Learn the basics of investing in stocks with GCash’s GStocks Game

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Leading Philippine e-wallet, GCash, is setting out to make Filipinos’ investment journey more fun and easier to understand with the GStocks Game powered by EasyEquities.

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Learning the basics of stock investing is made fun through GStocks Global Game on the GCash app

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The game can be accessed in the GCash app and lets newbie investors learn and practice investing in the US stock market without worrying about losing any money.

Available until August 4, 2023, the GStocks Game is a trial feature in preparation for the launch of GStocks Global.

“As a pioneering investment company, EasyEquities has seen firsthand how investing is the best wealth creation strategy for all ages. We are grateful and excited to be partnering with GCash to bring a game that can motivate, educate, and excite their unmatched user base in the Philippines and promote financial inclusivity throughout the country. We believe Filipinos are ready for it,” said Rish Tandapany, President, EasyEquities Philippines

“The partnership of two market-defining fintech companies can help revolutionize the investment landscape in the Philippines by making it a more accessible and friendly activity for everyone,” said Jong Layug, GCash Head of Wealth Management.

To get started, GCash users can simply activate their account in the app by going to the “view all” icon on the app’s main dashboard, go to the ‘Enjoy’ section, and find the GStocks Game.

Users will then be given ‘play money’ worth $10,000 every week. The GStocks Game starts every Monday where gamers have the opportunity to compete for the highest gains in their portfolio and climb up the leaderboard.

The challenges end every Friday where 15 players have the chance to take home cash prizes. The top players will win P10,000; P7,500 for the second place winners; and P5,000 for the third placers. The 4th to 15th placers will also receive cash prizes.

As users play and learn about investing, they can also collect badges for everyone in the game to see, such as “15% Performance Growth”, “Winner of Game Week”, “Portfolio Diversification”, “Top 100 Game Week”, “My First Trade”, and many more!

Don’t have GCash yet? Download the app for free on Google Play for Android, Apple Store for iPhone and iPad users, or Huawei Gallery.

To know more, visit GCash at https://www.gcash.com.

It’s a wrap: Puregold Channel’s romcom series Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile in numbers

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Puregold Channel recently wrapped up its latest hit series, Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile, with a swoon-worthy season finale that left romcom fans happily fulfilled when lead stars Bryce (Wilbert Ross) and Angge (Yukii Takahashi), who had earlier drifted apart, finally found their way to each other—again.

Puregold Channel’s recent digital series, Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile, was no doubt, successful in capturing the hearts of netizens.

It was the ‘happily ever after’ that ALSLNP’s loyal followers wished for years earlier when Bryce and Angge agreed to part ways to seek self-discovery and personal growth.

The finale also depicted “endings,” not only in the realm of love and romance but also of friendship, like that of Genski (Kat Galang) and Ketch (Migs Almendras). Series fans also saw how life panned out for Bryce’s mother Bessie (Marissa Sanchez) and Angge’s brother Cyrus (TJ Valderrama).

There were glimpses, too, of Bryce and Angge as individuals with career aspirations. All told, ALSLNP bore priceless lessons on the realities of life, much of which viewers could relate to.

With a goal of becoming a pioneer in retailtainment and crafting stories that touch the hearts of Filipinos, Puregold Channel has triumphed in its efforts to create digital series.

Indeed, just like Puregold Channel's previous YouTube series, Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask, and its award-winning Tiktok sensation 52 Weeks, Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile was a resounding success as it delivered pure entertainment to Puregold Channel's 219,000 subscribers, along with viewers across various other platforms.

ALSLNP’s feat translates into impressive digits. On YouTube alone, episodes of ALSLNP garnered views ranging from 150,000 to more than 300,000. The trailers for the series drew widespread attention, as well, amassing organic views ranging from 190,000 to 270,000.

Moreover, the show sparked fans’ enthusiasm in expressing their thoughts and feelings, with each episode generating scores of positive comments filled with praise and admiration.

“This remarkable achievement is a win for Puregold's retailtainment efforts,” Ms. Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold's Marketing Manager, proudly noted, “We are happy that we created and presented a story that beautifully weaves together Filipino culture and values with contemporary issues."

Wilbert Ross, who played the role of Bryce in ALSLNP, charmed viewers with his natural charm and undeniable talent.

Fans couldn't contain their excitement and shared their thoughts on the final episode:

@easterlizaborcelis couldn’t get enough, and says, "Grabeng ganda. Lagi akong nakaabang sa episode nito. More please."

"Naaliw ako sa series na ito. More projects for these actors and actresses. Sarap din minsan makanapanood ng light lang na drama, may comedy pa," @pril0413 adds.

@danicatresvalles6461 calls on Puregold to create more of these stories. "More pa sanang ganito, please, Puregold. The best ka!"

Bryce’s pair, Angge, played by Yukii Takahashi, also enamored audiences with her beauty and acting prowess.

Fans likewise enjoyed the friendship and romantic pairing of Ketch (Migs Almendras) and Genski (Kat Galang) in Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile.

Meanwhile, @bricemendez6401 felt satisfied with the series’ wonderful conclusion. 

"Nagustuhan ko talaga ito. Husay, lahat panalo! Para sa akin bu-solve na ako rito, hindi bitin, hindi na kailangan ng season 2. Naipasok na lahat ng sustansya't aral dito sa series na ito. Pero sana magkaroon ulit ng Yukii-Wilbert projects."

On the other hand, @grandesorellavlog4582 hopes for a season 2. 

"Wah! Thanks Ninang Puregold. I love it. I hope may Season 2 for them. This story has a lesson for everyone na you have to be brave and take a risk to [express] your feelings to the person that is special [in] your life, so that you will have no regrets in life."

Viewers can still join the Bryce-Angge fandom and watch the episode of their much-loved story, in Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile episodes featured on Puregold’s official YouTube channel.

Piedad assures ALSLNP fans and Puregold Channel followers: “Puregold is committed to serving customers the best way it can. We offer not just superior products in our retail chain; through Puregold Channel we also deliver delightful content that brings joy and inspiration to everyone. We urge our followers to subscribe, as there will be more fun stories to watch for!”

Netizens may still join the ALSLNP fandom and catch up on previous episodes, all featured on Puregold’s official YouTube Channel. Those who missed the finale can check out Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile through the series’ last episode.

Do you want FREE entertainment? Subscribe now to Puregold Channel on YouTube. For more updates, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and Twitter, and @puregoldph on TikTok.'

COMCO Mundo ignites epic 7 years celebration with staff awaydays in Greece, movie event with media, APAC agency award win, and office expansion in Manila and Dubai

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Global award-winning communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises marked its epic 7^th anniversary with a milestone staff awaydays in Greece, a special media movie event, a major APAC award win, and the expansion of its Manila and Dubai office.

The COMCO Mundo Awaydays in Greece and Singapore 

Staying true to its commitment to nurture talent through diverse cultural experiences, COMCO Mundo’s staff awaydays, after Japan in 2018 and Australia in 2019, had the team flying to Europe! Mythical ruins and cultural sites greeted the COMCO Mundo employees on the sunny shores of Greece as the COMCO Mundo team explored the country that scholars deemed the land of the gods, the cradle of Western civilization, and the birthplace of democracy.

Ancient legends came to life over their week-long stay with stops at the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, where one could imagine the hustle and bustle of Athenian citizens as they shopped, traded, and worshipped among the remnants of the temples of their gods. Further exploration took the team to the Temple of Poseidon, the Greek God of the Sea, and to the idyllic Greek islands of Agistri, Aegina, Hydra, and Poros. The team also enjoyed a rendezvous with sea and sky with a swim in the Mediterranean. A quick stop in Singapore brought them face to face with another creature of fantasy – the Singapore Merlion at One Fullerton, before they capped their trip with a food feast and an iconic Singapore experience, tasting the culinary delights of this foodie capital at an iconic hawker centre, Lau Pa Sat.    

The company also commemorated its 7^th year with a movie night with its COMCOmigos, treating its valued media, blogger, influencer, content creator, and digital activator partners and friends to an evening of fun games and a screening of the blockbuster Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in Ayala Mall’s Glorietta 4 Cinema.   

COMCO Mundo’s Movie Night with COMCOmigos featuring Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

COMCO Mundo kickstarted the year with a team dinner in Tagaytay

These were certainly celebrations as the company also welcomes accolades and a bigger home for the COMCO Squadron both in Manila and Dubai.

COMCO SEA was once again recognized for its landmark people programs and campaigns as it took home the Medium Consultancy Award at the prestigious and highly coveted PRCA APAC (Public Relations and Communications Association Asia-Pacific) Awards 2023. The company was lauded for effective business results, community leadership, and innovation in its operations.

The COMCO Squadron celebrating the company’s PRCA APAC 2023 win

Meanwhile, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises also recently unveiled the second phase of its office expansion on Ayala Avenue right at the heart of Makati City’s Central Business District. It houses the newly launched digital and integrated communications agency TARO AOX Inc., the group’s parent company COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises, the New PR and Smart Social unit COMCO Southeast Asia, and Southeast Asia’s regional publication SEA Wave Pop Culture Studio.

New COMCO Mundo headquarters in Makati City, Philippines

Meanwhile, COMCO Middle East & Africa is also enjoying meteoric growth, having successfully concluded the Middle East Film and Comic Con or MEFFC 2023 with record-breaking numbers and continuing to be the agency partner of choice of top leisure, hospitality, and food brands. They have also recently found their home at the prestigious address of Ibn Battuta Gate at Jebel Ali, Dubai.

The COMCO Middle East and Africa team based in Dubai, UAE 

“It has certainly been an epic 7 years for us in COMCO as we’ve continued our meteoric growth in the Middle East & Africa, launched our digital and integrated communications agency in Southeast Asia, and expanded our offices on both shores to serve as the craftsmanship vessel for our new talents. What better way to commemorate these wins and our COMCO Squadron who has been with us in this journey than with overseas team travel,” shared Ferdinand Bondoy, COMCO Mundo Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder.

“We invest in overseas team travel because we invest in our people. As storytellers, travel widens the team's perspective about the world and life in general; the shared discovery, journey, and experience strongly connects the team; and the one-of-a-kind immersion further cultivates our workplace culture.”

As its epic 7th celebration continues, COMCO Mundo looks forward to sharing more surprises, major announcements, and a big event in the last quarter of the year. To know more about COMCO Mundo and its initiatives, visit comcomundo.com. Follow them on social media: facebook.com/comcomundo on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcomundo, and @comco_mundo on Instagram.

 

 

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About COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises

COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is the parent company and umbrella group for all of COMCO’s existing and upcoming ventures and initiatives, a collective of agencies and programs dedicated to advancing the communications profession and related disciplines such as digital, media, advocacy, training, and education, and entrepreneurship, among others; to be a force for social change; to nurturing talent growth and workplace community culture; and to championing borderless collaboration. The COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is comprised of COMCO Southeast Asia with network of affiliates in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, COMCO Middle East & Africa, TARO AOX Inc. Digital + Integrated Communications, SEA Wave Pop Culture Studio, Camp COMCO Mentorship Program and Alumni Society, and Citizen COMCO Advocacy Program.

COMCO been awarded PRCA APAC Medium Consultancy of the Year in Asia Pacific,  thrice as Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up at the IABC Quill Awards; Agency of the Year – Silver Award at the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards; Finalist for Boutique PR Consultancy of the Year at Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia, Marketing Interactive’s PR Awards Asia-Pacific, and the global CIPR Excellence Awards; and 150 metals from various local and international award-giving bodies.

 

‘There’s Something Primal About Water and Rebirth’: Lead Writer Peter McTighe on The Rising’s Powerful Opening Scene

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What would it be like to live in a different plane of existence? Watch Neve Kelly (Clara Rugaard) navigate through this exact horrifying predicament in The Rising, an 8-part British crime drama with a supernatural twist. Neve uses her newfound paranormal abilities to seek justice and catch her killer. But as she digs deeper into her life, buried secrets start to rise, and Neve — along with the audience — starts to piece together clues to the puzzle of her murder.

Dive into the world of The Rising as its creators and actors talk more about filming the supernatural murder mystery series

Buzzing with excitement for the whole world to enjoy their masterpiece, the show’s lead writer and executive producer share why they chose to film in the chilly mountains of England’s Lake District and what made them decide on the show’s powerful opening scene.

Talking about why they picked the Lake District as the show’s setting, Julian Stevens, executive producer, said, The Lake District is this ancient space that has this sense of isolation that we wanted to portray in this. The exterior locations are a combination of the Lake District and the Peak District. It gives us this sense of epic scale and enclosure, that sense of the mountains surrounding you and you feeling very tiny in that landscape. That’s what we tried to capture in that opening scene how much of a little dot Neve would be in the lake and how terrifying it would be to find yourself in that situation.

Asked if the story’s powerful opening sequence of Neve floating in the lake was planned from the beginning, lead writer and executive producer Peter McTighe said, “Yes, it was there from the beginning. There is something primal about water and rebirth. I wanted the show to be anchored by the environment and the elements. The Lake District and the Peak District where we shot play a huge part in setting the mood and tone much like Twin Peaks did back in the day – the way that David Lynch and Mark Frost used that landscape is so evocative.”

Looking back to when they filmed the show, The Rising’s lead cast recall filming in the freezing water and how the show’s setting made an impact on them as actors.

Lead actress Clara Rugaard who plays Neve Kelly and who spent the most time submerged in the lake, recounts her experience and said, “Ooh, bit nippy. I mean it was fun. It’s fun to complain in the moment because it was freezing and my lips were blue but you come away with such amazing experiences. I would never have done that had I not had to. It was invigorating. I do take cold showers from time to time now after that because of the whole Wim Hof idea. But it was freezing.”

Solly McLeod who plays Joseph Wyatt, Neve Kelly’s boyfriend, also talked about his fair share of wading in the freezing water: “It was really good fun, but it was cold. It was the first day of filming for me. I was literally thrown in the deep end of a 50 ft to100 ft deep lake. That was probably just what I needed. Any nervousness I had was washed away by this ice cold water. It was super-hard-hitting, super-emotional. So to get that out of the way and be around all the other cast was really good. I was so immersed in it.”

 

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Official synopsis: Neve Kelly (Clara Rugaard) is dead. Understandably, she’s scared and confused by this new (non) existence, but moreover, when she realizes she has been murdered, she’s furious. Determined to find her killer and get justice, she takes advantage of her new supernatural abilities to investigate her own death. In doing so, she uncovers deeply buried secrets and is forced to re-examine everything about her life and the people she cared about.

About Lionsgate Play

Lionsgate Play, a premium streaming service from Lionsgate India and Starz, offers bespoke quality content to its users. It boasts premium and curated content including Premieres, billion-dollar Franchise Movies and binge-worthy Box Sets. Lionsgate Play is accessible to consumers in the Philippines via the app. For a monthly subscription cost of PHP 79, the titles can be streamed with a PLDT Home account.

For more information about Lionsgate Play Philippines, visit lionsgateplay.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.

 

About PLDT Home

PLDT Home is trusted by Filipinos to deliver the fastest internet connection and future-ready innovations to their homes. It is the only telco in the Philippines that has received the most prestigious “Fastest Fixed Internet, Five Years In a Row” award at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ 2022 – a first for PLDT and the Philippines. Enabling moments that bring the family closer together, PLDT Home offers unli-entertainment including Lionsgate Play and its library of award-winning titles.

Takeda and Cancer Warriors Foundation unite for better cancer care access

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Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. (“Takeda Philippines”) recently partnered with Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc., a patient support organization for families of children with childhood cancer, strengthening calls for wider access to cancer care in rural and peri-urban communities in the country.

Takeda Philippines Healthcare Inc. and Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc. represented by (seated L-R) Cancer Warriors Foundation Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Concepcion Pijano, Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc. CEO Carmen “Menchie” Auste, Takeda Pharmaceuticals I-SEA Multi-Country Organization Head Dion Warren and Takeda Philippines Country Manager Loreann Villanueva sign grant agreement for localizing the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICAA) in an Interlocal Health Zone

Through this partnership, Takeda will provide a grant with the goal of supporting the group’s efforts in localizing the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) through the establishment of Interlocal Health Zones, which are systemized zones made up of different local health facilities, dedicated to cancer care.

NICAA was signed into law in 2019, with the aim to ensure improved access, better quality care, and in the process, increased survivorship of cancer patients. The act also seeks to reduce the financial burden experienced by cancer patients and their families.

The challenge continues

Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality in the Philippines[1]. With the rising number of cancer cases, access to care continues to be a challenge for several Filipinos, particularly for those residing in rural and peri-urban communities. Access to cancer information, services, support providers, and even clinical trials have been very limited. Given this, patients in these areas often present with advanced or late-stage cancers, and a significant number may go undiagnosed and unseen by medical practitioners.

To improve cancer care, increase curability, and create healthier communities, it is crucial to establish alliances across stakeholders and sectors. These collaborations will be instrumental in addressing the current gaps in cancer care delivery.

“NICCA not only focuses on basic integrated care, but also holistic care. Care should go beyond just the medical aspect, but also to the psychosocial aspect as well, including patients who survive cancer. Hence, it is crucial to form alliances with LGUs and other sectors to underline the importance of NICCA’s integrated and holistic approach to cancer care,” shared Carmen “Menchie” Auste, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc.

A uniting voice for localizing NICAA

Takeda has been a longstanding advocate of broadening access to medicines and supporting the Philippine government in strengthening the healthcare system. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations, patient groups, and key entities, Takeda engages in disease-awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and advocacy network building, among other initiatives.

“Takeda looks forward to collaborating with Cancer Warriors Foundation in ensuring that NICCA becomes fully realized, which will help provide access to healthcare for cancer patients, their carers, and the general public, beginning with the establishment of Interlocal Health Zones,” Takeda Philippines Country Manager Loreann Villanueva shared.

The Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting parents against pediatric cancer, has long sustained calls for making cancer care accessible especially to patients and their families who take care and look after them.

“We hope that this partnership will zero-in on the implementation of the interlocal health zone, which will be a model of a how a primary health care system can be strengthened all the way up to the district level, essentially localizing the goal of NICAA to improve nationwide cancer healthcare,” Carmen “Menchie” Auste added. The first Interlocal Health Zone will be in CALABARZON Region, which the group sees as one of the priority regions for cancer care.

Takeda Healthcare Philippines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a global R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company.

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About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries.

Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. (THPI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Founded in 1968, 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 & vaccines and by strengthening the healthcare system guided by our commitment to Patients, our People and the Planet.

For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.

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^[1] Philippine Statistics Authority, 2022. https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/crd/pressrelease/Press%20Release_3.pdf