Hidilyn Diaz raises the bar and makes the Smart move

The first Filipino Olympic gold medalist joins the Smart family 

The Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz joins Team Smart as its newest ambassador, a collaboration aligned with the thrust of the country’s leading mobile services provider to empower and inspire Filipino athletes and its millions of subscribers.     

Much like Hidilyn, love of sports has always been deeply ingrained in the Smart DNA. The telco has been doing its share of heavy lifting to provide support for our athletes both at home and on the international stage. In fact, Smart has been a part of Hidilyn's journey since 2016.  

Moreover, the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) has always been in Hidilyn’s corner, giving constant support from then until now. This partnership with Hidilyn came as no surprise because Smart and Hidilyn are coming from years of shared passion in heeding the call for a stronger nation.    

GCash helps OFWs support their families and manage their finances

This National Heroes Day, we not only celebrate the names in our history books, but also the millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who sacrifice every day to provide for their families back home and create a brighter future for themselves. 

While working overseas is a dream for many, it comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices such as not being physically present for milestones of loved ones or not being able to take full control of where the money they send really goes to. 

This is why GCash has designed its features to be accessible to Filipinos overseas. It’s hard enough to be away from home, and being able to support our families should not be any more difficult. 

Those based in the Philippines have experienced the ease and convenience GCash has to offer, and those abroad can experience the same, too. 

Kickstart your week right with #PayMayaMondays!

After a fun-filled weekend, it’s no surprise to feel a little sluggish about the idea of starting another week. Mondays can be a drag as tasks start piling up and emails come rushing in, leaving you unmotivated.   

If you find yourself feeling the Monday blues, don’t worry, we’ve got the cure for you. PayMaya is bringing the fun to your Mondays with exciting weekly prizes from this month until December with the #PayMayaMondays giveaway promo.  10 lucky winners will get a chance to take home P1,000 weekly by answering one simple and easy question every Monday on the PayMaya Facebook and Twitter pages. 

How to Join 

Get an easy win by following these simple steps:    

Answer our question and post it on your timeline with a screenshot of your PayMaya Request Money QR.​  

Tag PayMaya’s official Facebook/Twitter pages and use the hashtag #PayMayaMondays. Make sure your account is public. ​  

Fill out the DTI-required form (https://pymy.co/PayMayaMondays) before 9PM to qualify.  

No sweat, right? Once winners are announced, PayMaya will then transfer the credits to your account from the PayMaya QR code you posted. Dreading Mondays will be a thing of the past especially for the lucky #PayMayaMondays winners!   

Get Protected, Be Rewarded! Check Out Shopee's #FullyVaxxed Package

Fully vaccinated? Every person who completes their second dose brings us a step closer to safety against the COVID-19 virus. In addition to protecting yourself and your loved ones, you can receive an exclusive digital package from Shopee! 

Enjoy free shipping and discount vouchers once you register for Shopee’s #FullyVaxxed Package. Whether it’s personal care products or groceries, keep your eyes peeled for discounts up to 15% off from our partner brands such as SC Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, Bo’s Coffee, Airqueen Philippines, Hygienix, and more.

To sign-up, visit the Shopee Bayanihan: #FullyVaxxed microsite by simply searching for “fully vaxxed” on your Shopee app or going to https://shopee.ph/m/fullyvaxxed-package; submit your vaccination card for proof of vaccine completion; and wait for 5-7 working days to be verified. Once you get verification from Shopee, here is a list of some deals you can look forward to:

Get Ready to Shop All Out at Shopee’s Aug 30 Payday Sale

This coming payday, treat yourself to little luxuries while using ShopeePay for discounts, cashback, and more

We’ve nearly reached the end of the month, which only means one thing—it’s almost time for payday this 30th! First, prioritize buying essentials, paying off bills, and setting some savings aside.

But it’s also important to indulge yourself a little from time to time. You’ve worked diligently, and this payday it’s time to go all out and enjoy some of your hard-earned money. Aside from Shopee’s payday sales every akinse, you can now maximize your money’s worth at the upsized Aug 30 Payday Sale. You can also use ShopeePay to make the most out of your paycheck with exclusive discounts, cashback, and ₱1 Deals.  

From gadget upgrades to new makeup and everything in between, check out these luxuries, big and small, that’ll definitely bring you joy this 30th:

Huawei sees bright future for Thomasian scholars

Huawei Philippines organized a virtual event to warmly welcome its first batch of scholars from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest existing university in Asia. 

Thomasian students Hermil Gerard Calasang, Jia Anette Phi, Kryzha Lei Aguilar, Maricar Auditor and Matthew Gabriel Rabanes joined the Huawei family as scholars with a bright future ahead of them. 

In her speech, Dean Jerralyn Padua of the UST College of Information and Computing Sciences shared how the pandemic has affected all families in terms of their financial capabilities to support the education of their children. "This opportunity given by the Huawei team is really very helpful for them to be able to continue their education despite the current situation in the country." 

Shopee Is Giving Away ₱1 Million Worth of Free Money this 9.9 Super Shopping Day

Don’t forget to activate and verify your ShopeePay account to join 

If you love online shopping, you should know that there are plenty of benefits to using ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet, to pay for your purchases. 

First of all, the convenience is unparalleled. You simply have to top up your ShopeePay wallet through your debit card or online banking to enjoy seamless transactions. Second, it’s a lot safer for your health. You can lessen face-to-face interactions with couriers or personnel at payment centers by using ShopeePay. Lastly, it’s extremely rewarding. ShopeePay users get to enjoy exclusive perks such as cashback, discounts, and, this action-packed 9.9 Super Shopping Day, free money! 

The Show Must Go On: Social U Brings Back Community In Universities

School life holds a special place in our hearts. Our time with friends inside the four corners of the classroom is something we cherish forever. Our Alma mater is a second home—a stronghold where knowledge, friendship, and countless incomparable memories are built.

School is a place where we begin to know ourselves better. We discover the things we like, the things we are good at, and the people we would love to be with. 

Now, times have changed. Students are all behind their computer screens as they continue their studies. At a time when physical get-togethers are impossible, there’s nothing we can do but reminisce about that moment. And it might sound business as usual, but admit it or not, our social needs are challenged.

Over October breaks the mold with first Tagalog song “Sandali Lang”

SIngle art by Miel Lego

Listen to Over October’s new EP ‘Sandali Lang’: https://open.spotify.com/track/10lpJuXqIl5dm7L42ucdYD?si=18504078c2d64406

Acclaimed Filipino band Over October are breaking the mold with the release of their first Tagalog EP “Sandali Lang” under Island Records Philippines and MCA Music Inc. Finding a new sense of accomplishment in trying new things, the acclaimed quartet writes a heartfelt tune in the local language for the very first time, while sticking to a broadly appealing sound that gravitates toward an irresistible blend of alternative rock, ‘80s pop, blues, and indie rock. 

“We didn’t have a specific vision for how we wanted the song to sound,” Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Josh Buizon points out. “We just drew inspiration from different kinds of local music - different genres and eras.” 

Jumpstarting growth: How ‘hacking’ your apps can be a solution for you

It seems almost every day we get bombarded with ads clamoring for us to download the hottest new app that will change our lives.

Need something to track your sleep, or something that can convert images to text? There’s an app for that! How about the note-taking app that’s somehow better than all the others on the market? There are quite a few of that, too! But which app should we get?

How can budding apps compete with already established titans in a market where recognition is everything?

Enter: Growth hacking.

It’s growing, growing, growing

But what exactly is growth hacking?