Search This Blog

Saturday, May 30, 2020

LG helps Las Pinas frontliners keep it cool in battle against COVID-19


Global technology innovator LG Electronics has been one of the most active members of the private sector in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. 

The South Korean electronics conglomerate has played an active role in rising to the challenge posed by the global pandemic. On the local front, LG has been providing much needed assistance to the frontliners in various LGUs combatting the virus.

Recognizing the need for safe, straightforward, and comfortable testing booths for the frontliners, LG Philippines collaborated with Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers -Las Piñas-Muntinlupa (PSME-LPM) Chapter, in order to provide two sample collection booths to the Las Piñas Health Office. 
The summer heat, combined with the frontliners’ full body PPEs, can cause thermal stress especially since they have to stand for almost 8 hours inside the sampling booth. To help with this, LG outfitted the booths with window-type air-conditioners, which operate at sound levels as low as 44dB, eliminating unnecessary noise for smooth operation, as well as an anti-bacterial filter to trap harmful particles and bacteria.

LG Managing Director Inkwun Heo stresses the important of comfort for the frontliners, stating “Our brave health workers are risking their lives on a daily basis. We at LG are committed to give our all in giving them relief and comfort while in the line of duty. It’s the least we can do for their heroic deeds”.
 #LGShares

Jollibee Foods Corporation and PayMaya pioneer conversational commerce with ‘cashless’ ordering chatbot

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) along with all of its food and restaurant brands in the country has begun piloting an interactive mobile ordering system via chatbot, with a seamless payment experience powered by PayMaya.

Customers in select areas can now use their credit, debit, or prepaid cards  as well as their PayMaya e-wallet accounts to pay for their favorite food items and meals via the Facebook Messenger channels of  Jollibee, Burger King, Chowking, Mang Inasal, and Red Ribbon -- which are all currently running on beta version.  This will soon be available in the Facebook messenger of Greenwich as well.

All they need to do is type “#order” and send this to the Facebook chatbot of their favorite JFC restaurant, select the meal they’d like to order, pay by selecting their preferred cashless payment option, and wait for their food to be delivered in their homes.


As an added treat, customers can get up to 100% cashback when they pay using their PayMaya registered mobile number upon ordering via chatbot with a minimum spend of P500. 

“As we implement more stringent safety measures in this 'new normal', the availability of PayMaya’s cashless payments solutions helps ensure that both our customers and frontliner workers are protected, while at the same time giving them a more joyful experience when they order their favorite food from any of our brands," said Jollibee Global Brand CMO, JFC Philippines Country Business Group and concurrent Jollibee PH Marketing Head Francis Flores.

Offering cashless payment options via the Facebook chatbot is just the next step in the partnership between PayMaya and JFC.  In 2019, this partnership also helped pave the way for the launch of digital payments through self-ordering kiosks in Jollibee, Burger King and Chowking stores via the One by PayMaya Point-Of-Sale Device, and now has expanded its cashless payment option in 300 Jollibee stores.

“Over the past months we've seen an acceleration in the evolution of 'conversational commerce', with businesses and entrepreneurs harnessing their networks through chat apps to continue selling their products. During this time, businesses like JFC's brands need to be present where their customers are, and today most of the customers are online–so offering a wide variety of digital payment options ensures a safe and seamless ability for them to meet their business and customer needs," PayMaya President Shailesh Baidwan said.

Soon, JFC will also be rolling out PayMaya’s Digital Invoice solution when ordering online via its various brand's delivery websites or through their respective hotlines, allowing customers to receive an invoice with a payment link via SMS or email so that they can also pay using any card or using their PayMaya account.

Aside from enabling the cashless payments acceptance of various JFC brands, PayMaya has also partnered with Jollibee Group Foundation to allow them to receive donations from anywhere around the world via the #OneAgainstCOVID19 campaign website (pymy.co/jollibee) or through the Pay Bills function of the PayMaya app. 

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cuts across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing the payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya is enabling national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.

Through its PayMaya app and wallet, it is providing millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner agents nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services.

To know more about PayMaya's products and services for businesses and merchants, visit http://enterprise.paymaya.com.

BDO Foundation supports gov’t programs on COVID-19



In the fight to contain COVID-19 and its effects, collaboration between the private sector and the national government is crucial. This is why BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, supported RapidPass and ReliefAgad, two government programs designed to help frontliners and Filipinos severely affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The RapidPass System and ReliefAgad Program are ways to make movement and transactions more efficient in communities under enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine,” explained Teresita Sy-Coson, chairperson of BDO. “Because these initiatives will benefit the communities, they are in line with the objectives of BDO Foundation.”

In support of RapidPass, the foundation donated 300 smartphones with prepaid loads and 550 power banks to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The items were turned over by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito to DOST National Capital Region regional director Jose Patalinjug III.



The donation helps the implementation of the RapidPass System, enabling the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to safely and efficiently scan QR codes at checkpoints and facilitate the quick passage of vehicles of more than 500,000 authorized frontliners and critical service personnel. RapidPass minimizes vehicle congestion at 180 control points and speeds up the delivery of essential goods during the quarantine. The system prevents COVID-19 transmissions and ultimately helps stimulate economic activity.

“The system allows frontline personnel to apply for a digital pass,” explained Winston Damarillo, chief executive of Developers Connect Philippines, the non-profit organization behind both RapidPass and ReliefAgad. “Holders of the pass may go through a special lane without the need for additional documents. Checkpoint officers verify passes via encrypted high-speed scanners provided by BDO Foundation. This saves time at checkpoints.”

BDO Foundation also supported ReliefAgad, a web application that automates and accelerates the distribution of financial assistance to beneficiaries of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP). Managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the digital app enables the efficient collection of beneficiary information.

“BDO Foundation provided support to facilitate one-time passwords to users of ReliefAgad. Through its assistance, the foundation ensures that SAP beneficiaries receive their subsidies in a timely and secure manner,” Damarillo shared.

With the ReliefAgad Program in place, millions of Filipinos—underserved individuals who lost their incomes due to the pandemic—are expected to receive cash aid safely as they avoid long lines in crowded public spaces and exposure to COVID-19. Beneficiaries also have options to obtain financial assistance through electronic payment systems or directly from banks.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Reader’s Digest recognized BDO Unibank, Inc. with two Gold Awards in the Personal Banking and Business Banking categories



 After emerging as the highest rated bank by Filipino clients in its recent survey, Reader’s Digest recognized BDO Unibank, Inc. with two Gold Awards in the Personal Banking and Business Banking categories and two Silver Awards in the Home Loan and Internet Banking categories during its first Quality Service Awards.  In the photo are Reader's Digest’s Sheron White, Advertising and Retail Sales Director for Asia Pacific and BDO’s Manuel Locsin, Jr., Senior Vice President for Corporate Banking Group.

Goldilocks offers Ready-to-Eat and Ready-to-Cook packs


If you feel that your body needs a break from canned goods.  Check out these ready-to-cook favorites. 

As everyone tries to ease in with the new normal, families are now trying to find practical ways to prepare delicious but hassle-free meals.  
Goldilocks, the country's number one bakeshop, now offers frozen Ready-to-Eat and Ready-to-Cook packs of their Pinoy home-cooked viands we have all grown to love.




Enjoy Goldilocks favorites such as Dinuguan, Laing with Rellenong Bangus, and Dinuguan in Ready-To-Eat packs. While Lumpiang Shanghai, Pork BBQ, Chicken Tenders, Beef Caldereta, Kare-Kare, and Pork Sisig Ready-to-Cook packs are hassle-free ways to prepare  delicious meals for the whole family.
Grab these from select Goldilocks stores nationwide.  For more information, you may follow @GoldilocksPH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit the official Goldilocks website at www.goldilocks.com.ph

Disinfect to Protect: Lysol donates P36M to PRC to boost mass testing



Lysol Philippines has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for Disinfect to Protect, a joint mission to ensure everybody is protected from illnesses, by breaking the chain of infection. 

Through the endeavor, the disinfectant brand will donate P36 million to boost mass testing in support of government efforts, bring it to the most vulnerable groups, and encourage Filipinos to sanitize their surroundings to protect them from disease-causing germs.

Half of the donation will be used to build a COVID-19 mass testing center in Cagayan De Oro city. To be known as the Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory, the facility will have 2 polymerase chain reaction machines that can process 2,000 tests per day. 

Senator Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross chairman, receives the Lysol Philippines donation from Aleli Arcilla, RB Health Philippines general manager, during turnover ceremony at the PRC headquarters in Mandaluyong City.


Lysol’s contribution will also be earmarked for the laboratory’s operations and maintenance costs, including hiring of personnel.

The other half of the donation—P18 million—will go to the COVID-19 Samaritan Fund to shoulder processing fees to test around 4,500 Filipinos from the most susceptible groups, including the elderly, pregnant women and those with pre-existing health conditions, especially in poor communities.

Lysol will also turn over P5 million worth of its products to help disinfect PRC sample collection areas, as well as testing laboratories, to keep frontline healthcare workers and communities protected against the novel coronavirus.

From Left to Right: (Alfred So, RB Health Philippines Regulatory Affairs Director, Sen. Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross Chairman, and Aleli Arcilla, RB Health Philippines General Manager.)


To break the chain of COVID-19 infection in the household level, the brand is also encouraging Filipinos to practice proper handwashing, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting their surroundings—including frequently-touched surfaces at home and workplaces—with disinfectant sprays and multi-purpose cleaners.


“We feel humbled to be partnering with the Philippine Red Cross in their efforts to strengthen the country’s COVID-19 testing capacity and expand its coverage to needy sectors of society, as we keep the Philippines’ medical front-liners safe against an unseen enemy while creating awareness on the importance of hygiene and disinfection,” said Gonzalo Balcazar, RB General Manager for South East Asia, Hygiene. “More than ensuring households are protected from illness-causing germs, Lysol sees this partnership, and our ‘Disinfect to Protect’ mission as creating a bigger impact on various communities.”

“We welcome Lysol as our partner in helping control the spread of COVID19. They are a company who has invested most of their resources in studying pathogens and developing solutions that can kill these. They know what we are up against, and how we can stop the infection,” said Sen Gordon, Chairman of Philippine Red Cross.

To know more about the Disinfect to Protect mission, please visit the Lysol Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/LysolPH) or Philippine Red Cross (https://www.facebook.com/phredcross). 

Strengthening abilities and forming bonds in the new norm



As the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be a global problem, disruptions to daily life continue to affect many people all over the world. This can be said especially for parents of children with disabilities, who may now look into online alternatives when it comes to therapy for their children, since in-person therapy sessions are not possible due to health risks brought about by the virus. 

Therapy may be essential for the development of some children with disabilities. It allows them and their families to develop abilities that are important in everyday life. And two of the most important therapies in this regard are speech language therapy and occupational therapy, according to speech language pathologist Ma. Rowena “Weng” Arao-Ynion.

Ynion is Program Director at Trails Center for Children, Inc., a therapy center specializing in individualized pediatric services, whose mission is “to guide children in discovering their gifts.” She has actively participated in the annual Angels Walk for Autism organized by SM Cares and the Autism Society Philippines (ASP).

"Speech language therapists teach them how to communicate with other people properly and be able to form relationships with them," Ynion said. "Occupational therapists, on the other hand, teaches them to become better when carrying out simple everyday tasks, so that they can function independently as individuals in all aspects of their lives."

According to Ynion, these two therapies were typically implemented through in-person sessions. But with the threat posed by COVID-19 on the health and safety of children with disabilities - who typically have compromised immune systems - in-person sessions may not be viable especially in places where there are strict community quarantine protocols.




Routine disruptions

COVID-19’s impact on the lives of children with disabilities goes beyond making in-person sessions inaccessible and those who were able to establish a routine prior to the pandemic may have had their daily habits disrupted. This was the case for Maebelline Evangelista and her daughter Erin, and Carmela Pedroso and her son Miguel.

“Being thrown out of routine was definitely a big challenge. Getting back on track was difficult at first, but and I’m really thankful that Miguel got back into it eventually,” Pedroso said about Miguel, who has autism.

“The sudden changes in our everyday life in the first few days of the ECQ heightened my daughter’s hyperactivity, because there were less things to do since we couldn’t go out of the house,” said Evangelista of Erin, who has Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder —and who, like Miguel, eventually got back into routine.

For Evangelista, she encourages Erin to engage in physical activity together with the latter’s younger brother Enrico. For Pedroso, she continues to support Miguel’s hobby in painting, not only to keep him preoccupied with something that he loves, but to help him practice as they prepare for an online painting competition later this year.

“Teletherapy” may be the safer option

Ynion, or “Teacher Weng” as she is fondly called, said that teletherapy is currently the best option because parents can still help their children without exposing them to the virus. Therapy centers have to abide by the guidelines set by the Local Government Units specifically on Infection Prevention and Control before accommodating children for in-person sessions.
Online therapy sessions have always been an alternative to in-person sessions, typically availed by those who don't have easy access to the latter, like those in far-flung areas, according to occupational therapist “Teacher Karen” Navarro, who is also the co-founder of Special Achievers, a non-government organization that helps children with disabilities reach their full potential. Special Achievers has partnered with SM Cares for several of its projects that highlight the abilities and promote the inclusion of PWDs. 

Both Evangelista and Pedroso have been availing of online therapy sessions for their children, and they said that so far, doing so has been producing favorable results.

Navarro noted that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, online therapy was not as widely accepted. But now, with social distancing becoming part of the new normal, authorities have started releasing guidelines for it. One example of such is a set of guidelines by the Philippine Academy of Occupational Therapists, Inc. that was published on March 16, 2020.



With more parents now opting for online sessions, Navarro said she personally had to make some adjustments in her way of teaching. "I find myself talking to parents much more now whenever I do online therapy sessions," Navarro said. "I had to re-calibrate the way I teach so that I am able to teach the child and at the same time provide coaching for parents on how they can help their child learn."

Speaking on which option is more effective, Navarro said that with in-person therapy, intervention is direct, there are no limitations in terms of how old the patient is, and therapists can use equipment and toys to make each session more productive.

For online therapy, she said that while there is still direct intervention, the focus is more on parent
coaching and caregiver training, wherein they are asked to help therapists design activities for the
children or do the intervention for their child with the therapist's guidance. Other than that, online sessions allow therapists to reach even more people unlike before.
Ynion, meanwhile, pointed out that online therapy sessions have variable effects as children have varying needs. But while this is the case, Ynion said that they are working hard to acquire key learnings and establish best practices for parents to follow.

“Right now, we do not know the full extent of how helpful online therapy is for a lot of children with disabilities. However, we are continuously learning as we gather data and insights from parents, support groups and professional organizations like the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists,” Ynion said.

SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, have instituted programs that promote social inclusion and in creating a barrier-free environment for PWDs in all its malls. And with the modified and new normal way of doing things brought about by the pandemic, SM feels that societies should continue to have conversations about the welfare of PWDs.

"We hope that by having continuous discussions about this advocacy, we are able to inspire others to move towards inclusion and innovation for PWDs. We will continue to support families, individuals and organizations whose commitment to PWDs align well with ours," said Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP Operations and SM Cares Director for Program on PWDs.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Emirates to operate flight to Dubai to allow Filipino residents to return to the UAE


Emirates is set to operate its first passenger flight from Manila to Dubai on 30 May. The one-way flight will facilitate the return of OFW residents of the UAE. Additional flights may be added starting from 1 June, subject to approval by the Philippines authorities. 
Flight EK335 is scheduled to depart Manila at 23:55 and arrive in Dubai at 04:45 the following day. Those who wish to return to the UAE must meet entry requirements mandated by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and obtain an entry permit onlineprior to booking flights. Once applicants receive approval, flight tickets can be booked on emirates.com, by emailing Ekphil@emirates.com, or via travel agents. Only passengers holding a UAE residence permit in addition to an entry permit from the UAE authorities will be allowed to board.  



As stringent entry restrictions remain in place upon arrival in Dubai, passengers will be subject to a mandatory DHA test on arrival; a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the passengers’ own expense and a follow up test before release.
Similar to other flights that Emirates has operated thus far, for health and safety reasons, the airline will offer a modified inflight service that reduces contact, and the risk of infection. Magazines and print reading material will not be available. Meals on-board will be served in hygienic prepacked meal boxes, offering customers sandwiches, beverages, snacks, and desserts. A selection of hot snacks will also be served on long-haul flights. All Emirates aircraft go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each journey. Travelers can visit https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/help/essential-travel/#75478 for more information prior to booking and departure. 
Cabin baggage will not be accepted on these flights. Carry-on items allowed in the cabin will be limited to laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items. All other items have to be checked in, and Emirates will add the cabin baggage allowance to customers’ check-in baggage allowance.
Passengers are also required to apply social distancing guidelines during their journey and wear their own masks when at the airport and on board the aircraft. Travellers should arrive at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport(Terminal 1) for check-in, four hours before departure. Emirates’ check-in counters will only process passengers holding confirmed bookings and entry permits to the UAE.
Overseas Filipino workers comprise a large part of the resident population of the UAE. With the resumption of flights to the UAE, Filipinos who were stranded in the Philippines after flights were suspended by the UAE authorities in March, will be able to return to their homes, families and livelihoods. Emirates recently resumed regular scheduled passenger flights between Dubai and nine destinations, including London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney and Melbourne.

Realme Philippines marks another successful launch with sold out realme 6 and 6 Pro in just 10 minutes



realme Philippines, the lifestyle partner of the youth, demonstrates yet again its mettle in the local smartphone market with a sold-out launch of the 90Hz power duo realme 6 and 6 Pro.

Both newly released phones were sold out within just 10 minutes after their initial availability on Lazada in a recent unique livestream launch that hit over 9,500 viewers. Later that day, Realme Philippines immediately restocked both of their supreme offerings to cater to the high demand of consumers.

Veering away from the straightforward virtual conference, realme Philippines went for a fun and engaging livestream launch through quirky transitions and cool and chic animations. The brand’s new approach in online livestreams is designed to personify the vigor and creativity of its target market – the youth. 



“We would like to thank our fans for their unwavering enthusiasm and support, and we are happy that they enjoyed what we have prepared for them. We assure you that realme Philippines will continue to deliver fresh and exciting content you can enjoy at the comfort of your homes,” shares realme Philippines Vice President for Marketing Austine Huang.     


Fans who plan to purchase a realme 6 or realme 6 Pro need not worry about product availability as realme Philippines will be releasing more units of the 90Hz power duo on its official Lazada store. The lifestyle partner of the youth will also be giving away a limited-edition squad bag worth PHP1,499 for every purchase of a realme 6 or 6 Pro on May 30, May 31, June 6 and June 7 in open realme kiosks.

To stay updated on the latest from realme Philippines, realme fans are encouraged to follow the official realme FacebookInstagramTwitter and Tiktok accounts: @realmePH and @realmemePH. 

AXA offers moms world-class healthcare for cancer and other diseases



AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, is offering Preferred Consultation and Care, a value-added service that comes with select AXA insurance products, and its coverage for cancer and heart disease to support moms in the community.

Filipino moms constantly face many health risks. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, three out of 100 Filipino women between the ages 35 and above develop breast cancer in their lifetime, while about one in 30 Asian women have coronary heart disease, based on a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Still, moms continue to do what they do: caring for their families and making sure they stay safe and healthy.



“AXA is here to help our customers, including women whom we strongly support, live their best lives by providing solutions that can help take care of their well-being,” says Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines president and chief executive officer.

Through Preferred Consultation and Care, AXA customers diagnosed with cancer or heart disease will be able to consult a multidisciplinary team of world-class Harvard-affiliated doctors from the top one percent of United States hospitals.

The service also includes a personal care manager, a healthcare professional in the U.S. who can help make informed decisions about treatments.

It is truly important for women and mothers to protect their health so they can continue to be strong and excel in every aspect of their lives. 

To know more about Preferred Consultation and Care, visit the AXA Philippines website at https://axa.com.ph/ or talk to a customer care representative via the landline +632 8 5815-292.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

BDO urges vigilance vs latest scam



BDO Unibank strongly supports the call of the Bangko Sentral to stay vigilant against scammers who have devised a new modus operandi of offering a huge amount of money to people who will lend their bank accounts.

Once recruited, these “money mules” allow the scammers to use their personal bank accounts to receive cash deposits or online transfers from illegal sources posing as legitimate transactions such as charity or COVID-19 donations, among others.

In the Philippines, mules can be prosecuted under Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act, with imprisonment of up to seven years and penalty of up to P3 million. 

“Do not let other people use your bank account, debit card or credit card to make transactions on their behalf. Never provide your personal and account details to anyone,” BDO emphasized.

The Bank advises clients and the general public to ignore suspicious calls, emails, private messages and website links offering easy cash via the use of their own bank account.



Call to action 

BDO reiterated that the most effective way of preventing scams targeting bank customers is never to share bank information to other people no matter how convincing they appear to be “real.”

“To all bank customers, your login details and One-Time PIN (OTP) are yours and yours alone. Nobody should own them but you.  Once you logged in your username and password, you will receive an OTP from your bank as its final security measure. Do not share this OTP to anyone else, especially to the scammers through their fake websites, or those posing as bank employees,” it said. 

Emails which ask customers to click on links are scam attacks, even if it includes the spelled out bank website as a hyperlink. 

“Here’s a useful tip, to check the veracity of the email, let your cursor linger on the weblink without clicking on it. A preview will reveal that it leads to a different site and not to the official website of your bank,” added BDO.  

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Want to Start your own home-based food business? Technolux shows you how


            These unprecedented times call for adaptation, whether in one’s personal and professional life or in financial affairs. For instance, there are lucrative home-based ideas that can help supplement a loss of income and prepare you for the long road ahead since there is no telling when this pandemic will end.

            Technolux, the country’s largest importer and distributor of a complete line of foodservice and small wares for over four decades, offers versatile kitchen equipment for businesses, home cooks and just about anyone probing for an additional source of income during the pandemic.



            More people are turning to cooking and baking their family recipes and creatively concocting dishes for people to buy.  And most have been successful since ordering food online and pick-up and delivery services are now the trend, people being wary of unneceesarily exposing themselves to infection when they leave their homes.

One reliable kitchen machine from Technolux is the Convotherm Combi Oven. It can roast 20 chickens at the same time in just 30 minutes enabling you to cook more and thereby, earn more in no time.  No long queues, no tedious waiting.  Customers can be served promptly. And because of the oven’s combi steamer feature, chicken is consistenly roasted perfectly providng a juicy and moist dish.



For those interested in selling fried chicken, the Dean Gas Fryer is your best choice.  Reliable, easy to use and very affordable, it is a wise investment.  You can set one up in your home or garage and fry chicken that is crispy and cooked all the way through, a comforting dish during these uncertain times.



            Another business idea from Technolux is investing in a Manitowoc Commercial Ice Machine.  Sell ice within your neighborhood and supply milk tea shops and other food and beverage stores.  It’s a cool venture that promises hot profits.

            A crisis necessitates creative thinking and solutions.  Give your life and your earnings that extra push.

Contact the ff:
Norell Ortega for Manila (  0917-8673910/ norell@technolux.net);  
Oliver Pantastico for North/South Luzon (0917-5488860ompantastico@technolux.net);  
Jimmy Soco for VisMin (0917-5585017) jasoco@technolux.net) or tlxsales@technolux.net


PLDT, Smart launch rolling store for frontline AFP workers Through the PLDT-Smart Foundation

Frontline workers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now able to avail of the special offers of PLDT-Smart products and services through the recently launched PLDT and Smart rolling store stationed in Camp Aguinaldo. 

Some of these offers include discounts on PLDT, Smart and TNT products and services. This includes a PLDT Home WiFi for only P995, the unli Fibr Plan 2899 with speed up to 100 mbps and a switch offer of 50% off for six months which is inclusive of free installation and activation fees. 



Meanwhile, PLDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications and TNT will offer sims, discounted prepaid load top-up and Sim Upgrade to LTE. Both also include a retailer recruitment with a free Giga 99 for every new retailer with a purchase of P2,000 load wallet.

Moreover, Smart also offers a discounted Smart Bro Pocket WiFi for only P999 that comes with a free P250 Surfmax Load Card. For those wanting to upgrade to affordable LTE handsets, you can get discounts and exciting freebies for every purchase and best paired with our Postpaid plans from Smart and Sun.
PLDT and Smart continue to support the AFP through the latter’s long-term partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF). 

The PLDT-Smart rolling store launch is attended by, from left: Mrs. Editha Lorenzana, Maynilad AVP and Head of Government Relations Anette de Ocampo, MVP Media Bureau Head Atty. Mike Toledo, Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines Maj. Gen. Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos, One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey Tarayao and Smart Sales Department Head Gia Palafox. 

“We are committed in helping our frontline military and checkpoint officers in fighting this disease. We are utilizing our resources to ensure that they are better equipped when it comes to serving our country amid this pandemic,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan. 

Protecting our frontliners 
The PSF also turned over to AFP 20 packages of thermal scanners with a complete protection set. The package includes a high quality non-contact thermal scanner, one-gallon of 70% isopropyl alcohol, 10-pieces of face shields, 20-pieces of surgical gloves, 20-pieces of head cap/shoe cover and 25-pieces of 3 ply reusable face masks.

Together with One Meralco Foundation, PSF is also donating 6,000 liters of ethyl alcohol for use in the Camp’s Hospital and other facilities.

Earlier, the PSF also supported over 4,000 individuals in Quezon City through the AFP’s mobile kitchen initiative “Kapwa Ko Sagot Ko”. 



Continuing its efforts in serving the underprivileged communities in the metro, the PSF recently turned over 1,000-pieces of whole chicken and 500-kg of vegetables for the AFP mobile kitchen. Moreover, the foundation is also donating vegetable seeds from its partner nursery in Pampanga for the Community Garden in Camp Aguinaldo.

The foundation also turned over 3,000 CDO canned goods, 1,000 Sari-Roti Wheat Breads and 300 meal packs for AFP frontline personnel. 
“We value our partnership with the AFP. In these critical times, the AFP has been an indispensable ally in bringing our help to the people who need it most. As frontliners, they also face risks to their health, so we would like to support them even more,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos. 
Aside from its recent efforts through the AFP mobile kitchen initiative, the PSF has been constantly supporting the AFP by providing grocery packs to the frontline personnel and their families and turning over PPE donations such reusable masks. The foundation also sponsored decontamination services in public hospitals and AFP offices as well as donations of ascorbic acid and ready-to-eat meals to frontline checkpoint officers.

To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://beta.pldt.com/covid19/.


Querubin Unveils Senate Platform Focused on Combating Hunger, Education Reform, and National Security

Ariel Querubin, one of the Philippines’ most decorated military officers and a Medal of Valor recipient, has officially entered the 2025 sen...