AlcoPro helps protect commuters through new partnership with Beep

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Commuters in Metro Manila can expect an added level of protection against COVID-19 in their daily trips as First PGMC Enterprises Inc. (FPGMC) ethyl alcohol brand AlcoPro enters into a new partnership with beep™ card, a stored-value contactless card of AF Payments, Inc.

The new partnership will see not only the production of AlcoPro-branded beep cards, but also the distribution of free 60ml AlcoPro samples at beep-enabled bus stations all across the metro. AlcoPro 1L pumps are also available for commuters’ use on each card distribution and loading booth. This move is a testament to AlcoPro’s commitment to keeping Filipinos safe, sanitized, and healthy as they go about their daily commutes.

Photo shows the on-site launch which kicked off the new partnership between FPGMC’s ethyl alcohol brand AlcoPro and beep™ card of AF Payments Inc.

“Keeping our hands clean and sanitized is very important, not only to combat COVID-19, but also to prevent a range of other infections,” said Joseph Charles Cruel, New Business Development Group Head of NutriAsia, during the event that kicked off the new partnership.

“This is why we are grateful for this partnership with beep™ card. It is our own way of empowering more Filipinos to be extra vigilant with hand hygiene to combat the spread of the virus and thus win the battle against COVID-19. We will continue to respond to the needs of millions of Filipinos all over the world and remain a steadfast partner in mapping out better, brighter days for our country.”

“We have formed a strategic partnership in light of the pandemic to bring more value to our customers through this very unique opportunity. Even though we are from different industries, what we both do is help Filipinos go back to normal lives. We accomplish this with our beep™ cashless product, while you do it with your AlcoPro sanitation products,” said Bing Barraquias, head of transportation of AF Payments Inc.

The partnership kicked off with an on-site launch at the BGC Bus Terminal McKinley at EDSA corner Ayala Avenue, Makati City last October 15. Free AlcoPro beep™ cards, as well as 60 ml AlcoPro samples were distributed to commuters at the terminal. Distribution of free cards and samples continued in BGC Market-Market and Precious Grace Transport Trinoma Terminals. It will be extended to EDSA Carousel buses later this year up to early 2022.

AlcoPro is a 70% ethyl alcohol that is naturally sourced from sugarcane, posting a 99.9% kill rate against illness-causing germs. It contains Aloe Vera and Pro Vit B5, which act as moisturizers for the skin and comes in a Powder Fresh scent for a light and clean fragrance.

beep™ is a stored-value contactless card that can be used for fare payments in Metro Manila’s three elevated railways—LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3—and can be used for fare payments in a growing number of Point-to-Point (P2P) buses and PUVs nationwide. Outside of public transportation, beep™ can also be used to pay for Cebu Ferries and is accepted in selected Ministop branches.

In a recent survey, results showed that 5 out of 10 Filipinos claim they are bothered by the dry skin they experience due to regular alcohol usage. Another interesting insight was that 6 out of 10 Filipinos agree that roughness of skin is a characteristic of dry skin. Aside from roughness, 3 out of 10 also agree that dry skin is characterized by stinging sensation, skin peeling and presence of skin cracks, the survey revealed.

These concerns can be alleviated with the use of AlcoPro with the following benefits validated in a clinical test:

- Dermatologically and clinically proven and tested safe

- Gentle on the hands

- Clinically proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses

- Clinically tested effective to moisturize skin

For more information and updates about AlcoPro, follow AlcoPro on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alcoproph.

Create Cinemagic moments with the Xiaomi 11T and be part of Moira Dela Torre’s next music video

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Xiaomi Philippines is inviting all aspiring content creators across the country to join the Making Magic video contest for a chance to win an entertainment package from Xiaomi, and be featured in the music video for Moira Dela Torre’s newest song, “Making Magic”.

With the launch of the newest tool for content creators, the Xiaomi 11T, Xiaomi Philippines is holding the Making Magic contest and will be handpicking the entry with the best-captured Cinemagic moment to join her latest music video.

To join, those who purchase a Xiaomi 11T or Xiaomi 11T Pro can create a 30-second to 1-minute video of their "Everyday Cinemagic Moments" captured using the devices. "Cinemagic" pertains to everyday moments that you want to show or capture using your Xiaomi 11T or Xiaomi 11T Pro smartphone. Videos can be submitted through this form.

Entrants must also like the Making Magic contest mechanics post on the official Xiaomi Facebook page and share it publicly on social media accounts and with the hashtags: #MakingMagicMV #XiaomiXMoira.

The deadline of submission of entries is on November 30, 2021 (23:59 GMT+8), while the winner will be announced on Facebook on December 1, 2021 at exactly 7:00PM and will be notified via the registered email.

Aside from being featured in Moira’s music video, the winner will also be receiving a Xiaomi entertainment package worth PHP 45,000.

Xiaomi recently launched in the Philippines new smartphones under the Xiaomi 11T family of devices - Xiaomi 11T and Xiaomi 11T Pro - all designed to inspire creativity among smartphone users.

In the recent launch, Xiaomi Philippines unveiled a new video with singer, Moira Dela Torre, who gave a snippet of her creativity process and reminding that “magic can be found anywhere” with the help of the Xiaomi 11T.

“Inspiration can come and go very quickly, especially when writing songs. That’s why I think it’s important for every creative person to have a tool that helps us capture the magic of a simple moment and fuel the best of our creativity, a tool like the Xiaomi 11T. There’s so much magic to be found in the most mundane of moments, we just need to find it,” said Moira.

The Xiaomi 11T is the powerhouse for content creation that makes cinemagic accessible for everyone through its high-resolution triple camera and a suite of AI-powered tools to boost your creativity and productivity.

The new phone features industry-leading filmmaking technology that allows content creators, even aspiring ones, to have all the equipment they will need right at the palm of their hands. Taking breathtaking shots is now easier with its triple camera featuring a 108MP high-resolution wide-angle, 120° ultra-wide angle, and 2x telemacro camera. Its one-click AI cinema modes such as Time Freeze, Magic Zoom and other types of complicated shots allow creators to create cinemagic effects with just a single click, while the Audio Zoom allows the faintest of sounds is brought to life in cinematic fashion.

The Xiaomi 11T comes in 3 stylish colors with a brushed finish including Meteorite Gray, Moonlight White, and Celestial Blue. It comes in two variants, 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB, with a recommended retail price of PHP 21,990 and PHP 24,990 respectively. Each purchase of the devices comes with a 1+1 year limited warranty and free screen replacement within six months.

You may visit the Xiaomi Shopee Global stores as well as the Xiaomi Philippines store on Shopee. You can also follow the official Xiaomi Facebook Page for other updates.

Users Can Show their Appreciation For MSMEs Through ‘#TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local’

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, and Taiwan, continues to support local sellers and uplift the digital economy with the launch of the #TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local contest. From November 19 to December 5, 2021,  users can vote for and support their favorite sellers in time for the 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. 

#TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local recognizes 12 Filipino sellers who offer locally made products and their inspiring journeys to success with Shopee. Besides having to source and offer goods that are proudly Pinoy, the brand also shortlisted these entrepreneurs, who come from various categories such as lifestyle, fashion, and FMCG, based on shop ratings and number of reviews. 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As we rebound from the impact of the pandemic, we want to strengthen our efforts in aiding economic recovery. Supporting local sellers is a very impactful way to do that, and we want to rally our users to support these sellers as well. This is what Shopee Supports Local is for -- highlighting the local sellers in our platform, and giving our shoppers the opportunity to show their appreciation as well.” 

Supporting Local Sellers, Key to Aiding Economic Recovery

With the pandemic driving consumers to rely more on e-commerce platforms for their needs, more brands and sellers continue to embrace digitalization to sustain their livelihoods. Recently, the Philippines saw an increase of 12 million new digital consumers since the start of the pandemic, of which 63% are from non-metro areas. Shopee continues to improve the platform to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) catering to the needs of the Filipinos. 

The top three sellers, based on total user votes, will win gadget prizes that are useful for their online business. On top of that, theirs and a few other shortlisted sellers’ inspiring stories and sought-after products will be featured on Shopee Live on December 8 and 11.

Meanwhile, users who will participate in voting and share why they love their chosen seller on social media will have the chance to win special vouchers. 

Getting to Know the 12 Sellers 

Indianajanemnl
Launched in 2019, Jess opened a clothing store, Indianajanemnl, and went from a one-man shop and grew into a 30-person team this 2021. With the desire to build deeper connections with their consumers, she maximized Shopee Live and all its features. Through Shopee Live, she received customer feedback which helped them improve the store.

Chelssydresstaytay.ph
Considered as one of the pioneer stores in the well-known Taytay Tiangge, Rochelle of Chelssydresstaytay.ph decided to shift to online a few months before the pandemic hit. It proved to be a good move, with the shop hitting its targets consistently. 

Luxeessential

As a form of self-care, Hani of Luxe Essential decided to put up an online store where she can earn while staying at home. Despite the ups and downs of online selling, her determination eventually paid off, and can now support not only her family but her staff’s family as well. 

Uniq.mnl

Uniq.mnl is owned by Ireen and Ira, two sisters who combined their stores into one. Transitioning wasn’t easy and they worked hard to maintain customer satisfaction by utilizing Shopee’s in-app tools. With clear goals, the shop ended 2020 with an 8-figure gross profit.

Orangeandpeach

Orange and Peach Philippines is a 100% Filipino Mom and Baby Essentials Store owned by Jasslyn. She struggled to convert sales due to some limitations but even with the setback, it didn’t stop her from trying, and eventually gained the consumers’ trust. 

Randashoesofficial

Randashoesofficial started as a small shoe manufacturing facility in 2014 and Ric joined Shopee as a seller in 2019, making it a full-time commitment. The challenges pushed him to do better and are now growing on the platform - even surpassing their previous sales. 

Mightyclean

Wanting to share their expertise in the homecare industry, Mico from Mightyclean started his Shopee Seller journey during the height of the pandemic last year. Even though he had become one of the best-selling brands on the platform, he never stopped learning new things and continued to sharpen his entrepreneurial skills.  

Dnemnlph

Dana of dnemnlph started selling online when she was in high school and has had her fair share of ups and downs before she first joined Shopee in 2015. Despite having to close her shop temporarily, she stepped up and worked with her Shopee Relationship Manager to learn how to build brand awareness for her store. To date, she has more than 225,000 shop followers.

Localidad.ph

Daniel of Localidad began his Shopee journey last year and got his break in November 2020. His experience on Shopee was a great opportunity to learn about e-commerce in general and eventually succeed in the industry, with more than 60,000 products sold and counting. 

Emsalvadorpunzalan

Em used the power of technology to offer a wide array of DIY car care detailing products through her shop Prestige Trading. As a former saleswoman, the main proprietor found joy in interacting and connecting with their customers.

Gratitudebar

Faced with a financial crisis in 2017, Ces of gratitude bar launched her Shopee store which offers skincare products that are simple, affordable, and effective. With the use of in-app features, the brand gained more loyal customers.

Mareclothingph

When Zel started selling on Shopee, she knew it was a learning journey and discovered a lot of new things. Now, she has a strong customer base and feels grateful for the overwhelming support and trust from her loyal customers

To know more and vote for your favorite sellers in #TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local, visit https://shopee.ph/m/tatak-pinoy.

CHERRY expands further with sixth concept store at SM City Rosario

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CHERRY proves to be unstoppable as it proudly welcomes its sixth concept store at SM City Rosario on November 19, 2021.

Customers from the south now have even better access to a wide selection of CHERRY products including Internet of Things (IoT), health essentials, pet devices, and home appliances, abreast of phones, tablets, and mobile accessories the brand was first famed for.

There’s no missing out on this branch as, like the others, CHERRY Concept Store SM City Rosario shows off an overall bright and sleek interior, dominated by a white and gray palette.

“We have been actively opening concept stores since the start of this year as this is our way of further establishing our presence in the market. At the same time, we would like to help generate jobs especially amid the pandemic,” says Michelle Ngu-Cinco, COO, CHERRY.

CHERRY has already opened six stores to date including SM City Calamba, SM Southmall, SM City North EDSA, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Davao, and SM City Rosario. With this growing number, CHERRY remains steadfast and is set to launch another Concept Store at SM City Bacolod in December.

To ensure the safety of its customers and employees, CHERRY strictly implements minimum health protocols within its stores.

Visit them now at Cyberzone, 2nd Level, SM City Rosario or check out Cherry Shop PH for online purchases:

Cherry Shop PH: www.cherryshop.com.ph

UnionBank UPAY for MSME: Helping level the playing field for the country’s growing number of MSMEs

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UnionBank recently held the 12th E-Media TalkTales as the Philippines’ foremost bank for MSMES discussed the critical role of digitizing payments in the country’s fast-evolving market.

Filipinos are now utilizing digital payments more than ever. Last month, the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that digital payments made up 20.1 percent of all transactions in 2020, more than double the figure from two years ago of 10 percent. This strong momentum is creating opportunities particularly for enterprising Filipinos who engage in e-commerce.

To help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country capitalize on this growing trend, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the region’s digital trailblazer and the country’s foremost bank for MSMEs, has launched a groundbreaking feature that will make e-payments easier and secure not only for customers but also for MSMEs—the new UPAY for MSME.

This was unveiled at the Bank's 12th E-TalkTales media event, wherein UnionBank Vice President and MSME Segment Head Jaypee Soliman, and UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head Gerry Austria led discussions on the critical role of digitizing payments in the country's fast evolving market.

Soliman began the discussions by talking about the state of digital payments in the country, citing the significant growth in the number of Filipinos who utilize these payment solutions. This is an indication that Filipinos are now more open to the idea of becoming a cash-lite society.

“This shows how the consumers are now transacting digitally. They are ready. They are there. The number of Filipinos having e-wallets and bank accounts continue to grow. But the question is, are the MSMEs ready to accept digital payments?"

This is where UPAY comes in. UPAY is a groundbreaking digital payments solution designed to make acceptance of multiple payment options accessible to MSMEs. It offers a fully integrated, single platform payment collection complete with other features that can make inbound payments easier for entrepreneurs, including the option to generate payment links with multiple collection channels, and the option to generate InstaPay QRPH for digital and physical channels.

"UPAY for MSMEs is a payment gateway that is embedded in our MSME Business Banking App. Businesses of all sizes and types now have the power to generate payment links, request payments, send it to their customers and provide multiple payment options, all these reconciled and credited to a single UnionBank account," Soliman said.

What makes UPAY convenient for accepting payments is that customers can choose their preferred payment channel either via Unionbank Online, InstaPay, Other Digital Wallets, Credit/Debit Cards and even over-the-counter through UnionBank’s expansive network of partner channels nationwide.

"When we conceptualized UPAY for MSMEs, we wanted to do away with all the different hassles that the merchant is experiencing to set up his payments, one of which is having to connect to a point-of-sale system, having to have different devices, having to have to download different apps," Austria said.

"Second, it's the efficiency in doing business. You don't need to be in your physical store to actually have a customer pay you. You can actually be vacationing somewhere else and someone wants to buy a product that they saw through your post on Instagram or Facebook. You can actually just create a payment link and send it to that customer, so it's very convenient for both the merchant and the customer," Austria added.

Through the new feature, UnionBank wants to level the playing field for MSMEs by making the feature accessible to them, which was previously only available to the bigger merchants as part of enterprise platforms that are too technologically demanding and expensive for smaller players.

 

For more information about the company and this article, please visit

www.unionbankph.com/msme/upay