Wednesday, June 26, 2019

GForest newest interactive "Green" feature of Gcash Eyes 365 Thousand Trees in 365 Days


GCash the leading mobile wallet launch an exciting "green" feature on the app called GCash Forest, which lets subscribers plant virtual trees that will have real-life counterparts. By the end of 365 days, GCash Forest aims to plant 365 thousand trees with the help of GCash subscribers.

Great News to Gcash subscribers! Here's the new exciting way to enjoy using the Gcash mobile App with the new feature called GForest that allows you to plant virtual tree that turns to reality later on. This is something we can contribute to our mother nature and the nation of our future. Start planting your own trees and nourish it until it fully grown, monitor your progress as time goes by and get a badge for completing your goal. 


According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the Philippines is losing 47,000 hectares of forest cover every year. The FMB also reported the need to rehabilitate 1.2 million hectares of forest lands by 2022 to prevent landslides, ensure water availability, and preserve biodiversity.

GCash considers GCash Forest as the last mile initiative that fully recognizes the emergence of an all-digital Filipino lifestyle.

"GCash is no longer just providing an excellent platform for accessible financial products and services but also enabling Filipinos to be more active in responding to real-life issues, such as climate change mitigation through reforestation." "GCash Forest is about making it easier, more convenient, and even rewarding for everyone to take care of our environment for the benefit of future generations," said Mynt CEO Anthony Thomas. 
The DENR will provide land resources in Ipo Watershed, an essential component of the Angat-Umiray-Ipo watersheds system supplying 98 percent of Metro Manila's water. WWF will be providing trees and manpower while BlOFIN will provide expertise on monitoring.  To implement its tree-planting initiatives, GCash Forest partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)

By leveraging the GCash platform and scale, GCash Forest aims to rally a coalition of individuals, non-government organizations, and international organizations to meet its 2020 targets. Results of the Global Peace Index 2019 identified the Philippines as the most susceptible country to the adverse effects of climate change. Thomas added that recent findings on the Philippines' vulnerability to climate-related hazards call for greater collective action. 

"Many Filipinos, especially the younger ones, care about the environment but a lot of them don't know how they can actively take part in environmental protection. This is a barrier that GCash Forest addresses because they only need to use their smartphones-an already an integral part of their daily lives-to make a difference," concluded Thomas.

WHAT OUR PARTNERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GCASH FOREST

"As we work on rehabilitating the Ipo watershed and securing Metro Manila's water supply, partnering with GCash enables us to continue rallying a vast network who could grow our movement of restoring our forests and protecting our biodiversity."

-Joel Palma-President, WWF-Philippines

"We are depleting our natural wealth at an unimaginable rate. While the Philippines is megadiverse it is also a hot-spot given the extent of the threat to our natural environment. There is no one magic bullet that can turn the situation around. We need diverse actors to engage and find diverse solutions. And we need unusual partnerships which in time will become usual partnerships. GCash, WWF and DENR are now embarking on one to reduce our carbon footprint and help the Philippines meet its reforestation targets. UNDP through BIOFIN is delighted to bring these actors together to stem the tide on our rapid loss of forest cover."

-Titon Mitra-Resident Representative UNDP

To plant trees through GCash Forest, GCash users need to collect "green energy by frequently using the app. Users who get enough green energy can choose which species of trees they want to plant in a selected area at the Ipo watershed. Once the trees are physically planted, users get to receive a certificate of ownership with a serial number, fun facts, and updates on the growth of their trees on their GCash apps.

The new feature is inspired by Alipay Ant Forest, a product operates by Ant Financial, an Alibaba affiliate and the parent company of the world's leading payments and lifestyle platform, Alipay. Via the mobile platform, more than 500 million users have planted 100 million real trees and advanced a shared vision of sustainable and inclusive development.

To help plant trees and increase the Philippines' forest cover,  Filipinos can now conveniently use an innovative mobile phone app to contribute to environmental preservation.

Ipo Watershed
  • Philippine watersheds and aquifers could supply 479 billion cubic meters of water annually for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses.
  • Ipo watershed is a vital link in the Angat-Umiray-lpo watersheds system which supplies around 98% of the water needs of Metro Manila.
  • Primarily consisting of public forestlands, forest cover in the area has dramatically dropped from 85% to just 40% in recent years.
  • The main thrust of the project is to go beyond the usual tree planting activities and expand it to forests management to help ensure that the planted trees will actually grow to provide their full benefits to the environment and the different stakeholders. This will include rehabilitation and enhancement of existing forests and not just the reforestation of denuded areas. A long-term sustainability plan will be put in place, managed by an effective management body.

Philippine Biodiversity
  • The Philippines still ranks among the top ten countries with the largest number of species threatened with extinction (CI, 2013)
  • There are 237 terrestrial fauna (animals) are threatened with extinction and 984 threatened Philippine plants
  • According to 2011 FAO data, the forestry sector contributed US $ 528.7 million to the economy, which is approximately 0.2 percent of the GDP
  • The Philippines is one of the 17 mega-biodiverse countries. It is among the countries that contain two-thirds of the Earth's biodiversity and 70 percent of the world's plants and animal species due to its geographical isolation, diverse habitats and high rates of endemism.
  • Thirty percent of the population, including 12 to 15 million indigenous people, resides in the uplands where most of the forests are located.
  • Haribon Foundation forester Thaddeus Martinez said the country needs 54 percent of forest cover to protect against landslides and ensure water availability from watersheds, but currently, we are at around 22% forest Cover.
  • Around 1.2 million hectares of denuded and degraded forest lands of the country need to be rehabilitated by 2022
  • The Philippines is one of the world's hotspots with a large number of endangered and threatened species-making it a top global conservation priority area.
  • The country hosts more than 52,177 described species of which more than half is found nowhere else in the world. On a per unit area basis, the Philippines probably harbors more diversity of life than any other country on the planet.
  • At least 49 thousand people are directly employed by the forestry sector.
  • The Philippines is losing approximately 47,000 hectares of forest cover every year

Philippine Forests

  • Philippines lose 47k hectares of trees annually
  • Haribon Foundation forester Thaddeus Martinez said the country needs 54 percent of forest cover to protect against landslides and ensure water availability from watersheds. Forest Coverage is currently at around 22%.
  • Around 1.2 million hectares of denuded and degraded forest lands of the country need to be rehabilitated by 2022
  • Total Forest Cover has decreased from 7,168,400 (2003) to 6,839,717 (2010)


"We're more than happy to open up our technology and expertise to current and potential partners to make the world better place." "The GCash Forest shows digital technology holds a huge power to mobilize people in support sustainable development and the fight against climate change. And this power goes beyond border and at our fingertips through our mobile devices," said Yan Meng, Ant Financial's Global Head of Internation Partnerships.






For updates, visit GCash's social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/gcashofficial
https://www.instagram.com/gcashofficial
https://twitter.com/gcashofficial 

About Mynt
Mynt is a partnership between Globe Telecom, the Ayala Corparation, and Ant Financial, that provides in novative and first-in-world fintech solutions to consumers, merchants, and organizations. Its vision is to enable financial access for consumers and merchants by disrupting traditional channels through digital micropayment service that financial technology services. It operates two fintech companies: GCash, a transforms the mobile phone into a virtual wallet for secure, fast, and convenient money transfer, and Fuse, a tech-based lending company that enables Filipinas to get microloans to business loans without the traditional requirements set by banks and other lending institutions. For more information, visit mynt.xyz.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Sogo Alabang South Road Grand Launch


 
The newest branch of Hotel Sogo is Alabang South Road, this hotel is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Starmall Alabang and 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Alabang Town Center, and just across Ayala Southpark.. Asian Hospital and Medical Center and Festival Supermall are also within 15 minutes.
 

 
Hotel Sogo Alabang South Gate opened their 37th branch in the South, it has been a go to place for a convenient, low-cost, affordability, cleanliness and quality service staycation since 1992.
 

 
Hotel features with a 24-hour room service, has a 24-hour front desk and free self-parking. WiFi in public areas is free. All rooms are soundproofed and offer 24-hour room service and free local calls. For a bit of entertainment, guests will have TVs with cable channels, and other amenities include safes and showers.
 

 
In the near future, guests will have the convenience of booking online and do room reservations with the soon-to-be launched and hassle-free Hotel Sogo mobile application for iOS and Android devices.
 

 
NOTE: Children may incur extra charges payable at the hotel.
 
 
Hotel Sogo Alabang South Road Branch is located at Lot 2, Blk 2, Kilometer 26 National Road Alabang Muntinlupa City.
 
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, June 20, 2019

Money Max Turns Five


For years, Moneymax has continued to make car insurance comparison a hassle-free task. Now on its 5th anniversary, the website gets a refreshed look for a more user-friendly and seamless experience, to serve as a tool for Filipinos everywhere to be smart with their money.

Moneymax redesigned their website and logo to further push their promise to customers of easily finding the car insurance deals they need, through transparent and convenient ways. Their sales personnel are dedicated to educating their consumers, helping them navigate their choices and making the selection process easy. As a result, the customers end up getting the best price.

Moneymax helps you get better car insurance deals in 3 ways: First, you can save as much as 14.5% on your annual premium versus other companies.

Secondly, you’re assured of faster and better customer service, with the 15-minute average response time on FB Messenger and with 100% of e-policies issued within 2-3 business days.

James Deakin, reputed motoring journalist who is known for his deep knowledge of all things automotive, mirrors the experience of other satisfied customers as he swears by the convenience and the power to choose the best car insurance deals. Thankfully, in the last five years, Filipinos have discovered Moneymax, a financial comparison website that takes the pain out of getting a car insurance and claims processing. 

For a car owner, getting the right car insurance is crucial. Accidents can happen anytime, and not having an insurance coverage may mean significant financial loss. Even for those with an insurance plan, not having an easy access to making claims can mean numerous headaches. Unclear procedures, processing delays, and poor customer service are just among the pain points that car owners typically experience when dealing with insurance companies.

Finally, your claims experience will definitely be hassle-free, since you get to receive your LOA quick with Moneymax’s free and fully digital claims assistance tools, with a 24-hour response time for all claims requests. The website also provides well-researched and unbiased financial advice through informative articles, Facebook Live sessions, and more than add to your car insurance know-how - all of which are easily accessible through Moneymax.ph!

Rather than scouring through options from multiple insurance companies, he can now go straight to comparing and purchasing the different plans right over at www.moneymax.ph. It’s a convenient comparison platform and financial guide, right at his fingertips.

Enabling Moneymax in delivering top-notch service are its insurance and banking partners. One of which is SGI Philippines, which has been a partner since 2015. Farhat Hussain, CEO & President, said that “Moneymax has helped us to grow the topline of our company”. 

Moneymax would not have reached 5 years in the business were it not for the support of its employees. Both sales managers since the local introduction of the brand, Gina Reyes and Warlough Madali proudly share their fulfillment behind educating more and more Filipinos about handling finances for the better. Overall, Moneymax gives people the opportunity to be more discerning about the options available when it comes to money matters.

Moneymax would not have reached 5 years in the business were it not for the support of its employees. Both sales managers since the local introduction of the brand, Gina Reyes and Warlough Madali proudly share their fulfillment behind educating more and more Filipinos about handling finances for the better. Overall, Moneymax gives people the opportunity to be more discerning about the options available when it comes to money matters.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

FurtherYourVision with limitless creative freedom through the new Reno series


OPPO Philippines officially launched the much-anticipated Reno series comprised of the OPPO Reno and the OPPO Reno 10x Zoom last June 19, 2019 at One Canvas Events Place in Makati City.  Set the stage for the launch of the new flagship smartphone series,  a gathering of creative leaders, trendsetters, and tastemakers. Literally, a canvas brought to life through creativity.


Creative tastemakers and the tech leaders of today join together to launch the OPPO Reno. 
[L-R] Andre Chang, Daryl Chang, Treb Monteras, Daniel Lardizabal (Product Expert, OPPO Philippines), Jane Wan (VP of Marketing, Oppo Philippines), Damon Huang (CEO, Oppo Philippines), Zen Han (VP of Channel Sales, Oppo Philippines), Dex Fernandez, And the band IV of Spades (Blaster Salonga, Badjao De Castro, Zild Benitez)

At the event, notable artists Dex Fernandez and Treb Monteras unveiled their commissioned artworks depicting their own definition of creativity with the OPPO Reno series through a series of art installations that integrates the highlight features of the phone: 10x Hybrid Zoom, Wide Angle and Ultra Night Mode. The immersive art installations enabled the guests to test the different key features of the Reno 10x Zoom smartphone much to their delight.

The Reno Collective was curated to shed light on what the Reno series embodies and values: creative freedom and artistic expression, taking shape in all forms and aesthetics. The brand collaborated with many artists from different facets of art all housed under The Reno Collective to help bring to life the campaign’s vision – to spark creative inspiration.

The local music scene’s crowd favorite IV of Spades who was also present as official RENO brand ambassadors treated the attendees with a live show of their hit songs. Additionally, also present at the creative affair were The Reno Collective headliners: contemporary artist Dex Fernandez, film director Treb Monteras, photographer Magic Liwanag, plus fashion-forward sibling duo Daryl Chang and André Chang. 

OPPO’s Reno series is a breakthrough in smartphone technology, indeed an innovation that allows OPPO to assert itself as a leader in the tech industry. Big things and new opportunities are bound to be made creatively with the OPPO Reno, opening a whole other world of artistic possibilities brought about by this ultimate creative tool and the newfound creative freedom it grants.

With larger AMOLED screens that completely do away with the notch, this series allows for a full panoramic and immersive view that makes the most of their screens - 6.6-inches and 6.4-inches on the Reno 10x Zoom and the Reno respectively. This notchless design innovation is made possible by the exquisite new pivot rising camera.

Photography is the series’ main thrust, and is the most obvious tool for creativity and artistic expression. The lineup’s cameras are bound to defy limits: the Reno comes with a 48MP plus an additional 5MP PDAF; while the Reno 10x Zoom takes it a step further with OPPO’s first full-focal-length triple camera system featuring 48MP(IMX586), 8MP(wide angle), and 13MP(telephoto). The Reno 10x Zoom also features the much-talked about 10x hybrid zoom and 60x digital zoom - the first of its kind in the smartphone industry, allowing users to bridge any gap that limits their creativity.

Both units are also equipped with OPPO’s iconic Ultra Night Mode 2.0, Color Mapping, 4K video, and Dolby Atmos speakers. The Reno 10x Zoom is even accompanied with Audio 3D and Audio Zoom to capture rich and true-to-life audio output.

To defy any limits against creativity, the Reno series is powered to aid and inspire the creative soul in you. The Reno 10x Zoom delivers peak performance through its Snapdragon 855 chipset while the Reno runs on the Snapdragon 710. Both units carry 256GB ROM and feature VOOC 3.0 fast charging which allows low-voltage fast charging while gaming or streaming video, without emitting excess heat or limiting performance.

Pre-orders for the Reno start on June 15 until June 20, and it will officially be available locally in 500 select OPPO stores starting June 21 with an SRP of P26,990. Pre-orders for the Reno 10x start June 21 until June 30 and will initially be available in 100 select OPPO stores on July 1. The Reno 10x Zoom will retail for P45,990. The Reno series will be available through Globe, Smart, Lazada and select OPPO concept stores.

The pre-order for the Reno starts from June 15 to June 20, and it will officially be available starting June 21 in 500 select OPPO stores for P26,990. Those who pre-order get a free Rock Space Muse Bluetooth Speaker worth P2,499. Meanwhile, pre-orders for the Reno 10x Zoom starts from June 21 to June 30 and will be initially available in 100 select OPPO stores on July 1. Reno 10x Zoom will retail for P45,990. Those who pre-order will get a free Gimbal Stabilizer worth P5,999.

The Reno series will also be available through Globe and Smart starting July. Lazada will also be offering exclusive pre-orders from June 21 to June 30. The Reno will be available through Home Credit at 0% interest in 9 and 12-month installment plans. The series will also be available via Metrobank at 0% interest with Reno payable in 12-months and Reno 10x Zoom in 24 months.

About OPPO
OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since launching its first smartphone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology in 10 years. Today, OPPO provides customers with a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series, ColorOS operating system, as well as internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 research centers worldwide and an international design center in London, OPPO’s more than 40,000 employees are dedicated to creating new experiences and greater value for customers around the world.



Officially Launches in the Philippines Digital Life Brand Rock Space Bringing you the best fit for your tech needs and aesthetics



Digital Life Brand Rock Space is finally here in the Philippines and officially introduced last June 18, 2019 at the 5th Rockwell Makati. In keeping up to speed with the ever-growing possibilities of technology, Rock Space provides innovative solutions that puts the spotlight on further pushing the envelope behind today’s digital advancements, while keeping in touch with contemporary tastes. Over the years, They are met with the constant evolution behind today’s fast-paced lifestyle. 

Rock Space: Your Go-to for Innovative Tech Accessories

Rock Space has made a name for itself both locally and internationally, backed up by recognition from various prestigious international product design awards. Established in 2009, Rock Space is a brand that embodies the power of simplicity and performance, all the while promising to provide value for money to all its consumers. 

Rock Space is your ultimate source for stylish mobile accessories, with a wide range of designs made to suit diverse lifestyles, focused on the commitment to provide innovative and user-friendly products.

Sleek, Stylish, and Fit for your Lifestyle

Users can work out and go about their daily tasks without thinking about damage from water, sweat, and dust. The EB 70 earphones are priced at Php 3,999.00 SRP. Users can now be worry-free with using their earphones even during active sessions, as the new Rock Space EB 70 is IPX 45 Waterproof. 



One of the highlight accessories is the new EB 70 True Wireless Stereo Earphones.  The brand’s diverse portfolio has something to offer to individuals of varied lifestyles from fitness, gaming, traveling, and music. 

The Rock Space EB 70 is also powered by Bluetooth 5.0. This latest Bluetooth capability is guaranteed to be 2x faster than the previous version, giving users faster and better connectivity. It also improves battery life so users can enjoy the device for 4 hours of continuous use and can last up to 17 hours! For a great audio experience, it is equipped with Hi-Fi Speakers and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) allowing for clearer sound transmission. 

Last year, Rock Space entered the Philippine market as they saw an opportunity to become an essential part of the Filipino’s everyday life. 9 months since their local operation, there are over 27 concept kiosks, 3 concept stores, and 1,377 retail stores established nationwide. In the years to come, more and more branches will be rolled out to reach more Filipinos. 

In line with the latest needs and trends, Rock Space stays at the forefront of what the modern-day progressives are keeping an eye out for. When it comes to finding the right balance between maximizing technological innovation and practicality with fresh and stylish looks, Rock Space provides just that for tech-savvy individuals that opt for both function and fashion. 

Next up is the Rock Space P66 Power Bank. Power banks are definitely a must-have nowadays, because no matter how big your phone’s battery is, it’s best to always be ready to juice up your mobile phone with power to get you through long periods being out and about.

What’s unique about this power bank is that not only does it carry the capacity of 10,000 mAh, but it also holds this up in such a convenient and handy package at only 182 grams, and in a size that’s smaller than your palm. It also has an LED display and is equipped with protective features from overheating and short-circuiting. The P66 Power Bank is now available at Php 1,299.00 SRP.









Rock Space also offers the new W20 Quick Wireless Charger. Setting it apart from other devices, it is equipped with a smart chip phone protection which automatically identifies the charging current of the devices. It also sports the same protection as the P66 Power Bank, avoiding incidents of overcharging and short-circuits. This device is supported by 7.5W/10W for a convenient fast-charging experience. Its slim and compact design makes it easy to be installed over your car’s AC vent, allowing you to power up your phone even while on the road. The W20 Quick Wireless Charger is priced at Php 1,299.00 SRP.
Up your game, and discover how you can opt for Rock Space’s premium and fashionable mobile accessories, now available in multiple kiosks and stores nationwide, and online via Lazada and Shopee. Through a brand partnership with OPPO Philippines, you can also check out Rock Space’s products at OPPO concept stores.

Get the freshest news on Rock Space on www.facebook.com/rockspacePH/.

SM Mobilize Relief Efforts in Typhoon-Affected Communities

SM City Grand Central keeps the bayanihan spirit alive as it mobilizes relief efforts and extends immediate relief assistance to communities...