Shop from S&R in Kawit and Imus via MetroMart

One great way to usher in the summer season is shopping online for cool, yummy and nifty finds from S&R.

Shop online from S&R branches in Cavite via MetroMart, the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. These include S&R Imus along Aguinaldo Highway, and the newly opened S&R Evo in Evo City, Kawit.

Customers can shop from S&R with or without a membership card via their MetroMart account. Score unique, awesome finds from S&R with great discounts and promos when you shop online with MetroMart.

Get FREE Delivery when you use the code SNRCAVITE. This promo is valid for ALL Users, for a one-time redemption within April 1-15, 2023, and applicable for S&R Evo, terms and conditions apply.

Start your online shopping experience and order a wide range of groceries and other essentials via MetroMart. Download the app via https://bit.ly/DownloadNowMM

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MetroMart Philippines is the #1 on-demand online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include S&R (no membership required), Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart, Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Ever Supermarket, UltraMega Supermarket, and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, No Brand, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys R Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in less than 2 hours! Over 160,000 products are available with our 500+ partner supermarkets and partner specialty stores. Order your groceries through www.metromart.com, or download the app on iOS or Android app store.

Palo Alto Networks Warns of Travel-Related Scams to watch out for this Holy Week

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Holy Week is one of the peak travel seasons in the Philippines. The Civil Aviation Authority anticipates two million passengers to fly domestically to observe the holiday. With this many prospective Filipinos travelling simultaneously, there is expected to be fierce competition for travel tickets and bookings and good deals through online travel agents and apps. Meanwhile, scammers see this as an opportunity to be exploited, particularly through social engineering and phishing. Attackers target individuals and groups during this time as individuals are focused on family time and religious practice, and organizations have lesser manpower for security. In response, Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, shares insights and solutions to address this increasing cyber risk during Holy Week.

“We’ve seen time and time again how scammers capitalize on people’s eagerness to travel as well as their desire to travel affordably,” said Steven Scheurmann, Regional Vice President, ASEAN, at Palo Alto Networks. “The travel industry is especially attractive for scammers as it is a huge source of sensitive and personal data, including stolen usernames, emails, and passwords, as well as customer data such as identity, payment, and contact information, which means both travellers and travel companies need to be very cautious.”

According to Palo Alto Networks, some of the most common travel-related scams include:

• The use of malicious domains and URLs that impersonate well-known brands and websites. 

• Phishing emails/SMS/WhatsApp texts to end users to trick them into either downloading malicious attachments or APK files or clicking on links that lead to malicious website pages or attachments. Threat actors use themes that invoke a sense of urgency (such as outstanding invoices) or emotional appeal to the end users with homecoming-themed emails as we approach Eid).

• Offering a “shadow travel agency” service, they reach out to travellers through various social media platforms, providing travel-related bookings at heavily discounted prices. While travellers transfer clean money to the “shadow travel agency,” the “shadow travel agency” pays the actual service providers, such as hotels or airlines, with stolen payment information. Due to the time gap in payment processing, service providers only realize they have been defrauded when they see the disputed card transactions or chargebacks weeks or months later. 

Meanwhile, organizations must implement security awareness training to improve employees’ ability to identify fraudulent emails, ensure that their organization’s data is regularly backed up as a defense against ransomware attacks initiated via phishing emails, enforce multi-factor authentication on all business-related logins as an added layer of security, and implement an end-to-end cybersecurity solution that allows for advanced URL filtering that detects unknown, newly malicious URLs quickly, identifies known samples as malware, and tracks related malware activities. 

“Scammers and attacks may affect the individual traveller, major travel corporations, as well as small travel agents and operators—which means everyone needs to stay vigilant in implementing ways to avoid these threats. As Filipinos travel to celebrate Holy Week and spend time with their families, they must also remain aware and cautious of malicious actors to stay safe amid the holidays,” closed Steven. 

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About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cybersecurity leader. We innovate to outpace cyber threats so that organizations can confidently embrace technology. We provide next-gen cybersecurity to thousands of customers globally across all sectors. Our best-in-class cybersecurity platforms and services are backed by industry-leading threat intelligence and strengthened by state-of-the-art automation. Whether deploying our products to enable the Zero Trust Enterprise, responding to a security incident, or partnering to deliver better security outcomes through a world-class partner ecosystem, we’re committed to helping ensure each day is safer than the one before. It’s what makes us the cybersecurity partner of choice.

At Palo Alto Networks, we’re committed to bringing together the very best people in service of our mission, so we’re also proud to be the cybersecurity workplace of choice, recognized among Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces (2021), Comparably Best Companies for Diversity (2021), and HRC's Best Places for LGBTQ Equality (2022). For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.

DTI's Pascual Receives Recognition from Rising Tigers Magazine

MANILA CITY–"I emphasize leadership's meaning as being with those in need because the marginalized or indigent Filipinos are more than the beneficiaries of our efforts. We work with them." This is the key message communicated by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual as he accepted a recognition from the Rising Tigers Magazine during the launching of their Beyond Leadership Anniversary Issue and Awards Night held on 30 March 2023 at the Manila Hotel.

The Rising Tigers Magazine recognized distinguished men and women who are making a difference in this new generation and creating an impact in society, not just because of their successful careers but also in reaching out to the marginalized sectors of society. This anniversary issue features rising tigers, emerging leaders, nation builders, and captains from different industries in the Philippines and in Asia. These outstanding leaders’ stories are featured to inspire more readers of the work being undertaken and by these leaders and their societal contributions.

Secretary Pascual is at the forefront of the country's industrialization strategy as he propels the country's various industries toward an industrialization path driven by science, technology, and innovation. Likewise, through this strategy, the DTI aims to establish strong, dynamic, modern, and competitive industries that will further strengthen the country's economic recovery efforts.

"We promote game-changing reforms to make our country more attractive to investments. And this is because businesses contribute to economic expansion, and because they are our partners in responding to compelling issues that affect the most vulnerable Filipinos," Secretary Pascual said in his acceptance speech.

Furthermore, Secretary Pascual reiterated that the DTI, under his leadership, will also focus on attracting more foreign direct investments that will generate employment opportunities for every Filipino, as well as safeguarding the rights of consumers. He committed to deliver 'serbisyong higit sa inaasahan'—the tagline of DTI. He is also focused on ensuring that Filipinos will have access to high-quality, low-priced basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) and contributing to various initiatives of the Philippine government that will ensure food security.

Recognizing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the backbone of the Philippine economy, Secretary Pascual also ensured the continuous support of DTI toward small businesses, especially in transitioning to digitalized systems that will enable them to earn more profit and reach wider markets.

In closing, Secretary Pascual said that “With the rest of government, we continue to do all that we can to help ease the burden of increasing prices of basic commodities and goods to our people. Patuloy ang aming serbisyong higit pa sa inaasahan. I commit myself to service beyond the call of duty.”

Complete your Summer Checklist this 4.4 Sale: Up to Php 1,500 Discount on HONOR Dadgets!

Manila, Philippines, March 31, 2023 – Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, has dropped their much-anticipated deals for the 4.4 Sale on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok including the all-new DSLR Smartphone HONOR X8a. Up to Php 1,500 worth of discounts are up for grabs with exciting bundles and free shipping nationwide.

“As you plan your summer trips this year, it’s important that the gadgets you’ll be bringing can help elevate your well-deserved vacation. Need a DSLR-like smartphone, HONOR X8a is for you. Long battery life? HONOR X7a can last you up to three days. If you are worried that you will continuously drop your phone during your travel, try our HONOR X9a 5G. And if you have a long trip planned, we have our HONOR MagicBook X laptops and HONOR Pad 8 perfect for your work requirements,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

With HONOR, you can always stay connected! Get a FREE Magic Keyboard worth Php 5,990 when you buy an HONOR Pad 8 while you can get a FREE Premium HONOR bag and Bluetooth Speaker worth Php 7,000 for every purchase of HONOR MagicBook X 14 or HONOR MagicBook X 15.

Hop on the train of HONOR’s viral phones! Get HONOR X9a 5G and receive a FREE Premium HONOR Speaker worth Php 3,999 while you will get a FREE HONOR Band 6 worth Php 1,990 when you treat yourself an HONOR 70 5G.

Get these and up to Php 1,500 worth of discounts with exclusive bundles and FREE shipping nationwide during the 4.4 Sale on Lazada (https://bit.ly/3ZsS0Jx) from April 1 to 8, and on Shopee (https://bit.ly/3J1Zv5n) and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/3IMaizo) from April 4 to 6, 2023. Freebies are subject to availability and will be on a first come, first served basis.

For more information and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorphilippines/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines).

GCash FutureCast Introduces 10 New Innovations That Bring The Future Of Fintech To All Filipinos

GCash is the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App with over 79 million users who enjoy fast, safe, and convenient transactions online. Based on Data.ai, a reputable 3rd party platform, GCash is the #1 Finance Super App in the country with the most downloads, the highest Monthly Active Users, and even the highest Daily Active Users, as GCash is now part of their daily routines.

First launched as an SMS platform in 2005 and later as a super app in 2012, GCash was the first to introduce the QR payment system in the country. It supported the digital migration of Filipinos during the pandemic, and now that the world has reopened, it expands its services to suit the changing needs of Filipinos in a global digital financial landscape. 

At this year’s #GCashFutureCast event, GCash ushered in the future of Fintech through 10 ground-breaking innovations for every Filipino. 

Tools for financial freedom 

GCash has made wealth management products like savings, insurance, and investments easy and accessible. Now it introduces products to help people grow their wealth and to help them protect it.

GStocks PH is AB Capital Securities, Inc.'s (ABCSI) online retail securities trading services made accessible through the GCash app. Its user-friendly and simplified trading interface was designed through a collaboration with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Through GStocks PH, users can now trade stocks of over 280 local companies. GStocks PH will be available to more users soon.

GCrypto allows users to discover and explore the world of Crypto and NFTs. Users get access to curated NFT collections, like The House of OhLala by Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera, on the GCrypto NFT Hub.  Buying and selling Crypto is also made easier with an exchange powered by PDAX, the Philippines’ leading homegrown cryptocurrency exchange.

GInsure Online Shopping Protect insurance offers users 60 days of coverage up to P20,000 for all their online purchases for just P34. The insurance covers scenarios when orders are not delivered, are accidentally damaged, are not as described, or are stolen. The insurance product, powered by Chubb, is embedded in the user’s online GCash payment journey across 1,500 online shops and platforms.

GCash goes global

Traveling Filipinos can now go cashless globally using GCash’s newest services. For overseas Filipinos, they can now use GCash to send money and support to their family back home.

GCash Global Pay allows Filipino travelers to do cross-border QR payments at Alipay+ merchants in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. This eliminates the hassle of paying with cash, or withdrawing money at ATMs where you can incur high service fees. It offers real-time Forex charging, with no service fees.

GCash Card gives travelers the advantage of real time Forex charging at low exchange rates and no service fees. With this, users can access their funds in a single tap at over 100 million shops across 200 countries and territories around the world through VISA’s expansive network.. This enables travelers to enjoy hassle-free shopping and dining experiences wherever they may be.  The new GCash card will be available later this year.

GCash Overseas allows overseas Filipinos in Japan, Australia, Italy and the USA to download GCash using international SIM cards. Now they can send money, buy load, and pay bills for their loved ones back home. They can enjoy the convenience of sending money for free with GCash to GCash transactions, saving them the cost of remittance fees. GCash also announced that it is now available in the UK and Canada.  GCash Overseas is currently on Beta and is limited to a number of users, but will expand to more users soon. 

Borrowing made easier

GGives supports Filipinos with the ability to buy now, pay later with zero credit cards, zero additional documents, zero down payment, and now with zero interest at select merchants. GCash users are now free from the barriers normally associated with installment plans, for both in-store or online purchases. 

Borrow Load will allow eligible users to borrow their favorite load promos today at zero cash out, giving them access to their preferred entertainment – even if they’re short on budget. They can now afford to access data-heavy apps with load promos valid for up to 7 days. Borrow Load will be rolling out to more users soon.

Improved security and user experience 

GCash has taken steps to make transactions safer and more seamless through two new features:

GChat is a new, user-friendly messenger feature that makes it easier to chat and transact with contacts, share receipts instantly, and trace transaction histories. The feature makes it easier to search for conversations with friends, merchants or customers, while the Gigi and Advisories features allow users to get help anytime in real-time. GChat will be rolling out to users in the next few months.

DoubleSafe is the latest GCash security feature that prevents fraudsters from taking over accounts. It provides an additional layer of security on top of the 2-Factor Authentication and mobile pin (MPIN). DoubleSafe will be activated for every first login to a new mobile phone, and will use facial recognition to secure an account should the user inadvertently share their MPIN and OTP to fraudsters

At the FutureCast event, GCash CEO Martha Sazon said, “GCash has empowered and enabled every Filipino to remain hopeful and pursue progress. As the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and the first finance app to be a household name in the country, GCash is positioned to be everyone’s enabler to be future-ready. With the 10 new innovations at GCash, our hopes for a better tomorrow begins today.”  

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About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Finance App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, 79M registered users can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 5.2M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance and invest money, and so much more, all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.), the first and only duacorn in the Philippines.

GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) and by the IDC in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs.

UPS RELOCATES CEBU CENTER TO LARGER FACILITY IN LAPU-LAPU CITY

CEBU, Philippines, March 29, 2023 – UPS (NYSE: UPS) has relocated its Cebu Center in Mandaue City to a larger facility at the Ground Air-Logistics Corporation (GALCO) building and cargo area in Lapu-Lapu City.

This move will allow UPS to better serve a growing demand for faster and more reliable international shipping services from businesses looking to pursue cross-border growth opportunities.

Located within the Mactan-Cebu International Airport perimeter, the new Cebu Center location provides UPS direct access to the airport’s cargo terminal, as well as a larger staging area allowing for speedier shipment processing.

This means UPS’s customers in the Lapu-Lapu City vicinity can now enjoy more flexibility and a widened time window of up to one hour to consolidate their export shipments to meet same-day departure. Customers with UPS Worldwide Express Saver® shipments from major cities worldwide can also receive their packages up to one hour earlier.

UPS will continue to operate five weekly flights to connect businesses in Cebu to over 220 countries and territories via the company’s comprehensive global transportation
network.

“With a strong manufacturing sector and as one of the fastest growing e-commerce markets in Asia, we see plenty of opportunities for businesses in the Philippines to participate
in regional as well as global trade and UPS is here to support their cross-border growth,” said Russell Reed, managing director of UPS Philippines and Thailand.

“Moving the UPS Cebu Center nearer to the airport and to our customers allows us to better serve small and large businesses located in the wider Visayas center of commerce,
who now have faster, more reliable and more flexible access to their clients both regionally and internationally. As a global trade enabler, we’re always looking for ways to make supply chains more efficient and resilient, so as to enable our customers to achieve their growth ambitions.”

The UPS Cebu Center in Lapu-Lapu City handles UPS’s international time-definite shipments and is open every Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It also serves as a convenient access point for customers to drop off and pick up their packages during operating hours.

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About UPS

UPS is one of the world’s largest companies, with 2022 revenue of $100.3 billion, and provides a broad range of integrated logistics solutions for customers in more than 220 countries
and territories. Focused on its purpose statement, “Moving our world forward by delivering what matters,” the company’s more than 500,000 employees embrace a strategy that is simply stated and powerfully executed: Customer First. People Led. Innovation Driven.
UPS is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and supporting the communities we serve around the world. UPS also takes an unwavering stance in support of diversity, equity and inclusion. More information can be found at www.ups.com, about.ups.com and www.investors.ups.com.

McDonald’s Opens its Doors again to Provide Safe Space for Students’ After-School Studying

Manila, Philippines – March 30, 2023 – McDonald's recognizes the importance of education and the challenges students face in finding a safe and conducive learning environment for after-school work. With this in mind, McDonald's continues to provide a solution that caters to their needs.

In 2020, over 200 McDonald’s Party Areas were turned into McDonald’s Classroom that catered to teachers’ need for a safe, work-friendly place to conduct their online classes. Coming from the success and impact of the McDonald’s Classroom in the past years, McDonald’s elevates the program to better utilize its party areas and maximize the use of it during the night time. Starting March 28, 2023, 60 participating McDonald’s stores near key universities open their doors to students nationwide to the McDonald's Night Classroom that shall cater to their late night study sessions from 8 PM to 6 AM daily.

The McDonald's Night Classroom is equipped with solo study and wide table setups and free WiFi access in select stores for uninterrupted study and work sessions. Aside from a space to work and study, participants can also enjoy big deals and discounts on their McDonald’s favorites with exclusive offers from the McDonald’s App starting April 1. With the Night Classroom, students can now have a convenient and comfortable location to complete their academic tasks, allowing them to maximize their productivity.

“McDonald’s has always been a safe and trusted space to create feel-good moments for all— whether you’re a family celebrating a birthday, an employee getting their coffee fix before work, or a student looking for a place to pull an all-nighter. Students have already been treating McDonald’s as their go-to place for meetings or study sessions, so the McDonald’s Night Classroom is our special way of supporting them with their schoolwork,” said Oliver Rabatan, McDonald's Philippines Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

Ready to pull an all-nighter the McDonald’s way? Visit the nearest McDonald’s Night Classroom now. For the complete list of participating stores, visit http://bit.ly/McDoNightClassroom2023. Follow McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook and Instagram to stay on the loop with McDonald’s updates.

Regional Insurtech Igloo supports MSMEs through Complete Business Protection with NegosyoCare

MANILA, PHILIPPINES– Across Southeast Asia, some 71 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are driving the region’s economic recovery. These organizations also comprise almost all businesses across the region. While they form the backbone of the region’s economy, MSMEs are often the ones who are vulnerable to adverse macroeconomic conditions and unexpected events such as fire, accidents, and damages.

With this in mind, regional insurtech Igloo, in partnership with GCash and Malayan, launched NegosyoCare, an insurance product specifically designed to protect MSMEs. Igloo believes that insurance products catered to MSMEs can support inclusive and sustainable economic growth and employment for the country and Filipinos.

“99.5% percent of all businesses in the Philippines are considered MSMEs. These sari-sari stores, carinderias, and water refilling stations, while small, greatly contribute to their communities and are essential to the growth of the economy. These businesses that make up nearly 40% of the GDP typically run on limited cash flow and limited financing and are most at risk from unforeseen events that disrupt operations," said Mario Berta, Igloo’s Country Manager for the Philippines. 

“We are delighted to have been able to work with Malayan on NegosyoCare to support MSMEs by offering them an affordable yet comprehensive insurance product that will enable them to continue to grow and thrive without having to worry if their businesses are protected when something unexpected happens,” he added.

Available via GCash’s GInsure marketplace, NegosyoCare premiums begin at P160 for one month coverage and up to P525 for one year coverage. 

NegosyoCare provides coverage for accidental deaths, total permanent disability due to accident, and disablement or dismemberment due to accident for up to P50,000. Benefits also include medical reimbursement for accidents for up to P5,000, fire cash assistance for P10,000 and coverage for burglary and housebreaking for P10,000.

Importance of microinsurance for MSMEs

The Philippines is one of the countries where insurance penetration remains very low at 2% due to the relatively low financial literacy rate and insurance premiums regarded as being expensive.

A recent report by the Philippine Insurance Commission showed that microinsurance premiums–both production and contributions–grew by 15.5% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The growth was attributed to “the increasing awareness of the public of the importance of having affordable insurance products.”

“Offering microinsurance options is important because it provides MSMEs an affordable way to protect themselves and their businesses. The Philippines may score low on insurance penetration but they are scoring higher in microinsurance penetration–showing that if they have products that will cater to their needs and will not overburden them financially, they will consider it,” Mario explained. “It’s not only important to have affordable insurance products, people should also be able to easily access them. This is why our partnership with GCash is important: MSMEs will be able to protect their businesses for as low as P160 a month.” 

NegosyoCare is another addition to the growing line of Igloo products currently available in the GCash Insure marketplace. In 2021, the Igloo and GCash partnership launched the first Online Shopping Insurance in the market followed by Mobile Insurance products, Pet Insurance in 2022 and the GCash Travel Master with COVID-19 in January 2023.

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About Igloo:

Igloo is the first full-stack insurtech firm to emerge from Singapore. It has offices in Singapore, Indonesia,  Thailand,  The  Philippines,  Vietnam  and  Malaysia  and  tech  centres in China and India.  With a mission of making insurance accessible for all, the firm leverages big data, real-time risk assessment, and end-to-end automated claims management to create B2B2C insurance solutions for platform companies and insurance companies. Igloo’s insurance solutions enable companies  to  eliminate  their  exposure  to operational  risk,  create  new  revenue  streams,  and optimise  and  enhance  existing  products  and  services.  Igloo  has  partnered  with  over  55  well-known   brand   names   across   the   markets   in   various   verticals,   including   insurance, telecommunications, e-commerce, hospitality, health tech and financial services.

For more information, please visit https://www.iglooinsure.com/.