Got ID? Send money for free with GCash

We use identification cards or IDs in practically all aspects of our transactions, whether it’s government or private. It is as important as having cash, ATM cards or credit cards in our wallets. 



In the Philippines, a valid ID is required when we open a bank account, apply for credit cards, apply for telephone or mobile phone lines, get our own meter for power and water, claim a package from the Post Office, or receive our orders from online shopping—all in the name of verification. Everyone asks for an ID. 

One of the best uses of your valid ID is to get fully verified with GCash so you can send money to anyone, anytime for FREE. GCash has more than 30 partner banks, many of which are already charging fees for money transfers. With GCash, sending money is still free, and it’s just as safe and fast as online apps. This is my favorite feature of GCash because it’s so convenient, and frankly, I don’t want to pay any charges for money transfers.



Of course, you have to make sure you have enough funds in your mobile wallet to send money, and you can do this by cashing in. You can move money online from your bank to your GCash wallet if you’re a fully verified user. If you’re transferring money to GCash from an international account, you may choose from one of the remittance options like Western Union, AlipayHK or Moneygram. For over-the-counter cash-in, it’s as easy. There are more than 15,000 partner outlets that will accept transfers to your GCash account; choose just one.



Cashing out is also easy. Use any of the 20,000 ATMs across the country using your GCash Mastercard. You can also access the country’s first fully mobile credit line through GCredit, earn high intertest on saving through GSave, access investments options through Invest Money or insurance through GCash Insure.



So if you’re planning to access all the features of GCash, which I always recommend to my friends and family, first make sure you have a fully verified account. All you have to do is download the latest version of GCash app from Apple or Google store. Then click any of the access points through Send Money, Cash-In via PayPal or debit card, GCredit or Invest Money. Ready your government-issued ID and follow the instructions, after which you will receive a confirmation message.



Wait 48 hours for verification and voila! You’re now ready to enjoy the full GCash experience! 

Ph Bossa Nova Queen Sitti To Perform “Anak” At Malaysia Jazz Festival

Re-recorded in more than 100 versions, released in 53 countries and translated in 29 languages, stayed at the number 1 spot for 2 weeks in the US Billboard charts with 33 million copies sold worldwide.  



It’s been four decades since Freddie Aguilar released Anak—recognized as the all-time highest selling record of Philippine Music yet its message continues to be as fresh and relevant as the first time he performed it at the first Metropop Song Festival in 1977.

Now a new generation of music aficionados will be introduced to the song when Sitti performs it at the upcoming Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) in Malaysia.



The country’s bossa nova queen will be representing the country  at the outdoor jazz festival happening this September 27 and 28 at the Waterfront Walkway of Grand Margherita Hotel overlooking the beguiling Sarawak River.  

“Since this is an opportunity for me not just to share my artistry but to also be able to let the audience listen and experience Filipino music, that is why we’ve decided to include a very special arrangement of the timeless OPM song Anak,” Sitti shared with us over lunch last week. 

Sitti adds she’ll be performing some of the most memorable bossa nova hits as well as several of her original songs like “Para Sa Akin” and “Ligaya” during her 45-minute set. 



We asked her how she feels about being part of the jazz festival and she said it has always been one of her dreams. 

“At first, I couldn’t believe it when my management (Asian Artists Agency), told me that the organizers of the Kuching Jazz Festival were inviting me to be part of the international lineup of performers.”

She said it was one of those dreams she wrote down a long time ago and had already forgotten until she got the call. 

“This opportunity is a gift from God  and a dream come true for me,” she adds. “I have always wanted to perform in an international jazz festival, and to be able to represent the Philippines will be such a great honor.”

Sitti has been taking some time off the music scene after giving birth to her first baby Issiah Dañelle last November and although she has been doing a few corporate shows, she says nothing compares to performing in front of a big crowd and feeling their energy. 



To prepare for the Kuching Jazz Festival, Sitti said she is going back to the basics, listening to the songs of great bossa artists such as Astrud Gilberto, Rosa Passos, Gel Cosa and others. 

The Kuching Jazz Festival will feature a lineup of international performers including Dawn Wong and The Shanghai Jazz Club (Singapore), Q Sound (USA/Malaysia), Harvey Malaihollo (Indonesia), Xanaduduo (UK/Sarawak), Ushera (Malaysia), Saxx In The City (Indonesia), Ning Baizura (Malaysia), Dave Brewer and The DooDaddies (Australia), Z Yan (Malaysia), and Nisa Addina (Sarawak/USA). 

“Music fans will surely be delighted to attend the jazz festival and it’s going be a spectacular musical treat for everyone. I’m very excited to perform and groove to the rhythm with the audience. I’ll give them a best performance they will always remember,” says Sitti.

The first edition of Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) in 2017 was a great success and ended on a high note. Today, everyone is looking forward excitingly to the upcoming KWJF 2019. The Grand Margherita Hotel, a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) was the organiser of the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival as well as the official venue and hotel. 



The first of its kind outdoor jazz festival overlooking the majestic Sarawak River saw a lineup of 17 performing groups from 7 regional and international countries. The performers were Jeremy Monteiro and The Asian All-Stars Power Quartet feat Melissa Tham (Singapore), Sheila Majid (Malaysia), Ernie Watts, Lewis Pragasam & Asia Beat feat. John Kaizan Neptune (USA/Japan/Malaysia), Andy Peterson (Malaysia), Balawan Magic Fingers (Indonesia), Abdul & the Coffee Theory (Indonesia), Sri Hanuraga Trio ft. Dira Sugandi (Indonesia), Kunto Aji (Indonesia), Mellow Motif (Thailand), Baihana (Philippines), Shanghai Sisters (Malaysia), Diana Liu (Malaysia), Akoustik Connexion (Malaysia), Jolynn Joelle Chin (Malaysia), Big Band Borneo (Malaysia), and UKBD Band (Malaysia). 



Held from 29th to 30th September, KWJF 2017 became the first event to kick-start WAK or What About Kuching 2017, a month-long event spread out all over Kuching with various smaller niche events throughout October. Apart from the jazz performances by the world-class musicians, KWJF 2017 featured a bazaar which saw participation from local vendors. A total of 22 vendors comprising arts and craft, including food and beverage vendors participated in KWJF 2017 Bazaar. The bazaar increased the value of the festival, giving festival goers a more holistic experience, especially tourists, where they were able to purchase local Sarawak wares and food. The bazaar also included booths by non-profit organisations such as SSPCA & Lim Kok Wing, 10 Ringgit Club, Blind Massage Centre and Heart Treasures. 



The number of festival-goers to KWJF 2017 was recorded at about 4000, far exceeding the target of the organisers. The jazz festival was a success as it was created as a family oriented event with emphasis given for an audience of all ages. Apart from the entertaining music concerts, the view of the spectacular Sarawak River together with the lively bazaar made KWJF an event to be remembered. KWJF 2019 this year promises to include a greater lineup of performers and a complete event with activities for the whole family to enjoy



Tickets are now on sale at www.kuchingwaterfrontjazz.com.



Sitti is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Carousell celebrates seventh anniversary with a brand new visual identity

Carousell, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing classifieds, celebrated its seventh anniversary with the launch of a new visual identity, together with milestones including reaching its 250th million listing and fourfold revenue growth in 2018.

This visual identity refresh signifies the brand’s progression and growth, while putting a spotlight on its core purpose of enabling shared possibilities amongst users of the online marketplace. Throughout the years, Carousell has been harnessing mutually beneficial opportunities to empower users, and celebrated numerous success stories of users who turned their passions into livelihoods.

Co-founder and CEO, Quek Siu Rui epitomised Carousell’s win-win opportunities when he sold his MacBook on Carousell to a father with a young daughter. The father wanted his daughter to learn about the internet but could not afford a brand new computer. He turned to Carousell, and this made Siu Rui realise that Carousell is a platform that would enable possibilities for users with each transaction.

“Our mission has not changed since day one. We want to inspire every person in the world to start selling. Seven years ago, we saw that there was no easy way to sell stuff online and existing platforms were tedious and uninspiring to use. Hence, we launched a mobile app that made selling as easy as taking a photo, buying as simple as chatting, and we made it social. It really set the standard for what mobile classifieds should be. Now, we’ve grown our presence to six markets, expanded from general classifieds to properties and automobiles and recorded over 250 million listings,” shared Quek Siu Rui, Co-founder and CEO of Carousell.

“This proves that Carousell is serving a real need, and is more relevant than ever in today’s marketplace, where consumption has grown rapidly and sustainability has become a huge focus. In Southeast Asia, there’s a population of over 640 million people, where two-thirds are still just coming online and experiencing the magic of the Internet. The refreshed visual identity showcases Carousell’s uniqueness where transactions go way beyond dollars and cents; where friendships are forged, stories are shared and interests get discovered.”

Carousell also announced a fourfold revenue growth in 2018. This strong growth trajectory is a testament to Carousell’s business strategy, and an affirmation that the brand is progressing in the right direction. Prior to implementing monetisation streams in mid-2017, Carousell has been laser-focused on building a great platform, enhancing product features, improving the user experience as well as scaling across the region.

Carousell’s seventh anniversary celebration culminated at Carousel land, an annual flagship event that celebrates its community. It spanned across two halls at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and was filled with Carousellers selling items, running workshops and organising community activities like retrogaming and board gaming. In line with bringing its refreshed brand to life, Carouselland upped the ante with a myriad of sensory and participatory activities that highlighted the shared connections and possibilities that this platform brings to all users and the public, beyond mere transactions.

With more than 300 vendors classified under seven thematic clusters that covered everything from Style to Property and even Alternate Reality, visitors got to choose from a wide range of shopping and activity choices according to their personal interests. These included handicraft workshops, community activities and even tips on how to groom cars, helmed by Carousellers from all walks of life who discovered and turned their dreams to reality on the platform. Plenty of Instagrammable spots awaited visitors as they explored the event ground.


To further showcase the win-win experiences enabled by Carousell, a special ‘Match and Win-win’ card was given to all visitors of Carouselland. Visitors then searched for the person holding a matching card, through the Carousell app and social media. Each successful pair got to redeem their prizes at the Redemption booth.

Carouselland 2019 was held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Halls A & B in Singapore from 16-18 August.

Get 1000 OFF on Momax Q. Power Pro

Momax Q. Power Pro,  the fast wireless charging dock for iOS and Android users with 8000 MAH battery capacity is now available at Digital Walker. The regular price is P2990  and is now on sale for only P1990.00.

Momax Q. Power Pro fearures thhe following;

-Fast Wireless Charging up to 7.5W for iOS and 10W for Android
-8000 MAH battery capacity
-2 in 1 power bank and wireless charging dock
-Enlarged coil allows the device to charge in portrait and landscape
-Type C PD Fast charge output up to 18 W

Available at Digital Walker and Beyond the Box Stores

Realme Philippines is looking for its next brand ambassador

Leading smartphone brand realme Philippines is looking for its next brand ambassador. The brand, which anchors itself on youthful vigor and character, is inviting 18 to 30-year old game changers ready to take on the dare to represent the brand and the real value it offers.

Two winners, one male and one female, will be enjoying a cash prize of PHP 50,000 each, the latest realme smartphone which will be launched before the year ends, PHP 5 million worth of promotional literature exposure and realme branded items such as the realme tech backpack and buds.

The winners will also be personally hosted by the realme Philippines team in the realme headquarters in Taguig City for an array of photo and video shoots.

"Realme would like to offer a creative platform to the youth who embody the brand's core of youthful energy and real value. We look forward to receiving your entries. We are excited to create fun and exciting campaigns and content with you," shares realme Philippines Marketing Lead, Eason de Guzman. 

In a 1-minute entry video, interested participants must explain why they are the perfect fit in representing a brand that is proud to be young. The participant must exhibit pride in what she or he dares to do as a young trailblazer, example being, “I dare to be extreme because the world is filled with adventures that I am excited to try”. All entry videos must start with a realme clip that can be downloaded through this link.  The entry must be posted publicly across all the social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – of the participant.

Realme Philippines must be tagged in the post @realmePH and hashtags #DareToRepresentRealme and #RealmePH must be included in the caption. Deadline of submission is on September 01.

On September 09, the new realme brand ambassadors will be announced through a livestream on the official Facebook page of realme Philippines.

For more information on the ambassador hunt, participants may view the Dare to Represent Realme project Facebook note of realme Philippines.

Hope Springs With LG’s Washabilities Laundry Shop

LG, in close collaboration with Hopewell Integrated School (HIS) and Bigwash, endeavors to empower individuals with special needs through a sustainable livelihood program.

Dubbed as HopeWash, the program positions students and graduates of HIS, a non-stock non-profit organization based in Cavite dedicated to individuals with special needs, to be employable and lead functional lives.

To jumpstart the project, LG and Bigwash worked together to get the shop up and running by taking care of the construction and the training of the staff, which consists of HIS alumnus. LG donated 5 sets of commercial washers and dryers, 1 commercial refrigerator, and 1 43” TV set. Unilever also lent a hand by donating laundry detergents specially formulated for the commercial washers.

Expounding on the company’s role in the program, LG Managing Director Inkwun Heo states, “We are firm believers in HIS’s goal of providing these children a future to look forward to. We want to empower them as much as we are able to. Our intuitive design provides accessibility through straightforward simplicity.”

Washabilities Laundry Shop is now open and ready to serve all of your laundry needs at 135 Remulla Compound Paliparan Road, Molino 4, Bacoor, Cavite.

LG Philippines has partnered up with Netflix to bring the best shows straight to your home

Join Eleven, Mike, and the rest of the gang as they go on their misadventures in the latest season of Netflix’s blockbuster hit Stranger Things. 

LG Philippines has partnered up with Netflix to bring the best shows straight to your home. With every purchase of LG’s 2019 OLED or NanoCell TV models, you’ll receive an accompanying gift of 6 months of Netflix. You can experience your favorite shows the way they were meant to be seen – in a stunning array of colors and high dynamic range. 

To showcase the capabilities of the OLED and NanoCell TVs, as well as to give customers a fully interactive, hands-on experience, LG will hold a roadshow in key locations around the Metro. The venues for LG’s roadshow are strategically located in order to reach key markets for the coveted TV sets. 

Consumers are invited to fiddle around with LG’s newest line of award-winning OLED TVs and see for themselves the exquisite design and the stunning details the flagship units have to offer. The TVs on display during the roadshow are all powered by LG’s new α9 Gen2 & α7 Gen2 processors which are equipped with Deep Learning technology. 

This new innovation allows the TV to understand how to optimize and enhance the picture and sound best for any content, giving you the most optimal viewing experience possible.

Want to test out what makes the new TVs a cut above the rest? Catch the LG roadshow in select malls, starting with SM Mall of Asia, Pasay from Aug 2 – 11, Solenad, Nuvali on Aug 16 – 25, and UP Town Center, Quezon City on Aug 30 – Sept 8. 

Make sure to drop by to see for yourself the purest colors, the deepest blacks, stunning contrast, and innovative design that the LG TVs have to offer.

Watami Grill & Sushi Bar launches "Bento-go"

Watami Grill & Sushi Bar recently launched “Bento-go”, a selection of  sushis, katsus, gyudon and more of your favorite Japanese dishes for delivery.

Is your team celebrating a recent sales victory, having a lunch meeting, or simply stumped with evening deadlines at the workplace? Watami’s Bento-Go offers a range of options to curb your cravings! 

Choose from Katsu-Bento (crispy pork cutlet) or Gyudon Bento (strips of savory beef). The Katsu comes with rice and mixed vegetables while the Gyudon is served with  rice, mixed vegetables and maki rolls. There’s also the Teriyaki Bento for chicken lovers. 

Also try Watami’s Sushi Bento Bento-Go which is a combination of four assorted sushis, four slices of California maki and a side salad. It also has Kani rolls, and Spicy Tuna Roll that will surely save the day!

You don’t need to go out  and  get stuck in traffic, nor skip lunch or dinner, thanks to Watami’s Bento-Go options. 

They are available via delivery partners Food Panda, GrabFood, and Zomato. All deliveries will arrive in a nifty bento box that’s handy, making meetings, lunches, dinner breaks, and stay-at-home weekends…worry-free! 

Bento-Go is available initially at Watami Greenbelt. 
Like and follow us on social media—FB: WatamiPH | IG: @watamiph)

Lets get ready to rumble for the WWE Smackdown Live on September 20!

If youre a fan or WWE, you should probably know by now that WWE Superstar Sheamus is in the PH promoting the much awaited WWE Smackdown live in Manila on September 20!. 

I finally got to meet him in person last August 15 for the exclusive meet and greet with the media held at Skinny Mike's. It was awesome to know a bit of his personality. There were so many no holds barred questions thrown at him during the presscon and he was by far the coolest international WWE Superstar who obliged and who was sport enough to answer each and everyone. Including who he wants to beat in the rink next time and he coolly answered "Brock". 

I was about to ask him what's the story behind his famous mohawk but I wasnt called. But just the same,  meeting and having a selfie with him in person was more than enough. I just cant wait to see him and the rest of the WWE Superstars this coming September. 

“I’ve always said that what makes a country great are the people in it,” Sheamus added. “The food is amazing, the people here are amazing. Everyone here is so proud to be from the Philippines- everyone is so nice and respectable. Most importantly, everyone here loves the WWE!”



For the WWE Universe in the Philippines, the talk of the town was the return of four-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Sheamus on Thursday, August 15th, 2019. The Celtic Warrior’s 24-hours in the Philippines included an obstacle run and a meet & greet with select members of the WWE Universe.

Later that afternoon, the WWE Universe in the Philippines braved the infamous Manila traffic for an exclusive meet and greet at Skinny Mike’s Sports Bar in Bonifacio Global City. For the hundreds in attendance, it was the chance to personally interact with one of the most decorated Superstars in sports-entertainment history. From his numerous WWE World Heavyweight Championship wins to his incredible tag team run as one-half of The Bar with Cesaro, an entire generation of Filipino WWE fans grew up watching Sheamus’ battles inside the squared circle. 

After landing in Manila on Wednesday night, Sheamus hit the gym to recover from a long and grueling flight. The following morning, Sheamus took to the streets of Metro Manila for a quick photo shoot before joining the kids from the Christian Mission Service Philippines, via Children’s Hour Philippines, for a fun obstacle run. 

“That was amazing!” Sheamus shared. “A lot of these kids were jumping all over the walls. They were active and they were having fun!”

Sheamus then sat down for a series of interviews with the local media. This allowed Sheamus to talk about his inspiring Celtic Warrior Workouts and his goals upon returning to the ring.

“If I get back into the ring, the Intercontinental Championship will be the first thing I go after. It’s definitely the one I want to finish the collection. It’s that one Infinity Stone. Once I get it, in the click of my finger. Boom!”



WWE SmackDown! will make its long-awaited return to the Philippines on Friday, September 20th, 2019, live at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets nationwide and online at http://www.ticketnet.com.ph.

For additional information about Sheamus and WWE, please visit: http://www.WWE.com or follow the WWE on its social media pages: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WWE) | Twitter (https://www.twitter.com/WWESEAsia) .

Samsung brings back The Great Samsung TV Sale

There are a lot of exciting events and celebrations happening this August such as the much-awaited screenings of local and international film festivals. The 2019 Emmy Award nominations have also been announced, with most series and TV movies from content services gaining a lot of nominations.

What better way to celebrate this exciting month than catching these award-winning and binge-worthy films and shows on Samsung’s larger-than-life TVs. In celebration of being the global no. 1 TV for 13 years, Samsung brings back its grand TV promotional event, The Great Samsung TV Sale, with bigger and better prizes, and amazing offers!

There is really no better time to avail of the best TVs at the best possible deals than during The Great Samsung TV Sale, with 13 great offers of up to 25% off on QLED, UHD, and Full HD TV models. Plus, any purchase of a 2018 or 2019 model gives buyers a chance to win one of 13 QLED 4K TVs in the raffle.

To make its much-anticipated sale of the year even more thrilling, Samsung is also giving away one 82-inch QLED 8K TV worth Php 999,999 to a very lucky grand raffle prize winner.

With more than 33 million pixels, the grand prize QLED 8K TV will transport viewers to a new world of resolution and provide true-to-life images for a truly immersive viewing. Its Quantum Processor 8K has a built-in AI upscaling technology so that everyone can watch their favorite movies and shows from any source and streaming sites into real 8K quality. The QLED 8K TV raffle prize can be won with a purchase of any 55-inch-and-up 2018 or 2019 TV models during the sale.

The brand’s launch of its 2019 lineup also boasts AI Upscaling for its QLED 4K series, plus fantastic features like its voice-control remote assistant Bixby on TV, energy-efficient Ambient Mode, and more.

Meanwhile, those who will buy any 2018 or 2019 Samsung Soundbar model will also get a chance to be one of the 13 winners of a 32-inch Samsung Smart TV, and one big winner of a 49-inch QLED 4K TV. The 2019 Samsung Soundbar lineup features the new Q-series models, developed with audio masters Harman Kardon.

Don’t miss this chance of taking your home entertainment to the next level with The Great Samsung TV Sale. Visit any authorized Samsung dealer store nationwide until August 31, 2019or go to www.samsung.com/ph/offer/greatsamsungtvsale2019/ for more details.

Popeyes now poppin’ its big, bold flavors in SM San Lazaro

If you study, live or work in Manila.  Here's your chance to get a taste of Popeyes, as another branch is opening right in the heart of Manila, Santa Cruz area in SM San Lazaro. Just be ready to go there early to avoid long lines.

Popeyes Philippines sure is poppin’ up in many parts of the metro. After opening its ArcoVia restaurant in the east and the Alabang Town Center in the south just recently, Popeyes is opening back-to-back its third restaurant at SM City San Lazaro in Santa Cruz, Manila. Their newest store will also be the first Popeyes branch to open at an SM Mall.

Now Manileños won’t have to miss out on the fun with all its signature dishes now within their reach: From the highly-anticipated original honey biscuits, Cajun fries to Popeyes’ famous fried chicken that everyone wants to have a taste of.

To make things even more exciting for their back-to-back openings, Popeyes is serving its new treats in Manila such as the hazelnut and white chocolate biscuits, that can be paired with your fried chicken or eaten as a dessert, and Popeyes Spaghetti, a sweet and meaty meal that Filipino diners will surely enjoy that’s exclusive to the Philippines.

Diners can make the most of the whole Popeyes experience with its new global restaurant image: a hip and more vibrant feel that will make people excited when they dine at Popeyes. It’s also the perfect destination for family, friends, and students around the area who are looking for good food and a great hangout spot in Manila.

The Popeyes opening in SM City San Lazaro will also be an exciting celebration featuring a grand unveiling with a groovy marching band that’s made even more exciting with some of the most popular celebrities and influencers, and poppin’ fun games with great prizes.

Popeyes fans can surely look forward to more Popeyes opening soon as they plan to continue their back-to-back openings so that everyone can get a piece of Popeyes’ big and bold Southern flavors soon.

To learn more, visit the website at www.popeyes.ph or follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/popeyesph, and Instagram www.instagram.com/popeyesph.