Lapu-Lapu City Goes Cashless, First to Accept QR Payments for Property, Business, and Local Gov’t Taxes

GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, continues its efforts to fully digitize government transactions in the country as it enables Lapu-Lapu City to be the first LGU in the Philippines to accept cashless payments for city taxes.

The Lapu-Lapu City LGU now accepts GCash QR payments for its citizens paying real property taxes, business taxes, community tax certificates (cedula), and other local government fees. The city adopts cashless payments in its efforts to improve safety and convenience for its citizens.

“Cashless payments during the new normal are an imperative, as it promotes contactless transactions. With GCash QR codes deployed in Lapu-Lapu City’s government offices, citizens can transact their fees and taxes simply with just their smartphone” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

Globe myBusiness offers exclusive perks to registered business owners

Registering your business and renewing government registrations at the Business Process Licensing Office (BPLO) is a necessary part of running and keeping up your enterprise. It establishes your legitimacy and makes you more credible not just to the government, but also to partners, investors, clients, and customers.

To aid the ever-increasing number of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country, the registration process has been streamlined as of 2018 and onwards through the Ease of Doing Business Act. This rule encourages all LGUs to provide one-stop-processing centers for new business registrations and renewals.

Music video for debut single, “The Light,” rakes in thousands of views

P-Pop has found its bright new star as new boy group BGYO’S music video for its debut single “The Light” continues to rake in thousands of views and positive reviews following the group’s grand launch. 

The music video already has a combined total of over 700,000 views from its official YouTube channel and Facebook page, which continue to grow.   

Composed of Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate, the group was initially known as SHA Boys, which first got TV audiences and netizens’ admiration as the group made the rounds of television shows. Their “It’s Showtime” performance has over a million views and earned praises for its outstanding precision. 

As the music video premiered at the launch, the group got the chance to show off their skills once more. For the boys, it was a result of many hours of hard work. 

Win a lifetime supply of free SEAOIL gas when you #ScanToPay with PayMaya!

Hurry and drive away with free gas and more rewards with PayMaya QR

PayMaya and SEAOIL are giving customers a chance to win a lifetime supply of free gas* when they #ScanToPay via PayMaya’s #BetterQR at select SEAOIL stations nationwide.  

Three lucky winners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will be awarded with this grand prize. Apart from these grand promo winners, three other winners on the monthly draw will win a one year’s supply of free gas, while thirty winners will take home P3,000 worth of SEAOIL gift certificates from PayMaya.

A lifetime supply of fuel means winners will receive P5,000.00 worth of SEAOIL fuel per month during his/her actual life span, starting in the month when the winner was drawn.

Joining the raffle is easy, simply follow these steps:

Purchase at least P500 worth of fuel and lubricant products at any participating SEAOIL station and #ScanToPay with PayMaya until February 8, 2021. 

Universal Peace Federation hosts One Million Rally of Hope Philippines

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF), an NGO holding general consultative status with the United Nations, will conduct the One Million Rally of Hope Philippines this weekend. The event will be virtual and is a call for collective prayers for greater hope, peace and solidarity during these dire times.The program is from 3:00-5:00PM (Manila standard time) on Saturday, February 6th. The theme is“One Million People Praying for the Healing of the Nation and the World.”

The February 6th Rally of Hope is special insofar as it will gather millions of Filipinos and citizens from around the world online in an interfaith gathering to collectively pray for the healing of the world from the COVID-19 pandemic, raise awareness for the healing of Mother Earth and address climate change issues and for the healing of humanity from divisions to bring about a world of lasting peace for the sake of the future generations.

SZA makes a splash on PH charts with hit single “Good Days”

The numbers are in: SZA’s “Good Days” is officially her biggest hit to date in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world. In the country alone, the soulful single remains unstoppable with its No. 2 peak at Spotify Philippines Viral 50 and a top 15 placement at Spotify Philippines Top 50. 

Over at mainstream radio, the critically acclaimed R&B songstress is performing well on several top 40 stations. This week, “Good Days” ranks No. 5 on 99.5 Play FM, a major pop station; No. 7 on Wave 89.1 FM, a rhythmic and urban-leaning station; and has gained prominent spots on Magic 89.9 (No. 23), and more. 

As internet speeds improve, consistency is key in achieving #FirstWorldNetwork

Globe’s nationwide tower builds have resulted in a ‘sustained and consistent’ network with better connectivity experience for its customers.

The telco's continuous investments to upgrade its network, coupled with its aggressive site roll outs are adding new capacity and increasing data bandwidth available to customers. With improving internet speeds, Globe is also looking at consistency of network services across all areas where its services are available. 

Dark pop songstress Naomi G upholds feminist virtues on new song “Prey”

Singapore-based artist Naomi G has released her contemplative pop single “Prey” in an attempt to reclaim greater tenure as a woman knowing her worth in a relationship. The track, invocative of Banks’ chilling despair on some notes and The Weeknd’s midnight sentiments on others, resolves itself by criticizing structural behaviors that oppress women and upholding virtues that are necessary to curb patriarchal pressures. 

As Naomi G puts it, “I wanted to empower young people who are faced with unwanted or unhealthy sexual attention that causes them to psycho-socially feel like ‘Prey’. This song is an anthem of power to those who have been gaslighted, dominated, manipulated, harassed and controlled based on their gender and looks. This song is a movement about saying no quickly and firmly, whilst understanding all the microaggressions that be before getting into any kind of deception.”

Datu Puti gets the spotlight in new Guinness World Records™ Title

Datu Puti just kicked off 2021 by making history in setting a new Guinness World Records™ title for the most people dipping food into vinegar online simultaneously.

On January 24, the brand hosted a large-scale online meeting via Zoom, dubbed as the Datu Puti Mukhasim Nation World Record Day, where nearly 200 “Ka-Datus” joined the attempt to set a new Guinness World Records™ title. Hosted by Sam YG, the official title attempt was led by Datu Puti’s celebrity Sukambassadors Tita Krissy Achino, Eric “Eruption” Tai, and Maymay Entrata.

HADSAP and health brands fuel Novaliches frontliners

Several members of the Health and Dietary Supplement Association of the Philippines (HADSAP) turned over boxes of food, beverages, health supplements, personal care items, and monetary support to frontliners in Novaliches District Hospital. The group also donated supplements and assorted used clothing and toys to Caritas Manila in support of the latter’s Segunda Mana initiative.

“HADSAP wishes to support the health community, especially frontliners who are continuing to risk their lives and safety to help our fellow citizens,” says Shirley Te, head of the HADSAP CSR Committee. “Our donations were carefully selected in order for [the frontliners] to cope with the stress of battling against the spread of COVID-19.”

The association includes some of the top health brands in the country such as Amway Philippines, 4life, Bargn, Synnovate, Unicity, GNC, DXN, and Avail Beauty.