Sky Ranch Tagaytay is first outdoor amusement park to receive Safety Seal

Tourists and visitors going to Sky Ranch Tagaytay can now visit and enjoy its many activities without worry as the local government of Tagaytay City recently awarded Sky Ranch Tagaytay with the Safety Seal— it’s the first amusement and recreational outdoor venue in Tagaytay City to be given such honor.

The Safety Seal tags establishments that strictly comply with the health protocols that are in line with the Inter-Agency Task Force’s (IATF) guidelines, such as proper wearing of face masks and shields, good ventilation and disinfection, and using the Trace Together contract tracing system. Having this emblem also allows the establishment to operate at an additional 10 percentage points beyond the prescribed venue operational capacity.

For an admission fee of only P50, visitors ages 18 to 65 years old now have a place to hang out or experience al fresco dining with scenic views of the Taal Volcano while filling their tummies with a wide array of yummy eats at Sky Ranch Tagaytay’s restaurants and kiosks.

Even paw parents and their pets can join in on the fun! Because also now open is the Royal Canin Paw Park, which is well-equipped with exciting and safe obstacles that are compliant with the standards of the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI). Aside from the obstacles, the park also features several Royal Canin dog houses where guests can take Instagram-worth photos with their doggos, and a covered seating area where they can simply relax after a fun-filled day.

Visit Sky Ranch Tagaytay now and have a fun-filled day with family and friends. Don’t forget to wear face masks, face shields and always practice social distancing while inside.

For more information and updates on the latest events and promos, follow Sky Ranch
Tagaytay on Facebook and @skyranchphl on Instagram.

ASUS Partners with Microsoft for Windows 11 Upgrade

TAIPEI, Taiwan, June 24, 2021 — ASUS today announced that it is partnering with Microsoft to ensure users of new and existing ASUS PCs are primed for the launch of Windows 11 after it is available.

As an internationally-respected and trusted manufacturer of Windows PCs, ASUS is proud to be a leading proponent of Windows 11 — the forthcoming latest version of the world’s most popular operating system. In preparation for this exciting launch, ASUS is readying a raft of new and existing devices for a free upgrade to Windows 11.

From today, all newly-purchased ASUS Windows 10 devices that are featured on our upgrade list, along with many existing eligible ASUS Windows 10 devices, will qualify for an upgrade after Windows 11 is released. As an example, both existing users and new purchasers of Zenbook Pro Duo 15 OLED (UX582), Zenbook Duo 14 (UX482), Zenbook Flip 13 OLED (UX363) and Zenbook 13 OLED (UX325) models will all be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11 — so prospective buyers can buy today safe in the knowledge that a free upgrade is just around the corner.

Hundreds of other ASUS models that shipped with Windows 10 will also qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 11, including ProArt Studiobook, Zenbook and Vivobook laptops, ROG Strix, ROG Zephyrus and ROG Flow gaming laptops and TUF Gaming laptops and desktops. Many ExpertBook laptops and ExpertCenter desktops will also be eligible, along with many Zen AiO and Vivo AiO models and ASUS Mini PCs. For full details of qualifying models, please visit the ASUS Windows 11 microsite, at https://asus.me/windows11_pr. 

Windows 11: Get a fresh perspective

With the upcoming launch of Windows 11, Microsoft is set to introduce a new Windows experience that will bring users closer to the people and things they love. For more information on Windows 11, go to the Windows blog.

Prepare to upgrade: Simple steps to ready ASUS PCs for the new operating system

Windows 11 isn’t here yet, but it will be coming later this year. We know that users of ASUS devices will be excited by this prospect, and would wish to prepare for its arrival. There are a number of things owners can do in order to get ready.

• See if a PC can upgrade

Use the PC Health Check app to see if an existing PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11. If so, it is possible to get a free upgrade after it starts to roll out. Please visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11#pchealthcheck

• Shop for a new PC

Need a new PC now? Great! ASUS has an extensive range of Windows 10 PCs that can upgrade for free after Windows 11 rolls out. For the full range of ASUS PCs, please visit https://asus.me/windows11_pr

• Perform a PC backup

It’s so much easier to transfer to a new PC when files and photos from a current PC are backed up to OneDrive.

Please note that the upgrade rollout plan is being finalized and is scheduled to begin late in 2021 and continue into 2022.  Specific timing will vary by device.

About ASUS

ASUS is a multinational company known for the world’s best motherboards, PCs, monitors, graphics cards and routers, and is ranked by Laptop Mag as the best laptop brand in 2020. Along with an expanding range of superior gaming, content-creation and AIoT solutions, ASUS leads the industry through cutting-edge design and innovations made to create the most ubiquitous, intelligent, heartfelt and joyful smart life for everyone. With a global workforce that includes more than 5,000 R&D professionals, ASUS is driven to become the world’s most admired innovative leading technology enterprise. Inspired by the In Search of Incredible brand spirit, ASUS won more than 11 awards every day in 2020 and ranks as one of Forbes’ World’s Best Regarded Companies and Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies.  

40 MILLION FILIPINOS and GROWING: GCash Strengthens Partnership with the Public Sector to Promote Digital Financial Inclusion for All

To fast-track economic recovery amid the pandemic, public and private sectors must unite and work together to achieve a more inclusive financial ecosystem for all Filipinos. This is the vision behind “One with the Nation: Forging Public-Private Partnerships Towards Digital Inclusion in the Philippines,” a webinar organized by GCash, the country’s no. 1 mobile wallet app in collaboration with various national government agencies and local government units (LGUs).

The webinar featured distinguished speakers from both the public and private sectors led by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Gov. Benjamin Diokno, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Congressman Jose Enrirque Garcia, DSWD Director Wayne Belizar, Bureau of Treasury of the Philippines OIC Deputy Treasurer Ed Marino, BSP Deputy Dir. for Payment Systems Atty. Leah M. Irao, GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon, GCash Vice President for Enterprise Jose Luis Reyes and GCash AVP and Head of Public Sector & Partnerships Cathlyn Pavia.

Our partnerships with the private sector have provided us with a wide network to reach more customers and develop more relevant financial services and products,” said Martha Sazon, GCash president and chief executive officer. “But in order to truly reach the unbanked and underserved communities, we look to the public sector with their expertise and resources. Together, we can really make a difference in the lives of Filipinos.”

The event opened with a Keynote Message from BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno on “Digital Financial Inclusion: Impacting the Lives of Millions of Filipinos”. In his message to the participants, Governor Diokno underscored the importance of making financial inclusion a reality for every Filipino in the country. This was followed by a panel discussion on “Digital Infrastructure: The Journey Starts Today!” led by BSP deputy director Atty Leah M. Irao and Cong. Jose Enrique Garcia. Atty. Irao and Congressman Garcia discussed the value of digitalization to promote the safety and security of Filipinos even beyond the pandemic.

A talk on the importance of outlining a strategic path towards digital transformation was discussed next by Pavia in “Digital Roadmap: Are We Ready to Innovate?”. In her talk, Pavia emphasized the critical value of implementing digitalization in phases, and how digital solutions can be seamlessly integrated in order to create a hybrid approach and to facilitate smoother adoption.

In his talk on “Digital Manual: 101 Opportunities to Move Forward!,” Director Marino discussed the long-term benefits of creating sound policies and guidelines, ensuring transparency during digital transformation.

Highlighting trailblazing partnerships going cashless, Makati Mayor Abby Binay led a panel entitled “Digital Headstart: Kaya Mo Pilipino!” In Makati, data of its constituents were collected and used to create the Makatizen ID card and open GCash accounts. The card serves as a valid ID that can be used to avail of government services, and a debit card to withdraw in any Bancnet ATM or use in Mastercard-accepting merchants. Likewise, Makati also uses GCash to disburse the salaries of employees, and allowances of senior citizens, and other financial assistance such as Maka-tulong. With Mayor Binay was DSWD Dir. Delizer who in turn shared the agency’s groundbreaking SAP disbursement program last year.

This successful partnership at the height of the pandemic last year was the collaboration between GCash and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for safer distribution of funds for its Social Amelioration Program. GCash was able to distribute more than P16 billion to at least 2 million Filipinos, saving the government about 952 days and around P52 million. GCash continues to support DSWD in its Assistance for Individuals Under Crisis Situation program on a monthly basis.

The mobile app has also partnered with the Social Security System (SSS). Since February, SSS has enabled GCash as an option for receiving benefits through PESOnet. The app has provided SSS members an option to pay their monthly contribution payments via the app’s Pay Bills feature. Likewise for PAG-IBIG, contributions are also conveniently accepted via Pay Bills and Web Pay.

Closing the webinar was GCash VP for Enterprise Jose Luis Reyes who stressed the importance of financial inclusion and expressed optimism that despite today’s challenges, there is a clear way forward to achieve BSP’s vision and make Filipino lives better every day.

These programs are proof that strong partnerships between the private and public sectors are crucial in successfully bringing the benefits of digitalization and financial inclusion to Filipinos at a time when they need it most.'

For more information, visit www.gcash.com.

Summary:

• A strategic webinar that highlights the importance of private-public sector collaboration in achieving financial inclusion for Filipinos, featuring speakers including BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, Congressman Jose Enique Garcia and Makati Mayor Abby Binay. The event gathered hundreds of society leaders, LGU officials, business sector executives and the media to discuss viable digital financial solutions for the country.
• Successful pioneering partnerships for cashless programs such as Makati LGU-GCash Makatizen ID card, SSS-GCash partnership for fast and secure disbursement of SSS benefits; and the safe and timely distribution of funds for the DSWD’s Social Amelioration Program through GCash were discussed as best practices.
• GCash looks forward to collaborating with more LGUs and other national government agencies to promote digital synergy and identify financial solutions that will positively impact the lives of millions of Filipinos nationwide, especially during this pandemic period.

About GCash

GCash is the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines. Through the GCash app, customers can easily buy load; pay bills at over 600 partner billers in the app; pay at more than 7,000 online partners; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines; pay using QR codes at over 130,000 partner merchants nationwide; save money while earning interest; and invest money at local and global funds -- all through the convenience of their smartphones.

GCash is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom, Inc. GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 40 million Filipinos in the country today.