Smile API’s secure employee-owned data fast-tracks applications for financial services

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Businesses, workers, and banks connect for wider financial inclusion

Applying for a loan or financing, whether it’s for a car, a business, a house, etc. is a tedious, time-consuming process that requires the heavy involvement of the applicant, their employer, and the concerned financial institution or vendor. Smile API is a digital platform that fast tracks that process by facilitating application approval (or rejection) within just a few seconds. As a result, it delivers significant value to workers who need to secure financial and/or related services; employers who can recover operational time lost to the cumbersome paper trail; and banks and financial institutions that can experience fast, secure transactions in the many moribund application procedures.

During the recent company launch, Smile API CEO Jerome Eger explains the all-too-common situation that bogs down businesses: “We did a survey and found that on the average, for every 100 employees in any given company, there are three to five requests for certificates of employment per week. A person in HR handles this, and it takes company time that can be better used for other business matters. While they need to do this, this process has no value for the employers.”

Smile API CEO Jerome Eger at the Philipine launch of Smile API; "Smile API empowers people to have their own data, and to use that data for their own good."

Eger adds, “What we offer becomes not just a win but a win-win-win solution for businesses, their employees, and mostly for third-party providers like banks, financial institutions, and other vendors whose services are made more accessible to potential customers.”

Individuals register first through the Smile-API-using companies they regularly deal or interact with. They agree to transmit their encrypted employment data which then passes from their employer through Smile API to the bank or vendor in seconds, when they apply for loans, financing, deferred payment terms, employment, or financial services.

It is important to note that this is a one-time transaction. Smile API gets the encrypted data from the employer, and passes it on to the institution or the vendor. It does not hold on to the data afterwards. This process happens in seconds, and the applicant, their employer, and the related banks are spared the loss of unnecessary manhours and effort, as well as the stress that comes with waiting for (or working towards) the approval which may or may not be given.

Smile API’s platform was conceived from a simple, yet important truth that affects virtually everyone, especially the workforce, without their knowing it. People can never fully control their personal and employee data. Their employment data---the most relevant to financial institutions, vendors, or even potential new employers---will always need to be obtained from and verified by third parties through documentation, like certificates of employment, payslips, proofs of billing, bank statements, credit card statements, or even academic transcripts of records.

To escape this cycle of inefficiency, Eger asserts that the individual must realize that “having access to data is a basic right. Your data is very important, as data is the oil of the 21st century. The difference is: then few people had oil, now, everyone has data.” In contrast, he adds, “Smile API empowers people to have their own data, and to use that data for their own good.”

Eger likens Smile API to infrastructure that connects, using technology: "We provide bridges that allow data to move quickly between employer to bank or vendor, but the user has complete control of whether or not they cross the bridge. The customer has to grant explicit consent for each transaction, and decides what data is shared with whom and at what time."

Still relatively new, Smile API aims to provide a service unlike any in the country. Just recently, they received funding from two established fintech investors: Credit Ease, a diversified conglomerate with a global footprint; and Plug and Play Singapore, a global venture capital firm with a strong regional presence.

Top row, from left: Smile API CEO Jerome Eger; Senior Ventures Analyst at Plug and Play Singapore Ziheng Li; Middle row, from left: MoveForward Inc. CEO Johanne Lim; Event host and media personality Mimi Ong; Bottom row: Head of Strategic Investment and M&A from Credit Ease, Kevin Aok.

Kevin Aok, Head of Strategic Investment and M&A from Credit Ease, explains why Smile API is eyeing the Philippines first: "We are looking for markets with a higher potential growth rate. Many Filipinos have stable income and the Philippines is largely English-speaking."

Ziheng Li, Senior Ventures Analyst at Plug and Play Singapore, shares why Smile API is the right API for the region at this time: "Unlike other global markets such as the US and China, where employer data APIs are common, there is no API or service similar to Smile API in the region."

As early as now, Smile API is already forming alliances in the Philippines with like-minded innovators. One such partner is Johanne Lim, the CEO of MoveForward Inc. (MFI)., an online buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) provider for the unbanked in the country.

Lim elaborates on what Smile API’s revolutionary technology has done for the industry: "With the Philippines becoming more of a gig and freelancer economy, the problem is that we have no centralized system in the country that provides reliable employment information. With Smile API, we are keen to gain an understanding of our new market."

Eger says, “Smile API is all about empowerment and financial inclusion, especially for those who have to suffer through seemingly endless red tape. Our solutions relieve you of the stress of application and enable you to achieve your goals, personal and professional.” he adds. "We are very excited to see how innovative companies in fintech and even beyond, build on the infrastructure we are developing at Smile API in the future."

ShopeePay Partners with GHL to Drive Digital Payments Ahead

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ShopeePay and GHL extend their services for contactless payments that are safer and more convenient

ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, partners with GHL Systems Berhad, to expand digital payment acceptance in the Philippines, bringing cashless payment solutions for businesses and consumers to over 83,000 merchant points nationwide.

GHL, ASEAN’s leading payment solutions provider, with a vast footprint of 383,600 payment touchpoints across the region, teams up with ShopeePay to drive digital payments in the Philippines as more Filipinos continue to shift towards safer and more convenient options. ShopeePay users can now pay at establishments such as Phoenix Petroleum, Family Mart, Three Sixty Pharmacy, Prince Retail, and more chains nationwide.

The future of digital financial services in Southeast Asia sees great potential. The region’s gross transaction value will experience a 15% increase, expecting to reach U$1.2 trillion dollars from digital financial services by 2025. With more Filipinos embracing cashless payment methods, the total transaction value for digital payments is expected to have an annual growth rate of 14.67% in the next four years. With this, ShopeePay continues to expand its roster of partner merchants to serve more individuals anytime and anywhere.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of ShopeePay Online Philippines, said, “As more consumers adopt digital and contactless payments, it’s essential for ShopeePay to provide easier ways for our consumers to transact online. With our partnership with GHL, we can scale up our network of partners and offer our customers access to a wider variety of partner merchants. We will continue to collaborate with other organizations to support Filipino consumers embracing digital payments.”

The collaboration between ShopeePay and GHL aims to encourage Filipinos to embrace digital payments. ShopeePay will work with new partners to boost both financial and digital inclusion throughout the country, and will push for initiatives that will support the easier adoption of finance digitalization.

Rey Maria R. Chumacera, Chief Executive Officer at GHL Systems Philippines, said, “Adding ShopeePay to our range of digital payment acceptance is definitely the way forward to allowing our merchants to reach a larger consumer base. With ShopeePay’s expansive reach, we can continue growing together, reaching immense scalability in time. At the end of the day, consumers are the clear winners from an enhanced payment experience.”

Users can activate and cash-in their ShopeePay wallets through online banking, debit card, and over-the-counter partners to enjoy a safe and rewarding cashless experience. For more information about ShopeePay and its perks and benefits, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay.

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

BINI and BGYO go all-out in joint concert on November 6, 7

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After launching their chart-topping debut albums “Born to Win” and “The Light” this month, P-pop sensations BINI and BGYO will perform their original songs live for the first time in their two-night virtual sibling concert, “One Dream: The BINI & BGYO Concert” on November 6 and 7 on KTX.PH, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV.

P-pop’s first sibling concert promises a setlist of 40 songs that will also include fan-favorites and covers, with each show offering a unique repertoire.

Anticipation for the concert by BLOOM and ACEs, the fan groups of BINI and BGYO, has been tremendous as their exclusive limited-edition concert merchandise sold out in only ten minutes after it was made available to the public last week.

Aside from BINI and BGYO, fans can look forward to electrifying performances by guest artists AC Bonifacio, Kritiko, and KZ Tandingan in the November 6 show. On November 7, meanwhile, BINI and BGYO will present more live collabs, sub-unit performances, powerful vocal showcases, and a fan meet on KTX.PH.

Fans can buy the SVIP tickets priced at P1,950 or US$39.99 to watch the two shows and join the fan meet on KTX.PH. VIP tickets, meanwhile, are sold at P1,490 or US$29.99 on KTX.PH, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV and will provide access to the two shows.

Both groups hit new milestones recently as BINI already reached over one million streams on Spotify, while its new, retro-tinged single “Golden Arrow” has recorded 290,000 YouTube views since its release.

Meanwhile, BGYO’s full album “The Light” has already hit the five-million stream mark on Spotify, with the latest single “When I’m With You” gaining over 400,000 Spotify streams and 400,000 YouTube views.

These achievements follow the sibling groups’ remarkable album launches, as BINI’s “Born to Win” and BGYO’s “The Light,” which were released a week apart, reached the number one spot on the iTunes Albums Chart in the Philippines. All of the tracks from both albums also entered the top 20 on the iTunes Songs Chart Philippines.

After their sibling concert, BINI and BGYO will also be performing live for their international fans at the 1MX Ultimate Music Festival in Dubai on December 3.

Purchase your tickets now to watch “One Dream: The BINI & BGYO Concert,” on November 6 and 7 on KTX.PH, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV. Get regular updates by following BINI_ph and BGYO_ph on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and subscribing to their official YouTube channels, BINI Official and BGYO Official

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=662697368041375

Move: Stronger Together - IABC Philippines officially opens the 19th Philippine Quill Awards

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The 19th Philippine Quill Award is now officially open!

Hosted by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, the Philippine Quill Awards is the country’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication. A Communication Olympiad which highlights the gold standard in communication, the program fosters a spirit of friendly competition, unity and a sense of community amongst Philippine communications practitioners in pursuit of a common goal – communications excellence.

The Philippine Quill and the Philippine Student Quill Awards honor exemplary communication research, programs, skills, and creative work. Each entry is evaluated using IABC’s highest global standard that measures and determines the finest, the sharpest, and the brightest in the business communication industry among professionals and students. The Quill has been bestowing the seal of approval to the most reputable organizations and corporations in the nation for almost two decades, emphasizing the use of excellent communication to achieve business goals and to make a difference in society.

This year’s theme Move: Stronger Together highlights the power of communications in shaping the future. Times may have changed and will continue to change but IABC Philippines is encouraging communicators to use their voice to move the next normal to something bigger and better – setting the direction and moving people towards action and positive change.

“Excellence knows no season. Last year we broke records with our first virtual Quills. This year, I have no doubt we will see proof of the resiliency, creativity, and commitment to excellence of our peers through their various initiatives and examples of the very best in business communication. I call on everyone, student and professional, to inspire and motivate us once again. Together, we will conquer the uncertainty of tomorrow. Let’s MOVE!,” said IABC Philippines President and Football for Humanity Founder Belle Tiongco.

“This pandemic has only cemented the integral role of communicators in organizations and in society. As we forge ahead amid the challenges that we continue to face, we are confident and hopeful that the ‘next normal’ can be a better normal for all of us. This edition of the Philippine Quills aims to honor the outstanding work of our peers - recognizing their valuable contribution to our collective efforts to move together, stronger, into a better future,” said Abigail Ho-Torres, IABC PH’s Chair of the Philippine Quill Awards and Assistant Vice President - Head of Advocacy and Marketing Department of Maynilad Water Services.

The Philippine Quill is open to all Philippine-based communications practitioners – from companies, organizations, marketing communications agencies, and for the Philippine Student Quill, students from Philippine schools nationwide.

“Time and time again, the Filipino youth have shown that they have a powerful voice when it comes to the future of our country and that they are very active in efforts to effect change in our society. They are proof that we are the change we wish to see,” said Ferdinand Bondoy, IABC PH’s Co-Chair of the Philippine Student Quill Awards and Regional Integration & Chief Executive Director of COMCO Southeast Asia. “We are inviting them to be a part of the Philippine Student Quill to honor and highlight the exemplary programs and activities they have created to make the next normal a better one for all of us.”

Professionals and students can now submit their Quill entries until November 15, 2021. Those wishing to avail of the early bird promo can make their payments until November 5, 2021.

For more details, interested participants can visit the Quill portal at www.philquill.com, which will include a line-up of the different divisions and categories communication programs or tools can be entered in. As with last year, entries related to the Covid-19 response will be accepted. All entries should have started, run, or finished within January 2020 and July 2021 to qualify.

To know more about IABC Philippines and the 19th Quill Awards, please visit https://www.facebook.com/iabcph or e-mail iabcphilippinesat30@gmail.com.

IABC Philippines is the first IABC country chapter in Asia. It is an association of top business, industrial and organizational communicators and professionals that supports the highest professional standards and practice of exceptional quality and innovation in organization and business communication. It advocates for continued professional growth, learning, and communication excellence, linking Filipino practitioners with colleagues and best practices worldwide. Its two major communication excellence industry awards are the Philippine Quill and the Philippine CEO EXCEL Awards. IABC is a member of the Global Alliance of Public Relations and Communication Management.

TCS Philippines and local institutions rally together to promote inclusive and accessible education for Filipinos

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Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organization, is partnering with prominent local companies to help Filipino students address the many adversities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country’s education sector.

Recently, TCS Philippines announced the first-ever TCS Sustainathon in the country, an initiative to inspire and empower young minds to be part of the solution to help improve the Philippines’ overall learning system through technology. With this year’s theme, “Inclusive Education for all in 2030,” participants are tasked to develop practical and innovative solutions, addressing the challenge statements developed by TCS Sustainathon Challenge Partners --- Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. (Converge) (PSE:CNVRG), and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines, Inc.

Building Effective Peer-to-Peer Learning

Gokongwei Brothers Foundation highlights the importance of social learning amid the distance and blended education in this new normal setup. Through the Sustainathon initiative, the company aims to find practical and sustainable solutions on how students can help each other learn better while maintaining healthy social interactions.

“The Sustainathon Challenge is a commendable initiative as it empowers the youth through technology. We’re excited to be part of TCS Sustainathon Philippines and work with these competent young individuals to improve our overall learning system. The Filipino youth have so much passion and creativity to offer. What makes them more admirable is their compassion towards their fellow students.  We’re looking forward to how they will leverage trends in technology to develop practical and impactful solutions that will drive an inclusive education sector” shares Grace Colet, Executive Director, Gokongwei Brothers Foundation.

Fostering a Safe Environment for All

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (Benilde) has identified the importance of inclusion and acceptance in the community regardless of religion, gender, social status, or learning style. Cultivation of strong social relationships has always been essential in one’s overall well-being. With this, Benilde hopes to seek solutions that would ensure the development of social relationships between the members of the Benildean Community during and post-pandemic.

Jeremiah Adriano, OIC-Director of the Center for Inclusive Education shares, “The pandemic imposed distance among us but it also forced us to work together. We need to build strong, social relationships within our school community to create an inclusive space and safe environment. We are proud to be one of TCS’ challenge partners in this initiative and help promote strong connections inside and outside our community. The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is very much excited to see the youth’s high-impact innovation to address their chosen challenge statement.

Breaking the “Digital Divide” in Education

The COVID-19 Pandemic caused much disruption in the country’s education system. In a study released last February 2021, the national Social Weather Survey (SWS) reported that 13 percent or over 4 million school-age Filipinos were not enrolled in the fourth quarter of 2020.   The shift in learning modality has highlighted the challenges in students’ access to internet connection, equipment, and learning-conducive space. Through TCS Sustainathon Philippines, Converge hopes to see young minds co-develop innovative solutions that would help the company effectively use its pure fiber fixed broadband network and unique capabilities and partnerships to further learning under the new normal.

“Learning in this new normal setup is a challenge to teachers and students alike, especially for those without a stable broadband connection at home. There is a glaring need to address issues on internet connectivity and access to learning tools and materials. As the fastest growing fiber internet provider in the country, we are more than willing to collaborate with Filipino students in this Sustainathon Challenge to design solutions that will help us effectively serve the students within unserved and underserved communities.”  Benjamin B. Azada, Converge Chief Strategy Officer shares.

Taking Literacy to a Higher Level

Lack of access to learning materials and resources (technology and infrastructure) in remote areas and limited student-teacher learning and consultation are some of the factors pointed out by Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines that affect the overall literacy of Filipino children. The pandemic aggravated the situation, thus, the company is encouraging the youth to leverage digitization to make learning materials easier to digest and access for teachers, parents and students.  Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines is looking forward to seeing simple, scalable, and useful innovation that can help further improve the reading comprehension of children, especially for learners in rural areas.

“As we immersed ourselves in the ground in helping improve literacy of children in rural areas, we have seen how the education interventions need reinforcement in terms of technology. While we acknowledge the efficacy of localized traditional type of learning, it is imperative for us to look for innovations that will further aid learners’ development. We are thankful to be one of TCS Philippines’ Challenge Partners for TCS Sustainathon as it gives opportunities for Filipino students to share their unique ideas and propose digitally enabled solutions that will help Filipino children know how to read. We believe in the youth’s capability to create cutting-edge innovations that would answer the call that no student should be left behind,” Marie Angeles, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines shares.

Visit the TCS Sustainathon Philippines website to know more about TCS Sustainathon and the four challenge statements.  Open to all 17 to 23 year old students nationwide, all they have to do is pick a challenge statement and brainstorm on a solution.  They can register and submit their entries at the TCS Sustainathon Philippines website until November 19. The 1^st place winner will receive Php150,000 while the second and third placers will receive Php100,000 and Php50,000, respectively.

TCS Philippines remains eager to materialize the vision and mission of the company and its partners. Embracing the company’s Building on Belief philosophy where every initiative is rolled-out based on purpose, TCS continues to work hand-in-hand with its partners to develop innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions that will help solve the most pressing issues in the community.