Shopee continues to deliver impact to communities

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, celebrates the growth of the region’s digital economy and shares the impact that e-commerce and digital financial services had on local communities in 2021.

 

Southeast Asia continued to see accelerated technology adoption, with 40 million new digital users added in 2021. As adoption continues to grow, Shopee is powering digital inclusion by empowering more people and businesses to capture new opportunities online. 

 

In 2021, more were able to access and benefit from technology through Shopee. Across the region, 1 in 6 Shopee orders were made by first-time users, while the number of sellers outside of big cities grew 70% from 2020. Shopee also delivered more fun and convenience for shoppers, and groomed talents to thrive in the growing digital economy.

Shopee Philippines Director Martin Yu said, “In 2021, Shopee stayed true to our mission to benefit our local communities through technology, especially the underserved. With more people and businesses coming online, we continued to innovate and serve their needs better, adapting to the new ways people live, work, and shop. As we become more connected, we can make a bigger impact on one another and more importantly, uplift others so that no one is left behind. This is how we forge new opportunities and create value for our communities. Let’s work towards a more vibrant and inclusive digital economy together.”

 

Fostering inclusion and growth

 

In 2021, more local communities and businesses were able to access and benefit from the digital economy with Shopee. 

 

●      Widening access: Shopee continued to make buying and selling online easier for all. Across the year, it introduced localised campaigns tailored to meet shoppers’ evolving needs, and expanded its delivery network so users can shop and receive purchases reliably, even in more rural areas. It also stepped up its outreach to help more MSMEs digitise, especially local producers and farmers at the heart of local economies. Highlights include:

 

○      70% year on year growth in the number of Shopee sellers outside big cities

○      1 in 6 orders in 2021 were made by users new to Shopee, while the number of Shopee users outside big cities grew by 40%

○      The number of ShopeePay users outside of big cities surged 2.5 times, as more people enjoyed the convenience of digital payments, while ShopeePay connected online and offline merchants to new customers.

 

●      Uplifting livelihoods: Through Shopee, local businesses translated their digital presence into tangible growth in incomes and livelihoods. In 2021, Shopee created new tools, features, and campaigns to increase local sellers’ exposure on its platform. One example was its “#TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local”initiative at its 12.12 Birthday Sale, spotlighting sellers and helping them to reach more shoppers and grow their customer base. 

 

●      To help local MSMEs digitise their businesses, Shopee also partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry to launch the #TatakPinoy Virtual Trade Fair and the #TatakPinoy: National Food Fair. Through these fairs, Shopee was able to onboard 400 local sellers to the platform and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their products.

 

Highlights include: 

 

○      Over 1,000 local sellers exceeded US$100,000 in sales in 3 days of Shopee’s year-end festivals – 9 September, 11 November, and 12 December 

○      First time online sellers also saw a big boost at the year-end, with sales for new-to-Shopee sellers surging by up to 18 times on 11 November

○      ShopeePay Near Me, a new feature that helps users discover deals for offline merchants around them, created 5 million in-store transactions for partners

 

●      Unlocking growth for brands: Shopee Mall continued to power the way forward for its brand partners, pioneering innovative solutions and tools to support sustained growth . Brand partners saw strong growth momentum and reached new milestones, as 42 million users made their first buy on Shopee Mall in 2021, while 5 partners achieved US$100 million in GMV.

 

 

Delighting shoppers

 

Shopee continued to innovate and serve its users better in 2021. As people relied more on e-commerce, Shopee worked more closely with sellers and partners to delight shoppers and deliver better experiences for everyone.

 

●      Creating billions of smiles: Shopee continued to widen its product assortment with its growing community of sellers and brands, allowing users to meet their needs more reliably and conveniently. Supported by an integrated ecosystem, users left 3 billion 5-star product reviews on Shopee in 2021, 60% more than 2020 as users enjoyed more seamless, enjoyable, and reliable experiences.

 

●      Delivering fun and joy: Shopee’s in-app features continued to entertain users and bring people together. 400 million hours were spent on Shopee Live, while its in-app games were played over 40 billion times.

 

Uplifting communities

 

In 2021, Shopee continued to equip local talents, entrepreneurs, and the community with new skills to succeed in the digital economy of today and tomorrow. 

 

●      Developing tech talent: Shopee increased its efforts to engage and upskill local tech talents and enthusiasts. More than 20,000 participants took part in Shopee’s tech training initiatives, including its “Tech@Shopee” webinars and the Shopee Code League competition. At Shopee, 8 in 10 employees learned new skills at Shopee Academy, with over 27,000 training hours in total.

 

●      Levelling up local businesses: Shopee continued to step up its learning resources to help all kinds of businesses upskill for an online world. Its digital Shopee University curriculum allows more sellers to conveniently access vital e-commerce courses and skills no matter where they are, while its online Seller Education Hub offers a wide range of courses catered for all levels, from experienced business owners to aspiring entrepreneurs. As of 2021, 1.3 million sellers have enrolled in Shopee University courses.

 

Shopee also launched two iterations of the Shopee University Summit in the Philippines to ensure that all its sellers have equal footing to thrive in the platform and the e-commerce industry. Through the virtual summit streamed on Shopee Live and Facebook Live, existing and potential sellers learned about online branding and social media marketing to boost visibility and sales on the platform. Combined, both online events were attended by over 800 Shopee Sellers, and streamed by over 35,000 potential sellers.

 

 

Giving back to communities in need

 

In the Philippines, Shopee used its platform and resources to accelerate pandemic recovery, and support local communities in most need.

 

●      Supporting communities in need: In December, Shopee launched the Typhoon Odette Support initiative to help provide immediate relief to affected residents and employees in Visayas and Mindanao, and over ₱2Min donations to on-ground efforts of its partner charities. The platform also utilized its Shope Xpress network to distribute relief kits in far-flung communities.

 

●      Contributing to pandemic recovery: In 2021, Shopee also launched initiatives to aid in the country’s pandemic recovery efforts. To provide frontliners with exclusive vouchers for their personal needs, Shopee launched the Shopee Bayanihan: Frontliner and Frontliner Holiday Packages. The platform also launched a #FullyVaxxed package to encourage more Filipinos to get vaccinated. Moreover, Shopee partnered with the Department of Health for the latter’s Resbakuna initiative to promote vaccine education through in-app and social media promotions. In partnership with several brands, Shopee also provided snacks, essentials, and refreshments to over 3,900 residents and frontliners in different vaccination centers in Metro Manila.

 

Download Shopee for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) continues to champion women empowerment in the railway industry

In a highly regulated industry, which has been dominated by males through the years, one organization strives to shift the paradigm. LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) continues to champion women empowerment in the railway industry.

 

Anchored on this year’s theme of Women’s Month “We Make Change Work for Women,” LRMC recognizes the role of women as active contributors to and claimholders of development. LRMC has put on the helm a number of women who have actively contributed to the company’s growth through their skills, strengths, and passion. 

 

Comprising 50% of its Senior Management Team, LRMC’s roster of female executives is a confident nod to the future of organizational leadership. Also taking the spotlight are the strong and reliable LRT-1 station supervisors with 56% female population across the LRT-1 system, and the 11 hardworking female train operators who are proving that a strong, resilient, and reliable woman can drive growth in the industry.

A final area of focus in this year’s Women’s Month celebration is a “Women’s Bazaar” in partnership with Gabriela happening on March 30 and 31, 2022 at the LRT-1 Central Station from 9am to 4pm. The bazaar will showcase creations and products of nine (9) female startup owners who experienced different obstacles in life – from discrimination and violence to lack of support and resources.

 

“We firmly believe that being inclusive can spark creativity and innovation, as well as drive more sustainable outcomes. This is the reason why we are supporting women from different sectors to provide a promising pathway to livelihood, decent work, and economic empowerment. We invite our LRT-1 passengers to visit the LRT-1 Central Station and support this initiative for a good cause,” said LRMC Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Head Jacqueline S. Gorospe. 

 

From fashion accessories, hygiene kits, handmade products, and basic parts of bedding to cooked food and herbal medicines, one is sure to find unique and one-of-a-kind useful items at the LRT-1 Women’s Bazaar. Stretch your peso even further with items that give back to a good cause with every purchase.

 

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

 

A Big Win for NCR As Safeguard’s SAFE Wash in Schools Program Results to School Reopening

As Metro Manila prepares for the return of face-to-face classes, school heads are left with a problem: how can we meet the Department of Education (DepEd)’s minimum hand hygiene protocols when we lack the handwashing facilities? Procter & Gamble (P&G)’s Safeguard, in partnership with Manila Water Foundation (MWF), addressed this by donating Php 70 million to build handwashing facilities in all 285 schools that do not meet the DepEd Wash in Schools (WinS) hand hygiene ratings. By doing so, these public schools will be meeting DepEd’s minimum star rating in WinS Program, enabling the schools to apply for reopening.

The DepEd WinS Program is a 3-star rating system developed in 2016 to rate public schools in the areas of Safe Drinking Water, Gender Segregated Toilets, Group Handwashing Facilities with Soap, Daily Group Handwashing Facilities, and Access to Sanitary Pads. Through a pre-planning session, Safeguard was able to identify that the handwashing areas scored the lowest across the board, with Metro Manila surprisingly as one of the key drivers of the rating.

Anna Legarda-Locsin speaking during the Manila Water Foundation’s Hawak Kamay: Celebrating WASH Partnerships Live Event

According to P&G Communications Director Anna Legarda-Locsin, this partnership with DepEd and MWF encourages students and teachers to “practice good hygiene habits that will protect them from disease-causing germs and viruses while they are in school.” She also went on to say that everyone involved in this project is looking forward to “seeing the outcome of this project, and the health, and the good that we can do in the many schools in the community.”

(LEFT TO RIGHT) Jubail Pasia, Arnulfo Balane, Jeune San Juan, Rina Marino, Mylene Catana

When asked how the SAFE Wash in Schools initiative align with Safeguard Philippines’ goals, the brand’s Communications Leader, Jeune San Juan, expresses that “by safeguarding the everyday health and hygiene of our children and educators as well, we are also safeguarding the future of the nation. By enabling schools to reopen with handwashing facilities, that is only just the first step we are taking in building safe habits for the future of our kids.” 

Don Galo Elementary School Head Mylene Catana expressed how their school is currently at a zero-star rating but with the help of the SAFE Wash in School program, she is certain that pretty soon they will achieve a two or three-star rating. “[The handwashing facilities] will help us achieve one, two, or three stars. Because we now have enough water supply and our handwashing facilities are enough to accommodate pupils to [wash their hands in] before entering the school and even after recess.”

On top of the donation for building more handwashing facilities and providing water supply, Safeguard will be providing these schools soaps in all these schools to push the handwashing movement further. Safeguard and MWF have already constructed 82 handwashing facilities in schools to date, and this program will accelerate the number to 332 schools nationwide by the end of the year.

Jose Victor Emmanuel de Dios, the CEO of Manila Water Company and president of Manila Water Foundation, expressed his thanks for this initiative led by P&G. 

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Manila Water Foundation, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to P&G Philippines, led by their president Mr. Raffy Fajardo for entrusting [Manila Water Foundation] with the #SafeWashInSchools project.”

In the coming months, Safeguard and MWF will roll out DepEd-approved educational modules to teach handwashing habits in school and at home. This is an effort to ensure that handwashing is practiced as a habit and is embedded in the learning curriculum.

Rewatch the live event here:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=watch_permalink&v=471436794472489

Feel the Rush of the New Trailer of "Top Gun: Maverick"

 Guaranteed adrenaline rush. Paramount Pictures’ Top Gun: Maverick is FINALLY coming to cinemas across the Philippines May 25. Watch the NEW official trailer now!

After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose”.

Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.

 

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, Top Gun: Maverick stars Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Charles Parnell, Bashir Salahuddin, Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Davis with Ed Harris.

The film is written by Ehren Kruger and Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie, based the characters created by Jim Cash & Jack Epps, Jr.  Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie and David Ellison.

 

Top Gun: Maverick is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures.  Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/paramountpicsph/; Instagram at www.instagram.com/paramountpicsph/  and YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsZ7igjHZB-5k8DDM7ilVJw. Connect with #TopGun and tag paramountpicsph

 

Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”

CEBU PACIFIC marks another milestone with its 200 millionth passenger

Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ leading airline, expects to restore over 100% of its pre-pandemic domestic capacity in April 2022 after it ramped up its network with the easing of pandemic travel restrictions, marking a strong start for its 26^th year.

 

As the summer peak approaches, the airline has noted a 200% increase in its average daily flights for both domestic and international combined – from about 100 flights per day in 2020, to about 300 at present. Flights from Manila to key domestic destinations, such as Boracay and Cebu, have exceeded their 2019 flight frequencies.  

Cebu Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer, Lance Gokongwei (right), personally awards its 200 millionth passenger during flight 5J575 bound for Cebu, recently. The winning passenger, Salbert Garces (left), was awarded free unlimited flights to any Cebu Pacific route domestic destination for a period of one year.  

The airline currently operates 96% of its pre-pandemic domestic capacity. The improvement has enabled CEB to carry more passengers and boost its cargo service which means faster and more efficient movement of goods across its widest domestic network.

 

CEB also celebrated another milestone today as it flew its 200 millionth passenger on board one of its 18x daily Manila-Cebu flights. This route was the first ever flown by CEB back in 1996. 

 

“We are excited to safely fly everyJuan to their destinations so they could reunite with their families and loved ones, or pursue their business interests, or revisit tourist destinations. It is encouraging to see and feel travel confidence returning.  We thank our passengers for their continued trust, and we will endeavor to live true to our promise of providing safe, affordable, and accessible air travel for every Juan,” said Lance Gokongwei, President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Cebu Pacific.

Cebu Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer, Lance Gokongwei (left) and Department of Transportation Secretary, Arthur Tugade, were both in attendance during the awarding of the airline’s 200 millionth passenger, held recently at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

CEB continues to offer its guaranteed low fares to spur travel among Filipinos and foreigners alike. Its month-long #CEBSuperSeatFest is still ongoing as part of its anniversary month celebration. 

 

Cebu Pacific operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 33 destinations, on top of its 14 international destinations. Its 74-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, includes two (2) dedicated ATR freighters. 

 

CEB has achieved a 7-star safety rating from airlineratings.com for its COVID-19 compliance. It continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, while it operates with a 100% fully vaccinated crew – all to ensure its every Juan flies safely and conveniently on Cebu Pacific. 

Upon landing in Cebu, Cebu Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer, Lance Gokongwei (leftmost), Candice Iyog (2^nd from left), Vice-President for Marketing and Customer Experience, and Xander Lao (2^nd from right), held a media gathering and commemorative event, in celebration of the airline’s 200 millionth passenger, Salbert Garces (rightmost), who was awarded an all-expense paid unlimited free flights to any Cebu Pacific route domestic destination for a period of one year.

 

 

Time to show off your #FeelGoodFeelSafe dance moves!

 

This Tiktok dance challenge is for you, McDonald’s fans! Dance along with the feel good, feel safe moves.

 

As the country eases out on restrictions, McDonald’s continues to create fun experiences for its crew and customers while keeping it M Safe. Inspired by its Feel Good, Feel Safe campaign weeks ago, McDonald’s crew first showed their Tiktok moves while continuously assuring customers that their safety remains a priority.

 

McDonald’s enthusiast, celebrity-dancer Kyline Alcantara kicked off the dance challenge with her own twist to the dance. Check out her moves here!

 

The challenge continues and now, for customers! The choreography for this Tiktok challenge was created by one of McDonald’s own fans, Marc Bernardo. Check it out here. Kyline Alcantara, one of Tiktok’s most followed celebrities, shares her moves to kickstart the FeelGoodFeelSafe Dance challenge. You too can add your own twist to the dance challenge! Here’s how you can join:

 

●      Open to all McDo fans, lovers, enthusiasts

●      Use the entire 30 second audio of the McDo Feel Good, Feel Safe song

●      Show us your moves, act to the song or feel free to follow our choreo here!

●      Post your video entry using the hashtags, #MSafe and #FeelGoodFeelSafe; entries must also be emailed to msafeatmcdo@gmail.com on or before April 6, 2022.

 

Top 5 feel good entries will enjoy P10,000 worth of McDonald’s gift certificates! 

 

Check out all the fun entries on TikTok through the hashtag #FeelGoodFeelSafe Dance Challenge! Make sure to follow the official pages of McDonald’s Philippines for more details on the mechanics, updates on the challenge, and the announcement of the #FeelGoodFeelSafe Dance Challenge.