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All the New Stuff, News and Updates from Technology, Sports, Travel, Food, Health, Entertainment and other Events
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Lufthansa Group and LGE Travel Forge Groundbreaking Sustainability Partnership
Monday, October 23, 2023
From the Airport to Hawker Centers: GCash Expands further in Singapore
GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app, doubles down on its presence in Singapore as it can now be used as a cashless payment option in both Alipay+ and Alipay China-enabled (AlipayCN) merchants.
This further expands GCash’s availability in one of the most famous destinations in Southeast Asia. It has already been accepted by Alipay+ merchants in 2022, but now GCash can also be used to pay in select AlipayCN establishments. Some of these merchants include 7-Eleven, which has the largest convenience store network in the country at 450 branches; the largest orange juice vending machine operator, iJooz; the exclusive distributor of duty-free cosmetic products, The Shilla Duty-Free; and the largest taxi operator, ComfortDelGro taxis.
“GCash is committed to always being there for our millions of users wherever they are here in the Philippines and all over the world. Thanks to our global partner Alipay+, GCash users can now go cashless in thousands more touchpoints in Singapore,” said Ren-Ren Reyes, president and CEO of GCash mobile wallet operator, G-Xchange, Inc. (GXI).
Aside from expanding its touchpoints, GCash is also making it rewarding for users to go cashless in Singapore. When they use GCash to pay in 7-Eleven, iJooz, and hawkers like Lau Pa Sat they can get PHP 85 off from their purchase. Likewise, users can enjoy up to PHP400 off at ComfortDelGro taxi rides and their shopping at The Shilla Duty-Free stores. To claim these vouchers, head on over to the GCash app and tap the “A+ Rewards” button. In the dropdown button, select Singapore and scroll down to select a voucher to purchase.
When paying for your purchases at these destinations, be sure to look for the Alipay+ or AlipayCN logo at the checkout. Open your GCash app and select the QR or PayQR button at the bottom of the screen. Scan the merchant’s QR code, or tap “Pay Abroad with Alipay+ or AlipayCN” to have the merchant scan your generated QR. Then, check the amount and click “Pay” to see the receipt.
GCash is continuously expanding its international footprint in partnership with Alipay+. Aside from Singapore, the Philippine e-wallet can be used to pay in select Alipay+-enabled merchants across Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy.
“Our users can expect GCash to further expand its global reach as we partner with more merchants in more countries,” Reyes said.
The Philippine finance super app is also making its services available to more Filipinos who live abroad as the GCash app can now be used with international numbers in the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Italy, and Australia.
For more information, visit www.gcash.com.
Friday, September 15, 2023
Verstappen & Perez Compete In The World’s Cleanest Challenge Ahead Of Singapore Race Weekend
Singapore (September 15, 2023) – On their return to Singapore, Oracle Red Bull Racing champions, Max Verstappen and Sergio “Checo” Perez, embraced a uniquely fun challenge. They hopped on motorized cleaning carts, racing on a specially constructed indoor track, in the cleanest race ever, all within the stunning Jewel Changi Airport.
The first part, a mock sprint race, began with an electrifying "Le Mans" style start. Max gained an early advantage by firing up his cleaning cart first. He maintained a solid lead until Checo attempted to take a shortcut that violated track limits, securing Max's victory.
In the subsequent Cleaning Challenge, the drivers navigated an expanded track with obstacles like muddy footprints, dirt, rubbish, and leaves. Max, starting in pole position, maintained his lead throughout the race until an exciting head-to-head battle emerged in the back section of the course. Despite Checo's attempts to overtake him, Max held his ground. During the pit stop, it was clear that Max's vehicle had cleaned more debris. With a significant lead, Max sprinted (albeit slowly) to the finish line, clinching first place in the inaugural World’s Cleanest Race. He was presented with a pre-broken trophy in recognition of his victory by Oracle Red Bull Racing ambassador, Josh Denzel, sparing him the effort of breaking it himself.
“It was great,” stated Checo when asked about the challenge. “When I got to see the cart for the first time, I was shocked with it.”
When asked about the unique nature of today’s event, Max laughed stating, “At this stage, being with the team, I’m quite used to it. They come up with quite a lot of things so this was another one."
Supported by Jewel Changi Airport and the Singapore Tourism Board, there was no better venue to host the event than at the world's best airport, renowned for its autonomous fleet of cleaning robots, offering a stunning backdrop featuring the world's tallest indoor waterfall nestled within the lush indoor forest.
With Singapore as a vibrant backdrop, a city renowned for its diverse culinary culture, captivating attractions, and lush gardens, the beauty of the Lion City and FORMULA 1’s first night street race has always been an attraction for avid racing fans and the Oracle Red Bull Racing drivers, as well.
It’s always good to be in Singapore. It’s an incredible track and the fact that it’s a night race makes it even more special. It is of course a very warm race which can be challenging, so it’s definitely one of the toughest races on the calendar,” said Max.
Checo echoed similar sentiments, adding, “It’s a track that’s really hard on us and the cars. We just have to deliver to the maximum.”
The one-of-a-kind World’s Cleanest challenge, held ahead of the highly anticipated Singapore Grand Prix (15 to 17 September), was just the warm-up the racers favoured before tackling the big one. It’s at the forthcoming night race that Checo hopes to repeat his incredible performance from last year.
“That would be really nice to repeat what we did last year,” said Checo. “I look forward to it, and hopefully we are able to have a tremendous race.”
Max, in particular, is focused on extending his record-breaking streak with a potential first-time victory in Singapore.
“Street circuits always bring a few more challenges but we’ll definitely try,” declared Max. “We have a quick car, but we know that on a street circuit there are a lot of other cars that can be quick as well and the gaps will be very tight. We of course want to win so let’s see what we can do.”
To catch the epic action and the infectious laughter of Max Verstappen and Checo Perez, zoom over to Oracle Red Bull Racing's YouTube channel to watch the World's Cleanest Race in its entirety.
For more information, please visit the official Red Bull Singapore website, its social media pages (TikTok | Instagram | Facebook), and Oracle Red Bull Racing’s official TikTok account.
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
FREE SINGAPORE TOUR FOR TRANSFER AND TRANSIT PASSENGERS RETURNS FROM 3 APRIL
SINGAPORE, 3 April 2023 – Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) re-launched the Free Singapore Tour today after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19. Three of the existing tours available since pre-Covid-19 - the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour, and Jewel Tour – have been refreshed to include new points of interest. A brand-new Changi Precinct Tour will introduce travellers to the interesting sights and sounds of the eastern region surrounding Singapore Changi Airport. Each tour lasts 2.5 hours and will be available daily, with plans to progressively increase to nine tours a day.
With transit and transfer passengers accounting for about 30% of passenger traffic at Changi Airport pre-pandemic, the tour was first introduced in 1987 to enhance the airport’s attractiveness as a transfer hub and to entice transit and transfer passengers to visit Singapore as a holiday destination. In 2019, over 80,000 passengers went on the Free Singapore Tour. The top markets were India, Australia, and Indonesia, with Indian and Australian travellers making up more than one third of the total participants.
New Changi Precinct Tour to showcase eastern Singapore
The Changi Precinct Tour is a new itinerary that will bring participants to the eastern part of Singapore to visit local community spaces such as the Tampines heartland, and to admire the rustic charms of Changi Village and Changi Beach. It offers a glimpse of how local residents live, and tells the tale of Singapore’s history on this part of the island, away from the usual hustle and bustle of Singapore’s city centre.
Refreshed itineraries to offer travellers new experiences
At the Jewel Tour, in addition to visiting popular attractions like the Shiseido Forest Valley and the HSBC Rain Vortex, participants can now discover more about Singapore’s food heritage through local brands such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Tong Garden, and sample local snacks at the same time. Another new component of the tour is a free guided walkthrough of a digital attraction - Changi Experience Studio - for participants to experience some of its airport-themed games and interactive exhibits.
New pit stops in the City Sights Tour include the Civic District, where travellers will get an introduction to Singapore’s urban development through visits to various national monuments including the National Gallery Singapore, Anderson Bridge, and The Padang. The bus route will also pass through the new Marina Bay Financial District enroute to Gardens by the Bay. The Heritage Tour, available from June, will feature places of interest such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, Arab Street, and Haji Lane, for participants to gain a more in-depth understanding of Singapore’s unique and diverse multi-cultural heritage.
The refreshed itineraries also highlight sustainability features at some of the locations featured in the tours, to give participants an overview of Singapore’s sustainability efforts. These include the Eco Community Garden at the rooftop of Our Tampines Hub (as part of the Changi Precinct Tour), environmental sustainability initiatives implemented at Gardens by the Bay (as part of the City Sights Tour) and Jewel (as part of the Jewel Tour).
Monster Day Tours has been appointed by CAG, SIA, and STB to run the Free Singapore Tours.
Mr Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President of Air Hub & Cargo Development at CAG, said, “The Free Singapore Tour was very popular among our transit and transfer passengers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are happy to bring it back with the resumption of travel. For travellers who choose to transit or transfer at Changi Airport, the Free Singapore Tour is designed to give them a glimpse of what Singapore has to offer, including the unique attractions and offerings at Jewel Changi Airport and the neighbouring Changi Precinct which has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Together with our partners, SIA and STB, we hope to welcome more passengers who fly through Changi Airport to enjoy a slice of Singapore through our new tours and world-class attractions and facilities.”
Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President Commercial, Singapore Airlines, said, “We welcome the timely relaunch of the enhanced Free Singapore Tour, which offers a unique transit experience for our customers. We are pleased to continue working closely with CAG and STB to promote the sustainable growth of travel to and through Singapore.”
Mr Chang Chee Pey, Assistant Chief Executive, Marketing Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said, "We are delighted to bring back the Free Singapore Tour through our long-standing partnership with CAG and SIA. It is imperative for us to refresh our tourism offerings to meet the demand for wellness and eco-conscious travel, and cater to travellers seeking deeper experiences. We hope that the tour will inspire transit and transfer passengers to plan a longer trip to Singapore in future, and discover much more of what our vibrant city has to offer.”
Book a tour in advance on new portal
Advance booking is now available on Changi Airport’s website. Transit and transfer passengers who wish to join the Free Singapore Tour must have a layover period of at least 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours. Participants will need to have a valid entry visa for Singapore to take part in the tours.
For more information, visit the Free Singapore Tour page here.
For the detailed tour itineraries, click here – City Sights Tour, Jewel Tour, Changi Precinct Tour, Heritage Tour.
About Changi Airport Group
Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009. As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.
As one of Asia’s most connected international aviation hubs, Changi Airport links Singapore to some 140 cities globally, with over 90 airlines operating more than 5,500 weekly flights. Jewel Changi Airport, a multi-dimensional lifestyle destination, opened in April 2019, adding to Changi Airport’s shopping and dining offerings of over 550 F&B and retail outlets across the airport. The world’s most awarded airport, Changi has won over 650 accolades for its consistent and excellent airport staff service, passenger experience and safety standards.
Follow Changi Airport on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Telegram | TikTok
About Singapore Airlines
The SIA Group’s history dates back to 1947 with the maiden flight of Malayan Airways Limited. The airline was later renamed Malaysian Airways Limited and then Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). In 1972, MSA split into Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysian Airline System. Initially operating a modest fleet of 10 aircraft to 22 cities in 18 countries, SIA has since grown to be a world-class international airline group that is committed to the constant enhancement of the three main pillars of its brand promise: Service Excellence, Product Leadership and Network Connectivity. For more information, please visit www.singaporeair.com.
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.
More: www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com | Follow us: facebook.com/STBsingapore or https://www.linkedin.com/company/singapore-tourism-board/mycompany
Monday, January 9, 2023
Gear up for a Year of Adventure at the Singapore Airlines Time to Fly Travel Fair
Manila, Philippines– Pack your bags and prepare to go on a food trip in Singapore, fly to London to visit the Buckingham Palace, climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris, enjoy the sights and sounds of the Australian outback, go celebrity sighting in Los Angeles, or be part of the exciting vibe of New York City.
Gear up for a year of adventure as Singapore Airlines (SIA) launches its biggest Time to Fly Travel Fair with more exciting offers. Mark your calendars from 13 to 15 January 2023 at the Glorietta 2 Palm Drive Activity Center and get ready to book flights for your next great adventure with your Mastercard credit or debit cards!
“With many exciting destinations now open for travelers, Singapore Airlines gives its customers the chance to see the world, make new memories or relive old ones with friends and family,” said Singapore Airlines General Manager Sia Nam Kung. “Together with our partner brands, the Time to Fly travel fair offers our customers attractive deals, and the best of what SIA has to offer.”
EXCLUSIVE PERKS WITH MASTERCARD
Mastercard cardholders are in for a treat as the travel fair is exclusive to Mastercard cardholders, with all payments at the fair to be made using Mastercard only. In addition to exciting fares and deals, attractive perks await when they book and pay using their Mastercard debit and credit cards from 13 to 15 January 2023 through participating travel agencies present at the travel fair.
Share the joy and indulge in delectable cuisines with PHP2,500 worth of dining certificates, which cardholders can get upon spending a minimum of PHP30,000 in a single receipt with Mastercard. In addition, they get to take home a travel essentials pack worth PHP500.
Cardholders can also splurge and shop with PHP5,000 worth shopping certificates, on top of the PHP2,500 dining certificates, and be rewarded with a travel essentials pack worth PHP1,000 upon spending a minimum of PHP60,000 in a single receipt with Mastercard.
GET EARLY ACCESS WITH EASTWEST MASTERCARD
EastWest Mastercard cardholders get first dibs on all the exciting offers with an exclusive sale on 12 January 2023. The first day is also open to Singapore Airlines PPS Club members and Globe Platinum subscribers, with payments exclusive to EastWest Mastercard.
What’s more, EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard cardholders also get rewarded with extra gifts and can continue to earn 3x KrisFlyer miles for all purchases on the SIA group—with more chances of winning at the EastWest Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Mastercard 1 Million KrisFlyer miles giveaway promo.
DEALS AND MORE EXCITING OFFERS FOR ALL
Travelers can enjoy attractive all-inclusive round-trip fares to many of SIA’s destinations around the world with the Airline’s wide network of locations to choose from.
Round-trip Economy Class fares start from USD232 when flying to Singapore while other Southeast Asian destinations start from USD177. Fares to Europe start from USD563, Australia from USD470, and USA from USD774. Indulge in extra comfort with all-in round-trip fares on Premium Economy Class to India from USD1,460, and to Australia from USD1,611 or travel in style and fly Business Class with fares starting from USD702 to Singapore. Valid for travel from 15 January until 31 December 2023.
Don’t miss out and head down to the travel fair to redeem a travel essentials pack worth PHP500 upon completing the eight easy passport challenges within the first hour or from 10:00am to 11:00am every day.
And it doesn’t stop there, event goers can also enjoy roaming deals and perks from Globe and grab travel fair special offers from participating brands such as Accor Hotels Philippines, The Ascott Limited Philippines, Crimson Resorts and Spa Boracay, and The Travel Club.
Plus, travelers can get SGD8 KrisPay miles to use in Singapore upon downloading the Kris+ app and signing up with an exclusive promo code, available upon visiting the Singapore Airlines Time to Fly Travel Fair.
Travel packages are also available through participating travel agencies - Ark Travel Express, Inc., Constellation Travels, Inc., Fiesta Tours & Travel Corporation, Horizon Travel & Tours, Inc., Rakso Air Travel and Tours, Inc., and Via Philippines Travel Corporation.
The Singapore Airlines Time to Fly Travel Fair will be held at the Glorietta 2 Palm Drive Activity Center. 12 January 2023 is exclusive to EastWest Mastercard cardholders, Singapore Airlines PPS Club members and Globe Platinum Subscribers; 13 – 15 January 2023 is open to the public. All payments must be made using Mastercard®. For more information about Singapore Airlines Time to Fly Travel Fair, please visit bit.ly/SQPHTimetoFly3
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linkedin.com/company/singapore-airlines
Friday, February 21, 2020
ONE CHAMPIONSHIP TO LAUNCH A UNIQUE FORMAT OF ‘THE APPRENTICE' IN ASIA
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