Shanti x Maya Cash Code Hunt is now extended until July 9!

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Find P1M worth of cash prizes up for grabs hidden in the Maya music video  

You've asked for it, and Maya has heard you! You now have more time to spot the hidden cash codes in the Maya music video, and more chances to win a share of 1M worth of prizes until July 9, 2022!   

   

Maya is doubling down on the winners for its Maya x Shanti Cash Code Hunt, with more prizes up for grabs – all hidden in plain sight in Shanti Dope’s Maya music video. From 10 winners for a P500,000 prize pot, there are now 20 winners who can get a chance to take home a share of the P1,000,000 worth of prizes! All you have to do is find them here: Shanti Dope - Maya (Official Music Video)    

   

This MV features 10 unique cash codes which you can key in on your Maya app, to earn raffle entries and a chance to win a share of P1,000,000 in the raffle draw.     

   

These alphanumeric codes are categorized per difficulty – you get a chance to win bigger prizes in the raffle draw for keying in the cash codes that are harder to find. To make this even more exciting, more people can win these prizes by getting the codes right!   

• EASY: Find any of these 4 hidden alphanumeric codes to get a chance to become one of the 8 winners of P27,500.     
• MEDIUM: Spot any of these 3 alphanumeric codes to get a chance to become one of the 6 winners of P50,000.   
• HARD: 6 winners can take home P80,000 in the raffle draw when they find any of these 3 alphanumeric codes in the music video.   

That's a total P1,000,000 prize pot up for grabs! Just recently, the first to spot all 10 unique cash codes hidden in the music video also won the grand prize of P500,000!   

   

Excited to spot the cash codes to win cash prizes for yourself? Here's how you can join:     

1. Watch Shanti Dope’s Maya music video here and spot the alphanumeric cash codes hidden in plain sight.    
2. On your Maya app, tap the Profile icon from the upper left side of your screen and click Missions.     
3. Tap the Shanti x Maya Cash Code Hunt promo, then tap Enter Mission Code. There, you can key in the alphanumeric code you spotted from the music video.     
4. You will earn 1 raffle entry for each correct code entered.     

 

You have until July 9 to spot these cash codes! Winners will be drawn and announced on the Maya Facebook page within the month of July so stay tuned!   

   

Formerly known as PayMaya, the top-rated finance app has evolved from an e-wallet to a powerhouse all-in-one money app Maya. It's everything and a bank, and it enables you to spend, save, grow, invest, and master your money using only your smartphone.      

    

Downloadable for free through Google Play Store and App Store, the Maya app seamlessly integrates these key components: Maya Savings which provides a massive 6% interest rate, Maya Credit which lets you borrow up to PHP 15,000.00 within the app, Maya Crypto where you can get you started on your crypto journey for as low as PHP 1.00, and Maya Wallet which enhances all the initial e-wallet features which had made PayMaya the country's leading digital financial services provider. Get your own Maya account now and enjoy a seamless experience for all things money – in just one app.     

     

Maya is the all-in-one money platform bringing Filipinos bolder ways to master their money. It is powered by a unique integrated financial services ecosystem that addresses the ever-evolving financial needs of today's generation through cutting-edge technology.      

Maya leads millions of Filipinos — consumers, businesses, communities, and government agencies alike — into a digital economy that's more inclusive, transparent, and empowering. Maya is powered by the country's only end-to-end digital payments company, PayMaya Philippines, and Maya Bank for digital banking services.  

Chefs Sau Del Rosario and Josh Boutwood join the plant-based movement

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The fast rise of plant-based alternatives has led to a cultural shift in the global food industry. This has been especially evident in Asia where a growing number of people, young and old, are turning to plant-based foods to boost their health. Another reason it has caught consumers’ attention so quickly is because the growing concerns about climate change have made them more mindful about eating sustainably. According to a recent survey by GlobalData, over 40% of consumers in the region are shifting to plant-based meat and diets, with 11% opting for vegetarian and vegan food, and a third are cutting down on their meat consumption by going ‘flexitarian’, centering their diets on plant-based foods without totally eliminating meat.

With diners already demanding healthier and nutritious food products and making better-informed choices - putting more plant-based foods on their menus make practical business sense for food operators. Answering the call, Nestlé Philippines has made the first step into the plant-based meat alternatives market with its HARVEST GOURMET® brand. The new range provides a close similarity on taste and texture to that of meat products, while offering the nutritional benefits of plant-based proteins. The variety of options have also been adapted to the Asian palate and popular menu choices, including meat-alternative burgers, nuggets, and mince ingredients made from non-GMO soy, wheat, and other plant-based ingredients. This revolutionary line is meant to support restaurateurs, cafe owners, hoteliers, and other out-of-home industry partners by helping them opt-in to adding more plant-based menu options as it opens up more business opportunities to not only provide more choices for health-conscious consumers, but also ‘normalize’ the consumption of meat-alternatives.

“As more people turn to meat-alternatives to achieve healthier lifestyles and to satisfy their taste buds, we welcome our out-of-home industry partners to strongly start taking plant-based menu offerings into consideration as it attracts a different type of customer, while also providing exciting, new taste experiences for loyal customers. This is a recipe that makes good business sense,” said Alexander Ong Oh, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Professional, the foodservice unit of Nestlé Philippines.

Most recently, two of the country’s esteemed chefs - Sau Del Rosario and Josh Boutwood - made the choice to join the plant-based movement. In collaboration with Nestle Philippines’ HARVEST GOURMET® brand, they both created a pair of burger dishes for their respective restaurants in an effort to test out the appeal of plant-based meat among their customers.

For Chef Sau, he created a plant-based Adobo Burger with Pinakbet Okoy & Buffalo Wings with Calamansi Aioli and a Korean-inspired plant-based Burger with Ssam Jang, Kimchi and Nori flavored fries. The latter is currently available to order from his Cafe Fleur restaurant menu. These flavorful creations were made using HARVEST GOURMET® Sensational Burger and HARVEST GOURMET® Chargrilled pieces

Chef Josh, on the other hand, made his own creation of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat Burger made with HARVEST GOURMET® Sensational Burger, Colby Jack cheese, charcoal grilled cucumber relish, burger sauce, chipotle sauce, and micro greens.

He also made a plant-based Honey Buffalo (chicken) Sandwich made with HARVEST GOURMET® Schnitzel, coleslaw, and secret sauce, available for a limited time at his renowned Test Kitchen.

Whether as a chef or a diner, both Chef Sau and Chef Josh lauded how HARVEST GOURMET® has made it easier for them to incorporate a plant-based food into their life and work.

“I keep a very busy schedule, but I make sure I eat nourishing and healthy meals to keep my body energized and ready for the long hours in the kitchen. Eating healthy has never been this easy when I started incorporating Harvest Gourmet into my diet and this is something I would like for my diners to also experience. That’s why I included it in our Café Fleur menu. You will love how it is not only good for your wellbeing but for our environment as well,” said Chef Sau.

When people hear vegetarian, vegan, plant-based alternatives, or anything related to healthy food, there is an automatic connotation that it would be an inferior product; and while some might still have reservations over plant-based food, Chef Josh can attest to the quality of HARVEST GOURMET®.

“As a diner, if I change my mindset, what’s important to me is that it has to taste good, and I have to enjoy it. Is it good enough for me to create a memory that I will remember? Yes, and that’s what’s important. With Harvest Gourmet, these are wonderful base products that we can build up on as chefs and incorporate it in our menu to give that extra option to our guests to choose from,” said Chef Josh.

For a limited time only, Nestlé Professional Philippines is offering HARVEST GOURMET® products at a special discount of up to 36% on both e-commerce and wholesale platforms.

HARVEST GOURMET® products are available through Nestlé Professional Philippines and e-commerce partners: Rare Food Shop, Lazada, Shopee, and Wholemart PH.

For more information on HARVEST GOURMET® products, please visit the official Facebook page of Nestlé Professional Philippines and follow @harvestgourmetph on Instagram.

How AI and blockchain are making banks more inclusive in the Philippines

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Dr. David R. Hardoon, Chief Data and AI Officer at Union Bank of the Philippines shares how AI and blockchain in banks can promote financial resilience.

Imagine having an AI-powered fridge that can predict what ingredients you need for the day, make purchases online automatically while helping you take a microloan at the same time. This can be the future—where banking not only occurs in ATMs or branches but also in every part of your life.

Digitalization in banking can extend banking services to everyone, everywhere. This can benefit rural communities greatly since they are traditionally excluded from accessing banking services like getting a loan.

Dr. David R. Hardoon, Chief Data and AI Officer at the Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), shares how digitalization can promote financial resilience and improve the lives of rural communities in the Philippines.

Ensuring financial resilience amongst rural communities

In the Philippines, many communities struggle to access banking services. 47 percent of Filipinos still lack a bank account in 2021, reported Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the central bank of the Philippines. This includes many farmers and those working in the informal sector, like handicraft vendors.

A reason is that some rural residents do not have the documents needed to open a bank account, like identification or income statements. Without a bank account, it is harder for them to receive or transfer money.

But giving rural farmers a bank account does not solve all problems, says Hardoon. It might seem like financial inclusion, but they still cannot access services like getting a loan if they lack the necessary documents.

Banks need to go beyond financial inclusion, Hardoon emphasizes. This means promoting financial resilience—giving rural communities continuous opportunities to improve their finances.

AI helps excluded communities access banking services

Banks can use AI to help citizens achieve financial resilience. UnionBank’s MSME Business Loan project was created with the aim of extending credit access to the bank’s Mass Market clients—including rural communities—through the enhanced, alternative AI-powered credit scoring and risk models. UnionBank Business Loan is being offered in SeekCap, an online lending marketplace managed by UnionBankthe bank’s fintech arm UBX.

Many rural residents struggle to get a loan to start a business or go to college as they need credit scores. Farmers or vendors mainly use cash instead of credit cards, Hardoon explains. As it is harder for banks to assess their credit score worthiness, they might not be eligible for a loan.

The enhanced, alternative AI-powered credit scoring and risk models calculate and evaluate credit scores based on alternative data such as macro and socio-economic data, geographical attributes such as points of interests and land elevation, and internet footprint.

TheseWith the help of data analytics and machine learning, tools can generate data-driven recommendations are generated on whether to extend the loan to the customer in a few seconds. This makes it faster and more flexible for rural residents to get loans.

Connecting rural banks using blockchain

Blockchain technology in banking can “rapidly connect institutions that were previously not connected,” says Hardoon. Blockchain allows transactions to occur immediately without going through a third party.

53 percent of Filipinos in 2020 live in rural areas, reported the World Bank. But rural banks are disconnected from major banks and each other because they do not have the tools to provide electronic banking services. This makes it hard for rural residents to receive or transfer funds quickly.

Bank connectivity is also important for overseas workers to easily transfer money to families in rural villages. In the Philippines, overseas remittances make up 10 percent of the GDP, shared UnionBank.

UnionBank’s Project i2i uses blockchain solutions that remove manual processes in transferring money, making it faster. When you transfer money to and from rural banks without blockchain, it might take hours or a few days because the banks need to verify the transaction without blockchain tech.

But blockchain is very secure. It is additionally, as blockchain technologies are not centrally controlled, so it is hard for cyber attackers to access the data through a single-entry point. Others cannot change transactions made via blockchain, so they can be verified and processed in real-time. As transactions in blockchain are very secure, they can occur even outside of the bank’s business hours.

The hyper personalisation of banking

UnionBank is also using digitalization to make banking engage more closely with the citizens’ lifestyles. They launched The ARK, a fully -digital branch in the Philippines, which uses technology to align banking services to the individual’s needs.

Virtual reality headsets allow customers to check out the car or house that they are applying to get a loan for. This can help them make better and more informed decisions. “It’s almost like a gamification of banking,” says Hardoon.

Meanwhile, a virtual teller machine provides virtual customer service, cash deposits, and withdrawals. This makes it more convenient for customers who are rushing to work or do other activities.

The whole narrative of banking doesn’t need to be just in terms of finances, but a lifestyle, Hardoon highlights. People don’t just open their wallets and say, “I’m missing a credit card,” he explains. Instead, they are motivated by certain lifestyles and needs. They might be taking a loan to buy a house or to attend college, for example.

To better address their needs, banks need to be hyper-personalised, Hardoon says. It’s not just about showing customers the wonderful range of loans, but why they are relevant to them by meeting some of their needs, he adds.

The future of AI and digital banking

What excites Hardoon the most about AI is how widespread it has become. “There is AI, but no one realizes it,” he notes. From getting our food delivered to using a carsharing app, AI is everywhere in our lives. But we never notice it.

When people in the streets access financial services, they don’t know that the system is using AI, says Hardoon. They only focus on the benefits AI offers: an easy and convenient way to assess banking services.

For example instance, with an AIthe enhanced, alternative AI-powered credit-scoring and risk models enable a same-day approval process provided that system, they just have to submit the required details are submitted before they can access the loan within minutes. “It’s the practicality—in fact, the simplicity—that I find very exciting,” shares Hardoon.

When it comes to unlocking the potential of AI, it’s just a matter of doing it. “Ai is an investment that pays for itself,” Hardoon says. AI is a learning process—and it’s a process that will only get better, he adds.

Financial inclusion is one of the key elements of eliminating and reducing poverty, as outlined in the Global Goals set by. It is present in seven of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. With the help of AI and blockchain, banks can help more rural residents access financial services and build a better life for themselves.

Credit to: GovInsider

Takeda partners with CARE PH to improve and expand cancer research

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Biopharmaceutical leader Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. has forged a partnership with Cancer Care Registry and Research Philippines Foundation (CARE PH) to expand cancer research efforts with the ambition to provide a comprehensive range of support for Filipino cancer patients.

(From left to right) Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager, Takeda Healthcare Philippines together with Igor Gomes, Takeda’s Cluster Head and General Manager for Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore (VMAPS) hands over Takeda’s grant to Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, Founder of CARE PH and Mr. Jojo Flores, Program and Administrative Officer of CARE PH

CARE PH is a non-government organization founded by Dr. Beatrice Tiangco in 2017 in response to the Department of Health’s (DOH) initiative on establishing a unified registry system in the country for non-communicable diseases such as cancer, stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. One of their main goals is to create and populate a hospital-based cancer registry to supplement existing population-based registries in Rizal and Metro Manila.

Through this partnership, Takeda will provide CARE PH a grant of Php 1,000,000 pesos with a goal of supporting the organization’s mission of “every preventable cancer averted, every screen-able cancer detected, and every cancer patient counted.” 

“This partnership with CARE PH ensures that we improve diagnostic rates for blood cancers such as myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma, as well as other cancers, to increase the chances of prevention and cure in the Philippines. This will help Filipino cancer patients gain accelerated access to life-changing treatments,” shared Igor Gomes, Takeda’s Cluster Head and General Manager for Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore (VMAPS). 

Together for better oncology research and care 

According to DOH, non-communicable diseases are the top causes of death worldwide.  In the Philippines, cancer affects 189 out of every 100,000 Filipinos, with four Filipinos dying of cancer every hour or 96 cancer patients every day . As such, cancer ranks fourth (4th) as the leading cause of death in the Philippines with 48,937 recorded cases from January to October 2021 as stated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). 

Further, based on the research by the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), over 4,000 new patients were diagnosed with lymphoma, making it one of the top 30 cancers in the country. Approximately 300,000 deaths from this disease was recorded in 2020 alone, 2,500 of which occurred in the Philippines.

Representatives from Takeda Philippines and Care PH doing the symbolic gesture of Takeda’s Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma campaign. (From left to right) Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager, Takeda Philippines; Igor Gomes, Cluster Head and General Manager, VMAPS; Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, Founder of Care PH; and Mr. Jojo Flores, Program and Administrative Officer of Care PH

“We appreciate the liberty that Takeda has given to us in terms of how we can further improve our operations–from recruiting volunteers, hospitals, and towards initiating more cancer-related studies. Our main focus in this initiative are the Filipino cancer patients. We want to be able to provide them with registry and research outputs on the epidemiology of cancer in the country, which in turn will help prioritize screening, prevention and therapeutic initiatives, on the road to better healthcare for the Filipino cancer patient,” said Dr. Beatrice Tiangco, Medical Oncologist/Epidemiologist and Founder of CARE PH.

With a standardized and consolidated hospital registry, more robust data can be gathered, more scientific research using local data can be published, and constructing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines will be facilitated.

The Takeda grant will also allow CARE PH to donate computers to be able to train more data encoders at various hospitals throughout the country, and spearhead additional site-specific cancer registries and studies, maybe even contribute to the research and development of newer therapeutic agents for the nation’s common cancers.

“This partnership with CARE PH is something that we are very enthusiastic about since we share the same value and commitment towards bringing better health and brighter future to cancer patients,” shared Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager, Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc.

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About Takeda

Takeda is a global, research and development-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its research efforts on four therapeutic areas - Oncology, Rare Diseases, Neuroscience and Gastroenterology - to develop highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives.

About Takeda Philippines 

Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. (THPI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Makati City, THPI aims to broaden patient access to treatment across the country through sustainable access programs enabling affordable and integrated access solutions for disease areas such as oncology, gastroenterology, rare diseases and by strengthening the healthcare system guided by our commitment to Patients, our People and the Planet.

Four natural ways to boost your mood and wellbeing

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The pandemic has had a profound effect on all of us, but there is a silver lining for mental health in the form of greater awareness and increased resilience, according to the AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing 2022.

The Harvard Medical School Health Blog also published an article positing how positive emotions can help us live longer and healthier. While there are countless factors that influence our mood such as our diet, physical activity, amount of sleep, and social activities, there are also some simple things you can do to help you give your mood a boost that contributes to your overall wellness on the road to a long and happy life.

As a company that protects people’s health and wellness, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, shares these four things you can do to help uplift your mood and live a healthier life.

Look out the window and get some natural light. Being in an environment with access to windows and natural light can improve your mood and help your body deal with stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and even prevent infections, according to the American Psychological Association. Simply keeping your window areas clear and opening your curtains can allow maximum natural light to enter your home and give you a much-needed boost.

Unplug, at least for a while. According to a study, people who use social media for more than three hours daily are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, and fear of missing out or FOMO. Try to make a conscious effort to limit your usage and log off from social media even just for an hour to focus on relaxing non-digital activities like meditation, journaling, or even decluttering. Something as simple as refraining from bringing your phone with you to bed can also help spare you from the unnecessary stressors associated with social media, allowing you to sleep better.

Get on your feet and exercise outdoors. Regular physical activity improves mental health and helps prevent and manage diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several cancers. This can be as simple as taking a 15-minute walk outdoors or even riding your bike to get around instead of driving to nearby locations. Moreover, spending time and feeling connected to nature is also linked to cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional wellbeing, according to the consumer health education division of Harvard Medical School. If you live in the city and are unable to head to a nearby province to commune with nature, there are still lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors, such as taking a walk at a strip mall, or doing activities like cycling, jogging, and doing yoga in an outside.

Build meaningful connections. Filipinos are known to have strong family ties, giving them a support system made up of generations of family members. This is just one example of how we make positive personal connections in life. Personal connection creates emotional stimulation, which is an automatic mood booster, according to a study by Harvard University School of Public Health Study. The AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing also identified connectedness as one of the 10 key skills that help one become ‘fit to flourish,’ reaching the peak of mental health.

On the other hand, people with fewer active social contacts are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, cancer, delayed cancer recovery, slower wound healing, and mental health concerns. While activities such as volunteering and meeting up with loved ones can help you build meaningful connections, talking to mental health professionals can also help improve not only your mental health but also your overall health. By talking about your feelings and being honest and open, you can get the support that best suits your needs.

When we feel safe and protected, we find it easier to relax or focus on the things we need and want to do, resulting in better overall wellness. That’s why for many people, having health insurance coverage equates to peace of mind because of the feeling of security and protection that it gives.

For health care protection needs, Health Care Access from AXA Philippines is a comprehensive and affordable health care solution for hospitalization and medical needs. It comes with 24/7 teleconsultation, a Longevity Fund that you can use for medical emergencies when you reach age 76 and up, and life and accident coverage up to P500,000. Moreover, AXA also offers Health Max, a lifetime health coverage which has a critical illness coverage against 56 major and 18 minor conditions until age 100, plus an Advance Health Fund for medical emergencies, and life insurance.

Knowing you have a reliable partner like AXA Philippines to support your wellbeing through life can empower you to keep doing what matters most to you. To know more about AXA Health Care Access and Health Max, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/health-care-access and https://www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/health-max.