917Ventures' PetPal Targets US$1.6 Billion Pet Care Market in SEA - Expands Access to Essential Pet Care for Filipinos

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The Philippines has seen a significant increase in pet ownership, with 79% of the population now owning a pet, one of the highest percentages in Asia. With the surge in pet ownership, many struggle to find affordable, convenient veterinary care options for their beloved animals with just one vet available for every 10,000 pet owners in the country. 

●       PetPal is a telehealth platform for pets, created by 917Ventures, the Philippines’ largest corporate venture builder

●       79% of households in the Philippines own a pet, one of the highest percentages in Asia - however there is only one vet available for every 10,000 pet owners  in the country.

●       Has expanded retail presence to over 80 clinics and 250 veterinary experts since its launch

917Ventures, the largest corporate venture builder in the Philippines, created PetPal to address this market gap. Launched as a vet teleconsultation service, it has recently started to offer at-home grooming services, home vet visits, lab tests, and vaccinations. It also plans to launch an online pharmacy and marketplace for other pet-related goods, supplies and other services. Their PetPal Club subscription service provides users unlimited teleconsultations for up to two pets annually, along with discounts on pet services. A mobile app version is expected to launch later this year.

Carlo Flordeliza, a Senior Venture Builder at 917Ventures, conceived the idea of PetPal after recognizing a gaping need for a comprehensive online pet care platform. The platform aimed to broaden access to veterinary services and champion responsible pet ownership. The motivation for PetPal was deeply personal after experiencing firsthand the challenges of finding an available vet when his dog, Pippin, urgently needed care.

“PetPal addresses a gap in the pet care market for convenient, accessible, and cost-effective healthcare services for pets. According to ASPCA, a significant number of pets rarely see a veterinarian due to their owners facing substantial challenges such as cost issues and unavailability of veterinarians. These barriers can lead pet owners to delay or skip veterinary treatments, or even abandon their pets. Affordable telehealth services like PetPal can address this while also helping pet owners avoid additional expenses related to transportation, travel time, or missed work,” said Carlo Flordeliza, Senior Venture Builder  at 917Ventures.

The clamor for these services is not confined to the Philippines as the pet care market in Southeast Asia grew to a sizable US$1.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to US$3.08 billion by 2032. Recognizing the potential of the sector, 917Ventures aims to make comprehensive pet care accessible and help the local industry address challenges through digitization, ensuring its growth is in line with the rest of the world.

“More than half of Asia’s population have pets and we see PetPal and pet telehealth services at large as a transformative solution that not only caters to the demands of modern pet owners but also redefines the way veterinary care is accessed and administered, ushering in a new era of convenience, accessibility, and comprehensive well-being for pets,” said Vince Yamat, Managing Director  at 917Ventures.

“By offering a platform, PetPal enables veterinary practitioners to reach a wider audience, deliver crucial services to more pet owners and their pets, and advocate for responsible pet ownership. Additionally, PetPal can also foster economic growth by stimulating demand and therefore creating new revenue streams and potentially generating jobs within the pet service sector,” added Yamat.

Since its launch, PetPal has conducted thousands of consultations nationwide where partner vets provided guidance on pet nutrition and behavior to first-time pet owners and helped seasoned pet parents book schedules for their pets, fitting them into their busy lives.

SM targets biggest haul on International Coastal Cleanup Day with more malls nationwide

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SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, together with SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is gearing up to gather the biggest haul of trash and marine debris at this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16, 2023, at SM By the BAY and at multiple SM Malls across the country.

15 SM malls partner with the DENR and LGUs in mobilizing coastal clean-ups in 12 sites nationwide.

SM’s expanded participation – 15 SM malls in 12 locations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao – will enable more volunteers and employees to join the cleanup drive to help safeguard the marine environment and its resources in the communities it serves.

SM holds regular clean-ups and has supported the International Coastal Clean Up Day since 2015.

Since 2015, SM has been committed to supporting International Coastal Cleanup Day every September and mounting several cleanup drives throughout the year. The recent cleanup last June to celebrate World Environment Day and World Oceans Day generated 29,272 kilograms of trash across 5 SM malls nationwide. In addition, SM By the BAY, SM Mall of Asia, and SM Offices regularly conduct cleanup drives twice a month at the MOA Complex.

Over 11,000 volunteers are expected to gather at SM malls in support of International Coastal Clean Up Day.

The coastal cleanup drive is one of the many projects mounted by SM Cares and leading real estate developer, SM Prime Holdings Inc., to support the marine environment and ocean conservation efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

SM Prime calls on communities to sign up and join clean up drives with designated SM malls.

To know more about SM’s International Coastal Cleanup Day activities, follow the SM Cares Official Facebook page. Volunteers may participate in designated clean-up sites through the following malls and sign up via: https://bit.ly/SMCaresICC2023

1. Metro Manila – SM by the BAY

2. Tuguegarao – SM City Tuguegarao, together with SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown

3. Bataan – SM City Bataan

4. Olongapo – SM City Olongapo Central, together with SM City Olongapo Downtown

5. Sorsogon – SM City Sorsogon

6. Legazpi – SM City Legazpi

7. Daet – SM City Daet

8. Puerto Princesa – SM City Puerto Princesa

9. Capiz – SM City Roxas

10. Cebu – SM Seaside City Cebu, together with SM City Cebu

11. Zamboanga – SM City Mindpro

12. General Santos – SM City General Santos

One-of-a-kind, life-enabling digital experiences: Globe brings customers closer to their dreams in month-long 917 G Day celebration

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Globe, the mobile leader and top digital solutions provider in the Philippines, redefines customer appreciation with its annual G Day celebration. The telco-turned-techco is thanking its customers for their loyalty by bringing together life-enabling tools and rewards in line with its mission to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

Stretching beyond the iconic date of September 17 (09/17) or 0917, which represents Globe’s iconic mobile number prefix, this month-long celebration promises to bring Filipinos closer to their dreams with digital innovations and next-gen tech experiences.

"Through G Day, we hope to help our customers get closer to their dreams through innovative, life-enabling digital solutions, powered by reliable connectivity. We're going bigger in terms of engaging our customers and making them feel valued,” said Jerome Patalud, Head of Globe Rewards.

Globe is also committed to using the G Day platform to reiterate its message of environmental sustainability. Throughout its G Day events and activities, Globe is championing sustainability by encouraging customers to observe eco-friendly and socially-conscious practices through small acts - from proper waste disposal, avoiding the use of single-use plastics, to using sustainable transport through the use of Globe’s electric vehicle shuttles to and from event venues, or via carpooling.

Customers are also encouraged to support advocacies such as the Hapag Movement, the Globe-led initiative that aims to address involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood training.

Here's how Globe is going to help make customers’ dreams come true every day this September:

G Chance The Raffle (September 1-30)

Globe customers can use their Rewards points to redeem raffle entries via the GlobeOne App for the chance to win experiences that money can’t buy. For as low as 1 Globe Rewards point, customers have the power to choose a raffle category. Up for grabs in this year’s G Chance the Raffle are prizes that champion clean transport like a new e-powered vehicle or Gogoro Smartscooters; intelligent home enablement through Globe At Home technologies; vacacion en grande with Globe Roaming packages to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore in partnership with ANA and Klook, plus trips to Davao and Coron with the Discovery Hotels Group.

G Chance the Raffle can also kick-start online businesses and equip aspiring vloggers, giving them a chance to learn the ropes from industry leaders such as YouTube, Meta, and TikTok. Winners will also get access to premium subscriptions such as the RUSH Spark Lite e-Store Platform and Canva Pro, along with the tools they’ll need in their creator or business owner journey. Techies can win the latest intelligent gadgets, and for shopaholics, Globe is giving away a shopping spree at Puregold, GCash prizes and more.

Customers can redeem entries until September 30, 2023.

G Music Fest (September 16)

G Music Fest, now in its fourth year, is making an even bigger comeback as a Music and Creator Festival.

With a focus on celebrating local talent, this year will feature an all-Pinoy lineup from OPM OGs to young emerging performers through partnerships with Warner Music and Sony Music. Attendees from all generations will get to vibe with Urbandub, December Avenue, Lola Amour, Dilaw, PLAYERTWO, Paul Pablo, Sugarcane, The Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Ace Banzuelo, Nobita, Munimuni and Syd Hartha at Circuit Grounds in Makati. Event goers can also hang out at the DJ lounge sponsored by MYX Global.

Beyond inspiration through music, the festival’s Creator Hub will encourage self-expression, learning and creativity through various art and community building activities such as live murals and painting with Drip Splash and Paint It Fun.

Attendees can expect a wide variety of food choices on-ground through handpicked food concessionaires: Better than Ice Cream (BTIC), Kurimu, Pocofino, Jamba Juice, Pancake House, Yellow Cab, Pickup Coffee, Shakeys, Potato Corner, Army Navy. Alcoholic beverages will also be served through official alco partners - Coca Cola, and San Miguel Brewery.

Other key festival partners include Philippine Airlines, the official airline partner, Zing, KonsultaMD, GCash, Parlon, Klook, and PetPal.

G Music Fest will also encourage customers to practice sustainability throughout the event, from limiting the use of single-use plastics among concessionaires, to encouraging BYO (Bring Your Own) water bottles among customers and providing water refilling stations sponsored by Klean Kanteen. Through a partnership with the Waste and Resources Management Inc (WARM), water efficient portalets will be deployed on ground, and manned waste bins will ensure proper waste segregation.

Attendees can also enjoy sustainable transport to and from the venue through electric vehicles provided by GET EV official shuttle partner, with pickup points at Alabang Town Center, One Ayala, and TriNoMa.

G Creator Con (September 17)

G Creator Con aims to unlock the creative potential of each Filipino in the music, content, design and technology space. The event, to be held simultaneously at The Globe Tower, BGC Amphitheater, and Globe Creator House, transforms BGC into an Art & Tech City powered by Globe. It serves as a springboard for Globe's Creator Culture, a long-term program combining thought-leadership, creative tech experiences and rewarding opportunities through creator project grants.

Creator Talks will feature speakers from Meta, YouTube, DTI Design Center, Myx, Social Media Marketing PH, Bitskwela, and creative thought-leaders Nadine Lustre, Mela Habijan, Pat Tinguy, Eva Le Queen, Pio Dumayas of Lola Amour as panelists! While fun and interactive activities from KROMA Entertainment, NABU, Kumu, Samsung and JobStreet will be in BGC Amphitheater, aspiring creators can have cinematic headshots taken at the Globe Creator House. To top it all off, music creators GNY, Carissa and Clara Benin will close the con on a sweet note.

Passes to the Creator Talks and Speed Mentorship can be redeemed with Rewards points via the GlobeONE app. G Creator Con is also part of the Philippine Creative Industries Month, a celebration of Filipino creativity for the whole month of September.

For more information on the different activities, visit the G Creator Con page.

G Fair (September 23-24)

To be held the following weekend also at the BGC Amphitheater, the art and tech pop-up market G Fair will showcase Filipino entrepreneurs and artists. With curated micro, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) and artists from MoCAF (Modern and Contemporary Art Festival), the bazaar offers a blend of homegrown businesses and art. The fair champions businesses with varied causes and backgrounds such as sustainability advocates (Lana, Sewn Sandals & MAGWAI), social entrepreneurs promoting the work of Filipino artisans (Tahanan Pottery & Habi Lifestyle), and regional businesses (Baguio’s Rebel Bakehouse). On top of this, customers will have access to the finest art galleries that feature emerging Filipino artists in partnership with MoCAF. Discover Filipino ingenuity from eight participating galleries: MoCAF Discoveries, R Gallery, Art Toys, Rojo Gallery, Village Art Gallery, Art For Space, Galerie Francesca Emporium and Cartellino.

Customers can pre-order online a few days before the event. On G Fair weekend, they will get to immerse in digital solutions that Globe Business offers, engage in interactive art activities, and win exciting raffle prizes.

G Battle Zone: G Legends Cup and REV Major (September 23-30)

Gaming enthusiasts can participate in an online nationwide Mobile Legends tournament, the G Legends Cup. Winners will receive cash prizes and a chance to meet, greet, and even scrim with Globe's main gaming ambassador Blacklist International.

Gamers may also join the Philippines’ largest fighting game tournament, REV Major 2023, to be held at the SMX Convention Center on September 30 and October 1. Here, the best of Pinoy gamers will play against international fighting game esports athletes. Attendees can also enjoy exclusive giveaways from Globe’s partners such as GrabCar, Move It, and Foodpanda.

With the entire month packed with various events and offerings, Globe aims to give its customers memorable and rewarding experiences that can help bring their aspirations to life.

"G Day is all about celebrating our most-valued customers for staying with Globe throughout the years. With tech capabilities and digital solutions, our G Day celebration this year aims to make our customers feel that with Globe, they have a partner in making their dreams come true," Patalud said.

For more information on the G Day events and how to participate, download and explore the GlobeOne app or visit glbe.co/GDayEveryday.

Phishing or 'Hacking': What's the difference and what can you do to protect your e-wallet

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“Na-’hack’ ako!” – This has become a common catchphrase for the increasing number of people finding unauthorized transactions on their e-wallets and bank accounts. This comes as no surprise because according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, cybercrimes increased by 152% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year, and the popularity of e-wallets have made it an easy target for criminals.

However, the term ‘hacking’ is often confused with “phishing”, another notoriously common type of cybercrime activity. While both end in malicious individuals gaining control over a user’s account, it’s critical for users to know the difference to better protect themselves.

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a kind of cyber attack wherein cybercriminals pretend to be a legitimate source to trick users into giving personal information to gain access to accounts and steal the funds. For e-wallets, fraudsters may call or send a message via email, SMS or social media platforms pretending to be an employee or a company representative to get the victim’s Mobile Personal Identification Number (MPIN) and One-Time Password (OTP) or authentication code.

What is Hacking?

Hacking refers to an unauthorized attempt by a criminal to access sensitive information on a device or network. This is done by taking over a system through force or sophisticated methods.

What’s the difference?

Both phishing and hacking involve unauthorized ways of gaining sensitive information, but they are being done differently. In hacking, cybercriminals take advantage of vulnerabilities of devices and networks to gain access to sensitive information. It is therefore important for users to only use apps that are credible, reliable, and have strong security measures in place to prevent criminals from hacking the system.

On the other hand, phishing scams, derived from the word fishing, are designed to ‘bait’ victims so they will be tricked into giving sensitive information. This becomes highly dependent on the users because fraudsters rely on them to unknowingly give the information needed to access their accounts through fake websites, fake sign-up forms, or fake portals.

As cybercriminals become more creative, some phishing attempts are now designed to appear as a hacking attack. Cybercriminals ‘phish’ information from thousands of users over a certain period, but don’t immediately use these data to steal funds. All this phished information is then used to steal funds at the same time. With the large number of victims noticing that their funds have been stolen simultaneously, it would look like a massive hacking attack, especially if the victims no longer recall sharing their personal information.

The good news is that phishing scams can be prevented if you know how to spot them. Here are safety practices you can observe to protect your e-wallet account from the phishing attacks:

1. Double up on security measures

Make use of additional safety measures found in your e-wallet app. Aside from requiring you to enter your MPIN, e-wallet apps also send the OTP as an additional security measure to verify your identity. GCash also has a DoubleSafe Face ID, which prompts users for a selfie scan every time they login using a new device, to make sure that it is the Verified Account Owner who has access to the account.

2. Think and rethink before you act

Review the sender and the content of a suspicious message even before responding or clicking on the link. If you are being offered rewards or prizes, backtrack if you have indeed joined a program or raffle and verify with the company through another channel.

Remember that GCash will never send links via SMS, email and messaging apps and all legitimate rewards and promos will only be communicated through the official GCash app, so never click on links claiming to be from GCash.

3. Double-check the message that comes with the OTP

Legitimate e-wallet transactions may ask you to enter your OTP as an added security feature. If you receive an OTP through text message, make it a habit to read the entire message and make sure that it matches the request you made. If you did not make the request or if it is different from what you want to do, do not enter your OTP on any site or send it to anyone, to make sure you are not unknowingly linking your account to another device.

4. Be wary of limited time offers and urgent requests

Advisories or offers that instill a sense of urgency is almost always a sign of phishing scams. Legitimate companies will give you enough time to make a decision and will not ask you to provide your MPIN or OTP to resolve a concern, verify your identity or claim a reward.

If you are being told that your GCash account is on hold, confirm this through the official GCash app. GCash will never ask you to verify your account through a phone call or through messaging applications.

5. Never share your OTP and MPIN

Never provide your personal information if you did not initiate a request. As a rule, don’t provide sensitive information, such as your OTP and MPIN, even to your family, friends and other people claiming to be representatives of banks, companies, service providers and government agencies. Remember that GCash will never ask these details from you.

If you encounter phishing scams and fraudulent activities targeting your GCash account, you may report by visiting the official GCash Help Center at help.gcash.com/hc/en-us  or messaging Gigi on the website and typing, “I want to report a scam.”

Get Merry with Affordable Deals at Richmonde Hotel Ortigas’ Pre-Holiday Sale

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As September marks the beginning of the Christmas season in the Philippines, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas welcomes the –Ber months a with a “Pre-Holiday Sale” where those who want to get a head start on their holiday plans can get big savings on room stays and special buffets.

There’s no time like now to book your staycation-celebration at Richmonde Hotel Ortigas this coming Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Get PhP 1,000 off on room rates when you reserve and pre-pay during the Pre-Holiday Sale happening until September 30, 2023 only.

Early birds can get an amazing PhP1,000 discount on their Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve room bookings, with Superior Room rates dropping from PhP5,000nett to PhP4,000nett for December 24, and from PhP5,500nett to PhP4,500nett for December 31 stays. Rates for other room types are also available with the same PhP 1,000 discount. These affordable deals are inclusive of special holiday breakfast buffet good for 2 persons and 15% discount on a la carte food & beverage orders from the Richmonde Café and room service, as well as access to the Health Club facilities such as the gym, indoor heated swimming pool, and steam and sauna room.

Plan your Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities in advance and get as much as PhP 300 on buffet rates and party ticket prices! Get these discounts until September 30, 2023 at Richmonde Ortigas’ Pre-Holiday Sale.

Get in the holiday spirit and reserve your seats now for Richmonde Cafe’s Noche Buena and Media Noche feasts and enjoy up to PhP300 off the regular rates. Secure a table for you and your family to savor a delicious Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet for only PhP 1,380 nett per person. Saying goodbye to 2023 and welcoming 2024 is also more affordable with a discount deal of PhP 1,680 nett per person for the New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, and PhP 1,080 nett for the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party. A New Year’s bundle package is also available for only PhP2,580 nett per person, inclusive of the dinner buffet and countdown party. A minimum of 4 adults per reservation is required to avail of the discounted dinner buffet and countdown party rates. Limited seats are available for sale during the promotion period.

The Pre-Holiday Sale happens from September 1 to 30, 2023 or until allocated slots last. It is available only via direct bookings. To make a reservation, please call (632) 8638 7777 or email stay@richmondeortigas.com. You may also reach Room Reservations at mobile/Viber number 0917 859 7914 and Richmonde Café at 0917 534 4352. Pre-payment is required to confirm reservation. Per DTI Permit No. FTEB – 147211 / 174576 Series of 2023.

As the initial venture of leading real estate company, Megaworld Corporation, into the hospitality business, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is a proud local brand that opened in 1999 at the heart of the then-burgeoning Ortigas Center. It is now a member of the steadily growing stable of homegrown brands under the Megaworld Hotels and Resorts group. For more information on Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, log on to www.richmondehotelortigas.com.ph and for the latest news on the hotel, follow @RichmondeHotelOrtigas on Facebook and Instagram.