Monthly Archives: March 2023

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to start planning for excursions and activities to make the most of the season. Of course, a memorable summer day wouldn’t be complete without good music and good company. Check out these ideas that will make this summer more memorable.



Host a Movie Night. For an epic movie night, all you need is a powerful speaker, a projector, a movie, and good company. Set up your screen and projector in your living room, your backyard, or on the rooftop, and have a great time! Amplify your movie marathon with family and friends with a fantastic sound device that gives you the full theater experience while you watch your favorite films.



Take your Sound Device Poolside. Summer would not be complete without a day spent by the pool. Bring your speakers along to play music while you enjoy soaking up the sun and enjoying the water. Just make sure your speaker is water-resistant and has a long-lasting battery so you do not have to press pause on the party to plug it in.



Organize a Dance Party. Nothing says summer like having your friends over for a summer dance party! Set up your speaker and create a playlist of your favorite songs to get everyone moving. Best to choose a speaker that is capable of turning up the party all over the place. Plus points if you choose one that can hype up the party with party lights!



Spice up the Summer with a Workout Session. Keep things interesting when it comes to your fitness regimen and use your speaker for outdoor workout sessions! Find your center by practicing yoga in the park to relaxing music, or break a sweat by doing some dance cardio, wherever you are. Getting that hot, summer body is even more fun when paired with your favorite music.



Camp Out and be with Nature. There’s nothing like being in nature so this summer, why not go camping? Cue up your squad’s playlist while pitching your tents, gathering around the bonfire, and gazing up at the stars. Just make sure you pack a sound device that has a built-in and long-lasting battery life.



No matter what you choose to do, having a well-rounded speaker can make your summer activities more enjoyable and memorable. Something that the Samsung Sound Tower ST50B delivers!



With its IPX5 water-resistant rating, you can bring it anywhere with you, may it be indoors or outdoors, without worrying about the elements. No need to worry about finding an outlet to plug this since it has a powerful built-in battery that can last for up to 18 hours. Furthermore, it has an innovative bi-directional speaker that can amplify a wider area and built-in LED lights to hype your activities with fun party lights.



Ready for your summer activities? Don’t forget to bring the Samsung Sound Tower ST50B along for the fun. Now available nationwide in all authorized Samsung dealers and Samsung.com.



Check out www.samsung.com, and follow Samsung on their official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages to know more.

GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App with over 79 million users who enjoy fast, safe, and convenient transactions online. Based on Data.ai, a reputable 3rd party platform, GCash is the #1 Finance Super App in the country with the most downloads, the highest Monthly Active Users, and even the highest Daily Active Users, as GCash is now part of their daily routines.

First launched as an SMS platform in 2005 and later as a super app in 2012, GCash was the first to introduce the QR payment system in the country. It supported the digital migration of Filipinos during the pandemic, and now that the world has reopened, it expands its services to suit the changing needs of Filipinos in a global digital financial landscape.

 

At this year’s #GCashFutureCast event, GCash ushered in the future of Fintech through 10 ground-breaking innovations for every Filipino.

Tools for financial freedom
GCash has made wealth management products like savings, insurance, and investments easy and accessible. Now it introduces products to help people grow their wealth and to help them protect it.

GStocks PH is AB Capital Securities, Inc.’s (ABCSI) online retail securities trading services made accessible through the GCash app. Its user-friendly and simplified trading interface was designed through a collaboration with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Through GStocks PH, users can now trade stocks of over 280 local companies. GStocks PH will be available to more users soon.

GCrypto allows users to discover and explore the world of Crypto and NFTs. Users get access to curated NFT collections, like The House of OhLala by Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera, on the GCrypto NFT Hub. Buying and selling Crypto is also made easier with an exchange powered by PDAX, the Philippines’ leading homegrown cryptocurrency exchange.

GInsure Online Shopping Protect insurance offers users 60 days of coverage up to P20,000 for all their online purchases for just P34. The insurance covers scenarios when orders are not delivered, are accidentally damaged, are not as described, or are stolen. The insurance product, powered by Chubb, is embedded in the user’s online GCash payment journey across 1,500 online shops and platforms.

GCash goes global
Traveling Filipinos can now go cashless globally using GCash’s newest services. For overseas Filipinos, they can now use GCash to send money and support to their family back home.

GCash Global Pay allows Filipino travelers to do cross-border QR payments at Alipay+ merchants in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. This eliminates the hassle of paying with cash, or withdrawing money at ATMs where you can incur high service fees. It offers real-time Forex charging, with no service fees.

GCash Card gives travelers the advantage of real time Forex charging at low exchange rates and no service fees. With this, users can access their funds in a single tap at over 100 million shops across 200 countries and territories around the world through VISA’s expansive network.. This enables travelers to enjoy hassle-free shopping and dining experiences wherever they may be. The new GCash card will be available later this year.

GCash Overseas allows overseas Filipinos in Japan, Australia, Italy and the USA to download GCash using international SIM cards. Now they can send money, buy load, and pay bills for their loved ones back home. They can enjoy the convenience of sending money for free with GCash to GCash transactions, saving them the cost of remittance fees. GCash also announced that it is now available in the UK and Canada. GCash Overseas is currently on Beta and is limited to a number of users, but will expand to more users soon.

Borrowing made easier
GGives supports Filipinos with the ability to buy now, pay later with zero credit cards, zero additional documents, zero down payment, and now with zero interest at select merchants. GCash users are now free from the barriers normally associated with installment plans, for both in-store or online purchases.

Borrow Load will allow eligible users to borrow their favorite load promos today at zero cash out, giving them access to their preferred entertainment – even if they’re short on budget. They can now afford to access data-heavy apps with load promos valid for up to 7 days. Borrow Load will be rolling out to more users soon.

Improved security and user experience
GCash has taken steps to make transactions safer and more seamless through two new features:

GChat is a new, user-friendly messenger feature that makes it easier to chat and transact with contacts, share receipts instantly, and trace transaction histories. The feature makes it easier to search for conversations with friends, merchants or customers, while the Gigi and Advisories features allow users to get help anytime in real-time. GChat will be rolling out to users in the next few months.

DoubleSafe is the latest GCash security feature that prevents fraudsters from taking over accounts. It provides an additional layer of security on top of the 2-Factor Authentication and mobile pin (MPIN). DoubleSafe will be activated for every first login to a new mobile phone, and will use facial recognition to secure an account should the user inadvertently share their MPIN and OTP to fraudsters.

At the FutureCast event, GCash CEO Martha Sazon said, “GCash has empowered and enabled every Filipino to remain hopeful and pursue progress. As the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and the first finance app to be a household name in the country, GCash is positioned to be everyone’s enabler to be future-ready. With the 10 new innovations at GCash, our hopes for a better tomorrow begins today.”

Leading global smart device brand OPPO recently hosted OPPO Inspiration: Ahead, an event that empowered Filipinos to live a more creative and inspired life while embracing innovative technology. The event championed different passions and fields of creativity such as fashion, photography, content creation, and music.

The event was held at the BGC Amphitheater in Taguig City last March, and allowed guests to participate in interactive booths that let them experience the capabilities of the new OPPO smartphones and devices. They also had the opportunity to meet OPPO’s ambassadors and partner content creators Magic Liwanag, David Guison, Pam Quinones, and Daryl Chang plus OPPO celebrity brand ambassadors Bea Alonzo and Nadine Lustre! Also gracing the event were OPPO AVP & President of Overseas Sales & Services Billy Zhang and OPPO APAC President Andy Shi.

“At OPPO, Inspiration Ahead means we will always work hard to bring the kindness of technology to the world. We aim to use technology to make the world a happier place, as we collaborate with our partners and of course, all of you, to rise up to the challenges of the day. Through innovation and inspiration, we believe that we can help the society overcome anything to build a better future together,” said Joanarc Sales, Head of CRM and Public Relations at OPPO Philippines.

Guests learned practical photography and fashion tips and tricks from the best in the industry. Fashion icons Daryl Chang and Pam Quinones educated the crowd on maximizing their OPPO smartphones for capturing stylish looks and outfits. As fashion magazine editors and stylists themselves, Daryl and Pam shared how they find the drive to create looks that are unique and make a statement all these years.

Meanwhile, celebrity photographer Magic Liwanag and content creator David Guison taught the guests how to take your photography skills to the next level with OPPO smartphones. Magic also talked about how he captures photos that inspire and tell stories while David elaborated on how he constantly reinvents himself and channels authenticity as a content creator.

 

During the much-anticipated meet-and-greet, Nadine stressed the importance of taking a step back and allowing yourself to recharge to stay inspired and creative. She shared that after traveling in and out of the metro, she was able to keep her mental health in check and become more productive. “Find the chance to go on a beautiful journey,” Lustre said.

 

Bea Alonzo was candid about her creative process as an actress, content creator, and businesswoman. What keeps her inspired is how she leaves a fragment of her authentic self in every role and every work she ventures into. “When I am presenting myself on camera as Bea the vlogger, of course, I share my authentic self. I share my authentic joys, days, and hobbies” Alonzo said.

 

Guests were also treated to great music from the acts of Fern. and Ace Banzuelo. OPPO Reno series brand ambassadors Leanne and Naara were also present during the event to serenade the crowd with their greatest hits.

To show appreciation to its loyal users, OPPO had special benefits for My OPPO App members who attended the event. Users got exclusive access to a special lounge where they could hang out and watch the program, availed of special merchandise to show off their OPPO swag, and first priority during meet-and-greets with Nadine Lustre and Bea Alonzo.

OPPO Inspiration: Ahead highlighted two of the brand’s latest smartphones that use cutting-edge features, which guests experienced during their visit in the immersive activity booths. They were able to try out the 40x microlens feature of the OPPO Reno8 T 5G’s 100MP portrait camera in the Microlens Technology booth while others got the chance to play around with the newly-launched Find N2 Flip at the Self-Shoot area.

The Oola Dream Tour, a personal development and empowerment tour created by the Oola Guys and International best-selling authors, Dr. Dave Braun and Dr. Troy Amdahl has arrived in the Philippines with a surfboard in tow to collect hand-written dreams to add in their world famous Oola Bus which is currently covered with 31 layers of aspirations.

The Oola Dream Tour has traveled to several cities across the United States and Canada, providing participants with a unique opportunity to grow, learn, and connect with others on a similar journey and now they have already started making their mark in Asia.

In the Philippines, the Oola Dream Tour has been welcomed with open arms by locals, who have eagerly shared their dreams on stickers and added them to the surfboard. From entrepreneurs to students, everyone has an exceptional dream that they hope to achieve, and the Oola Dream Tour is helping them take the first step towards making it a reality.

“With the Oola Dream Tour what I found is we are not alone. We see it in every little city we pass through. We see people who are trying to be the best moms and best husbands, but they are pulled away by work,” shared Oola founder Dr. Dave Braun. 

“The people that need Oola the most at times, afford it the least. So, let’s get this tour across the country and let’s collect dreams around the world from people and say that it matters – fitness dream, financial dream, all dreams matter,” Dr. Troy Amdahl said about the start of the Oola Dream Tour and their goal to have a positive impact on a billion lives by giving what is affordable to everyone and the same information so they can live a better life.

The Oola Dream Tour is not just about collecting dreams, but also about inspiring people to take action towards achieving them. The tour typically comes with workshops, keynote speeches, and opportunities for attendees to connect with like-minded individuals and gain inspiration for their own goals.

The Oola Dream Tour has made a name for itself by providing a fun and engaging way for people to share their aspirations. With two guys and a bright and colorful Oola Bus, covered in stickers from people’s dreams, they are going to continue travelling across different countries. Their goal is to change the world with a word (Oola). Their next stop would be at Thailand.

Visit the Oola Facebook page, for more details about the Oola Dream Tour Philippine leg – https://www.facebook.com/events/921306225665324 

About Oola Life

The OolaGuys, Dr. Dave and Dr. Troy, are the co-founders and co-authors of Oola. Their mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of 1 billion people in the next 7 years using the power of #Oola. They believe that a more fulfilled and balanced you will make a more balanced family, community, and world. They are passionate about their mission to spread the message of Oola and make a lasting impact on the world. For more details visit https://www.oolalife.com/ 

The coffee industry could not be expected to escape the global pandemic unscathed. It definitely went through and experienced setbacks. But as the world begins to reign over the effects of the crisis, the coffee world regains momentum with new trends taking hold of its exciting comeback. 

The return to some semblance of normal made customers want authentic, high-quality blends and coffee beverages to be delivered to their doorsteps. Bo’s Coffee has been aggressively giving their customers exactly that in the last few years. 

Ready-to-drink coffee all ready to take on the market 

In 2018, when ready to drink coffee became one of the fastest growing market segments in Europe, Bo’s Coffee has already been working on its ICED BREWS. With RTD coffee known to be a healthier alternative to sodas, an overwhelming response to the new drink is helping fuel this market’s premium status. 

Three variants are available today: Iced Brew Mocha, Iced Brew Macchiato and Iced Brew Latte already in stores and available for delivery. One can also avail of an assortment of flavored Iced Brew bottled coffee thoughtfully crafted and served in a glass bottle with its Iced Brew Sampler available online. 

Specialty coffees is becoming increasingly, well, special 

While most consumers still buy mainstream coffee blends, there’s quite a demand for high- quality coffee. Some reports align with socially conscious consumers looking for real experiences of brewing coffee, and will pay a premium for a good social story. 

Bo’s Coffee has always been a proponent of the local coffee industry that every cup of our coffee celebrates and supports Philippine Coffee, partnering and adopting various coffee communities in the Philippine highlands where the best of Philippine Coffee is grown. 

Such is the story behind the team of Kalsada Coffee, harvesting the season’s bounty of its single origin 100% Arabica Caliking Beans from the rich landscape of Sitio Kisbong in Atok, Benguet. Bo’s Coffee puts the spotlight on Philippine Coffee and prides itself of flavor profiles found in the Philippine highlands. Beans are sourced from the mountains of Sagada, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Matutum, Mt. Apo, and of course, Benguet where Caliking Beans will be wrapping up its harvest by the women-led team of Kalsada Coffee. 

Coffee as a subscription

A burgeoning industry, the coffee subscription plan is where Bo’s Coffee sends coffee to your doorsteps. While this concept has been around for a few years, the lockdowns brought it forward as coffee fans looked for ways to get their coffee fix while stuck at home. 

When one subscribes to Bo’s Coffee Subscription, receive a box delivery every first day of the month. The box contains 2 bags of Coffee Beans and a welcome kit detailing coffee origins, tasting notes, grind size, and brewing guide. Enjoy one flavor of coffee beans every month in this order: Atok, Ampucao, Sagada, Kitanglad, Matutum, and Apo. So, by the time the subscription needs to renew, you will have tasted the best coffee beans the Philippines can offer. 

LBC Business Solutions partners with Gencys Digital Trading. In the image are (left to right) Recolle Delos Reyes: Account Manager, Business Solutions; Jerome S. Santos: Senior Vice President, Business Solutions; Nadine Ann Luceña: President; Hernani Razon: CEO; Charlie Gos: CMO




Manila, Philippines – As the internet and mobile selling platforms continue to expand, e-commerce has become increasingly popular. By transitioning to this platform, traditional businesses can reach a wider audience, reduce overhead costs, and offer customers the convenience of shopping anytime, anywhere. LBC continues to support the growth of the e-commerce industry and is committed to helping businesses succeed in this exciting and dynamic marketplace.




LBC, the premier logistics company in the Philippines, has always been at the forefront of innovation in the industry. Recognizing the growing importance of e-commerce for businesses, LBC has been proactively diversifying its capabilities to address the unique needs of online retailers. With a dedicated Business Solutions arm, LBC has crafted a suite of e-commerce delivery solutions that cater to the global Filipino market.




To ensure the success of these solutions, LBC has partnered with Gencys Digital Trading, a company that shares LBC’s passion for helping e-ComPreneurs build sustainable systems while maximizing their profitability. This partnership has leveraged the latest e-commerce platforms and services, providing customers with a seamless end-to-end delivery experience.




“By partnering with a dependable end-to-end logistics provider like LBC Business Solutions, we have e-commerce solutions on-call ready to be tailor-fitted to make doing business so much easier for the Filipino of today,” Jerome Santos, Sr. Vice President of LBC Business Solutions said. “From cross border, first mile up to last mile order fulfilment – we can work hand in hand to mix and match our services to give our customers exactly what they need to succeed.”




“As a specialist in this industry, we aspire to achieve the level LBC reached in making their name synonymous to logistics, in the sense that e-commerce would equate to Gencys. We plan to do this by continuously improving our systems, tapping Six Sigma to continually improve our processes, become efficient in helping fellow eComPreneurs build their business,” Hermani Razon, Gency’s Chief Executive Officer elaborated.




“With LBC, all the tools in e-commerce, such as the chatbot, the payment method, ERP, virtual cards, and all that, in the end, it all boils down to matching the tool to what the enterprise needs. The e-commerce industry won’t be successful now if the courier is not organized. LBC is number one in the courier business; they have the system; they have the processes. They have already transitioned from traditional to full e-commerce,” said Nads Lucena, President of Gencys.




Santos revealed that LBC provides their partners with the strength of its network reach and ability to bring products even to areas that are difficult to access. “We have never failed on that commitment,” he said.

This could be the first step to your dream of becoming a real estate agent? Maybe we have the first step toward your dream job!

Lumina Homes is actively hiring for over 50 digital marketing associates who would help our offices specifically in Tarlac; Pampanga; Cabanatuan; Tuguegarao; Subic; San Miguel and Baliwag in Bulacan; Tanza in Cavite; Bauan and Lipa in Batangas; Sariaya, Quezon; Sorsogon; Iloilo; Pagadian; Malabalay, Bukidnon; Ozamiz; and Tagum in Davao.

The company has been serious in its digital platforms even before the pandemic, so the year 2020 only confirmed Lumina’s innovative attitude in its marketing and sales efforts. 

The past few years entailed active engagement in its own online reservation portal. Lumina is also one of the first housing brands to offer digital home reservation vouchers in online shopping platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and GLife via GCash.

The next phase for Lumina’s marketing team is to maximize its wide presence in the digital world, and reach more aspiring homeowners local and abroad. Therefore, by hiring more digital sales associates, the team can strengthen its force.




While there are chatbots in place, many clients still prefer talking to a live agent—because home owning is considered a major investment.




The perks of the job

The digital marketing associate position welcomes hopefuls into a program with free digital sales modules, so they can gain an in-depth understanding on best real estate digital practices, digital selling trends, and many more.

This is on top of promo incentives and additional earning opportunities in one of the country’s fastest-growing affordable housing developers.

Lumina is inviting graduates of any four-year course for this job opening. Applicants must be at least 25 years old, team player and willing to be trained, with excellent negotiation and presentation skills. Sales experience is an advantage, but fresh graduates are also welcome to apply.

Being a digital entrepreneur is a growing passion nowadays. Achieve it by joining the digital pioneer Lumina Homes and its umbrella company, Vista Land and Lifescapes, and this could be one of your best decisions in life.



For more information or to check more careers in Lumina Homes, visit https://www.lumina.com.ph/careers/apply-for-digital-sales-associate/.

Pursues a career in SPED

Teaching surpasses the realms of jobs or professions. It encompasses service, vocation, and life mission.

Proving this day and night are millions of Filipino teachers who stand as second mothers to students. One of them is Rosalie Macaspac, an SM scholar alumna who chose to pursue a career in Special Education (SPED).

Life’s work

Choosing to teach, especially pursue SPED, is a path less travelled. Out of over 800,000 public school teachers, only about 4,000 are in SPED, and Rosalie is one of the few who took the path. For 21 years now, the SM scholar alumna has dedicated her life to teaching SPED students. She wanted to empower and give special children a voice by advocating the welfare of deaf learners.

Rosalie Macaspac (left) interprets the contents of the program for her students.

With much dedication and determination to have the right skills for her students, she pursued graduate studies in special education and Filipino sign language at the Philippine National University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, respectively.

She currently teaches at the Philippine School for the Deaf in Pasay, the only government-owned institution for the deaf in the country. Here, she spearheaded the numeracy skills training program for deaf learners.

Embedding grit, greatness

Her journey to becoming an educator was not easy. Her parents separated when she was three years old, and her mother became the breadwinner.

“In the early years of my life as a three year old, awareness of how hard life is became a part of my growing up. I grew up with a mindset that whatever happens, I will not abandon my studies. Sensing my determination, my mother earned a living by washing and ironing clothes of our neighbors. I came to realize my mom had to wash and press thousands and thousands of clothes so I could finish my studies. But I did not pity myself. Instead, I kept a strong determination to battle on and promised my mother that she will not grow old and die as a laundry woman,” she said.

The weight on their shoulder became heavier when her mother became bedridden for half a year. Instead of slowing her down, it did the opposite. She continued her studies with much determination. With the help of her uncle, the Missionaries of Charity, and the puto bigas she sold, they could get by.

She finished primary school with good grades, and was a consistent honor student in high school, despite having one centavo allowance and rice and coffee as meals. With good standing, she had her mind set on her next goal: going to college.

“Giving up or surrendering wasn’t in my vocabulary. The strong heart of my mother was passed on to me as she was my inspiration to strive to get us out of the predicament we were in,” she stressed.

“When I was in fourth year high school, I was deep in thought of what to do to support my college education. Then, God in all His goodness, stepped in again. The Guidance Office in our school announced that the SM Foundation was offering scholarships for qualified students. I knew at that very moment that He was with me. All I had to do is to apply for the scholarship,” she recalled.

 

Rosalie (fifth from left) and her fellow scholar alumni take a photo with SMIC Executive Director Harley Sy (third from left)

She vividly remembers sending her SM College Scholarship program application at the Customer Service of the SM in Quiapo and how she learned on May 9, 1995 that she would be interviewed for the scholarship in room 214 of the MSE Bldg. The three-digit number has since become unforgettable for her. By June 1995, Macaspac was among the SM scholars who had started their college education under the scholarship program.

According to her, the scholarship helped her become a well-rounded individual. It was the key to the realization of her dreams and paved the way to success. The activities provided by SM Foundation, such as the scholars’ assembly, the orientation, leadership training, sports fest and annual retreat, were very memorable for her.

“Looking back, the retreats, monthly meetings and being able to work in SM as an employee, followed up by our project director boosted my self-esteem and opened my world to service,” she said.

 

 

Rosalie at the School for the deaf

 

 

 

 

 

Before teaching, she first worked as a Merchandise and Planning Control-Clerk at the SM Head Office, which was then located in Calle Echague, Manila. She was hired immediately after college.

Working in DepEd has always been her dream, and she is proud of where she is today. “Since day one of my college days, I aimed to be a public-school teacher. I am happy with my work now as a High School Teacher for Deaf learners. I am so privileged that I am in this community and my heart is entwined with my students.”

“I am not ashamed to tell my colleagues that I had a humble beginning and I thank SM Foundation for putting me where I am now. I owe these blessings to SM, Henry ‘Tatang’ Sy, SM Foundation, Ma’am Nilda Bernaldez, and my fellow SM-Scholars, most especially, my mother. They are all the instruments to why I chose to give back to a special community and dedicate my life to being an effective SPED teacher.”