by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 6, 2021 | Business
With the current safety precautions, many Filipinos take in their everyday lives, it’s no surprise that many looks for less direct ways to interact with sellers especially in a pharmacy space. Drugstores may be the best source to purchase all your health needs, but safety is also an aspect many consider before they step out of the comforts of their homes.
Because of this growth habit, GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, has now made over-the-counter Cash In and “Scan to Pay” options available at Southstar Drug, one of the largest drugstore chains in the Philippines with over 559 stores — offering customers convenient and safe payment options when they buy medicine, personal care, and other essential items amid the pandemic.
“With this strategic partnership with Southstar, which has so many branches across the Philippines, now in place, Filipinos have a more convenient and safer way to infuse funds to their GCash accounts,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash. “Making over-the-counter Cash In options available in all Southstar branches is proof that GCash is aggressively pursuing our commitment to make innovative financial services accessible to Filipinos from all walks of life, especially amid the pandemic.”
“Our customers rely on us now more than ever for their health and wellness needs; hence we continue to further innovate and offer services that will support access to these needs. This partnership with GCash will surely help us serve our customers with more ease and confidence. At a time when we need assurance, Southstar Drug will remain to be a partner for a healthy and safe lifestyle that Filipinos can trust,” said Christine Tueres, General Manager of Southstar Drug.
Southstar Drug carries a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, and a variety of food, personal care, and health and wellness items. The health retailer operates stand-alone dedicated pharmacies to stores inside supermarkets and pharmacies with self-service convenience sections.
Customers just need to go to any Southstar Drug outlet and simply inform the cashier that they would like to Cash-In to their GCash wallet. Then, they just need to launch the GCash app, then tap “Cash In” and choose “Southstar Drug.” Next, just tap on the “Generate Barcode” button and show the generated barcode to the cashier. The cashier will then process and confirm the transaction, collect a payment, and print the receipt. A text confirmation will be then sent to the customer’s mobile number upon successful Cash In.
GCash has also made payments via QR Codes available at Southstar. For customers who also wish to buy items using GCash QR Codes, they simply need to log in to their GCash account, choose “Scan to Pay” as the mode of payment, and click on “Pay QR,” then tap “Scan QR Code.” Alternatively, they can also simply tap on the QR button on the navigation bar found at the bottom of the homepage, align their phone’s camera over the cashier’s GCash QR code to scan it, input the amount in the payment screen, tap “Next” and choose whether to pay with GCash or GCredit. After selecting the payment option, an SMS confirmation message will be sent to the customer’s mobile number as the receipt and proof of purchase.
With the availability of the GCash Cash In and QR Code feature at participating Southstar Drug branches, customers can easily load funds in their GCash accounts or pay without the need to carry cash or a credit/ATM card to avail of cashless payment.
“This is the next level of safety, convenience, and security in cashless payments because, with the GCash Cash-In and QR Code, they don’t need to type in the numbers or share their mobile numbers with others. And it’s available to anyone with the GCash app – that’s real financial inclusion for all Filipinos across the country,” said GCash GM for Business Center and Financial Products Gina Salgado.
For more information, visit www.gcash.com.
About GCash
GCash is the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines. Through the GCash app, customers can easily buy load; pay bills at over 600 partner billers in the app; pay at more than 7,000 online partners; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines; pay using QR codes at over 130,000 partner merchants nationwide; save money while earning interest, and invest money at local and global funds — all through the convenience of their smartphones.
GCash is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly owned by Globe Telecom, Inc. GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 40 million Filipinos in the country today.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 22, 2021 | Business
Leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. shared its 2020 contributions to the country’s sustainable development through initiatives that reduced carbons emissions, improved resource efficiency of operations, and uplift communities and business partners.
The company discussed accomplishments in these areas and commitments to further improve until 2030 in its first Integrated Annual Report that follows the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which sets standards for reporting sustainability performance.
Cara Ramirez, Holcim Philippines Vice President of Communications: “This Integrated Annual Report reflects our company’s commitment to transparency about our sustainability performance, and pledge to be a partner of progress beyond cement. Following the GRI standards helps us to go beyond reportorial requirements of corporate regulators to provide stakeholders a full view of our efforts to deliver business results and positively impact the environment and our communities.”
The company grouped its sustainability targets under four pillars: Climate and Energy, Circular Economy, Environment, and People and Communities. These are aligned with the sustainability priorities of global building solutions leader LafargeHolcim Group and support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Climate and Energy
Under Climate and Energy, Holcim Philippines disclosed that carbon emissions per ton of cement produced are at 608 kilograms in 2020, 22.15% lower versus 1990 levels. This was driven by investments in efficient production technology and a shift towards more blended cement products such as infrastructure cement Holcim Solido, general-purpose cement Holcim Excel and masonry cement Holcim Wallright. The company is looking to further reduce emissions aligned with the LafargeHolcim Group’s target of 475 kilograms CO2 per ton of cement by 2030.
Circular Economy
On Circular Economy, Holcim Philippines aims to significantly increase usage of alternative fuels such as qualified residual wastes through its co-processing technology, and alternative raw materials for its products to require less clinker.
In 2020, the company co-processed 70,680 kilograms of wastes through unit Geocycle to reduce the usage of traditional fuels. These also enable the company to help partners in the public and private sectors divert discarded materials away from landfills.
Environment
Under the Environment pillar, the company reported that it withdrew 290 liters of fresh water per ton of cement produced in 2020. Holcim Philippines aims to lower this further to 262 liters per ton of cement by 2030 through efficiency initiatives and utilization of rainwater.
People and Community
Finally, Holcim Philippines listed programs that uplift communities and partners under the People and Communities pillar.
Among the highlights was the 164,913 people assisted in 2020 through its Holcim HELPS corporate citizenship campaign, which focused on community health and sanitation projects in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs.
With cement manufacturing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, Misamis Oriental, and Davao, as well as aggregates and dry mix business and technical support facilities for building solutions, Holcim Philippines is a reliable partner of builders in the country.
Holcim Philippines is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable operations and manufacturing excellence with its plants certified under ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System), ISO9001:2008 (Quality Management System), and OHSAS 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).
Holcim Philippines is a member of the Holcim Group, the world leader in the building materials industry present in 80 countries with over 75,000 employees.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 17, 2021 | Finance Tips
We all have non-negotiable goals in life. These are goals you can’t compromise on, and they may range from tangibles like owning a car or house to non-tangibles like getting a quality education or enjoying a stress-free retirement. Whether big or small, these goals require a lot of work and commitment to achieve. To help you stay on track with your non-negotiable goals, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, shares some simple tips you can follow:
List down your non-negotiable goals and their target date.
To help you stay on track with your non-negotiable goals, it’s a good idea to write them down. It may seem deceptively simple, but experts have considered this to be very effective in achieving your ambitions. For each goal, be sure to add your reasoning, a game plan, and a timeline of when you want to accomplish them. This will help boost your motivation and help you stay focused. For example, if you’re planning to build a substantial amount for an emergency fund, know how much you want to set aside and for how long in order to reach your desired amount.
Don’t compare your progress to others.
Each person has his or her own unique journey. So when it comes to fulfilling your goals, avoid making comparisons because that might only discourage you, especially when you feel someone has accomplished more. Trust your own pace and strive to stay focused on how you can improve yourself. Also, take valuable lessons from other people’s life experiences, such as TED Talk speakers, and apply them to your own journey if possible.
Follow through.
The highest level of integrity is achieved when you follow through with what you say you’re going to do. This is how successful people attract big opportunities — people trust that they’ll keep their word. But as you follow through on your promise to others, you must also stay true to the commitments you made to yourself. If you’re constantly putting off all your life goals, you’ll never bring them to fruition. Stick to what you say you’re going to do — pursue your goals, dreams, and ideas!
Prioritize well.
Too often, we are quick to abandon our goals and responsibilities to tend to other people’s needs. But remember, your dreams and goals are your own and no one can accomplish them but you. This means setting boundaries and knowing when to say yes and when to say no so you’re not constantly allowing others to lose sight of your own priorities. It’s good to help others, but be sure to put yourself first!
Monitor your progress.
When it comes to monitoring your goals, planning and organizing your time is key. Have a notebook or a planner ready to list down your specific goals and be sure to tick off everything you have achieved so far. Tracking what you have accomplished is a big part of keeping your confidence and motivation high. Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments, too!
AXA Philippines continues to be your partner in helping you stay focused with the Target Date Fund, a Philippine peso-denominated fund that helps manage and grow your investment so you can achieve your long-term goals. With AXA’s expertise in fund management, you’re assured that your funds are taken care of amid changing market conditions.
Customers also have the flexibility to choose the date of their desired investment goal completion (2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045). They can also opt to remain invested in the fund even after reaching their target date as the fund can still provide the capital growth given its remaining allocation growth assets.
Achieve your non-negotiable goals by trying out these tips and with the help of AXA’s Target Date Fund. To know more, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/savings-investment/asset-master.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 15, 2021 | Entertainment
There is a new player in the Philippine music industry called Alibatta. Alibatta is an NFT independent label that takes its name from the word alibata, another word for baybayin, a traditional writing system in the Philippines.
What is NFT?
NFT is an acronym for non-fungible tokens. Fungibility is the ability of a good or asset to be readily interchanged for another of like kind. Like goods and assets that are not interchangeable, such as owned cars and houses, are non-fungible.
NFT is currently a trend amongst creatives, collectors, superfans as it gives the artists the ability to mark a virtual form of art proof-of-ownership.
When music meets technology
Alibatta brings together the creative and technological expertise of three very talented musicians cum tech executives Geoff Mabasa, Adrienne Cajayon, and Charles Gener.
Geoff Mabasa, the President and CEO of Alibatta, brings to the table his marketing experience with Grab, Tiktok, and cryptocurrency exchange platform, Binance. He expressed their desire to “bring local Filipino talent to a global audience by focusing on delivering fresh, danceable, and uplifting Filipino music influenced by western pop music.”
Alibatta leverages innovative tools to distribute music, empowering more musicians to embrace tech and have more ownership and means to monetize the content they produce.
He adds, “Alibatta is a first of its kind in Southeast Asia. It is the only music label pushing NFT-releases for its talents. Our vision is to make sure music is adaptive to both the needs of the artist and their fans who are the foundation of the industry.”
Alibatta pegs itself as an entertainment technology company. It operates as a music label, providing traditional label services like artist management, music production, and marketing. At the same time, it modernizes the way that music reaches people with blockchain technology and immersive experience.
Musicians first
All three founders are graduates of Music Production from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. As musicians themselves, they are familiar with the difficulties encountered by musicians, particularly in terms of marketing, distribution, and profit.
Adrienne Cajayon, Geoff Mabasa, and Charles Gener
“We know how cutthroat the industry is, so we need to utilize new forms of technology to (somehow) level the playing field,” mentioned Adrienne Cajayon, Chief Operating Officer and Compliance Head.
Before focusing on tech, Chief Innovation Officer Charles Gener was a session drummer for local acts Jensen Gomez, Arthur Nery, and Klarisse De Guzman. “Our backgrounds and interests provide the perfect opportunity for us to collaborate and pioneer this space and make history as the label that produced the first NFT-minted record in the Philippines.”
Ali Young joins Alibatta
Philippine artist, Ali Young, signs on with Alibatta as its first artist with its first NFT-minted single to be released on June 25. She made a name for herself by making song covers of artists such as Taylor Swift and Yeng Constantino on YouTube and Soundcloud and amassing millions of views.
Young says, “I’m still overwhelmed and super proud that I signed with Alibatta, I trust in the direction the label is taking, and I think that NFT is the future not just for music, but for other forms of art, too.”
The first of its kind locally
The new normal has forced everyone to find ways to innovate and create experiences that would deliver a sensory experience that social distancing has deprived us of. A virtual reality (VR) concert is in the works. Everyone who purchases a ticket to the event will receive VR goggles as part of the ticket price. This will give them the immersive experience promised.
On June 25, 2021, Alibatta will launch Ali Young’s debut single Craving on major streaming platforms. At the same time, a Record Stor Day limited NFT version will be released through Binance.
“Ali Young is poised to make history as the first Filipino singer with an NFT out, and we are happy to set that trend both locally and internationally. This effort provides an empowering message to our fellow musicians: that music and art can be lucrative not just for the labels, but for the entire creator ecosystem,” says Mabasa.
Stay tuned for more details soon.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 11, 2021 | Car care tips
Amid the ‘new normal,’ most car owners use their vehicles less frequently. Except for frontline workers, the public is encouraged to go out only when necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Despite this, Prestone, a proven and trusted quality brand of Auto Care fluids since 1927, reminds motorists to religiously check their vehicles and go for annual preventive maintenance to avoid the hassle of a car breakdown when they return on the road.
According to Prestone Philippines, car owners need to focus on two frequently overlooked fluids—the Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluids.
Shifting With Ease
The Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an essential fluid that lubricates the bearings and metal parts inside a car’s automatic gearbox. It also keeps them from grinding down as they move.
Car owners need to regularly maintain their vehicle’s ATF since it not only lubricates the moving parts but also provides hydraulic pressure and friction to make the internal parts work. Transmission fluid in both manual and automatic transmissions also helps to keep the transmission cool. Since most cars today use AT transmissions, keeping tabs on them is vital since it is more expensive to repair than manual transmission cars.
Additionally, Prestone said that using auto transmission fluids provide the necessary power for the demands of the city or highway. Prestone’s Auto Transmission Fluid (ATF) helps delay and, at its best, eliminate the need for costly repairs with cracked and dry seals conditioning and its stop leak technology. In addition, its high and low-temperature friction characteristics provide smooth shifting under extreme conditions, meeting the needs of various cars.
Turning With Ease
Meanwhile, Power Steering Fluid (PSF) is a kind of hydraulic fluid transferring power in modern vehicles with power steering. As a vital part of your steering system, power steering fluid allows drivers to turn the steering wheel smoothly. The use of PSF varies depending on the car with some requiring ATF to come along with it.
Unfortunately, topping up PSF is typically not included in regular maintenance but it still needs to be maintained to prevent grit and sludge from accumulating and further getting into the car’s pinion seals and rack, consequently destroying it. Prestone highly recommends that car owners periodically change their car’s PSF, using high-quality fluids and consulting expert mechanics to maintain it.
The Prestone Power Steering Fluid protects pumps against pump breakdown caused by wear, oxidation, and foaming through its stop leak technology. As a result, it lessens pump squealing and aid in smooth power steering operation. It also pours at sub-zero temperatures to help assure cold weather steering performance.
As a final reminder, car owners must stay cautious against counterfeit products sold in the market today, especially Brake Fluid. Using fake products can cause malfunctions or permanently damage various parts of your vehicle, leading to a car breakdown, accidents, or engine replacement.
Watch out for sellers offering products that come from unknown sources and with suspicious prices and discounts. To know its authenticity, check the product’s details, look for imperfections, and ensure it has a PS mark or ICC stickers issued by the Philippine Bureau of Product Standards.
To know more about Prestone Philippines, visit their website at https://www.prestone.com.ph/ and follow their Facebook page, Prestone Philippines. You can also buy authentic Prestone products on their Lazada page, The Clorox Company Flagship Store.
Southstar Drug carries a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products, and a variety of food, personal care, and health and wellness items. The health retailer operates stand-alone dedicated pharmacies to stores inside supermarkets and pharmacies with self-service convenience sections.
GCash is the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines. Through the GCash app, customers can easily buy load; pay bills at over 600 partner billers in the app; pay at more than 7,000 online partners; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines; pay using QR codes at over 130,000 partner merchants nationwide; save money while earning interest, and invest money at local and global funds — all through the convenience of their smartphones.
Under Climate and Energy, Holcim Philippines disclosed that carbon emissions per ton of cement produced are at 608 kilograms in 2020, 22.15% lower versus 1990 levels. This was driven by investments in efficient production technology and a shift towards more blended cement products such as infrastructure cement Holcim Solido, general-purpose cement Holcim Excel and masonry cement Holcim Wallright. The company is looking to further reduce emissions aligned with the LafargeHolcim Group’s target of 475 kilograms CO2 per ton of cement by 2030.
On Circular Economy, Holcim Philippines aims to significantly increase usage of alternative fuels such as qualified residual wastes through its co-processing technology, and alternative raw materials for its products to require less clinker.
Under the Environment pillar, the company reported that it withdrew 290 liters of fresh water per ton of cement produced in 2020. Holcim Philippines aims to lower this further to 262 liters per ton of cement by 2030 through efficiency initiatives and utilization of rainwater.
Finally, Holcim Philippines listed programs that uplift communities and partners under the People and Communities pillar.
Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading building solution companies in the country. The Company has a deep portfolio of innovative solutions fostered by a full range of products from structuring to finishing applications that can help local builders execute with high performance and efficiency a wide range of projects from massive infrastructure to simple home repairs.
To help you stay on track with your non-negotiable goals, it’s a good idea to write them down. It may seem deceptively simple, but experts have considered this to be very effective in achieving your ambitions. For each goal, be sure to add your reasoning, a game plan, and a timeline of when you want to accomplish them. This will help boost your motivation and help you stay focused. For example, if you’re planning to build a substantial amount for an emergency fund, know how much you want to set aside and for how long in order to reach your desired amount.
Each person has his or her own unique journey. So when it comes to fulfilling your goals, avoid making comparisons because that might only discourage you, especially when you feel someone has accomplished more. Trust your own pace and strive to stay focused on how you can improve yourself. Also, take valuable lessons from other people’s life experiences, such as TED Talk speakers, and apply them to your own journey if possible.
The highest level of integrity is achieved when you follow through with what you say you’re going to do. This is how successful people attract big opportunities — people trust that they’ll keep their word. But as you follow through on your promise to others, you must also stay true to the commitments you made to yourself. If you’re constantly putting off all your life goals, you’ll never bring them to fruition. Stick to what you say you’re going to do — pursue your goals, dreams, and ideas!
Too often, we are quick to abandon our goals and responsibilities to tend to other people’s needs. But remember, your dreams and goals are your own and no one can accomplish them but you. This means setting boundaries and knowing when to say yes and when to say no so you’re not constantly allowing others to lose sight of your own priorities. It’s good to help others, but be sure to put yourself first!
AXA Philippines continues to be your partner in helping you stay focused with the Target Date Fund, a Philippine peso-denominated fund that helps manage and grow your investment so you can achieve your long-term goals. With AXA’s expertise in fund management, you’re assured that your funds are taken care of amid changing market conditions.
Alibatta brings together the creative and technological expertise of three very talented musicians cum tech executives Geoff Mabasa, Adrienne Cajayon, and Charles Gener. 
The Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an essential fluid that lubricates the bearings and metal parts inside a car’s automatic gearbox. It also keeps them from grinding down as they move.
Meanwhile, Power Steering Fluid (PSF) is a kind of hydraulic fluid transferring power in modern vehicles with power steering. As a vital part of your steering system, power steering fluid allows drivers to turn the steering wheel smoothly. The use of PSF varies depending on the car with some requiring ATF to come along with it.
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