Shopee launches the #FullyVaxxed package

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches the #FullyVaxxed Package under Shopee Bayanihan, to provide fully vaccinated Filipinos a special bundle they can use for personal needs and encourage others to complete both doses. Starting today until September 26, 2021, fully vaccinated Filipinos can qualify for the exclusive package that includes free shipping and discount vouchers from Shopee and discount vouchers from brands such as Hygienix, Maxi-Peel, SkinWhite, Splash Personal Care, and Johnson & Johnson. 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is here to support the country’s goal of inoculating as many Filipinos as possible through various initiatives such as our Vaccine Education Campaign, Vaccine Center Support, and now, our #FullyVaxxed Package. This is made possible through our partnerships with leading brands and with the participation of our marketplace sellers who have joined us in this cause to encourage citizens to get vaccinated. We are committed to doing what we can to help the nation stay safe and the Filipino people protected.”

 

The COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolutions reports that there are more than 15 million doses administered, more than ten million getting their first dose, and 4.7 million Filipinos completing both doses as of mid-July 2021. Although many are open to getting both doses, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey reveals that vaccine hesitancy is still an issue as most are uncertain of its efficacy and side effects. To encourage Filipinos to get vaccinated, Shopee also partnered with the Department of Health to promote education about COVID-19 vaccines through in-app and social media initiatives.

The #FullyVaxxed Package shows Shopee’s commitment in supporting the nation’s goal of fully vaccinating the Filipino population. Aside from vouchers from leading brands, verified users can also enjoy vouchers from Shopee’s marketplace sellers. Starting today, fully vaccinated Filipinos can avail of the package by signing up on the Shopee Bayanihan: #FullyVaxxed Package microsite in the Shopee App through this link: https://shopee.ph/m/fullyvaxxed-package.

 

Steps on how to register and get verified:

1. Sign up on the Shopee Bayanihan: #FullyVaxxed Package microsite (https://shopee.ph/m/fullyvaxxed-package)
2. Submit a photo of the vaccination card to verify the completion of two doses and a valid ID
3. Wait for the verification from Shopee 

 

Shop, load, and pay bills with ShopeePay. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. 

Cebu Pacific pursues sustainability initiatives despite pandemic

Cebu Pacific, the Philippine’s leading carrier, continues to innovate in line with its sustainability initiatives that it started long before the COVID-19 outbreak wounded global economies.     

Physical and social distancing norms pushed the use of digital technologies. Cebu Pacific, which had started its digital pivot even before the health crisis hit, responded by accelerating its digital transformation. 

Major innovations were put in place since the lockdown happened: enhancement of the “Manage Booking” portal for any flight booking changes and self-service updating of passenger information; contactless flight procedures; and Charlie the chatbot who answers customer concerns.  

“Cebu Pacific has been providing affordable, safe, and reliable flights to our customers since 1996. We have ensured the sustainability of our operations by prioritizing the welfare of our employees and customers even before the pandemic. We will continue to offer quality service to the Filipino people, promote environmental stewardship, and support communities in the years to come,” said Alex Reyes, Cebu Pacific’s Chief Strategy Officer. 

In line with its sustainability initiatives, Cebu Pacific has received two new eco-planes this year which can carry more people and yet, consume less fuel—enabling significant carbon emission reduction.

The company continues to reduce its negative impact to the environment. Cebu Pacific flights now use sustainable alternatives to replace single-use plastic spoons, forks, and stirrers.   

In line with its sustainability moves, Cebu Pacific has received two new eco-planes this year. Each of these new planes can carry more people and yet consume less fuel, which enable a significant reduction in carbon emissions.CEB has the youngest, quietest, and most fuel-efficient jet fleet in the country.   

Cebu Pacific partnered with UNICEF, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and World Vision for various relief efforts, as part of its drive to uplift communities.

Last year, Cebu Pacific raised various funds: more than Php 4 million for UNICEF’s Change for Good Program, which collects spare currency from passengers for the benefit of vulnerable children; Ph2.4 million worth of flights for frontliners of its partner organizations under the Points for Good Campaign; and over P1.3M worth of food supplies for those who were stranded in different locations in the country, during the first waves of community quarantines.  

The drive to safeguard the well-being of its employees further intensified during the pandemic. Employees were given access to health monitoring tools, COVID-19 support, and programs for their physical and mental wellness.  

Cebu Pacific, as part of the JG Summit group, has committed to securing enough vaccines for every employee, as well as their dependents, because vaccination is an important step in protecting its people and their families. 

Cebu Pacific also fully supported the government’s health and safety initiatives by transporting personal protective equipment (PPE), essential cargo, and COVID vaccines to provinces within the airline’s reach.  

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CEB_2020SustainabilityReport to view its 2020 Sustainability Report.

mWell is a high-performance mobile app backed by a powerhouse of top names in the healthcare, wellness, and tech industries

Its been a year since the pandemic, I am just lucky that I am healthy and well despite having to take my maintenance medication and a required physical consultation to my cardiologist. After having been to hospital this year, I promise myself to just message my physician or have an online consultation with him. Im just glad that there is an mWell app, there's no need to expose ypurself to the virus all you have to do is look up your doctor to the app.

Today is a milestone as Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation (MPHTC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (PSE: MPI), transforms the digital health care ecosystem with mWell, an all-in-one app meticulously created for the Filipino’s holistic well-being, providing professional consultations, wellness programs, products and delivery services.

 

Headed by MPIC Chairman, Manny V. Pangilinan is truly confident and excited with MPIC group’s newest foray in digital health care, “Through a collaboration with trusted health experts, mWell will develop an ecosystem to bring integrated digital health care closer to every Filipino, even beyond the pandemic. mWell will empower every Filipino to be in control of their health with just one app.”  

 

mWell is a high-performance mobile app backed by a powerhouse of top names in the healthcare, wellness, and tech industries.  CareSpan's Clinic in the Cloud™ integrates digital care tools and data for mWell doctors and patients.  LotusFlare’s multi-awarded cloud-native, IT digital enablement platform ensures a seamless, end-to-end customer experience.  Ping An's healthcare technologies enables mWell to address Covid-19 concerns, diagnosis, care, and treatments.    

 

Complementing the technology partnerships, mWell teams up with award-winning fitness experts like Active8me, for personalized daily fitness, nutrition, and wellness programs; and theAsianparent, for smart parenting solutions from pregnancy to family health management. Powered by PayMaya for fast, secure, and hassle-free transactions, over three thousand health and wellness product SKU’s are available for mWell app users at the online health shop by Adobomall.

 

Joey Lim, MPIC’s President and CEO also expresses confidence that this fully-integrated healthcare management is a game changer, “Together, we will build an ecosystem that will provide easy access to integrated digital healthcare. We invite doctors and health practitioners to digitize their practice, partner with us and be part of mWell’s mission. With our combined strength, we can empower our countrymen to be in control of their health.”

 

The mWell launch today signals the opening of this new digital health ecosystem.  Currently in partnership with CareSpan, Philcare and Keralty Clinic, a whole gamut of doctors and health practitioners have joined the mWell roster comprising of general practitioners and specialty doctors to enable much needed access to health professionals during this pandemic.  Doctors are able to easily manage digital appointments, keep patients’ confidential medical records and issue e-prescriptions. And with the partnership of Medicard, users can book COVID-19 testing services. 

 

Doctors, clinics, and hospitals all over the country are welcome to be part of mWell. Doctors can set up their own mWell virtual clinic for free. There are no set-up or membership fees. Doctors will be given a quick and easy training to be able to access the mWell suite of services and can immediately digitize their practice, reaching more patients nationwide. “Through telemedicine, accessible healthcare can be promoted and the anxiety of going outside would be reduced, not only for us doctors, but for patients as well,” shares Dr. Lovely Garcia. Clinics and hospitals can set up virtual labs and accept booking via the mWell app. 

 

“At the heart of Gabay Kalusugan’s advocacy to bring healthcare to our kababayans,” states Chaye Revilla, Chief Finance & Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. “mWell is our response to Filipinos’ call for a better, more responsive, highly convenient healthcare platform. It is a fully integrated ecosystem that will deliver their health and wellness needs.” Revilla added. 

 

Starting August, mWell will provide a more enriching journey as users can access the e-Pharmacy service that will allow them to buy South Star Drug OTC and Prescription medicines and have these delivered to their homes, or buy PhilCare health insurance products for dengue, accidents, and emergencies. Also in August, mWell will launch a nationwide medical mission, an unprecedented first telehealth virtual event in the Philippines highlighting partnerships and collaborations with clinics and doctors nationwide. Come September, mWell, in partnership with Aktivolabs, will enable its users to monitor, track and improve their Wellness Score through Aktivo's® proprietary algorithm that weighs a user's physical activity and sleep daily and provides personalised information on what an ideal healthy physical lifestyle is, to improve health and longevity.

 

For its initial offering, PLDT Home customers may avail of a free consultation with mWell doctors. There are more services waiting to be launched with each new feature adding concrete benefits to the health of every Filipino. Get started on your health today. You can download the mWell app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For more information, visit https://www.mWell.com.ph. 

Shopee ranked 5th in the YouGov's Most Recommended Brands for 2021

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, ranks 5th on market research firm YouGov’s Most Recommended Brands 2021 List in the Philippines. The rankings are based on YouGov BrandIndex’s positive recommendation score, which measures the percentage of a brand’s customers who recommend it to a friend or colleague. The latest rankings show the brands with the highest average recommended score from June 2020 to May 2021. Shopee also takes the top spot in the YouGov Recommend Top Improvers 2021 in the Philippines, going up from 71.9 in the previous year to 79.5. 

Germaine Reyes, President, and CEO of Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy, YouGov’s affiliate partner in the Philippines, said, “Retail and fast-moving brands are showing their domination in this year’s YouGov Recommend Rankings in the Philippines. Notably, three out of the top ten are e-commerce platforms, most likely due to the current pandemic. Online shopping habits continue to surge during the restrictions and lockdowns all over the world, and Filipinos are right on the trend.” 

 

Shopee also secured the 7th spot in YouGov’s Best Brands 2020 List in the Philippine, and was named the top improver going up from 32.0 points in 2019 to 39.9 points the following year.

 

This year, Shopee launched different initiatives for customers, brands, and sellers on the platform to support their online growth and enhance their overall shopping experience. To equip and support its sellers, Shopee launched Tatak Pinoy and Shopee University Summit to support community-based businesses and taught aspiring digital entrepreneurs everything they need to know about e-commerce, respectively. In addition, Shopee also launched programs for its ever-growing customer base. One is the Shopee Loyalty Program, a brand new in-app program that delivers a more rewarding shopping experience for users last February, and the Shopee Mall Brand Memberships Program, an initiative that helps brands grow customer loyalty and retention. 

 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is proud to be included in YouGov’s list of the most recommended and improved brands this 2021. As times and circumstances change, we will continue to pursue excellence and improve our services to better cater to the needs and wants of our customers, brand partners, and sellers. This recognition is a product of our various initiatives and is a testament to the growing level of trust and confidence people have in Shopee. E-commerce has become an integral part of the lives of Filipinos, and we aim to continuously step up to provide our users with an easy, secure, and engaging shopping experience.”

 

For more information about Shopee’s YouGov ranking, visit https://ph.yougov.com/en-ph/news/2021/07/14/yougov-recommend-rankings-2021-philippines/.

 

Shop, load, and pay bills with ShopeePay. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. 

Connect with your favorite artist, discover new music, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind concert experience only at TikTok By Request

TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, is launching a new series of live events on the platform, TikTok By Request. This first ever fan-powered online show in the Philippines that will give fans the chance to call the shots, and create a musical show that they want to see, adding a personal touch to a livestream.

While the physical experience of music is currently impossible, our need for connection remains as strong as ever. This is especially true for artists and their fans. Nothing beats the feeling of listening to your favorite band or artist live, surrounded by fellow fans swaying to the same beat. Events like these have the power to turn a group strangers into a community, deeply connected by their common love for music.  

The first episode of TikTok By Request will be headlined by Filipino rock band Spongecola, living legends of the local music scene. In addition to Spongecola, up-and-coming singer-songwriter, Raven, will be opening the show. The special online concert will stream on July 31, Saturday, 8:00 PM through TikTok Philippines, as well as on Spongecola and Raven's TikTok accounts. 

 

Through TikTok By Request, fans will also get the rare chance to participate in building the band's set list for the show as they vote for the songs that they want to hear. To vote, users may type Spongecola on the TikTok search bar or click on the Spongecola banner found on the TikTok Discover page, from July 23 to 25. As an added treat, Spongecola will release a special surprise if fans work together to hit the target coins quota during the online concert. Top gifters during the stream will also receive a gift from the band.

 

Connect with your favorite artist, discover new music, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind concert experience that only TikTok By Request can deliver! Download TikTok on your iOS and Android devices today.

Follow Shopee Cares PH for more useful and easy-to-follow tips on navigating Shopee’s features and services

Most of us discovered the joy and convenience of shopping online during the past year. But are you truly maximizing your online shopping experience? Online shopping is now an indispensable part of our daily lives, and we owe it to ourselves to develop a better understanding of online shopping platforms and services. Our hard-earned money is at stake, after all!

 

However, navigating e-commerce platforms and services can get overwhelming. To guide you on your journey to becoming a smarter shopper, Shopee Cares PH, Shopee’s new dedicated customer service platform, shares tips regarding common issues online shoppers deal with, in areas such as logistics, safety, and authenticity: 

1. Do due diligence to avoid shopping mishaps

 

Before you click add to cart, remember to always double or even triple-check if the item or seller has good reviews and ratings. Trust your gut and keep reading if you feel like the reviews are too good to be true. You do not want to waste your hard-earned money on faulty products or shady sellers. For guaranteed safe and hassle-free shopping, patronize Shopee Mall official stores where products are 100% authentic, with 7-day free returns and free shipping (with minimum spend). 

 

2. Always conduct transactions in-app

 

Stay alert and protect yourself from potential scams! Report messages that request personal information such as your Facebook page and email address, or ones that redirect you to another website to complete the purchase. Staying in-app keeps you protected from any fraudulent transactions. 

 

3. Do not forget to protect your personal data

 

Excited to open that much-awaited package? Before you enjoy your purchase, remember to properly discard the shipping label, which contains your personal information. Erase any sensitive info with a permanent marker, or, even better, shred it. Otherwise, your details could end up in the wrong hands.

 

4. Check your cash-on-delivery (COD) order’s tracking number

 

Before you pay for that COD order, double check if your order’s tracking number matches the one on the parcel. Do not accept or pay for the order if the numbers don’t match. If you live with family members or roommates, make it a habit to inform them of any pending deliveries as well. 

 

5. Reach out to Shopee Cares PH for a smooth shopping experience

 

Got questions about vouchers? Looking for a certain item you just cannot place? Or maybe need help tracking your order? For seamless customer service, head on over to Shopee Cares PH, Shopee Philippines’ dedicated customer service platform, to voice your concerns. 

 

With Shopee Cares PH’s mission, “You Shop, We Help,” you can enjoy a  smooth, easy shopping experience. Just message Shopee Cares PH for timely and effective guidance from the customer service engagement team. 

 

Make sure to follow Shopee Cares PH for more useful and easy-to-follow tips on navigating Shopee’s features and services. Join the community for more helpful tips from fellow shoppers as well! 

 

Visit Shopee Cares PH on Facebook and Twitter. 

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

BRIA Homes: Top Housing Developer in Mindanao in the Pag-IBIG Fund’s Annual Stakeholders’ Accomplishment Report for the year 2020

Affordable housing developer BRIA Homes recently garnered acclaim when it was named the Top Housing Developer in Mindanao in the Pag-IBIG Fund’s Annual Stakeholders’ Accomplishment Report for the year 2020. This was announced last June 4 in a virtual event attended by property developers, major stakeholders and industry players, and other Pag-IBIG partner-institutions nationwide. 

Every year, the Pag-IBIG Fund’s Stakeholders’ Accomplishment Report acknowledges organizations, companies, and individuals that have contributed to the vast accomplishments of Pag-IBIG Fund in the past year. 

BRIA Homes first set out to help address the serious backlog in mass housing projects in the country

And for the year 2020, BRIA Homes not only nailed the title of number one developer in Mindanao, it was also cited among Pag-IBIG Fund’s top partner-housing developers per area: Top 7 Developer in North Luzon; Top 7 Developer in the National Capital Region (NCR), and Top 8 in South Luzon.  

Barely a month later, in July 1, BRIA Homes also snagged prestigious 2021 Real Estate Asia Awards in two categories: “Affordable Housing Developer of the Year” and Open Space Development of the Year”. 

Founded in 2015 as a subsidiary of Golden MV Holdings, BRIA Homes first set out to help address the serious backlog in mass housing projects in the country. It has since taken great strides as a reliable developer of affordable but superior quality homes and condominium units, earning the status of “Filipinos’ home of choice”. 

It is a well-deserved reputation for BRIA Homes, which has helped ordinary Filipinos fulfill their dream of owning their own homes through its efficient formula: Affordability (Mura) + Quality (Dekalidad) = A Beautiful BRIA Home for Every Filipino. 

BRIA Homes won Top Developer in Mindanao status for building projects in the following towns and cities in Mindanao: Digos, Tagum, Panabo, Carmen, and Maco in Davao; General Santos, South Cotabato; Kidapawan, Cotabato City; Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, and Balingasag in Misamis Oriental; and Valencia and Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon.

To date, BRIA developments can likewise be found in the following areas in Luzon: Calamba, San Pablo, Alaminos, Calauan, and Sta. Cruz in Laguna; Teresa, Montalban, Binangonan, Baras, and Pililia in Rizal; Sta. Maria, Norzagaray, San Jose del Monte, and Plaridel in Bulacan; San Fernando and Magalang in Pampanga; Mariveles and Hermosa in Bataan; Paniqui, Tarlac; Urdaneta and Alaminos in Pangasinan; Trece Martires and General Trias in Cavite; and Balayan, Lipa and Nasugbu in Batangas. 

Finally, in Visayas, BRIA has built communities in Calbayog, Samar; Ormoc, Leyte; Dumaguete, Negros; Danao and Mactan in Cebu; and Pili, Iriga, and Naga in Camarines Sur. 

BRIA Homes’ impressive growth may be credited to its developments’ strategic locations, its fine recreational amenities, the safety and security of its communities, and their proximity to essential destinations such as hospitals, schools, churches and retail hubs. 

BRIA Homes has likewise been quick to adapt to the digital space. All BRIA communities have reliable internet services that enable its residents and homeowners to do business as they comply with current health protocols. BRIA’s digitalization and the affordability of its homes have also roused the keen interest of the millennials who now consider investing in their own BRIA homes as a great way to secure their future.

Proud of BRIA’s recent spate of accomplishments, Red Rosales, President of BRIA Homes, says that the company’s hardworking men and women are even more inspired now to help ordinary Filipinos acquire their own homes. “We are happy that BRIA’s significant contributions in the affordable housing sector are bearing fruit. These awards will serve to sustain us as we reach out to more Filipinos especially in these challenging times.” 

Interested homebuyers can visit BRIA’s website for 360 virtual tours, or inquire online through the BRIA Facebook page. Reserving online is also made possible through BRIA’s online reservation page.

To make housing transactions easy and hassle-free for Filipinos, BRIA Homes currently offers flexible financial schemes and digital payment methods available locally and internationaly through BRIA’s partner banks and e-wallets (All Easy, GCash, and PayMaya). 

SEAOIL, Novo Department Store, Potato Corner, and many others partner with ShopeePay

Today, more Filipinos use alternative payment methods such as online banking and mobile wallets in their everyday lives. With this rising new trend, brands like SEAOIL, Novo Department Store, Potato Corner, and many others partnered with ShopeePay, Shopee’s mobile wallet, to seamlessly adapt to the change to provide better service to their customers.

 

About 39 million people make digitally-enabled payment transactions globally, and in the Philippines, about 30 percent of Filipinos aged 16-64 are now using mobile payment services each month.^[1] With the expected increase in digital payments worldwide in the coming years, local brands share how they’re maximizing mobile wallets like ShopeePay to adapt to the current trend. 

SEAOIL

Filipino-owned fuel company SEAOIL continued operations despite a significant decrease in transactions during the pandemic. They kept most of their stations open,  doing their part in ensuring that essential workers reach the destinations where they are needed. They also implemented safety protocols immediately to keep their customers safe. They improved the variety of contactless payment options at their stations as these became a crucial safety measure to protect both frontliners and customers amidst the pandemic. 

 

Through their partnership with ShopeePay, SEAOIL increased its digital online presence and successfully captured the consistently growing active users on ShopeePay. The partnership also boosted transactions at their gas stations through promos that allowed users to redeem discounts and coins cashback. Through ShopeePay, they reached out to more consumers and provided greater rewards and a safer option to gas up. 

 

Jose Jaime V. Dela Fuente, Vice President for Corporate and Consumer Marketing at SEAOIL, said, “We commend ShopeePay for its initiatives to encourage Filipino motorists like SEAOIL customers to shift to contactless payment - the safer way to pay. Our partnership with Shopee is in line with our #FuelPHtoRecovery campaign, which aims to help establish a better new normal for our stakeholders, mainly by providing opportunities to save on fuel expenses while keeping them protected against COVID-19. We look forward to more co-marketing initiatives with ShopeePay to maximize benefits for our customers.”

 

Potato Corner

Potato Corner, a known brand for flavored fries, faced plenty of difficulties last year but found a way to bounce back. As most stores open for business, they welcomed different methods to distribute their products and partnered with mobile wallets such as ShopeePay to offer users an alternative payment method to help lessen direct contact between staff and customers. With fewer movement restrictions now, the number of transactions in their stores has since increased. This contributed a lot to the brand as it rebounds from the closure of some stores due to quarantine.

 

Jen Merana, Business Channel Officer at Potato Corner, said, “At Potato Corner, we strive to explore every possible strategy to keep the business going and growing. Adapting to the current digital trends shows our commitment to serve our customers and prioritize their safety and our employees. ShopeePay provided Potato Corner a great opportunity to promote the brand during this time, and we are hopeful that it will help us recover from the repercussions of the pandemic.” 

 

Novo Department Store

Like most business establishments, Novo Department Store closed its stores and halted operations when the government implemented the Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ). Despite the setback, they adapted to the circumstances and created effective plans to benefit their staff and customers. In the middle of the pandemic last year, they joined Shopee to reach their loyal customers, including new customers who were at home. 

 

With a new perspective combined with proven strategies from the past, they embraced digital payments as a step towards innovation. Even with various digital payment platforms in the market, Novo Department Store prefers ShopeePay as it has the same values and vision as their company - to better Filipino’s lives.

 

Janry Cua, Marketing Manager at Novo Department Store, said, “We are excited for this new partnership with ShopeePay, and we look forward to what they have in store for us. ShopeePay has made our customers’ shopping experience in Novo easier, safer, and more convenient. ShopeePay has provided us a platform and visibility for showcasing our products which can improve and better the lives of Filipino families nationwide.”

 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “ShopeePay is pleased to partner with SEAOIL, Novo Department Store, and Potato Corner to provide both users and brands with an easy payment alternative. With the nation pushing for a cashless, contactless society, we aim to collaborate with more brands to give the local community a seamless and secure online payment experience through ShopeePay.”

 

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^[1] #Digital2021 in the Philippines

Huawei, JMC ink ICT deal for 5th industrial revolution

To keep up with the latest innovations that technology can offer to today’s education, Jose Maria College (JMC) partners with telecommunications giant, Huawei, last July 6, 2021 in an agreement to pursue the fifth industrial revolution of educational technology.

Through this partnership, students will soon be able to access the most modern educational tools such as state-of-the-art Learning Management Systems (LMS), Virtual Laboratories, Virtual Reality, Smart Campus, etc.

According to Ken Sentorias, the JMC Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) Director, the opportunities are limitless because both JMC and Huawei are on the same page of commitment and that is to deliver the latest educational technology.

It can be noted that the Philippines is among the countries that is still in the third industrial revolution of educational technology. Students from developed countries such as Japan, China, and the United States are currently the only ones experiencing the fifth industrial revolution.

However, JMC believes that this partnership will bring the institution a step closer to realizing its goal of delivery quality education through the use of technology. “We are planning the best for the students. And next year, we are going to announce something really great,” Sentorias quoted.

 

BDO and Huawei Collaborate to Provide Inclusive Financial Services for Filipinos

More than 50 million citizens — over half the population — do not use any form of online banking.

The average person in the Philippines spends more time on the Internet than any other country in the world. Filipinos are online over 11 hours each day, compared to a global average of just six hours. Indeed, with a total population of more than 100 million, 71% of Filipinos are active Internet users, creating the perfect environment to develop the country’s digital economy through Financial Technology (also known as FinTech).

Despite being the most active online, more than 50 million Filipinos — over half the population — do not use any form of online banking. According to an official government report published in 2019, only 8% of Filipino adults have an active online account. This, combined with the 97% of Filipinos who still trade in cash, has created increased risks during the global pandemic when in-person interactions are limited.

In recent years, Huawei has been collaborating closely with the largest bank in the Philippines, Banco De Oro Unibank (BDO), to realize the bank's strategic ambition: to continue improving business efficiency and customer services through digital transformation, in order to bring inclusive finance to more Filipinos.

 

In April 2021, BDO rolled out BDO Pay, a mobile wallet and contactless payment solution that provides users with convenient and instant access to digital banking services. On the path toward inclusive digital banking, BDO is actively embracing technological innovation to upgrade its legacy infrastructure, improve its competitive edge, and develop more innovative services across the entire business.

 

BDO's digital banking expansion is powered by Huawei's OceanStor Dorado All-Flash Storage Solution, which implements a reliable, secure, and future-proofed data-sharing platform that is virtual and in the cloud. The Huawei Data Management Engine (DME) and OceanStor Dorado Storage make up the foundation of the solution, intelligently safeguarding the data of the bank’s growing customer assets and transaction history.

 

Overcoming the limitations of a legacy system

 

BDO’s refresh of its IT infrastructure was largely driven by the increasing capacity requirements that arose as the business grew. The legacy system was limited in its capacity to fully process and make use of the data resources that could create new value; therefore an upgrade was required. In addition, the bank was experiencing the effects of siloed IT suites, resulting in storage utilization of less than 40% and much lower throughout.

 

To remove this obstacle, Huawei OceanStor Dorado provides a high Solid-State Drive (SSD) configuration ratio with SmartTier, enabling a 1.3 GB/s bandwidth and significantly improving the performance of the data-sharing platform. Moreover, OceanStor Dorado features HyperReplication and a Storage Area Network (SAN) + Network-Attached Storage (NAS) unified storage system to meet BDO’s file-sharing and backup requirements. This helps achieve an active-passive system to protect all business data, from images and voice notes to scanned documents and more. Huawei OceanStor Dorado also supports flexible service expansion, slashes service rollout times, and accelerates data monetization in storage resource pools. In fact, during a Proof of Concept (PoC) performance test for BDO, the entire backup service time was slashed from two days to just six hours.

In addition to performance requirements, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) was also in need of an upgrade, as the legacy infrastructure lacked an automation orchestration platform. Over-reliance on manual O&M also made system fault diagnosis complex — not to mention inaccurate — resulting in the maintenance department being flooded with complaints. Digitizing O&M improved diagnosis, accuracy, and problem-solving efficiency, as well as bringing down related management costs.

Now, using Huawei’s DME, BDO’s storage utilization has been boosted from 40% to 70%. And the intelligent fault diagnosis capability of the system has seen efficiency soar to 90%. The DME also manages data resource pools, which are created and configured based on service levels to manage hot, warm, and cold data by layer, using algorithms to automatically convert hot data into warm or even cold data. Such nonessential data is then stored on lower-cost media to reduce resource waste and improve service efficiency. Put simply, Huawei DME effectively ensures the full lifecycle management of the storage system, with backup and recovery solutions available to unleash the full value of data.

“During the Proof of Concept test, I was impressed with the high performance and reliability of Huawei's product. We trust Huawei for its service-centric value, fast response to our demands, and its commitment to continuing to innovate future technologies for the Financial Services Industry. This is why we hope to build long-term cooperation with Huawei,” said Dennis Tangonan, Infrastructure Operation Head, BDO.

BDO's recent IT infrastructure upgrade and refresh of the Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is another step in the bank’s digital transformation journey. Meeting the constantly changing demands for capacity and services is at the heart of BDO’s business operations as industries enter the intelligent era. BDO will continue to innovate its storage system in order to provide the best products and services for its customers. Alongside BDO, Huawei will continue to support the bank on its digital transformation journey by providing leading-edge services and technology so BDO can maintain its position as the largest bank in the Philippines.