by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 26, 2019 | Advocacy
Filipinos who want to contribute to environmental preservation can now conveniently use an innovative mobile phone app to help plant trees and increase the Philippines’ forest cover.
Leading mobile wallet, GCash, Is introducing an exciting “green” feature on the app called GCash Forest, which lets subscribers plant virtual trees that will have real life counterparts. By the end of 365 days, GCash Forest aims to plant 365 thousand trees with the help of GCash subscribers.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Forest Management Bureau (FMB), the Philippines is losing 47,000 hectares of forest cover every year. The FMB also reported the need to rehabilitate 1.2 million hectares of forest lands by 2022 to prevent landslides, ensure water availability, and preserve biodiversity.
Anthony Thomas, Mynt CEO
“GCash Forest is about making it easier, more convenient, and even rewarding for everyone to take care of our environment for the benefit of future generations,” said Mynt CEO Anthony Thomas.
“GCash is no longer just providing an excellent platform for accessible financial products and services but also enabling Filipinos to be more active in responding to real-life issues, such as climate change mitigation through reforestation.”
GCash considers GCash Forest as a last mile initiative that fully recognizes the emergence of an all-digital Filipino lifestyle.
To implement its tree-planting initiatives, GCash Forest partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). The DENR will provide land resources in lpo Watershed, an essential component of the Angat-Umiray-Ipo watersheds system supplying 98 percent of Metro Manila’s water. WWF will be providing trees and manpower while BIOFIN will provide expertise on monitoring.
Thomas added that recent findings on the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate-related hazards call for greater collective action. Results of the Global Peace Index 2019 identified the Philippines as the most susceptible country to the adverse effects of climate change. By leveraging the GCash platform and scale, GCash Forest aims to rally a coalition of individuals, non-government organizations, and international organizations to meet its 2020 targets.
To plant trees through GCash Forest, GCash users need to collect “green energy” by frequently using the app. Users who get enough green energy can choose which species of trees they want to plant in a selected area at the lpo watershed. Once the trees are physically planted, users get to receive a certificate of ownership with a serial number, fun facts and updates on the growth of their trees on their GCash apps.
“Many Filipinos, especially the younger ones, care about the environment but a lot of them don’t know how they can actively take part in environmental protection. This is a barrier that GCash Forest addresses because they only need to use their smartphones-an already integral part of their daily lives-to make a difference,” concluded Thomas.
The new feature is inspired by Alipay Ant Forest, a product operates by Ant Financial, an Alibaba affiliate parent company of the world’s leading payments and lifestyle platform, Alipay. Via the mobile platform, more than 500 million users have planted 100 million real trees and advanced a shared vision of sustainable and inclusive development.
“The GCash Forest shows digital technology holds a huge power to mobilize people in support of sustainable development and the fight against climate change. And this power goes beyond border and is at our fingertips through our mobile devices,” said Yan Meng, Ant Financial’s Global Head of International Partnerships. “We’re more than happy to open up our technology and expertise to current and potential partners to make the world a better place.”
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 11, 2019 | Business
Leading mobile money platform, GCash, is looking for partners in Mindanao for its GCash for Good project – a pioneering corporate social responsibility program that enables Filipinos to donate to non-government organizations (NGOs) that champion worthy advocacies from education, environment to animal welfare among others.
This was announced yesterday by GCash VP for Corporate Communications Reyner Villaseñor in a press launch held in Park Inn Hotel in Davao City who said that GCash for Good is another big step to further develop the GCash app into a more socially relevant and sustainable platform that help addresses issues across different levels of society.
GCash, operated by operated by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), is well-equipped to become a springboard for donations to non-government organizations that champion various advocacies, thanks to its scale and innovative digital platform. Thus, the GCash executive is calling on all NGOs in Davao City and nearby cities and provinces to join the GCash for Good as their partners in spreading good to all.
GCash VP for Corporate Communications Reyner Villaseñor
“With GCash for Good, GCash users can use the GCash app to donate to various groups to create an impact on society. This allows GCash to be a more inclusive and open platform that will help create better opportunities for millions of Filipinos. I am calling on all our NGO friends in Davao region and in the whole of Mindanao to join us as we spread the power of good through GCash,” Villaseñor said.
For interested NGOs, some regulatory requirements need to be completed before becoming official GCash for Good partners to ensure the organizations are legitimate and the money donated cannot be abused.
The GCash for Good program currently involves 35 NGOs, which are included in the initial batch after completing their documentation requirements both from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Mynt before the program was launched. The program has already been launched in Manila and Cebu.
During the GCash for Good launch in Davao City, Villaseñor also disclosed that that people now prefer to donate online, as this removes the hassle of having to go through long queues and processes, giving them more time to focus on their daily lives.
He quoted a study by 2017 Global Trends in Giving which shows that 54 percent of individuals prefer to donate online, while the total volume of donations made online grew by a strong 12.1 percent.
Various researches also show a growing trend in micro-donations and crowdfunding, with sites like Patreon and Kofi gaining massive support. According to Tech’s Good, micro-donations range between $0.25 and $10. This kind of donations, although small at a time, can make a huge difference once added up.
“With innovative mobile money technology like GCash, people who want to do good are now empowered with a more efficient experience. Any amount will create huge opportunities for organizations that forward different issues. With GCash for Good, users will also have direct access to where their donations go. It showcases a more transparent ad user-friendly interface for anyone to access,” Villaseñor stressed.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 29, 2018 | Female Empowerment
Nearly 500 participants gathered for the 3rd Women’s Summit recently organized by Viviamo! Inc., the company behind Belle De Jour (BDJ) Power Planner.
3rd women’s summit audience
With the theme “Women Redefined”, this year’s event aimed to equip millennials with encouraging messages from strong female role models who are redefining the society’s standards for women.
Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo, President of Viviamo Inc.
“Our society has constantly bombarded today’s women – especially the millennials – with unrealistic standards regarding beauty and career, making it hard for them to find themselves and lead an authentic life. Through the Women’s Summit, Viviamo! Inc. hopes to empower them as they pursue fulfillment while being true to their identity,” shared BDJ founder Darlyn Ty-Nilo.
At the summit, guests were treated to inspiring talks and fun activities at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier. The day began with a keynote speech by Ty-Nilo, who talked about the importance of claiming one’s success.
“To own up to your success is not a form of bragging, rather a means to realize that all the sweat and tears that you put into your job are making a difference,” she said, adding, “Women should learn to acknowledge their achievements so that they can inspire others to reach for their dreams.”
Resilient Females
From L-R: Host Janeena Chan; president of Viviamo, Inc. Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo; PinoyAkoBlog.com author Jover Laurio; co-founder and CTO of Cropital Rachel De Villa; and Viviamo Inc. marketing manager Allyssa Legaspi at the 3rd Women’s Summit held last March 11, 2018, at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura.
Rachel de Villa, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Cropital, a multi-awarded crowdfunding platform for Filipino farmers
Meanwhile, Rachel de Villa, co-founder and chief technology officer of Cropital, opened the first plenary session entitled Resilient Females, which focused on overcoming one’s circumstances and maximizing one’s blessings.
De Villa shared that she has always considered herself a problem solver, so she developed Cropital when she found the opportunity to help Filipino farmers access financial support. Through Cropital, anyone can provide farmers with funds for proper equipment and training from agriculture experts.
Jover Laurio, author of pinoyakoblog.com
For her part, PinoyAkoBlog.com owner Jover Laurio continues to publish critical articles on the country’s political situation, despite the relentless cyberbullying and death threats. Laurio has drawn flak for being outspoken in her fight against fake news.
Her story moved many people in the audience (and continued to receive ridicule from several people on social media). It isn’t just fake news. Her outspokenness about her political views and her chutz-pah in going after political figures, big and small, have landed her in the proverbial hot water more times than she could count. But she always stood by her convictions.
Courageous Females
From L-R: Host Janeena Chan; president of Viviamo, Inc. Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo; Singer, TV host and Alopecia Areata advocate Abby Asistio, airine pilot Blu Bingoy; and Viviamo Inc. marketing manager Allyssa Legaspi at the 3rd Women’s Summit held last March 11, 2018, at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura.
At the second plenary dubbed Courageous Females, resource speakers talked about living their authentic selves and defying expectations regarding women’s roles in the society.
Blu Pingoy, Cebu Pacific Air pilot
Blu Pingoy, for instance, courageously pursued her dream of becoming a pilot, a job usually taken on by males. With her persistence, Pingoy became one of the first few female commercial pilots in the country.
Abby Asistio, singer, songwriter, host, and Alopecia Awareness advocate
Meanwhile, singer-songwriter and alopecia areata awareness advocate Abby Asistio did not allow the society’s standards to define her.
As someone who suffered from alopecia or hair loss at an early age, she encouraged women to embrace their uniqueness and get over their insecurities.
“Even if society says kailangan long hair para maging girly ka, eh hindi ako long-haired eh. Dapat manggaling sa sarili ko na, okay lang kahit hindi long hair, maganda pa ako with short hair. Just be open to embracing your own uniqueness.”
During her talk, she showed this video to the audience to show us her struggle with alopecia and fitting in and wearing wigs for most of her life.
She ended her talk by singing this song to the audience live and, at some point, unplugged.
What an inspiration.
Resourceful Females
From L-R: Host Janeena Chan; president of Viviamo, Inc. Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo; Sinaya cup founder and owner Audrey Tangonan; Rumarocket, Inc. owner Kathleen Yu; and Viviamo Inc. marketing manager Allyssa Legaspi at the 3rd Women’s Summit held last March 11, 2018, at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura.
Aside from promoting resilience and courage, the summit also stressed the value of paving one’s path and sustaining success in the third plenary session called Resourceful Females, featuring businesswomen Audrey Tangonan and Kathleen Yu.
Audrey Tangonan, Founder and Managing Director of menstrual cups business called ‘Sinaya Cups’
Starting a business is risky, but Sinaya Cup founder Audrey Tangonan persevered because she believed that her idea can genuinely improve people’s lives. Now, her menstrual cup business has attained massive success locally and internationally.
Kathleen Yu, Founder of Rumarocket, Inc. a Manila-based tech start-up that uses assessments and predictive analytics to help companies find and develop their IT talents
Kathleen Yu, the owner of Manila-based tech start-up Rumarocket Inc., also shared the moving story of her business.
From the initial failures, Kathleen resolved to learn from mistakes and bounce back. “As long as I was alive, I could always change and grow and learn and become different,” she said.
These speakers’ thoughts echo the women’s advocacy of Belle De Jour, which has always aimed to empower modern Filipina women by equipping them with knowledge, confidence, and self-appreciation. As Ty-Nilo explains, “We hope to help build a world where women are bound not by societal expectations, but by their vision of who they really want to be.”
The 3rd BDJ Women’s Summit was co-presented by Chinoy TV, Lipault, and Sun Life Financial. Major sponsors include Food Panda, Modess, Wacoal, GCash, Style Genie, Biore, Caronia, Celeteque, Cinnabon, Fitness Gourmet, Jergens, Jollibee, Kipling, Liese, MegRhythm, Parisian Shoes and Bags, Serenitea, Zenutrients, Features and Shades, and Award Extremes Inc.
Ace Water Spa, Chef Tony, Frankie’s, Goldilocks, and McDonald’s provided loot bags and raffle prizes, while Adobo Magazine, Rappler, and When in Manila served as media partners.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 2, 2017 | Discounts, Sales, and Giveaways, Travel
To stay on top of their game Grab has come up with some innovations to their services that patrons are sure to appreciate and enjoy.
Various payment options
In the past the only way to pay for Grab rides was via cash or credit card. Late 2016 they renamed their payment feature into GRABPAY and provided more payment options, such as:
- cash
- credit card
- debit card
- top-up credits
Top-up credits means you can reload your Grab account through online banking or via ATM.
Maybe someday they will also accept payments from GCash and Smartmoney 🙂
Live phone support
Whenever we have problems with our ridesharing app or service don’t we wish we could call someone? Sure email works but response takes too long!
Thankfully Grab now has Phone support. This means that we can call them if we have any issues we want addressed immediately instead of having to wait for an email. Hooray! Good work, Grab!
Grab rewards
Loyalty cards are now all the rage and Grab has introduced its own in-app version. Grab gives their riders more reasons to keep using Grab.
The more trips you take the more points you make! Grab now rewards it’s riders with free trips when you reach a certain number of points.
Not only that but, in addition, Grab riders also get discounts and freebies from their partners such as:
- Agoda
- Althea
- Flexiroam
- Fraser Place
- KFC
- Mister Donut
- Mrs. Fields’s
- Tokyo Tokyo
- Travelbook
- Zalora
Personally, I am quite likely to use the food rewards first. 😀
You can also check out how man points you’ve already made and how many points you need to reach a specific level. The levels they offer are SILVER, GOLD, AND PLATINUM.
Points are earned with every transaction you make with whatever Grab service you use.
For example, I booked Grabshare from my house to work and after the trip ended I received an alert that I now have an additional 38 rewards points. It’s that easy!
At the left are my rewards points. As you can see I still have a long way to go. To avail of even the P50 discount I need 600 points.
Grab offers its patrons an experience beyond the ride. Grab offers a lifestyle. Use my code to join Grab now: https://invite.grab.co/BFCC24
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Dec 4, 2016 | Stories
The Bayad Center is probably one of the most visited businesses that does not sell anything. The Bayad Center is a Meralco Company … it is a payment and remittance center that most Filipinos trust. Our country couldn’t stress enough how Filipinos Overseas have helped our economy. In 2014, Overseas Pinoys reach a record high remittance of $26.9 Billion. This solid stream of remittances has played a major role in the country’s economy through the years thanks to our kababayans abroad.
Overseas remittance does not only help the economy in general but also help improve the quality of living of their recipients, hence, we consider our Kababayans abroad as our modern day heroes.
BAYAD CENTER with the advantage of technology and innovation wants to applaud and honor these overseas Pinoys with a service that would enable them to do seamless transactions in aid of their families and loved ones in the country.
BAYAD CENTER Online will allow not just overseas Pinoys but also those who rely on e-commerce in paying their bills. Transactions are made easier and faster via this web-based facility. Overseas Pinoys can access www.international.bayadcenteronline.com, whereas domestic customers can transact thru www.domestic.bayadcenteronline.com.
BAYAD CENTER is the Philippines’ pioneer and leader in the bills payment collection industry backed by Meralco‘s seal of service and integrity. It accepts 170 types of bills in its system, covering Electricity, Water, Landline, Internet and Cable.
Bayad Center Online can be accessed on all devices with internet access
Aside from home or office based computers, consumers can also view and do their transactions using their mobile phone 24/7 as long as they have a valid email account and an internet service. Payments are transacted thru Paypal and are accepting all major credit/debit cards.
This service also aims to override the limited operating hours of remittance centers that often creates a hassle.
Consumers will benefit from easier record keeping as a receipt will be sent thru email both from Paypal stating that your card has been charged as well as an email from Bayad Center stating that your payment has already been posted.
With BAYAD CENTER, every Filipino, wherever they may be, can always be assured of #TatakSigurado! This is a testament of millions of Filipinos using the service. Paying bills has never been easier.
Who is the target market?
International market
BC Online primarily caters to Overseas Filipino Workers and Residents who send money to pay for utility bills, but end up sending more because funds are often misused for other things. This growing concern prompted Bayad Center to develop this platform.
Domestic market
BC Online also caters to Filipinos in the country who wish to use the Bayad Center facility, but prefers to pay their bills in the comfort of their homes or offices. Paying through BC Online is the same as paying directly to the business center.
What type of bills are accepted?
More than 170 types of bills are accepted in the BC Online Facility. From basic utility bills to tuition fees and online shopping payments, BC Online brings the Bayad Center one-stop shop promise to the digital space.
- cable internet
- Aclans Cable Network
- Asian Vision
- Batangas CATV
- Cable Link: Pateros, Manila, Quezon, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Malabon, Navotas, San Juan, Makati, Mandaluyong, Cainta, Biñan, Bacoor, Taguig, Imus, Pasay, Pasig
- Colorview CATV
- Crown Asia
- Destiny Cable
- Digitel
- Excelite CATV Batangas
- iBlaze
- Infocom
- JM Cable Network
- Met Cable
- My CATV
- Northstar Cable
- Pilipino Cable Corporation
- PLDT MyDSL
- Plus Cable
- Quezon CATV
- Sky Cable
- Sky Internet
- Subic CATV
- Sun Broadband Wireless
- Tayabas Resources Ventures
- Wesky Cable Networks
- Verdant Cable
- electricity
- Albay Batelec 2
- Balamban Enerzone
- Benguet Electric (BENECO)
- Davao Light
- Ilocos Norte Electric (INEC)
- Iloilo 1 Electric (ILECO 1)
- Iloilo 2 Electric (ILECO 2)
- Leyte 2 Electric (LEYECO 2)
- Mactan Enerzone
- Meralco
- Meralco Prepaid
- Pampanga 2 Electric (PELCO 2)
- Pangasinan 1 Electric (PANELCO 1)
- Pangasinan 3 Electric (PANELCO 3)
- Subic Enerzone
- Tarlac 1 Electric (TARELCO 1)
- Tarlac 2 Electric (TARELCO 2)
- Visayan Electric (VECO)
- memorial plans
- Eternal Gardens Memorial Park
- Eternal Plans
- Manila Memorial Park
- online shopping
- real estate
- Bria Homes
- Brittany
- Camella Homes
- Carissa Home
- Extraordinary Development Corporation
- First Advance
- Lumina
- Micaza Properties
- telephone bills
- ABS-CBN Mobile
- Clarktel
- Digitel
- Globe
- Innove Product
- Maratel Inc.
- PILTEL
- PLDT MyDSL
- Smart
- Subic Telecom
- Sun Cellular
- tuition fees
- water
- Baliwag Water District
- BP Waterworks Inc.
- First Peak: Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu
- Goodhands Water Specialist
- Happy Well Management
- Laguna Water
- Manila Water
- Marilao Water District
- Maynilad
- Meycauayan Water District
- Micaza
- Norzagaray Water District
- Primewater: South, North, Lemery, Lingayen, San Carlos Pangasinan, San Pedro Laguna, Paniqui, Camiling, La Union, Sorsogon
- Primewater Basic Enterprises
- San Jose Water
How do we pay?
Initially, BC Online accepts any type of Credit Card as mode of payment. Soon, the facility will allow the use of Debit Cards and Electronic Wallets such as GCash and SmartMoney for settlement.
When will payments be posted?
Consistent with the Bayad Center over-the-counter experience, posting of payments is within 24 hours, if not real-time, mainly due to Bayad Center’s direct partnership with each Biller Partner.
What are their rates?
BC Online charges the customer with a merchant discount rate of 3.6% of the amount to be paid, which is common for card payments.
There is also a minimal system fee of Php 1.00 for Domestic transactions, and Php 20.00 for transactions made abroad.
How can Bayad Center Online be accessed?
The Bayad Center Online can be accessed through www.bayadcenteronline.com, with no minimum bandwidth required. This means that the facility was built to consider the slowest internet connection from the most remote area, and from varying displays like desktop, tablets, and smartphones. As this is an online facility, BC Online is available 24 hours a day, any day of the week, globally.
About Bayad Center
BAYAD CENTER is the pioneer and leader in bills payment services, accepting over 200 types of bills in its multi-channel payment platform. Powering more than 5,000 payment locations nationwide including major malls, supermarkets, courier services, remittance outlets, and other establishments, BAYAD CENTER has become the most trusted brand in bills payment, offering a reliable, hassle-free experience of paying bills in one-stop.
Aside from its over-the-counter payment channel, BAYAD CENTER also introduced the Touchpay Machine – an Automated Payment Machine strategically located in Biller Offices, Business Process Outsourcing institutions, Vertical Residential Developments, Drugstores, Gas Stations, and other Commercial Establishments.
BAYAD CENTER has likewise released its own POS Machine, the Bayad Center Retail Machine, enabling community-based, neighborhood establishments like sari-sari stores, barbershops, carwash, etc. to accept payments and other services. Click here to view the list of available physical outlets of Bayad Center.
CIS Bayad Center, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and a member of the MVP Group of Companies.
Leading mobile wallet, GCash, Is introducing an exciting “green” feature on the app called GCash Forest, which lets subscribers plant virtual trees that will have real life counterparts. By the end of 365 days, GCash Forest aims to plant 365 thousand trees with the help of GCash subscribers.
In the past the only way to pay for Grab rides was via cash or credit card. Late 2016 they renamed their payment feature into GRABPAY and provided more payment options, such as:
Whenever we have problems with our ridesharing app or service don’t we wish we could call someone? Sure email works but response takes too long!
Loyalty cards are now all the rage and Grab has introduced its own in-app version. Grab gives their riders more reasons to keep using Grab.
You can also check out how man points you’ve already made and how many points you need to reach a specific level. The levels they offer are SILVER, GOLD, AND PLATINUM.
Aside from home or office based computers, consumers can also view and do their transactions using their mobile phone 24/7 as long as they have a valid email account and an internet service. Payments are transacted thru Paypal and are accepting all major credit/debit cards.
BC Online primarily caters to Overseas Filipino Workers and Residents who send money to pay for utility bills, but end up sending more because funds are often misused for other things. This growing concern prompted Bayad Center to develop this platform.
BC Online also caters to Filipinos in the country who wish to use the Bayad Center facility, but prefers to pay their bills in the comfort of their homes or offices. Paying through BC Online is the same as paying directly to the business center.
Initially, BC Online accepts any type of Credit Card as mode of payment. Soon, the facility will allow the use of Debit Cards and Electronic Wallets such as GCash and SmartMoney for settlement.
BC Online charges the customer with a merchant discount rate of 3.6% of the amount to be paid, which is common for card payments.
BAYAD CENTER is the pioneer and leader in bills payment services, accepting over 200 types of bills in its multi-channel payment platform. Powering more than 5,000 payment locations nationwide including major malls, supermarkets, courier services, remittance outlets, and other establishments, BAYAD CENTER has become the most trusted brand in bills payment, offering a reliable, hassle-free experience of paying bills in one-stop.
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