Become a PayMaya Verified Seller now and let your customers know you're legit!

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Online shopping has definitely become more popular in the Philippines, but online scams - from fake sellers to bogus buyers - are ruining the experience for many Filipinos.

To further boost the growth of e-commerce in the Philippines and protect customers from online scams, PayMaya introduced PayMaya Verified Sellers, a feature that makes transactions safer for both buyers and sellers using the PayMaya app.

With this another first-in-the-market and unique feature, PayMaya is equipping online sellers who utilize the e-wallet to accept payments with a special badge – making it easier for consumers to check if they are paying legitimate businesses on the app.

By registering as a PayMaya Verified Seller, small business owners and people with side hustles can get instant credibility through a verified badge that customers can see, marking the account as "legit."

To get this special badge, PayMaya Verified Sellers will undergo another layer of screening to ensure that they are legitimate online businesses and are on good standing, on top of the standard registration and upgrade process for PayMaya app users. For sellers, this badge from PayMaya is a stamp of approval – a way to let consumers know that they are legitimate and trustworthy businesses that have passed the financial institution's rigorous background check.

Once verified, the badge will appear beside the seller's account name, which the customers can easily spot right before they transfer their payments in-app.

"For digital transactions, trust is key. That's why we have created this unique feature for the millions of PayMaya users who are utilizing the app as sellers and buyers. Through PayMaya Verified Seller, we aim to make our ecosystem safer from online scams. We encourage all online sellers to get verified with PayMaya so you can show your customers that you are 'legit,'" said Pepe Torres, Chief Marketing Officer at PayMaya.

Aside from giving customers an added layer of protection, PayMaya is equipping sellers with tools to help protect them from bogus buyers.

By utilizing PayMaya as a payment method, sellers can track their transaction history in real-time – allowing them to check instantly once a buyer transfers the payment. PayMaya is the only e-wallet offering this feature, addressing seller issues like fake transaction receipt screenshots from bogus buyers.

Being a PayMaya Verified Seller gives access to features that can boost business too. Here are just some of the added perks that online sellers should not miss:

Accept payments from anyone in any way. PayMaya enables sellers to accept payments from all customers seamlessly – whether they are PayMaya users via QR, Send Money, or Request Money; bank account holders via QR PH and Instapay transfers; and even those without any financial account via Smart Padala to PayMaya money transfers.

Reach millions of potential customers. As a PayMaya Verified Seller, you will be featured in PayMaya's social media channels and in-app Maya Mall so you can reach millions of PayMaya users to help boost your business.

Increase your account limit to P1,000,000. Once you are ready to expand your business, PayMaya will also be prepared to support you with an increased account limit – allowing you to grow their business even further.

Get exclusive perks to make the most out of your earnings. You can enjoy exclusive discounts on bills, groceries, deliveries, and waived bank transfers by simply using their PayMaya app for their everyday transactions.

With PayMaya's 99.9% uptime rate, online sellers and buyers can be confident that transactions will go through, especially when they need it most. This high uptime rate and enhanced features have translated to a more reliable and smooth customer experience, making PayMaya the top-rated e-wallet in the Philippines for both Google Play and App Store.

Signing up to be a PayMaya Verified Seller is fast and easy—business owners simply need to fill out the online form at https://www.paymaya.com/survey/verified-seller. Sellers can be verified within five business days.

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 41 million Filipinos access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 380,000 digital touchpoints nationwide.

Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 60,000 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.

To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information on Smart Padala, visit https://smartpadala.ph/.

Ever Bilena unveils a more inclusive approach to beauty, with a new logo, tagline and product refresh

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The new normal has changed so many aspects of our lives. When it comes to beauty, the overall direction has evolved into a more streamlined approach, without sacrificing looks, elegance and drama. We know that makeup and beauty is for everyone, regardless of gender orientation, age, class, and skin tone, or skin type.

Responding to this new concept in beauty, Ever Bilena, the #1 local cosmetics company in the country, unveils a new theme that speaks to a more diverse and dynamic audience. “for every beauty” is the brand’s newest tagline that embodies the concept that beauty is for every individual who aspires to become confident, creative and expressive. Accompanying the tagline is a new logo - clean, streamlined and straightforward.

“This rebranding reflects our goal to make Ever Bilena even more accessible, inclusive and affordable to the individuals who use our extensive range of products. It is our pledge to remain as a beauty brand that supports the dreams and needs  of our cosmetics users,” said  Dioceldo Sy, Ever Bilena CEO.

At the core of these new revelations is the brand’s product refresh, featuring 3 new major categories that have now been added to Ever Bilena’s broad range of quality beauty products:

All Day. This is for Ever Bilena’s all day wearing products. Its signature product is the favorite All Day Liquid Foundation which delivers buildable coverage that helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections while giving hydration without the greasy feel. The existing shades for light to medium skin tones are Porcelain, Silk, and Oriental while the Olive shade is made for those with deeper complexions. If you’re looking for a foundation that is long-wearing but has a lightweight base, consider picking All Day Liquid Foundation for your daily use.

Pro. Product offerings of Ever Bilena now have a pro category. Pro-grade level products are perfect for makeup enthusiasts to professional makeup artists. Ever Bilena makes sure that you get the professional make up level quality that is proudly Filipino-made.

Matte. This is the signature line of Ever Bilena- a line dedicated to the most popular makeup finish with signature products like the Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick and the Ever Bilena Matte Two Way Cake. The matte lipsticks deliver a full, even color on your lips and are formulated with vitamin E to hydrate and nourish your pout, and keep it looking smooth and plump all day and night. The Ever Bilena Matte Two Way Cake is a one-step face powder and foundation that can be applied either wet or dry to achieve desired coverage. It is packed with moisturizing ingredients to make your skin smoother and softer while giving it a glowing finish.

With 38 years of beauty expertise, Ever Bilena definitely continues to be a brand for people from different walks of life, helping them express their individuality and enhance their natural beauty. 

To shop for these beauty must-haves, check Ever Bilena on Lazada, Shopee or visit Ever Bilena on Facebook (@everbilenacosmetics) or Instagram (@everbilenaofficial) to know more.

Last chance to stream: Catch some holiday family fun with RTYA’s The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off

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It’s streaming exclusively on Broadway On Demand only until December 12!

It’s finally December, and with Christmas around the corner, everyone’s planning what to do for the holidays. Don’t miss the chance to make the holiday season even more memorable by bringing the magic of Christmas, cookies, and theater into your homes! The must-see show this holiday season, The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off!—a production from REP Theatre for Young Audiences (RTYA)—is streaming only until December 12 on global streaming platform Broadway On Demand!

Since launching last month, audiences both in the Philippines and around the world have enjoyed this fun and family-friendly musical created by Broadway musical director Rick Hip-Flores, brought to life by the talented ensemble of Repertory Philippines. Both kids and their parents relished the chance to root for cheerful and colorful characters, sing catchy Christmas tunes, and take home lessons that make the most wonderful time of the year truly meaningful.

The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off! is about eight individuals who joined a televised bake-off at the Cookie Coliseum where they discover new baking skills, cookie flavors, life lessons, and the true meaning of Christmas. It stars emerging theater talents such as Becca Coates as Patty Mañosa, a beautiful sensitive soul who longs for her Grandma’s cookies; Tim Pavino as Javi Carreon, a video game buff who feels out of place in the kitchen but whose heart is definitely in the right place; Jep Go as Gabe Gomez, a bully who’s more than happy to bend the rules; Jillian Ita-as as Anna Santos, the perfect overachiever; Luigi Quesada plays Julian Zamora, a culinary artiste with a talent for fine cuisine; Justine Narciso is Amy Garcia, a Disney devotee who’s slightly scattered in the kitchen but super adorable just the same; Steven Hotchkiss is Josh Bernardo, a science enthusiast who knows his formulas; and Rachel Coates is Samantha Lopez, a fun and fabulous social media fanatic who loves the spotlight.

Joining the cast are REP and theater veterans like Carla Guevara-Laforteza playing multiple roles for the show—as the stylish Isabel Guevara, a food fashionista with a high sense of aesthetic and one of the judges of the bake off; as Anna’s Mom, your quintessential helicopter parent who watches every detail; and as Patty’s quirky-loving Grandma.

Arnel Carrion is also part of the show playing a double role as Michael Holmes, the meanest guy in the food industry and in the Cookie Coliseum, and as Gabe’s Dad, a big wig TV exec who pushes his son to win at all costs. Jaime Wilson plays pop singer and celebrity guest judge Del Ray who has never baked but can certainly lay down some tasty grooves! Hans Eckstein completes the cast as Larry, the faithful host and announcer of the competition.

Directed by RTYA Creative Director Joy Virata, The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off! is the first Repertory Philippines (REP) show in nearly two years and also the first musical in the country purposely filmed for an international online streaming service. The production also includes an all-star creative team composed of set designer Ed Lacson, lighting designer John Batalla, costume designer Bonsai Cielo, and choreographer Deana Aquino. Multi-awarded director Treb Monteras helms the video production managed by Silver Media.

Stream RTYA’s The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off! on Broadway On Demand. Ticket prices are P700 (24-hour access) and P1,000 (48-hour access). Broadway On Demand can be accessed via computer or mobile device through a web browser (Google Chrome is recommended for optimal streaming) or via tablet or smartphone through the Broadway On Demand app on App Store and Google Play. It’s also available on AppleTV and Roku.

The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off!—a production from REP Theatre for Young Audiences (RTYA)—is streaming only until December 12 on global streaming platform Broadway On Demand. The play features eight young cookie chefs who will battle it out for first prize at the Cookie Coliseum.

Get your tickets now through Broadway On Demand, TicketWorld, and Ticket2Me, or via the REP Box Office by calling 0966 905 4013.

For updates, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow Repertory Philippines on Facebook and Instagram. Educators and school representatives who are interested in the show can email sales@repphil.org.

Have #realmeWithYou this holiday season! Get up to 62% OFF on realme products this 12.12

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Complete your holiday shopping with realme smartphones and TechLife products during realme's 12.12 Big Year-Ender Sale on Shopee and Lazada  

Christmas is fast approaching and there's no better time to complete your holiday shopping than now. If you’re still on the lookout for quality tech devices to add to your holiday haul, then here’s some exciting news for you! realme, the no. 1 smartphone brand in the PH for three straight quarters this 2021, is having its Big Year-Ender Sale this 12.12! You can enjoy great deals of up to 62% OFF on selected realme smartphones and TechLife products via the realme Official Store on Lazada and Shopee.   

 

With the realme Big Year-Ender Sale, the brand continues its commitment of providing the best digital lifestyle experience to every Filipino and becoming one with you this holiday season!  

 

Get up to P1,000 OFF on your favorite realme smartphones  

 

During this 12.12 sale, you can expect incredible discounts of up to P1,000 OFF on several realme smartphones! Among these is the #InfinitelySmooth realme 8i (6GB+128GB) that is equipped with Helio G96 Processor, 120Hz Ultra Smooth Display, 5000mAh battery, and a 50MP AI Triple Camera, which will be exclusively available on Lazada at P10,990 (P1,000 OFF SRP). For those who want to maximize the power of 5G connectivity, the realme 8 5G (4GB+128GB) will be exclusively available on Shopee for only P8,990. Aside from its Dimensity 700 5G Processor, it also packs a 48MP main camera, expandable memory up to 1TB, and a massive 5000mAh battery to cater to all your mobile needs.  

 

In addition, the recently launched entry-level gaming champion—realme narzo 50A, which runs on a MediaTek Helio G85 gaming processor, and has a powerful 6000mAh battery and a 50MP AI Triple Camera, will be discounted exclusively on Lazada, from P7,990 to P6,990 only.  

 

Exciting deals also await the C-Series enthusiasts starting off with the first C-series smartphone with a 50MP AI Camera, the realme C25Y. The newest C-Series offering can be purchased on Shopee and Lazada with a P1000 OFF for both the 4GB+64GB variant (P7,990 SRP) and 4GB+128GB variant (P8,990 SRP). With a powerful octa-core processor, a TÜV Rheinland High Reliability Certification, and a 5000mAh battery, it truly is an all-rounder smartphone perfect for content creators who are on a budget.  

 

The ever-reliable realme C21-Y will also be offered for P5,689 only (P800 OFF SRP), while the realme C25S will be at a much more affordable price of P6,589 (P900 OFF SRP).  

 

realme Pad, Book also available at massive discounts of up to P6,000 OFF  

 

Another realme device you can look forward to this 12.12 is the top-selling realme Pad which is perfect for those who love to binge-watch movies or series. This portable entertainment powerhouse designed with a 10-inch high-resolution screen, crystal-clear Dolby Atmos quad speakers in each corner, a 7100mAh mega battery for all-day use, and a slim and lightweight body is exclusively available on Shopee with a P2,000 discount for all three variants— 3GB+32 GB(P8,990), 4GB+64 GB (P12,990 SRP), 6GB+128 (P14,990 SRP).  

 

For those who need a new laptop for both school and play, now is the best time to get realme's first-ever laptop, therealme Book, exclusively on Lazada with huge discounts for both the i3 variant (P8,000 OFF; P29,990 only) and i5 variant (P6,000 OFF; P41,990 only). This device is powered by the 11th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor and equipped with 8 GB dual-channel LPDDR4x RAM, up to 512GB SSD storage, and a picture-perfect high-resolution 14” 2K Full Vision display.  

 

Shop your favorite realme audio, wearable and home devices for up to 62% OFF  

 

Incredible deals also await those who are hoping to shop for realme TechLife devices. Those who want a better listening experience can get any realme audio and speaker products at discounted prices on Shopee and Lazada. Among these is realme's stylish True Wireless Stereo (TWS) product, the realme Buds Q2, with a 10mm Dynamic Bass Boost Driver that offers high-quality audio, available for as low as P790. realme's light and portable Pocket Bluetooth Speaker, which comes with a 3W Dynamic Boost Driver, will also be discounted from P990 to P590. Meanwhile, realme's Cobble Bluetooth Speaker, a pure bass powerhouse equipped with a 5W Dynamic Boost Driver, can be purchased with P700 OFF its original price of P1,590.  

 

With the ongoing smartwatch trend and the superb benefits it offers, realme's smart wearables will never not be part of the discounted products. The all-time favorite fitness companions, the realme Watch 2 and realme Band 2, are available on Shopee and Lazada at an incredibly affordable price of P1,690 and P1,590, respectively. With their blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring features, 90 different sport modes, and water-resistant feature (IP68 rating for Watch 2, up to 50M for Band 2), these smartwatches are perfect for health and fitness enthusiasts.  

 

For those who want to treat their family this holiday, the brand's first Certified Android TV in the country, the realme Smart TV 43", is a perfect gift for the entire family to enjoy, exclusively available on Lazada for as low as P13,990. Another smart home must-have is the realme TechLife Air Purifier with a high-level purification capacity to ensure that everyone at is breathing clean and healthy air. Add to cart now and get it exclusively on Lazada for only P4,490.  

 

Catch all these amazing deals and more during realme's Big Year-Ender Sale starting December 12 at 12 midnight. What's more exciting is that everyone who purchased any realme device with a minimum worth of P5,000 during the 12.12 sale until January 2, 2022 via realme’s Official Lazada and Shopee store will earn an e-raffle ticket for the #realmeWithYou Christmas Raffle Promo. Shop now and get the chance to WIN realme TechLife prizes, and the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage G4. To register and check the complete mechanics, visit https://bit.ly/realmeWithYouRegister  

 

For more info about realme’s exciting 12.12 offers, as well as other realme products, follow the realme PH Facebook page at http://facebook.com/realmePhilippines and visit the official realme website at https://www.realme.com/ph/.  

PHL Advertising’s best work recognized at 2021 Kidlat Awards

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4As Annual Creative show stages successful comeback after one-year break

The titans of Philippine advertising came together—albeit, virtually—to recognize the most outstanding, innovative, and groundbreaking creative work that has come out in the past two years through the much-awaited return of the Kidlat Awards!

The Kidlat Awards, held last November 26, is the annual creative show of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As) and this year marked its return after taking a break in 2020 due to the pandemic. Because of its absence last year, this year’s Kidlat Awards honored the best work from 2019 and 2020 in one event.

“Kidlat strikes again, and this time with more furor and more bravado,” Norman Agatep, President of the 4As and President and Managing Director of Grupo Agatep said. “After a one-year hiatus the creative show of the [4As] is back with a vengeance. After many months of ideating from homes, brainstorming via Zoom, submitting artworks through Viber, and supervising production from our dining tables, we’ve clearly demonstrated that no pandemic can cage the creative spirit, and if anything the virus has only strengthened our resolve to create solutions, to connect with people, and to be a force for good in today’s difficult world.”

“We have a power that no pandemic can touch, no lockdown can contain and that is the power of creativity. Our capacity to create, to move businesses, brands, and people, to make us feel something more than just fear and uncertainty and even with great distance, connect us all with a higher purpose,” Russel Molina, Chief Creative Officer of Seven A.D. and Committee Chairman of the Kidlat Awards furthered.

In total, more than 600 entries were screened and judged by a veritable list of heavyweights from a variety of fields. This year, there were five main categories for the Kidlat Awards. These are: Creative Effectiveness, Creative Technology and Media, Creative Storytelling, Creative Purpose, and Craft.

This year, 85 entries received the Bronze Kidlat Award, while 41 entries took home the Silver Kidlat Award. Twenty-six entries were honored with the Gold Kidlat.

For the first time, the most prestigious award of the night—the Grand Kidlat—went to not one but four entries as a winner was named in each category. The Grand Kidlat for Creative Technology and Media went to McClassroom by Leo Burnett Group Manila and McDonald’s Philippines. McClassroom also won the Grand Kidlat for Creative Purpose. The Grand Kidlat in Creative Storytelling was Story of Us by Leo Burnett Group Manila and McDonald’s Philippines. Gold by Arcade Film Factory and ARC Refreshments Corp. took home the Grand Kidlat in Craft.

Filmpabrika, Inc. was named the Kidlat Film Production House of the Year. The Kidlat Audio Production House of the Year went to Soundesign Manila.

As for the most anticipated awards of the night, the Advertiser of the Year was McDonald’s Philippines and the Agency of the Year was TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno.

Meanwhile, three new names have been added to the venerable list of Kidlat Awards Hall of Fame Awardees. Andrew Petch, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Petch&Partners; Biboy Royong, Executive Creative Director of Dentsu Jayme Syfu; and Trixie Diyco, Executive Creative Director of Publicis JimenezBasic, were all honored for their outstanding contributions to the local advertising industry and for their years of consistently outstanding work that has elevated creative work in the country.

Melvin Mangada, Chairman of the 4As and Chairman and Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno, was the recipient of the Kidlat Lifetime Achievement Award. He was feted by a range of local and international advertising icons, corporate leaders, co-workers, clients, and even family members, who hailed Mangada’s work as some of the most consequential in Philippine advertising.

“Creativity is my life’s work. And for the past 30 years, I’ve found that the best work comes from a deep understanding of our humanity. If the needs of humanity are our creative fuel, then our work must be a reflection of life to be truly effective. Every day, for the sake of humanity, we invent what most people consider impossible,” Mangada said in his acceptance speech.

The finalists in Jam for Good 2 were also announced during the Kidlat Awards. Fifteen teams are now moving forward and participating in the Google Young Creatives Incubation Program. Jam for Good 2 aims to bring the brightest young creative minds together to address one pressing social issue through ingenuity, creativity, and technology. The winning team will have the opportunity of a lifetime—being a representative of the Philippines to the Cannes Young Lions.

This year’s CreativeFest and Kidlat Awards were made possible by Bench, JTI, and Ginebra, in partnership with Cignal, TV5, One Sports, Provill, Google Creative Works, Grupo Agatep, Adobo Magazine, Hit Productions, and Plan B.

To know more about the Kidlat Awards, the CreativeFest, and other future activities of 4As, please visit www.4asphilippines.com, like and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4asPhilippines.