AXA Philippines partners with UNICEF, Red Cross and Madocs to address COVID-19

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to affect so many lives locally and globally, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, has allied with UNICEF, Philippine Red Cross – Makati Chapter, and Manila Doctors Hospital (Madocs) to support Filipino communities in need, as well as healthcare professionals and hospitals.

“We at AXA are both proud and humbled to come together and reach out to those who need help the most in these tough times,” said Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines president and chief executive officer. “Through our longstanding partnerships with Red Cross, UNICEF, and Madocs, we are able to touch as many communities, health workers, and hospitals as we can.” 

Resourceful Filipino volunteer uses Brother sewing machines to produce PPEs for frontliners

Photo from Rod Jean Claire Dullano

As the Philippines undergoes its enhanced community quarantine to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19, many Filipinos are stepping up and helping out in any way they can, serving as an inspiration to many others to also do their part for everyone in need.

One such inspiring story is that of volunteer Rod Jean Claire Dullano, who shared how they relied on Brother sewing machines to produce a number of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and facemasks for medical frontliners.

“Your products have been so helpful to us,” said Dullano in her e-mail to Brother Philippines. “Thank you so much for your great effort in making quality machines for us. God bless you.”

We Support Our FrontLiners

Our love and support to our courageous frontliners facing the battle against #COVID19. 

Lets protect our Frontliners in the government and medical community; and do our part in order to help them. #StayAtHomeForUs

Bayad Center’s BAYADnihan campaign makes bills payment more meaningful

While most utility and loan companies have announced extended due dates for bills payment in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, those who are able to still pay on schedule can contribute to the spirit of bayanihan and help their fellows in need while still managing their finances responsibly.

Even the simple act of paying bills can be a way to help disadvantaged individuals and communities through Bayad Center’s “BAYADnihan, Tulong-tulong para sa Bayan” campaign.

8 tips to help your TikToks stand out

When you hear the song “Don’t Start Now” by English singer/songwriter Dua Lipa, what initially comes to mind? Do you imagine the visually stunning music video tied to it, or is your mind flooded with mental images of a plethora of dance covers on TikTok?

Indeed, TikTok has become a global phenomenon and, lately, has sort of become a therapy for most people especially in light of the community quarantines enforced worldwide. And with millions of active users on the platform, coming up with fresh and unique videos may seem like a daunting task.

Fear not because collecting plenty of views, likes, and followers on this rapidly growing platform is not impossible. Here are 8 tips on how to make Tik-Toks that stand out:

Joining Forces Alliance on the Elimination of Violence against Children - Philippines

Child rights organizations call for the prevention of physical and humiliating punishment against children during the COVID-19 pandemic

Physical and psychological violence, particularly at home, are among the most pervasive types of abuse experienced by Filipino children. Both can be worsened by the COVID-19 enhanced community quarantine.

In fact, 3 in 5 children have experienced some form of physical violence, the 2016 National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children revealed. Sixty percent of these cases happened in their own homes, with 1 in 2 children experiencing corporal punishment.  

vivo provides free smartphone warranty extension

vivo is providing a free warranty extension for smartphones purchased in official stores nationwide. This will automatically be applied to handsets with warranties expiring from March 16 to 30, 2020.

With utmost customer safety as its priority, especially in light of the enhanced community quarantine, the company encourages its customers to stay at home to protect themselves and their families.

Life lessons from the pandemic

The COVID-19 outbreak has been putting a large amount of stress on everyone. However, we must also remember that this is not going to last forever and that if we are open to it, we can learn many life lessons that can help us live better lives.

Here are some valuable lessons we can take from the health scare and enhanced community quarantine. 

Be prepared for any scenario. The best defense we can have against life’s uncertainties is to be ready for anything. Have an emergency fund and insurance for chaotic times like these. If you haven’t yet, build up a savings plan or take out health insurance— these are a couple of the best ways to deal with financial setbacks that may be caused by unforeseen events. 

Ben&Ben to launch international single “Doors” via YouTube Live event

Award-winning, nine-piece collective Ben&Ben is set to release their stunning new single “Doors” on Thursday, April 16 through Sony Music. 

To celebrate the release, the dynamic young act will host a special YouTube Live event on Saturday, April 18 on the band’s YouTube channel to raise funds for the COVID-19 response in the Philippines. 

Fans across the world can tune in from 7:00pm GMT + 8 (9:00pm AEST/7:00am EST/12:00pm BST) to see the acclaimed nine-piece perform “Doors” alongside other tracks from their certified Platinum and best-selling 2019 debut album, LIMASAWA STREET, including recently released “Fall” (watch the video HERE). Each member of the band will connect from their respective homes to stream the performance in their unique signature 3 x 3 format.  After the event, the live stream will continue to be available on YouTube as a video on demand. 

Ortigas Malls Extends Helping Hand in Time of COVID-19

Amid the community quarantine being implemented to stop the spread of the infectious COVID-19, shopping malls have provided some solace to harried Filipino consumers even with their limited operations.

Ortigas Malls continues to keep the doors of its shopping facilities, including Estancia, Greenhills, Tiendesitas and Industria open for consumers seeking essential goods and services during this health emergency.

PSBank Extends its Payment Grace Period for All Loan Clients

With the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine from April 13 to 30, 2020 and in compliance with the ‘Bayanihan To Heal As One’ Act, Philippine Savings Bank continues to provide valuable assistance to all of its loan customers during these challenging times.

Loan payments for all types of loans with due dates falling within the new ECQ dates will further get a 30-day grace period. This adds to the loan payment moratorium that the country’s maaasahan bank granted the previous month, for loan dues beginning March 15, 2020.

Gloc-9 tops YouTube trending chart with “Halik” and 24 bars rap challenge

After deciding to go the independent route with Asintada, a management and production team headed by his wife Thea Gomez Pollisco, Gloc-9 sets the table for music projects that strike a balance between uncompromised vision and crossover appeal. 

The acclaimed hip-hop figure has released new singles that create uplifting artistic statements through socially relevant songs. “Sampaguita,” his latest collaboration with accomplished young singer-songwriter Juan Karlos Labajo, proved to be as successful as his previous classic hits, smashing out of the gate with more than a million views in less than a month.  

Five little ways to help others during the quarantine

The little acts of kindness go a long way to show how we are #OneAgainstCOVID19 

As the entire country deals with the current public health situation, it can be tough to find spots of hope and happiness in the confines of our home. While we may be healthy physically, it is also important to keep our mental health in check. In a time of difficulty, it isn’t too hard for all of us to be someone else’s source of light with small acts of kindness even when we cannot be physically there. 

You might be thinking how to do anything when you’re practicing social distancing and staying at home. With the help of apps like PayMaya, it’s easier than ever to send some love and share your blessings with others. Here are little ways to spread love in the time of COVID-19. 

LG Shares the Good Life with Pasig

Pasig City staff getting ready to distribute 500 bags of personal care kits

South Korean technology innovator and global leader LG Electronics, which holds office in the city of Pasig, stepped up to provide much needed support to for the frontliners combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Pasig City staff getting ready to distribute 500 bags of personal care kits

LG donated to Pasig City 500 bags of personal care kits provided by LG Household and Health Care through LG CSR Team Korea, 5 LG Refrigerators for the city’s mobile kitchen campaign, and 2 LG washing machines for the nurses’ and doctors’ isolation house. The 500 bags of LG Personal Hygiene kits were distributed to Pasig City General Hospital (PCGH), Pasig City Child’s Hope (PCCH), and Pasig City’s Emergency Unit.

Learn from Home: GLOBIS Unlimited Free to Learners until End of April

GLOBIS University offers Filipinos the chance to pursue professional development while sheltering at home by making access to the GLOBIS Unlimited platform free of charge for the whole month of April

Japan’s No.1 MBA School Offers Free Business Microlearning Sessions

Filipinos now find themselves spending extended periods at home with the Enhanced Community Quarantine to prevent the spread of the corona virus in full force. 

Globis University, Japan’s No. 1 MBA School, aims to lend support during these challenging times by providing free learning opportunities for career growth and professional development. GLOBIS Unlimited, a business microlearning platform, will be available free of charge to individual learners who register by April 10, 2020. Classes may be accessed throughout the month of April. 

Pru Life UK launches free COVID-19 protection for Filipinos through health app, Pulse

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK is offering free COVID-19 protection and Personal Accident (PA) coverage to safeguard Filipinos amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Under the program, Pru Life UK will offer free accident and death benefit to 500,000 Filipinos, in the unfortunate event that the individual passes away, including as a result of COVID-19. Health workers are entitled to twice the death coverage at no cost. This offer is available through Pulse, Pru Life UK’s artificial intelligence-powered health and wellness app that offers holistic health management.

The free COVID-19 protection and PA coverage is a one-time, 45-day insurance, available to the first 500,000 persons who register their profiles on the Pulse app, effective from the date of registration. Those who have been diagnosed with, have symptoms of, have been under quarantine for COVID-19, or have been living with a COVID-19 patient at the time of registration are not eligible for this offer. Other excluded conditions are listed in the terms and conditions of the product.

Starting April 11, 2020, all Filipinos aged 18 to 64 can enjoy this limited, exclusive offer, which includes a death benefit or lump sum amount of Php 100,000 for the bereaved family if the insured passes away due to accident, or as a result of COVID-19, subject to terms and conditions. Eligible health workers will receive a double COVID-19 death benefit worth Php 200,000. No purchase of any insurance product is required.

Here's how you can send money to the province from your PayMaya account to Smart Padala during the quarantine

With the enhanced community quarantine currently in effect in the whole of Luzon and in other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, many Filipinos have been looking for ways to send money to family, friends, or organizations they want to support within and outside Metro Manila.

Fortunately, PayMaya allows its users to send money directly to a Smart Padala center anywhere in the country. And with more than 30,000 Smart Padala touchpoints nationwide, it’s easy to locate one that’s near your street or barangay so you can continue to receive remittances from friends or family--even without having to step out of the house to be able to send money, which can help you and your family practice strict social distancing during the quarantine.

Employers who want to support the families of their kasamabahay in the province or those who want to mobilize resources in their hometown can quickly use the Send Money feature of PayMaya to transfer funds to virtually anyone in the country. 

PSBank shares Holy Week schedule and operations adjustment

All PSBank branches nationwide will be closed on April 9 and 10, 2020, in observance of Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Meanwhile, all ATMs nationwide, with the PSBank Mobile, and PSBank Online (Internet banking) facilities will be available for customers’ banking needs.

Accountholders may visit https://www.psbank.com.ph/atm-branch-finder/ or open the PSBank Mobile App available in App Store and Google Playstore to locate the nearest PSBank Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in their area.

Bayanihan Musikahan raises additional 1.5M in 1 hour

Broadway superstar Lea Salonga captivates viewers of the online fundraising series

Small donations amounting to PhP 1.5 million poured into the Bayanihan Musikahan fund-raiser in 1 hour during the live concert-from-house of music superstar Lea Salonga last night. 

She began and ended her hour with composition by the principal organizer of the project, Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music. Emphasizing citizen action in the face of a pandemic, Salonga encapsulated an emerging dynamic of citizens helping citizens through small contributions and exercise of talent.