PayMaya expands its widest bills payment offering

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Filipinos can now settle payments at over 550 billers using the PayMaya app, the most number and widest range of billers offered by a Philippine e-wallet to date – enabling consumers with a safer, more convenient, and more rewarding way to pay.

From monthly utilities like water and electricity to insurance, loans, credit cards, schools, real estate, healthcare, and government services, PayMaya enables Filipinos to pay their bills from the safety of their homes. PayMaya's Pay Bills feature also enables consumers to easily donate to their chosen cause and organizations - allowing Filipinos to perform digital bayanihan with just a few taps on their smartphones.

PayMaya's extensive list of billers spans across the country - covering utility providers in provinces including Baguio, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bicol, Cebu, Cagayan De Oro, South Cotabato, Iligan, Zamboanga, and many more. With this, Filipinos even in the farthest reaches of the country are able to enjoy cashless convenience in their pay bills transactions.

On top of this, paying bills via PayMaya also allows consumers to add another layer of safety to their essential transactions – keeping it contactless and safe from the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

“In these challenging times, PayMaya has always made it its priority to ensure that Filipinos are able to complete their everyday transactions in the safest way possible through digital payments. As more consumers turn to our platform for their payment needs, we are proud to bring this widest list and range of active billers within their reach, and provide them with a safe, convenient, and rewarding payment experience,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya Philippines.

Contactless and cashless payments have become the preferred payment option of Filipinos for bills payment since the quarantine measures have been implemented last year. In 2020 alone, PayMaya’s transaction volume for bills payment more than tripled from the previous year.

PayMaya sees continuous strong growth for bills payment transactions as Filipinos seek safer, more convenient, and more rewarding ways to pay through its consumer e-wallet app.

To make it more rewarding, consumers who will use their PayMaya app this May to settle two bills worth at least P1,500 each will automatically get a P50 cashback. Meanwhile, those paying their bill via PayMaya for the first time will be rewarded with a P100 cashback for a minimum spend of P1,000. If they pay for a credit card, loan, or insurance bill for the first time, they will also get an additional P50 cashback voucher, for a total of P150 reward!

With PayMaya’s wide range of billers and exclusive rewards to boot, it is easy to see why PayMaya has become the preferred payment option when settling bills. 

To enjoy the safety and rewards offered by PayMaya, download the app today using this link: https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.

PayMaya provides more than 35 million Filipinos with access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 250,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of 39,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. 

To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ben&Ben paint breathtaking imagery of young love on new single “Upuan”

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It’s official: Ben&Ben have finally released “Upuan,” the first single off their upcoming sophomore album to be released under Sony Music.

Written in 2019, in Dumaguete upon arrival at the hotel after one of their shows, their new song takes a nostalgic look on young love, and as Ben&Ben describe it, “the palpable romantic tension that arises from friendships that are formed by sitting next to each other, and the adventurous conversations that ensue.”

Lyrically, “Upuan” draws breathtaking imagery that interprets gestures in such lifelike ways, capturing a play of details with romantic earnestness. The band points out, “we incorporated a more visual style in the song, painting a picture for the listener and transporting them to that familiar place, of falling in love with someone they just met, whether that is in a classroom, by the beach, at a restaurant.”

It helps that they’re painting a picture in the listener’s head with ethereal arrangements and soaring choruses that swirl beautifully against a backdrop of naturalist setting: samples of birds singing, the swoosh of the waves, and even the conversation of the trees. There is magic in the way Ben&Ben fuse all these elements together to create a cinematic landscape punctuated by poetry and inventiveness. It’s effortlessly picturesque, while employing a level of commitment to make the audience feel like they’re part of the experience, as if tapping into something personal and is of utmost importance to their being.

In a joint statement, the nine-piece collective said that the music of “Upuan” was conceived during a random jamming session with no prior agenda as to how it would sound. “But to our surprise, that first jamming brought about the soul of how Upuan sounds now. The earthy, ethereal soundscapes, and that sense of sonic adventure came from the fact that we just moved in together, and being in a new place surrounded with summer vibes and nature elements, helped shape our expression of our new song. We feel very blessed to be close to nature in this season and it’s almost like a tribute to their beauty that we included them in the song.”

Written and produced by Ben&Ben, co-produced/mixed by Jean Paul Verona, and mastered by Leon Zervos, “Upuan” was recorded in the band’s home studio. Verona and sound engineer Sam Marquez helped in the recording process, giving the song its final touches.

The acclaimed hitmakers are also currently working on their second album. “Since the production of this song, we're continuously working on all the other songs that will complete it. We're really pushing forward in terms of experimentation and diversity of sound in the songs.”

Ben&Ben’s “Upuan” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

No Cash? No Problem! Shopee Lets You Pay for Your COD Purchases via ShopeePay

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Get 20% cashback when you Scan to Pay using ShopeePay for your ‘cash-on delivery’’ transactions

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, now offers another safe and rewarding method to pay for your cash-on-delivery (COD) orders using ShopeePay’s Scan to Pay feature.

The pandemic has pushed a lot of Filipinos to opt for cashless transactions more than ever. The total transaction value of digital payments in the country expects to show an annual growth rate of 16.40% and amount to 28 billion US dollars by 2025. With more Filipinos maximizing the potential of mobile wallets, ShopeePay aims to make it easier and secure for people turning to digital payment methods. With ShopeePay, users can venture into new opportunities whether it’s for personal or business purposes.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As digital payments take on a greater significance in the lives of Filipinos, it is essential that we come up with initiatives that’ll make payments seamless, safer, and more worthwhile for our consumers. Through this additional payment method, we can help people adapt to the evolving digital space and make the transition to a cashless society a lot more convenient.”

By using Scan to Pay with Shopee Xpress, Shopee users can check the parcel first to see if the order is correct and in good condition before paying for it. In addition, payment is contactless - ensuring the safety of both the buyers and riders to reduce potential health risks.

To make users' experiences more rewarding, users who pay for their online purchases with ShopeePay through QR code scanning can get up to 20% cashback* until June 10.

Here’s a guide on how users can safely Scan to Pay for their COD purchases via ShopeePay:

• Choose Cash on Delivery (COD) as a mode of payment and Shopee Xpress as a shipping option when checking out an item.

• Inform the Shopee Xpress rider about the preference to pay COD via ShopeePay

• Click ShopeePay wallet and choose “Scan”

• Scan the QR code of the Shopee Xpress rider

• Input the needed transaction order amount and your ShopeePay PIN

• Enjoy 20% cashback once payment is complete

For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/m/cod-via-shopeepay.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

“LifeWear: Made for All” Quality Clothing for All People and All Situations

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Global apparel retailer UNIQLO launches “LifeWear: Made for All,” a multimedia campaign featuring personal, insightful interviews with tennis legend Roger Federer, renowned NYC artist Futura, UNIQLO Team Sweden’s table-tennis champ Anna-Carin Ahlquist, UNIQLO U Artistic Director Christophe Lemaire of the UNIQLO Paris R&D Center, the company’s social mission partners, and other voices from all over the globe.

LifeWear is the unique UNIQLO philosophy regarding clothes, rooted in the belief that rational and excellent design, plus the best in modern production techniques, creates perfect high-quality and affordable clothing that meets the needs of everyone’s daily lifestyles. This practical philosophy underscores how UNIQLO views the world, and LifeWear guides the company in everything it does - from creating thoughtful, life-improving clothing to its efforts around sustainability and community engagement.

“I support the company’s LifeWear philosophy. LifeWear’s mission goes beyond creating great quality clothing - it’s about improving the lives of all people, all around the world.”

            Roger Federer, UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador

Watch the short film and explore the interviews to hear individual stories and learn about what LifeWear means to UNIQLO employees and friends. Through their eyes, the company sees how LifeWear is relevant to everyone, everywhere, in everyday situations - from a spirited NYC street soccer game to the dedication of a volunteer Milanese Alpine rescue team. These and other inspiring stories show that LifeWear is a positive force helping people live better lives.

LifeWear: Made for All

Visit the special site at uniqlo.com/LifeWearStories and follow @uniqlo to experience 

the simple beauty of the LifeWear message.

Finance for all: GCash helps trike drivers and vendors to cope up with the pandemic

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Tricycle drivers and market vendors in Pasig City who have been searching for a safe and secure way to sustain their businesses while following safety protocols have found a reliable way to receive payments from their customers – GCash QR.

A safe and effective alternative to send/receive money without having to share one’s mobile number, GCash QR is a solution introduced by GCash as part of its partnership with AMTODA (Antipolo Market Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) and ASCLP TODA, and with vendors at the Pasig City Mega Market.

“At the heart of this program is financial inclusion. We envision to enable micro and small businesses with the digital finance platform so they can enjoy its benefits at a time when they need it most. Many of them are frontliners too. We should also focus on helping them by providing them with tools so they can continue growing their businesses and serving their customers during the pandemic,” says Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.   

According to Restituto Bayote, President of AMTODA, which has over 500 members, they have been encouraging members to use QR on Demand as a contactless way to safely and securely receive payment from their passengers. They have been working closely with GCash to orient drivers, especially the elderly ones, of its beneficial features. 

To this, Antipolo TODA driver Zalde Guiruela agrees. “Mas magandang paggamit ng GCash kasi kailangan nating umiwas sa pagkahawaan ngayong pandemya.Kaya mas komportable gumamit ng GCash para makaiwas tayo sa kumakalat na virus.”

Having a cashless payment option like GCash QR also helped Ronnie Fabian, a textile store owner at the Pasig City Mega Market, attract customers outside of the public market.  “Nakakatulong siya, lalo na for transactions outside of the public market. Pag may mga tumatawag sa ‘kin para magpadeliver, usually hindi kami tumatanggap ng COD. Dahil sa GCash, ita-transfer na lang nila sa GCash ko yung payment.”

Entrepreneurs like Coleen Lopez, who has an RTW stall and owns an online shop called Coleen’s Businezz, is a long-time GCash user who is looking forward to using the Digital QR feature because it’s a faster and more secure way to accept payment from customers.  “Hassle free ang app na yan. Minsan may customer ako na kinulang yung dala niyang cash. Pero merong laman yung GCash nya. Yun na lang pinang-bayad niya instead na mag-withdraw pa siya sa ATM.” 

“Since last year we have been pushing for cashless transactions among vendors and trike drivers to promote the health of all, para mawala yung physical transfer [ng virus]. It’s also a secure way to accept payment and to avoid circulation of counterfeit bills.  It’s about time our vendors and trike drivers adapt to this new business model, they need to enjoy the benefits of e-wallets and contactless payment,” added Pasig City Councilor Rhichie Gerard Brown. 

Having empowered by the GCash platform, these owners of small businesses and drivers of TODA can further enjoy the benefits of using the app with its financial services products such as savings, investment, insurance, and credit. Since most of these palengke vendors and TODA drivers are among the financially underserved, empowering them to do their business through the app just like any other big merchant will help them cope up during these trying times.

“Our partner MSMEs and drivers are at the very soul of our existence as a mobile wallet. More than being a lifestyle brand, GCash is committed towards working with every sector in the society in order to tailor digital financial solutions relevant to the situation they may be in. With our expanding effort to bring GCash QR to MSMEs, we bring financial services closer to those who have no traditional access to these products. Truly this is a manifestation of our vision of for finance for all”, Sazon added.

To date of writing, GCash has on-boarded over 1,200 TODA drivers and over 100 palengke vendors. The company envisions on-boarding more of these businesses to provide better financial services access to all sectors in the society. Currently, TODA drivers around Antipolo area accept GCash as a payment method. Paying through GCash in palengkes is currently available in Farmers market and Pasig Mega.