Autosweep & EasyTrip RFID loading quicker with GCash

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GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, now offers customers a more convenient way of loading their Autosweep & EasyTrip RFID accounts via the GCash app.

For a minimum amount of PHP 200, customers with GCash accounts can just go to the Pay Bills portion of the app, select Transportation, and choose either Autosweep or EasyTrip, and enter their account number and the amount they want to load. Topping up load using GCash eliminates the hassle of going to physical locations just to do the same, is evidently faster, and is contactless, keeping customers safe against the pandemic. 

 

“GCash has been a staunch advocate of cashless transactions for the transport industry, for both the public and private sectors, and we strongly support the Department of Transportation’s initiative to shift towards a cashless payment system for our national roads. Cashless transactions provide an unbeatable convenience to customers,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash. 

 

“We also have already enabled bus, taxi, tricycle, and even ferry operators nationwide to accept cashless payments through GCash, even before the new normal,” Sazon added.

The RFID technology is now essential when traveling to northern and southern regions outside Metro Manila, as it allows cashless payments without stopping at toll gates. 

 

San Miguel Corporation's (SMC) Autosweep RFID covers Skyway, NAIAX, SLEX,MCX, STARTOLL, while Metro Pacific Tollways’ (MPTC) EasyTrip covers Cavitex, C5 Link, NLEX, SCTEX, and CALAX. Vehicles traveling on these roads are required to have RFID stickers starting January 11, 2021.

 

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

 

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. 

For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.

‘BLACKPINK: THE SHOW’ reinvents the concert experience for BLINKs worldwide

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While live concerts were put to a stop by the pandemic, that didn’t hinder international K-Pop group BLACKPINK from entertaining BLINKs worldwide! The music powerhouse launched its first-ever livestream concert entitled THE SHOW, on January 31, sponsored by Globe. BLINKs were able to get a reinvented concert experience featuring Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rose at their best!

 

The livestream concert is part of Globe and BLACKPINK’s partnership under the telco’s newest campaign, Reinvent Your World, which empowers its customers to transform themselves in the digital world and open up to new and exciting possibilities, like THE SHOW for example, with Globe as their partner.

 

Kicking off the show with their 2019 hit Kill This Love, BLACKPINK gave a glimpse of what their world tour could have been if the pandemic was out of the picture. Complete with 10 different sets, spectacular and never-before-seen choreography, flashy costumes, and a full-on live ensemble, every BLINK watching at home surely felt like they were in the same venue as their idols.

 

BLACKPINK performed their hit songs Whistle, Boombayah, Don’t Know What to Do, As If It’s Your Last, and an electrifying and fiercer rendition of Ddu-Du Ddu-Du as they danced in shallow waters with fire in the background. Of course, THE SHOW was also an opportunity for BLACKPINK to perform some of the tracks on THE ALBUM live including How You Like That, Lovesick Girls, Love to Hate Me, and You Never Know.

 

Each member gifted BLINKs with a solo performance in between sets. Jisoo sang a stripped-back version of Tove Lo’s “Habits (Stay High)” wearing an immaculate floral gown; Lisa showed her rapping and dancing prowess with her own spin on Doja Cat’s “Say So;” Jennie served looks and talent as she performed a revamped version of her song, “Solo;” and Rose rivetingly unveiled her highly anticipated debut solo track “Gone”.

 

In one of the more tender moments of the show, a throwback clip was shown, presenting BLACKPINK in an empty arena as they looked back at their first concert. “The concert was one of our big dreams. I was highly excited and I had high expectations. I think it was a very precious moment,” said Rose. “It was a tour that clearly showed us the relationship between BLACKPINK and BLINKs.”

 

The girls also addressed their fans in the video, expressing how much they miss performing in front of them and feeling their love through cheers and waves of lightsticks. “It’s been a while since we’ve met, so I hope we can all have fun [during THE SHOW],” added Lisa.

 

For their last song, BLACKPINK sang Forever Young as they were surrounded with messages sent by BLINKs from all parts of the world to close THE SHOW on a high, hopeful note. Fans took it to social media to express how they enjoyed the livestream concert with some even holding watch parties with their fellow BLINKs featuring BLACKPINK-themed snacks and decorations. Other BLINKs also wore their merch and took out their lightsticks to really get the feel of the concert experience.

 

Those with membership access to BLACKPINK’s YouTube channel who want to rewatch the concert will be able to do so over the next Sunday, February 14, at 2 AM, 10 AM, 3 PM and 8PM  (Philippine Time).

 

"Globe continues to provide its customers with a unique and reinvented experience through world-class partnerships -- such as the one with BLACKPINK -- together with a dependable and continuously-improving network, and access to the latest technology like 5G, LTE-Advanced Home Prepaid WiFi and Unli Fiber Plans. Indeed, Globe helps its subscribers reinvent their world amidst these challenging times," said Issa Guevarra-Cabreira, Globe's Chief Commercial Officer.

 

To know more, visit www.globe.com.ph

 

 

Just In Time For Breakfast: The Bicol Express Longganisa

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The long wait is over and the Bicol Express is here to stay–as a longganisa!

That’s exactly what the Bicol Express Longganisa–developed by the same team behind the now-famous Laing Longganisa (after gaining social media momentum and a massive outing as one of the top ten products during the 2019 Ultimate Taste Test by Our Awesome Planet)–is all about.

Bicol Express and its roots

Like many other Filipino dishes, the Bicol Express has several iterations. What remains constant however is its use of pork, balao/balaw, or local salted baby shrimps, coconut milk, chili, and aromatics.

In some areas of Bicol, versions of it may incorporate vegetables such as string beans, winged beans, and bell pepper.

Some would add pineapples, adding a layer of sweetness to the dish. Others have versions of the Bicol Express as sauteed and pan-fried with little coconut milk, while others would be in its original stew version.

While the origin of the dish (and its name) is widely debated (others credit its roots to a non-Bicolana cook who was inspired by Bicol’s Gulay a Lada, or Sinilihang Gulay during her stay in the region in her youth), it is a fact that the Bicol Express has become synonymous to the region’s cuisine alongside Laing/Katanga/Nantong and Pinangat.

Onboard the regional cuisine trend/train

“We wanted to bank on the booming national and global interest towards local cuisine,” Rica Buenaflor of Que Rica says, “and we started with the Laing Longganisa.”, 

With a massive response towards that idea of regional cuisine being made available and easy to prepare, her team has invested in the development and packaging of Pili Nuts (also a hit) in novel flavors such as Truffle-Pecorino Cheese.

After several successful product launches (bottled ready-to-eat meals such as Sinantolan (minced cotton fruit in coconut milk), Vegan Laing (shrimp- and meat-free dried gabi leaves in coconut milk), and other meat products such as the Pineapple-Cured Chicken Tocino) in events, bazaars, and in the digital space, the Que Rica team is taking Bicol cuisine to new, greater heights.

“The Bicol Express Longganisa is one of the five (5) new products we have developed recently while in quarantine,” she quips, “and instead of pork we used chicken to cater to customers who like healthier options.”

Several products are also in the pipeline and who knows–we’d all end up as passengers to such Bicol Express-sions of food!

Order the Bicol Express Longganisa, in a pack of 8pcs or 350g, here.

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Que Rica is a brand of fine tasting products crafted in Bicol for Filipinos in the world. The brainchild of the Le Cordon Bleu Paris-trained Ched Rica Buenaflor, it takes pride in our culinary traditions while continuing to push the boundaries of what delights the Filipino palate. Local, healthy, and proud will be forever in its DNA. It is owned and managed by Phenomenon Group Inc.

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Website: www.querica.ph

Globe At Home Prepaid offers that are perfect for ordinary Filipino families

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As Filipinos try to navigate through life in the new normal, Globe aspires to make sure every household has access to fast and reliable Internet to help each family member stay connected and be able to keep in step with daily responsibilities.

Whether it’s Daddy that has to attend Zoom meetings or Mommy who’s trying to run her online pastry business or the children that are attending online classes, staying connected during these trying times has never been more important. This is where Globe At Home ably steps up with its prepaid offers that are perfect for the needs of ordinary Filipino families.

With the health crisis impacting families from every corner of the country, having access to affordable yet sufficient data plans is of utmost importance. Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi (HPW) provides consumers with this ability as it offers a wide variety of HomeSURF and HomeWATCH promos that suit various needs and budgets.

Weeklong Internet Use

For weeklong browsing and entertainment, families can enjoy the HomeSURF199 and HomeWATCH199 promos. These are perfect for those who don’t need regular Internet connection as they can just get this on the weeks when they need it. HomeSURF199 comes with 30 GB of data, 23GB of which is available for open access data surfing. Consumers can also enjoy 1 GB per day for 7 days to use on Watch, Learn, Chat and Earn apps such as YouTube, DepEd Commons, Google, Wikipedia, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Viber, Lazada, Shopee, GCash, Grab and Lalamove.

Meanwhile, HomeWATCH199 offers 34 GBs. This includes 6 GB open access data that is valid for seven days and 4 GB a day that can be used on YouTube, Netflix, iflix, Viu, VLive, Tik Tok and NBA League Pass.

Internet Service on a Budget

Those on a budget that need an Internet connection on a regular basis can opt for Globe At Home’s 15-day promos like the HomeSURF599 and the HomeWatch599. These promos give consumers exceptional value for their money with enough data allocation that can last for a month’s worth of Zoom calls and research plus extra data to use for video streaming. HomeSURF599 provides 60GB of data while HomeWATCH599 lets one use up to 75GB of data.

Month-long Heavy Internet Usage

Now, for those who need enough data for a whole month’s use, Globe At Home has monthly prepaid WiFi promos like the HomeSURF999 and the HomeWATCH999, which are suitable for families that have parents that work full-time at home and children who are also attending online classes. This way, they can enjoy fast Internet speeds for work or for play, without a lockup period.

Those who watch lots of movies, videos and TV shows can benefit from HomeWATCH999, which provides 140GB of data—enough to satisfy the entertainment needs of every member of the family.

It is important to remember to never remove or change the SIM that comes with the Globe At Home Prepaid Wifi modem in order to enjoy the exclusive promos and rewards. If the SIM expires, go to any Globe Store nearest you and look for a Globe At Home Prepaid SIM only.

Globe’s resolve to establish a better and stronger network symbolizes its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), in particular, UN SDG No. 9, which believes in the importance of infrastructure and innovation as significant drivers of economic growth and development. Globe has pledged to advocate the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

For more information visit www.globe.com.ph

"The Importance Of “Pondo” by Alex Gonzaga, the newest endorser of Villarica Pawnshop

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Alex Gonzaga, the famous social media superstar speaks seriously about the future as she enters a new chapter as a wife. 

There probably isn’t anyone in the country who has not heard of, have seen, or have witnessed the antics of, and the humor of Alex Gonzaga whether on television, the big screen, and most especially online. She has always been seen as the counterpoint to her sister Toni Gonzaga. Alex was the wild, wacky one, while her sister Toni was the more conservative and responsible of the two in the public eye.

“From day one naman, when I entered showbusiness, it has always been my uncaring, off-the-cuff and galawgaw ways that have endeared me to fans and the public,” said Alex Gonzaga. “I was young, carefree, and rebellious in my own way while si Ate Toni talaga ang mas seri- ous, mas dutiful daughter and ate na image talaga sa mata ng publiko.”

Alex stressed that this public image, the wild and wacky sister of Toni Gonzaga was in fact what she used as her “pondo”, her investment and foundation to make a name for herself in showbusiness.

“I had to zero in on something, something na hindi malalayo sa pagkatao ko, para naman believable, I can build on, and use to endear me to the public,” she added.

Of course, Alex added that it did not hurt to have a more established sibling in showbusiness to teach her the ropes and guide her as she started life in the public eye, but she knew she had to be known for something more than being the sister of Toni Gonzaga.

“What people did not realize then na syempre, our parents raised us a certain way and that deep down, I was still a product of that up- bringing di ba,” Alex exclaimed. “I had a strong sense, a strong pondo ng mga pangaral ng mga magulang, a foundation of being God-fear- ing, a need for a sense of purpose, and above all financial security para sa future namin.”

A few years back, Toni and Alex on their own ventured into a business venture aside from their showbusiness careers. One of the more notable venture of the sisters were their Happy Cup Milk Tea business in 2017.

Alex said, “These business, yung milk tea namin is really a product of the deep lessons on preparing for the future that we have learned from Mommy Pinty, na lagging maging handa, laging may nakatabi na fall back, may investment at syempre para pomondo sa kinabukasan.”

Alex did not stop there. She invested as well in her own future with her product endorsements and YouTube channel, as a sought-aTer online content creator that has generated millions upon millions of followers which definitely generated more financial security for the young thespian.

“Yang YouTube channel na ‘yan is probably one of the best moves I have made in my career,” Alex excitedly said. “A lot of thought comes in producing each video, a lot of planning, and of course creativity to ensure that the audience will enjoy what they watch that is true to the Alex Gonzaga brand.”

“Relevance, ayan, relevance and reinvention ang pondo natin dyan sa YouTube Channel.”

Alex mentioned that she capitalized on her showbiz identity, on how she has been seen by the public, and her connections as well as her investment on video equipment, learning editing skills, and the like to ensure that she remains relevant as people begin to move their attention to ‘digitainment’.

In a rare moment of introspection, Alex Gonzaga turned very serious and said,

“Now that I’m a wife and syempre, in the future a mother, lahat ng natutunan ko, lahat nang naipondo ko sa sarili ko, sa business, at kung anu-ano pa, I have to channel now in my new role.”

Alex married long-time boyfriend Mikey Morada, a businessman and City Councilor in Lipa Batangas in November of 2020 during the height of the pandemic.

“I have to be wiser in my investments, I have to be wiser in spending money, need na mas maingat sa mga desisyon kasi I no longer just have to look a:er myself at mga needs ko, may sarili na ako ngayong pamilya and di na naman uso na dapat bilang maybahay ay iaasa natin buo ang kinabukasan sa mga asawa natin di ba?”

“This deal that I have now with Villarica Pawnshop is a blessing,” Alex added. “Dati kasi pag nasa isip ko pawnshop, ibig sabihin nun sangla, parang utang ba na may collateral kasi short ka sa pera, negative ang dating.”

Alex further mentioned,

“Habang nakikipag-usap ako sa kanila, I learned so much more that the industry pala ng pawnshop has trans- formed. Naging paraan na sila para maka-access ang mga Pilipino sa mga lugar na di nararating ng mga bangko sa mga serbisyo na parang pang bangko na rin. They offer such a wide range na service, sila Villarica pala ay ka tie-up na rin ng mga bangko, na nag po-provide na rin sila ng mga paraan para makakuha ng karagdagang pondo para sa mga negosyo ng mga tao.”

Especially in this time of the pandemic, where businesses are closing, that companies are right sizing le: and right, people need to adjust the way they think or else risk their future and their families.

“Naku when you see the news, minsan nakakaawa ang mga nawawalan ng mga trabaho. Napalaki kasi ang iba na need mo maging emp- leyado, na maging manager para sure ang future. Right now, people need to realize na dapat pondohan nila ang mga sarili nila, na pwede rin naman magsimula ng maliit na negosyo, maging entrepreneur,” Alex said. “And si Villarica, believe it or not can help them with that, among other things.”

Alex also mentioned that some Filipinos may find it more prudent to invest in gold if they have the extra money.

“Sabi nga ni Mommy Pinty sa akin, ang alahas, lalo na ang gold, pondo rin yan. She said that it was and will always be a wise investment.” She added that Villarica is a good source of excellent quality gold if one has the extra funds.

With more than 500 branches nationwide, Villarica remains to be a leading pawnshop with the highest appraisal value and a preferred money remittance (“cash padala”) and money changer outlet in the Philippines.

To learn more about other services like bills payment, POS withdrawal, auctioned jewelry selling and even loading, and most especially how Villarica can help you ensure your future and aid you in setting up your business especially in the time of the pandemic, visit www.villaricapawnshop.ph for more information.