QuaranTalks: Pandemic Panic!

I said 2020 will be an epic year.

2020 was a year of exciting times. I even spent the first new year of the new decade in a different country. We got to celebrate it with my family in a amusement park complete with a concert and fireworks. Though accidentally my phone dropped and some of the screen had cracks. It was still working yet not as flawless as before. However, it seems to be an omen of an upcoming dangers as I started the year.

I thought that the year would be just like any year with some exciting parts. But even at the start of the year we are already shocked with news such as wildfires in Australia, the threat of war in the Middle East, and even the eruption of Taal Volcano. Both natural and man-made events stir worry to many, and I have to admit that those things scare me too.

But then came the next months and now being introduced with viral disease of COVID-19, prompted many countries into lockdowns, quarantines, and other strict measures. With the disease infecting fast and is also lethal, abrupt closure of businesses, work, and school was enforced. 

Gabay Guro launches ‘Learning Never Stops’ online training program for teachers nationwide

Gabay Guro, PLDT’s flagship educational program, provides free online trainings for teachers nationwide through its recently launched ‘Learning Never Stops’ campaign. As of May 30, 2020, Gabay Guro has led 13 e-learning sessions on Facebook with over 300,000 views to date. 

The online training videos uploaded on the Gabay Guro Facebook Page are all for free. These videos are available for replay which allows teachers to go learn at their own pace.

Topics of the live training and recorded webcasts include life learnings from the quarantine, virtual teaching 101, flipping the classroom, improving students' reading and comprehension, as well as teachers' mindset improvement in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Card payment partners charge 2.58% convenience fee for GCash cash-in via MasterCard/VISA bank card

The card payment partners of GCash will charge a minimal convenience fee of 2.58 percent for cash-in via MasterCard/VISA bank card services starting July 6, 2020. The fee is a direct charge of payment partners.

The convenience fee will be computed and will be stated in the GCash app for each cash-in via bank card transaction. For instance, a customer cashes in P100 in his GCash wallet. The convenience fee would be P2.58, for a total amount of P102.58 charged to the card.

David Chua Joins ALV Talent Circuit

Don’t let his K-pop looks fool you. Despite his Eurasian lineage, model/actor David Chua is proudly Filipino, and can speak Tagalog with full conviction.

Prior to his showbiz career, David was a Fine Arts student at the UST, where he was discovered via Mr. and Ms. Ideal Thomasian, the campus-based personality pageant (2006-2007). This led to modeling stints, where he became a staple in high-profile fashion shows and print ads.

The ‘accidental celebrity’ was thrust into the showbiz limelight in 2008, when he was cast in ABS-CBN’s ‘My Girl,’ the Kim Chiu-Gerald Anderson starrer, where he played the twin brother of Alex Gonzaga and Kim’s close friend.

Globe services and assistance package for COVID-19 reaches P1.3B

During the first three months of the pandemic, Globe Telecom was able to come up with over P1.3 billion in combined services and assistance package for COVID-19.  This consists of support for Globe employees and vendor partners, services and promos, external fund-raising efforts, and monetary and in-kind donations.

The bulk of the amount went to salaries and benefits which Globe continued to provide even to managed service partners and vendor employees to help ensure their safety, health, and well-being as well as their families. Globe currently holds weekly rapid antibody testing of all its frontliners and has contributed to the AC Health COVID-19 facility to accommodate its workforce and their families who may contract the virus. 

Globe urges customers to use reporting tool for spam/scam cases

As cases of mobile fraud and spamming continue to escalate during the pandemic, Globe Telecom is encouraging its customers to use the company’s reporting tool to stop unscrupulous people from taking advantage or deceiving the general public through calls and text messages.

By visiting https://www.globe.com.ph/stop-spam.html and filling out the online form, Globe customers can easily help put a stop to these illegal practices.  Once a report is received, Globe will promptly respond by deactivating numbers proven to be repetitive sources of such dubious messages.

“We are concerned about the problems that could arise from these call and text scams. This is why we continuously work to combat this malicious behavior to provide a spam-free experience for all our customers. While we constantly upgrade and improve our blocking and filtering mechanism to keep unwanted messages from entering our network, we also need the cooperation of our customers to make this effort fully effective,” said Anton Bonifacio, Globe Chief Information Security Officer.

Globe kicks off tribute campaign for local SMEs with special FB live event and inspirational video

As quarantine guidelines are slowly being loosened around the country, Globe myBusiness is paying tribute to an economic hero: the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), whose strength and resilience as they reopen and thrive in the new normal merit unwavering support through this year’s #SaludoSME campaign. 

The campaign kicked off with a special Facebook Live event via the official Globe myBusiness FB page with special messages from Ayala Corporation Chairman of the Board, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. Another highlight of the event is a special reveal of an inspirational video, sung by none other than Broadway legend and international Filipino pride Lea Salonga, which showcased the resilience of local SMEs as they resume operations in the new normal. 

Keep your stories going with 16 GB from Smart Giga Stories 99

Even though many of us have to stay home to protect ourselves from the pandemic, it doesn’t mean that we can’t establish meaningful connections anymore. Thanks to mobile internet and various social media apps, we can always connect with our family, friends and our favorite personalities with just a few taps on our phone.

To keep us connecting and sharing our stories with friends and loved ones, Smart offers Giga Stories 99, which comes with a total of 16 GB, valid for 7 days! By registering to Giga Stories 99, subscribers get Free Stories for All, which means having a total of 14 GB for FB, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok at 2 GB per day, plus 2 GB worth of open access data.

UE Jam Sessions pay tribute to the frontliners with original song, “Lalaban Tayo”

UE Jam Sessions (UEJS), the premiere music organization in University of the East, released a tribute music video dedicated to the medical practitioners and frontliners of the country, who are risking their lives amidst the pandemic crisis.

“Lalaban Tayo” was written by Jenny Legapi, arranged by Choi Felipe, and executive produced by Tommy Tanchanco. Featuring 34 singers and musicians from UEJS Manila and UE Caloocan, the collaborative effort was recorded and filmed during the lockdown period in the confines of their own homes. 

The best stores to go to for your daily essentials

Use PayMaya for safe, contactless payments and get great deals too! 

One of the biggest priorities during this pandemic is ensuring that our families stay safe and healthy. Apart from following standard health measures like social distancing, online shopping has also been the go-to of most consumers when it comes to purchasing essentials to limit their contact. But if you can't avoid going out to buy your day-to-day needs, make sure that you stay safe by using contactless payments like PayMaya QR. 

Paying via PayMaya QR lessens the risk of transmitting the virus through cash-handling. By simply scanning the QR code at the counter, you can already pay for your purchases within minutes - no need to exchange cash and coins with the cashier.  

GCash upsizes wallet limits of close to 1M users

GCash, the undisputed number one and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, has given over a million of its valued users a surprise limit increase amid the global health situation to help more Filipinos to maximize the benefits of digital finance.

Users may increase their wallet limits by linking their bank accounts or debit cards to their GCash wallets. Upsized wallets have a hold up limit of P500,000 per month. Bank accounts that enable users to raise their limits include BPI, UnionBank, and other locally-issued debit cards that are enabled by either MasterCard or Visa.  

How to Ride Safely amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The government recently relaxed the community quarantine guidelines, which gradually reopens up the economy. Thousands of workers are finally allowed to go to their offices, provided they follow strict health and safety protocols.

Although public transport will be operational, still, there are lots of limitations to ensure social distancing among passengers. For instance, in the National Capital Region (NCR), the resumption of public transport systems will be done in two phases, says the Department of Transportation (DoTR). 

Globe E-skwela tackles online lesson creation and materials development

Live demonstrations on applications of online instructional design as well as industry best practices were featured during the latest installment of Globe myBusiness’ E-skwela online learning series.

Leading the discussion on lesson creation and materials development in the new normal were industry experts and full-time faculty members, Lea Sacdalan-Abarentos and Jag Garcia, of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. They were also joined by Globe Education Industry Lead Mark Arthur Payumo Abalos who served as moderator for the webinar.

Post-Quarantine: Where Do You Want To Go?

Looking at the brighter side, we are all yearning for this pandemic to end so we can go out and experience fun with friends and family. 

Travelling has truly changed beyond recognition since the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of the implementation of quarantine. And as many experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) predict, this virus will be with us for a long time. 

While the quarantine period suggests that mobility will remain limited until a later time, it does not mean that travel is banned. And when travel restrictions loosen up, road trips would become the norm, since flights, ferries, and other public transportation would not be as safe and convenient as it used to.

Technology for good - Fundraising goes social

In the new normal, doing good is much more digital. 

In this time of COVID, many millennials are showing their support for the country’s health workers by using social media to raise funds for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks, face shields and hazmat suits.

A eureka moment 

Last March, five friends in Quezon City got together in a eureka moment to start a PPE fund drive for the country’s frontline healthcare workers. With the help of friends, families and kind strangers, they have raised over P3.2 million as of April 28, 2020. 

Globe provides free mobile data access to COVID KAYA, CART System

Globe has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in providing free mobile data access to COVID KAYA and the CART System for fast, accurate, and real time report delivery on COVID-19.  These platforms are for the benefit of frontliners and suspected COVID-19 patients.

With the partnership, all frontliners who are required to enter their information in COVID KAYA mobile app as well as suspected COVID-19 patients who need to access the CART System site at https://detectcovid.doh.gov.ph, may do so without incurring mobile data charges as long as they use their Globe or TM account.

“The Department of Health (DOH) is grateful to Globe for providing free mobile data to its users in order to access COVID KAYA and CART System. With this partnership, our patients, laboratories, and health care facilities can provide timely and accurate information that will strengthen our national response. We are grateful to all our partners who helped develop and make this tool accessible to our frontliners,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

“Globe is committed to helping the nation address the current crisis especially through technology.  Through this initiative, we hope this further helps the DOH in detecting incidents and gathering information on COVID-19 so we can have a comprehensive and evidence-based national response to the pandemic.” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

Grab, Dept of Tourism strengthens PH Harvest initiative; helps Filipino farmers through digitalization

Following the recently signed partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Grab Philippines has entered into an agreement with the Department of Tourism to support its Philippine Harvest Initiative poised to increase Filipino households’ accessibility to local food products, as the company aids agripreneurs to bring their businesses online.

As the everyday everything app, Grab lends its platform to boost discoverability on the initiative and its participating merchants, and provide logistical needs through the transport of the products to their customers.

Grab recognizes the role it could play in supporting local businesses, including agripreneurship, especially to cope during this time of COVID-19 pandemic, and to spur the economy.

World Vision keeps children’s dreams alive thru Give Hope campaign

Since the start of this year, the Philippines has been facing one great hurdle after another. Despite the gravity, Filipinos have been known to deal with problems head on.

It has been three months since the government has declared community quarantine in most cities and provinces in the Philippines. As the country continues to fight its battle against COVID-19, issues increase as more sectors of society become affected by this health crisis. One of the most pressing issues now is how to continue the learning and development of the children and youth at a time of a pandemic.

Enjoy Greater Cost Savings and Convenience with ShopeePay Day

On June 25, users can enjoy exclusive discounts, free shipping, and vouchers

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches ShopeePay Day, to offer greater convenience and cost savings as more Filipinos turn to cashless payments when they shop online. On June 25, ShopeePay users can look forward to exclusive limited-time deals and promotions, including free shipping and coins cashback.  

Devon Seron Signs Up With ALV Talent Circuit

PBB alumna Devon Seron recently signed up with Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Circuit, the same management outfit that handles the careers of some of today’s hottest celebrities, including Sunshine Cruz, Beauty Gonzalez, Sylvia Sanchez, Martin del Rosario and many others.

The proud Cebuana lass has come a long way since her memorable stint in ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Clash last 2010, and has proven her mettle as a versatile actress, singer/dancer and brand endorser.

Some of her memorable TV shows during her Star Magic years include Angelito: Batang Ama, Apoy sa Dagat, Maria Mercedes, Moon of Desire, Forevermore and guest stints in Maalaala Mo Kaya. 

Benjamin Kheng and Ben&Ben to grill each other on Instagram Live Show, B.B.Q.

After their much buzzed TikTok collaboration which attracted an audience of more than 3 million, Singapore-based alt pop artist Benjamin Kheng and award-winning Filipino band Ben&Ben will be blessing the regional social media feeds once again with their follow-up collaboration on Instagram Live next week, June 23 at 10 pm. 

The nine-piece collective behind hits such as “Lifetime,” “Pagtingin” and “Doors” will be joining Benjamin Kheng’s IG Live show, B.B.Q.—short for Ben’s Burning Questions. 

Known for its hilarious banters and challenges, B.B.Q. encourages celebrity guests to pass 10 challenges with varying levels of difficulty.

If the participants surmount the test, they will be given a chance to “grill” Benjamin through a burning question or a flaming dare. The online show airs live on Benjamin Kheng’s Instagram every week. 

GCash’s GCredit serves 550k customers, partners with CIMB Bank PH for stronger push for Finance for All

GCash through Fuse Lending, Inc. disburses P5B in loans; provides credit line to 550,000 customers

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, and the most-awarded digital bank strengthened its strategic partnership with CIMB Bank Philippines to further widen the reach of GCredit, a digital credit facility available for GCash users.  

Shopee Sees “Online-First” Shift for Food Products,as Filipinos Adapt to the New Normal

Consumers do a larger share of food shopping online, with a 2.5 times increase in users who buy food items on Shopee multiple times a month

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, highlights significant changes in the food and grocery market as Filipinos become more “online-first” for food products. In particular, people are doing a larger share of food shopping online, with a 2.5-times increase in users who buy food items multiple times a month on Shopee. Sellers and brands adapt to this "new normal" by offering a wider variety of online food products and using live streaming to assure buyers of quality in real-time.

Listen to Twenty-Nine Eleven’s take on 6cyclemind’s “I”

Filipino pop-rock outfit Twenty-Nine Eleven has finally released their remake of 6cyclemind’s “I,” off the upcoming Sige I-Cover Mo Lang Project.

The song serves as the second single of the online compilation, produced by 6cyclemind and their management Soupstar Music, and released by Sony Music Philippines. 

The aforementioned tribute record aims to introduce the band’s legacy as reliable hitmakers that continue to define an entire generation’s collective consciousness.

Get Huawei Tablets On Shopee for Online Learning

Our children's education has shifted into something unprecendented. Yet we want to make sure that shifting from classroom to online would still have that quality of learning. That is why we need to invest on gadgets to make use of online learning.

As recommended by the Department of Education, and online school experts, the tablet is so far the preferred device that can work with e-learning. As it is also lightweight, easy to view, and can do a lot of functions students need. 

Huawei is one of the brands which offers tables in their roster where you have the option for something affordable (Huawei MatePad T) and something versatile (Huawei MatePad Pro).

Swipe, Match, and Win: Play Shopee Candy and Win a Brand New Laptop and Smartphone at Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale

From June 22 to July 7, users can enjoy free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend and redeem amazing prizes weekly with Shopee Candy 

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches a new in-app game, Shopee Candy, just in time for Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale. Shopee Candy players can redeem prizes, win cashback vouchers, and earn Shopee coins. From June 22 to July 7, shoppers can look forward to free shipping on selected stores, flash deals, and fantastic promotions from leading brands at Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale. 

GCash moves to a brand new system to boost capacity, provide better user experience

USERS of GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, can expect a better and more seamless experience when using their GCash mobile application, after it successfully migrated to a world-class online payment platform that today serves over 1.2 billion users.

Through its partnership with Ant Financial, which runs the world’s biggest digital wallet, GCash was able to deploy the next-generation cloud-based technology called A+, which provides greater security for customers, better service turnaround times, and faster concern resolutions for both consumers and enterprise customers.

YORI DIY furniture now available at select SM stores and ShopSM.com

One of our most natural instincts is to create. It doesn’t have to be traditional works of art. There is joy in taking simple photographs, cooking a recipe you found online, or fixing something around the house. A DIY (do-it-yourself) project doesn’t have to be complicated to be rewarding, this is what YORI is all about.

YORI is about making DIY furniture experience better. We are committed to building furniture that is smart, easy, yet rewarding to own. Each YORI furniture is made for the first-time homeowner and young upstart professional who value efficiency, practicality, and ultimately good design. It is also perfect for professional doing work from home for a comfortable, home corner office setup. We make it as simple as possible by putting all you need for a fulfilling DIY project in one flatpack box.

PLDT-Smart Foundation spearheads relief efforts in Pampanga

Underserved communities in far-flung areas in Pampanga received much-needed support from the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) which recently turned over grocery packs and PPE donations in Angeles City and San Fernando, Pampanga.

The corporate social responsibility arm of PLDT and Smart, PSF turned over 1000 grocery packs, 250 PPE sets and 10 tents. In Angeles City, 500 grocery packs and 250 PPE sets were turned over to their local government unit (LGU) through Vice Mayor Maria Vicenta L. Vega-Cabigting.

Realme Also Sells Fitness Bands and More On Shopee

Rising mobile brand Realme has made a big impact in the market with its record sales of their phones. Recently they launched their Realme 6i, 6, and 6 pro series which did great in sales despite the quarantine. This shows its potential to be the top mobile brand in the country.

But it is not only exclusive to phones that Realme has also made available in their stores. They also have accessories and wearables which complement the phones and making a brand ecosystem which they can be all connected. Things such as fitness bands, earphones, powerbanks work well and they are also fashionable and ergonomic as well.

These items are available on their official online store in Shopee and are also selling hot like the phones. Here are some of the items you should also check out that can pair perfectly with your Realme phones.

John Legend’s new album, Bigger Love celebrates Black Culture and Pride

Multi-platinum artist John Legend is slated to drop his sixth studio album, Bigger Love on June 19 (Friday) via Columbia Records.

On a lengthy Instagram post, the Emmy, Golden Globe, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) winner reveals that Bigger Love was written and produced prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the #BlackLivesMatter protests happening around the world. According to him, the upcoming album is a “celebration of love, joy, sensuality, hope, and resilience” and an important showcase of what makes black culture so influential and empowering.

“It’s important for us to continue to show the world the fullness of what it is to be black and human,” John Legend takes pride. “Through our art, we are able to do that. I’m under no illusion that music can save the world or solve the world’s problems, but I’ve always turned to music to help me through tough times and I know many of you have done the same.”

OPPO Phones On Shopee For Php10K or Less

Want to get a new phone on a budget? Many brands do have that but some hesitate the quality when they are at the entry-level. However there are actually good phones for less than Php10K with OPPO with their online shop at Shopee. 

OPPO has been known for models that ranges from entry level to their flagship phones. And with new models released every season, there are a lot to choose from which are also updated with the latest operating system and features.

Now available online for the price range of less than Php10K are OPPO A5 2020 and OPPO A31.

OPPO A5 2020 comes with 3GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Running on ColorOS 6.0.1, based on Android 9 and with a Snapdragon 665 processor. Screen size is at 6.5"

Ginebra San Miguel salutes frontliners and the Filipino Spirit with first Ginumanfest live online concert

Every year, thousands of people gather together for Ginebra San Miguel’s Ginumanfest, an annual music festival held in different regions nationwide. 

Since 2011, Ginumanfest has been championing the best in OPM talent year on year, bringing Filipinos together for an epic celebration of music, food, and the world’s largest selling gin.

Fintech should power disbursement programs as manual cash aid distribution risky

Under the “new normal” dictated by COVID-19, contactless solutions are perceived to be the best way of distributing cash assistance to families and households greatly affected by the pandemic.

In the Philippines, the distribution of financial aid under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to beneficiaries is still implemented on ground. Left with no other choice, thousands of people have flocked to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distribution centers in their respective local government units to receive the cash grant. Social distancing protocols were impossible to follow due to the high volume of beneficiaries lining up for financial assistance, thus increasing the risk of contracting the virus.

Workout To The Beat With JBL Earphones On Shopee

We won't let the quarantine interrupt our passion to enjoy having workouts even with the gyms are closed. Home workouts can be done even with minimal to no equipment. Yet there are something that we love to do in the gym and at home, that is to listen to music or podcasts while doing routines.

These actually help in conditioning focus to follow beats and take attention away from the strain when doing exercises. Personally I really love to run long distances on the treadmill or even outside with some songs playing in the background. 

To ensure quality sound when they are played, it is best to invest in good earphones that not only gives a high definition sound but also works best even through quick movements when working out. JBL by Harman is one of the brands highly recommended as brands which has dedicated itself to developing these products.

Stranded OFWs and locals get help from PLDT Smart Foundation

Haira Aba, 29 years old, is the breadwinner of her family in Datu Paglas in Maguindanao. She applied for a job as a domestic helper in Qatar and travelled to Manila. But the COVID-19 pandemic came, overseas travel came to a halt, and as a result, she has been stuck in Manila for the past four months.

54-year old Dennis Sebastian is a mechanical operator and harvester in Tuguegarao – a job he has been doing for six years now. He usually travels back to his hometown in Compra, Liloy in Zamboanga Del Norte three times a year. This year, he was scheduled to return home last April 6.  But due to the pandemic, his flight was rescheduled to June 5 – and then was again cancelled.

Hong Kong R&B Artist Gareth.T Releases His First Single Via Umami Records - ‘best me i can’

Hong Kong R&B Artist Gareth.T Releases His First Single Via Umami Records - ‘best me i can’

Hong Kong R&B artist Gareth.T has released his first single via Singapore based indie label Umami Records - ‘best me i can’. A smooth R&B song filled with lush harmonies and soulful grooves, ‘best me i can’ is about making the most of our short lives, and always striving to be the best version of ourselves.

Currently based in Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music, Gareth.T shares his personal story behind the song: “I wrote this song after my grandma passed away recently. Even though we weren’t that close and it didn’t emotionally affect me too much, it really got me thinking about how short and fragile life is, and that time doesn’t really stop for anyone. So in the song I kinda reflect on my 20 years of life, and I’ve come to a conclusion, that I’m going to try to be the best me I can, everyday.”

Shopee Supports the Development of Tech Talent with Shopee Code League, the First-Ever Regional Virtual Coding Competition

From June 8 to August 1, tech enthusiasts can broaden their knowledge, upgrade their skills, and increase exposure as they connect with like-minded people across the region

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, has launched Shopee Code League, a first of its kind 'Code from Home' challenge made available across the region. This initiative offers tech enthusiasts an opportunity to learn and upgrade their skills as the demand for tech talents continues to rise.

Well-loved URC brands are now available on Lazada

Those with a hankering for their awesome treats from Universal Robina Corporation (URC) can now satisfy their cravings more easily, as they are now available online through Lazada.

URC, one of the biggest food and beverage makers in the country, has recently opened its official store in Lazada’s LazMall.  Piattos, Nova, Cream-O cookies, Cloud 9 chocolate, Nissin Cup Noodles, Great Taste Coffee, C2 drinks, Maxx candies and other snack, candy, biscuit, chocolate, and beverage favorites can be purchased easily in just a few clicks.

Can Minding Your Muscles Improve Immune Health?

Research suggests muscle health may impact the immune system

Our immune system is always at work, protecting against unwanted microbes or infections. And while our immune system is always operating, it is not usually top of mind unless one is sick or trying to avoid a virus. Following good-health guidelines – like eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly and getting adequate sleep – are natural ways to keep the immune system strong and healthy. But should we also be considering our muscle health when thinking about our immunity?

Five Dad-approved meals perfect for Father’s Day

Organize a hassle-free celebration for dad with the help of PayMaya! 

Father’s Day is coming up this weekend, and while the current public health situation means we can’t go out and celebrate as we used to, it won’t stop us from enjoying our family’s company. 

Celebrating Father’s Day under the New Normal entails that we have to be more mindful about physical distancing, including staying at home as much as possible. So if you’re looking for ways to honor Dad this coming Sunday, having a nice family lunch or dinner with great food from his favorite restaurants is a great idea. 

You can easily organize Father's Day celebrations from the comfort of your own home as most restaurants today already accept online transactions. And with PayMaya, paying for your orders is not only much easier, it is also more rewarding. 

New normal involves cashless payment of gov’t dues

The Philippines will see a huge increase in government transactions done through their mobile phones, as the government implements the so-called new normal, where human interaction is limited and strict health protocols are in place.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is spearheading the digitalization of government transactions to bring government services closer to the masses, as it seeks to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Walang Plastikan: Plastic’s Place in the New Normal

As parts of the country are placed under varying degrees of quarantine schemes, this has caused a surge on the usage of single-use plastic due to various reasons including a need for affordable, disposable or easy-to-clean packaging. A rise in packaged deliveries for households under lockdown has also been seen.

“We are seeing a shift in consumption patterns. More people are opting for deliveries and that will only mean that there is more plastic packaging usage to be expected, especially for food packaging,” said Crispian Lao, President of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS).

Go for more with Globe Prepaid’s newest and biggest Go Promos

Gear up for the new normal as Globe Prepaid brings you its newest Go promos with the biggest GBs for ALL sites and apps!

The new Go promos allow you to surf any of your favorite apps without holding back – giving you the flexibility and freedom that you need. Now, you can choose from different Go promos with the biggest GBs, unlimited texts to all networks, and more.

At the same time, you can further amplify your internet connectivity with the GoBOOSTER add-ons. You can choose from various boosters that will empower you to live your lifestyle  – from getting more GBs, more app access or even longer validity.

Warner Bros. Invites Global Fans to DC FanDome - a Free, Virtual Fan Experience

WELCOME TO THE DC FANDOME!

A MEGA, 24-HOUR, IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL FAN EXPERIENCE WHICH BRINGS THE UNIVERSE OF DC TO LIFE AND FEATURES THE STARS, FILMMAKERS AND CREATORS BEHIND ITS BIGGEST FILMS, TV SERIES, GAMES AND COMICS

Join fans from all 7 continents for the largest gathering of talent, announcements and content reveals in the history of DC

Save the date and prep your cosplay! On Saturday, August 22, starting at 10 a.m. PDT, Warner Bros. will welcome fans everywhere into the DC FanDome—a free virtual fan experience where no badge is required.

Mastercard builds on COVID-19 response with commitment to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy by 2025

In this time of crisis, Mastercard has expanded its worldwide commitment to financial inclusion by pledging to bring a total of 1 billion people and 50 million micro and small businesses into the digital economy by 2025. As part of this effort, there will be a direct focus on providing 25 million women entrepreneurs with solutions that can help them grow their businesses. 

The impact of COVID-19 has made it even more pressing to support inclusive growth in Asia Pacific, which is home to 60 percent of the world’s population and the fastest-growing economic region. In an update in April, the World Bank said 24 million fewer people will escape poverty across the East Asia Pacific region this year than would have without the pandemic.  

HP Printers on Shopee Perfect for Work and School From Home

Investing on a multi-function printer right now is what many of us need in these times. Given that many are working from home and students will be going to school online in the next few months. It pays to be ready to face the challenges and requirements of tomorrow. HP, known for laptops, desktops,  and monitors is also known for their printers and cartilages  and  that you can choose from depending on your needs.

At their Shopee official store you can check out multi-function printers and cartilages with a price range suited best for the needs of everyone. For me, I would highly recommend to have the multi-purpose printer like the HP Smart Tank 500 AiO.

This printer can do  Print, Fax, Scan, Copy, and even has the Wireless function. It retails for only ₱7,950. It also has a continuous ink supply system which saves a lot of money in terms of ink management as printers also adapt this economical approach. Its a very affordable model which provides a lot of function and print output with its system.

GCash is top platform for cash assistance distribution in QC

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, is the digital transfer platform of choice for the majority of the beneficiaries of the Kalingang Quezon City Program Online Payout.

As sectors greatly affected by the Luzon-wide community quarantine, more than 6,000 persons with disability (PWDs), senior citizens, and solo parents received P2,000 in financial assistance for the first batch of the program. Of the total, over 5,200 have chosen GCash as their payout option, allowing them to unlock the benefits of finance through their mobile phones.

Great Budget Vivo Phones Selling Hot On Shopee

This quarantine we just cant get enough of our phones, as we need them to keep us company, to do tasks, to take pictures of what we are eating and cooking, among other things. As we get accustomed with the new normal, we might as well make sure we have our gadgets updated to do more things.

Vivo, one of best selling phones in the Philippines provides a array of models to choose from in their online store at Shopee. There you can find a variety of phones suited for function and budget. Their bestsellers include the Vivo Y11 and the Vivo Y15.

New Episodes Of Love Life Now On HBO GO

Can’t wait to watch new episodes of the HBO Max Original series Love Life, starring Oscar® nominee Anna Kendrick? The wait is over! Three new episodes of Love Life will drop today, 4 June, while the final four episodes will be available next Thursday, 11 June exclusively on HBO GO. The first three episodes of Love Life premiered same time as the U.S. on HBO GO last Thursday, 27 May. 

Love Life, a fresh take on a romantic comedy anthology series, features “an Emmy-worthy turn from Kendrick” (Decider, Joel Keller) and “should be the first thing you watch on the new streaming platform” (Glamour, Anna Moeslein). It has “a sharpness and a depth” (Vanity Fair, Richard Lawson), “the writing is sharp” (Uproxx, Kimberly Ricci), and star “Zoë Chao is a standout” (Entertainment Weekly, Kristen Baldwin).