Globe removes activation fee for Facetime, iMessage

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A more seamless experience awaits Apple subscribers as Globe removes the one-time activation fee for Facetime and iMessage services. iPhone users are encouraged to activate their Facetime and iMessage now that the activation is free of charge. Facetime allows users to make audio and video calls while iMessage lets them send messages over WiFi or using mobile data.

“For Globe, delighting customers means that we are able to let them enjoy their everyday essentials. Knowing that Facetime and iMessage are important services to Apple users, even the simple act of making activation easier and free of charge is one way for us to show that we care about the things they love," said Coco Domingo, Globe Vice President for Postpaid and International Business.

To activate and use Facetime and iMessage on their Apple devices, Globe subscribers using 4G/LTE or 5G SIMs simply need to download and install the latest iOS 15.2 version and Carrier Setting Update only available to the most recent iPhone models (iPhone 6S and later).

Customers who are still using 2G or 3G SIMS are strongly encouraged to upgrade to 4G/LTE and 5G SIMS at no extra cost in Globe Stores, in order to enjoy free activation and continue using Facetime and iMessage services.

For free SIM upgrades, customers simply need to book an appointment via glbe.co/abs-queue before going to their desired store. For a hassle-free visit, customers need to bring all the necessary requirements to upgrade their SIM on the day of their appointment:

1. One (1) valid I.D.

2. Your actual/physical SIM

3. Your confirmation receipt after you booked your appointment online

For Postpaid customers who will be requesting for a SIM upgrade via an Authorized Representative, the following need to be presented on the day of the store visit will be:

1. One (1) valid I.D. of the Authorized Representative

2. Notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA)

Globe also reminds customers that while usage of Facetime and iMessage are free, regular data charges may apply when using mobile data.

Those who want to upgrade their device to the latest 4G and 5G models may also visit Globe’s online store. Or, those who are still satisfied with their current 4G and 5G phone may opt to subscribe to the new GPlan Plus, Globe’s SIM-only plans that have even bigger data and the ability to convert GBs to points (starting on GPlan Plus 999). Visit https://shop.globe.com.ph to see all the options available.

For more information on this and to know the requirements for SIM upgrades, visit glbe.co/imsgft.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, highlighting the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. It is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

WWF-Philippines continues to push for Extended Producers Responsibility Scheme

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An Extended Producers Responsibility roadmap was released by conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) on Thursday, highlighting the substantial impact of plastics in our environment and how adopting the EPR scheme can effectively change this worsening plastic problem.

The updated report entitled “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme Assessment for Plastic Packaging Waste in the Philippines”, WWF-Philippines proposes an EPR scheme where the responsibility of implementing the scheme for building high-quality recycling capacity should be assumed by an industry-led, non-profit Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), acting as the system operator, with strict monitoring and control systems carried out by the government.

In the first edition of the EPR study, it was shown that in 2019, the number of plastic items consumed by Filipinos was 2.15 million tons per annum. Thirty-five percent (35%) of the consumed plastics leak into the open environment while 33% are disposed of in sanitary landfills and open dumpsites, with only 9% recycled because of our lack of capacity to recycle both high and low-value plastics.

WWF-Philippines pushes for an EPR scheme as a critical policy tool that holds producers accountable for the full life cycle of their products and packaging. EPR is an environmental policy approach that emerged in the 1990s and is now increasingly recognized globally as a useful tool for accelerating the transition to sustainable waste management and a circular economy. This scheme encourages waste reduction through the elimination of unnecessary packaging of products and the development of more environmentally friendly packaging design.

"We must take collective and immediate action. The proposed EPR scheme aims to build on the country's current waste management system, integrating ongoing actions, and have collaborative action from various stakeholder groups. This way, we can stop plastic waste leakage in our nature." says Czarina Constantino, WWF-Philippines’ National Lead for the No Plastics in Nature Initiative.

The proposed EPR roadmap incorporates the existing country’s solid waste management infrastructure such as Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF), junk shops, and recycling facilities that aims to recover recyclable wastes. The informal waste sector, an important contributor to the Philippines’ recycling rate, has also been integrated into the EPR system. Initiatives from the businesses and civil society organizations have been included.

For the past few years, EPR started gaining traction and support among the policymakers as the House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 9147 also known as the “Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Act” as the proposed substitute bill for plastics that includes an introductory provision for EPR. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Senate Bill 2425 also known as the “Extended Producers Responsibility Act” is now on its Second Reading.

“The battle against unnecessary plastics will be successful only if we have concerted effort from all stakeholders – supported by an enabling policy environment. Let us therefore strengthen our call for the passing of EPR into law, with good implementation, so that we can stop plastic pollution together,” says Katherine Custodio, WWF-Philippines Executive Director.

The proposed roadmap is part of the No Plastic in Nature Initiative - WWF’s global initiative to stop the flow of plastics entering nature by 2030 through the elimination of unnecessary plastics, doubling reuse, recycling, and recovery, and ensuring remaining plastic is sourced responsibly. Through this initiative, WWF-Philippines has been working with cities on plastic leakage, policymakers to advocate for a global treaty on plastic pollution and EPR, businesses to transition to circular business models, and the general public to campaign and act.

To know more about WWF-Philippines and its initiatives, please visit https://wwf.org.ph/

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.