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    Super-powered drama “MOVING” breaks records to become the most viewed Korean Original Series across Disney+ and HULU

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    Super-powered drama “MOVING” breaks records to become the most viewed Korean Original Series across Disney+ and HULU

    Featuring international espionage, super-powered spies, and deadly assassins, Korean drama and tentpole series Moving has quickly captured the world’s attention, becoming the most-watched Korean original on Disney+ globally and Hulu in the U.S. based on hours streamed after 7 days. 

    In its first week since launch on August 9, the hit new series also became the most watched series on Disney+ across APAC, including Korea, Japan, Southeast Asia (such as the Philippines), Hong Kong and Taiwan (based on hours watched), and the biggest premiere on

    Disney+ in Korea to date, based on hours streamed in the first week since launch. Moving launched globally on Disney+ in 65 markets and countries and Hulu in the U.S. 

    “The global consumer response towards the first 11 episodes of Moving has exceeded our expectations,” said Carol Choi, executive vice president of Original Content Strategy, The Walt Disney Company APAC. “From the U.S. to all across APAC, it is fast becoming a breakout hit with its captivating storyline, world-class cast and incredible post-production effects — all coming together to deliver exceptional storytelling.” 

    Starring some of the biggest names in the Korean entertainment industry, including Ryu Seungryong, Han Hyojoo, and Zo Insung in his long-awaited return to a drama series, Moving tells the story of a group of South Korean spies working to protect their super-powered children from harm and exploitation at the hands of malicious government agencies. Initially recruited because of their extraordinary abilities, including flight, instant healing, and enhanced senses, the spies disappeared without a trace after being tasked with carrying out increasingly dubious missions. Now with their children exhibiting similar abilities and a dangerous assassin rapidly picking off super-powered individuals, the parents must leave their peaceful lives behind to become the “monsters” they once were. 

    Hailed as “proving the power of quality K-content” by KBS Media, dubbed “a gripping new K-drama action series” by Newsweek, “a superhero story with an emotional core” by Forbes, and a “completely different and new hero story” by Max Movie, the Moving is slated to close with a three-part series finale slated for September 20. 

    Moving joins a rapidly expanding library of Korean content now available on Disney+, including the Blue Dragon Series Award-winning Big Bet, starring legendary actor Choi Minsik as a serial entrepreneur who repeatedly breaks the law to help bolster his burgeoning casino business; The Zone: Survival Mission; Soundtrack #1, and much more. Stream the episodes of Moving, exclusively on Disney+

    Epson partners with WWF-PH to support mangrove ecosystem restoration in municipalities in Palawan

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    Epson partners with WWF-PH to support mangrove ecosystem restoration in municipalities in Palawan

    Global technology leader Epson, in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, EU Ocean Governance, and the Bataraza local government, has successfully launched a new community learning and innovation hub (CLIH) in Bataraza, Palawan, meant to establish a learning network that builds the capacity of the local coastal communities through knowledge exchange and sharing best practices, while promoting collaboration. In conjunction with World Mangrove Day on June 26th, representatives from Epson and WWF visited CLIH in Barangay. Buliluyan, Bataraza, to celebrate the special occasion with local communities and volunteers. 

    The restoration project was previously launched in the nearby municipality of Balabac in August 2022, which was followed by the official launch of the Bataraza Learning and Innovation Hub (BLIH) in January of this year. Together with partner stakeholders in Balabac and Bataraza, the project is implementing a local capability development programme that includes biophysical, socio-economic, and governance aspects of ecosystem restoration, and community knowledge exchange.

    This component is part of WWF-Coral Triangle Programme’s bigger initiative focusing on the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, a marine ecoregion shared with Indonesia and Malaysia, known for its rich and significant levels of marine biodiversity. The initiative is also supported by Epson under the regional partnership with WWF and aims to create scalable conservation activities, primarily focused on restoring degraded or damaged coral reefs and mangrove areas. Through the restoration activities, best practices and lessons learned are cross-shared through the community learning and innovation hubs, and community champions are trained for co-management of restored and existing coral reef and mangrove areas.

    “This is just one step towards our global commitment of reaching out to communities and continuing our support towards restoring and protecting the Philippines’ rich biodiversity. Our continuing partnership with WWF enables us to work toward a shared goal of a greener future for all,” shared Masako Kusama, president and director of Epson Philippines Corporation. “The work we do with WWF underpins Epson’s goals to champion projects that support biodiversity, inspire collaborations, and enrich lives, not just in the Philippines but across the region as well.”

    “Since the launch of the Bataraza Learning and Innovation Hub (BLIH) and other succeeding activities involving the local government unit, the community, the private sector including the academe and civil society organisations, we have been empowering communities by enabling them to share and gain knowledge and practice from each other,” project manager at WWF-Philippines, Mary Joan Pecson said.

    Known as one of the nature-based solutions to address climate change, mangroves play a key role in ecosystems, providing benefits for both nature and people. Mangroves store 7.5 to 10 times more carbon per acre (3 to 4 times more per hectare) than tropical forests, and their loss contributes to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. Unfortunately, 62% of the world’s mangroves have been destroyed between 2000 and 2016.

    “Our Local Government strongly supports conservation initiatives geared towards protecting the mangroves in Bataraza. By establishing partnerships with multi-sectoral groups and the coastal communities, we innovate long-term solutions to restore degraded coastal and marine ecosystems and prioritise the welfare of our people,” said Hon. Abraham Ibba, Mayor of Bataraza.

    “The destruction of our mangrove forests results in the decrease of our marine resources since part of their habitat has been destroyed,” said Bataraza Municipal Environmental and Natural Resource Officer Reynaldo Rivera, EnP.

    “Mangrove forests serve as filters and protection against siltation of the sea and coral reefs and from the big waves reaching the shoreline, which may cause damage to residential houses and other properties. There is really a need for the rehabilitation of our mangrove forest,” he added, highlighting how the destruction of the mangrove swamps affects not only the environment and marine life but also the community.

    The Learning Hub in Bataraza is set to be a best practice example that can be replicated in other locations across the Coral Triangle. With the support from Epson and other partner stakeholders, WWF-Philippines aims to further expand the initiative to neighboring areas to build a more climate-resilient future for communities.

    foodpanda, TabSquare offer AI-driven tech to restaurants

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    foodpanda, TabSquare offer AI-driven tech to restaurants

    Online food and grocery platform foodpanda and software company TabSquare are joining hands to empower restaurants with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered in-restaurant solutions. 

    The collaboration is part of a region-wide partnership including other Asian markets like Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan, to help restaurant partners digitize their ordering, payment, and customer engagement-related processes. 

    In the Philippines, the announcement was made during foodpanda’s recent partner vendors summit, entitled CRAVE: Creating Relationships and Advancing Vendor Experiences. At the event, partner vendor attendees were provided a firsthand end-to-end experience using TabSquare, showcasing its convenience, seamless operations, and efficiency. 

    TabSquare

    With TabSquare’s Smart QR solution, foodpanda’s vendor partners can automate tasks, including order processing and payments, while ensuring enhanced profitability. It also contributes to labor savings by minimizing order errors and reducing staff workload.

    According to foodpanda Philippines commercial director Luis Antonio Yanga, “By offering digital menus through QR codes, we enable customers to place orders and make payments via TabSquare’s platform effortlessly. This enhances the dining experience by seamlessly bridging the offline-to-online gap and provides efficient solutions for our thousands of partner vendors and merchants.”

    Delivering convenience to diners and restos alike

    With foodpanda and TabSquare’s combined data and predictive technologies, restaurant partners can enhance customer engagement and retention. 

    Restaurant owners can review the transactions via TabSquare’s analytics, which provides valuable insights to support partners in improving menu items, pricing, and promotions, among other things. “This enables restaurant owners to identify trends, and personalize subsequent experiences based on customers’ purchasing history,” Yanga said. 

    Moreover, digital menus offer numerous advantages, including reduced reliance on wait staff, minimized employee turnover, decreased losses on food and finances due to human error, and more efficient menu changes without costly reprints.

    According to foodpanda and TabSquare’s data, restaurants using this digital solution can see up to 10% higher bill sizes, up to 50% reduction in staff costs, and better customer satisfaction. At the same time, restaurants on foodpanda see an average of at least a 10% uplift in business performance since joining the platform. 

    In the dining service, there has been a massive shift in digitally-led solutions and services which TabSquare believes will further enhance the appeal of their services. “With foodpanda, we will be bringing many new innovative features to the industry. For example, restaurants working with TabSquare can now promote themselves to foodpanda’s large customer base and attract new customers,” told Anshul Gupta, co-founder of TabSquare. 

    Growing demand for QR codes in dine-in

    Dine-in is offered through foodpanda’s pandapro subscription program with exclusive discounts and deals for app users. 

    Yanga shared that to further boost this segment and cater to the growing demand for QR Code payments, foodpanda introduced TabSquare’s enhanced QR Code scanning process for dine-in orders. This strategic move comes as a response to the rising demand for QR Code payments, evident by the country’s QR Code transactions totaling PHP32.7 billion in Q1 2023.

    Recently, dine-in has also become available to all foodpanda app users in Cebu with new features like in-app payment. With “Redeem & Pay,” the process becomes effortless as users can pay directly through the app, saving time and enhancing the overall dining experience.

    Hyundai Mobility Experience and Before Service™ heads to Davao and Cebu this September

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    Hyundai Mobility Experience and Before Service™ heads to Davao and Cebu this September

    Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. (HMPH) resumes its Hyundai Mobility Experience (HME) tour in Davao and Cebu in September, 2023. After a successful introduction of the Grand Before ServiceTM Activity (GBSA) at Festival Mall in Alabang, the said Aftersales program is being brought to the two regional capitals. 

    Headlined by back-to-back World Car of The Year Winners, HME lets Davaoeños and Cebuanos see and experience the brand’s latest collection of uniquely progressive and sustainable cars. Visitors will not just be able to view up-close Hyundai’s newest electric vehicle (EV), the IONIQ 6, but also discover the model’s trademark Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality. This feature will be powering up the café that shall serve those dropping by with a free hot or cold beverage. 

    Together with it on display are the Creta, Stargazer, Staria, and Tucson. These, including Hyundai’s flagship EV, the IONIQ 5, are also available for test drive. A free Hyundai-branded golf umbrella awaits those who will get behind the wheel. Customers reserving on-site will receive a PHP10,000 discount voucher. The schedule and locations for the two installments are as follows: 

    MallDurationOperating HoursIndoorOutdoor
    SM Lanang PremierSeptember 8 to 2010:00 AM – 9:00 PMMain AtriumOpen
    Parking Lot D
    SM City Seaside (to be confirmed)September 29 to October 110:00 AM – 9:00 PMMountain Wing AtriumOutdoor
    Parking

    “We are very glad with the amount of support and response we received towards our first ever Grand Before ServiceTM. Which is why as our nationwide roadshow carries on, we did not think twice about giving our VisMin customers the same level of experience and care,” says Cecil Capacete, managing director of HMPH. “We are excited about these two stops as they are technically also our first major activations as HMPH in the cities of Davao and Cebu. Both of which are core markets for us and are part of our infrastructure and space marketing expansion plans.”

    The free 23-Point Car Check-Up with disinfection offered by GBSA is open to all car owners, not just Hyundai users. Moreover, those who will sign up are entitled to a free Shell fuel voucher and a premium Hyundai branded tumbler. Appointments may be booked in advance at your nearest authorized Hyundai dealership or just proceed to the events’ outdoor areas on any of the dates mentioned above.

    Visit https://www.hyundai.com/ph/en/hyundai-story/mobility-experience to learn more about HME. Follow Hyundai Motor Philippines’ official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube for other news.

    Filipino riders in race against time after Indonesia result

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    Filipino riders in race against time after Indonesia result

    The UMA Racing MMR Yamaha Philippines continues to tough it out against the best of Asia after their recent setback in Indonesia. 

    It’s been a challenging season so far for April King Mascardo and Gian Carlo Mauricio who have yet to find their stride in the 2023 Asia Road Racing Championship. A string of losses makes their shot at a podium finish a tall mountain to climb. April, who finished third overall last year, finished at 11th in race 1. But disaster struck on race 2 when his front tire slipped on the last turn as he was holding on to 3rd place. Turning his excellent performance to a DNF. Gian who qualified at 11th to start was held to 24th in race 1 and 17th in race 2. 

    With 2 rounds remaining, April sits at 13th overall and Gian is on the outside looking in at 23rd. Their next race will be on November 4-5 in China, and they will need to be virtually perfect to contend for a respectable finish this season. Difficult as it may seem but greatness never comes easy and on the racetrack anything is possible. 

    Stay updated by following the Yamaha socials:
    Website: https://www.yamaha-motor.com.ph/index.html
    FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ph.yamaha
    YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/yamahamotorphils
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/yamahaphilippines/?hl=en
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/YamahaMotorPH
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yamahamotorph

    Idesia San Jose Del Monte open house showcases quality living in the heart of Bulacan

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    Idesia San Jose Del Monte open house showcases quality living in the heart of Bulacan

    With the continuing success of its housing enclave development venture, P.A. Properties Hankyu Hanshin Corp. is set to open its 5th housing community project, the Idesia San Jose Del Monte (SJDM), in one of the fastest-growing cities in the fringe areas of Metro Manila.

    In line with the company’s mission to build beautiful and safe communities with cost-effective and high-quality homes, P.A. Properties Hankyu Hanshin Corp. proudly opens for public viewing its latest joint venture project.

    Situated at Sitio Gulod, Brgy. Sapang Palay Proper, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, the township development project, a 15.84-hectare prime property will develop and build 1,281 housing units meticulously designed for young families and professionals who aspire to become homeowners near Metro Manila.

    Potential homeowners may expect the same community concept introduced by the joint venture in other Idesia City projects in Southern Luzon. It will feature the signature designs: Yama (townhouse) and Sora (single-attached).

    P.A. Properties Hankyu Hanshin Corp. recognized the need to balance urban and rural living; hence, the Idesia SJDM is strategically located one hour away from the hustle and bustle of Quezon City while being conveniently accessible to hospitals, supermarkets, schools, and major thoroughfares.

    The event’s highlight was the exhibit area’s opening, led by Mr. Romarico T. Alvarez, chairman of P.A. Properties, and Mr. Jonathan G. Lu, vice chairman of P.A. Properties. The exhibit showcased the planning and thoughtful designs that have gone into creating this modern and vibrant community.

    In her welcome message, P.A. Properties president and CEO Atty. Marianne Reyna Lina-Cruz emphasized that the well-being of families residing in each of the communities they develop is always given great consideration.

    “We want to ensure that homeowners, especially those who have their jobs and careers in Metro Manila, can have and come home to a beautiful, relaxing, and secured home after a long and busy day. This is why Idesia Projects has always offered house designs that are simple yet beautiful and functional. The convenient location is just a cherry on top, just like here in Idesia SJDM,” said Lina-Cruz. Other Idesia City projects by P.A. Properties Hankyu Hanshin Corp. are located at Dasmariñas, Lipa, and Cabuyao.

    For more information about Idesia SJDM, please visit the project’s website at www.idesia.com.ph.

    Maya scores triple win as Best Consumer Digital Bank and App in PH

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    Maya scores triple win as Best Consumer Digital Bank and App in PH

    Fintech game-changer Maya recently claimed triple wins at the Retail Banking Awards 2023 and at the World’s Best Consumer Digital Bank Awards 2023.  

    Maya was recognized as the Virtual Bank of the Year for the Philippines at the Retail Banking Awards 2023, organized by the Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) magazine. The sole winner in the Philippines, it was also named Best Consumer Digital Bank and Best Mobile Banking App for the Philippine leg of the World’s Best Consumer Digital Bank Awards 2023, organized by Global Finance. 

    “Banking is changing — we all want it seamlessly integrated into our daily lives. That’s why we developed the Maya all-in-one digital banking experience, and we’re thrilled by the positive response from millions of Filipinos in the short span of time since we launched last year,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya group president. 

    The ABF awards the Virtual Bank of the Year to entities operating solely through digital channels. Maya was recognized for its user-friendly, comprehensive digital banking solution catering to the unbanked and underserved. 

    “Maya’s journey exemplifies their dedication to innovation, customer-centricity, and strategic vision. They have emerged as trailblazers in the digital banking sector in the Philippines and are likely to continue revolutionizing financial services, leaving a lasting impact on the industry,” the ABF said in its citation.    

    Meanwhile, Global Finance selected winners based on the strength of strategy for attracting and servicing digital customers, success in getting clients to use digital offerings, growth of digital customers, breadth of product offerings, evidence of tangible benefits gained from digital initiatives, and web/mobile site design and functionality. 

    “It’s truly exciting to see our customers saving more and using their wallets up to three times more for daily transactions. This recognition inspires us to advance fintech adoption in the Philippines,” said Angelo Madrid, Maya bank president.  

    In its inaugural year, Maya has been recognized globally as a fintech game-changer reshaping the industry, claiming coveted awards such as Best Digital Bank in the Philippines and Southeast Asia at the World Digital Bank Awards 2023, inclusion in Forbes Magazine’s World’s Best Banks, and Digital Bank of the Year at the Future Digital Awards for Fintech & Payments 2022.  

    As an innovator in the Asia Pacific region, Maya is the Philippines’ sole provider offering the most expansive financial services via a singular, fully digital platform, catering to all consumer and business segments.  

    With a simple app download and a single ID, consumers get access to a secure and convenient e-wallet, user-friendly crypto, and secure banking services, all within one app.  

    Regardless of size, businesses also enjoy an all-in-one platform for payment acceptance, digital disbursement, business deposit, and credit – all accessible within the Maya Business Manager.   

    Maya has curated a unified experience, which enables its users to create a digital financial footprint simply by using the app for their everyday payment and banking transactions. The data generated from these transactions allow Maya to offer advanced services like credit. 

    As of end-June 2023, Maya attracted 2.3 million deposit accounts with a collective PhP24.9 billion deposit balance. Cumulative loan disbursements reached PHP10.8 billion by end-June 2023 while operating in invite-access mode. Today, Maya is the #1 highest-rated local consumer finance app on Google Play and Apple Store.  

    Maya is changing the financial services landscape by offering the most advanced digital financial products in the Philippine market. It is the #1 Fintech Ecosystem in the Philippines, with Maya, the #1 Digital Bank, and Maya Business, the #1 Omni-Channel Payment Processor. For more information, visit www.maya.ph and www.mayabank.ph. Look for MayaPH on LinkedIn and check out @mayaiseverything on FB, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as @mayaphofficialph on Twitter.

    UnionDigital Bank wins profitability race in PH digital banking

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    UnionDigital Bank wins profitability race in PH digital banking

    UnionDigital Bank, the digital bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines, is one of the fastest digital banks in the world to achieve profitability. It attained a triple-digit percentage growth in its net income during the first half of 2023 compared to the second half of 2022. The Aboitiz Group-led digital bank, which recently marked its first-year milestone in July, attributed this to the robust loan portfolio growth via the UnionBank ecosystem.

    “We are grateful to be one of the six Philippine digital banks that are committed to making a difference in the lives of all Filipinos by empowering them to pursue their aspirations. The commitment and hard work of our Ka-UBEHs in UnionDigital and UnionBank have pushed us to become one of the fastest digital banks in the world to achieve profitability,” said Henry Aguda, president and CEO, UnionDigital Bank. “This milestone is not just UnionDigital’s win, but a collective victory that should be celebrated by the entire Digital Banking Association of the Philippines (DBAP) family as it affirms the world class innovation of the Philippine digital banking industry. Philippine banking is ready for the global stage.”

    The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has endorsed the establishment of the DBAP, an initiative aimed at addressing the immediate priorities necessary for the prosperity and success of digital banks in the Philippines.

    ”As we emerge as the fastest to profit digital bank in the Philippines, the endorsement of the DBAP by the BSP is testament to the strong support of our regulator to the future of this industry. This initiative not only reflects our commitment to innovation but also reaffirms the BSP’s dedication to the growth and prosperity of PH digital banks. Together, we’re shaping a dynamic future for the industry,” added Aguda.

    The digital bank’s deposits also saw a 113% surge, amounting to PHP 20 billion, which is 32% of the market share among digital banks. Its loan portfolio has grown to PHP 13 billion, notching a 126% upswing. The company shared that it had captured a substantial 75% of the market share for loans within the digital banking industry as of May 2023.

    UnionDigital’s stellar performance, backed by its strong fintech capability, support of the BSP, and deep linkages with the ecosystem of the Aboitiz Group, was recognized at The Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services and Technology Innovation Philippines Awards 2023, where the company won the “Best Digital-Only Bank” award.

    TABInsights, the research arm of TAB Global and a sister company of The Asian Banker, also ranked UnionDigital Bank as number 58 in the Global Top 100 Digital-Only Bank Ranking 2023, which features only two digital banks from the Philippines. The ranking evaluates digital banks based on customer service, market coverage, profitability, asset and deposit growth, and funding.

    ”Receiving this honor from The Asian Banker is a privilege we hold in high regard. This award is not solely ours to claim; we extend this to our fellow digital bank counterparts, our parent, UnionBank, and the BSP, all united by a common objective – uplifting the lives of Filipinos through financial inclusion,” shared Aguda. “This recognition reflects our joint dedication and commitment to reshape the financial landscape for the better. It underscores the importance of working together and pursuing common goals to drive our nation’s progress and prosperity.”

    UnionDigital Bank has recently signed partnerships with different key players in diverse industries to launch its embedded banking services.

    “We have built a strong pipeline of partnerships and are also scaling up our retail app to help us diversify our deposit base,” said Mike Singh, chief commercial and revenue officer, UnionDigital Bank. “Our focus remains on giving access to essential financial services to the underserved such as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through upcoming products in our app.”

    Globe and Acad Arena empower young talents in PH gaming industry, unveil 2023 Scholarship awardee

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    Globe and Acad Arena empower young talents in PH gaming industry, unveil 2023 Scholarship awardee

    Globe, a leading digital solutions platform, and Acad Arena’s CONQuest, the country’s largest gaming, music, and pop culture convention, have unveiled their 2023 Scholarship awardee, in a revolutionary step aimed at nurturing young talent in the gaming industry.

    The first-ever scholar under the program, Bhea Louisse Rico, is a Mechanical Technology student at the Technological University of the Philippines-Taguig who excels both on and off campus.  Through the scholarship, she received a PHP100,000 grant, a Conquest All-Access Pass for an unforgettable meet-and-greet experience with popular streamers, and a Globe content feature to chronicle her journey at CONQuest 2023. 

    The scholarship is part of Globe and CONQuest’s commitment to empowering student gamers by acknowledging their academic achievements and encouraging their passion for gaming and the many useful life skills it can foster. 

    The grant also paved the way for Bhea’s mom to accept her love for gaming — something she had kept a secret as her mother thought it was “distracting rather than an inspiration for me.” 

    “I told my mom ’Ma, I got a scholarship,’ and she cried. That made me emotional. Tanggap niya na ‘yung ginagawa ko. Kung saan ako masaya, masaya na rin siya para sa akin. Mas lalo ako na-inspire na ipakita ‘yung skills ko with the scholarship I got,” said Bhea. 

    Bhea is a dedicated gamer who draws inspiration from popular streamer Valkyrae, known for her thrilling VALORANT games.

    “I take inspiration from Valkyrae. Kaya niyang balansehin ‘yung pagiging entrepreneur and being co-founder of 100 Games. At the same time, she’s very passionate about what she wants to do and how gaming affects her life,” Bhea said. 

    Taking her cue from her Valkyrae, Bhea currently shuffles her passion for learning and gaming. Her impressive accomplishments include serving as the Internal Vice President of her school organization, being the current VALORANT Event Manager of Grayhawks Esports, and serving in leadership positions in her school’s student government. 

    Grateful for her scholarship, Bhea said: “With this scholarship, I can further pursue my academic and gaming dreams.” 

    Through the scholarship program, Globe aims to spotlight the potential benefits gaming can offer, challenge stereotypes surrounding it, and provide a platform for gamers to shine.

    Ralph Aligada, head of Globe Games, Esports and Innovation, said, “We are thrilled to support Bhea in her journey. As one of Globe’s scholars from our gaming and esports programs, she embodies the essence of what Globe Gaming stands for–  a balance of academic achievements and a passion for gaming. We believe in empowering the youth, and our gaming scholarship is just one way we are turning this belief into action.”

    Globe’s commitment to fostering a thriving gaming community is evident through its partnerships with renowned leagues such as the Philippine Pro Gaming League and organizations such as AcadArena and Blacklist International. It also offers popular games such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, League of Legends Wild Rift, VALORANT, and Legends of Runeterra, bringing together gamers of all skills and experience levels.

    As Globe continues its endeavors, it looks forward to welcoming more scholars in the future and further nurturing and empowering young gaming talents across the Philippines. 

    For more exciting news and updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/globetelecom.ggwp/. 

    Security Bank empowers workforce with Darwinbox’s mobile-first HR solution

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    Security Bank empowers workforce with Darwinbox’s mobile-first HR solution

    Security Bank Corporation, a leading universal bank in the Philippines, has recently launched HeRO, powered by Darwinbox, as its Human Capital Management (HCM) platform. This elevates the employee experience of the Bank’s more than 7,000-strong workforce. The Bank has integrated its systems into one end-to-end HCM platform covering the entire employee life cycle from hiring to retirement. Security Bank’s goal with the partnership is to provide employees with a mobile-first HR solution that is simple, progressive, and serves as a one-stop-shop tool for HCM data and service needs.

    HCM and HR experts from Darwinbox worked with the Security Bank team on an extensive blueprinting process to address the Bank’s requirements, setting out a roadmap and expected outcomes. Darwinbox and Security Bank planned a phased implementation to ensure the successful adoption of scheduled functionalities while performing business-as-usual tasks.

    Speaking on the Bank’s HR vision and intention with the new HCM platform, Sanjiv Vohra, president and CEO of Security Bank, said, “At Security Bank, our values-based culture is underscored by our Employee Value Proposition called ‘You Matter.’ We’re strengthening our support for our employees with unique, industry-leading engagement and benefits programs, as we invest heavily in technology to improve the overall employee experience. Our Bank has grown and evolved over the past seven decades and counting, and the key to our longevity and success lies in our most important asset—our people.”  

    “Security Bank is committed to being the preferred employer in Philippine banking. To do so, we’re investing in employee development and technology to simplify processes and enhance work-life balance. HeRO is a significant part of the HCM transformation initiative, aiming to unify and empower employees by providing a single source of truth for all HCM data and services, from onboarding to career progression and retirement,” said Nerissa Berba, executive vice president and head of Human Capital Management. 

    Two ‘Experience Lab’ sessions were conducted by Darwinbox for stakeholders to familiarize themselves with HeRO (Security Bank’s front-end branding of the Darwinbox platform) before its official launch. The first session was attended by Security Bank executives while the second session included a larger audience. 

    “We don’t just want to leave a customer with a platform; we’re all about driving end-to-end value management. After all, we’re driving a new way of working at Security Bank,” said Jayant Paleti, co-founder of Darwinbox. He added, “We love working with passionate teams that want to do right by their employees, and the dedication of the Security Bank team to their people has been evident from day one. The vision and execution have been very well thought out. Everyone involved has shown tremendous support. Here’s to a continuously blossoming relationship with Security Bank.”

    Vikrant Khanna, global head – value management and solutions at Darwinbox, said of the engagement, “It’s wonderful to partner with organizations that are pushing the needle on high-touch and high-tech HR in a well-thought-out manner. Security Bank’s employee value proposition of ‘You Matter’ has been a beacon for HCM, clearly charting out their transformation journey.”

    Darwinbox is globally the #1 rated HCM platform (on Gartner Peer Insights) and is backed by the likes of Microsoft, Salesforce, and Sequoia. The new-age solution has become the fastest and the only Asian HCM player to feature on the Gartner Magic Quadrant in 2021 and 2022. The company’s technology partnership with Microsoft is helping accelerate the development of cutting-edge innovations, including AI in HR.

    KodeGo revolutionizes job-skills matching with customizable TaaS program

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    KodeGo revolutionizes job-skills matching with customizable TaaS program

    I

    The TaaS program builds on KodeGo’s expertise in technology and skills training to provide a personalized approach that enables enterprises to equip their workforce with specific skills crucial to achieving strategic objectives.

    Speaking at the recent ASEAN Innovation Business Platform (AIBP) Conference and Exhibition, KodeGo Entrepreneur-In-Residence Cristina Gervasio shared how they work with companies in two distinct ways to address diverse and evolving business requirements.

    To democratize education for Filipinos aged 18 and above, KodeGo conducts intensive tech bootcamps, helping its graduates secure placements with company partners in as short as three months. 

    With over 4,000 enrollees and 1,300 graduates since its launch in 2021, KodeGo opens new job opportunities for individuals from all walks of life – from delivery riders to wedding photographers, all of whom are eager to upskill themselves and enhance their professional value.

    KodeGo’s commitment to breaking barriers in traditional education is further reflected in the groundbreaking TaaS program and its impact on clients and the larger learning community.

    “For our TaaS, the process is simple, yet very effective,” explained Gervasio. “We have a conversation with the human resources team, and they come back to us with a ‘laundry list’ that needs to be addressed within their current pool of employees. We then craft a very specific curriculum that we both agree upon and embark on that journey together.”

    One shining example of the TaaS initiative’s success is KodeGo’s collaboration with shared services company Asticom Group of Companies, where a special six-month cadetship program, namely AstiELEVATE, was designed to upskill 10 young fresh graduates. The tailored course included both technical skills such as Full Stack Web Development and essential soft skills such as leadership modules.

    “So far, (TaaS) attrition is at zero because there is so much buy-in from the start from all the parties,” added Gervasio.

    With their TaaS program, the ability to customize courses demonstrates KodeGo’s commitment to evolving alongside the needs of businesses, further underlining its dedication to redefining education and training.

    For more information about KodeGo’s TaaS program, please visit https://kodego.ph/.

    Eastern Communications offers free cloud service trial for SMEs to enhance business productivity

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    Eastern Communications offers free cloud service trial for SMEs to enhance business productivity

    As Eastern Communications continues its commitment to champion digital literacy and adoption throughout the country, the Philippine premier telecommunications company has launched its Eastern Cloud free trial allowing business owners to experience premium Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) resources and test out its many features.

    Among products offered free include 10GB RAM, 500GB of hard disk drive (HDD) storage, 100GB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage, 2 IP addresses, 1 VLAN,  and 1TB of outbound data transfer. Interested individuals and business owners can utilize the free cloud service for 30 days and experience a flexible, scalable, and robust cloud network for day-to-day operations by simply registering through this link: tinyurl.com/EasternCloudTrial.

    Enterprises of all sizes can take advantage of the Eastern Cloud free trial until October 31, 2023. The service boasts stringent security features so users can maximize the free trial without worries about their data privacy and safety.

    Satisfied users who would like to continue their Eastern Cloud subscription after the trial can explore the match subscription funds of up to $1,000. Additionally, customers will experience a smooth transition as Eastern offers a complimentary migration tool that provides uninterrupted continuity.

    If users are looking to maximize the cloud through a flexible subscription, they can enjoy the latest features—Platform as a Service (PaaS), Eastern Cloud Virtual Router, and SGX Confidential Computing.

    PaaS lets businesses employ higher-level programming with dramatically reduced complexity. This also allows the creation of customizable applications from scratch and lowers the costs often involved with developing cloud-based products. Eastern Cloud Virtual Router, and SGX Confidential Computing on the other hand, ensure maximum safety of the cloud through added network security and redundancy features.

    “As we enter the latter part of the year, Eastern Communications is dedicated to serving more businesses across the nation. Cloud adoption is pivotal for all businesses, ushering in their growth and innovation. In today’s digital era, cloud adoption will provide businesses the capacity to cover a larger scope of work, a space for collaboration, and a multi-purpose hosting platform that offers flexibility,” shared Edsel Paglinawan, Eastern Communications vice president and head for Product and Innovation. 

    Eastern Communications recognizes the transformative impact of cloud services on business operations over the years, evolving into an encompassing solution that addresses various business needs.

    Eastern Cloud is one of the most customizable cloud platforms in the market where customers can do convenient provision processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources at their discretion. Depending on your business needs, CPU, RAM, Storage and bandwidth can be tailored fit independently to allow the best combination of cloud resources that matches your requirements.

    Moreover, emerging businesses can experience seamless collaboration and communication through Eastern Cloud without compromising company data with its enhanced security features, including data encryption and automatic backup tools.

    Continued SME empowerment

    On top of the Eastern Cloud free trial, Eastern Communications ramped up in empowering SMEs by hosting a series of workshops where entrepreneurs engage in knowledge-sharing activities and discover trends and strategies that address various challenges in running a business.

    Eufer Pasion, a Microsoft certified trainer and co-founder of Line Learning, shares the various uses of Microsoft 365 at the Manila run of Access Eastern.

    Aimed at reinforcing the SME empowerment campaign of Eastern Communications, the “Eastern Huddles” and “Access Eastern” events were held early this year, providing exclusive workshops and seminars among enterprise owners, IT heads, and key decision-makers in the Metro and provinces such as Legaspi, Sorsogon, Cebu, Tuguegarao, and Laguna.

    Furthermore, Eastern Communications will soon launch its Evolving Entrepreneurs video series, featuring its SME clients from various industries sharing about their journey, inspiration, business philosophies, and insights on digitalization. 

    To learn more about Eastern Communications’ products and services, visit eastern.com.ph.

    Send Money conveniently with the new Metrobank App’s QR feature

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    Send Money conveniently with the new Metrobank App’s QR feature

    Sending money to friends and family is now much easier for Metrobank account holders as QR      becomes available on the NEW Metrobank App.

    With this new feature, users only need to scan or upload a QR code to instantly transfer funds to peers and other bank or e-wallet accounts, to make banking safe, simple, and secure.

    As an added treat, Metrobank users who will send money worth PHP1,000 and below will enjoy waived InstaPay fees until September 30, 2023. 

    Accessing this new feature is easy! Just follow these simple steps: 

    1. On your Metrobank App’s dashboard, tap “QR” at the bottom navigation menu.
    2. Scan or Upload the QR code of your recipient.
    3. After scanning the QR code, fill in the required details for your fund transfer. PHP0.00 transfer fee should be reflected on the confirmation page for transactions worth PHP1,000 and below.     

    Users can also start receiving funds in an instant via QR on the new Metrobank App. Here’s how: 

    1. On the dashboard’s bottom navigation menu, tap “QR”.
    2. Select Generate QR code and provide the needed details. Here, you can already indicate the amount you wish to receive to make it more convenient to the sender. 
    3. After generating your unique QR code, you can easily share it with the person sending you money or save it on your device so you can send it later on.

    With this new feature on the NEW Metrobank app, transferring funds to and from your account is a breeze! Metrobank’s fund transfer via QR is enabled by QR Ph, the national standard for QR payments launched by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

    To enjoy a smart, simple, and secure banking experience anytime, anywhere – make sure to download the new Metrobank app from the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Huawei AppGallery, and update it to the latest version (ver 1.7.1). 

    Microsoft introduces AI-powered innovations for frontline workers

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    Microsoft introduces AI-powered innovations for frontline workers

    Microsoft has announced the expansion of its artificial intelligence (AI) technology into a new software designed to streamline processes for frontline workers to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and enable faster decision-making. The global technology leader is committed to investing in innovative solutions to help boost productivity for frontline workers, those who work directly with customers or are involved in the production and delivery of products and services. Microsoft recently introduced new tools and integrations that bring the power of next-generation AI to the frontline across the areas of intelligent operations, effortless communication, and trusted experiences.

    Bringing Microsoft Copilot to Dynamics 365

    Microsoft infuses the productivity applications frontline managers use every day with the robust data and intelligence of underlying business applications. It is bringing AI Copilot to the new Dynamics 365 Field Service with Outlook and Microsoft Teams integrations to help streamline the frontline experience and drive efficiency with operations. Through this integration, frontline service managers who receive customer escalations in Outlook or Microsoft Teams can use Copilot in Dynamics 365 to streamline work order creation with relevant details pre-populated from emails or chats, optimize technician scheduling with data-driven recommendations based on factors such as travel time, availability and skillset, as well as generate draft responses to customer messages summarizing next steps without switching apps.

    Meanwhile, Dynamics 365 Field Service app in Microsoft Teams will enable frontline technicians to access key work order functionality in their flow of work. Technicians will now be able to see upcoming work orders at a glance in their home experience in Teams, share full work order details and easily access Dynamics 365 Remote Assist in one click to troubleshoot with remote experts in real time if they need additional support to complete jobs.

    Soon, Microsoft 365 Copilot can ground prompts and retrieve insights for frontline managers, leveraging data from the Shifts app with a new Shifts plugin for Microsoft 365 Copilot, in addition to user and company data it has access to such as Teams chat history, SharePoint, emails and more. This will maintain end-to-end visibility on operations, enabling frontline managers to quickly get a list of important items specific to their team and location to speed up time-consuming tasks like covering shifts and onboarding new employees.

    Strengthening communication on Microsoft Viva

    Microsoft Viva is also getting major AI-powered updates. Announcements in Viva Connections enables corporate communicators to draft, schedule and target important announcements like urgent communications, role-specific updates and safety policy changes to frontline workers. Communicators can quickly send messages directly from Viva Connections without having to leave Teams. Messages are delivered to the frontline through push notifications on their mobile devices and announcement cards in their Teams home experience.

    Another update is Targeted Campaigns in Viva Engage, which powers communicators to create campaigns that promote company-wide initiatives targeted to frontline audiences.

    Building trusted experiences on Microsoft Windows 365 Frontline

    Many on the frontline work across multiple devices and often hand them over after a shift ends. Microsoft developed Windows 365 Frontline to enable shift and part-time workers to be productive from the moment they log in, making it easy and affordable to extend the power of Cloud PCs to employees on the frontline so they can securely access their personalized Windows experience on any device, no matter where they work.

    “At Microsoft, we believe that technology can be a powerful force to reimagine how work gets done. By investing in innovative solutions for the frontline workforce, we are helping to drive positive change for client-facing employees, customers, and the bottom line,” said Peter Maquera, chief executive officer of Microsoft Philippines. “Frontline innovations across Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Windows 365 Frontline, and partner endpoint management solutions push the boundaries of what is possible and work toward a brighter future for all.”

    GCash waives QR transaction fees for micro-merchants

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    GCash waives QR transaction fees for micro-merchants

    GCash, the Philippines’ #1 financial super app, waives the QRPH transaction fees or merchant discount rates (MDRs) for micro-merchants who use the scan-to-pay service, until the end of 2023.

    In addition to this, micro-merchants have access to an increased wallet limit of up to PHP500,000 per month. Moreover, the 1.5% transaction fee is waived up to PHP100,000 in gross sales.

    E-wallets and other payment platforms charge fees as high as 2% for the use of their cashless transaction services, such as QR-based and card payments.

    “For GCash, making this service free means micro-entrepreneurs can earn a little extra for their families through safe cashless transactions. We are committed to working with our micro-entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals in the digital economy,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, the president and CEO of G-Xchange, Inc., the mobile wallet operator of GCash.

    Micro-merchants are those with businesses that are smaller in scale, such as sari-sari store owners, public market vendors, and online sellers. 

    Making use of GCash’s scan-to-pay enables faster tracking of payments received for merchants without imposing any additional cost, even for their customers. 

    “We are one with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in its goal of bringing more micro-merchants into the digital economy. Together with our partners, we will equip micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the right tools and products so they can grow their businesses safely and conveniently,” Reyes said. 

    To date, GCash has been empowering 845,000 small-scale community merchants with various digital financial solutions.

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