Monthly Archives: June 2021

To fast-track economic recovery amid the pandemic, public and private sectors must unite and work together to achieve a more inclusive financial ecosystem for all Filipinos. This is the vision behind “One with the Nation: Forging Public-Private Partnerships Towards Digital Inclusion in the Philippines,” a webinar organized by GCash, the country’s no. 1 mobile wallet app in collaboration with various national government agencies and local government units (LGUs). 

The webinar featured distinguished speakers from both the  public  and private sectors led by  Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Gov. Benjamin Diokno, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Congressman Jose Enrirque Garcia, DSWD Director Wayne Belizar, Bureau of Treasury of the Philippines OIC Deputy Treasurer Ed Marino,  BSP Deputy Dir. for Payment Systems Atty. Leah M. Irao, GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon, GCash Vice President for Enterprise Jose Luis Reyes and GCash AVP and Head of  Public Sector & Partnerships Cathlyn Pavia.   

“Our partnerships with the private sector have provided us with a wide network to reach more customers and develop more relevant financial services and products,” said Martha Sazon, GCash president and chief executive officer. “But in order to truly reach the unbanked and underserved communities, we look to the public sector with their expertise and resources. Together, we can really make a difference in the lives of Filipinos.” 

The event opened with a Keynote Message from BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno on “Digital Financial Inclusion: Impacting the Lives of Millions of Filipinos”. In his message to the participants, Governor Diokno underscored the importance of making financial inclusion a reality for every Filipino in the country.

This was followed by a panel discussion on “Digital Infrastructure: The Journey Starts Today!” led by BSP deputy director Atty Leah M. Irao and Cong. Jose Enrique Garcia. Atty. Irao and Congressman Garcia discussed the value of digitalization to promote the safety and security of Filipinos even beyond the pandemic.

A talk on the importance of outlining a strategic path towards digital transformation was discussed next by Pavia in “Digital Roadmap: Are We Ready to Innovate?”. In her talk, Pavia emphasized the critical value of implementing digitalization in phases, and how digital solutions can be seamlessly integrated in order to create a hybrid approach and to facilitate smoother adoption.   

In his talk on “Digital Manual: 101 Opportunities to Move Forward!,” Director Marino discussed the long-term benefits of creating sound policies and guidelines, ensuring transparency during digital transformation.

Highlighting trailblazing partnerships going cashless, Makati Mayor Abby Binay led a panel entitled “Digital Headstart: Kaya Mo Pilipino!” In Makati, data of its constituents were collected and used to create the Makatizen ID card and open GCash accounts.

The card serves as a valid ID that can be used to avail of government services, and a debit card to withdraw in any Bancnet ATM or use in Mastercard-accepting merchants. Likewise, Makati also uses GCash to disburse the salaries of employees, and allowances of senior citizens, and other financial assistance such as Maka-tulong. With Mayor Binay was DSWD Dir. Delizer who in turn shared the agency’s groundbreaking SAP disbursement program last year. 

This successful partnership at the height of the pandemic last year was the collaboration between GCash and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for safer distribution of funds for its Social Amelioration Program. GCash was able to distribute more than P16 billion to at least 2 million Filipinos, saving the government about 952 days and around P52 million. GCash continues to support DSWD in its Assistance for Individuals Under Crisis Situation program on a monthly basis.

The mobile app has also partnered with the Social Security System (SSS). Since February, SSS has enabled GCash as an option for receiving benefits through PESOnet. The app has provided SSS members an option to pay their monthly contribution payments via the app’s Pay Bills feature. Likewise for PAG-IBIG, contributions are also conveniently accepted via Pay Bills and Web Pay.

Closing the webinar was GCash VP for Enterprise Jose Luis Reyes who stressed the importance of financial inclusion and expressed optimism that despite today’s challenges, there is a clear way forward to achieve BSP’s vision and make Filipino lives better every day.

These programs are proof that strong partnerships between the private and public sectors are crucial in successfully bringing the benefits of digitalization and financial inclusion to Filipinos at a time when they need it most.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com .

ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, partners with more than 30 foundations to offer users an easier, safer, and more convenient way to donate to their beneficiaries of choice. Over the last three months, there was a steady increase in foundations adopting digital payment options like ShopeePay. These newly onboarded foundations are AHA Learning, Animal Kingdom, For Our Farmers, Green Space, Hope, LovedVolunteers, Silid Aralam, Save Philippine Seas, TV Maria, and Waves for Water.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As an e-commerce platform that is close to the community, we are happy to partner with these charity organizations to make donating more convenient and safe. We want to make ShopeePay more than just a platform for online purchases and bills payments, but also a channel that helps facilitate donations for the underprivileged. As more Filipinos start to adopt digital payments in their daily lives, ShopeePay will continue to enhance its products and services further to support businesses, foundations, and the local community.”

ShopeePay offers not only a safe and contactless payment method, but also a convenient way to transfer and withdraw funds, buy load, top-up your e-wallet, pay utility and telecom bills, and donate to foundations. 

There are two ways to donate via ShopeePay:

1. Scan the QR Code 

1. Go to the ShopeePay homepage and select “Scan.”

2. Scan the organization’s QR code found either on the microsite (https://shopee.ph/m/scan-to-pay) or on the organization’s social media page or website

3. Input the donation amount. Users can also use their Shopee coins to offset the amount.

4. Enter your 6-digit ShopeePay pin

5. Receive confirmation of your donation

2. Take a screenshot and upload the QR code

1. Go to the ShopeePay homepage and select “Scan.”

2. Select the image icon found on the top right side of the screen

3. Select the image of the organization’s QR code from your phone’s gallery

4. Input the donation amount. Users can also use their Shopee coins to offset the amount.

5. Enter your 6-digit ShopeePay pin

6. Receive confirmation of your donation

For as low as ₱1, your donation can go a long way. Here are the foundations you can give back to via ShopeePay: 2KK Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid Foundation, AHA Learning, Animal Kingdom Foundation, Caritas Manila, CRIBS Foundation, For Our Farmers PH, FundLife, Gawad Kalinga, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Good Neighbors, Green Space PH, Habitat for Humanity, Hope, Kaya Natin Movement, Kythe, LovedVolunteers, Project Pearls, Red Cross Philippines, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Save Philippine Seas, Save The Children, Silid Aralan, SOS Philippines, Teach for the PH, TV Maria, UNICEF, Virlanie Foundation, Waves for Water PH, World Vision, and Young Focus. 

Time goes by so fast—can you believe that we’ve already made it mid-way through the year? Congratulate yourself for powering through the first half of 2021! 

Now that we’ve made it to June, make it your goal to finish the remaining half of the year just as strong. Motivate yourself, whether it’s by holding a small party for your family, exercising more to lift your mood, or even just treating yourself to some makeup to boost your confidence.

Take this list of mid-year essentials with you as you make the most of the rest of 2021. These items are all on sale at Shopee’s 7.7 Mid-Year Sale:

Quick checklist for a fun house party

Let the good vibes in by throwing a small mid-year party for your fam! Get the celebration started with Dad’s Charcuterie Board Bundle, a DIY charcuterie board set complete with Italian cold cuts, cheeses, and olives. Cleanse your palate with Primo Sparkling Juice, a delicious carbonated drink that gets its naturally sweet flavor from grapes imported from Spain. Pour yourself a drink in a Crysalis Cocktail Glass, which is made of high-grade, lead-free crystal.

Fitness must-haves to increase your happy hormones

Pump up those endorphins by leveling up your mid-year fitness goals. Get moving to boost your mood with Kemilng Jump Rope, which features a 9’4″ adjustable rope and comfortable foam grips. For arm, hip, and booty exercises, use Luxlife Resistance Loop Bands for your workouts. Each band is made of polyester and latex silk.

Beauty essentials to keep you fresh and blooming

Beauty is a vital part of self-care. After all, when you look good, you feel good. Give yourself a mid-year makeover with blk cosmetics Fresh Sunkissed Golden Hour Set. It contains a multipurpose shimmer pot, cheek paint, gel lip tint, and a face mask. Make sure to set everything in place with Max Factor Fresh All Day Bundle, which comes with a primer and a powder compact.

For more mid-year essentials, visit shopee.ph/m/7-7. To enjoy more deals, don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay through debit card, online banking, TouchPay machines, and over-the-counter. 

Use ShopeePay at checkout to get 15% daily cashback and free shipping with a minimum spend of ₱199.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

 The SM Mall in San Jose del Monte was the first establishment to receive the Safety Seal certification as the Local Government Unit launch the program in the city Wednesday morning, June 23, affirming its strict compliance to the government-mandated safety protocols.

After a thorough inspection and evaluation on crowd control, ventilation, and digital contact tracing, Safety Seal was issued to SM and to some of its establishments by Mayor Arthur Robes and Evangeline Garcia, head of Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO.)

Mall Manager Jose Mari Emmanuel Correa thanked all the local government agencies who took time to inspect and evaluate the mall especially the DTI and DILG.

“We all know that the Safety Seal is a big help to restore the confidence of our customers, and for us, it serves as a recognition of our hard work in ensuring the safety of every shopper,” he added.

According to Mayor Robes, SM has been a long-time partner of the city in all of its effort to serve the community. In his short speech, he stressed out the importance of Covid19 vaccine and encouraged the citizens to take advantage of the government’s vaccination program.

“SM again is one of our partner in vaccination. If there is anyone here who is not yet vaccinated, get vaccinated. It is important that we have full defense against Covid19,” Robes said.

Business establishments inside SM who also received their Safety Seal stickers are The SM Store, SM Supermarket, SM Appliance Center, Anytime Fitness, Red Ribbon, Greenwich, Infinitea, and Max’s Restaurant. SM management is continuously encouraging the other merchants to apply for their certification, while the others are already on process to get their own seals.

Prior to SM City San Jose del Monte, the other three SM malls in the province of Bulacan, namely SM City Baliwag, SM City Marilao and SM Center Pulilan were already granted the Safety Seal Certification by their governing municipalities.

The safety seals given to SM and its business partners are valid for six months upon the issuance date.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, has been voted as one of the top 30 Graduate Employers to work for in the Philippines. 

GradPhilippines, is a platform that connects students, recent graduates, and early career talents with potential job opportunities, employers, internships, and more. It is the most sought-after employer awards in the Asia Pacific Region, especially in countries like Australia and New Zealand. 

The Top 100 Graduate Employers list recognizes the highest quality and most popular graduate employers in the country and acknowledges exceptional employers who hire early-career talents. GradPhilippines’ methodology has been refined to reflect an employer’s popularity and quality. This is achieved by combining data from search engines, page views, and employee reviews. Through this, an objective and comprehensive ranking of graduate preferences have been determined.

Karen Perez, Head of Operations and HR Center of Excellence at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is honored to make the list of GradPhilippines’ Top Graduate Employers of 2021.  In line with our ongoing effort to support the development of the future digital economy, it’s important that we train and support the next generation of talents in various categories for them to excel further in their careers. We value everyone at Shopee and are committed to taking care of our people culturally, virtually, and remotely. We look forward to grooming more young talents to enhance their skills and knowledge in the tech and e-commerce industry.” 

Shopee prides itself on simplicity, positivity, and continuously providing opportunities for growth. Shopee has a strong company culture that’s dynamic and collaborative, which creates an open and honest environment that makes talents feel like an asset to the company. 

As the economy bounces back from the repercussions of the pandemic, Shopee will continue to equip tech talents for e-commerce through programs like the Global Leaders Program (GLP). Launched in 2018, the Shopee Global Leaders Program is a two-year graduate program consisting of four six-month local and overseas rotations made for highly enthusiastic and ambitious young Filipino talents. Participants will help drive Shopee’s campaigns and new initiatives by working with local and overseas teams. During the program, they can gain momentous experiences, regional exposure, and also contribute to the expansion of Shopee across the region. Participants will be part of a structured learning and development program and receive committed mentorship from Shopee leaders.

For more information about the Global Leaders Program, visit https://careers.shopee.ph/GLP

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. Check out with ShopeePay to enjoy more great deals on Shopee.

Shoppers who are yearning for year-end savings do not have to wait until December to score amazing deals and promos because SM City Marilao is rolling out its mid-year sale on July 2, 3, and 4.

Kicking off on the 1st week of July, SM City Marilao brings the fun in shopping sale with great discounts of up to 70% off to countless items mall-wide. Save big and get a chance to enjoy exclusive markdowns, awesome freebies and special promos on various home accessories, beauty services, gadgets, lifestyle products and more from The SM Store, SM Hypermarket, Ace Hardware, Our Home, Toy Kingdom, Miniso, The Body Shop, Watson’s and SM Appliance Center, and at over 200 stores at the mall.

Bargain hunters can also do their shopping at the comforts of their own homes with SM’s Call-To-Deliver #143SM (#14376) and SM City Marilao’s SM Buddy. Brands such as SM Appliance Center, Toy Kingdom, Watsons, Ace Hardware and the Body Shop are offering online shopping through their own e-commerce platforms, social media pages and Viber community groups. These specialty brands also feature Call and Collect, which allows shoppers to call and place orders. Ordered goods can be picked up at the designated location or delivered right at one’s doorstep for convenience.

So mark your calendars and shop early to get the first dibs on the best items on sale only at SM City Marilao’s mid-year 3Day Sale! Don’t forget to observe #SafeMallingAtSM guidelines at all times. For mall events and updates, check-out SM City Marilao on Facebook or follow @smcitymarilao on instagram

During this time of pandemic, some of us might think investing for the things you desire is a waste of money and time. Even though you have extra funds to make it happen, weighing your wants and needs is the first thing that comes to mind.

GInvest, the first-ever digital investment platform on GCash that allows Filipinos as young as 18 years old and with a valid ID, lets you explore easy ways and means on how to start investing and conveniently grow your money through a tap on the app.

To further educate Filipinos on the many investment possibilities using GInvest by GCash, GCash is mounting its second webinar series Kaya Mo Money Talks on June 24 at 8pm on GCash’s Facebook page.

The webinar aims to help customers, specifically the young adults, to unlock their financial goals so they can experience their passions, and teach them the ropes on how to invest and grow their money using Gcash.

It also hopes to empower Filipinos to take charge of their finances and identify their goals to achieve their dreams. What’s excellent about GInvest is you can get started with as little as ₱50 buy-in for local funds and ₱1,000 for international funds. These affordable rates make GInvest by GCash the first fintech company in the Philippines to offer low investment buy-ins.

Hosted by Jaz Reyes, the webinar will feature financial expert Chinkee Tan who will discuss the ins and outs of investing, debunking investing myths and why you should treat your savings like an investment.

He will be joined by members of the popular gaming team, Blacklist International (V33Wise) and Tiktok creator Dora Dorado who will talk about investing in their passions and growing their investments using GInvest.

With GInvest by GCash, anyone can start investing and fulfill their financial goals. It’s an extraordinary entryway to the wonderful world of financial freedom and lets you #UnlockYourLifeGoals at the press of a button.

To learn more about the GCash Money Talks, and more information about GInvest, you may visit GCash’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gcashofficial/

A survey conducted by Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, revealed four types of online shoppers in the Philippines and their motivations for shopping online.

Shopee surveyed more than 3,000 Filipinos and found that value is the most important factor for online shoppers, with 42% of respondents stating that they are driven by the best deals and prices. 71% of them are females, ranging from 18 to 34 years of age.

There is also an emerging segment of consumers who prioritize shopping from their favored brands online. More than half of these brand lovers are around 25 years old, showing how brand loyalty is becoming key to the online shopping experience for younger demographics. Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “The mid-year shopping season is an exciting time for Shopee. As more Filipinos go online to fulfill their shopping needs, we are also seeing more diverse preferences and shopping habits emerge. 

This is why we consistently listen to our users’ feedback and improve our features, services, and products to serve their needs. Our 7.7 Mid-Year Sale is no different and comes packed with highlights such as the Payday Sale, ShopeePay Day, and other exciting promotions to deliver more value, variety, and fun to all shoppers.”

The four key types of Filipino online shoppers are:

1) The Sulit Shopper – Decisive shoppers who hunt for the best deals 42% of respondents are Sulit Shoppers. They prioritize finding the best deals and prices before making an online purchase. These shoppers are patient and take the time to research products, but act quickly when they discover deals they like.

Key characteristics:

● Decisive buying: 66% browse a maximum of just five items before making a purchase

● Deals seeking: 62% don’t typically plan purchases in advance—they shop whenever they see big discounts on products they’re eyeing

● Regular shopping: Half of them buy something online at least twice a month Sulit Shoppers can rejoice at the 7.7 Mid-Year Sale, which offers non-stop deals and discounts.

They can save money on shipping, get discounts, and claim cashback at the Vouchers Sale on July 6. During the 7.7 period, they can also tap on the Vouchers button on the Shopee homepage for one-stop access to the best deals.

2) The Shop-and-Go Consumer – Shoppers who enjoy the convenience of delivery to their doorstep

For a lot of Filipinos, online shopping’s main draw is convenience. 17% of shoppers surveyed turn to online shopping for its ease and safety. More than half of the shoppers in this community are 30 years old. They know what they want to buy and do not necessarily spend extra time on the app, but will often make impulse purchases if they stumble upon good deals.

Key characteristics:

● Quick decision-making: 64% browse through a maximum of five listings before they find what they’re looking for

● Proactive shopping: Almost one in two do their own research on products by either searching online or chatting with sellers

● Frequent shopping: 45% shop online twice a month on average, making them one of the most frequent purchasers

Shop-and-Go Consumers can take advantage of Free Shipping on Shopee’s home page. They’ll also love the convenience of ShopeePay, Shopee’s built-in e-wallet. On ShopeePay Day this July 1, they can enjoy ShopeePay-exclusive rewards, such as free shipping, cashback, and ₱1 deals.

3) The Budol Shopper – Window shoppers who can also be spontaneous buyers

Making up 14% of respondents, the Budol Shopper refers to window shoppers who value variety and choice of products. Compared to the Sulit Shopper, the Budol Shopper browses more items on average, and are also more likely to spontaneously check out a product that catches their eye.

Key characteristics:

● Impulsive buying: 63% will buy an item because they felt like doing so at the moment

● Frequent browsing: 27% of window shoppers usually browse up to 15 items before

each purchase

This 7.7, Budol Shoppers can window shop to their hearts’ content across Shopee’s themed days such as Home Tech Sale on June 24, Home & Outdoors Sale on June 25, Kids & Babies

Sale on June 26, and Apparel & Shoes Sale on June 27. Each sale offers a huge selection of discounted products from popular categories.

4) The Suki Buyer – Shoppers who have a good eye for brands

Suki Buyers make up 12% of respondents, and they shop online because they can find their favorite brands easily. Unlike Sulit Shoppers, shoppers who prioritize finding the best value, brand fans are less price-sensitive. Instead, they value having a large variety of brands to choose from, as well as accessing perks and loyalty points from brands they follow.

Key characteristics:

● Regular shopping from brands: 62% of them purchase from their favorite brands as frequently as twice a month

● Brand familiarity: About 1 in 4 follow their favorite brands on social media in order to stay informed of latest product launches

Suki Buyers will enjoy the RB Super Brand Day until June 23, Vivo Super Brand Day from June 27-28, and Olay Super Brand Day from June 28-30, which all offer exclusive deals from well- loved brands on Shopee Mall. Suki Buyers can also get exclusive perks from their favorite brands, such as 30% off vouchers, at the Shopee Mall Sale this June 29.