Jollibee Group Foundation’s Coin Banks Go Online to Feed More Families



It has been almost 3 months since the lockdown in most cities in the Philippines, in response to many families going hungry this COVID-19 pandemic, the Jollibee Group has been providing food to frontliners and affected families through its FoodAID Program. To give the public a convenient way to help feed even more families, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) is now taking the coin banks that used to be found only on the counters of Jollibee Group stores and making them available online for the first time.

“We remain committed to continue extending a helping hand, and this time, the public can actively take part in this initiative.” ~Gisela Tiongson, Jollibee Group Foundation Executive Director

The coin banks used to be found only inside the branches of Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Burger King, Red Ribbon, Pho24, and Highlands Coffee. Now, these coin banks may also be found online via the www.jollibeefoundation.org website so customers can donate via PayMaya and do bank account transfers from anywhere around the country and the world.

 

Donations through the digital coin bank will be used to bring food packs directly to the doorsteps of families in need through the help of non-governmental organization (NGO) partners of JGF. The online coin bank program is on top of Jollibee Group’s P220 million-worth of food donations that have already served over 3.8 million meals to frontliners and families in need since March this year.

 

To help raise awareness for the digital coin bank and the thousands of families it will be able to help, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid will be contributing her talent via a free online concert called “Regine: Joy from Home.”  The concert can be streamed on the Jollibee Facebook Page and on the Jollibee Studios YouTube Channel on June 7, Sunday, at 8 in the evening.

 

The “Regine: Joy from Home” concert will treat viewers and their families to a night of beautiful music and stories of hope, courage, and bayanihan. This musical event will offer Filipino families an opportunity to bond together over songs and stories that can help them cope through these times, as well as provide them with a safe and convenient platform to extend help to families in need by donating to the Jollibee Group coin bank.

 

For interested donors, they may donate through online bank transfer to the Foundation’s Metrobank (Acct. No: 473-7-473-01406-4; Swift Code: MBTCPHMM) and RCBC (Acct. No. 1253-10519-0) accounts, or via PayMaya (http://pymy.co/Jollibee).

 

 

 



How Mekeni conquered life’s challenges to be where they are today

 

Like any successful company today, Mekeni started as a small family business. And like any successful business, Mekeni experienced several crises throughout its life—and conquered every single one of them.

 

It was in 1991 when the company experienced its first major crisis with the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June of that year. Back then, Mekeni was just a small business with less than 25 employees, operated by Tatay Felix and Imang Meding Garcia—former public school teachers who started a small business with their life savings— and their sons Doods and Nards in the backyard of their home in Porac, Pampanga.

 

When Mount Pinatubo erupted, Porac was one of the most devastated in the province, and their backyard meat processing plant was almost completely destroyed. But instead of being disheartened and losing hope because of seemingly insurmountable odds, they decided to steel their resolve and help their kababayans by providing livelihoods and uplifting their community.

 

By enlisting their children’s help, including their sons Adrian, Pruds and Lito, who were then based overseas, they made it their life’s mission to make a difference in the lives of others.

 



Mekeni founder Tatay Felix Garcia (4th from left) poses with sons (from L to R) VP for Admin and Finance Angelito Garcia, VP for Supply Chain Management Adrian Garcia, VP for Sales and Marketing Nardo Garcia, President Pruds Garcia, and VP for Manufacturing Diosdado Garcia. Pruds and his brothers have been helping the company grow even as it faced different crises throughout the years.

 

“It was the peak of my career. But I had to leave my high-paying job so that I can go back and help my parents rebuild the business. My father said: ‘Son, I just want to remind you the reason why you came back. It's not for us, it's not for you. It's for the people. In times of crisis, you go back to the mission and vision of the company. Crises will always be there. The important thing is to always go back to your ‘why.’ Why did you start this business? You can always change the process, you can always change the strategy, but never that goal.” ~Pruds Garcia, President of Mekeni

Eventually, the business recovered and even grew exponentially thereafter. By 1994, a new processing plant had been constructed with a capacity to process 3,000 kilos of meat a day, which operated 24 hours daily. Employee count had also grown to about 35 people, all of them neighbors of the Garcia family. But not long after, back-to-back challenges sprung up but this did not dishearten the family behind Mekeni.  

 

Though the thought of closing down the business crossed their mind, a timely reminder from their father helped them make the right decisions.

 

Through perseverance and dedication, the family got through the obstacles they faced and enjoyed a period of growth and success that propelled the company to what it is now—one of the most awarded processed meat companies in the country.

 

Over the years, Mekeni has encountered many problems, but they always went back to the most important things to them: their people and their community. This kept them centered. And now that the country faces one of the greatest challenges in our history, Garcia has a simple advice for businesses of all sizes.

 

Having experienced numerous major crises over the course of its life, Mekeni has proven that with hard work, perseverance, and a profound sense of dedication to service, any business, no matter the size, can conquer any challenge that life throws at it.



 

 

Food On-The-Go



 

Two months have passed and we are still at home, keeping ourselves safe and seeking solace in the midst of this tough time. Everyone has become a chef in their own right, trying to nourish the family with food that would lift up their spirits and make things feel lighter.

 



As everyone misses the great outdoors, it cannot be helped that eating out is one of the pleasures we seek nowadays.  It takes the burden off preparing the food yourself and admit it or not, food in restaurants prepared by chefs can be really delicious and considered such a treat.  Century Park Hotel Manila, whose doors have been temporarily closed off for the past weeks, has opened its kitchens and been busy preparing to ensure that your culinary favorites are well on their way in the comfort of your home to enjoy.

 

Gone are those days when all you can do is drool over those #foodporn posts on social media. Bring out your phone and choose from the lavish selection of gustatory delights only from Century Park Hotel. We offer everything you crave for such as our classic mouthwatering seafood recipes from our daily fresh catch.  Featured in this roster of luscious dishes are Grilled Prawns, Pan-fried Salmon Fillet and Blue Marlin Supreme which will surely remind your taste buds of the flavors you have missed.

 

Also on the menu are the savory platters of meat such as Grilled Lamb Chops, Sirloin Steak Café de Paris, Country Crispy Chicken, among others. All these could boost your mood with its lush flavor that lingers on the palate. Be sure not to miss your all-time favorite Filipino cuisines and Asian-inspired delicacies giving you a variety of tastes best shared with the family at home.

 





 

Did you say pasta? We are back with your favorite pasta dishes for you to enjoy. You can also choose from our succulent salad selections and burgers that will leave you full and contented.
 



 



Century Park Hotel will also satisfy your love for breads and pastries! Our delectable lineup includes French bread, Raisin bread, Cinnamon rolls, Danish pastries, and empanadas. The kids will not say no to our delightful cookies and brownies, just right for their sweet tooth.

 

Spark small celebrations at home and make it even brighter with our fancy cakes. Once more, we will bake your favorite Black Forest cake, Choco Cheese cake, Blueberry Cheese cake,  and Apple Tart among others. Ideal both for breakfast and lunch, healthy and sumptuous cold cuts, hams and sausages are also included in the wide selection. Make sure to check out and save the menu below to see all other options.

 



 



Ordering the food of your choice from Century Park Hotel is as easy as 1-2-3. First, give us a call at 8528-5855 or send us a message at 0917-633-2497, either via SMS or Viber.  Do not forget to mention your full name, contact number, complete address, order description and quantity. Secondly, proceed to payment. Your convenience is our priority so you can pay either with cash or credit card through PayPal at payments@centurypark.com.ph. Finally, send a proof of payment to the given Viber number and once done, your orders will already be taken for processing.

 



 

Because we always want it served fresh and crisp, give us ample lead time as we only prepare the food upon your arrival at the hotel. Orders will be accepted daily from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.

 

To claim, you can either opt for home delivery or personal pickup. To have it delivered to your doorstep, you can book through any shipping service provider such as Grab Express, Lalamove, Happy Move and the like. Note that the prices on our food menu are exclusive of delivery fees. If you wish to pick it up yourself you may claim your orders at the Deli Snack, the hotel’s bakeshop.  

 

Century Park Hotel Manila keenly practices proper sanitary and disinfecting measures recommended by the WHO to ensure that its facilities and premises are safe from the dreaded virus and other diseases. Furthermore, these classic dishes are prepared only by the hotel’s culinary professionals who are second to none when it comes to following proper food protocols. This is our commitment to secure your health and safety amidst this uncertain situation.

 

Brush off the quarantine blues with food that would comfort the mind and the heart. Spice up your days at home with the family with a new taste on the table.

 

Visit www.centurypark.com or contact information@centurypark.com.ph and telephone number: (632) 8528-8888.
 

Order your culinary favorites from Century Park Hotel now!

 

 

 

Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains as one of the finest hotels in Manila. It is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation and enjoys a mix of local and international patrons. The renowned establishment has over 500 rooms in varied types and facilities for a complete dining and leisure experience.

 

 

 



Call & Collect with ACE Hardware

ACE Hardware’s Call & Collect service is now available in selected areas nationwide. Just call or text our store, wait for order confirmation then arrange preferred delivery service.

Truly the helpful place, ACE Hardware continues to provide solutions to everything you need for your home repair projects with its Call & Collect service.

 

Your home improvement work will be a lot easier with high performance cordless drills / drivers in compact and lightweight designs; while ACE Exclusive hand tools are great for minor repairs like fixing a leaking tap, or repairing broken electrical sockets.

 

Always the helpful place, ACE has all the tools you will need for your home improvement projects

This high-performance Black and Decker hammer cordless drill set is perfect for your DIY home projects. It features an ergonomic design and optimal grip area for comfortable gripping. Check out other handheld power tools at #AceHardwarePH.

Home repair is so much more fun when doing it with family members and with ACE items.

Fix your bathroom leaks with ease. ACE Hardware has a quality wrench and other plumbing tools you need.

These ACE’s Rust Stop spray paints in primer and gloss type will help protect your home from rust and corrosion with excellent adhesion.

 



Give your home a fresh new look with lead-free and odorless ACE Paints and painting supplies. Prevent your home from rust and corrosion by spraying ACE Rust Stop paints direct to metal surfaces.

Give your room a fresh new look with ACE Hardware’s paints and paint supplies.



Lead-free and odorless ACE Essence Acrylic Latex Enamel Paints. You can shop and order these ACE products and other essentials you need for your home projects via ACE Hardware’s Call & Collect service or website at www.acehardware.ph.

ACE Hardware has ACE Paints with over 2,000 colors to choose from for your painting projects.

 



Replacing your lights with LED bulbs is also another way to update your home. Choose from ACE Hardware’s wide array of energy saving light bulbs and fixtures as well as durable and high quality extension cords.

 

Update your home with energy-efficient lighting to help you save on costs. Choose from ACE’s wide array of energy-saving LED Lights.

 



How to shop with ACE Hardware’s Call & Collect service?  Just call or text participating ACE stores, wait for order confirmation and arrange preferred delivery service. Then your items will be delivered it to you immediately.

 

This service is now currently available in selected ACE Hardware branches located in SM Malls nationwide. In Metro Manila areas, you can Call & Collect at ACE stores at the SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM City Fairview, SM Center Pasig, SM Sucat, SM Marikina, SM Novaliches and SM Muntinlupa. Selected ACE Hardware Call & Collect stores in North and South Luzon areas as well as in Visayas and Mindanao are also included.

 

You can also shop online for ACE products at www.acehardware.ph, ShopSM, Lazada or Shopee. For more details, you may also want to like our official Facebook page at facebook.com/acehardwarephilippines or follow their official https://www.instagram.com/acehardware_ph/.

 

 

 



Novuhair boosts optimism via free workout

 

NOVUHAIR ® , the leading natural hair loss treatment in the Philippines, partnered with The Fit Filipino (FITFIL) Movement lead by Jim & Toni Saret, the brand’s VIP Fitness Coaches, to a FREE 20-day Facebook Live workout aimed at improving your wellness quotient goals through a “Bulletproof Immune System Activity Booster”.

This workout program is designed to help beginners and complement the workout of those with active exercise routines.

 

 



You can still join the program from May 18 until May 29, 2020. Happening everyday from Monday to Friday at 4pm live on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fitfilmovement. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3fT3zEm.

 

• Optimism Adds Resilience

Optimism is a crucial factor on how we choose to navigate our journey to success. Businesses, institutions and various groups have a significant role to play in fostering this especially in times of crisis.

 

 

From the start of this pandemic, profuse optimism, coupled with genuine concern among key stakeholders in weathering the storm, is evident in the support and proactive measures of Pascual Total Health Incorporated, the holding company of Bionutra Innovations Inc., the company subsidiary marketing the leading natural hair loss treatment in the Philippines, NOVUHAIR ®  – nature’s answer to hair loss.

 



 

Discover more at https://bit.ly/3bCtLzS

 

 

 

 





Eating Healthy with Frozen Foods—Debunking Frozen Food Myths

 

By Susan Bowerman, MS, RD, CSSD, CSOWM, FAND – Sr. Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education, and Training

Since not all frozen meals are created equal, it’s important to choose wisely and always check the label for ingredients and nutrition information before throwing one in the cart at your favorite grocery store.

 

Families are facing new challenges when it comes to shopping for groceries while adhering to the government’s #StayAtHome mandate due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to recent findings, frozen food sales have spiked 78.8% compared to a year ago, as many families are turning to the availability and convenience of frozen foods. This is attributed to the recent stockpiling by consumers brought on by COVID-19.

 

While many still want to prioritize the nourishment of their families, particularly during these times, the question of whether frozen foods are as nutritious as their “fresh” alternatives has come up. The answer is that both are healthy and knowing how to read your nutrition facts is one of the best ways to ensure you’re preparing healthy meals for your family.

 

Nutrition facts on packages allow you to compare different products in order to select nutritious foods. You can consider factors such as calories, fat, protein, and sugar content across brands, which helps you make smarter choices. Understanding a food label can be difficult; however, doing a little research of terms on a food label can help you know what to look out for.

 



 

Here are some common myths and truths about frozen foods:

1. Myth: Fresh is better than frozen. This is a common misconception. What people don’t realize is that frozen foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can actually have more nutritional value than fresh food. These foods are usually picked at peak ripeness, and then processed very soon after harvest, which preserves nutrients.  Fresh produce may have a shorter lifespan due to the time it takes for foods to be packed and shipped, not to mention the time it sits in the supermarket.  Exposure to air, light and water at the grocery store can also deplete fresh produce of certain vitamins.
2. Myth: All frozen food is high in sodium. More food manufacturers are working to reduce the amount of sodium to meet the demands of health-conscious consumers. According to the American Heart Association, 9 out of 10 Americans consume too much sodium and recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day. Be sure to take the time to read the label before making your food selection, particularly on frozen meals and entrees.  When you purchase frozen vegetables, opt for those with no added salt or salty sauces.
3. Myth: All frozen foods are highly processed. This might have been true years ago, but as more consumers become savvy about nutrition, food manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and offering more minimally processed foods that are close to their natural state. It is easier these days, for example, to find frozen meals that contain vegetables and whole grains. Again, reading and understanding food labels will help you make the right choice for you and your family.
4. Myth: Refreezing your frozen food is bad. Let’s face it. As much as we try to plan out our meals, busy schedules cause our plans to suddenly change, which means the meat you thawed out may need to be put back in the freezer. As long as you thawed out your meat in the refrigerator and not on the counter-- which is a big no-no-- returning it to the freezer is acceptable. Thawing foods at room temperature can allow bacteria to rapidly multiply and may lead to food-borne illness.  But, to be fair, it should be noted that refreezing food can compromise the texture and flavor. For best results, try to use refrozen meats in dishes that are cooked with moist heat, such as soups or stews.
5. Myth frozen foods expire. According to FoodSafety.gov foods that are continuously stored at 0°F be saved indefinitely. But many home freezers won’t achieve temperatures quite that low, so a more realistic time-frame for keeping frozen foods is 6-9 months.  Storing foods in air-tight packages or using a vacuum-sealing kit removes the air from the freezer bag to preserve the food and help preserve quality.

 

For more nutritional information visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.

 

 

 

 

About the Author.
Susan Bowerman is the senior director of Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife Nutrition and is one of the primary authors of the Company-sponsored blogs, I Am Herbalife Nutrition and Discover Good Nutrition.

 

Bowerman is a registered dietitian, holds two board certifications from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a certified specialist in sports dietetics, and a certified specialist in obesity and weight management, and is a Fellow of the Academy.

 

Bowerman earned a B.S. in biology with distinction from the University of Colorado and received her M.S. in food science and nutrition from Colorado State University. She then completed her dietetic internship at the University of Kansas. She has taught extensively and developed educational programs targeted to individuals, groups and industry in her areas of expertise, including health promotion, weight management and sports nutrition.

 

Prior to her role at Herbalife Nutrition, she was the assistant director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition and has held appointments as adjunct professor in nutrition at Pepperdine University and lecturer in nutrition in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

 

Bowerman was a consultant to the (then) Los Angeles Raiders for six seasons and was a contributing columnist for the Los Angeles Times Health section for two years. She is a co-author of 23 research papers, 14 book chapters, and was a co-author of two books for the public: “What Color is Your Diet?” and “The L.A. Shape Diet” by Dr. David Heber, published by Harper Collins in 2001 and 2004, respectively.

 

 

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
Herbalife Nutrition is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a proven business opportunity for its independent members since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial members who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company’s global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

 

For more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.

Herbalife Nutrition also encourages investors to visit its investor relations website at ir.herbalife.com as financial and other information is updated and new information is posted.

 

 

 



Canva Philippines Wins Recognition Among Best Workplaces in PH

Named as one of the Best Workplaces by Great Place to Work Philippines, Canva empowers its employees to be a force for good by providing an enriching workplace. Photo credit: Canva



Online design platform Canva was named among the Best Workplaces by Great Place to Work Philippines, the only startup to make it to the list. Placing on top three, Canva Philippines runs shortly after Synchrony Global Services Philippines, DHL Express. Others in the top five were Icon Hilton and Ingram Micro.

 

Great Place to Work ranks companies according to their high-performing culture, trust in their managers, and how employees take pride and joy in the work that they do. Guided by its values — be a force for good, empower others, pursue excellence, be a good human, make complex things simple, and set crazy big goals — Canva has put its employees’ wellbeing as a top priority to encourage them to deliver work that creates meaningful impact in the lives of their partners and communities.

“This recognition gives us a sense of fulfillment that we are on the right track of providing a healthy and sustainable workplace. At a time when startups continue to be on the rise, this only goes to show that we can provide a fulfilling workplace to our employees and that we are here to stay.” ~Yani Hornilla Donato, Canva Philippines Country Manager

In 2019, Canva announced its valuation of US$3.2 billion, making it one of the fastest growing startups in the world.

 

The onset of COVID-19 also motivated Canva Philippines to show that workplace culture goes far beyond the physical workplace. As a high-growth start-up, it leveraged its adaptable and agile teams to get the job done. In return, Canva remains committed to safeguard not only its employees’ livelihood but also their health and wellness.      

Working from home means they have doubled down on communicating through video conferences and Slack channels. The clubs they have at work have been uploaded into virtual communities they can tune in to such as a make-up tutorial group, and deskcersise group. They have also retained the jobs of their in-house chef and baristas and have provided a channel where they show simple recipes with basic ingredients and brewing coffee from home.

 

In addition to this, each employee has been provided with food and internet allowance; pocket wifi units were also given out to aid remote work. Those who were recently from overseas were also provided with hotel accommodation to delay physical contact with their families.

Prior to the quarantine, Canva Philippines was already proactive in going the extra mile for its Canvanauts by encouraging their passions with activities such as movement corner, chair yoga, and even table tennis. Canva’s latest recognition only goes to show that it pays for companies to invest in its people.

 

For more information on Canva, visit https://www.canva.com/.

 

ABOUT CANVA

Launched in 2013, Canva is an intuitive online design and publishing platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere. Featuring a simple drag-and-drop user interface and a vast library of templates ranging from presentations, social media posts, posters, invitations to resumes, a huge collection of stock photography, illustrations and fonts, anyone can take an idea and create something beautiful. Canva is available on web, iOS and Android.

 



Araneta City ensures safety measures as stores reopen on May 20

Sanitation is essential in combating COVID-19. Knowing this, the Araneta City management will continue to sanitize and disinfect all of its spaces, especially those that are frequented by customers such as washrooms.

The management of Araneta City has announced the reopening of its  three malls- Gateway Mall, Ali Mall and Farmers Plaza-  starting Wednesday, May 20,  in accordance with the resumption of most businesses in Metro Manila under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) regulations set up by the Covid-19 Inter Agency Task Force (IATF).

 

For the safety of customers and employees, established Covid-19 rules and regulations will be   followed such as “no face mask, no entry”, the requirement of presenting a quarantine pass or authorized company ID upon entry, temperature checks at entrances, minimum one meter social distancing, two steps between persons on escalators, limited elevator capacity, among other regulations.

 

For pregnant women, the elderly, and PWDs, they may be accompanied by one person when visiting any of the malls of Araneta City. 

“We welcome back our customers and employees to Araneta City. Your safety and well-being is always our top priority, which is why we will continue to implement social distancing and enhanced personal hygiene protocols.” ~Antonio Mardo, Senior Vice President for Operations of Araneta City

 

Other measures that have already been in place at Araneta City since the declaration of enhanced community quarantine will continue to be implemented such as the placement of disinfectant-soaked foot baths and alcohol dispensers at entrances, hand sanitizers and alcohol dispensers located in concierge, booths, and restrooms, and floor markings for social distancing. Regular sanitation and disinfection of interiors and exteriors of Araneta City establishments will also be maintained.

 



In the photo, floor marks indicating where elevator riders should stand are seen as a worker disinfects the elevator's surfaces. The Araneta City management urges customers and employees to follow social distancing protocols to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone.



Food and other service establishments are mandated to follow workplace safety guidelines promulgated by the Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Employment to ensure the safety of customers and service providers.

 



To ensure the health of customers and employees, the Araneta City management will continue the regular sanitation and disinfection of all interior and exterior establishments within its premises, as shown in this photo.



For the information of the general public, safety guidelines such as advisories and infographics will be posted in prominent areas in the malls, especially at entrances, parking and smoking areas, escalators, elevators, and restrooms.

 

Mall hours will be from 11 AM to 7PM and only non-leisure stores and establishments will open as per the guidance set by the IATF. A complete list of open stores and establishments is available on facebook.com/AranetaCity.

 

More cashless Pinoys: GCash is top finance app for Android, iOS

Photo credits mycebu.ph



More Filipinos have gone cashless during the pandemic with GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, emerging as the top finance app for both Android and iOS devices, reflecting the growing reliance of people on digital finance for the management of their personal finances.

 

As of May 15, GCash was the only finance app in the top 10 list of free applications for Android. It also ranked fourth on the overall list of free mobile apps in Google Playstore. For iOS, GCash topped the finance division in the App Store and ranked second after Zoom Cloud Meetings on its free apps list. This shows how GCash has transformed from a convenient mobile wallet to a lifestyle app that enables Filipinos to do more with less, as they embrace the new normal.

“The national health situation has caused more Filipinos to be mindful of their personal finances. As a powerful tool that provides financial services to the masses, GCash is enabling its users to manage their personal finance better than traditional means. Due to uncertainties brought about by the national health situation and the limitations set by the government to help curb the spread of the virus, Filipinos are looking for various ways to address their personal finance concerns. GCash is here to provide them with the necessary financial tools and services that will help them in managing their finances. We have seen a huge growth in terms of volumes of transactions in our platform during the community quarantines. We saw people transacting with merchants physically through QR and Barcode and digitally through money transfers. We also saw a lot of people donating to causes, one of which is our native fundraising drive called #FightCOVID19. Our platform has empowered more people in taking care of their personal finances. This is a reflection of how Filipinos are growing more trusting of digital finance, which we believe will be a huge player in implementing the so-called ‘new normal.’ Financial technology will serve as the bedrock of digital services -- those that will empower Filipinos to do more with less.” ~Pebbles Sy, GCash Chief Technology and Operating Officer

 

A white paper released by AdSpark, Inc., a portfolio company under Globe Telecom’s 917Ventures, showed that consumption of Personal Finances as a topic grew by 800 percent from January 2020 to end of March 2020 when most Filipinos were required to stay at home.

 

Global Web Index, which surveyed people on how they foresee the impact of the situation on their personal finances, found that 65 percent of Filipinos surveyed believed that the pandemic will have a huge impact on their personal finances, while 15.7 percent believe that the effect could be even greater.

 

As a mobile wallet, GCash allows users to pay for their digital and physical transactions through the GCash app. GCash also allows users to pay their bills, buy airtime load, and transfer funds to any GCash account or to other banks.

 

Users may also avail of GCash’s savings service, GSave, which offers better-than-industry interest rates; GCredit, which allows them to tap into a credit line for emergencies; invest in money market funds; and GCash Insurance, which allows them to avail of very affordable insurance plans.

 

GCash saw app installations grow by 2x during the community quarantine, while registrations rose by 2.5x, and app referrals increased by another 2x.

 

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/.

 

 



Tanduay Thanks Farmers, Distillers for Its Latest Awards - Pinoy Trends Online

 



Tanduay Asian Rum Gold topped the list with a gold medal. One of Tanduay’s most awarded products, it is known for its smooth flavor with the richness of vanilla and notes of oak on its finish. It is aged in used bourbon barrels for seven years.

 

Tanduay is grateful to the farmers and distillers behind its products, as it won five medals from the Beverage Testing Institute.

“This is good news not just for us but for the entire country as well, as our products are all proudly Philippine-made. During these challenging times, let us not forget what makes this country great and it’s our people. We raise a glass to our sugarcane farmers and distillers. Without them, Tanduay would not have perfected its process of creating the world’s number one rum and continued its success for more than 100 years. We are thankful for the recognitions that we receive as they are testament to our people’s hard work and innovation. We are proud to produce a world-class product from the Philippines.” ~Paul Lim, Vice President for Sales and Marketing

Silver medals, meanwhile, were awarded to Tanduay Asian Rum Silver and Boracay Cappuccino Flavored Rum. Tanduay Double Rum and Boracay Coconut Flavored Rum both received bronze medals.

 



 



Founded in 1981, Beverage Testing Institute provides reviews for wines, spirits, and beers. It uses “industry-leading methodology co-developed with Cornell University” in its evaluations.

 

 

Hotel Sogo's New Normal Campaign

 



Did you know that in Southeast Asia the Philippines currently holds the highest number of COVID-19 cases? Our lifestyle will surely never be the same because of the coronavirus that hits everyone all over the world. A lot of changes will occur and be implemented as well as new rules will be made for sure.

 

New is ok for as long is for the welfare and security of everyone. One of the well known hotel chain is Hotel Sogo, which is the leading hotel chain in the Philippines is now ready to leap into the new normal as part of its So Clean, So Good, So Safe campaign under the Sogo Safe Program that aims to secure the safety of its employees and guests.



 

 

Hotel Sogo will continuously implements precautionary measures such as temperature checking upon entering the hotel, placement of alcohol and hand sanitizers in common areas, and information dissemination on COVID-19 since December 2019.

 



Enhanced cleaning and sanitation are also been applied in all its branches.

 

 

New Normal Features

 

Uniforms of the hotel staff are redesigned to incorporate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

 



 



Temperature screening and disinfection mats upon entering the hotel. Social distancing in the front desk. Hand Sanitizers in common areas. Social distancing with markers and limit of persons in elevators. Installation of the protective acrylic glass panel in the front desk.

 



 

 Contactless hotel features (doors and elevators).

 



 

UVC light treatment is also modified in elevator consoles,  door handles,  keycard cases, cash register, and food preparation.

 

 

Use of UVC disinfection light array cart in cleaning and disinfection of rooms and bathrooms. Studies show that the use of UVC, with wavelengths between 200 and 270 nanometres (nm), can kill microbes, germs, bacteria, and viruses.

 



This has been adopted since the use of UVC is done in recent years and is also used in disinfecting hospitals as UVC kills pathogens and microorganisms. Constant disinfection in all amenities is also implemented
11. No-contact facilities from lobby doors to toilet fixtures thru installing foot door opener and foot-controlled dispenser.

 

 

Hotel Sogo has created newly designed giveaways for guests such as no contact keys and sanitizers. The no-contact key serves as a tool in touching common objects like door handles, elevator buttons, and ATMs.

 

Hotel Sogo Mobile app is also up for contact tracing.

 

 

Hotel Sogo's New Normal Campaign surely hopes nothing but to serve everyone for a better So Clean... So Good... So Safe.