More than 3.5 million Filipinos now support GCash Forest

“This is the best thing that GCash Forest can ask for, especially since June officially represents the start of tree planting season in the Philippines. We continue to see encouraging support from more GCash users, who are now using their apps to support the cause for the environment. GCash is not just a digital financial services provider. We have always been mindful of the power of our platform, hence we implement various corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs such as GCash Forest. We believe that through GCash Forest, we will be able to help the Philippine forests to thrive once more and prevent the further denuding of our precious environmental treasures.” ~Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO

Celebrating its first anniversary last June 25, GCash Forest aims to plant 365,000 virtual trees that turn to actual trees. This is part of the company’s commitment to helping take initiatives that can have a great impact on our environment. After planting a total of 4,200 trees as of the end of 2019, WWF will resume the project this month. Since June marks the beginning of the rainy season in the Philippines, this also means that it is the best time for tree-planting.

Not even the global threat of the COVID-19 pandemic can stop advocates from saving planet Earth, as the number of GCash Forest Green Heroes recently hit an all-time high of 3 million users.

GCash Forest is a feature in the GCash app that allows people to plant and grow trees through their smartphones, each one having true to life counterparts in the Ipo Watershed within the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve in Norzagaray, Bulacan. This watershed is a major source of water supply to Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces.

This is a joint endeavor with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Biodiversity Finance Initiative Philippines (BIOFIN) to help restore Philippine forests, given that the country loses forest cover at an alarming rate of 47,000 hectares per year. Experts believe that without intervention, the country’s forests will disappear by 2036.

GCash Forest lets users earn points by converting the amount of carbon emission avoided into “green energy points” whenever they do activities that leave fewer carbon footprints. Upon saving enough green energy points, GCash users can select a native tree to plant in the Ipo Watershed. A stamp will show up on their tree certificates once WWF plants the trees.

“At WWF, our mission is to stop, and eventually reverse the accelerating degradation of the Philippine environment – to build a future where Filipinos live in harmony with nature. Through our partnership with GCash, we are able to tap the power of technology to encourage more Filipinos to be more mindful of the environment. We are encouraged by this development and we look forward to planting more trees with GCash Forest Green Heroes.” ~Joel Palma, WWF PH Executive Director

For example, if a GCash user walks instead of taking a ride to their destination, they can earn up to 276g. GCash Forest also rewards users for resorting to cashless transactions for their daily errands such as paying bills, buying load, or making bank transfers.

After a successful year for GCash Forest, green energy points can now be redeemed after 3 days from earning them instead of the previous 24-hour deadline to afford users more time to collect them. New species of trees are also available which are more "affordable" than Yakal.

More than tree planting, the main thrust of this campaign is to rehabilitate the watershed to secure supply of water for Metro Manila, maximize the benefits of the fully-grown trees to the biodiversity in the Ipo Watershed which includes reducing erosion, increasing groundwater recharge, mitigating pollution, and providing livelihood opportunities for the community.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

Safety and Accessibility at the Core of McDonald's in the New Normal

“Quality, service, safety, cleanliness, and value have always been part of McDonald’s philosophy when it comes to operating its restaurants. As we continue to bring feel-good moments for Filipinos in the new normal. We constantly strengthen all our practices and protocols for our customers, employees, and partners.” ~Mr. Kenneth Yang, President and CEO McDonald’s Philippines

At McDonald's "New Normal" they're very extra careful. They always follow strict global McDonald's standards for food quality, safety, and cleanliness. They also comply with government guidelines.

McDonald's Guiding Principles

• Protecting the people
• Protecting the brand
• Protecting the business

As the country remains under quarantine and as consumers continue to be extra careful with their safety, McDonald’s Philippines remains committed to finding ways for Filipinos to continue enjoying their McDonald’s favorites, in the restaurant as well as in their homes.

With the recent resumption of dine-in services, McDonald’s Philippines has shared how they have elevated their commitment to quality, service, safety, and cleanliness with stringent policies for both their customers and employees. 

Given the current situation, they have developed their own M SAFE Program. They make sure their people are safe and healthy to serve their customers. All their employees in every restaurant wear face masks or face shields, and gloves. They're required to perform temperature checks before and after their shifts, accomplish a daily health check form, handwash every 30 minutes, and practice couching etiquette. 

The company has also released a video on its M Safe Program, featuring their President and CEO, Kenneth Yang.

Mr. Kenneth Yang, President and CEO McDonald’s Philippines

For their customers, they manage the number of people that enter the store. They make sure everyone wears a face mask upon entry. They ask them to sanitize their hands and disinfect their footwear, and they perform temperature checks. For customers entering the restaurant, a health check form is required. When inside the restaurant physical distancing is practiced in all areas. Customers are guided where it is safe to sit through table markers. as an extra precaution, they will do table service to avoid any crowding in the claim area. They make sure that all other areas of the store, including the kitchen, are always clean and safe. Their self-order kiosks are cleaned after every use. 

To ensure that everybody complies with these safety measures, they have assigned a dedicated Safety Manager in every store. They also go the extra mile by offering hand sanitizers to customers every 30 minutes.

At McDonald's Drive-Thru and for McDelivery they follow a No-Touch policy. They also sanitize their delivery bags before and after each delivery. Every order comes with a note indicating the temperature of both the rider and the person who prepared the food.

“While we have reopened our doors for dine-in, and as we gain the confidence of our consumers with our elevated measures, we also acknowledge that a large population of Filipinos still choose to eat at home. Because of this, the omnichannel approach that we have prioritized since 2011 has become very relevant today in making our products more accessible to consumers while ensuring their safety. With the introduction of the M Group Selections and our no-touch channels, we are hopeful that our consumers will be able to satisfy their cravings at the comfort and safety of their homes. We will continue to find ways to delight our consumers as we navigate through the new normal.” ~Margot B. Torres, Managing Director of McDonald’s Philippines

More ways to safely enjoy McDonald’s favorites

Committed to ensuring the safety of customers while making their meals more accessible, McDonald’s constantly introduces digital innovations to continue providing delicious food and feel-good moments to consumers.

As a forerunner in digital transformation among quick-service restaurants, McDonald’s introduces a new ordering channel. With Facebook Messenger chatbot, consumers can conveniently place their orders online. Through this initiative, McDonald’s allows an enhanced customer experience as they are able to place their orders ahead, schedule delivery or pick up at a designated time and the preferred branch that is convenient for them.

The brand has also introduced Park, Order, and Pay in some stores wherein customers will just park, order from a McDonald’s crew without leaving the car, pay, and wait for their order to be brought to them.

M Group Selections is another new offer that allows small groups to celebrate with McDonald’s food at a good value, available via McDelivery, Drive-Thru, Pick up or Take Out. With this initiative, customers are able to mix and match from the five (5) Group Selections food products depending on their preference and budget. Included in the offers such as:

• World Famous French Fries
• Best Tasting Chicken McDo (original and spicy)
• Chicken McNuggets
• McSpaghetti
• Plain rice

At McDonald's Drive-Thru and for McDelivery they follow a No-Touch policy. They also sanitize their delivery bags before and after each delivery. Every order comes with a note indicating the temperature of both the rider and the person who prepared the food.

At the same time, McDonald’s continues to be available and accessible through platforms such as McDelivery, GrabFood, and FoodPanda. Check out delicious deals and other special offers through its McDonald’s app available on Android and iOS.

To better improve its safety protocols, McDonald’s also encourages customers to send their feedback at msafe@ph.mcd.com and they will make sure that they will attend to it. At McDonald's, they keep their people safe, so you stay safe.

McDonald's will continue to serve every Filipino safely with a smile even if with a mask. Sa McDo, they make sure their employees are safe, para safe rin kayo palagi. McDonald's No-Touch delivery is the new norm!

McDonald's will continue to serve every Filipino safely with a smile even if with a mask. Sa McDo, they make sure their employees are safe, para safe rin kayo palagi. McDonald's No-Touch delivery is the "New Normal"!

love ko to'

McDonald’s Philippines master franchise holder, Dr. George T. Yang, opened the first McDonald’s store in Morayta, Manila in 1981. Since then, McDonald’s in the Philippines has been a strong and relevant player in the country’s quick service restaurant industry, having grown a store network of 669 across the country. McDonald’s Philippines continues to elevate its community relevance thru Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen in reponse to covid-19 crisis.

Dreamworks Announces Channel Premiere of The Baby Boss: Back In Business on July 16.

DreamWorks – NBCUniversal International Networks’ 24-hour channel dedicated to kids and family entertainment – today announces the channel premiere of The Boss Baby: Back in Business. The new series brings a colorful mix of happy chaos, family love, and heroism to the small screen. The series will premiere on the DreamWorks channel from Monday, July 6 at 6:30pm (PHT).

Following on from where the blockbuster movie left off, the new animated series follows practical and savvy salesman Boss Baby, and his idealistic, imaginative and naive older brother, Tim, on a variety of exciting neighborhood missions to save the baby world.

With the help of his big brother, and partner in crime, Boss Baby navigates the cut-throat corporate jungle gym of Baby Corps to keep babies on top of the love distribution charts, while angling to achieve the near-impossible: a work-life balance.

Although Boss Baby’s hardened corporate perspective serves him well, his brother Tim is the muscle on field ops but doesn’t always think things through – he’s a regular kid living life with gusto and the belief there’s no dream that can’t come true. 

Executive produced by Brandon Sawyer (Penguins of Madagascar), the much-loved TV series will bring episodes loaded with laughter, mischief, and adventure. The Boss Baby: Back in Business will join a line-up of fan-favorite shows on DreamWorks, including the recently released series Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny and Where’s Wally?, in addition to Trolls: The Beat Goes On!, Dragons: Race to the Edge, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, and All Hail King Julien.

The Boss Baby: Back in Business premieres July 6 with episodes at 6:30pm (PHT) weekdays on DreamWorks.

Card payment partners charge 2.58% convenience fee for GCash cash-in via MasterCard/VISA bank card

“We at GCash have always provided the most convenient, safe, and affordable financial services in the country. We aim to keep it that way despite the recent increases in charges implemented by our card payment partners. We would like to assure you that GCash does not earn a single centavo from the direct charges implemented by our payment partners. Even with this soon-to-be-implemented minimal charges, GCash will continue to provide the best-in-class services that Filipinos have come to love over the past decade. We will continue to be more innovative and proactive in developing safe, secure, and affordable financial services and tools so that more Filipinos can maximize the benefits of digital finance.” ~Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO 

The card payment partners of GCash will charge a minimal convenience fee of 2.58 percent for cash-in via MasterCard/VISA bank card services starting July 6, 2020. The fee is a direct charge of payment partners.

The convenience fee will be computed and will be stated in the GCash app for each cash-in via bank card transaction. For instance, a customer cashes in P100 in his GCash wallet. The convenience fee would be P2.58, for a total amount of P102.58 charged to the card.

The fee is still lower than other mobile wallets, which charge a flat rate of P30 for cash-in transactions below P1,000. GCash also provides other cash-in methods that are totally FREE, such as cash-in via linked BPI or UnionBank accounts or through a bank app or website powered by InstaPay.

GCash account holders that cash-in via their MasterCard/VISA bank cards may check their transaction histories on the GCash app or may download their transaction histories through their nominated e-mail addresses.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.

Nook, Philippines’ First Mortgage Broker backs up by Former HSBC Head of Mortgages

“For board members like me, Nook is an opportunity to bring lessons learned during the growth years of mortgage broking in Australia as it became established as the number one way to apply for a home loan in the country. It’s like a ‘do over’ for us which is a great boost to Nook as it looks set to replicate history and establish mortgage broking in the Philippines. We realized that there is indeed a sizeable number of Filipinos who would pursue their dreams of buying a home if the process were quicker, easier and more simple. This is the problem that Nook solves.”  ~Steve Martinelli, Former HSBC Head of Mortgages

Nook, the first and only online mortgage broker in the Philippines that helps Filipinos be a step closer to their dream homes. The fintech has already tapped some of the biggest banks in the country for its lending panel as it moves fast to capture market share and change the way the country applies for home loans.  

Former HSBC Head of Mortgages, Steve Martinelli, has backed fintech, Nook, the Philippines’ first mortgage broking firm. He joins other top banking executives along with Australian entrepreneur, Chris Elder, as the group capitalizes on the growing yet underserved markets of South East Asia.

As an emerging market, the Philippines has one of the highest GDP growth rates in the region and strong residential real estate loan growth which makes it the ideal location for the firm to expand from. The fintech has already tapped some of the biggest banks in the country for its lending panel as it moves fast to capture market share and change the way the country applies for home loans. 

According to a survey done by New Perspective Media Group in 2019, property assets remain the top investment choice for most Filipinos who are still considering property as an investment in the country, specifically in locations such as Metro Manila, and outer areas such as Cavite and Laguna.

“Having Steve join the firm is a big win for Nook. His distinguished career and seasoned experience will help to accelerate Nook’s growth, as well as secure future investment capital.” ~Chris Elder, Nook Founder, and Chief Executive Officer

A 25-year veteran of the mortgage lending industry, Martinelli was also a former executive at Aussie Home Loans where he served as GM for Distribution and Operations. Aussie Home Loans, Australia’s largest mortgage broking firm where Steve served as part of the senior team during its fast-growth years. He was also a Foundation Director for General Motors’ financial ‘startup’ GMAC-RFC and was COO and Head of New Zealand for Bluestone Asset Management.

Nook is streamlining the home loan process in a country that has traditionally been very manual in its loan application process. It’s a throwback to a previous era in countries like Australia.

Demonstrating the market’s need for alternative housing loan services, Nook saw a large spike in new housing loan applications and inquiries during the pandemic lockdown period. Nook offered one of the very few ways people could still move ahead with a housing loan in the Philippines during the community quarantine, showing how technology can truly be transformative and enabling for consumers. Using Nook, a potential borrower can find a suitable housing loan and receive assistance throughout the application process – all done virtually and for free.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has damaged large parts of economies around the world, the pandemic has actually been ideal timing for Nook as the country quickly moves to adopt technology and looks for easier and safer ways to complete daily life. Although the firm is looking to establish more offline channels through corporate partnerships, the shift to digital in the country has definitely been a boost to the company.

For Nook, the backing of more experienced executives strengthens its future growth plans. The company states that it has grown tremendously since its launch at the beginning of the year, a testament to the conveniences of the home loan service it brings.

For more details, visit Nook’s official website at www.nook.com.ph or advisors Alamat Capital – www.alamatcapital.com.

Treat your family with rolls of Mentos at 50% OFF (single roll), Available in Shopee

Did you know that dropping a Mentos in a bottle of soda really causes an eruption? This reaction is caused by a process called "nucleation" wherein the carbon dioxide in the soda is attracted to tiny bumps on the candy, which creates bubbles. Since the dragee sinks to the bottom of the bottle, it reacts with a large amount of soda, creating a powerful foam that causes an eruption.

Did you also know that you can enjoy soda without drinking a glass of it, instead of just chewing? Yes because Mentos has it in Soda Kick flavor. You can load up on mints at a lower cost in Shopee on July 14 with special discounts and promos for Mentos products on that day. 

Product Description of Mentos Soda Kick Roll

• Mentos Soda Kick Dragee Roll 4X40X37.5g
• Mentos is an exceptionally fresh chewy mint that comes in a great variety of exciting mint and fruit flavors. Its unique round shape combines taste, freshness, and functionality.

Don’t miss out on these great deals, visit MENTOS OFFICIAL STORE on Shopee or enjoy Mentos Soda Kick Roll at 50% OFF (single roll) on this link https://shopee.ph/Mentos-Soda-Kick-Roll-i.79033511.1433393796.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

About Shopee
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It was launched in 7 markets in 2015 to connect consumers, sellers, and businesses in the region.

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMonkey. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

Century Park Hotel Manila to Reopen Its Doors for Dine-in

One of the Finest Hotels in the Metro to Reopen Its Doors for Dine-in.

Atrium

After months of hiatus brought about by the pandemic, Century Park Hotel Manila is pleased to announce that they will be opening its doors again for dine-in starting July 1, 2020. Customers can once again enjoy the hotel's classic a la carte dishes from Cafe in the Park and Century Tsuikiji to be served at the relaxing Atrium Lounge daily from 9:00AM to 6:00PM. 

Under the new normal, WHO's standard protocols on social distancing, sanitation, and other measures will be implemented to ensure the safety of the guests. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has put everything at a standstill, including being restricted to dining options such as cooking and eating at home, takeout, or delivery.   With the government’s recent approval for restaurants to open for dine-in, the long wait for all Century Park Hotel patrons and diners will be over on July 1, 2020.

The food adventure continues with the reopening of the Atrium Lounge. Families and friends can share delightful moments once again in this award-winning dining outlet over their culinary favorites from the hotel’s Café in the Park and Tsukiji Restaurant.

Explore a wide selection of Filipino dishes and international cuisines. For your seafood cravings, try our Grilled Prawns, Pan-fried Salmon Fillet, and Blue Marlin Supreme which will definitely reintroduce your palate to the sumptuous and luscious taste – the true mark of Century Park dining experience. Reuniting with your loved ones after several months of staying home will be more heartwarming and filling when spent with our savory platters of meat such as Grilled Lamb Chops, Sirloin Steak Café de Paris and Country Crispy Chicken, among others.

Sushi Sashimi

Salmon Shioyaki

Sirloin Steak Cafe de Paris

Food gets all the better with the hotel’s elegant setup and homey atmosphere. While reveling in our culinary pleasures, behold the magnificent view of the Grand Staircase and fountain where you can also take some selfies or ‘groupies’.

Cali Maki

Tempura

Century Park Burger

Have an Oishi good time with our Japanese gustatory classics from the Century Tsukiji Restaurant. Make your own bento from our scrumptious menu of appetizers, rice meals, grilled and fried dishes. Our yummy special maki and other sushi selections will also satisfy your cravings.

Prior to reopening, Century Park Hotel ensured that all diners will get to enjoy dining-in again while maintaining peace of mind. During the months of lockdown, every corner of the property was thoroughly disinfected, adhering to our commitment to keeping our guests safe based on the World Health Organization’s standards.  The hotel is more than prepared to give you a gustatory treat that is both fancy and sanitary.  Health and safety protocols such as contact tracing, social distancing, and the wearing of masks will also be enforced.

The tables are all set for this much-awaited day. We cannot wait to serve your orders again and witness delightful moments take shape. Come and dine at Century Park Hotel!

Atrium

To know more about Century Park Hotel, visit www.centurypark.com or contact information@centurypark.com.ph and telephone number: (632) 528-8888.

The Atrium Lounge will be open daily from 9:00AM to 6:00PM.

Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains one of the finest hotels in Manila. It is owned and operated by Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation and enjoys a mix of local and international patrons. The renowned establishment has over 500 rooms in varied types and facilities for a complete dining and leisure experience. 

Pizza Hut celebrates Rider’s Pizza Day

“Pizza Hut values the everyday modern-day delivery hero, which is why we decided to honor their hard work through this initiative. It’s our own simple way of giving back to our delivery partners for helping us bring food safely to countless Filipino homes” ~Lorent Adrias, Pizza Hut Marketing Manager

The Rider’s Pizza Day is a one-day event, on the said date, delivery riders will be given a box of free pizza for every ala carte order of a Large Super Supreme Pan Pizza that they deliver.

As a show of their appreciation to delivery riders, Pizza Hut will be celebrating Riders’ Pizza Day on June 30, 2020. On the said date, delivery riders will be given a box of free pizza for every ala carte order of a Large Super Supreme Pan Pizza that they deliver.

Under the promo, Pizza Hut will give a box of Regular Hawaiian Supreme Handstretched Pizza for free to the corresponding delivery rider for every ala carte order of a Large Super Supreme Pan Pizza, one of Pizza Hut’s most beloved pizza flavors made with nine delicious toppings on Pizza Hut’s signature Pan Pizza. Orders can be made through Pizza Hut’s hotline 8911-11-11 for metro manila orders, #11111 for provincial orders, via their website www.pizzahut.com.ph, or through their food delivery partners GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Don’t miss out on the latest deals and promos from Pizza Hut by visiting their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pizza-hut.

This 7.7, get up to 40% and FREE SHIPPING on your favorite Havaianas pairs on Shopee Mall

Missed the Havaianas Grand Launch on Shopee? We’ve got your feet covered! Join the BEST SALE EVER!

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, will be having the much-awaited Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale. Shoppers can look forward to free shipping on selected stores, flash deals, and fantastic promotions from leading brands at Shopee 7.7 Free Shipping Fiesta Sale. 

Did you miss the summer? Let Havaianas make your feel the summer vibe with Havaianas Slim Paisage Coral New collections. Havaianas comes in a wide range of colors, styles, and silhouettes, all of which have always stood for fashion, function, and fun! Recognized all over the world, Havaianas take you from beach to street, and can be worn confidently for any occasion, with any outfit. The flip-flops can be worn all day long without sacrificing comfort and quality. More than just flip-flops, Havaianas is about experiencing life more colorfully, with confidence, and unabashed self-expression.

Havaianas Slim Paisage Coral New

₱1,569.00

Stunning, saturated vistas are the focal point of the Slim Paisage flip flop. Featuring a pier and palm fronds silhouetted against a sunset beach scene. Translucent slim straps and a metallic Havaianas logo finish the look that will have you reaching for your passport.

Thong style

Cushioned footbed with textured rice pattern and rubber flip flop sole

Made in Brazil

Product Description

When we're on a vacay, it's all about serene sights. The Slim Paisage is all about getting away to somewhere beautiful. This style is your passport to take a break from everyday life and enjoy idyllic landscapes all year round, no matter where you are. This collection features images of Miami Beach, the Salt Desert, and a hidden beach in California, with ultra-cool jelly straps and a contrast Havaianas logo to get you into a laid back summer mood.

This Havaianas style is available at Shopee's store to follow this link https://shopee.ph/havaianas and for Havaianas store click this link https://shopee.ph/Havaianas-Slim-Paisage-Coral-New-i.192703341.6038349466.

Download Shopee for free through the App Store or Google Play.

About Shopee
Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It was launched in 7 markets in 2015 to connect consumers, sellers, and businesses in the region.

Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.

Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.