Jack Ma graces the launch of GCash that leads future of payments in Philippines at Ayala Malls

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Alibaba Group Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma graces the launch of Globe Telecom's GCash - cashless payment system for Ayala Malls on Wednesday, October 25 at Glorietta 4, Makati City. 

In photo: Alibaba Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma (center, left) joins GCat, the GCash Mascot as it shows a sample of the QR code that is set to change the landscape of payments in the country. Together with him are (from L-R): Mynt President and CEO Anthony Thomas, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, Ant Financial Services Group CEO Eric Jing, Ayala Corporation President and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land President and CEO Bobby Dy, and Ant Financial SVP and Head of International Operations Douglas Feagin.

GCash is poised to lead the future of payments in the Philippines following the recent joint venture of Ant Financial, Globe Telecom, and Ayala Corporation which is seen to speed up the country’s digitization to make the lives of Filipinos much easier.

Jack Ma buys taho using GCash with Globe Presiden & CEO Ernest Cu
(Photo by Jocel de Guzman) 

This developed as Chinese tech billionaire Jack Ma graced the opening of the Philippine retail industry to electronic payments through GCash. Ma was joined by Ant Financial Services Group CEO Eric Jing, Ayala Corporation President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, Ayala Land President and CEO Bobby Dy, and Mynt President and CEO Anthony Thomas.

Jack Ma 

“Imagine a day when you can shop and buy cinema, bus and train tickets with a simple scan of your personal GCash QR code in your smart phone. The convenient daily life of 520 million Alipay users are enjoying will soon be realized in the Philippines. In the past months, Ant Financial has worked closely with GCash product of Mynt, as we are dedicated to bringing digital financial services to our friends in the Philippines.

Technology is helping more people to enjoy the benefits of digital financial services in a cost-effective, efficient and safe way. I hope we may share our technologies and experiences with our partner, helping them to better serve more local users," said Ant Financial Services Group CEO Eric Jing.

“We are thrilled to mark this special milestone with Mr. Jack Ma, and Mr. Eric Jing of Ant Financial — it goes without saying that we are very pleased to partner with Ant Financial, given their level of experience and expertise in this field. We look forward to innovating and evolving with the Filipino consumer, together. This day marks a special moment in the history of technology and payments in the Philippines — this launches the first broad application of such technology, and marks GCash as the leader in this space,” said Zobel de Ayala said.

Ayala seeks to promote financial inclusion for the underserved Filipinos. In doing so, it continuously invests in creating new channels and access points that broaden payment and lending options for all.

The partnership with Globe and Ant Financial Services Group, one of the world’s leading digital financial services providers and parent company of Alipay is aligned with Ayala’s recent strategic investments to meet the people’s changing needs, and accelerate the development of the Philippines’ digital economy.

Meanwhile, Cu noted that the partnership is now bearing fruit. 

“We are happy to share the initial successes that will disrupt payment methods in the Philippines. In this country, only 5% of the population have credit cards, leaving almost everybody to carry cash all the time to pay for something. Today, we are introducing the 3rd method of payment -- GCash. We found the right partner and the right time to really scale up the business and change the way we use financial services.”

“Now that more people are using data on their smartphones, the time is ripe to enable digital payments using the smartphone and let this go mainstream. Our challenge today is to make digital payments the preferred choice among our customers instead of cash or credit cards,” he added.

 

Through GCash, particularly the scan to pay feature of the GCash App, Filipinos can now experience the convenient cashless lifestyle.

The new payment option is a game changer for both consumers and merchants. It allows customers to pay for goods and services by simply using their smartphones to scan QR codes displayed by merchants and establishments.

On the other hand, business owners also benefit from not having to install expensive machines as they are provided with a QR code sticker which buyers can scan to pay. Customers pay the exact amount, removing the need for coins or change. GCash sees this solution working not just for organized trade but even for the ambulant vendors.

Joining GCash in showcasing the future of payments in the Philippines is Ayala Malls. Known as a retail innovator, Ayala Malls is a perfect catapult for GCash to reach thousands of consumers while also improving the customer experience for Ayala Malls shoppers.

Glorietta is the first Ayala Mall to offer the GCash payment system in many of its shops and restaurants, as well as its cinemas. GCash will be rolled out very soon to other Ayala Malls such as Greenbelt, TriNoma, Market! Market!, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Bonifacio High Street, UP Town Center, Ayala Malls The 30th, Ayala Malls Vertis North, and Ayala Malls South Park.

With the GCash scan to pay feature, Ayala Malls customers can catch up with the cashless experience of shoppers in other countries.

GCash is an internationally-acclaimed mobile wallet service of Mynt which can be used to buy load, pay bills, send money, and pay for goods and services whether online or offline.

James Reid takes his photographic journey to next level with the new X-T20

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James Reid, the face of the camera-loving generation called millennials, headlines the launch of FUJIFILM’s newest mirrorless innovation, the X-T20 on March 11, 2017 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati. 

The extremely popular heartthrob has gone far in his photographic journey. James was drawn to photography while filming the hit series “On the Wings of Love.” He experimented on different cameras until he decided that FUJIFILM suited his needs best. In his last soap “Till I Met You,” James even played a FUJIFILM-armed photographer. 

“We’re very happy with James Reid as our male brand ambassador. He embodies what the FUJIFILM brand is all about --- young, current, and innovative.” says Takuya Maeda, Fujifilm Philippines’ Division Head for Electronic Imaging and Photo Imaging. 

And speaking of innovations, James is proud to announce that he has found a new favorite camera, the X-T20. Handy and powerful, the X-T20 is equipped with a 24.3 MP X-Trans CMOS III *1 sensor and X-Processor Pro image-processing engine. It is able to track moving objects with ease because of updated sensors, processors, and redone AF algorithm.

The X-T20’s touchscreen LCD monitor can be used to see before you shoot photos and videos, even at 4K quality to make those professional looking movies together with FUJIFILM’s proprietary Film Simulation modes.

Available in silver and black, the X-T20 is perfect for budding directors with its phenomenal autofocus speed. You can use 24 high-performance FUJINON X-mount lenses for ultimate versatility. You can also shoot in different conditions and still expect superb image quality. 

If you want to conduct interviews and shoot scenes, you can take advantage of the X-T20’s output video which can be recorded to an external monitor via the HDMI port and input audio from an external microphone. 

“It’s great to endorse a new camera that I love and use frequently,” says James of the X-T20. Being a strong and highly influential presence on social media, constantly updating his fans with well-defined photographs, expect more vivid photos and movie quality videos from James with his new X-T20.

WWF-Philippines Marine Conservation Steward Luis Manzano becomes fundraiser for a day

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WWF-Philippines Marine Conservation Steward Luis Manzano became a fundraiser for a day! Last March 16, held in Glorietta 4, Makati, this project aimed to spread awareness on pressing environmental issues and introduce the Individual Donor Programme (IDP) to the public.

Everyone can now directly contribute in the ecological-sustainability initiatives of the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines thru participating in the Individual Donor Programme which encourages people to funnel their finances in vital and urgent causes such as conservation.

People can join the IDP through visiting WWF booths in selected malls all over the country or by simply going to the WWF-Philippines website. Each can do a one-time donation of their choice or they can possibly engage in monthly donations which can make them environmental advocates in a more convenient way.

These donations are directed in good use as it can support conservation projects in key sites across the Philippines, promote clean sources of renewable energy, prepare seaborne communities in facing worsening climate change impacts, and educate the youth through environmental education drives.

A long-time diver and certified lover of seas, Luis Manzano champions the organization's Marine Conservation Program that includes initiatives on sustainable fisheries plus food security, community-based ecotourism, and biodiversity conservation.

Founded in 1997, WWF-Philippines spearheads campaigns and solutions to help the country combat the worsening climate change, secure food sources to alleviate poverty, conserve endangered species, secure fresh water sources, and, recently, transform lives by providing sustainable livelihood programs in communities.

As of now it has 13 project sites including Tubbataha Reefs and Cagayancillo in Palawan, Donsol in Sorsogon, Mt. Iglit-Baco Mountain Range in Mindoro, Ipo Watershed in Bulacan and the Hamilo Coast in Batangas. WWF-Philippines also conducts climate studies in 16 key cities around the country.

If you wish to learn more about IDP and other programs of WWF-Philippines you may log on to wwf.org.ph.

The best of Taiwan comes to Manila - “Wow! Taiwan Selects Pop-up Store”

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“Wow! Taiwan Selects Pop-up Store” debuted in the Philippines to support Taiwanese manufacturers in exporting products to the country while giving Filipinos a fresh impression of Taiwan. The Philippines is only the store’s first stop in the ASEAN region this 2016.

Authorized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the Commerce Development Research Institute (CDRI) ran the week-long exhibition from May 23 to 29 with the theme “Let’s Home Party!” the at the Glorietta Mall to showcase products that appealed especially to younger consumersm.

“We’ve studied the Philippine market for years, and have seen that the youth made up most of the population,” said Josh Kang, Director of the Department of Global Marketing & Consulting Division of Marketing Research, Wow! Taiwan Selects.

“We were convinced about the strong market potential of the country, and that’s why we decided on a store theme that grabs the attention of young Filipinos.”

The pop-up store featured delicacies, cosmetics, fashion, technology, and modern household goods catering to a younger market. The store was designed to exude a party-like vibe, while the use of bright, energetic colors such as blue, yellow, and orange that created an atmosphere modern Filipino families would enjoy.

For the Philippines, 15 popular Taiwanese brands were introduced, with freebies and demos so guests would get a taste of Taiwan’s best.

Featured beauty and skincare brands included Dr. Morita, a facial mask brand that has sold 30 million pieces worldwide; Naruko, which makes natural skincare products; TS6, a globally famous probiotic brand for women’s health; Hydron, the top Taiwanese contact lens brand; Dr. Formula, a body and beauty care line developed by a professional medical team; and City Color, a brand known for its affordable fashion cosmetic products.

As for lifestyle, the pop-up store introduced Filipino consumers to Sakura, one of the best brands in integrated kitchenware; KTV-Brio, the smart mobile product manufacturer; O’Ringo, a well-known handmade leather shoe brand in Taiwan; and Kimo Footwear, which adopts German design to Asian needs to design comfortable shoes.

Finally, guests indulged in delectable treats and beverages from Taiwan, including Seven Seven, a chocolate snack brand that has sold 6.75 billion chocolate treats worldwide; Taiwan Beer, an authentic Taiwanese beer in classic and fruit flavors; Sweet Mountain, which offers updated versions of traditional cookies and jelly treats; Royal Family, a brand famous for its Japanese-style rice cake; and Yon Ho, a soy milk brand that is popular internationally.

The “Wow! Taiwan Selects Pop-up Store” will next be making stops in Indonesia and Vietnam.

For more about the featured products, please visit http://www.wowtaiwanselects.tw.

“Let’s Home Party” and Experience the best of Taiwan in the Philippines!

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“Let’s Home Party,” the 2016 Wow! Taiwan Selects Pop-up Store is set to launch on May 23 at the Glorietta Mall in Makati City and will run until May 29.

Pop-up store brings premium Taiwanese brands to Manila

For seven days, Filipino consumers can catch a glimpse of Taiwanese culture at a pop-up store in Manila. 

The store will feature 15 premium brands that will let Filipinos experience the best of what Taiwan has to offer. Among these include lifestyle products such as handmade leather shoes and built-in stoves, as well as food and beverages including fruit-flavored beers, mochi desserts, and other delectable treats. 

For the ladies, beauty products ranging from eco-friendly skin cleansers to moisturizing facial masks are also available.

Organized by Taiwan’s Commerce Development Research Institute (CDRI) and Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), the 2016 Wow! Taiwan Selects Pop-up Store is promoting unique and world-class products to showcase the country’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

Below is the event’s roster of premium brands:

Beauty:

1. Dr. Morita facial masks make skin moisturizing safe, effective, and even fun.

2. Derma Formula offers skin care products that are not only effective but are also affordable.

3. Naruko is a skincare expert that uses safe and natural ingredients that are friendly to the environment.

4. City Color offers a range of top-quality cosmetic products for any occasion.

5. Hydron lays out a palette of eye-catching contact lenses in over a hundred stunning colors.

6. TS6’s cleansing and beauty products are formulated with probiotics that are proven effective for feminine health.

Life Style:

1. Kimo’s handmade comfort footwear leverages German ingenuity for Asian feet.

2. O’Ringo’s delicate dress shoes are handcrafted to elevate men’s style.

3. Sakura’s built-in stove and other innovative home products are designed to bring comfort and efficiency to any home.

4. Brio’s Karaoke System takes home entertainment up a notch with cutting-edge technology for the sound market.

Food & Beverage:

1. Royal Family mochi desserts are made of Taiwan’s best quality raw ingredients including sweet peanuts, mellow sesame, soft red beans, sweet green tea, dense taro, and fragrant brown sugar.

2. Hunya’s chocolate treats are making their way from Taiwan’s list of favorite snacks to the international market.

3. Sweet Mountain crackers and fruit jelly snacks are 100% Taiwanese and make for perfect snacks at any time of the day.

4. Yon Ho has made health fun and delicious in a bottle of soy milk or rice milk.

5. Taiwan Beer delivers the authentic taste of Taiwanese breweries in classic and fruity flavors.

The 2016 Wow! Taiwan Selects Pop-up Store runs from May 23 to 29 at the ground floor of Glorietta 1 in Makati City. 

The store will be open from 10am to 9pm, except on May 27 and 28 where it will remain open until 10pm.

Baskin-Robbins is now scooping in Glorietta 5

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Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, opened its 5th store at the Ground Floor, Glorietta 5, Ayala Center, Makati.

“We want to bring the happiness that comes with every scoop of Baskin-Robbins to as many people as possible. As we open our new store in Glorietta 5, more ice cream lovers can enjoy our delicious, world-famous ice cream and frozen treats,” said Michael Dargani, IceDream, Inc. president. 

Under its exclusive licensee in the Philippines, IceDream Inc., the new Baskin-Robbins branch is the brand’s 2nd store in Makati, with the first branch currently located in Greenbelt 5. The newly-opened store features the brand’s latest shop design highlighting its popular pink and blue colors in a bright and modern style. Large format graphics of mouthwatering shots of ice cream adorn the walls with a particularly eye catching shot of an ice cream cone with several scoops piled up high in a variety of attractive and appetizing colors. Prominently situated at the entrance of Glorietta 5 mall, the store can’t be missed from the street level making it easy for passers by to grab a scoop, beverage, fresh pack or cake with ease and convenience. 

Baskin-Robbins Glorietta 5 offers its famous selection of 31 unique ice cream flavors including Jamoca Almond Fudge, Strawberry Cheesecake and Mint Chocolate Chip alongside seasonal favorites such as Movie Theatre Popcorn, Chocolate Trilogy and one of the brand’s original flavors when it first opened in 1945 – Old Fashioned Butter Pecan. There is also a new limited edition flavor, Candy Carnival that has kids lining up to experience popping candy in their ice cream! 

Apart from Baskin-Robbins’ signature 31 ice cream flavors, the new Glorietta 5 ice cream shop also serves a delicious range of frozen delights including ice cream cakes, milkshakes, and sundaes. 

Baskin-Robbins was founded in 1945 in Glendale, California by Burton Baskin and Irvine Robbins, ice cream enthusiasts and brothers-in-law, whose passion inspired what is now the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. As of 2013, Baskin-Robbins has 7,300 shops in nearly 50 countries, with the U.S. having the largest number with 2,500 ice cream stores. Today, Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty stores, serving over 300 million customers each year worldwide.

Baskin-Robbins’ Glorietta 5 opens to the public from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. from Friday to Saturday. 

For more details about Baskin-Robbins, visit their website www.baskinrobbins.ph or check out their Facebook (facebook.com/baskinrobbinsph), Twitter and Instagram (baskinrobbinsph) accounts.

Food trip this Independence Day Weekend! Mercato Centrale and Glorieta presents the BELLYSIMA ! Food Festival 2015

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Enjoy food trip this Independence Day Weekend!

From the organizers of the popular night food market Mercato Centrale comes the BELLYSIMA! Food Festival 2015. It is a launch pad for passionate up-and-coming food entrepreneurs to share their artisanal food creations alongside healthy and organic food products with equally passionate food enthusiasts!

From flavored flans to artisan sausages to edible cookie dough to carabao chicharon to twisted gelato flavors to chili-flavored coffee syrups to organic detox juices to chocolate-flavored surprises! And that’s just the tip of the taste buds.

Set your tummies free this June 12 and 13 at the Glorietta 5 Atrium and be one of the lucky 500 participants to taste and evaluate some of the most exciting gourmet, healthy, artisan and organic food creations from over 30 local vendors.

Bring the whole family to enjoy heirloom recipes, regional delicacies, innovative pastries and desserts, experimental dishes, organic and all-natural healthy food alternatives, and more! Note: Remember to wear adjustable waistbands because you’re going on a revolutionary food trip!

Here is a list of the participants to look out for:

BACH’S BANGUS DAGUPAN

Frozen bangus, daing na bangus, rellenong bangus

BLUSH PASTRIES

Cheesecake, Oreo cookies, flavored cupcakes

BRAVO DELI

Baked products

CHOCO LOCCO

Chocolates, cacao, tablea

COCOA MONSTERS

Chocolate and cocoa-related products, including chocolate-coated dried mangoes

COOKIE STICKS

Cookies in stick form

DELICANE

Fresh sugarcane juices

FRIGGIES

Healthy fruits and vegetable juices

GAVIENS NATIVE CAKES

Traditional Filipino rice cakes

GOOD FOOD

Handcrafted items and organic produce

GORBY BALLS

Graham balls

HEALTHY MONSTERS PH

Salad in a jar

HEALTHY SHOTS MANILA

Detox and cleansing juices

HOMEGROWN ORGANICS

Fresh vegetables, organic kale pesto, atchara

IRRI – PHILIPPINE HEIRLOOM RICE

Heirloom rice varieties from the Cordilleras

JACOB’S PRALINE PEANUT BUTTER

Praline peanut butter

KURIKIPU

Hot and iced brewed coffee, pasta, healthy juices, brownies

LOKALITEA

Turmeric tea

LOTUS POD PH

Fresh vegetables

MADE BY MAX

Nut butter spreads

MILETTE KAKANIN

Various homemade traditional Filipino rice cakes and other delicacies

MILEA BEE FARM

Organic honey and other honey-based products

MILKMAN DAIRY BAR

Edible cookie dough and cereal milk

MIO GELATI

Fresh and authentic Italian ice cream

MR. MONTY

Tofu with veggies siomai and various special sauces like chili and chili garlic in coconut oil

PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY

Imported goodies

PIPER’S PAN

Mini cakes

PURE ENERGY

Kalabasa and beet delicacies, beet healthy drinks

PURPLE BUDS

Red velvet crinkles and other baked products

REYSONS FOOD

Dolci bottled coffee jelly

RITZY PINK SHOPPE

Baked chicken embutido, banana cupcakes and oatmeal cookies

SALATA PH

Salad dressings and sauces, healthy snacks

TOUCH OF ELLEHCAR

Cupcakes

TREATS OF TRIX

Cheesecakes in a jar

WISE EATS FOODS

Artisan sausages, chorizos, vegetable preserves, salad dressings, etc.

The BELLYSIMA! Food Festival is brought to you by Mercato Centrale in partnership with Glorietta and is co-presented by OurAwesomePlanet.com and Ayala Malls, together with our media partners The Philippine Star, Entrepreneur Magazine, Yummy Magazine, GoNegosyo, WhenInManila.com, Solar Entertainment, 103.5 KLite and Globe My Business.

For more information, contact us through any of the following:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mercatocentrale 

Email: admin@mercatocentrale.ph 

Contact: 0917-8401152