SSS, UnionBank sign Memorandum of Agreement for UMID Pay Card Program, set for full launch Q4 2022

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Social Security System (SSS) and Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) recently formalized their partnership, which aims to develop and launch the Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Pay Card, as part of their goal of making financial services more accessible to Filipinos.

SSS President and CEO Michael Regino, UnionBank President and CEO Edwin Bautista, and several key executives and team members from both organizations joined the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony for the UMID Pay Card Program, held last June 27, 2022 at the SSS Head Office in Quezon City.

Harnessing UnionBank’s superior digital banking capabilities and innovation, the upgraded version of the UMID Card will provide SSS members with a number of new features and benefits. Members will be able to upgrade to the new version of the card when it fully launches in the fourth quarter of 2022.

One of the main benefits offered by the new card is the convenience of having an SSS and government ID and a UnionBank debit card in one, where SSS members can receive their loan and benefit claim proceeds, and even refunds, directly and securely through their UnionBank Account, providing a level of ease and convenience like never before. It can also be used for basic banking services.

Best of all, the newly upgraded card gives SSS members easy access to the UnionBank Online app, UnionBank’s banking and fintech superapp designed to revolutionize banking like no other banking app can.

UnionBank Online is an all-in-one platform that allows users to bank anytime and anywhere, complete with essential features such as balance inquiry, bills payment, fund transfer, and mobile check deposits, as well as advanced features like split billing and a savings goal setter and more.

“This is a milestone for SSS, and hopefully with this one, we'll be able to ensure that the ordinary SSS member could now become a bankable person through the getting of his UMID card,” Regino said. “On behalf of SSS, we welcome the efforts of both teams to come out with this reality.”

"With this, we expect significant improvements in our transactions and accurate and timely payment of benefit claims and loan proceeds to rightful members, pensioners, and beneficiaries. More importantly, it will significantly reduce the risk of fraud making online transactions and disbursement of loans and benefits more secure, aligned with our thrust to enhance our digital platforms and services," said SSS SVP, Member Services and Support Group, Normita Doctor, who was one of the witnesses during the signing ceremony.

"We are truly humbled and honored with this opportunity to be the first bank to be selected to work on this program with the SSS. This is a fulfilling journey for us as we do our part to ensure the Filipino employees enjoy their benefits in a meaningful way," Bautista said.

"As you all know, 'teching-up' Pilipinas is one of our advocacies and by ensuring that we help the members of SSS, employees, self-employed and voluntary members of society, we help ensure that every Filipino should have a bank account and should enjoy the benefits of digital, as they say, so that when the country moves up and prospers in a significant way, no one gets left behind."

The UMID Pay Card Program shares the same goal with this game-changing project, an SSS and UBP joint initiative, which aims to make basic financial services more accessible to Filipinos, especially the unbanked and the underbanked.

CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach), a Dreamy BeachTown for Entrepreneurs Where Working from Anywhere Means Working from Paradise

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The freedom to take one’s business wherever one goes is a perk of entrepreneurial life. The pandemic has even fast-tracked the new norm to take the office wherever one opts to park his laptop. If working from anywhere has become the lifestyle of choice of entrepreneurs, where else can they work other than the seaside paradise of CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach), one of Landco’s latest BeachTowns in Batangas.

Luckily for entrepreneurs, the 15-hectare CaSoBe progresses towards completion. The master-planned development offers mix-use residential and commercial lots situated in the rising business hub and beach tourist destination. The development features wide open spaces and beautiful promenades, with parks and retail landscapes.

Setting it apart from other beach properties, CaSoBe elevates the resort lifestyle with inviting details such as blue roads, street art, and creative lamp posts. Hospitality amenities are already fully operational and managed by Millennial Resorts. The 300-capacity event space called Canopy was recently opened to serve the growing tourism market of Calatagan.

The sprawling BeachTown is only three hours away from Metro Manila and is complete with a strong WI-FI connection, modern infrastructure, and resort amenities.

The development is close to numerous golf courses, polo fields, and tourist attractions which earned Calatagan the moniker of being the playground of the affluent. Local facilities such as a hospital, public market, pharmacy, school, and chapel are likewise easily accessible.

Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs

All the lots at CaSoBe are literally within steps to the long stretch of powdery white sand beach. The property’s blue pavements are pleasing to the eye and in harmony with the environment of expansive clear skies and azure waters. There are tree-lined bike lanes and pathways parallel and leading to the shores.

Harbour Estates are mix-use lots offered within CaSoBe. Entrepreneurs can live a healthy lifestyle and build their dream homes amid Calatagan’s rich history and famed sunset by the beach backdrop.

Transforming the landscape of Calatagan, entrepreneurs can invest in a property along the retail row and wear the hat of aspiring hoteliers or restaurateurs when they establish their bed and breakfast or cozy little café or restaurant to cater to the tourism market. They can also put up a shop for art workshops and yoga retreats, or a business for water sports enthusiasts.

CaSoBe is also poised to be a thriving creative, business, and tech community. Startup companies can engage in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

One can network and hustle by day, and live the vacation life with family and friends in between breaks, by night, and on weekends in the postcard-perfect setting of CaSoBe, with its stunning sunsets.

Resort Lifestyle

Enhancing the resort lifestyle experience in CaSoBe, Millennial Resorts offers premium hospitality amenities. It manages the unconventional accommodations of the surreal capsule-like rooms of the Cocoons with exteriors painted with murals depicting marine life and Crusoe Cabins which are repurposed container vans that are rustic-looking huts on the outside but are contemporary rooms with modern amenities, with options for beachfront and garden view.

Millennial Resorts also feature Aquaria, a water park with a three-story pool slide, Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar, and Canopy, the newly-opened event space.

To ensure the continuous productivity of entrepreneurs, the Colony will soon rise as a modern and hip beachside co-working space.

MILLI, the Millennial Resorts’ digital service app provides seamless reservations and transactions on property.

Future-proof investment

Entrepreneurs who will invest in the residential or mix-use lots of CaSoBe have the benefit of enjoying the anticipated increase of their investment’s market value as proven by Landco’s track record of property value appreciation in Punta Fuego, Batangas.

Eco-Friendly BeachTown

CaSoBe is a sustainable development envisioned to contribute to the quality of leisure tourism and property development targeting environment, economic, and social sustainability. CaSoBe is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-registered and Millennial Resorts, the operator of its hospitality amenities, is the first EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies)-certified resort in the country. Various CSR and sustainability activities are undertaken for the conservation of marine sanctuary and community assistance in CaSoBe and its vicinity.

Landco is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and is known for pioneering premium landscapes for more than 30 years. For more information about the Landco BeachTown CaSoBe, visit landco.ph or FB page @LandcoPacificCorporation or view the official video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCozyNNq51E.

Protecting and restoring ecosystems: Globe, WWF encourage in-depth environmental learning for Filipinos via Camp Kalikasan

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For an archipelagic country like the Philippines, many of our industries and livelihood are dependent on marine resources. In celebration of the Philippine Environment Month, World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) and Globe are encouraging Filipinos of all ages to be more proactive in learning about how we can help protect and restore ecosystems by signing up for Camp Kalikasan.

Globe and WWF recently hosted a webinar titled “Climate Change in the Classroom: Understanding the Urgency of Climate Education” with guest speakers from the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as well as youth environmental advocate Xia Vigor, and WWF-Philippines ambassador Karen Ibasco.

“One of the many things that we want Filipinos to take away from Camp Kalikasan is that our actions can greatly impact the environment – from our daily habits, to the waste we produce, and the carbon emissions we emit. Camp Kalikasan reminds us that we are part of nature. Whatever we do to the environment always has a way back to us,” said Apple Evangelista, Globe's Head of Sustainability and Social Responsibility.

Camp Kalikasan is an interactive online resource platform designed for students, teachers, and everyday citizens for a more in-depth take on environmental education. The platform and program is a collaboration between Globe and WWF-Philippines which aims to strengthen environmental stewardship among Filipinos in response to the growing risks of climate change.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Globe aims to empower communities through climate education to drive positive environmental impact. The company partnered with WWF-Philippines to encourage Filipinos to participate in the movement to care for the environment.

"Alongside our partners at Globe, we are very excited to bring Camp Kalikasan to more Filipino users as a one-stop digital resource for all things about the environment. Not only do we see it as a way for them to deepen their appreciation for the ocean, but also for them to develop a better understanding of how they play a part in enabling more sustainable living for Filipinos," said Dino Calderon, Environmental Education Program Manager of WWF-Philippines.

While there are already plenty of online resources on the environment and the ocean, Camp Kalikasan is unique because it offers a more immersive experience, including animated videos, games, quizzes, tutorials, and other exciting activities that make learning more enjoyable for everyone.

Registered members can access the book entitled “Daloy ng Pag-asa,” which highlights the implications of people’s actions to the environment and society.

Camp Kalikasan also offers different modules that can match one’s level of interest and expertise. The module on biodiversity provides lessons about mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs— all of which play a crucial role in maintaining the ocean's health.

Aside from biodiversity conservation, Camp Kalikasan teaches energy conservation and climate change. Upcoming modules include lessons that focus on sustainable lifestyle (i.e. waste management and water management), sustainable production, and sustainable consumption. It makes environmental education in the country more accessible to everyone while strengthening WWF-Philippines’ and Globe’s support for Republic Act 9512 or the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.

The program is also part of Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 13, which underscores climate action’s importance in saving lives and livelihood to address climate emergencies, and UN SDG No. 14, which emphasizes Life Below Water.

To learn more about the ocean and help preserve it, join Camp Kalikasan today! Visit its website at https://www.campkalikasan.com/ to learn more about the different modules it offers.

Those interested may also watch the full webinar here: https://fb.watch/dGdPngHZat/

For more information about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

The best features at the best price: Get ready to experience the smoothest gameplay of Infinix NOTE 12

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Infinix NOTE 12 is giving gamers and the trendy set a phone that ticks everything on their lists including power, smooth gameplay, style, and affordability.

Packed with amazing features, the smartphone provides the absolute best in gaming experience to help gamers improve their skills and level up their game. Infinix NOTE 12 is also perfect for young people who appreciate a sleek, modern design that reflects their own style.

NOTE 12’s power

Every gamer, content creator, vlogger, or anyone who simply likes to stream movies knows that the bigger the screen, the better. The NOTE 12 features a 6.7" FHD+True Color AMOLED display that is thinner than previous iterations and yet brings crisper, immersive image and video.

What’s behind the thin screen? An extendable RAM of up to 13GB (8GB+5GB) and the powerful MediaTek Helio G96 Ultra Gaming Processor. Both of these give gamers uninterrupted play, and seamless video uploads and recording for creators.

Users can continuously use their phone all day with the NOTE 12’s 33w Flash Charge with 5000mAh Battery. With this fast charge feature, the phone can go from 0% to full power in just 17 minutes.

NOTE 12 has an Ultra Night Triple Camera that produces clearer night photos with its large aperture. Imagine the dramatic photos or videos you can take at night (or daytime) with this camera.

NOTE 12’s style

Did we mention Infinix NOTE12 uses aerospace-grade materials on the super-thin phone at 7.8mm?

“We recognize that young consumers today want two things from their smartphone,” says Joseph Cernitchez, Integrated Marketing Head at Infinix Philippines. “The first is that it has to be the absolute best in terms of speed and ease of use for what they need, whether it’s for gaming or creating content. The second is that the phone has to look beautiful. The power of the Note series is a given because it was created for gamers, but now with the NOTE 12’s design, it’s reached the peak of form and function in one ultra-thin phone. It’s 0.1mm thinner than the previous generation, which is a sign of the continuous development in both the technology and product design.”

NOTE 12’s affordability

Infinix NOTE 12 comes packed to the brim with features perfect for that gaming lifestyle, or really any kind of lifestyle its users lead. What’s more is that it comes at the most competitive price in the market.

Retailing for P8,999 (8GB + 256GB) and P9,999 (8GB + 128GB), the NOTE 12 is by far the smartphone that packs more value for money because the brand is committed to helping gamers of any skill level to experience that smooth gameplay experience and help them unleash their full gaming potential.

The Infinix NOTE 12 comes in Force Black, Sapphire Blue and Snowfall, and is available at Infinix stores nationwide and Shopee and Lazada.

Actress, influencer, and gamer Andrea Brillantes making the most of the new Infinix NOTE 12 G96–the phone that combines power, smooth gameplay, style, and the best price.

Whether its for content creation or to level up your gaming experience, Andrea Brillantes has a partner that gives her the maximum performance and a battery that can last all day–and more!

Mang Inasal marks July as “Ihaw-Sarap Month” with meals for only P99

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The country’s Ihaw-Sarap expert, Mang Inasal, declares July as “Ihaw-Sarap Month” with back-to-back treats for its customers starting off with a brand new offering beginning July 1 – the “Ihaw-Sarap Savers.”

“While the world celebrates July as International Grilling Month, Mang Inasal brings this global festivity closer to the hearts of the Filipino families by serving them their char-grilled favorites and more,” said Mang Inasal’s business unit head, Mike V. Castro. “And to make our Ihaw-Sarap Month extra special, we are kicking it off with the ‘Ihaw-Sarap Savers’ that aim to delight our customers with complete meals that are filling and satisfying, yet also fit their budget.”

Mang Inasal customers nationwide can now enjoy the “Ihaw-Sarap Savers'' via dine-in and take-out. Customers can avail their favorite Regular Chicken Inasal, Pork Sisig with Rice, and Pancit Palabok with 1 piece Pork BBQ for only 99 pesos each, complete with a drink of their choice.

Mang Inasal also accepts orders made through www.manginasaldeliver.com.ph, via the Mang Inasal Delivery app, or through other food delivery apps like GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Want more exclusive treats NOW? Visit www.manginasal.com or follow Mang Inasal today on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To check out the Mang Inasal Store Directory, visit https://bit.ly/MangInasalBRANCHES.