Warming Up Your Car the Right Way

Pasig, Philippines; [June 30, 2021] – Amid the ‘new normal,’ most car owners use their vehicles less frequently. Except for frontline workers, the public is encouraged to go out only when necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Despite this, Prestone, a proven and trusted quality brand of Auto Care fluids since 1927, reminds motorists to religiously check their vehicles and go for annual preventive maintenance to avoid the hassle of a car breakdown when they return on the road.

According to Prestone Philippines, car owners need to focus on two frequently overlooked fluids—the Automatic Transmission and Power Steering Fluids.

Shifting With Ease

The Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an essential fluid that lubricates the bearings and metal parts inside a car’s automatic gearbox. It also keeps them from grinding down as they move.

Car owners need to regularly maintain their vehicle’s ATF since it not only lubricates the moving parts but also provides hydraulic pressure and friction to make the internal parts work. Transmission fluid in both manual and automatic transmissions also helps to keep the transmission cool. Since most cars today use AT transmissions, keeping tabs on them is vital since it is more expensive to repair than manual transmission cars.

Additionally, Prestone said that using auto transmission fluids provide the necessary power for the demands of the city or highway. Prestone’s Auto Transmission Fluid (ATF) helps delay and, at its best, eliminate the need for costly repairs with cracked and dry seals conditioning and its stop leak technology. In addition, its high and low-temperature friction characteristics provide smooth shifting under extreme conditions, meeting the needs of various cars.

Turning With Ease

Meanwhile, Power Steering Fluid (PSF) is a kind of hydraulic fluid transferring power in modern vehicles with power steering. As a vital part of your steering system, power steering fluid allows drivers to turn the steering wheel smoothly. The use of PSF vary depending on the car with some requiring ATF to come along with it.

Unfortunately, topping up PSF is typically not included in regular maintenance but it still needs to be maintained to prevent grit and sludge from accumulating and further getting into the car’s pinion seals and rack, consequently destroying it. Prestone highly recommends that car owners periodically change their car’s PSF, using high-quality fluids and consulting expert mechanics to maintain it.

The Prestone Power Steering Fluid protects pumps against pump breakdown caused by wear, oxidation, and foaming through its stop leak technology. As a result, it lessens pump squealing and aid in smooth power steering operation. It also pours at sub-zero temperatures to help assure cold weather steering performance.

As a final reminder, car owners must stay cautious against counterfeit products sold in the market today, especially Brake Fluid. Using fake products can cause malfunctions or permanently damage various parts of your vehicle, leading to a car breakdown, accidents, or engine replacement.

Watch out for sellers offering products that come from unknown sources and with suspicious prices and discounts. To know its authenticity, check the product’s details, look for imperfections, and ensure it has a PS mark or ICC stickers issued by the Philippine Bureau of Product Standards.

To know more about Prestone Philippines, visit their website at https://www.prestone.com.ph/ and follow their Facebook page, Prestone Philippines. You can also buy authentic Prestone products on their Lazada page, The Clorox Company Flagship Store.

GCash Announces More Cash in Options to Serve Filipinos During the Pandemic

The importance of digital transactions during this time of the pandemic has been very crucial for every Filipino, be it for remittance, bills payment, online deliveries, groceries, medicine, food, allowance, and the like. GCash, the leading mobile wallet in the country today, remains true to its mission of providing financial access for all, especially during this health crisis. It aims to provide services to Filipinos everyday, leveraged on its extensive digital ecosystem present across the country.

To enable these various transactions, GCash has established key partnerships across the country and the globe for users to Cash In to their GCash wallets.

Cashing in can be done easily online and for free in the GCash app via a linked BPI or UnionBank account. For clients of other banks, users have the option to cash in conveniently from their bank apps via the InstaPay and PESONet fund transfer networks.

GCash continues to expand its over-the-counter network as well for its unbanked users. From the 17,000 Cash In doors in 2019, GCash has expanded to what is presently over 40,000 doors. Major partners include the likes of Alfamart, Ministop, Puremart, Puregold, Robinsons Department Store, SM Store, Waltermart, and Southstar Drug among others.

Freelancers and entrepreneurs can easily access their funds from their Payoneer and PayPal accounts by linking them right in the GCash app. Likewise, Filipinos can now also receive their International Remittances directly in the GCash app, without having to step outside their homes, with GCash’s growing list of global remittance partners including Western Union, MoneyGram, AlipayHK, Skrill, SBI Remit, Wall Street Exchange, and more.

The mobile wallet and its importance have been highlighted during the series of lockdowns the country has experienced. From basic financial services such as Gcash to Gcash and inter-bank transfers, bills payments, receiving of remittances; and opening of savings accounts to more sophisticated services such as investments, insurance, and credit, GCash has enabled these services in order to help Filipinos, both banked and unbanked, cope with these trying times. One can even use the app to shop online, pay for store purchases via QR, and buy products from partners in GLife among others!

With this increased demand, GCash in continues to gain traction as it now services over 38 million Filipinos from 20 million in 2019. As the business grows, the GCash team is committed to expand and ensure that the services they bring are top-notch and are accessible to as many Filipinos as possible by forging partnerships with like-minded organizations, businesses, and the government.

“GCash will remain true to its purpose to serve the financially underserved and expand financial services access to all Filipinos from different walks of life. We feel empowered by the overwhelming reception of the market and Filipinos to our platform. We will continue to service all Filipinos through our platform even beyond this pandemic,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

To enjoy the experience, download the GCash App for free today on App Store, Google Play Store, and the Huawei App Gallery. 

Manulife Encourages Filipinos to Take Care of Mental and Physical Well-Being at “Health Matters” Webinar

Manila ― As more Filipinos become more conscious about their health and wellness because of COVID-19, global life insurer Manulife Philippines recently partnered with healthcare experts and health advocates in their latest webinar titled, “Health Matters: Caring for your mental and physical well-being.”

Dr. Vicki Belo, founder and medical director of Belo Medical Group; Dr. Ed Tolentino, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Quirino Memorial Medical Center; Rose Montenegro, former President and CEO of Makati Medical Center, and celebrity fitness advocate Julia Barretto shared how taking care of your overall health and well-being can help you adapt to the changes brought by the pandemic, reduce stress during challenging times, and live every day better.

Actor and host Luis Manzano hosted the event.

“Filipinos love to help other people, making sure that their loved ones are protected no matter what happens to them. But if you give too much of yourself to others and have nothing left, you won’t be able to support them anymore,” shared Dr. Vicki Belo. “So, investing in yourself is a good way to show how you love and support the people you care about the most.”

Dr. Ed Tolentino discussed the importance of seeking and giving support when needed and how taking care of your mental health helps you envision a better future. “In as much as we need to cultivate relationships, it is important to be able to accept help and support when we do need it,” he said. “Part of that is supporting others when we have the means to do so. In the new normal, resilience is not the ability to bounce back, but rather bounce forward. We will not go back to the way things were. Everything is going to be different moving forward. In this marathon race, we will all cross that finish line with new thoughts, feelings, and approaches to the way we live our lives.”

As the extensive pressures and stressors of the limelight may impact the mental health of celebrities, actress and fitness advocate Julia Barretto shared the importance of mental wellness when coping with and managing malicious rumors, public scrutiny and social media bashing that may come with a career in showbiz. “Surround yourself with people who motivate you to become better. In my case, it’s my family. No matter the challenges I face in life - may it be my career, personal goals, or financial goals - I always compartmentalize things so I won’t get overwhelmed. Learn to focus on things that matter to you.”

Lastly, Rose Montenegro talked about the value of healthy living and how prevention is always better than cure. “Health matters, and health costs. If you want to have the best medical treatment, you have to understand how much it entails to achieve it. So, don’t be afraid to know upfront costs on things that will help your health and well-being, so you are better prepared mentally, physically, and financially.”

Health Matters is the latest in Manulife’s series of wellness webinars, which are all available for viewing on Manulife’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ManulifePH) and website (www.manulife.com.ph).


About Manulife Philippines

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company opened its doors for business in the Philippines in 1907. Since then, Manulife's Philippine Branch and later The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. (Manulife Philippines) has grown to become one of the country’s leading life insurance companies. Manulife Philippines is a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary of Manulife Financial Corporation, among the world's largest life insurance companies by market capitalization. Learn more about Manulife Philippines by visiting their website www.manulife.com.ph and following them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ManulifePH), Twitter (@ManulifePH), and Instagram (@manulifeph).

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across our offices in Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. We provide financial advice, insurance, and our global wealth and asset management segment, Manulife Investment Management, serves individuals, institutions and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2020, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 118,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 30 million customers. As of March 31, 2021, we had CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made $31.3 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 155 years. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.