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.

 

 



Messages of gratitude and support overflow as netizens design motivational cards for frontliners and COVID-19 patients

Photo credit: Stephanie Nodado

If there’s one thing that keeps the frontliners going it’s the overflowing support of families, friends, and even strangers.

 

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, the number of cases has also escalated in the Philippines placing Filipino healthcare workers at the forefront to fight against the virus. Doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and hospital staff face the hazard of infection everyday, and extensive working hours at the hospital can be very exhausting. Virus-stricken patients, on the other hand, have limited contact with their families, and being away from loved ones can really be lonesome.

To show compassion for COVID-19 patients and gratitude for frontliners, online design platform Canva encouraged netizens to show their support by simply designing a motivational card using pre-made Canva templates. In response, different groups and individuals have shared their messages to our frontline heroes and COVID-19 patients. The Filipinos’ trait of bayanihan is indeed in action even online.



Photo Credit: Ivy Awayan Araullo

 

“At a time when the country is facing multiple restrictions, it’s more important than ever to reach out to those in isolation. It’s incredibly motivating to see so many people step up to demonstrate compassion, something I hope will continue once COVID-19 is eradicated. We’re putting people first, which in turn provides stability and psychological safety in the community - the key to all of us winning the war on an invisible, yet shared, enemy.” ~Yani Hornilla-Donato, Canva Manila, Country Manager

Photo Credit: Yasha Christina Alarcon



 Canva sent over 4,000 motivational cards and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations to hospitals around Metro Manila to applaud the sacrifice and dedication of the healthcare workers, and to show support to COVID-19 patients.

Check out more cards for frontliners HERE and for COVID-19 patients HERE.

For more information about 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.

 

 

 



UP Fighting Maroons cheer up frontliners with Zoomustahan

UP Fighting Maroons

With people around the world cheering, applauding and saying thank you to their frontliners from balconies and plazas, the University of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Team (UPMBT) expressed gratitude and appreciation for local frontliners in their own unique way.

UP Fighting Maroons Noah Webb, Kobe Paras, Ricci Rivero, James Spencer, David Murrell, Joe Gomez de Liaño, Jboy Gob, CJ Catapusan, Brix Ramos, Matt Santiago, Ethan Kirkness, Sam Dowd, Malik Diouf and head coach Bo Perasol hopped on a Zoom call with medical and healthcare workers from UP’s Philippine General Hospital (UP PGH) and the UP National Institutes of Health (UP NIH) on Friday, May 8 for a virtual chat called Zoomustahan.

UP coaches Ricky Dandan, Rodney Santos, Moriah Gingrich, Chappy Callanta, Mark Dandan, and Kenneth Raval joined the call as well.

The cheer-up call was received by PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, Dr. Edgar Eufemio, Dr. Anthony Geronimo Cordero, Dr. Louricha Opina-Tan, former Fighting Maroon Dr. Czarlo Dela Victoria, and interns and nurses on the PGH side. NIH health workers and laboratory personnel led by UP Manila Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology science research specialist Stessi Geganzo also chatted with the team.

“While we are here sitting in our homes, comfortable, you are out there risking your lives for us so I want to say thank you.” ~Kobe Paras

Kobe Paras

“Really grateful for everything you are doing for our country and our fellow Filipinos. Sobrang saludo po kami sa inyo. We are doing this Zoomustahan with you para naman po makapagshare kami ng konting good vibes sa inyo kahit for a few minutes lang. We’re facing this really big challenge and nandito lang po kami to listen to you, extend our support and continue to pray for you. Hoping for your safety and for sure kakayanin natin ‘to, babangon tayong lahat.” ~Ricci Rivero

UPMBT Zoomustahan

“This virtual visit is the least the team could do to give back to you. UP-PGH has been part of our team from the start. Whatever small part we could play now - by saying thank you, by praying for you, or whatever help we could extend to you with our presence – just let us know so we could be part of it.” ~Coach Bo Perasol

The frontliners thanked the Fighting Maroons for taking time and effort to do the Zoomustahan.

 

Noah Webb

“This is really a treat for us - to see faces that are not sick. We are getting all the support that you’re giving us and you keep us inspired to move on. It’s really amazing how the whole UP community stood up to the challenge and are helping us get through this. We’re looking forward to your first game.” ~Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, PGH Director

“Maraming-maraming salamat, UP Men’s Basketball Team. Malaking-malaking bagay ‘to and salamat sa support sa mga nasa frontlines.” ~Dr. Carmencita David-Padilla, UP Manila Chancellor

UP NIH staff and scientists waiting for their shift in the testing center also thanked the Maroons for the video conferencing.

“Kami po yong mga off-duty ngayon and we’re waiting for our shift. Thank you so much for this connection. Salamat po sa good vibes.”

The Fighting Maroons hope to reach more frontliners in the days to come to show their support through the UPMBT Zoomustahan. The team looks forward to meeting more medical and healthcare workers, grocery attendants, and other groups that man the frontlines and continue to serve the country during this pandemic.

 

 

Red Cross 143 contact tracing app gets data-free usage for Smart subs



The Philippine Red Cross has launched a new mobile application called RC143 which is designed to help health authorities in contact tracing of COVID-19 cases.  To provide assistance, Smart is enabling its subscribers to download and use the mobile app free of data charges.

The RC143 is an application that will enable contact tracing using the geo-location and sensory capabilities of smartphones.  The app will also enable its users to get information on their likely levels of exposure to the virus.

 

With the user's consent, the PRC app will track his movements using the location facility of his mobile phone. This information will go to a data base through which the PRC will be able to determine which individuals have come into contact with COVID-positive cases.

"The app will be a great force-multiplier for the Philippine Red Cross's first responders in our active monitoring and efforts to assist affected persons and many more people and communities at risk. We have high hopes for RC143, in the hands of many Filipinos, not only to contain the spread of the virus but to actually safeguard us in our certain but slow and cautious return to normal social and economic activity." ~Elizabeth Zavalla, Philippine Red Cross Secretary General

"Data is an important weapon in the fight against COVID-19.   RC143 can gather information that will help individuals protect themselves and also help health authorities take more effective action to control and defeat this pandemic.  This is why we at PLDT and Smart are supporting the Philippine Red Cross in this initiative."  ~Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of Smart Communications and Chief Revenue Officer of PLDT

 

An SMS broadcasting service has also been provided for free to the Philippine Red Cross in their information dissemination programs to fight the pandemic. This Smart Messaging Suite, powered by Soprano, will provide Red Cross 100,000 free text messages per month to strengthen their messaging capabilities to their constituents and other organizations to augment their communications efforts.

“We are pleased to be able to provide enterprise messaging services to support PLDT and Smart in their Covid-19 response efforts. The current situation is unprecedented, and we applaud the incredible efforts of all frontline responders, who are going above and beyond to fight this pandemic. With more than 100 million mobile phone subscribers, SMS is still used as the primary mobile service in The Philippines. We are aware of the role technology players like us play in the current situation, and hope our messaging services will help alleviate some of the pressures on their communications efforts.” ~Kirt Ugas, Soprano Business Development Manager for The Philippines

 

This service is another addition to the collective bayanihan efforts of the PLDT group and the MVP Group of companies in assisting government agencies and non-governmental organizations in their efforts to control the spread of the virus and assist the general public amid the ECQ challenges.
 

The RC143 app can be download from  bit.ly/RC143-Android.

 

 

 

 

 

About PLDT
PLDT is the leading telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines. Through its principal business groups – fixed line, wireless and others – PLDT offers a wide range of telecommunications and digital services across the Philippines’ most extensive fiber optic backbone, and fixed line and cellular networks.

 

PLDT is listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:TEL) and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:PHI). PLDT has one of the largest market capitalizations among Philippine-¬listed companies.