Globe treats prepaid users to double Rewards points for #ExtraGDayEveryday

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Prepaid customers now have another reason to celebrate #ExtraGDayEveryday with the “double the points” offer from Globe Rewards.

No more waiting for months to gather enough Rewards points. Instead, earn twice the number of points for every top-up. This is available to Globe Prepaid and Home Prepaid WiFi customers from September 17-20 and TM users from September 10-11 and 17-18.

“Most prepaid customers usually take a long time to reach a certain amount of Rewards points due to the low denomination of their top-ups. This 917, we want to give them experiences that would uplift their everyday lives. We’re providing an opportunity to double their points so they can redeem more valuable offers within a shorter time frame,” said Jerome Patalud, Head of Globe Rewards.

With more points, prepaid customers can redeem more entries for G Chance The Raffle for a chance to win up to P1 million through GCash and other prizes in the weekly draws!

Rewards points can be used to avail of data promos and digital vouchers, donate to worthwhile causes, or pay at any of 120,000 ECPay sari-sari stores nationwide. They may also be converted to other loyalty programs for shopping credits or travel tickets.

The Rewards program is Globe’s way of granting special treats to its customers for their continued loyal use of Globe or TM products and services. While it has year-round offers, the most special happens every September as the company celebrates 0917.

Project 0917 is symbolic of Globe’s iconic “0917” mobile number prefix. Since 2017, its goal has been to recognize, celebrate, and give back to all tenured customers enterprise-wide for their patronage and loyalty through relevant and delightful rewards.

Explore more ways to have an #ExtraGDayEveryday experience with Globe by visiting glbe.co/ExtraGDay.

Sun Life Asia Service Centre-Philippines named one of the country’s top 10 GBS employers

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Sun Life Asia Service Centre-Philippines (ASCP) was recognized among the top 10 global business service (GBS) employers in the country, according to a study by renowned global research firm Everest Group.

According to Everest, maintaining a positive brand image is of significant importance in sourcing and retaining top talent. The research was conducted to analyze the employer brand perception of over 200 leading GBS organizations across India, Poland and the Philippines across multiple dimensions – overall satisfaction, compensation and benefits, work environment, career opportunities and diversity and inclusion.

Sun Life ASCP received an A+ employee satisfaction grade and also received exceptional scores in compensation, diversity and career development.

The rankings were determined based on ratings and feedback from popular public sites that are critical sources for candidates conducting employer research – Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn and the Everest Group.

Sun Life ASCP shared that it was delighted to be recognized by Everest Group as one of the top employers in the technology and business industry.

“It is truly an honor to be named among the top GBS employers in the Philippines. This is a testament to our commitment of providing our employees with fulfilling and rewarding careers in information technology and business operations, which we aim to achieve through robust programs on career development and personal empowerment, wellness and work-life balance, as well as providing a culture that prioritizes diversity and inclusion,” shared by Aldo Almera, ASCP VP and Site Head.

The study also assessed the initiative best-in-class GBS organizations undertake to differentiate themselves in talent markets. With job flexibility becoming an important factor in the overall satisfaction of more and more Filipino employees, Sun Life ASCP recently launched its #BalikASCPHOme program to help enable a hybrid operating model that will give employees the benefits of work flexibility through work from home while still giving them the opportunities to interact with their team in the office.

The Hybrid Sun Start Program was also created to excite and engage new hires on this model, providing Covid-19 care kits, memorabilia, face to face interactions with leaders and an office tour and coffee with the Site Head, for a more positive orientation experience.

When it comes to career development, Sun Life ASCP provides robust training modules such as Agile, Digital Enterprise and DevOps courses, with over 80% of employees completing courses. The company is also innovating in the delivery of mentorship through digital channels with its Speed Mentorship Program, online sessions that provided an avenue for leaders to inspire, motivate, educate, share best practices and promote engagement to team members.

Sun Life ASCP is also a three-time recipient of the LOMA Excellence in Education Award, recognizes companies doing an outstanding job of talent development through LOMA's professional designation programs. The organization is also Great Place to Work certified for two years in row starting 2020.

Sun Life ASCP is also fully committed to providing opportunities for all through its Diversity, Equality and Innovation (DE&I) programs, with a particular focus on building robust pipelines and an inclusive environment for women, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, millennials and other uniquely situated groups of employees.

Among its milestone DE&I activities for 2022 is the creation of a DE&I Club, which would consolidate its inclusion networks – Bright Women, Sun Life Pride Network, Diversability for PWDs, Dekada for inter-generational programs and Working Families.

For women, the company has launched its #theITWoman campaign, which aims to empower women in tech by highlighting their stories and, collaborating with institutions for coaching and mentorship. Sun Life ASCP also continues to support the LGBTQ sector through various employee education efforts and by supporting organizations like the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride or PFIP.

Sun Life Asia Service Centre-Philippines (ASCP) provides Business Processing, IT, and Knowledge Service to Sun Life's global businesses. ASC Philippines is part of Sun Life Asia Service Centres and together with ASC India, support Clients through all stages of client and software life cycle for Sun Life in Canada, the US, Philippines and parts of Asia. Sun Life Asia Service Centre India was also recognized by Everest as part of the top 20 organizations – IT workforce with an employee satisfaction grade of A.

To learn more about Sun Life ACSP, visit https://www.sunlife.com/asc/en/

About Sun Life Asia Service Centre Philippines

Sun Life Asia Service Centre-Philippines (ASCP) provides Business Processing, IT, and Knowledge Service to Sun Life's global businesses. ASC Philippines is part of Sun Life Asia Service Centres and together with ASC India, support Clients through all stages of client and software life cycle for Sun Life in Canada, the US, and Asia. Over the years, the ASC has achieved scale and operational maturity by integrating closely with Sun Life’s corporate functions. ASCP enables Sun Life business through technology, building new capabilities, and keeping their focus on Client For Life moments. For more information, connect with us through:

Website: https://www.sunlife.com/asc/en/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunlifeascp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sun-life-financial

New Airbnb data shows how tourism has dispersed post-pandemic, benefiting rural off-the-beaten-path communities in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

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●     Across parts of Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific, Airbnb recorded an increase in non-urban nights booked in Q2 2022 when compared with Q2 2019

●     In the Philippines, travel interest in destinations outside major cities have increased with guest searches for Siquijor surging over 280 percent

●     Tourism dispersal is creating new economic opportunities for more people in emerging destinations as they look for ways to combat rising costs of living

As the travel rebound continues to unfold, the benefits of tourism are spreading across the Asia Pacific. In Southeast Asia, new analysis by Airbnb reveals that the resurgence in domestic and inbound tourism is empowering locals to earn a living and make ends meet.

With people continuing to embrace flexible new approaches to travel and living, communities that have traditionally missed out in the past are increasingly well-positioned to secure a bigger slice of the tourism pie, according to new Airbnb report ‘Further Afield: Spreading the Benefits of the Travel Revolution’. Across the region, this has presented fresh opportunities for locals looking to supplement their income as they grapple with rising costs of living.

Across the Asia Pacific, Airbnb nights booked in non-urban areas have increased in South Korea (up more than 180 percent ), India (up about 140 percent), and Australia (up about 60 percent) in Q2 2022 as compared to Q2 2019. In Southeast Asia, searches for stays in Siquijor in the Philippines surged by more than 280 percent while searches for Marang in Malaysia almost doubled.

The typical earnings for non-urban Hosts increased correspondingly in the same period for a number of destinations. In Australia and South Korea, typical host earnings have more than doubled as travel returned in full force. In the Philippines, almost half of local Airbnb hosts surveyed said their earnings have helped them navigate rising costs of living including housing, daily necessities, and home improvement needs.

Not only are travelers eyeing destinations off the beaten path, they’re also looking to stay longer. Notably, nights booked for long-term stays (stays longer than 28 days) in non-urban areas approximately doubled in popular travel and remote working hotspot Thailand in Q2 2022, up from Q2 2019 pre-pandemic.

In Southeast Asia, a number of destinations outside major metropolitan hubs were popular  among travelers on Airbnb for long-term stays in Q2 2022. Examples included:

●       Dapa, Panglao, Dumaguete and Silang in the Philippines

●       Ipoh, Kuah, Semenyih, and Port Dickson in Malaysia

●       Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Lanta and Krabi in Thailand

Mich Goh, Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said: “More than two years since the start of the pandemic, we continue to see fundamental shifts in travel that are creating new opportunities for off-the-beaten-track communities. It’s incredibly exciting to see travelers so enthusiastic about exploring new destinations, as well as the positive economic impact cascading to locals.

“The increasing popularity of Dapa, Panglao, Dumaguete and Silang reinforce the importance of the Department of Tourism’s plans to drive tourism development in the countryside and promote lesser-known destinations.  We are committed to continuing to work together with governments and stakeholders to keep inspiring travelers to step off the beaten path, and help ensure more communities can share in the benefits of tourism.”

In addition to encouraging travelers to explore further afield through innovative search tools such as Categories and I’m Flexible, Airbnb remains committed to partnering with governments and communities in Southeast Asia, including in the Philippines. The company has partnered with Thailand and Indonesia’s tourism authorities on a range of ‘Live and Work Anywhere’ initiatives to attract global digital nomads and remote workers, as part of broader efforts to drive inbound tourism as travel returns.

Readers can view the full report here https://news.airbnb.com/further-afield/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding travel trends, the travel industry and the future of travel, the behavior of Hosts and guests and about our future performance, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “could,” “potential,” “objective,” or “continues” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur at all.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the objectives expressed or implied in this press release. Therefore, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the effects and duration of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on us, the travel industry, travel trends, and the global economy generally; any further and continued decline or disruption in the travel and hospitality industries or economic downturn; changes in political, business, and economic conditions, including current geopolitical tensions and regional instability; and the other risks listed or described from time to time in Airbnb’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including Airbnb’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and subsequent Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks, which are, or will be, on file with the SEC and available on the investor relations page of Airbnb’s website.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on information and estimates available to us as of the date of this press release. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any information contained in this press release, except as required by law.

Sleep specialist: Make your bed a sanctuary only for sleep and sex— sleep expert WFH bedroom set-up triggers sleeplessness

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As Filipinos climb up the charts as the 4th most sleep-deprived people in the world, a sleep specialist advised that one of the "cures" could be making your bed a sanctuary only for sleep, rest, and sex. This is amid the current work-from-home (WFH) set-up where many people have converted their bedrooms as their temporary workstations.

Dr. Debbie Bernardo, neurologist and sleep specialist, emphasized that removing all work activities and their gadgets is one important way by which Filipinos could revert back to healthy sleeping habits.

In a webinar hosted by business community Bounce Back PH and health and wellness company Wellspring Philippines, she pointed out that sleeplessness could lead to depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and breast and prostate cancer.

Sleep expert Dr. Debbie Bernardo (bottom row, left most) led the discussion on the why's and how's of surviving an era of sleeplessness. The webinar hosted by Bounce Back Ph also had Wellspring CEO Casey Ching (upper row, third from left); “Mommy” Vanna Reyes, a resident mom of Madiskarte Moms PH (upper row, middle); Mark Darwin Balaswit, Top Dog Copywriter PH’s freelance writer (upper row, left most); Bounce Back Philippines CEO Nicco Viray and Bounce Back PH COO Bianca Angeles (bottom row, middle and right most respectively).

Tips for the sleep-deprived

Dr. Bernardo added, “People are not aware of their insufficient sleep so they don’t make it a priority in their schedules.” What can help them distinguish their personal and workspaces is transforming the bedroom into a “sanctuary for sleep and sex only. It has to have a comfortable, chilly room temperature and slow relaxing music. Ambient lights must be replaced by night mode, and all other electronic gadgets must be turned off at least an hour before snoozing off. Go to the bedroom only when you want to sleep.”

For her part, Casey Ching, COO of health and wellness company Wellspring, anxiety in their family was the cause of their sleeplessness.

“Our anxiety level was high especially during the pandemic we were concerned about the senior members of the family and the babies and we were also constantly thinking about our businesses so we suffered from bouts of anxiety and sleeplessness,” Ching said. This led them to look for something that would provide them relief and created the Wellspring melatonin gummies.

“We were the first to use Wellspring melatonin gummies and we continue to do so when the need arises. These gummies have helped relieve us of our anxieties and sleep deprivation.”

Discipline and mindset change

Ching shares with sleep-challenged Filipinos the lessons learned during her bouts with chronic sleep inefficiency: “When we lack sleep, we tend to not function optimally. Because you are stressed, you wake up not well- rested---and that hampers productivity generally.”

In bringing the FDA-approved melatonin gummy to the country, she saw that it addressed the sleep problems of “young adults who suffer from anxiety, mommies, and freelancers who have to do the extra hustle to make a living.” She described Wellspring melatonin gummies as “not sleeping pills, but they are there to relax you. Melatonin for example is produced by the body and has now been developed and manufactured in vitamin form. It can alleviate fatigue and let you sleep naturally and deeply.”

Regardless of their parenthood stage, mothers of all kinds---stay-at-home moms, single moms, working moms, and entrepreneurial moms---tend to be sleep-deprived. “Mommy “Vanna Reyes, a resident mom of Madiskarte Moms PH, one of the biggest mommy communities in the Philippines, pointed out that sleeplessness can also affect personal ties, not just work: “You can struggle in your relationship with friends. I have to be more attentive to my children. Alone time with your significant other is important; intimacy can decrease if it is set aside and is often overlooked because of the loaded responsibilities and worries.”

Starting sleep habits early

Balaswit recommended a drastic change in mindset to acquire good sleep: “Filipinos wear this badge of honor for sleeplessness but it needs to stop. Why not do something about it and consider alternative solutions like Wellspring melatonin gummies, exercising, and eating healthy?”

Dr. Bernardo clarified that the recommended minimum hours for adults are still seven. Less hours of sleep, especially in mid-life, “can contribute to dementia in the future. Start as soon as possible in improving your sleep.”

Reyes agreed about developing sleep habits as early as possible, this time for the younger generation. “Let your kids know that sleep is very important in their lives. I collect their gadgets before they sleep. When it’s light’s off, it’s light’s off.” She also tells her kids, “You can succeed in life if you have a good foundation in sleep.”

The devoted wife and mother of three also finds that melatonin relaxes her more and makes her “willing to fight the day with a more agreeable mindset.”

The fun way to take your vitamins

Ching believes that “many people nowadays opt to take gummies because they’re easier to swallow, and taste better.” Aside from melatonin, Wellspring gummies contain other ingredients with added benefits such as vitamin B6 and Passiflora extract.

Ching added that Wellspring is the only brand in the market today to have three variants of their melatonin gummy products. These are the Melatonin Sleep Aid Gummies with passion fruit extract to help relax promote calm before bedtime, Wellspring Nighttime with Collagen and Hyaluronic acid for better sleep and glowing skin, and Extra Snooze Extra Strength Melatonin with L-theanine and Lemon Balm gummies for an added dose of relaxation for that extra good night’s sleep.

Dr. Bernardo expressed hope that others, especially the sleep-deprived, will help her spread “the gospel of sleep. A good night’s sleep is essential for good health.”

Relive the Night like your favorite content creators with the OPPO Reno8 Series, Now Available

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Head over to OPPO Brand Stores, partner dealers, and OPPO Official Stores on Shopee and Lazada to grab the new Portrait Expert

From OOTNs and makeup selfies, to time spent with loved ones on nights out or under the stars, there are many moments after dark that are meant to be revisited over and over. While professional cameras may be the most powerful tools to capture these in high definition, they’re not always the easiest to bring around. Global smart device brand OPPO continues to push the boundaries of phoneography, and this year unveils its latest Portrait Expert, the OPPO Reno8 Series 5G, ready to capture all your best memories in Ultra Clear Portrait.

Some of today’s top content creators took the Reno8 5G for a spin on a night out, and documented the best ways to spend moonlit nights in the metro. Here’s how they chose to #ReliveTheNight:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiCtzGHjbND/ 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiHrz4hhSMS/

#ReliveTheNight with Friends

Lifestyle influencers Laureen Uy and Rei Germar love to hang out with their friends and share these moments on their social media. “Me and my friends' days can be so busy - so I value our nights together where we can catch up, have fun, and be completely ourselves,” says Rei.

From eating the best food and dancing their hearts out, to taking portraits with brightly lit signs, they both love to #ReliveTheNight by capturing these precious moments with those most important to them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch15CfKBSIh/

#ReliveTheNight with Fashion

Model Jessica Yang expresses herself through her style choices. “Fashion has become part of my life. I breathe it during the day, but I live it at night when I snap photos in the dark and under the moonlight,” she says.

#ReliveTheNight by putting on your best fashion foot forward and sharing your favorite after-dark ‘fits.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch2AHwsJQiN/

#ReliveTheNight with Photography

Fashion photographer Xander Angeles knows that shooting at night means chasing where the lights are. “Night photography is moody, interesting, and tricky, but that's the kind of challenge I like when it comes to photography,” he says as he roams the streets of Manila with his trusted Reno8 5G.

With the Reno8, you can #ReliveTheNight with the background of city lights that becomes stunning and picturesque.

#ReliveTheNight with OPPO Reno8 5G Series

Capture your best moments and express yourselves freely at night, just like your favorite content creators with the all-new OPPO Reno8 Series 5G. The latest Portrait Expert boasts of the most innovative night photography features, like Ultra Night Video and Ultra Night Portrait modes, that brighten every subject to help you relive your best moments as if you were viewing them in real-time.

The OPPO Reno8 Series helps you capture everything you see in the day and at night. The Reno8 5G leverages Dual Sony Flagship Sensors to document your best memories in the highest definition, from the bright lights of the city to the stars in the night sky. The 50MP main camera comes with Sony IMX766 Sensor, while the 32MP front camera is equipped with 32MP Sony IMX709 Sensor, to let you shine even in the dark.

Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno8 Z 5G’s 64MP Triple Camera Setup empowers you to become a Portrait Pro. With Ultra-Clear 108MP Image, it delivers a high-definition photo so you can keep zooming in with crisp detail. The triple camera also comes with a Bokeh Depth Sensor for professional looking shots and 4cm Macro Lens. At the front is a 16MP selfie camera with Selfie HDR AI that gives excellent clarity on both your face and your background, with all the colors bright and perfect.

More than just enhancing your portraits and moving images, the Reno8 Series also enhances your life with improved performance features to match your everyday needs. The Reno8 5G is powered by the efficient MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chip, giving you smooth performance for games, apps, streaming and more. With 8GB RAM+256GB ROM, you’ll have more than enough storage to save photos, videos, apps and games. It also comes with AI System Booster, to ensure your phone’s performance does not decline over the years.

On the other hand, the Reno8 Z 5G comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 to keep up with your fast-paced life. The smartphone champions productivity, immersive gaming, and high-end mobile photography with its 8GB RAM+128GB ROM storage.

Both models are powered by ColorOS 12.1 which assures a smooth and efficient mobile phone experience. Features include AI Gestures for hands-free control over your calls, favorite apps and more; Multi-Screen Connect to sync up your multiple devices for maximize productivity; and Privacy Protection to guard your information against wandering eyes.

The Reno8 Series also comes with a 4500mAh battery, as well as top-of-the-line flash charging to power your life on the go. Charge up your Reno8 5G to 50% in just 11 minutes with 80W SUPERVOOC charging, while the Reno8 Z 5G’s 33W SUPERVOOC technology gives 32% in just 15 minutes.

Pushing smartphone design forward, the OPPO Reno8 Series features a streamlined unibody design for a seamless, premium feel. Available in two colorways each - Shimmer Gold and Shimmer Black for Reno8 5G and Dawnlight Gold and Starlight Black for Reno8 Z 5G - the gadgets feature a 6.4” AMOLED Screen and all-day Eye Care to make viewing easy on the eyes.

Relive the Night anywhere you are and get your own OPPO Reno8 Series 5G now available via OPPO Brand Stores, partner dealers and OPPO Official Stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. Shop the ​​OPPO Reno8 5G for Php27,999 and the OPPO Reno8 Z 5G for Php19,999.

Available with Smart

Take home the latest Portrait Expert with Smart Signature Device Plans. With a one-time cash out of Php2,100 and an additional Php100 per month, own the Reno8 5G with Smart Signature Device Plan 1499. The plan comes with 10GB data, Unli AllNet Calls and Texts, and 100 minutes PLDT calls. Sign up today until September 15, and get a free pair of OPPO Enco Buds with your new smartphone.

Meanwhile, subscribers can also apply for a Smart Signature Device Plan 999 and take home the Reno8 Z 5G, with a one-time cash out of Php2,500 and an additional Php200 per month. The plan comes with 5 GB data, Unli AllNet Calls and Texts, and 50 minutes PLDT calls. Those who sign up until September 15 will also take home a free Game Grip.

Get it from Globe

For Globe subscribers, grab the Reno8 5G with no additional cash out through GPlan 1999. The plan also comes with 15GB all-access data, unli all-net text, unli calls to landline, free 3GB GoWiFi and an individual subscription to KonsultaMD.

Those who prefer the OPPO Reno8 Z 5G can avail of GPlan 1799 and get their new gadget with no additional cash out. Users will also get 13GB all-access data, unli all-net text, unli calls to landline, and the same freebie plan inclusions. Plus, the first set of buyers who avail of these Globe exclusives will also bring home a free robot vacuum.

To know more about OPPO’s latest Reno8 Series 5G, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/.