Globe Innoverse: Non-stop innovation for customers to strengthen care and compassion

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Bringing together all its powerful innovations, the Wonderful World of Globe presents the Globe INNOVERSE (Innovation Universe). Showcasing Globe’s transformation into The Globe Group - a digital solutions platform with a footprint in fintech, healthcare, entertainment, adtech, e-commerce, manpower, IT services, and venture capital.

INNOVERSE highlights the Globe Group’s vast ecosystem of technologies made to uplift the lives of its customers. It shows how the Globe Group has reshaped the Filipino digital life, empowering people with a richer connected experience. This enables everyone to become the best versions of themselves as they navigate the new digital world.

“When we started 2021, we thought we could already put the pandemic behind us. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I think we can start having a new perspective that we will just live with this virus. And this is what the Globe Innoverse is all about - a universe of non-stop innovation to serve our customers better, make them feel valued, and with digital technologies, enable them to live a better life,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

The Globe INNOVERSE tour looks at the new Filipino digital life and how digital solutions have solved pain points in different sectors like education, health, finance, leisure-tainment, productivity, business, and digital readiness, among others.

Life-enabling solutions

917Ventures, for instance, brings convenience and life-enabling solutions for both customers and businesses. Its e-wallet service provider GCash leads the fintech space serving 51 million users and growing. KonsultaMD has grown to be the country’s largest telehealth company, while HealthNow has developed to be the leading healthcare integrator in the Philippines.

For the larger start-up community, Kickstart Ventures invests in Pre-Series A to C digital businesses to help them achieve scale and profitability. Kickstart manages over USD 240 million dollars worth of aggregated assets.

Connectivity at home or on-the-go

Globe Mobile and Globe At Home customers also experience innovative and value-for-money plans and promos for reliable and stronger connectivity. TM, for one, celebrates its loyal customer base as it hits its 20th anniversary and Globe Prepaid rolls out its latest affordable data promos. Both Globe Prepaid and TM’s newest products can be exclusively accessed via the GlobeOne app for hassle-free top-ups and subscriptions. GlobeOne now conveniently accepts GCash, as well as credit and debit cards.

Exclusive to the GlobeOne App, TM customers can check out EZ90 for ALLNET CALLS as well as ALLNET Doble FunAliw20 and 70 that comes with free content offers from apps like Facebook, Mobile Legends, YouTube, and Tiktok. Globe Prepaid on the other hand can register to their favorite Go50, Go90, and Go+99 or try UNLIGO. UNLIGO gives users unlimited access to their favorite apps whether for videos, games, or social media.

Globe Postpaid also launched GPLAN Plus with bigger data allocations. Leftover GBs may also be converted to Globe Rewards points to claim perks in entertainment, wellness, and can even be donated to charitable organizations. All GPlan Plus plans also come with free unlimited 5G for 6 months along with unlimited all-net texts and calls to mobile and landline numbers.

At home, families can stay connected for just P999 with the Globe At Home Prepaid WIFI. Powered by ultra-fast LTE, the home prepaid WIFI lets the whole family stay connected with promos like HOMESHARE 199 with 25GB of data that can be used for online schooling, working from home, or watching and playing their favorite movies and games. Globe At Home postpaid customers also get a holiday treat with the Globe at Home FIBER Plans made more affordable with P300 off for 12 months.

Putting a premium on care and compassion

The Globe Group’s digital transformation continues and 2022 is another year for even more innovations. Alongside these are the many ways by which the group takes care of its customers and addresses their needs and concerns through various platforms.

GlobeOne app now has upgraded features giving customers the flexibility to manage and monitor their accounts all in one app. Digital assistants are also in place that allows customers to send their customers and receive a call back when necessary. Globe is also expanding its community-based servicing through Viber groups per area or city, to give customers more ways to get in touch with Globe receive assistance.Aside from its digital customer service platforms, Globe also launched the EasyHub - an innovative kiosk that is simple and conveniently divided into SHOP, PAY, and CARE. It provides hassle-free ways to transact with Globe without the need to wait in line.

Securing a sustainable future

As the Globe Group secures the future of a digitally-transformed Philippines, it has also started on the journey to decrease carbon emissions and promote #OneSustainablePH. Globe is the first and so far the only Filipino company that has committed to set science-based targets in limiting global warming within the 1.5-degree scenario by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Creating a Digital Nation

The backbone of Innoverse is Globe’s network, without which people cannot connect and communicate. Globe already exceeded its 2021 target of laying down 1 million fiber lines to Filipino homes, aiming to end the year with 1.4 million lines. As of October, it has constructed 1,080 new cell sites and upgraded 12,900 4G and 5G sites nationwide. The first in Southeast Asia, Globe’s 5G technology continues to expand in areas where 5G is needed.

Globe’s expanded network served up 2730 Petabytes of data traffic to its customers as of the third quarter this year, the highest so far. This is concrete proof of what the Globe network is capable of. KonekTado WiFi was also rolled out in disadvantaged communities at affordable prices ensuring inclusive access to connectivity.

Likewise, Globe takes care of businesses in their digital transformation to achieve growth despite economic uncertainties. Globe Business goes beyond products by continuously empowering large corporations and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

With all these innovations coming together, The Globe Group offers a spark of hope to its customers that 2022 will be the year to rebound, recover, and regain control of their lives. The Globe Group will continue to deliver what its customers need and more.

Give love this Christmas: Gift your loved ones with Beko appliances

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Christmas is a time for sharing our blessings with others, from family members and close friends to colleagues and even strangers.

Beko understands the spirit of Christmas more than anyone because as Europe’s leading appliance brand, it creates and designs appliances that help make people’s lives easier.

In this time where more people are staying at home for work and school, appliance gifts are very much welcome because they make life more comfortable.

Here are some Beko appliances you can gift to the people who are close to your hearts:

For the condo dweller

The WDB7425R2W is a 7 kg washer and 4 kg dryer, 1200 rpm has the Hygiene+ Wash & Dry Programme that provides ultra-hygienic results at any temperature and a ProSmart Inverter Motor that offers energy efficiency, lower sound levels and higher durability. Meanwhile, the Wash & Wear Programme washes and dries 1 kg of laundry in an hour!

For the single guy who lives alone

The VRT82821BV Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (170 W) has a rechargeable battery and a sleek compact design that makes it easy to store even if your living space is not big.

For the home cook of the family

The BDC6C55Xis a 60 cm, 69 L, 4 vitroceramic hobs multi-functional oven. Halogen Illumination helps you see how your creations are going along without opening the door while the Durable Door supports loads as heavy as 22.5 kg.

For the fastidious homemaker

The GN163122S 640L (22.6 cu.ft.) gross volume has NeoFrost Dual Cooling’s separate cooling systems for each compartment to maintain ideal air flow and optimal temperatures in both the freezer and the fridge. It also has Active Odour Filter that removes odors and bacteria from the cool air circulated in your fridge and Active Fresh Blue Light that help fruit and veg to continue photosynthesizing, preserving vitamin C levels, natural flavours and nutrients in fruits and vegetables and keeping them fresh for up to 30% longer.

For a big family

The WCV10746M is a Steamcure Hygiene+ Washing Machine that has a 10-kg load capacity, 1400 rpm, and 145 wash programs. With Steamcure, it has a steam-infused stain treatment that applies steam to the stain before the wash, softening up dirt and making it easier to remove.

Appliances are also the best prize ideas for Christmas raffles. Beko appliances make good raffle prizes because they are well-designed, durable and practical.

If you're looking for prizes to give away for raffles or gifts for your loved ones, check out https://www.beko.com/ph-en.

Beko launches biggest promo with over Php1M in prizes for the holidays

Beko is no exception as it launches Beko Sends Love This Christmas, where you can win a grand appliance showcase and other exciting prizes all worth more than Php1 million.

The grand prize winner in the raffle wins the Beko Home Appliance Showcase, which includes some of Beko’s best appliances with state-of-the-art technologies to make life easier. The showcase includes a Beko 22.7 cu ft inverter side by side refrigerator (Php61,990), Beko 60 cm wall-mounted hood (Php19,990), Beko 60 cm freestanding cooker with 4 vitroceramic hobs multi-functional oven (Php51,990), Beko10.5 kg frontload washing machine (Php42,990), Beko 8kg air-vented frontload dryer and 1.5HP inverter split-type air conditioner (Php36,990).

Two major prizes of a Beko 22.7 cu. ft. Inverter Side by Side Refrigerator (Php61,990) are also up for grabs. Minor prizes will also be given away to five lucky winners who will be bringing home a Beko 2HP Split-type Airconditioner (Php46,990).

There will also be 12 winners of a Beko 11.1 cu. ft. Inverter Chest Freezer for the mini prize, and consolation prizes for 50 winners of a Beko 2200W Steam Iron, and 30 winners of a Beko 1000W 10-cup Thermo Carafe Coffee Maker.

So how can you join what is Beko’s biggest promo of the year?

Simply purchase any Beko product in a single receipt from All Home, Anson’s, Asian Home, Fair N Square, Goldtech, Greatworld, HAT, Lazada, Robinsons, Savers, Shopee, SM Appliance and Western Appliance from November 15 – December 15, 2021, for a chance to join the raffle promo.

Single receipt purchases of Beko products amounting to Php10,000 and up are entitled to join the raffle. For purchases worth Php10,000 – Php26,000, customers will receive one (1) raffle entry. For purchases worth Php26,001-P40,000, customers will receive two (2) raffle entries. For purchases worth P40,001 and above, customers will receive three (3) raffle entries.

The winners will be announced after the raffle draw on December 17, 2021 at 11am via Zoom with DTI representative. A customer can only win once. Beko Pilipinas Corp. will shoulder the 20% tax for prizes over Php10,000.

Because it's Christmas and it’s the season for loving and sharing, Beko is also giving away 50% discount vouchers on top of the available discount products with freebies on select Beko home appliances for every purchase, so it's a win-win promo for everyone!

Every single receipt purchase entitles the customer to one (1) 50% discount voucher, which they can use on their next purchase. The discount voucher will vary depending on the first purchased product.

Check out http://bekopromos.ph for details about this. Upon purchase, the customer should go to the website to claim the voucher.

For more information, go to http://bekopromos.ph Philippines or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bekoph for more details.

ABOUT BEKO

Beko is the global home appliances brand of the Arçelik Group and belongs to the Koç Holding, one of the largest conglomerates in Europe. The brand has been in the Philippine Market for -six years and is currently available in select SM Appliance Centers, Robinsons, All Home, Anson’s, Savers, Great World, Western Appliances, and Manila Imperial Appliances Stores, and Asian Home Appliance Center in Cebu, and in e-commerce partners: Lazada, Household Appliances Trading (hat.com.ph). This year, Beko will be made available soon in other appliance stores nationwide as it continues to expand its distribution to other retail channels. For information, follow @bekoph on Facebook and Instagram or go to http://www.beko.ph.

 

tick, tick...BOOM! Official Soundtrack dazzles with powerhouse performances from star-studded cast

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The songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Netflix film features 17 tracks of musical extravaganza

Sony Music Masterworks has released the official soundtrack to the acclaimed Netflix film, tick, tick… BOOM!—an album containing music from the film adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical directed by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The soundtrack features songs by Jonathan Larson, who revolutionized theater as the creator of Rent, as performed by the film’s star-studded cast, which includes Academy Award® nominee & Tony Award® winner Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Tony Award® nominee Robin de Jesús, Tony Award® nominee Joshua Henry, Emmy Award® nominee Mj Rodriguez, Emmy Award® winner Bradley Whitford, Grammy® Award winner Tariq Trotter a.k.a. Black Thought of The Roots, with Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Judith Light and Vanessa Hudgens.

Rounding out the 17-track collection are 4 bonus numbers, including a special end credits reprise of “Come To Your Senses” featuring multi-Grammy®-nominated powerhouse singer/songwriter Jazmine Sullivan and a cover version of the previously unreleased Jonathan Larson song, “Only Takes a Few” performed by acclaimed folk band The Mountain Goats.

The soundtrack was produced by Grammy®, Tony® and Emmy® winners Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman along with Kurt Crowley, mixed by Grammy® winner Greg Wells and music supervised by Grammy® winner and Emmy® nominee Steven Gizicki. In addition to the digital release, the album is set to be released in physical formats, with its CD out now and vinyl arriving in 2022, which you can preorder here.

tick, tick...BOOM! which marks the feature directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda, premiered in select theaters on Friday, November 12 and was released globally on Netflix last Friday, November 19.

The film follows Jon (Andrew Garfield), a young theater composer who’s waiting tables at a New York City diner in 1990 while writing what he hopes will be the next great American musical. Days before he’s due to showcase his work in a make-or-break performance, Jon is feeling the pressure from everywhere: from his girlfriend Susan, who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York City; from his friend Michael, who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security; amidst an artistic community being ravaged by the AIDS epidemic. With the clock ticking, Jon is at a crossroads and faces the question everyone must reckon with: What are we meant to do with the time we have?

tick, tick...BOOM! (SOUNDTRACK FROM THE NETFLIX FILM) TRACKLISTING:

1. 30/90 – Andrew Garfield, Joshua Henry, Vanessa Hudgens, Robin de Jesús, Alexandra Shipp, Mj Rodriguez

2. Boho Days – Andrew Garfield, Robin de Jesús, Alexandra Shipp, Joshua Henry, Vanessa Hudgens

3. Green Green Dress – Joshua Henry

4. No More – Andrew Garfield, Robin de Jesús

5. Johnny Can't Decide – Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Joshua Henry

6. Sunday – Andrew Garfield, The Moondance Diner Ensemble

7. Play Game – Tariq Trotter

8. Therapy – Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens

9. Swimming – Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Joshua Henry

10. Come to Your Senses – Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens

11. Real Life – Robin de Jesús

12. Why – Andrew Garfield

13. Louder Than Words – Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Joshua Henry

14. Come to Your Senses (End Credit Version) – Jazmine Sullivan

15. Green Green Dress (Bonus Track) – Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp

16. Out Of My Dreams (Bonus Track) – Veronica Vasquez

17. Only Takes a Few (Bonus Track) – The Mountain Goats

tick, tick… BOOM! (Netflix film) Official Soundtrack is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Masterworks.

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PLDT Enterprise ramps up campaign to drive MSME recovery

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Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have suffered the worst in the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) showed that the MSME sector in the country had experienced disrupted cash flow, income losses, and temporary business closures, among others.

Despite these, MSMEs have been resilient and adaptive to challenges by continuously reinventing their processes with the help of technology. They have invested in digital solutions to innovate and enable businesses continuity amid mobility restrictions and health protocols.

To pay tribute to the unbreakable spirit of Filipino MSMEs, PLDT Enterprise has been relentless in its initiatives to provide suitable solutions to the sector to boost business recovery. The group now endeavors to extend financial and technological assistance to small-scale entrepreneurs and MSMEs to spur and accelerate their recovery.

Vic Tria, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head, said that PLDT Enterprise fortifies its resolve to remain as the trusted technology partner of Filipino entrepreneurs and SME owners as they strive to recover from the economic challenges of the pandemic.

"Our urgent priority at PLDT Enterprise is to help MSMEs to get back up and running as community quarantine measures slowly loosen up. Apart from connectivity, we recognize that they also need access to financial assistance technology services that will help them operate and thrive. This is why we're consistently coming up with innovative digital solutions that are within reach and are tailor-fit to their specific needs, so we can help accelerate their recovery and at the same time enhance their resiliency,” Tria said.

Together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Small Business Corp. (SBCorp.), PLDT Enterprise is supporting MSMEs by facilitating the delivery of assistances in the form of financing, connectivity, digital solutions, and access to upskilling and training.

The group currently offers a “DARE” promo for its BEYOND FIBER solution where MSMEs can avail of the service for only P90 pesos for the first 90 days, with no pre-termination fees within three months upon subscription. BEYOND FIBER is an enterprise-grade fiber powered by the 90-90 Advantage, which provides businesses a boosted minimum speed of 45Mbps or 90% of their subscribed speed at 90% reliability, that ensures the reliability of internet connection at any time of the day.

PLDT Enterprise also extended discounted GigaWork plans via BizLoad and a slew of curated digital solutions such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Shopify, and PayMaya payment solutions to allow MSMEs to transact online.

Additionally, PLDT Enterprise has also been empowering business owners with the latest industry insights through its TechTalk Learning Series, #Unbreakable Tuesdays with DTI, and ongoing virtual workshops with GoNegosyo called #UnbreakableMSMEs series.

“We at PLDT Enterprise assure our MSME partners of our unbreakable commitment to provide relevant solutions suitable for their online requirements. We commit to assist and guide our MSMEs in their digital transformation to help them recover as we look forward to a better business climate in the near future,” added Chito Franco, PLDT Enterprise Vice President for Small and MicroBiz.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com. #

UnionBank wins big at the 2021 Asian Technology Excellence Awards

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The bank secured the Philippines Technology Excellence Awards for E-Commerce - Financial Technology and AI - Financial Technology categories.

UnionBank once again proved to be the Philippines’ leading digital trailblazer after winning awards for E-Commerce - Financial Technology and AI – Financial Technology categories at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2021. The bank was recognized for its responsive efforts to assist e-commerce of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the pandemic.

The bank won their E-Commerce - Financial Technology award for the successful launch of the Sentro Online Store Builder, a project aimed to help Philippine MSMEs launch their own online stores in the fastest and easiest way possible. The said project was conceptualized by the Bank’s fintech spinoff UBX, before the pandemic hit in 2019, but became more timely as more businesses moved their transactions online.

“When the pandemic hit, going online was no longer an option but a necessity. We decided to push our launch up as we knew that the Philippines needed us more than ever,” said John Januszczak, UBX President and CEO.

The key features of Sentro Online Store Builder were the integration of payment and logistic services to its banking features. These features enabled its users to have a smoother deal within the platform and have their transactions monitored in just one system.

“We made sure to pre-integrate payments and logistics services into Sentro so MSMEs would not have to think about who and how to integrate these necessary services. Because of our intimate understanding of the pain points of MSMEs, we were able to quickly sign up over 30,000 users,” Januszczak explained.

UBX aims to follow through with the initial success of the project and plans to add more logistics partners. It also aims to launch a Marketplace that comprises all stores built on the Sentro platform.

UBX also recognized that the success of the project for small-scale enterprises could be replicated and multiplied on a larger scale. This moved the company into helping the Philippines’ first Wedding Expo Organizer, Themes, and Motifs, take their physical expos online. The positive outcome of the expo then led to the launch of TheBridalMarketplace.com – The First and Only Wedding Marketplace in the Philippines.

“We soon realized that it was not just MSMEs that needed help going online. Larger enterprises, such as mall operators, event organizers, professional associations and many more, needed their businesses to get online... We currently have a long pipeline of businesses looking to launch their own marketplaces and we plan to go live with several more before year-end,” UBX said.

Meanwhile, the second award of UnionBank for the AI - Financial Technology category was earned for their innovative approach in revamping loan processing in the country through the SeekCap Alternative Credit Scoring Model.

SeekCap uses a technologically advanced credit scoring system that integrates the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to create a risk-based lending approach. For UnionBank, this new system is the future of banking and shall overcome traditional limitations of the past. Through the implementation of this innovative system, UnionBank was able to manage risks better and offer loans in a more efficient manner to a wider range of individuals and small businesses—that profoundly needed lifelines during the uncertain pandemic economy.

“Most of the time, traditional credit and risk assessment methods simply assess loan applicants using hard-coded, preset rules, sometimes unfairly ruling out potential loan prospects. This is why we developed the new AI-powered credit scoring models. These credit scoring models intelligently and autonomously go through the application, alternative, and external data to create a more holistic, comprehensive profile of loan applicants with insights into customer behavior and needs,” said David Hardoon, UnionBank’s Senior Advisor for Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Hardoon explained that SeekCap helped both parties in multiple ways. It not only empowered previously underserved groups to have access to products and services that were not available through older conventional means, but it also increased the rate of efficiency of the banking process.

“Our new model is now giving us a monthly average approval rate of 54% - nearly double the performance of our old process. Overall, our loans services have generated over US$5 million (over P280 million) in new loans with low delinquency rates. In terms of customer experience, the loan approval process can take as short as one day if no issue is found in the application,” Hardoon explained.

UnionBank will receive the awards at the 2021 Technology Excellence Awards, the most prestigious awards programme in the region dedicated to technological projects and innovations. The award-giving body aims to recognize exceptional companies that are riding the digital disruption wave and leading the technological revolution and digital transformation journeys in their respective industries.