Rakuten Viber, Globe myBusiness, and GCash partner to empower MSMEs and customers

The new partnership makes FoodPH transactions convenient and safer for merchants and customers

Rakuten Viber, one of the leading messaging apps in the world, has partnered with Globe myBusiness and GCash in providing micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their customers with a safe and efficient way to complete transactions through QR codes.

These QR codes have been first made available for merchants on FoodPH, Viber’s very own food directory. Through this partnership, FoodPH merchants can make online food orders more convenient for their buyers. To receive payments, they can simply send their GCash QR code to their customers, who can easily scan the code using the GCash app to pay for their orders. New FoodPH merchants can get their own GCash QR code upon signing up, while existing ones can do the same via a link that’s provided to them via the bot.

Autosweep & EasyTrip RFID loading quicker with GCash

GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines, now offers customers a more convenient way of loading their Autosweep & EasyTrip RFID accounts via the GCash app.

For a minimum amount of PHP 200, customers with GCash accounts can just go to the Pay Bills portion of the app, select Transportation, and choose either Autosweep or EasyTrip, and enter their account number and the amount they want to load. Topping up load using GCash eliminates the hassle of going to physical locations just to do the same, is evidently faster, and is contactless, keeping customers safe against the pandemic. 

Ben&Ben surprise listeners with Valentine’s-themed track “Inevitable”

Filipino folk-pop outfit Ben&Ben have officially dropped a soaring new single called “Inevitable” this Valentine’s Day via Sony Music.

Inspired by recent events surrounding the band’s lives, their latest song encourages listeners and music fans to live in the moment freely and truthfully without the need to succumb to expectations. 

Ushering into a reinvigorating sense of calm, the empowering track ascends to a place where love can be inevitably beautiful even in its simple, unassuming terms. It was written by Paolo Benjamin (lead vocals and acoustic guitars) during a random afternoon run by the beach near the place where Ben&Ben live—coming into fruition after a solitary moment spent with nature and the spiritual force above him. Paolo reflects, “Inevitable is a song that tries to describe the nature of fate, and how all our actions somehow lead us to some better place that is destined for us. It’s also a song about being real with someone, and that no matter how scary that may seem at times, there is freedom in bearing your truest nature with someone dear to you, even if that someone is yourself.” 

Your Business Made Better: Globe myBusiness Provides Digital Solutions to Empower Businesses in the Next Normal

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, businesses have suffered great losses and struggled to stay afloat. Traditionally run businesses without a digital presence were doubly challenged to remain present in a market overrun by competitors with an already established audience. Given these challenges, Globe myBusiness is helping businesses power through this next normal. Globe offers tried-and-tested digital solutions, an impressive, reliable network, and empowering learning events—all of which are aimed at helping build stronger and better businesses this 2021.

Digital solutions offered by Globe include a range of broadband and mobile plans. Businesses heavily relying on broadband internet can avail of Globe’s Unli Internet Plan priced at only Php 1899. Get unlimited data of up to 30Mbps, a free Konsulta MD license for 12 months, and a freebie choice of either a Microsoft 365 license or a Google Workspace license for one year. The installation fee for this plan is also waived.

Business owners with heavy data and call usage can also avail of Globe’s mobile plan Php 1499. This plan includes unlimited calls and SMS to all networks, up to 32Gb of mobile data, and a free Konsulta MD license for 12 months. Globe is also handing out a BPLO special offer where business owners can simply present their 2021 Business Permit up until February 28 to get up to Php 1000 Gcash Credit. 

Zack Tabudlo maps his music journey with new single “Iyong-Iyo”

The beginning of Zack Tabudlo’s Island Records journey saw the young singer-songwriter going full speed ahead. His song ‘Sigurado’ hit the Top Viral PH charts and stayed there for four weeks, following its feature in the online series Your Home. There’s also ‘Cruel,’ whose music video was released a few months ago and has racked up more than 70,000 views on YouTube and more than 240,000 streams on Spotify. 

Zack’s biggest single to date, the first one under Island Records Philippines, is the sultry ‘Nangangamba,' whose play count on Spotify clocks in at over a million streams.

Iyong-Iyo: a tender ballad about love and yearning

And Zack shows no signs of slowing down, as evidenced by his latest single ‘Iyong Iyo.’ Written by Tiny Corpuz and performed by Zack Tabudlo, ‘Iyong Iyo’ sees Zack putting it all on the line and giving everything—literal possession. “Kahit pa ba sa kabilang buhay, ‘di maglalaho,” he croons in the glimmering chorus, showcasing his lyrical penchant for themes like romance and longing. Gentle harmonies and mellow instrumentation make you feel like you’re floating, and allow Zack to flex the upper register of his vocal range, his high notes triumphant and sincere.

HBO'S Mare of Easttown Debuts April 19

Limited Series Stars Academy Award®, Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winner Kate Winslet

Starring Academy Award®, Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winner Kate Winslet (HBO’s “Mildred Pierce”), from creator and writer Brad Ingelsby (“The Way Back”), with all episodes directed by Craig Zobel (HBO’s “The Leftovers”), the seven-part limited series Mare Of Easttown debuts same time as the U.S. on Monday, 19 April at 10am exclusively on HBO GO and HBO, with a same day encore at 11pm on HBO. This limited series stars Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a small-town Pennsylvania detective who investigates a local murder as life crumbles around her. Mare Of Easttown is an exploration into the dark side of a close community and an authentic examination of how family and past tragedies can define our present.

YouTube sensations Agassi Ching and Jai Asuncion star in Sponge Cola’s “Siguro Nga” music video

Content creators Agassi Ching and Jai Asuncion are featured in the latest music video of Sponge Cola’s “Siguro Nga.” 

The onscreen and offscreen love team amassed a fandom in social media with pranks, viral videos, and challenges. In "Siguro Nga," JaiGa—as they are popularly known for—portray a fictional romantic couple in disarray.

According to the band’s vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon, Agassi is a dear friend whom he plays basketball with every Tuesday. “I also produced the song he wrote for Jai during the stricter quarantine period through file sharing,” he said. “I also watch their daily vlogs. On some level, I felt like I was always involved in their love story. It just made sense to cast them.”

Globe and Microsoft Partner for a Learning Session With 21st Century Educators

Globe, in partnership with Microsoft held an E-skwela Partner-Led Learning Session on January 22, 2021. Entitled Office 365 for Education: Learning Essentials for 21st Century Educators, the webinar was an online effort of Globe and Microsoft to help partners in the academe be informed and gain access to tools that would provide quality learning experience to their students.

The webinar shed light on the current difficulties and challenges faced by educators and learners—one of which is the change of mindset and attitudes of learners due to the absence of face-to-face interaction. Mark Arthur Abalos, Segment Head for Education of One Globe Education, mentioned that virtual classes have caused a noticeable shift in student behavior. And as such, Globe is committed to help educators understand and adjust to these changes.

Shop for your everyday essentials and more at the PayMaya Mall!

Get the best deals in mobile and cashless shopping at the newly launched PayMaya Mall

Filipinos now have an easier way to shop for their everyday essentials and more and pay cashless for their purchases with the launch of the PayMaya Mall -- a one-stop shop for your mobile shopping needs all within your PayMaya app!

Whether you’re craving for your favorite meals at Jollibee or McDonald’s, looking to buy your groceries at Landers, or shopping for cool new sneakers at Nike, you can find everything you need and get the best deals at the PayMaya Mall. 

With your favorite brands housed inside this virtual mall in your PayMaya app, going cashless for your everyday needs is now easier than ever. All you have to do is open your PayMaya app, tap PayMaya Mall and browse through over 100 of PayMaya's partner brands featured inside including Jollibee, McDonald's, Goldilocks, Rustan's, Park Outlet, Mercury Drug, Rose Pharmacy, Landers, AllHome and Boozy, among so many others.

GCash e-payments for BIR taxes soars by 286% in 2020

GCash, the undisputed leader and preferred mobile wallet in the Philippines, continues to promote being a one-stop shop for government collections, as it further drives growth on e-payments for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

GCash e-payments for BIR taxes soars by 286% in 2020 leading to close to PHP 1.5 billion in tax collections, signifying a shift in user behavior, where customers find it more convenient to pay digitally using the GCash app instead of visiting physical locations. 

“Government online transactions should further grow this year, similar to what we’ve observed in 2020. This trend shall continue not only because of health and safety interests against the pandemic, but also because online payments are more convenient, and has been proven to be one of the most efficient methods for transacting with the public sector,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.