Shopee Partners with Quezon City to Provide Its Citizens and Frontliners a More Comfortable Vaccination Experience

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, partnered with the local government unit (LGU) of Quezon City to provide care packages to residents getting vaccinated and to frontliners tirelessly serving the local community. On October 27, Shopee rolled out its vaccination center support in the Barangay Holy Spirit Covered Court by giving out food and health kits from partner brands under Shopee Mall, to more than 900 frontliners and residents. These included snacks from Del Monte, Perfetti Van Melle, Monde Nissin, and Rebisco; water from Hope in a Bottle, health kits from Mighty Clean and Cosmetique Asia; and air coolers from Symphony.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is proud to partner with the Quezon City LGU to roll out their vaccination initiatives for a healthier city. We are greatly appreciative of the unwavering support from our brand partners. Shopee is fully aligned with the nation’s goal of inoculating more Filipinos and we will continue to extend our assistance in any way possible to drive economic recovery as we can resume work and open our borders safely.”

Make gaming more awesome with the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, powered by an enhanced Snapdragon processor

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Get ready as Samsung brings gaming and content creation to a whole new level with the launch of the Galaxy A52s 5G this October. The new device is powered by the Snapdragon 778G 5G processor, dubbed as the “ultimate multimedia triple threat.”

Samsung’s latest smartphone promises fully immersive gameplay with realistic graphics, accelerated AI that makes it more intuitive for ultra-fast responses, and premium camera functions for high-resolution photos and 4K videos. With the Galaxy A52s 5G, everything is faster, snappier, and clearer.

The smartphone is further boosted by its next-generation 5G connectivity. This means ultra-fast gaming with less lags, quick content upload, and high-quality live streaming.

The Galaxy A52s 5G is the latest addition to the Galaxy A Series—Samsung’s line-up of devices that deliver advanced mobile technologies at a range of accessible price points.

Know more about the Galaxy A52s 5G soon at samsung.com/ph.

Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has limited the number of its customers to 50% capacity, implemented the mandatory use of face masks and face shields, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores.

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.

Find the nearest Samsung Experience store via samsung.com/ph/samsung-experience-store/locations/

#TravelAsJuan with Airbnb to the Philippines’ top beach and diving destinations

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Rediscover the country’s top destinations from the 28th World Travel Awards with these beautiful Airbnb Stays hosted by passionate local Superhosts

Known for its pristine beaches and mesmerizing dive spots, the Philippines once again stood out after the 28th World Travel Awards recognized the country as this year’s leading beach and diving destination in Asia.

Following the easing of travel restrictions, some of the country’s top beach destinations including Boracay, Siargao, and El Nido have already reopened to local travellers. Filipinos are already making plans for their next trip to popular hotspots Panglao, Anda, Balicasag, Anilao, Malapascua, Moalboal, and Puerto Galera.

While beaches and diving sites are incredibly popular during summertime – an end-of-year trip might just be what you need to reconnect and recharge with loved ones. For those seeking inspiration for your next trip, Airbnb reveals some of its top Superhost Stays in the Philippines’ best beaches and diving destinations that you can book for that much-awaited getaway!

A vibrant loft perched on a solitary hill in Boracay

Without a doubt, Boracay is one of the most appealing tourist destinations in the country. In fact, trips here always seem to be bitin, because the island doles up the most inimitably chill yet fun vibe. Now that more companies are offering remote work opportunities, it’s a great time to explore living and working elsewhere.

If you have Boracay in mind for a potential workation, Bianca’s Garden Apartments has everything you need for work and play: a dedicated workspace, WiFi, television, balcony and backyard,  a fully furnished kitchen, and a spacious bedroom. It is also tucked away from the crowds of Boracay with incredible views of Bolabog Beach.

An eco-friendly beachside gem in Siargao

Siargao ‘made waves’ after the release of a local film of the same name back in 2017. While well known as a haven for surfers, the island welcomes all groups of visitors.

Hosts Julio and Clydd of Kala’s Cave provide guests with a handy notebook filled with their favorite hidden gems and useful local contacts. But that’s just a bonus as the real star here is their treehouse – an eco-friendly passion project with breathtaking views of the sea and lush palm trees all around, and just minutes away from the famous Cloud 9.

A stylish, luxurious villa in El Nido, Palawan

    

Visiting El Nido, Palawan is akin to walking right into a postcard so impeccably beautiful it’s earned the title of one of the best beaches in the world more than once.

For your next visit to this paradise, you should definitely look for Casa Malaya — a Pinterest dream come true located just by Nacpan Beach. This tropical designer space with unique antiques has everything you need and more — in-home massages, complimentary bicycles to explore the area, free breakfasts delivered to your doorstep plus a private pool for you to bask in the warm midday sun.

A homey bamboo hut in Moalboal, Cebu

 

Moalboal is famous for its underwater paradise, especially when you get to dive into its crystal-clear waters and witness the famous Sardine Run. Island hopping and turtle watching are also popular activities in this town - but what really drives travelers to visit is the countryside charm of this coastal town.

Enjoy laid-back vibes at Tongo Hill Cottages, nestled among palm trees and verdant hills. This Airbnb Stay features rows of bamboo-made huts for the adventurous traveler, and each hut comes with its own small porch with a hammock. Every morning, you will be served hearty breakfasts at the terrace alongside a dose of joy from your companions Simba, Buko, and Lily, the rescue dogs residing in this dreamy abode.

A refreshing homestay in Panglao, Bohol

Divers from all around the world converge in Panglao to explore its underwater wonders and rich marine biodiversity — from schools of jacks and sea turtles to sardine runs, dolphins, whales, and lush coral forests.

Planning a longer vacation to fully explore what Bohol has to offer? You can rent Halamanan Villa for an entire month! This tranquil and tastefully designed Airbnb stay is minutes away from Alona Beach, bountiful dive spots as well as local restaurants and coffee shops.

As more destinations reopen across the Philippines, Filipinos are sharing their homes, stories, and love for their hometowns with fellow Filipinos through hosting with Airbnb.  Hosts have also committed to Airbnb’s 5-step Enhanced Clean process, a set of standards developed in partnership with experts to ensure safety and peace of mind for guests.

For more ideas on where to stay as you #TravelAsJuan to the country’s top beach and diving destinations, visit https://www.airbnb.com/philippines/stays.

 

Notes:

*All stays referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific stay or experience listings on the Airbnb platform.

*This press release encourages safe and responsible travel. Local and international travel requirements, as well as health guidelines, continue to change quickly. Check local restrictions at home and in your destination before booking a trip on Airbnb.

 

Curious about deepfake videos? Globe reminds netizens to be more careful online

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More people now use the internet as their primary source of news, but along with it, the danger of being lured with false information. Advanced technologies have made the proliferation of these manipulated content and media more sophisticated.

One of the most widespread types of manipulated content involves deepfake -- videos that have been expertly edited to replace the person in the original material with someone else, usually a public figure. The aim may be to create confusion, deceive the public, cause reputation damage, or spread fake news, among other reasons.

 

Since it is very easy to take presented information at face value, Globe has made the Digital Discernment eModule under its Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) available via its YouTube channel and Globe Bridging Communities Facebook Page. The Digital Discernment eModule serves as a guide to help netizens be conscious of the content they consume.

 

“The internet provides easy access to information, but not everything is real and verified. It’s important to always be critical of what we see online. As responsible digital citizens, let us do our part to deter these threats by stopping its spread and reporting malicious content,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

 

To tell if videos are deepfakes, the Digital Discernment eModule lists the following tips:

●        Carefully look at the difference of color whenever the subject speaks or the angle changes

●        Check for blurred spots, especially between the face and the neck

●        See if there are unnatural eye movements, facial expressions, and body movements

●        Observe if the speaker's emotion matches their speech or if lip movements match

 

When in doubt, netizens must research and verify with legitimate news and established entertainment sources if the videos are authentic.

 

Earlier, Globe created two other DTP eModules: Digital Insight, which deals on cybersecurity and safety, and Digital Impact, which is about online responsibility and etiquette.

 

“We have transitioned our highly successful DTP program into eModules to adjust to these changing times. People are online more often, and we want to create a safer digital environment for netizens. These bite-sized eModules present important lessons on digital citizenship in a very approachable fashion,” Crisanto said.

 

DTP is a series of workshops patterned after the Optus Digital Thumbprint in-school program in Australia. Each module aims to increase students’ knowledge of digital citizenship and cybersafety by taking a critical look at their online behavior and helping them develop insights into the influences of the online world and the choices they are making.

 

The company strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), particularly UN SDG No. 4 on Quality Education and UN SDG No. 9 on Infrastructure, Innovation and Industrialization. Globe is committed to upholding the United Nations Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

 

To learn more about Globe’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html

From Instapay fees to Instapay FREE real quick : Get your Instapay fee back when you transfer to and from your PayMaya account until December 31!

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Tired of those pesky bank transfer fees? We got you! From now until December 31, 2021, PayMaya is giving you an instant cashback on your transaction fees whenever you cash in to your e-wallet account or transfer funds to other banks via Instapay.

With PayMaya, sending funds to other banks won’t cost you a thing as you automatically get a P15 cashback whenever you transfer via Instapay. Now, there’s no need to worry about unwanted fees when paying your favorite casual seller or sending ambag for your next (socially distanced) barkada get-together.

To start transferring funds to other banks via Instapay, all you have to do is follow these easy steps:

1. On your PayMaya app homepage, click the Bank Transfer button.
2. Choose the bank you’d like to transfer to.
3. Input the bank details of your recipient and click Continue.
4. Review the transfer details and hit send.

Just wait for the text message from PayMaya to confirm your transaction and you’re good to go! You can also choose to save the bank details of your favorite contacts – be it your go-to cookie IG store or your mom for your household bills share – so you can easily transfer funds without having to repeatedly input their account info on the app.

On top of this, you can also get an instant cashback on your Instapay fees* when you cash in to your PayMaya account from your go-to banks like BDO, Metrobank and more. You can enjoy a P20 cashback to cover your transaction fee twice every month until the end of the promo period.

Transferring via Instapay is among the convenient ways to add funds to your PayMaya account. PayMaya has over 90,000 touchpoints that offer FREE cash in, including BPI Online banking, Unionbank via linked account, Ministop, Smart Padala, TrueMoney, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Southstar Drug and more. You can also top up your account for free at your go-to establishments like SM Supermarket, The SM Store, Landers, Waltermart, and more for a monthly aggregate amount of up to P10,000.

To enjoy hassle-free Instapay transactions, download the PayMaya app at https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133 and register an account to start going cashless today.

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.

It provides more than 38 million Filipinos access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 300,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 55,000 partner agent touchpoints serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved access to digital services. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country, including "every day" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.

*Applicable only to banks that haven't waived their Instapay fees for fund transfers