OYO launches Sanitized Stays in the Philippines

OYO Hotels & Homes is rolling out its Sanitized Stays in the Philippines from 1 June 2020. Under the initiative, OYO will implement comprehensive hygiene protocols and step up vigilance measures pre and post-check-in and throughout its customer journey, to curb any potential spread of Covid-19.

Check-in & check-out: To ensure social distancing, OYO will revamp its guest check-in & check-out process to a minimal touch process. The hotel chain is in the process of acquiring the required approvals for guests to upload their IDs and complete their formalities at the hotel with minimal staff interaction. Similarly, check-out and payment processes are being restructured to ensure minimal staff interaction.

Minimal contact service: To ensure social distancing at all customer-facing touchpoints, OYO will introduce minimal contact room service and will train the housekeeping staff on the same

PLDT, Smart launch rolling store for frontline AFP workers through the PLDT-Smart Foundation

Frontline workers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now able to avail of the special offers of PLDT-Smart products and services through the recently launched PLDT and Smart rolling store stationed in Camp Aguinaldo. 

Some of these offers include discounts on PLDT, Smart and TNT products and services. This includes a PLDT Home WiFi for only P995, the unli Fibr Plan 2899 with speed up to 100 mbps and a switch offer of 50% off for six months which is inclusive of free installation and activation fees. 

Meanwhile, PLDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications and TNT will offer sims, discounted prepaid load top-up and Sim Upgrade to LTE. Both also include a retailer recruitment with a free Giga 99 for every new retailer with a purchase of P2,000 load wallet.

‘Keeping safe while mobilising’: Children and young people step up amidst the COVID-19 pandemic – World Vision research report

Amidst these challenging times, children and young people expressed high sense of social responsibility to fight the spread of COVID-19 in their respective communities while complying with lockdown measures, research report by World Vision finds.

The research ‘Children’s voices in times of COVID-19: Continued child activism in the face of personal challenges’ consulted over 100 children and young people in 13 countries to understand the various ways the health pandemic affected them and the actions they have taken to respond to the crisis.

GCash provides Filipinos access to savings amid COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic highlighted the importance of keeping an emergency fund, studies show.

A recent consumer expectations survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed that more Filipinos are now building their own savings accounts, with 73.9-percent of respondents setting aside money in their banks for unforeseen situations.

GCash helps extend budgets during COVID-19 emergency with GCredit

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, is making it easier for Filipinos to have access to a credit line that they can tap amid the national health emergency caused by the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

GCredit, which works like a flexible loan or credit card, gives GCash access to money that they can use to buy groceries from supermarkets like Puregold, medicines from pharmacies like Mercury Drugs, and even utility bills. 

HBO Brand New Series I MAY DESTROY YOU Debuts 8 June Exclusively On HBO GO

HBO’s new half-hour series I May Destroy You, executive produced, written by and starring Michaela Coel, debuts same time as the U.S. on Monday, 8 June at 10.30am exclusively on HBO GO, with a same day encore at 11.30pm on HBO. The episode will also be available on the same day at 11.30pm on HBO. This fearless, frank and provocative series explores the question of sexual consent in contemporary life and how, in the new landscape of dating and relationships, we make the distinction between liberation and exploitation.

Pop-jazz sensation Ardhito Pramono invites Ben&Ben as special guests for digital concert

As part of the initiative to forge regional ties with likeminded artists in Asia, Indonesia’s very own Ardhito Pramono will be joining forces with acclaimed Filipino band, Ben&Ben and Singaporean alt-pop artist, Benjamin Kheng for a star-studded virtual show.

Aptly titled, From His Backyard, Online #HappyConcert with Ardhito Pramono and Friends, the first online concert in Indonesia to feature local and international artists, will happen on June 8, 2020 (Monday) at 9 PM (Philippine time) via Loket. Tickets are available here.

ABS-CBN’s number one teleserye, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano”, other top and new shows to return to TFC worldwide this June

The megahit Filipino action-drama TV series – FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano – and a host of beloved television characters and programs from the media company ABS-CBN Corporation are finally returning to TFC this June.

PLDT-Smart Gabay Kalikasan premieres a musical revue billed

‘Songs for a Changed World: COVID and Climate Change’ on June 5 on FB and YouTube

In celebration of World Environment Day (WED) 2020 this Friday, June 5, PLDT and Smart, through Gabay Kalikasan, premieres a timely and relevant all-original musical revue billed “Songs for a Changed World: COVID and Climate Change.”

The Gabay Kalikasan show will feature popular music interpreted by outstanding talents in Philippine theater, specifically the cast and production team behind the widely successful musical “Ang Huling El Bimbo.”

“Songs for A Changed World,” with concept and libretto by Floy Quintos, musical direction by Myke Salomon and direction by Dexter Santos, will be streamed on the Gabay Kalikasan Facebook page and YouTube channel at 8 p.m.

KonsultaMD releases video app for 24/7 medical consultation

Telehealth service KonsultaMD has released an app that allows customers to engage in teleconsultation with a licensed doctor anytime via voice or video without leaving the comforts of their own homes. 

The app keeps the customer’s account information such as check-up history and remaining subscription balance and lets the users to top up their subscription as well as request e-prescriptions, e-labs, and e-referrals.

This contactless approach to health services is endorsed by the Department of Health as a way to relieve hospitals with non-critical cases and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus especially among vulnerable members of society.

“We understand how difficult it is for people with medical concerns to go to the doctor and face the risk of COVID-19 infection.  Yet there are instances when doctors and patients need to see each other to exchange information especially if visual assessment is necessary such as in the case of skin diseases.  Through the app, we’re giving our customers a viable alternative to face-to-face consultation,” said Maridol Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc., the company which operates KonsultaMD.