BENCH Techs-up with UnionBank: Digital payments enhanced in 800+ stores across the nation

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Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has partnered with Suyen Corporation (BENCH Group) to help the leading clothing and lifestyle brand digitize payments in its more than 800 brick-and-mortar and affiliate stores all over the country, for easier and more convenient transactions for its customers.

The contract signing ceremony between UnionBank and BENCH took place last November 14 at the UnionBank Plaza in Pasig City.

To help BENCH digitize its transactions, UnionBank will be generating in-store QRPH codes that will serve as additional payment channels for shoppers. This will allow them to quickly pay for their purchases without worrying about loose change. They also won't need to use their on-hand cash or fall in line to withdraw cash at ATMs, saving them time.

Because the partnership leverages QRPH's wide range of accepted payment providers through partner banks and popular digital wallets, shoppers can pay for their purchases digitally without worrying about using services or apps they are not familiar with, and simply opt for those that they are already using.

"We believe that the use of QRPH in our offline stores should bring many benefits and convenience to our customers. We want to thank UnionBank for this initiative in tapping us as a partner," said Vice President for Business Development Group of BENCH Bryan Lim.

"This great milestone promises to trailblaze the way we do our business in our respective fields and keep up with the changing needs of our customers," said UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head Gerry Austria. "This is a valuable opportunity to ensure that our customers will have a more enjoyable way of shopping."

#PHDigicon2022: “When I think about BOUNDLESS, I think that’s Magic Johnson!”

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 Philippine Digital Convention 2022 headline speaker Earvin “Magic” Johnson talked about his journey from being an NBA Hall of Famer to philanthropist and businessman

PLDT Group’s Cathy Y. Yang talked to PH Digicon 2022 headline speaker,

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, about his life and legacy 

After two years of holding the country’s most prestigious and one of the most sought-after thought leadership events in the Asia-Pacific Region virtually, PLDT Enterprise held the Philippine Digital Convention (PH Digicon) last October 27-28, 2022, face-to-face at the Marriott Grand Ballroom with a simultaneous broadcast online.

Highlighting the 2-day convention was the live interview with the legendary basketball icon Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson who strongly relates to the PH Digicon 2022 theme of BOUNDLESS. Hosted by PLDT Group Corporate Communications Head, Cathy Yap-Yang, Johnson fondly shares, “When I think about Boundless, I think that’s Magic Johnson!”

Raising awareness

In 1991, Johnson officially retired from his basketball career following the announcement of his diagnosis with HIV. In the same year, he founded the Magic Johnson Foundation, one of the most recognizable philanthropic organizations around the world today, which serves as a single-disease organization that works to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs.

Looking back, Johnson recalls the stigma and discrimination that used to rule the disease and how people talked in “hushed voices”. Now, people can openly talk about and discuss HIV/AIDS–all in the name of raising awareness of the disease. 

Johnson’s ‘retirement’ didn’t hold him back to do what he loves most when he came back to play in the 1992 All-Star Game and won the All-Star MVP Award. He was also a part of the ‘Dream Team’ that won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona during the 1992 Olympics.

“When I look at our team and our achievements, we changed the world when it comes to the NBA and when it came to basketball,” he says. “What we were able to accomplish in Barcelona, the way that the world accepted us, we’ve never seen anything like it. We won the gold medal, but we changed the game of basketball around the world forever. And I am happy to be part of that.”

Raising the next generation of entrepreneurs

Johnson is also the founder and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a global empire with a wide range of business endeavors that range from sports ownership, food service, to media and entertainment. He may have come a long way from bringing coffee shops and cinemas into Urban America, but he remains committed to his mission of creating jobs and opportunities for minorities and women-owned firms. When asked about retirement, the NBA Hall of Famer laughingly replied, “I am not built to slow down. I am a worker; I love to work, [and I bring] passion to my job every day.”

To prepare the next generation of dreamers and entrepreneurs, the NBA Hall of Famer, businessman, and philanthropist advised them about having a positive attitude despite setbacks, the importance of believing in one’s self, and having mentors–a role that he continues to play for many businesses, athletes, and his fans.

“My life is boundless. When I think of my journey, that’s the word I would use. I did everything that was not supposed to be done. When I think about boundless, I think that’s Magic Johnson! I was the first to go through a lot of doors, a man of color. Trust me, you can do it. Everybody out there, you can do it, you can have it, you can go do it, it’s all up to you.”

30 years later, after countless successful ventures, he shared, “Today, Magic’s court is the business world.”

 For more information, visit https://pldtenterprise.com/. 

J&T Express x Lionel Messi 2022 FIFA World Cup Champions

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Finally! Champions!  

The countless hours of training seems is well worth a World Cup title.

The tournament may be over, but legends live on forever,

You can always count on Messi!

#JTMessi #JTBetterTogether #JTExpress

An essential holiday gift for the important women in your life

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s truly an exciting season as we all gather for annual get-togethers. But for some people, it’s also the busiest time of the year — perhaps a little bit too busy that they always forget how to take care of themselves.

According to Frances Prescilla Cuevas, Chief Health Program Officer of the Department of Health’s National Mental Health Program[1], the holidays can bring about feelings of anxiety and depression or “holiday blues,” which may be temporary but should still be taken seriously. Some factors mentioned causing this can be the financial burden of gift giving or having to visit relatives.

Those who have others depending on or have expectations from them are likely the ones to feel the extra pressure during the holidays, especially women belonging to the “sandwich generation” – the 30- to 45-year-olds taking care of both their growing kids and aging parents. On top of work and household responsibilities, we can only imagine how overwhelming their day-to-day could be in terms of responsibilities and finances let alone the holidays.

In fact, The Parenting Index survey in Switzerland found that for Filipinos, societal and internal pressure comes from traditional, collectivist culture, strong family ties, and the demands of balancing childcare and work to help provide and care for the family. The survey also showed that most Filipinos live with extended families.[2] These pressures can leave no time for self-care and can cause a great amount of stress, which would lead to health problems.

It is difficult for the women belonging to the sandwich generation to even begin thinking about taking care of themselves. Starting this holiday season, show your appreciation and remind the important women in your life to relax once in a while and if possible, provide the escape they may need yourself – treat them to a day out such as a spa day, shopping spree, or a vacation getaway – to thank them for their sacrifices throughout the year.

However, you can also consider giving them holistic self-care by alleviating more of their long-term worries in the coming months and even years. A health insurance plan that can protect them and their loved ones against unexpected diseases and emergencies can benefit them financially and mentally in the long-term.

For instance, AXA offers Health Care Access, a comprehensive health insurance plan that covers all possible healthcare needs from prevention care and diagnosis to hospitalization and treatments. Some plans even have teleconsultation and mental health services included — truly something worth having.

Meanwhile, according to another report by Statista, the top illnesses that cause mortality in Filipinos and women are ischemic heart or coronary artery disease, cancer with the top being lung, breast, and colon, and pneumonia. With proper care and awareness, these life-threatening diseases can be prevented.

AXA has health plans that cover exams to diagnose certain critical illnesses in order to be treated immediately. They also have more affordable health insurance offerings, such as their Health Start Lite plan, which costs as low as P535 a month — and this already covers the top three critical illnesses, namely cancer, stroke, and heart attack, and nine minor critical illnesses that women may also be susceptible to.

For more coverage for your loved one, AXA’s Health Start plan has coverage on critical illnesses, specifically cancers, that are common to women. This is beneficial for mothers as they can have the option to share the coverage with their child.

AXA also offers the Global Health Access plan which has best-in-class worldwide health coverage of up to PHP 100 million and includes the diagnosis and prevention of women-specific illnesses through extensive health screening and outpatient benefits, coverage against cancers, reimbursement supplements, and most importantly — cash benefits for pregnant women.

Taking care of one’s health is an important part of self-care. Starting this holiday season, share this reminder to the important women in your life and encourage them to leave space for their own health and wellness, too. The simple act of gifting them a health insurance plan gives them security and peace of mind against health issues so they can focus on what matters most – enjoying quality time with their family and loved ones, and pursuing their personal passions.

"Every day we see a lot of people challenging others on how to take care of themselves, and this ironically resulted in giving more pressure for each of us,” said AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer Nandy Villar.

"People don't need another preacher, but a partner. And AXA aims to be that partner to everyone. We truly understand the tension and struggles the sandwich generation are facing in achieving holistic health,” Villar continued.

For more information on AXA’s health offerings, visit www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/global-health-access, www.axa.com.ph/healthstart, and www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/health-care-access.

[1] “Holiday Blues Are Real, But You Can Beat Them.” https://www.onenews.ph/articles/holiday-blues-are-real-but-you-can-beat-them

[2] The Parenting Index Report, 2020 edition. www.theparentingindex.com.

mWell fortifies digital health services with back-to-back partnerships

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Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s (MPIC) mWell further raises the bar for digital health apps as it expandsapp features and services through partnershipswith top names in technology, wellness, and healthcare.

As the Philippines’ first fully integrated health integrated app, mWell’s ecosystem offers a holistic approach to digital healthcare-- from doctor consultation, e-pharmacy, emergency services and home care-- to fitness and nutrition programs created by experts. Supporting mWell in its drive for innovation anchored on good health and well-being are healthcare expertsHealthLink, Lifeline 16-911 and MedExpress.

With these powerhouse partnerships, mWell users can now avail of expert care for loved ones at home through HealthLink. This includes basic care support, cardiac care, elderly care, and post stroke care. Through the partnership with MedExpress, users mayhave their medicines deliveredimmediately after their online consultation. Access to emergency service is also made easier through ties with Lifeline 16-911. Emergency quick response is now just a tap away on the mWell app.

MPIC President, Chairman and CEO, Manny V. Pangilinan says, “Metro Pacific Group’s mWell shall continue to set the standards in digital healthcare by bringing together experts in technology, medicine, wellness, and healthcare in one sustainable living ecosystem.”

“Our mission is to bring healthcare closer to more Filipinos and make health and wellness available and accessible to anyone, anytime, anywhere. We aim to mWellize the Philippines with good health and wellness. With help from our valued partners, we can truly democratize healthcare,” says MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla.

mWell is the Philippines first fully integrated health app backed by the leading names in insurance, PhilCare and Generali. Technology partners include global leaders in wellness, Active8me and Aktivo.The robust platform is built on Microsoft Azure. To ensure protection against cyber threats, mWell is supported by sophisticated technologies and highly skilled cybersecurity professionals. 

Angel Redoble, PLDT Group and Smart Communications FVP and Group CISO says “mWell's cybersecurity practice is based on Predictive, Preventive, Detective and Responsive cybersecurity operations framework of the PLDT Group, designed to identify and respond to threats efficiently and effectively. The mWell systems go through rigorous testings to ensure a sustainable approach in maintaining the highest level of security to protect our systems, network and customers data.”

mWell is a DOH-recognized Telelemedicine Service Provider.

Download the mWell PH app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and register. Follow mWell on Facebook and mwellph on Instagram for more updates.