MPIF, MVP Group, launch `Bike for Livelihood’
Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), along with the MVP Group of Companies, launched its partnership with Gretchen Ho’s Donate A Bike, Save A Job program to collectively celebrate First Pacific Co. Ltd.’s 40th anniversary, International Bicycle Day, and chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan’s upcoming 75th birthday.
The “Bike for Livelihood” program with MPIF, First Pacific Co. Ltd., One Meralco Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and Maynilad, will distribute more than 500 bicycles to beneficiaries across the country, most of whom lost their sources of income to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with the bikes, 100 Smart Retailer Kits and 100 Smart Pocket Wi-Fis will be distributed to beneficiaries as tools for these programs.
The MVP Group has also pledged to promote a bike-friendly culture across the group. Through the improvement of its existing facilities such as bicycle parking and shower areas for employees, as well as creating a bike loan program.
Magical Weekends Return as Enchanted Kingdom reopens
Enchanted Kingdom has finally be reopened its gates to guests last Saturday, June 5 and every weekend thereafter.
Classified as an “amusement park”, Enchanted Kingdom is also an “outdoor tourist attraction” and accredited as a “tourism recreation center” by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Region IV-A, allowing it to operate at 30% capacity with strict adherence to minimum public health and safety guidelines. In addition, the City of Santa Rosa, through Honorable Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, issued a certification allowing EK to operate “its outdoor rides and tourist attractions at 30% capacity.
Indoor attractions remain closed.
As Enchanted Kingdom reopens, its biggest 25th anniversary offering for guests will also be ready to “spin” their way into everyone’s heart, including TWIN SPIN, a unique compact spinning coaster by world famous manufacturer Mack Rides of Germany, looms large as one enters EK’s front gate area. Vibrantly painted in glitzy pink, blue and purple, after our Twin Princesses Victoria and Madeline and backstopped by Eldar the Wizard, respectively, every TWIN SPIN ride will be a unique experience.
TWIN SPIN’s location together with DISK O MAGIC signals the opening of ELDAR’S VILLAGE, a new themed zone dedicated to EK’s whimsical and wise wizard and the story of Enchanted Kingdom with its twin princesses.
Smart unveils Magic SIM with 24 GB no-expiry data
Leading mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has launched the Smart Magic SIM, a limited-edition prepaid SIM that comes with 24 GB no-expiry open access data for only Php399.
The Smart Magic SIM gives users the freedom and flexibility to instantly enjoy more data and access of their favorite digital experiences. Upon activation, subscribers can use the SIM’s preloaded 24 GB data for work, school, social media, or entertainment – from attending online work meetings, sending huge work files, streaming online classes, sharing content on social media, binge-watching the latest series and movies, and playing mobile games, among others.
The Smart Magic SIM is ready-to-use in all smartphones including Smart 5G-certified devices, and is available at the Smart Online Store, Smart’s Flagship Store in Lazada, and on GrabMart.
For more no-expiry open access data, Smart Magic SIM users can also link their account to the GigaLife App to avail of exclusive rewards and data offers such as Magic Data with just a few taps on their phone. GigaLife is downloadable on on Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei Mobile Services.
CEB welcomes resumption of leisure travel with P88 seat sale
Cebu Pacific has launched a special all-domestic seat sale for immediate travel to welcome the government’s recent announcement that allows everyJuan to travel for leisure again.
For as low as P88 one-way base fare, passengers can now book until June 11 to any domestic destination on sale, with travel period until March 26, 2022.
Beginning, June 4, CEB resumed flying twice daily between Manila and Boracay for tourists. Apart from this route, CEB also operates regular flights to Bacolod, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, and more local destinations across its widest domestic network.
CEB has permanently removed change fees in March, allowing passengers to rebook whenever and as many times as they need to. Those with existing Travel Funds may also make use of these to book new flights with CEB.
NMI powers Crate and Barrel e-commerce
GMA New Media, Inc. (NMI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GMA Network, has launched its latest project, an e-commerce website for home furniture and houseware brand Crate and Barrel Philippines, through NMI Solutions.
NMIs latest collaboration with Crate and Barrel Philippines allows users to browse and shop through a curated selection of timeless and classic pieces with ease.
Offering delivery services and easy payment schemes, Crate and Barrel Philippines provides a convenient shopping experience that’s as easy as just one click away.
The NMI Solutions team has developed Shopkit, a quick-deploy proprietary software-as-a-service (SAAS) solution, with a robust backend hosted in Amazon Web Services (AWS). NMI has been a registered partner of AWS since 2015. Shopkit enables MSMEs to expand their reach by bringing their products online.
Apart from web and app development, NMI Solutions also specializes in systems integration, data analytics, managed IT services, and technocreative solutions.
SMC-waives P230M toll fees
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has waived a total of P230.7 million in toll fees for medical workers as of June 2, as part of its support for front liners against the COVID-19 pandemic, the company reported.
The free toll program, which regularly benefits more than 10,000 medical front liners, has been in effect at the STAR Tollway, South Luzon Expressway , Skyway System, NAIA Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway since March 2020.
Among those who benefit are doctors, nurses, medical and laboratory technicians residing in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
SMC is the only toll operator that continues to implement the “no toll fee” policy for medical front liners at all its tollways, even as the country’s vaccination program has begun.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, SMC has been at the forefront of private sector response to support medical front liners and the country’s healthcare system.
Insular Foundation to help educate women in prison
The Insular Foundation, in partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation (CLFI), recently adopted the Alternative Learning System-Community Learning Center (ALS-CLC) at the Correctional Institution For Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City to help persons deprived of liberty finish their primary education.
This is the first adopted center exclusively for women and the third ALS-CLC partnership between Insular Foundation and CLFI.
CLFI has turned over information and communications technology equipment such as laptop, portable printer, mini projector, and pocket WiFi with initial prepaid load, and learning modules to the ALS center at the CIW. CLFI has also turned over additional learning materials to the ALS center at the Muntinlupa City Jail which was adopted by the foundations last year.
In 2019, Insular Foundation launched this joint project with CLFI to support the first ALS center located at the Pedro Guevera Elementary School in Manila.
The Foundation will support each of the three Alternative Learning System-Community Learning Centers in Pedro Guevera Elementary School, Muntinlupa City Jail, and Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, for five years.
ALS involves a nine-month classroom-based and community-based learning sessions for elementary and secondary school levels.
Shopee wraps up university summit
Shopee has successfully wrapped up its inaugural Shopee University Summit in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, AdSpark, Facebook, and brands such as HP, Messy Bessy, and Globe myBusiness.
Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee is proud to have launched our first-ever Shopee University Summit last May 27. With the steady growth of e-commerce, it’s essential that we support our sellers as they transition online. Shopee will amplify our efforts in providing accessible training and seminars to help Filipino entrepreneurs rise up, succeed, and achieve continuous business growth amidst the ongoing pandemic.”
DTI Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco was present to share the various initiatives to help MSMEs go digital. Representatives from different industries such as Marty Buragay from Facebook, talked about the new purchasing habits and expectations in the new normal, and Joey Flores from digital agency, AdSpark, discussed the significance of an effective ad and the importance of strategic planning. Industry leaders from top brands like HP also shared insights on how e-commerce can help MSMEs grow their businesses.
At the Shopee University Summit, HP shared how the existing tools, programs, and platforms can support small business owners in their journey to recovery and, eventually, thrive in the new normal.
