Boosting user growth and expanding partnerships keys to financial inclusion for Filipinos

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Boosting user growth and expanding businesses are the key strategies to achieving financial inclusion for Filipinos.

This was one of the significant points highlighted by GCash, the country’s no. 1 e-wallet, during the Digital Pilipinas 2021 launch, a forum that is part of the annual World Fintech Festival which brings together Southeast Asia's technology champions.

According to Winsley Bangit, GCash chief customer officer who was one of the speakers during the forum, while GCash has more than 44 million registered users to date, there is still a large opportunity to serve the general public and the underbanked. As such, GCash strives to continuously democratize financial services and innovate on game-changing products for credit, savings, investments, and insurance ensuring that these are accessible, affordable and easy to understand for everyone.

“We do acknowledge that the Philippine market is unique. So at GCash, we are pro-customer with a ruthless focus on the Filipino consumer as we are grounded on improving the everyday lives of Filipinos,” said Bangit. “For this reason, we work with global best practices, world class platforms and partners to serve our customer better.”

On the app, users can make use of GSave, an online savings bank; GInvest, an easy investment feature; GInsure for insurance for medical emergencies such as dengue, COVID-19, and accidents; GCredit, a personal credit line with up to P30,000 credit line and up to 3% prorated interest rate. As a superlife app, GCash also has GLife, the e-commerce feature on the GCash app that allows users to shop exclusive deals from 35 brands across retail, food, gaming, entertainment, and transport.

GCash has formed key partnerships with financial services institutions and with more than 600 billers nationwide to offer relevant and affordable products to customers. CIMB, Atram, and Singlife, for example, have helped GCash launch more affordable financial solutions.

GCash has also partnered with Ant Group Financial, which allowed the app to have access to global and best-in-class platforms and capabilities, enabling GCash to scale up rapidly, while ensuring user security.

Meanwhile, Globe Telecom, known for its nationwide reach in mobile and network, has helped GCash quickly expand its reach and provide exclusive promos to Globe subscribers while Ayala Corporation has opened opportunities for GCash to partner with companies across varying industries.

GCash remains focused on its efforts on nation-building and financial inclusion for all Filipinos and will continue to drive innovation by bringing to life its purpose of making Filipino lives better every day, focusing on its customers, and ensuring the development of its employees to deliver only the best for its users.

Bangit concluded, “Fintech in the Philippines is a very enticing space to be in right now especially with the increased demand for digital financial services. We’re at the forefront of innovation.”

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

Three Things You Didn’t Know You Can Do With ShopeePay

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Buy Load, pay bills, and scan to pay safely and securely with ShopeePay

Can’t go out? No problem! With ShopeePay, not only can you pay for your online shopping purchases, you can also buy load and pay your bills right in the comfort of your home. With more brands, sellers, and shoppers embracing digitalization, ShopeePay makes it easier and more convenient for Filipinos to embrace the cashless lifestyle and maximize the power of digital payment alternatives.

With a growing network of partners, ShopeePay lets you do more with just a few taps. In addition to safe and secure digital payments, ShopeePay also offers users coins cashback for bills payments, discounted mobile load & data, ₱1 deals from select establishments, and other promos. 

• Buy Load

With discounted load and data offers every day, stay connected with loved ones while staying on a budget. Enjoy 10% off on Globe, Smart, TM, TNT, and other networks when paying through ShopeePay. To buy load and data, simply click the “Load & Bills” icon and select network. Enter the details and choose the amount of load to purchase.

• Pay Bills

Settle bills anytime and anywhere while getting up to 25% cashback with ShopeePay. Pay billers such as Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, BPI Credit Cards, and more. For bill payments, go to the “Load and Bills” icon and tap the type of bill to pay. Select a biller and key in the necessary information before selecting ShopeePay as a mode of payment. You will receive a confirmation once payment is successful. 

• Grab Exclusive ShopeePay ₱1 Deals

Get ₱1 Deals for groceries, gas, food, and many more. Just visit Deals Near Me on the Shopee app and purchase deals for as low as P1. When you’re at the store, just scan the ShopeePay QR code and the discount will be automatically applied to your transaction. With a growing number of ShopeePay partner merchants like Puregold, Puremart, Seaoil, Potato Corner, and many others, it’s now possible to make safe and cashless transactions in establishments when purchasing daily essentials. 

Users can easily activate their ShopeePay wallet in one minute in the Shopee app and conveniently top-up their ShopeePay wallet through their debit card, online banking, or over-the-counter payment partners to get access to exclusive ShopeePay promotions. 

Learn how to pay for your bills from this helpful guide https://shopee.ph/m/bills-payment.

For more information about ShopeePay, and its perks and benefits, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. 

Enjoy the latest offers from DITO! Get 2GB FREE data when you avail of DITO's 25GB for 199 and 10GB for 99 promos

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Check out the growing list of covered cities by DITO Telecommunity

In continuation of DITO's 2M subscriber milestone celebration, DITO announced its exclusive offer to reward subscribers with an additional 2GB data once they avail of the 25GB High Speed Data and DITO 99 promos from August 12 to 18, 2021.

The additional 2GB data will be received by subscribers the next day after activation of the 25GB High Speed Data or DITO 99 promo. This special, value-for-money offer is available via the DITO App, MyDITO, DITO Experience Stores, and retail partners.

"Every success we celebrate at DITO is something we want to share with our subscribers. Their trust and support allow us to reach more Filipinos to provide stronger connectivity through reliable and affordable high-speed data services," said DITO Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Adel Tamano.

Aside from this exclusive reward, DITO also announced 7 new cities where its services will be commercially available:

• San Manuel, Tarlac

• Guiguinto, Bulacan

• Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija

• General Tinio, Nueva Ecija

• Licab, Nueva Ecija

• Cagayan De Oro, Misamis Oriental

• Claveria, Misamis Oriental

For any questions or additional information on coverage areas, point of sales, or phone compatibility, check out your DITO App, DITO's website (www.dito.ph) and @DITOphofficial social media pages.

Five Inspiring Local Sellers to Discover at Shopee Pili Pinoy

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Find products made with love from homegrown shops such as Abubot PH, Joy Marcelo RTW Clothing, Via Christi, Tazanna, and Tala by Kyla

It’s Buwan ng Wika, and what better way to showcase some Pinoy pride than supporting local businesses? This August, Shopee Pili Pinoy puts the spotlight on proudly homegrown enterprises and their lovingly crafted products.

Jhoanna Paula Tabije and Lemuel Tabije, Joy Marcelo-Ginto, Valentina Patriarca, MJ Sia, and Kyla Cañete’s stories and wares differ, but they all share one thing in common: passion, be it for their family, community, or fashion. Read on to learn more about their entrepreneurial journeys and how that makes these sellers’ products so special:

Abubot PH by Jhoanna Paula Tabije and Lemuel Tabije

In 2018, Paula lost her job due to cutbacks. To continue providing for their family, Paula and her husband Lemuel began selling on Shopee. Starting with just a 20 sqm room at home and a meager capital, the couple found success, thereafter becoming one of the leading women’s fashion sellers on the platform.

Paula and Lemuel take pride in providing work for their employees despite the pandemic. “‘Yung employees namin galing from all walks of life. We have students, we have teachers, we have professionals. Very thankful kami kasi in some way nakakatulong kami sa kanila, pati na rin sa suppliers namin, ‘yung mga local manufacturers in Taytay.”

Support Paula and Lemuel’s goal to provide for fellow Filipinos and patronize local manufacturers. Shop for trendy and affordable clothing at Abubot PH to find preppy pieces like this Colette Coordinate or comfy loungewear like these Jogger Pants.

 

Joy Marcelo RTW Clothing by Joy Marcelo-Ginto

Before finding success on Shopee, Joy was working a below minimum wage job with a child on the way. Once she gave birth, she told herself that life needed to change for the better. With a capital of just ₱1,500, Joy joined Shopee to sell ready-to-wear clothing and soon found success for her humble shop.

As a fashion lover, Joy recognizes the industry’s problem with inclusive sizing. “Ang hirap hanapin ng malaking sizes. Ang sizing dito sa Pilipinas talagang pang-slim.” This is why she wants to expand her line with even more sizes to cater to consumers.

Find a wide range of styles and clothing at accessible price points for all body types at Joy Marcelo RTW Clothing. Their Short Sleeve Top and Backless Halter Top are both perfect for plus-sized ladies.

Via Christi by Valentina Patriarca

Like many Filipinos, civil engineer Valentina had to find alternative sources of income when the pandemic struck. Since she is based in Rizal, an area known for textile manufacturing, Valentina decided to sell face masks. As her business began to grow, Valentina saw an opportunity to provide jobs for out-of-work seamstresses in her neighborhood. What started out as a venture for herself evolved into a source of livelihood for the entire community.

Valentina believes that businesses should not be solely driven by personal gains, but also by community empowerment. “Kailangan from the heart. Kailangan your intention is pure, na gusto mong makatulong. Ang gustong-gusto ko lang talaga magkatrabaho yung mga kababayan ko, kasi dito ako lumaki.”

Help out Valentina’s community by stocking up on loungewear basics such as Halter Tops, Dolphin Shorts, and more from Via Christi.

Tazanna by MJ Sia

 

As a shoe enthusiast, MJ believes that finding affordable and good-quality shoes shouldn’t have to be hard. This inspired the creation of Tazanna, her very own shoe store. It wasn’t easy in the beginning—she’d travel for hours to look for suppliers and manually deliver packages to couriers, all to sell just a couple of pairs. Now, however, her store is a well-known Shopee favorite for classy and durable everyday footwear.

As her brand’s name, which means princess, denotes, MJ’s goal was to make customers feel like royalty whenever they wore her products. “With the name Tazanna, I wanted a brand name that would link to something medyo girly. Our mission was really to provide the market with beautiful shoes na affordable pero okay pa rin yung quality.”

Get locally made chic and classy footwear that won’t break your budget at Tazanna. Show off your gams with Isla in Nude, or go for Dean Braided Flats if you want to forgo the heels. 

 

Tala by Kyla by Kyla Cañete

As a self-proclaimed maarte girl, Kyla has always loved jewelry. Her jewelry store Tala by Kyla started as a passion project during her summer break. When classes started, Kyla was doing everything herself: taking and packing orders, sending invoices, collecting payments, and shipping. Her Shopee store has grown exponentially since then, amassing a following of more than a million people in just one year.

Kyla wants her customers to feel like a star with her products. “Sabi ko, gusto ko when they wear my jewelry, feeling nila na nagshi-shine sila,” she shares. She offers a wide range of gorgeous pendants and rings to suit her customers’ varying tastes.

Check out Tala by Kyla for cute, affordable jewelry that’ll add a little sparkle to your look. Food lovers will adore this Pizza Pendant, while Disney fans will enjoy this Rapunzel-inspired Tiara Necklace.

Support Abubot PH, Joy Marcelo RTW Clothing, Via Christi, Tazanna, Tala by Kyla, and other local businesses this Buwan ng Wika by visiting Pili Pinoy on Shopee: https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pili-pinoy. You can also enjoy exclusive deals,  products under ₱99 and exciting vouchers.

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

Ben&Ben and Munimuni team up for the very first time on “Sugat”

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In a history-making turn of events, critically adored group Ben&Ben have finally teamed up with indie-folk outfit Munimuni on “Sugat,” a heartfelt ballad that offers moments of solace and healing in a time that badly needs it.

While both award-winning acts have released songs that explore the pain of loss and the path towards self-care and recovery, “Sugat” allows space for reflection. The song acknowledges the importance of looking back and learning from the past, while refusing to be defined by the choices and mistakes people make.

According to Ben&Ben, the intricately produced song is percussionist Toni Muñoz’s love letter to herself during a difficult period in her life, when her confidence is weighed down by self-doubt. “When Toni first presented the song as it was at the time to the band, Paolo immediately thought of a chorus section to address and accompany the message of the verses,” the nine-piece band reveals in a statement. “It was the deeply personal experiences of both Toni and Paolo that made Sugat such a powerful song of self-healing and overcoming past wounds.”

With “Sugat,” Ben&Ben and Munimuni let the arrangement breathe, simmer, and linger around the moment before arriving at transcendence. The song was produced by Jean Paul Verona and Keifer Cabugao and, whose vision for the song leans towards that big and deep atmospheric sound while balancing the sense of intimacy that the instrument and vocals bring. Cabugao explains that the song requires special attention to which the music elements would be more evident. “We wanted to include only the right instrument that the song was asking for and so when we got the ’yes’ from Munimuni, it only became clearer how we would move forward. Marrying the soul sounds of Ben&Ben and Munimuni can be described as almost effortless, meant-to-be, and long overdue.”

Munimuni’s flute texture, in particular, not only balances the musical motif with soothing calm, but also gives it a freeing, meditative touch. “When we thought of the flute, it was an instant light bulb moment for all of us to think of Munimuni,” Ben&Ben disclose in an interview. “Not only was the flute texture a perfect fit, Munimuni was the perfect collaborator for such a delicate song about healing, and we couldn't imagine how we could have pulled it off without them.”

The collaboration came to fruition sometime this year when Ben&Ben invited Munimuni over to their studio to record “Sugat.” As longtime fans of their music, Ben&Ben have always wanted to work with Munimuni, and somehow the opportunity presented itself when Munimuni announced a comeback from their hiatus a few months ago.

During the recording session, the acclaimed band behind the hits “Pagtingin,” “Leaves,” and “Lifetime” offered a fairly blank canvas in which Munimuni infused their brand of introspective musicality. This resulted into a sonic poetry that is in itself an admission of vulnerability. “The very first time Adj and Owen sang the chorus, it was so much better than we could have imagined, and we couldn't believe just how perfect of a fit their voices were to support and carry the message of the song,” the chart-topping group recalls. “As for the flute solo, Owen of Munimuni really poured his heart into it, with several takes all of which we were so blown away by, but he wanted nothing less than perfection. When it was finished and we heard the final take, we were floored by the sheer depth and emotion the flute solo had, and we consider it now to be an integral part of the song.

https://youtu.be/LprUESAcasw

Munimuni, likewise, returned the favor by saying that they’ve learned so much from Ben&Ben and their creative process in making songs. “We’re grateful that Ben&Ben gave us the freedom to experiment with sounds and convey the mood of the song on collaborative terms,” the alt-pop quartet shares. “We also connected with the song on an intimate level, despite it being written by someone outside of the band. Paolo and Toni’s lyrics are written beautifully that it touched us, and gave us a new perspective on love and healing.”

Ben&Ben and Munimuni’s “Sugat” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music. Check out the music video on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube page.