Derek Ramsay to Play for the Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics

“Derek is not only a good actor but a good basketball player as well. We are happy to have him on our team. Derek will surely add more excitement to our games. With him on board, fans can expect an even stronger Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics team.” ~Gerry Tee, Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics team manager, and Absolut Distillers, Inc. COO

Actor Derek Ramsay will suit up for Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics for this season’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

“I love the game of basketball. Joining Team Tanduay is an honor. I always considered myself an athlete before an actor. I know there will be haters and people who will doubt me, but that’s okay. This is a challenge that I’ve decided to take on. I hope to help the team in any possible way I can.” ~Derek Ramsay

This is not the first time for the television and movie personality to play basketball, as he was previously with Kettle Korn team in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League. Ramsay has also excelled in the sports of ultimate frisbee and beach football.

As an actor and host, he has appeared in numerous TV and film productions in three of the country’s top media networks. He recently signed a contract with GMA-7.

Ramsay has been an endorser of Tanduay since 2014. The talented actor and host have helped the World’s Number One Rum further expand its market in the Philippines and the global market.

Tee said that Ramsay will see action within the opening game of the MPBL at the Mall of Asia Arena this June 12. He will also play in their Dubai game in September.

The Batangas City-Tanduay Athletics was crowned the inaugural champions of the fastest-growing regional amateur basketball league in the country. They reached the South Division Finals in the Datu Cup before falling to eventual runner-up Davao Occidental Tigers.

Ramsay joins fellow celebrities Gerald Anderson, Xian Lim, Mark Andaya, and Andre Paras in this year’s MPBL.

Five Benefits of Staycation

I and my family just recently had a 3days/2nghts staycation in a hotel in Quezon City, it was at the same time a celebration of me and nephews birthday celebration. Staycation, a combination of the word “stay” and “vacation” is not a new concept. 

It is simply when one chooses to stay at their home country or check-in at a hotel, instead of going abroad for vacation. A staycation or holistay, as defined by Wikipedia, is also a period in which an individual participates in leisure activities within driving distance of his or her own home. Lately, the trend has been increasing as more numbers of people now find more peace by spending time at home and have some needed rest and relaxation. More than that, staycations also offer a lot of quiet and humble benefits.

1. Staycations save time

Living in the Philippines means having to battle at least 3 hours of travel going from home to work and vice versa. Just imagine how much worse the traffic can get when it is a drive going to the airport! More than that, long airline terminal queues also eat up a significant part of a traveler’s day. Add all the hassle of traffic, terminal queues, departure procedures, etc. One day could easily be wasted on preparation.

2. Staycations are good for the environment

Checking in at a hotel also means contributing less to your carbon footprint! You would not have to use airplanes which require a massive amount of carbon emissions. Staying in a hotel is less harmful to the environment and really just pampers you to the core.

3. Staycations give time for meditation

Our fast-paced lifestyle limits our time to meditate and value the importance of rest. Taking a break during a staycation allows you to spend your energy on your body and use it as a time for spiritual, emotional, and physical rest and healing.

4. Staycations can inspire

Having some downtime also gives you a chance to explore more ideas. Quiet times away from chaos can generate fresh ideas and inspirations that can later be turned to productive projects.

5. Staycations save money

Staycations also save a huge amount of money. You need not worry about spending so much on food, budgeting travel expenses, and expensive airfares. All staycations really ask of you is to stay put and rest at your own terms.

Already convinced to hold your well-deserved, yet affordable R & R? Century Park Hotel (CPH) is here to make it happen! Located at the heart of Manila, CPH boasts facilities and rooms that are perfect for you to simply unwind and enjoy your time with your family. Currently, CPH has Summer Solstice Special Room Rate promo which starts at Php 3,500 (net) per room per night. Now reap the benefits of that staycation the quick, affordable, and easy way at your home away from home, Century Park Hotel!

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

Launched in 1976, the Century Park Hotel remains as 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. 

Maxicare brings world-class healthcare to Cebuanos

“We are excited to serve our members here in the Visayas region, as we promote and incorporate new innovative technology with medical services. Through the PCC and HealthHub, we will attend to our members’ needs in the most convenient and fastest manner possible.” ~Christian Argos, Maxicare President, and Chief Executive Officer 

      The new Maxicare PCC in Cebu Business Park offers members convenient and easy access to quality healthcare services administered by expert medical professionals.

Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider has recently opened its new Primary Care Center (PCC) and second HealthHub in Cebu that offers world-class services to Cebuano members.

The new Maxicare HealthHub in Robinsons Galleria Cebu offers members a convenient and time-saving way of getting their LOA (letter of authorization), and has fully digitized system to manage patient queuing and gather initial vital signs quickly and accurately.

Maxicare president and chief executive officer Christian Argos, with the chairman of Equicom Group Antonio Go and other executives led the ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially opened the new facilities. 

Patient queuing corner in Maxicare HealthHub

The new Maxicare HealthHub in Cebu is a one-stop Maxicare facility that uses cutting-edge technology to streamline medical consultation. It has new self-service features using an HMO-owned (health maintenance organization) healthcare system that gives members a relaxing and convenient way to access their benefits.

Internal Medicine Consultation Room in Maxicare PCC

A first-of-its-kind in the country, the automated health pod lets members get their LOA (letter of authorization) quickly and easily. It has a fully digitized system to shorten patient queue and make initial tests for vital signs quick, accurate, and hassle-free.  

At the new PCC, Cebuanos can get the most efficient healthcare experience. The staff consists of Customer Service Associates and Primary Care Physicians who specialize in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Cardiology, Obstetrics-Gynecology, OB Sonography, ENT (ear, nose, throat), Dermatology, Ophthalmology and Psychiatry.

The Maxicare PCC in Cebu aims to give outstanding services with its state-of-the-art medical facility and highly qualified physicians. Services include consultation, laboratory test, X-ray, ECG (electro-cardiogram) and Ultrasound.

The newest Maxicare Primary Care Center is at Lot 5, Block 6, Mindanao Avenue corner Siquijor Road, Cebu Business Park while the Maxicare HealthHub is at the Ground Floor, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, General Maxilom Avenue corner Sergio Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City.

Maxicare Healthcare Corporation

One of the pioneers in the health maintenance organization (HMO) industry was established in 1987 by an esteemed group of doctors and businessmen with the vision to deliver a better healthcare system. Three decades later, Maxicare has progressed into becoming the No. 1 HMO* in the country, continuously providing comprehensive healthcare programs via its wide network of medical providers and strengthened customer support. Maxicare has more than 1.2 Million Members, more than 56,000 affiliated Doctors, more than 1,000 affiliated Hospitals and Clinics, 3,800 Dental providers, 8 Primary Care Centers and 13 Helpdesks, 9 Satellite Offices, 5 Exclusive Wings.

Get Your Crowning Moment at Headtown Salon and Spa

"I grew up in a close-knit family of mostly female members and coming from an exclusive school for girls, all my life I've been surrounded by women who share the same passion for beauty. I was a frequent salon visitor growing up and have tried numerous services and with that, I have grown to become particular with the kind of service that I want. This has eventually inspired me to put up a salon where I could hopefully give my clients the satisfaction and consistency of expert styling and stellar service. We want our salon to be an Urban Beauty retreat where clients can experience total beauty and relaxation at an easy access location." ~Ms. Det Sarrol-Fuentes, Beauty Entrepreneur

Opening a one-stop glam destination started out as personal advocacy by the owner. Entering the beauty industry, prompted her to invest in professional development and constantly push her team to be on top of the current trends. She's not only determined to come up with an upscale salon that puts a premium on client-servicing, but also keen in making sure that potential customers feel at home knowing that they are being handled by experts. Located in the bustling city of Makati, her newest venture called Headtown Salon and Spa takes enormous pride in bringing out the best in every person.

The beauty and pampering hub offers world-class styling, hairdressing, and pampering that go beyond fab and fad. Whether it's a change in your 'do, a mid-day massage, or a fabulous makeover to get you in the mood for a night out, Headtown Salon and Spa guarantee that you'll leave the salon looking and feeling like royalty.

If you're looking for a great place to spend the day for a rejuvenating beauty treat, then you've come to the right salon. Headtown Salon and Spa have an innovative pool of stylists that takes good care of your beauty needs. Ensuring luxury experience that represents the top standards of the hair, beauty and pampering industry, the entire team, as headed by its salon owner Ms. Det Sarrol-Fuentes, guarantees clients of an amazing glow and quality me-time.

What sets Headtown Salon and Spa apart from its contemporaries is that it has a unique styling space, with exclusive VIP rooms that allow professional and freelance make-up artists to book a space for their clients, and double as a venue for workshops and events. And as a way to empower women to express their individuality, the top-notch full-service salon offers one-on-one tutorial services for hair styling and basic make-up application. With inclusivity and empowerment as two of their core values, the beauty startup positions itself as a game-changing potential that is emblematic of what the salon industry should be: fearless, bold, and constantly evolving with the times.

Book an appointment by calling Headtown Salon and Spa +63917 553 3838.

The salon is located at the 2F Shops at the Ayala North Exchange.

Like and follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/headtownsalon.

Fostering a Healthier and More Productive Workplace from the Inside Out

By Stephen Conchie, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Herbalife Nutrition Asia Pacific

Steve Conchie

In recent years, the promotion of health and wellness at the workplace has shifted from being one of many employee benefits to become a strategic business priority. Not only does a positive working environment reduce absenteeism and corporate healthcare costs, having a culture that promotes health and wellness at the workplace plays an important role in driving employee engagement, raising business productivity and improving bottom lines.

At the same time, changing workforce dynamics are driving the growing emphasis on the need for corporate wellness. The Millennials at Work study conducted by Herbalife Nutrition in Asia Pacific found that seven in 10 millennials would be motivated to stay active if wellness initiatives were part of their company's culture. With millennials poised to form the majority of the global workforce by 2020, and 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025, this generation – known for their pursuit of healthy lifestyles - will have an increasing influence on workforce dynamics and employee policies.

As we cast our sights on the future of work during this year’s Global Employee Health & Fitness Month in May, it is also timely for business leaders to review the health and wellness policies at the workplace against a backdrop of major changes brought about by technology and demographics. With technology increasingly blurring the lines between work and personal life, the growing influence of millennials and a rapidly aging workforce, this presents a critical need for organizations to rethink health and wellness programs for the future, and for everyone within the organization to play a greater role in shaping a positive working environment from the inside out.

For us at Herbalife Nutrition, we see three areas that are key in helping companies foster a healthier and more productive workplace for the future. These include promoting healthy active lifestyles, healthy eating, and mental wellness - involving business leaders and employees throughout the entire organization.

Promoting Healthy, Active Lifestyles Within and Outside the Workplace

In today’s technology connected world, striking a healthy work-life balance seems nearly impossible. With endless streams of demands being placed upon employees via a constant influx of emails and text messages, pulling all-nighters and desktop dining have become familiar scenes in today’s corporate environments.

To promote healthy, active living in today’s time-strapped working environments, organizations can make it easier for employees to adopt healthily eating habits and encourage physical activity by making these programs more accessible for them. Simple initiatives that companies can start with include organizing exercise sessions during lunchtime or in the evening at the workplace or encouraging organization-wide participation in mass sporting events.

To push the envelope further, business leaders and managers should also be encouraged to lead their teams in healthy active lifestyle initiatives. For instance, we organized a Healthy Active Lifestyle Challenge as a fun and interactive company-wide competition for leaders and managers to rally their teams to take part in physical activity and healthy eating challenges. Through this initiative, not only did the participation in corporate wellness activities increase, we also saw a significant boost in employee morale and close-knit relationships were formed between the management and their team members, resulting in a positive effect throughout our entire organization.

Encourage Healthy Eating for Employees

Being confined to the work desk for long periods, it can be tempting for employees to reach for unhealthy snacks as quick and convenient means to fuel their brain and body. In view of this trend, organizations can encourage employees to be more conscious about their food intake, and work on organization-wide initiatives to get employees to take a greater interest in healthy eating.

For example, companies may organize healthy eating days where healthier food options are catered for employees; or install vending machines within the office to provide healthy snack options. For us at Herbalife Nutrition, we invest in providing complimentary nutrition products for our employees to promote healthy eating through the organization. With the belief that good nutrition will help to foster healthier employees and a healthier workplace, we also involve our resident nutrition experts to share healthy eating tips with our employees regularly to build healthy eating habits across our offices in Asia.

Prioritize Mental and Emotional Wellness for all Employees

With more employees finding it challenging to strike a good balance between their work and personal life, employees can often end up neglecting their personal mental and emotional well-being. To provide mental and emotional health support for their employees, organizations can play an active role to incorporate mental wellness as part of corporate health and wellness programs. This can be as simple as organizing stress-relief activities such as art jamming classes and stress buster massages, like what we do at Herbalife Nutrition Hong Kong every quarter, to help our employees release stress at work for a healthier and happier life.

At the end of the day, building a healthy and more productive workplace begins from the inside out. With collective efforts made by the business leaders in shaping company-wide policies, the human resource teams and managers in rallying employees in organization-wide activities, and the employees themselves in fostering a healthy environment for their colleagues, this can have a multiplier effect in helping organizations shape healthier and happier workplaces for the future. 

4th Regional Travel Fair pushes for domestic tourism

Present during the opening ceremony were (L-R) DOT Region 10 director Marie Elaine Unchuan, TPB Domestic Department OIC Nerissa Juan, Philippine Airlines Luzon Station area head Christopher Lebumfacil, TPB Corporate Affairs Sector acting deputy chief operating officer Joselito Gregorio, Cebu Pacific sales director Agnes Gupalor, and TPB Domestic Promotions – Sales Division OIC Cesar Villanueva.

Spearheaded by the revitalized Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the 4th Regional Travel Fair in Clark, Pampanga recently concluded with a wide range of activities such as business-to-business sessions, a two-day business-to-consumer exhibit, forums and pre-event tours to further increase nationwide domestic tourist arrivals while promoting sustainable tourism in private-public initiatives and programs. The four-day travel fair highlighted two main events: business-to-consumer exposition attended by hundreds of travel enthusiasts, and participated in by the biggest tour operators and local tourism officers in the country to market their special travel deals and promos; and the business-to-business travel exchange that enabled participating buyers and sellers to network and discuss investment opportunities to generate leads and sales.

What Female Athletes Really Need for Optimal Sports Performance

By Dr. Dana Ryan, Director Sport Performance and Education, Herbalife Nutrition

Every single body is created unique and I am happy to see that society is beginning to embrace that fact and is moving towards a more body-positive culture.

This shift is also impacting the sports realm. All athletes – including women – have different body types that require unique nutritional needs.

Overcoming the cultural stereotype that women in sports should be skinny is important, not only from an ethical point of view but also from a nutritional one. Female athletes have particular nutrition needs, and it’s important to address them properly.

3 Essential Tips for Female Athletes

1. Avoid caloric restriction

Athletes spend great amounts of energy training and they need proper nutrition to fuel their workout and to recover after it. If athletes consume fewer calories than the ones they burn through exercise, it will affect their performance and overall health.

This is especially important for female athletes: if they restrict their caloric intake too much, it might lead to what is known as the Female Athlete Triad. In the Female Athlete Triad, we see low energy availability that can lead to other health issues, such as low bone mineral density and menstrual function disorders.

2. Taking adequate protein

Sometimes, female athletes skimp on protein intake for fear of getting big, bulky muscles. However, just consuming enough protein won’t lead to that. Unless women specifically train to bulk up, they will develop lean, strong muscles, but that still requires adequate protein.

For maximum benefit, female athletes should consume between 20 to 40 grams of high-quality protein within 30 to 45 minutes after a workout. A post-workout shake is a convenient way to get that protein in. It can be made from dairy (whey or casein) protein or from plant-based sources like soy.

3. Staying Properly Hydrated

During a vigorous workout, female athletes should drink lots of fluids with added electrolytes and carbohydrates. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, are lost through sweat and carbohydrates supply muscles with the glucose required to maintain peak performance.

Women in Sports: Inspiration and Strength

At Herbalife Nutrition I support both male and female sponsored athletes around the world by creating personalized nutrition and sports performance programs based on their goals and unique needs.

The female athletes I work with are strong, empowered women who thrive by supporting each other. Take Heather Jackson, who just made the top five on Ironman 70.3 Oceanside and is such an inspiration: she really embodies what it means to be an athlete, a female, and a leader.

It’s inspiring to see how these female athletes interact with each other: they challenge and treat each other with a mix of respect and kindness, which I think is an example of the strength of women, especially females in sport.

Beyond Pink Bottles: Sports Nutrition for Women

Both consumers and the industry are starting to realize that you can’t just make a container pink or a smaller size and then brand it a female product.

While the majority of sports nutrition is the same for men and women, we lack adequate research on female sports nutrition. When I was doing my dissertation, I was advised not to use young women as subjects because of menstrual cycles, hormone fluctuations, and the variations these may represent in long-term research. Since this is a common approach, most sports nutrition studies end up focusing on male subjects and male athletes.

However, the industry is finding ways to work around it. Yes, it’s more challenging, but it is necessary if we aim to really understand the particular needs of female athletes. There are important questions that are finally being addressed.

Finding Your Inner Athlete

What I love is that sports nutrition is not limited to the elite or professional athletes. The work our independent distributors do with their customers mirrors what I do with professional athletes. We work on the same principles: a personalized approach to success. We help people to figure out what their goal is, determining the right path to achieve it, and then support them throughout the process.

Any sort of lifestyle change is complex and it will have its upside-down. Having someone there whom you can reach out to is a really important part of that journey, regardless if you are a professional athlete or someone aiming for a more fit and active lifestyle. 

About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

Herbalife Nutrition is a global nutrition company whose purpose is to make the world healthier and happier.  The Company has been on a mission for nutrition - changing people's lives with great nutrition products and programs - since 1980. Together with our Herbalife Nutrition independent members, we are committed to providing solutions to global trends of poor nutrition and obesity, a population that wants to age in a healthier manner, skyrocketing public healthcare costs as well as providing an opportunity to meet the needs of the rising number of entrepreneurs. Herbalife Nutrition offers high quality, science-backed products, one-on-one coaching with an Herbalife Nutrition independent member, and a supportive community approach that inspires customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. The Company’s direct sales model provides individuals with an entrepreneurial business opportunity to be their own boss and work either full or part-time.

Herbalife Nutrition’s targeted nutrition, weight-management, energy and fitness and personal care products are available exclusively to and through its independent members in more than 90 countries. 

Herbalife Nutrition supports the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF) and its more than 130 community-based Casa Herbalife Nutrition programs around the globe that help bring good nutrition to children.  The Company and HNF also provide aide to organizations focused on the general wellness of communities such as the American Cancer Society, Save The Children and the American Red Cross.

Herbalife Nutrition is also proud to sponsor more than 190 world-class athletes, teams and events around the globe.

Herbalife Nutrition has approximately 8,300 employees worldwide, and its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HLF) with net sales of approximately US$4.9 billion in 2018. To learn more, visit Herbalife.com or IAmHerbalife.com.

Shopee brings regional brand ambassador BLACKPINK to the Philippines for their first-ever Meet & Greet

“Since unveiling BLACKPINK as our first regional brand ambassador last year, Shopee has received so much love and support from their Asian fans. Hence, we are delighted to be able to bring them to the Philippines and give Shopee users a chance to meet and interact with their favorite artists in person. We look forward to once again connect BLACKPINK with their massive fanbase in the Philippines and the region.” ~Ruoshan Tao, Head of Marketing at Shopee Philippines

Get exclusive tickets to the Shopee X BLACKPINK Meet and Greet on June 6, only on Shopee. Shopee users can choose from two tickets, Pink or Black, to get access to the event. 

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, will bring global K-Pop sensation BLACKPINK to the Philippines for the first Shopee X BLACKPINK Meet & Greet on June 6. Avid BLACKPINK fans, also known as Blinks, will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience to interact with their favorite idols at the event, which will feature exciting draws and giveaways including signed BLACKPINK CDs and Shopee gift certificates.

Users can get Pink tickets by purchasing any product from the YG Official Store on Shopee from May 11 to 25 using the special voucher code “SHOPEEXBP”. The first 150 successful buyers will be guaranteed a Pink ticket to the fan meet.

In addition, users can score Black tickets by registering on the official Shopee x BLACKPINK Meet & Greet page in the Shopee app. The top registered users who have an accumulated purchase of at least ₱4,000 on Shopee will receive one Black ticket that comes with an exclusive fan meet pass. To add to the excitement, the top 40 spenders will receive special autographs and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet BLACKPINK live on stage.

For more information on how to join the Shopee x BLACKPINK Meet and Greet, visit https://shopee.ph/m/blackpink-meet-greet.

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 is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support. Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.

Shopee has a wide selection of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.

Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Greater Southeast Asia. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.

THE FIRST EVER JIM BEAM HIGHBALL POP-UP BAR EXPERIENCE: LIVELY, FUN, REFRESHING

The Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up takes over Globe Amphitheatre on High Street with games, music and an eye-catching and immersive 360 bar. From April 24 to 28, the fun starts from 6pm onwards with Insta-worthy décor, colorful lights and refreshing Jim Beam highballs that will amp up your summer nights in Metro Manila!

“The Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar takes fun to another level as we give Manila more things to explore - from our specially crafted highball flavors to live music from local indie bands, games, and delicious food that everyone can enjoy!” ~Sally Lim, Senior Marketing Manager of Beam Suntory Southeast Asia

Using our unique and patented draft machines, six different flavors of Jim Beam Highball are introduced for only P120 per glass! Groups can enjoy a special offer of Buy 3 and Get 1 Free which will be running throughout all five days of the event.

Paired with the refreshing highballs are dishes from the classic restaurants High Street, BGC is most known for: 205, Village Tavern, Nanbantei of Tokyo, and The Coconut Club, Allegria, and Torch.

Of course, no chill session is complete without live music. Local indie bands Autotelic and Oh, Flamingo is performing live onstage:

April 24 & 27, 9pm onwards: Autotelic is an award-winning Filipino pop band known for their smooth vocals and dreamy yet lively melodies. Their debut album Papunta Pabalik recently earned platinum status by Universal Music Philippines after selling more than 15,000 copies. They have also been involved in Coca-Cola’s renowned music project Coke Studio Philippines.

April 25 - 26, 9pm onwards: Oh, Flamingo! is a Filipino indie band known for their catchy, genre-bending music and their energetic live performances. The band has made a name for themselves by playing in small gigs around the Metro as well as bigger music festivals like Fete de la Musique, Wanderland Festival, and the Mosaic Music Weekend in Singapore.

Amidst the drinks, music, and food are fun booth games for chances to win free Jim Beam Highballs. Attendees are also able to learn how to make the iconic Jim Beam Highball themselves.

The Jim Beam Highball Pop-Up Bar is located at the Globe Amphitheater in front of Coconut Club from Wednesday, April 24, to Sunday, April 28 starting from 6PM until 12 midnight, with extended hours to 2AM on Friday and Saturday.

Coding the future of payments: GCash breaches 50k QR merchant mark

“QR payments provide security and convenience to both merchants and their customers. Our thrust as a mobile wallet is to acquire as many merchant partners as possible — even micro-entrepreneurs such as taho vendors — to future-proof us from the expected boom in usage. We want to be as pervasive as our partner Ant Financial in China. QR is the future of payments, and we are committed to lead in this arena here in the Philippines. Merchants and social sellers can leverage the ubiquity of GCash in the Philippines, as well as benefit from this simple, cost-effective, and secure alternative to cash. Our aggressive stance in fighting for more QR-enabled merchants stems from the fact that everyday, more and more GCash users onboard the platform. Use cases for QR payments also continue to sprout. With Ant Financial as our partner, we are well-equipped to deliver the best QR experience in the Philippines. Ant Financial will also help us in strengthening our hold while massively scaling up our QR reach in the country.” ~JM Aujero, Vice President for Merchant Solutions

The use of QR for mobile digital payments is very popular in various emerging and developed economies. In China, for example, mobile digital payments account for over half of the country’s total transaction volumes.

In the Philippines, the use of the said technology is still in its nascent stage and has yet to see an explosion in usage today.

Despite this GCash, operated by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), sees the value of setting up as many QR-enabled merchants as possible, as it believes that the future of mobile digital payments lies on innovative technologies. 

Already, GCash has breached the 50,000 merchant mark in the first quarter of 2019, a huge milestone for the company that introduced this technology first in the Philippines in 2017. 

The QR technology of GCash is far-reaching, spanning from Luzon to Visayas and down to Mindanao, including popular tourist destination Boracay.

This particular technology is empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt into the digital arena. Aside from giving them access to millions of customers, the QR payments a solution of GCash allows merchants to enjoy auto-sweeping of their daily transactions into their account.

It likewise provides a better performance evaluation of the business, as the system provides for QR transaction reports, which allows enterprises to study and analyze their transactions in real time. Cash handling issues are also addressed through the QR payments system.

GCash offers merchants no set up fees, a huge customer base, lower rates than most debit and credit cards, a chance for increased marketing, and access to periodic reports to oversee their business performance.

GCash is embarking on a battle against cash to capture more users this year, and the need to increase the number of merchants in the GCash platform only continues to be more pronounced.

The GCash QR payments solution, he explained, is supportive of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ goal of reducing cash payments and increasing the share of non-cash transactions to 20 percent of the total volume by 2020.