GCash dominates Philippine retail e-payment landscape with over 4,000 QRs deployed nationwide

GCash dominated the Philippine retail e-payment landscape in 2017 with over 4,000 QRs deployed nationwide, a testament to the growing number of merchants who believe in the capability of GCash to usher in cashless payments in the country.

A mobile wallet service offered by Mynt, a financial technology company owned by Globe Telecom, Ant Financial and Ayala Corp, GCash has been relentless in helping Filipinos get used to a cashless lifestyle and has been bullish in its vision to create an inclusive cashless environment in the Philippines. E-payments provide safety and convenience when shopping for goods and services as people need not carry around loads of cash anymore.

Grassroots program TM Basketball Para sa Bayan joins forces with LA Tenorio in 3 provinces

PBA three-time Most Valuable Player LA Tenorio staged TM Basketball Para sa  Bayan sports clinic for the benefit of underprivileged youth in Tuguegarao City. 

Globe Telecom through its grassroots sports program TM Basketball Para sa Bayan has teamed up once again with one of the country’s top athletes, L.A. Tenorio, in reaching out through basketball to underprivileged Filipino youth in Tuguegarao City; Porac, Pampanga and Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Globe and Tenorio, who runs Method Basketball Academy, held recently a free basketball clinic and tournament at People’s Gym in Tuguegarao City; Babo Sacan covered court in Porac, Pampanga and at the Talavera Municipal Gymnasium in Nueva Ecija.  Previous stagings of the free basketball clinic and tournament were held in Tondo and Dumaguete.

TM Basketball Para sa Bayan sports clinic in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

TM Basketball Para Sa Bayan, is a sports program that promotes sports development in the Philippines at the grassroots level. It creates opportunities for kids especially in far-flung places in the country where prospects are scarce and dreams aren’t likely to be realized.

Studies have shown that involving the youth in sports helps keep them away from drugs, not to mention open doors to better education opportunities. 

“We continue to strengthen our grassroots programs to give today’s youth more opportunities to hone their interests and talents. The TM Basketball Para sa Bayan program remains an effective tool in strengthening values and encouraging the youth to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Globe Director for Citizenship and Sustainability Chel Obligacion-Gray.

LA Tenorio shows a proper dribbling technique to a participant of the TM Basketball para sa Bayan sports clinic held recently in Porac, Pampanga. 

The free basketball clinic participants played in 3-on-3 basketball tournaments divided into two categories – a youth category for kids aged 9 to 14 and the open division for participants aged 15 to 21. Basketball shootouts and basketball arcade games were also available for everyone to enjoy.

The basketball program is set to roll out in more provinces nationwide to be able to encourage more kids to explore and be aware of the positive benefits of sports. TM Basketball Para Sa Bayan is a component of a larger sports program of Globe which also includes Football Para Sa Bayan launched in 2013.

GLOBE, PAL, MIAA spread cheer to arriving OFWs, tourists with special Christmas surprise

Globe Telecom’s International Business Group, together with Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) held a special Christmas surprise for arriving Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and tourists as a way to spread cheer and make them feel the spirit of the holiday season.

Passengers of PR 659 from Dubai to Manila who landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 were welcomed by representatives from MIAA, Globe and Philippine Airlines with heart-warming messages as soon as they disembarked the plane. 

The best surprise were waiting for them at the baggage carousel. Instead of their luggage, the carousel were filled with surprise treats for everyone. In the background, a lively Filipino Christmas tune was playing to create a festive atmosphere at the arrival hall. Santa Claus, on the other hand, had his huge sack filled with toys for the kids.

“Christmas is something that Filipinos love to celebrate together with their family and friends, thus, homecomings during this season becomes more meaningful. We at Globe, in collaboration with PAL and MIAA, wanted this occasion to be very special to returning Filipinos and to tourists alike to make them happier and for them to appreciate why Pasko is truly more fun in the Philippines,” said Mike Frausing, Senior Advisor for Globe International Business Group.

The surprise was in celebration of the first year partnership of Globe and PAL. Globe IBG has been giving away free Mabuhay Traveler SIM to all international PAL flight passengers which gives them 500 bonus Mabuhay Miles, free 300 MB of data and unlimited calls to Globe valid for one day, and 10% discount at selected Duty Free Philippines shop.

Globe and PAL are working together to be of service to more Filipinos in and out of the country with a common advocacy of delighting international visitors and returning Filipinos by giving them a wonderful experience every time they arrive in the Philippines.

AirAsia Wins Two Awards At 2017 World Travel Awards Grand Final

AirAsia has been named the World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline for the fifth year in a row at the 2017 World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final.

AirAsia emerged top in the category having received the highest votes from travel professionals and industry players from around the world, beating Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Ryanair, easyJet, Jetstar Airways, Norwegian Air, West Air, flydubai, Air Arabia, flynas, kulula, Mango and fastjet.

Asia’s largest low-cost carrier by passengers also won the inaugural World's Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew award, ahead of the same 13 budget airlines. The win builds on AirAsia's success earlier this year when it secured WTA’s first ever Asia's Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew award and in 2015, when it became the first ever low-cost carrier to win Asia's Leading Cabin Crew, ahead of full-service carriers like Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and Cathay Pacific.

AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer Siegtraund Teh and AirAsia senior cabin crew Rosita Sulaiman accepted the awards at a gala ceremony held at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay in Vietnam yesterday.

Also present were AirAsia Berhad Executive Chairman Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Berhad independent non-executive director Dato' Fam Lee Ee and AirAsia's Vietnam joint venture partner Tran Trong Kien.

AirAsia named World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline for fifth straight year and wins the inaugural World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew award

AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said, “I am very proud to stand here today to receive our fifth WTA World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline award in as many years. I’ve always said we are the world’s true low-cost champion, and I’m thrilled to see I’m not the only one and the industry agrees with me. And we will only get better as we continue on our digitalisation journey to better understand what our guests want and to make flying a richer, more enjoyable experience, as we continue to strive to provide world-class service at the lowest fares.”

AirAsia Group Cabin Crew Head Suhaila Hassan said, “An airline is only as good as its people, and we have some of the best. Two years ago, we were named Asia's Leading Cabin Crew by WTA, beating a field of full-service carriers. Since then, we’ve gone from strength to strength, winning the World's Leading Inflight Service award in 2016, Asia's Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew earlier this year and now, the first ever World’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew award by WTA. This shows our unwavering commitment to excellence and, as the world’s best low-cost carrier, we promise to continue delivering to our guests onboard the best experience money can’t buy.”

The World Travel Awards is one of the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought after awards programme in the global and tourism industry.

Established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality industries, the World Travel Awards brand is now recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Globe, Abojeb bring cheers to Seafarers this Holiday Season

Carl Martin Faannessen, Managing Director, Abojeb Company (2nd from left) and Mike Frausing, Senior Advisor, Globe International Business Group (2nd from right) together with Tom Wagan, AVP, Branding and Communications, Abojeb Company (left) and Jurist Gamban, VP, Strategic Marketing, Globe International Business Group (right)

Globe Telecom and Abojeb, a leading maritime solutions services and manpower provider, have initiated a stronger collaboration as part of their shared common advocacy to support more than 400,000 Filipino Seafarers working globally and their families at home.

In celebration of Abojeb’s 35th anniversary, Globe took part in Abojeb’s Job and Family Fair at the SMX Convention Center recently and will also join the nationwide Christmas party for Abojeb seafarers that will be held in Davao, Iloilo and Cebu.  The Christmas Party — with the theme “Stronger Together Since 1982: The Bayanihan Spirit Lives On”—is expected to attract over 2,000 guests from the four major cities.

The one-day Job and Family Fair brought together over a thousand seafarers and other Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), including their families, international ship owners and key service providers for the maritime industry.

Mike Frausing, Globe International Business Group Sr. Advisor said:  “Globe looks forward to working closely with Abojeb in providing innovative solutions that address the needs of Filipino seafarers and their families. We will leverage on the partnerships that we have built domestically and abroad to come up with services that enable the seafarers to nurture relationships and create meaningful connections with their loved ones.”

“It’s all about the connection between the seafarers and their families and loved ones. Globe and Abojeb share this view and we will work together to see how we can offer better and better services to these groups. The mobile revolution continues, with Globe and Abojeb in the forefront,” said Carl Martin Faannessen, Managing Director, Abojeb.

Globe International Business Group Sr. Advisor Mike Frausing speaking before the seafarers and their families

To help seafarers stay connected with their families at home, easing loneliness and bridging the distance between their loved ones, Globe recently rolled out the Globe Seafarer SIM which offers special roaming rates for calling and texting. The Globe Seafarer SIM has unique features designed for seafarer needs to call home for as low as P30 per minute and P10 per text while abroad to Globe numbers. The SIM which is valid for 1 year has a pre-activated international roaming feature and comes with free five (5) international text credits to Globe/TM numbers every month for 12 months from over 50 destinations.  

With this strengthened collaboration with Abojeb - composed of Jebsen Ship Management, Jebsens Maritime, Jebsens Orient Shipping Services, and Abojeb Manpower Solutions, Globe will soon be able to make it easier for seafarers to shop for their families in the Philippines through Sarisari.ph, the eGifting online channel that they can use to send instant eGifts to loved ones at home.

“We are aware of the pain points of our seafarers and their loved ones that is why we are continuously looking for ways to enable them.  We will also provide seafarers with a convenient way to shop for their families in the Philippines through Sarisari.ph which they can use to send instant gifts,” asserted by Jurist Gamban, VP for Strategic Marketing, Globe International Business Group.

Sarisari.ph is a virtual marketplace where overseas Filipinos can buy and instantly send eGifts from 170 plus brands in food, retail, health and wellness, travel and business services to their families anywhere in the Philippines through three channels: online, international retailers and remittance companies.   

GCash ‘Scan to Pay’ feature now at The SM Store nationwide

Manila, Philippines - GCash mobile wallet service announced today that its scan to pay feature  is now available at all SM Store nationwide and at the information booths of SM malls.

This development makes it more convenient for customers to do their shopping, especially this holiday season as shoppers can already easily pay for their purchases without the need to bring cash.

Using GCash scan to pay method is like a walk in the park. A customer with a smartphone only needs to either download or update to the latest version of the GCash App, create an account and fund the GCash wallet through cash-in centers located across the country. Once done, the customer just has to tap on Scan QR and point the phone’s camera at the item’s QR code to pay.

The SM  Store is the latest addition in a growing list of merchants which have embraced the GCash App scan to pay feature. Among the early adopters are Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City and Ayala Malls, particularly Glorietta.

Anthony Thomas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mynt, the financial technology company owned by Globe Telecom, Ant Financial, and Ayala Corp., said they have already begun the rollout of the QR code acceptance.

“We’re not installing a device but just a sticker with a QR code. The customer simply scans that sticker so no need for additional machines for transactions and there’s no cost to the machine but more benefits to the merchants. Cash is still convenient but there’s also the issue of security and handling. With GCash scan to pay feature, we’re bringing that down to the level where merchants can adapt,” Thomas explained.

With the addition of The SM Store, the use of the GCash scan to pay feature continues to gain support among the top malls and merchants in the country.

Other well-known merchants currently using the feature are the Max’s Group of restaurants, apparel brand Bench, and international brands specialty retailer Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI). Smaller sellers located at celebrity bazaar destination Noel Bazaar and in Mercato have also adopted this new cashless payment option.

Over the next few months, GCash will continue to aggressively roll out the use of the scan to pay feature in other locations nationwide to encourage more people to use it and enjoy its benefits.

Learn more about GCash by visiting www.gcash.com. Follow us on our social media channels: www.facebook.com/gcashofficial,www.twitter.com/gcashofficial, and www.instagram.com/gcashofficial.

Globe myBusiness Academy gathers online sellers and industry experts

Passion and mission key to success in digital marketing, experts maintain

Pursuing your passion and finding a niche market are key to successfully using digital marketing for your business. This is what experts at the Online Sellers’ Summit advised. The event, hosted by the Globe myBusiness Academy, was recently held at the Hole in the Wall food plaza of Century Mall in Makati. Online sellers at the summit were given tips to boost sales through digital innovations while those still toying with ideas were given clear directions.

According to Derrick Heng, Senior Advisor for Globe myBusiness, online sellers should seize opportunities in the new era of doing business where “digital is the new normal.”

Bearing in mind the following factors, Globe myBusiness offers innovations to optimize the operations of online sellers:

· Increased demand for personalization

Customers demand products and services that suit their needs and lifestyles. Lana Macapagal, marketing communications manager of AdSpark, says online sellers need to keep in mind that 80 per cent of the digital content should be about the consumers and the remaining 20 per cent about the products they sell. Digital marketing is about brand awareness, she explains, and sellers need to keep their content interesting and keep adjusting to the needs of the audience.

For better customer reach, Globe myBusiness offers digital solutions such as AutoSMS blast to inform subscribers of the companies’ promos. At the same time, Business Website Builder allows online sellers to create a website and online portal for business, using a web-based payment system. Shopify, one of Globe myBusiness’ solutions, for example, assures customers their online transactions are easy and secure.

· Rise of the omni-channel and online presence

Customers now spend more time researching online before they go to the malls or physical stores. Therefore, online sellers should use different platforms to provide customers a convenient shopping experience.

Paolo Lacuna, head of Business Development for Facebook Philippines says there are currently two billion Facebook users and this is expected to increase to 3.8 billion in 2018. This being said, Lacuna urges online sellers using Facebook as a platform to think of the market as a global market and sell products from abroad because these are the products preferred by clients. He discloses online sellers can earn as much as US$33,000 per week using Facebook Audience Insight Tool to build client base and promote products.

To improve customer engagement, online sellers can tap Globe digital innovations such as Queuing Solution, a service that allows business owners to better manage store traffic using an automated SMS-based queueing system; Rush Rewards a platform which enables business owners to create a digital punch card that rewards customers for every visit or purchase; and Auto Appointment reminder, which automatically notifies customers of their appointments through SMS.

· Automated Business Operations

Online sellers can now simplify operations by automating work processes and boost customer satisfaction. Globe myBusiness offers a line of solutions for better management including myShopkeeper to monitor inventory and sales, as well as a G-Suite app to manage salon, spa and store devices. The Canvas app also eliminates paper and uses digital forms for business.

· The Power of Customer Advocacy

Online sellers need to increase advertising through photos and powerful stories since clients take photos and do reviews establishments. Social entrepreneurs also have ways of turning passion into profit and marketing a ‘purpose driven’ brand.

Jen Horn, founder of MUNI, says digital marketing should also sell ideas such as zero-waste by buying less packaged food.

Jourdan Sebastian, head of Taclob foundation says disasters can be turned into opportunities. For example, he says, he assisted survivors of typhoon Yolanda to rise above their misfortune by helping them go into the bag business.

Ricca Del Rosario, head of Half The Price (HTP) fashion online store, says she used digital platforms to promote cheaper clothing and eventually ventured into fashion design.

For more information on Globe myBusiness’ solutions products,, visit the website at https://mybusiness.globe.com.ph/solutions/, call the hotline at 730-1010, or visit any Globe store.

DOT-VI to launch BHAF Program

In time for the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day, the Department of Tourism Region VI (DOT-VI) will launch the “Bring Home a Friend (BHAF)” Program today, November 24 at SM City Iloilo Cinema 6.

According to the 2015 report of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are 9.1 million OFWs. Meanwhile, Census of Population and Housing in 2010 accounted nearly 200,000 expatriates in the country.

Based on DOT 2016 Visitors Sample Survey, word-of-mouth plays a very big role in motivating tourist to visit the Philippines with 51.80% of tourists came to the Philippines upon their friend’s recommendation while 14.10% have friends or relatives in the country.

DOT’s BHAF Program primarily aims to encourage Filipinos both residing here and abroad to help promote Philippine tourism by inviting foreign friends to come and visit the Philippines.

Globe announces iVolunteer, Virtualahan as contingent in SingTel Group Regional Future Makers 2017

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu (center) together with Virtualahan and iVolunteer teams

Globe Telecom has announced the two social innovation startups that will represent the Philippines in the upcoming SingTel Group Regional Future Makers 2017 competition in Australia.

Philippine representatives iVolunteer and Virtualahan were among the five startups who won the first Globe Future Makers competition participated in by 135 groups and individuals.  They will join four other finalists from Singtel of Singapore and Optus of Australia in the regional competition. The finalists were chosen based on the potential of their solutions and business models in solving broader social issues across the region.  The winner of the competition will receive a funding from the Singtel Group of companies.

iVolunteer, which is run by a group of employees from different companies, aims to encourage Filipino volunteerism by becoming a platform that links individuals to small non-government organizations (NGO).

"This is something that came out of our own passion and experiences. And we thank Globe for supporting us.  With access to Globe, we now have a big marketing channel through SMS, data or Internet to promote volunteerism. Technology can really help us elevate the level of professionalism among volunteers, remind them that they signed up for this to show their commitment," said founder JB Tan.

Meanwhile, Virtualahan also received the Online Voter's Choice prize for garnering over 1,700 shares in social media.  Virtualahan is a learning platform for capacity building for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and those with medical conditions who have previously experienced employment discrimination. It also provides remote employment for digital startups.

Founder Ryan Gersava said:  “Globe comes in by providing the necessary technical support to help us deal with our challenges in delivering our services, optimizing the tech aspect, improving our e-learning platform, even cut other practices to save on costs by using different tools and expansion to help those with no access to the Internet.  With the support given to us by Globe, we can't help but feel confident and do our best.”

Kickstart Ventures, a wholly-owned venture capital subsidiary of Globe, provided 12 weeks of mentoring and workshop to the finalists. According to its president, Minette Navarrete, most of the Philippine startups that they see right now intend to effect social change and to improve and make things more equal and accessible.

"We're thrilled to be partnering with Ashoka Foundation and Globe for the Futuremakers: teams like iVolunteer and Virtualahan remind us that innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative partnerships are key to positive change towards a better future for all,” she said.

Globe Future Makers is a program aligned with the social innovation program of the Singtel Group of Companies for Asia Pacific. It aims to influence and build a whole ecosystem of social innovators who can help create a positive impact on society with the help of technology.

Globe, DepEd share successful partnership experience at EdTechXAsia Singapore Exemplifies 21st Century learning through Global Filipino Schools Program

Globe Citizenship Manager Miguel Bermundo
and DepEd Regional Director for Central Visayas Dr. Juliet Jeruta, represent the Philippines at EdTechXAsia Singapore

Globe Telecom and the Department of Education (DepEd) underscored the importance of public-private partnerships for public schools and how this efficiently drives the integration of information and communication technologies in the Philippine education system.

Globe and DepEd were among the speakers at the recently-concluded EdTechXAsia in Singapore with the theme  “21st Century Education and 21st Century Skills.”

In their presentation entitled “Public and Private Sector Collaborations in the Philippines,” the Globe-DepEd team detailed cases of successful and sustainable 21st century learning collaborations across the country which enhanced educational growth through various tools and techniques that use the digital learning platform.

Leading these collaborations is the Global Filipino School Program (GFS), Globe Telecom’s flagship program for public school education being implemented together with DepEd.  This long term partnership seeks to bridge the educational gap through the adoption and application of technology in public schools as well as promote it as a tool for learning in classrooms.

“Education and technology help us explore endless possibilities and bridge new discoveries,” said Dr. Juliet Jeruta, regional director of the Department Of Education regional office of Central Visayas. “It helps us draw the best from everyone.”

Miguel Bermundo, Manager of Globe Citizenship said:  “It is through partnerships like these that we can jointly make the most impact in increasing the quality of education in public schools.  For its part, Globe continues to commit itself to intensifying ICT education in the country to help transform the lives of  our youth by providing environments that enable learning through technology and allowing them to keep pace globally.”

The GFS Program offers a complete ICT package. It provides a collaborative learning space in a public schools that optimizes the use of ICT in schools. These hubs are equipped with mobile devices for learning such as tablets, virtual reality goggles and projectors as well as free internet connectivity to give teachers and students access to the program’s online learning solutions, including the GFS online library.

With the help of DepEd, the program also converts every GFS-equipped school into the city’s or province’s training hub, thereby creating an avenue for teachers in the area as well as neighboring provinces, to undergo trainings and workshops. The program is especially beneficial to teachers to help them optimize and integrate technology in everyday learning.

In a 2015 study by Taylor Nelson Sofres, results showed that the GFS program successfully improved digital skills among teachers and students, particularly in the usage of mobile technology and computer software. Likewise, there was an increase in student engagement in classroom activities as well as an enhanced school culture readiness in ICT integration.

The program started with one pilot school in Bohol in Region 7 which is known to be a strong advocate of ICT integration in the classroom and for applying 21st century learning techniques in the public school setting.  

At present, 142 schools from 16 out of 18 regions nationwide are already implementing the program, with a goal of having at least one GFS in all DepEd divisions by 2020

AirAsia Celebrates Asean’s Golden Jubilee by Giving Back to the Region

MANILA, 14 November 2017 - AirAsia has launched AirAsia Loves Asean, a series of initiatives focused on education, talent development and the economy to celebrate 50 years of Asean.

Air Asia Group CEO Tony Fernandes

AirAsia’s CreateCamp Search Reveals First Storyteller Grand Winner

Nationwide search showcases Filipino millennials skills in photography, videography,

and social media communications

Manila’s bet Paolo Garrido takes home over one-million pesos worth of prizes, free AirAsia trips, Nikon D5600 camera and much more!

irAsia has revealed the grand winner of its first-ever social media reality contest called #AirAsiaCreateCamp: The Search for the Next AirAsia Storyteller. Paolo Garrido from Mapua Institute of Technology bested four other finalists from Baguio, Cebu, and Iloilo and has been officially named member of AirAsia’s community of storytellers.

#AirAsiaCreateCamp is AirAsia’s social media reality search for young, aspiring, and creative individuals with photography and videography skills.  The competition aims to develop and empower young Filipino talents by providing mentorship programs and technical know-how.

After an initial judging period from over 500 entries, participants were narrowed down to 50 with select panel of judges declaring top 5 finalists in August based on creativity, originality, and quality of storytelling.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said, “Aside from the quality of work, admirable level of skills and creativity, we would like to emphasize the value of hard work, attitude, and passion among the youth. Paolo represents these values during the rigorous camp that took them from highlands to islands for one month period.”

Paolo Garrido from Mapua Institute of Technology, Raymond Baguilat from University of Baguio, Angela Cara Durano from De La Salle University in Cebu, and John Paul Saluba from University of Iloilo were among the top 4 contenders. They traveled to Bohol, Palawan, Tacloban, and the Cordilleras under the mentorship of AirAsia storytellers Patrick Martin, Kyrke Jaleco, Neila Lomotan, Ayen dela Torre, Rachel Halili, Javi Cang, Enzo Cruz, Benj Ramos and Paolo Cuarteron. Their final entries documenting their journey were shared in AirAsia’s social media platforms for public voting.

“AirAsia’s success story is about the power of a dream, a strong mindset, and an exciting history fueled by passion, creativity, and adventure. There are so many stories out there for everyone to discover, through #AirAsiaCreateCamp we are providing the platform for these young aspiring talents to shine,” Comendador added.

The grand winner received over 1million pesos worth of  prizes composed of AirAsia Philippines flights to domestic and international destinations, Apple Macbook Pro 13, Nikon D5600 camera,  fully sponsored three days two-night stay at Amorita Resorts in Bohol, and  is now an official member of AirAsia Storytellers community.

Keep updated with AirAsia’s CreateCamp search via #AirAsiaCreateCamp and #CreateCamp or go to www.airasiacreatecamp.com.