEO Dennis Anthony H. Uy. “Converge will continue to implement safety and security measures such that explicit and malicious content will not continue to propagate online.”

Converge understands the urgency in creating a safe online environment for the younger generation such that the company has installed the required available technology, program, and software that is compliant with the National Telecommunications Commission guidelines. Providing a sense of security for its subscribers has pushed Converge to also provide quick access to online support while raising awareness through online channels with regard to safety measures that must be set in place by adults for their children. 

The firewall system installed by Converge is able to examine the data that flows into the network then verifies if it is safe to pass through to the business. This technology prevents unauthorized access to or from a private network, preventing the circulation of explicit or malicious content. In addition, Converge has a Secure Domain Name Solution that blocks at the domain level those websites carrying child pornography material. The tools used by Converge for Firewall and DNS Solution are from the most reputed companies in the industry.

Converge’s online channels provide positive content that includes needed information in informing the public to remain vigilant against false information or malicious content. Young internet users are given access to high-quality online experiences if they are more exposed to positive online content such as materials that enable individuals to learn and develop their analytical and creative skills. These experiences not only assist and empower them to become active and participatory citizens but also allows for the strengthening and broadening of awareness with regard to safety through positive content. Quick access to online support is offered by Converge to all its subscribers so they may all stay connected in a secured manner. Any report of inappropriate or illegal content and behavior online is taken seriously and immediately acted upon. 

“In delivering our promise to elevate the Filipino’s internet experience, security is our top priority as we seek to empower individuals to explore the digital experience with minimum risk,” said Converge Founder and CEO Dennis Anthony H. Uy. “Converge continues to invest in the right technology to ensure a better online environment for people of all age groups, but most especially for the younger generation. We believe that we are in the position to create an environment that encourages secured online services through self-regulation of content and services so that Filipinos may achieve success.”

Converge works closely with the National Telecommunications Commission in the fight to make the online environment a more secure place for all and encourages everyone to support the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Social Welfare and Development with their Child Online Safeguarding Policy.

To report any case of online sexual exploitation of children by calling 1343 for Metro Manila and 02-1343 for outside Metro Manila. You can also report cases online at www.1343actionline.ph. To report child pornography sites, you may text DSWD <space> blockchildporn <space> URL address and send to 2327. You may also text blockchildporn <space> URL and send to 0918 912 2813. 

Through transparency and cooperation, Converge believes that the internet can be an even safer place where everyone can be empowered to voice out and seek positive change. For more information, visit the Converge website at www.convergeict.com