The SM Store launches Share Your Extras for the benefit of Typhoon Odette communities

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Let’s make the start of the year more meaningful by donating new or gently used clothes via The SM Store and SM Foundation’s Share Your Extras. Donations pooled this year will be for the benefit of communities impacted by Typhoon Odette.

Shoppers can drop off their pre-loved clothes or purchase new ones for donation at any of The SM Store branches from January 15 to February 15 in Metro Manila, and February 1 to 28 at the rest of the branches nationwide.

For every donated item, shoppers will receive a P100 discount coupon voucher courtesy of The SM Store. This can be redeemed at their next single-receipt purchase of a minimum of P1,000-worth of select items in-store or via Call To Deliver.

What are the DOs and DON’Ts?

·     Donate clothes in good condition. The clothes should be gently used and in good, wearable condition, without holes or damages.

·    Donate practical clothes only. Remember that your donations will go to communities who have lost access to basic needs. Please donate tops and bottoms for everyday wear that can be used comfortably by infants or adults. Avoid donating suits, gowns, uniforms, and costumes.

·    Wash the clothes first. For the safety of the people handling and receiving your donations, clean the clothes first and try to remove spots or stains. Skip donating used undergarments and bathing suits.

·    Check the pockets. Double and triple check to make sure there are no valuables or pieces of trash, such as used tissue or candy wrappers, left in the pockets.

Share Your Extras is an annual initiative of The SM Store and SM Foundation aimed at helping communities in need, such as those impacted by calamities. In 2018, we provided personal hygiene items for families in Marawi, and in 2020, we donated packed relief items for the communities in Isabela impacted by Typhoon Ulysses. This year, Share Your Extras will benefit families affected by Typhoon Odette, which has displaced millions of individuals in Mimaropa, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Other The SM Store campaigns like Share Shoes, Donate A Book, and Share A Toy have received overwhelming support from customers.

For more updates and ways to donate, visit www.thesmstore.com and follow its social media pages @thesmstore on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Shopee Recognizes Top Sellers For Operational and Marketing Excellence

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These top performers exceeded expectations and continue to grow on the platform

As the e-commerce industry rapidly grows, so do the avenues and opportunities for digital MSMEs to stand out. With this need to adapt quickly, Shopee recently held its Shopee Seller Operations Excellence Awards to recognize sellers who performed exceptionally during Shopee’s mega sales and campaigns in the final quarter of last year.

With three categories based on what helped paved the way for their success, these sellers maximized the tools and tailor-fit platform features Shopee provides in order to emerge as among  the fastest-growing sellers in the platform:

• Campaign Ready Award: Sellers who have the best campaign preparation performance

• Top Campaign Day Performer Award: Sellers who have the best order fulfillment performance during a campaign day

• All-Around Award: Sellers who have the best overall performance during campaign season, from preparations to fulfillment of orders.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Growing in e-commerce is a journey, and we are glad to support our sellers every step of the way. Shopee is pleased to recognize and celebrate these sellers who are exemplary in using Shopee-provided tools and opportunities to grow their business. We believe that they will be an inspiration to many other Filipino entrepreneurs who are already Shopee sellers or soon to embark on their digital journey with us.”

Shopee’s monthly campaigns and initiatives have helped to boost sellers’ sales and growth on the platform. During its 11.11 Big Christmas Sale, local sellers benefited from the spike in shopping activity, as those joining 11.11 for the first time saw their orders surge 18 times compared to an average day. For its 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, sellers in non-metro cities benefited from the increased visibility at seeing a 12-time uplift in orders compared to an average day. 

Shopee also enables its sellers to thrive through dedicated mentoring, free training sessions, as well as exclusive online courses in Shopee’s Seller Education Hub. These efforts to make e-commerce accessible for all include helping sellers maximize the benefits of digital payment options via its integrated mobile wallet, ShopeePay. Through ShopeePay, sellers can have easier access to their earnings via the Seller Balance feature, allowing for better tracking of their shop’s revenue. Sellers can also directly cash in their ShopeePay wallets with their Seller Balance, so they can enjoy the many features of ShopeePay such as buying load, paying bills, and sending money. 

As e-commerce becomes a more integral part of the everyday lives of Filipinos, Shopee invites current and aspiring entrepreneurs to explore the evolving digital space by Getting Started on Shopee!

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

DOT Launches “ASMR Experience the Philippines” Project

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The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) invites everyone to go on an ambient sound trip and experience a destination through the distinct sounds that can be heard when all is quiet.

In launching the “ASMR Experience the Philippines” Project, the DOT aims to bring people to certain destinations through ASMR videos that explore the natural sounds of a place, allowing one to tune into nature and be fully present in the moment.

The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (QJEP) defines Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) as a “special perceptual phenomenon in which some people can experience a tingling, static-like sensation in response to some certain auditory or visual stimulations”. It brings a pleasant feeling that one experiences in response to certain sounds, visuals, feelings, or descriptions. The sensation leads to contentment and relaxation.

“This project of the DOT is anchored on the concept that, when people travel, they go ‘sightseeing’, but it is with their ears that they hear and sense things all around them. Through these videos, people get to share with the travel experience,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

The Municipality of Barlig in Mountain Province offers a captivating view of the world famous rice terraces. Photo by @celluloidmanila, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The initial four ASMR videos that will be launched feature the Mountain Province in the Cordilleras, particularly the remote town of Barlig located at the foothills of Mt. Amuyao and the journey to the summit of the mountain. 

With Mountain Province currently under Alert Level 4, and the rest of the country under the observation of different alert level restrictions, these videos will allow viewers to experience the grandeur of Mountain Province no matter where they are, through their video devices.

The trail to the peak of Mt. Amuyao, the highest point of Mountain Province. Photo by @celluloidmanila, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The first video for the Mountain Province series, featuring a walk in the serene town of Barlig and its amazing terraces, has already been launched on DOT’s YouTube channel and can be accessed through this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjJeD2qsshyH_uDuKLjassvLUulHCwKmS. This is the first of several ASMR video series. The succeeding video series will explore Ilocos Norte, then destinations in Visayas and Mindanao.

Located at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, Saud Beach was hailed as one of the Travel + Leisure’s list of 25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Recorded using Ambisonics, the audio is captured in a 360-degree sphere from the position of the microphone. This immersive experience teleports the viewer/listener to the environment. One can leave this on in the background as unobtrusive, calming noises throughout the day.

For best experience, use open back headphones, but any headphones, earphones, or earbuds will also work. 

All ASMR videos can be accessed through the DOT official YouTube channel. Subscribe to get updates when new videos are uploaded.

Enjoy up to 30% off on the best Unilever Beauty bundles from Pond's, Dove, Tresemme, and more at Shopee's NEW Brand Spotlight!

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Skin care is part of a healthy lifestyle. Those who take the time to wash their face in the morning and at night are more likely to be making healthy choices throughout their day. It's important to wash your face twice daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and extra oil from your skin's surface. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser.

Start your year right with up to 30% off on the best Unilever Beauty bundles from Pond's, Dove, Tresemme, and more at Shopee's NEW Brand Spotlight!

POND'S Antibacterial Facial Foam with Protect Technology, 

BHA and Glycerin for Acne Free Skin 100g

Wash your face with the Pond’s Anti-Bacterial Facial Foam especially after long exposure to the outdoors,

Struggling with maskne? Pond’s Anti- Bacterial Facial Foam is the first step in your anti-maskne routine. Before and after a long day of wearing your mask, be sure to cleanse your face with our face wash.

It’s formulated with an anti-bacterial ingredient tested by dermatologists, Advance Protect Technology that kills 99% of maskne-causing bacteria, as per lab test. It is also formulated with BHA that removes dead skin cells and excess sebum deep within your pores and Glycerin that allows skin to retain moisture. With Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) and Glycerin, it helps prevent acne while keeping your skin refreshed.

Watch out for this exclusive: The POND'S Antibacterial Facial Foam will be on an exclusive bundle with the POND'S Antibacterial Cleansing Wipes only at Unilever Beauty Official Store on Shopee on Jan 24!

Get all these on Shopee Beauty! Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

OSP to set up cleft care center at the Rosario Memorial Hospital in Guagua, Pampanga

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Operation Smile Philippines Foundation (OSP) is setting up a new cleft care center at the Rosario Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Guagua, Pampanga after securing the latter’s agreement to allow the use of the hospital’s premises and facilities for the comprehensive treatment of children born with oral cleft by its medical and allied medical volunteers.

The agreement was signed recently by OSP executive director Emiliano Romano and RMH executive vice president Josephine M. Salvador.

OSP has been providing free reconstructive surgery, dental treatment, medical examination and speech therapy to children afflicted with cleft lip and cleft palate since 1982.

The procedures are carried out by highly trained and credentialed volunteer plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, dentists, nurses and speech pathologists.

Signing the MOA are (from left to right): Eliza S. del Carmen, RMH Vice President - Marketing; Josephine M. Salvador, RMH Executive Vice President; Emiliano Romano, OSP Executive Director; and James B. Joaquino, OSP Chief Medical Officer.

To date, they have treated over 30,000 patients with cleft condition all over the country through medical missions in partner hospitals or in OSP cleft care centers.

The cleft care center in RMH, a level 1 hospital, will be OSP’s third after the ones in Manila and Davao City.

“It will boost our capability to provide comprehensive cleft care year-round,” Mr. Romano said, adding that OSP had earlier inked an agreement with the Philippine National Police in Region 3 to scout for patients and transport them to treatment sites.

“We welcome the partnership with OSP especially since it will give our hospital staff training and volunteering opportunities that we think are essential for keeping our people sharp, motivated and in high spirits,” Ms. Salvador said.