Monday, October 7, 2024

Davao’s Top Designers Showcase 100-Piece Collection for the Benefit of the Weaving Communities of b.LOOM Project

Members of the Davao Fashion and Design Council Foundation Inc. (DFDCI) recently presented a 100-piece collection during The Stellar Fashion Gala, a fundraising charity event for the benefit of b.LOOM Project’s weaving communities in partnership with Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc. (MTEFI).

Held at the luxurious Samal Grand Ballroom at Discovery Samal in Davao, the Luxe Resort collection highlighted the use of Philippine tropical fabrics–abaca, bandala, piña, banana, kawayarn and other textiles–produced alongside DOST- Philippine Textile Research Institute by designers such as Aztec Barba, Dodjie Batu, Emi Englis, Popoy Barba, Edgar Buyan, Egay Ayag, Windel Mira, and Benjie Panizales.

The Stellar Fashion Gala was more than just an ultra-chic evening of distinctly Philippine fabrics. It was an unforgettable labor of love which showed the launch of the b.LOOM Project, DFDCFI’s initiative to reframe the Davao artisanal weaving brand by realigning to the country’s perceived fashion niche in view of design identity and regenerative sustainability. The b.LOOM Project is a global artisanal brand manifesting DFDCFI’s distinctive Davao niche in fashion beyond the loom.

Proceeds from the event went to the b.LOOM Project’s Sustainable Enterprise Program on Indigenous and Emerging Artisanal Textile Weaving among Davao Region’s Extra-Mile Creative Communities. The Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc. (MTEFI) played an integral role in ensuring deserving communities were identified and the donation was adequately distributed. 

Recognized for its active participation in renowned events such as Miss Universe, Manila FAME, and other various fashion festivals, DFDCFI serves as a beacon of creativity and innovation in the region. 

“We’re in awe of the creativity and proudly Davaeño displayed by the b.LOOM Project at The Stellar Fashion Gala,” Beatrice Gonzalez – Magallanes, President of Discovery Samal mused. “We look forward to welcoming more fantastic events with a priceless view of the Davao Gulf at Discovery Samal. Samal Grand Ballroom is ready for your next spectacular milestones.”

Discovery Samal’s Samal Grand Ballroom can host up to 1,200 guests. The resort also offers more intimate event spaces for cozier events and meetings. For more information on the Samal Grand Ballroom and The Stellar Fashion Gala, visit the official Discovery Samal website.

GCash Turns 20: 20 Features in 20 Years

What started as a simple SMS money transfer has exploded into the financial super app that Filipinos can’t live without! For 20 years, GCash has been rolling out feature after feature, making life easier, faster, and more inclusive for everyone.

From sending money in seconds to paying bills, shopping, and even investing, GCash has completely transformed how we handle money. And guess what? These 20 game-changing features are just a taste of what GCash has to offer! There’s a whole world of services in the app waiting to be explored. Ready to dive into some of the crowd favorites? Let’s begin!

SMS Money Transfer
This is where it all began! Picture this: it's 2004, flip phones are the hottest gadgets, and texting is the way to stay connected. Then GCash swoops in and changes the game, letting people send and receive money with a simple SMS/text! GCash made moving money as easy as texting a friend, opening the door to financial freedom for millions. Who knew sending cash could be as easy as sending "LOL"?

Buy Load
By 2012, smartphones were everywhere, and GCash was right there, keeping up with the times. Enter Buy Load. Now you can reload your prepaid credits anytime, anywhere, straight from your phone! No more rushing to the sari-sari store for load. Today, more than prepaid load, you can also top up mobile data, promos, and other prepaid services like Cignal TV, Konsulta MD, and more. Life just got a whole lot more convenient!

Pay Bills
Long lines at payment centers? Not here! In 2012, GCash’s Pay Bills feature turned your phone into a personal cashier, letting you pay for everything from electric bills to tuition without leaving home. Missed deadlines? Never again! Just a few taps, and you’re all set. With over 1,900+ billers all in the app to date, how is that for leveling up your money game?

Scan-to-Pay QR
Remember when cashless payments felt like something out of the future? GCash brought it to life in 2017 with Scan-to-Pay QR, the first of its kind in the Philippines. It made its debut when Globe Telecom's President and CEO, Ernest Cu, used it for the first-ever payment at Mini Stop (now Uncle John’s). No more scrambling for change, just scan, pay, and go. GCash was at the forefront of the cashless revolution, making shopping faster, easier, and way more fun.

eKYC (Electronic Know-Your-Customer)
Remember when verifying your identity (KYC) meant standing in line at a store? Well, not anymore! Launched in 2018, GCash’s eKYC feature made getting verified quick, safe, and fully digital. What once required a face-to-face meeting with your ID is now as easy as opening the GCash app, scanning your ID, snapping a selfie, and hitting submit. GCash handles the rest, and boom! You’re verified in no time!

GCredit
By 2018, GCash wasn’t just about sending money anymore, it was about borrowing it, too! With GCredit, in partnership with CIMB, you could get instant cash when you needed it, with no bank hoops to jump through. Whether it was for an emergency or to pay bills, GCredit had your back!

GScore
Also, in 2018, GCash launched GScore, and suddenly, your financial world was all about leveling up! The higher your GScore, the more perks you could unlock in your GCash app, like access to more lending products. It’s like your personal power up in the GCash universe, opening doors for more financial freedom! Today, there are 5.4 million unique borrowers, with 1 in 3 borrowers being small business owners and 2 in 3 borrowers being women.

GSave
In 2018, GSave made saving money a breeze. No paperwork, no bank lines, and with just a few taps, you were saving like a pro. Finally, everyday Filipinos had easy access to banking and financial security at their fingertips. Today, GSave has evolved into a savings marketplace where you can open accounts with BPI, Unobank, CIMB, and Maybank, all within the app. Oh, and did we mention? There are now 10.9 million registered GSave users earning up to 15% interest on savings!

GForest
What if you could help save the planet while using GCash? In 2019, GForest made that possible! Every transaction earned you points to plant virtual trees that were later turned into real ones.  So far, GCash, through its credible local and international partners, has planted 2.8 million trees, covering an area twice the size of Quezon City! With 17 million Green Heroes and 138,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide reduced, GCash is helping the planet while helping you manage your money.

GInsure
When the world turned upside down in 2020, GInsure was born to give users access to affordable health and life insurance. With just a few taps, getting insured wasn’t intimidating anymore. It was quick, easy, and right in your pocket. Today, GInsure is your one-stop shop for all insurance needs. From life and health to cars, travel, accidents, and even pets—yes, really, among others! And with premiums starting at just PHP 10 a month, it’s one of the most affordable options out there.   With over 28.3 million GInsure policies sold and 7.8 million registered users, GCash is making protection accessible for all.

GLife
Since its launch in 2020, GLife has grown into more than a lifestyle mini-program, it is now a full-blown super app within GCash! What started with shopping and food delivery has expanded into a one-stop shop for everything from travel bookings and entertainment to essential services like bill payment, health, and even insurance. With GLife, you can access a world of services without leaving the GCash app. It’s bigger, better, and more convenient than ever!

GGives & GLoan
In 2021, GCash took borrowing to the next level with GGives and GLoan. Need that new gadget but don’t want to pay for it all at once? GGives lets you split your payments into easy installments, with select merchants even offering 0% interest! And if you need quick cash, GLoan has you covered with loans up to PHP 125,000. Just a few taps, and boom! Borrowing made simple, straight to your GCash ewallet!

GInvest Funds
Ever wanted to invest in the world’s biggest companies but thought it was out of your reach? Not with GInvest! Launched in 2021, GInvest, now called GFunds, allows you to participate in the growth of both local and global companies for as low as PHP 50. Whether you’re eyeing top local corporations or global giants, GInvest makes it easy to start investing with just a few taps. Now anyone can build their investment portfolio without leaving the GCash app!

GJobs
What started as a simple job search feature in 2021 has evolved into a comprehensive platform connecting users with employment opportunities. Now, GJobs, powered by PasaJob, helps job seekers by searching for jobs within the GCash app, offering tailored job listings and resources that streamline the hiring process. Now you can even refer friends and family to jobs and earn a referral fee once successfully placed. This feature facilitates employment and supports the growing gig economy, helping Filipinos find work that fits their skills and lifestyle.

Global Pay
GCash did not stop at local payments. In 2022, Global Pay took things international! With GCash and Alipay+, cross-border payments became a breeze. Whether you’re shopping online or traveling abroad, GCash turned your phone into a global wallet, accepted worldwide! Keeping things easy no matter where you are.

Send Money Protect (Scam Insurance)
With digital threats on the rise, GCash teamed up with Chubb to launch Send Money Protect in 2023. This cyber insurance adds an extra layer of security to every GCash Express Send transfer of up to PHP 15,000 for 30 days, shielding you from scams like social engineering, account takeovers, or online shopping fraud. Now, you can send money with total peace of mind!

GStocks PH
Ever thought investing was too complicated? Not with GStocks PH, it isn’t! Launched in 2023 in partnership with AB Capital, GCash brought the stock market to your smartphone. Now, anyone can invest in Philippine stocks straight from the app, no brokers required.. With 692,000 users and a minimum investment as low as PHP 1,000, it’s investing, simplified, and accessible to all.

GCrypto
Also, in 2023, GCash dove into the world of cryptocurrency. Buying, selling, and trading crypto became as easy as managing your e-wallet with GCrypto, in partnership with PDAX (Philippine Digital Asset Exchange). The world of digital currencies was now open to everyone, and GCash made it happen, all from your phone.

GCash Visa Card
GCash didn’t just stop at e-wallets. In 2023, the GCash Visa Card bridged the gap between digital payments and the real world. Whether shopping online or in physical stores, you can tap into your GCash balance wherever Visa is accepted. No hidden charges, the best forex rates, and accepted in over 200 countries and territories, this card has you covered wherever you go!

GCash Overseas
For Filipinos abroad, GCash Overseas was a total game-changer in 2023. Now, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and migrants can use GCash even with a non-Philippine SIM. From sending money to paying bills in real-time, GCash keeps you connected to your financial responsibilities back home. Want more control over your money? You can send funds to your family instantly, without service fees, or pay for bills in the Philippines, all from wherever you are in the world.

For 20 years, GCash has been pushing boundaries, but one thing has stayed the same: its mission is to make financial services accessible to every Filipino. From a humble SMS transfer service? to a super app that revolutionized money management, GCash has transformed the way we handle finances—and it’s only the beginning.

These 20 features are just the tip of the iceberg. GCash has even more to offer, with tons of tools and services making life easier every day. As we celebrate two decades with GCash, we can’t wait to see how it will continue shaping the future of finance for the next 20 years and beyond!

DMAP Launches First-Ever Program Certifications at DigiCon 2024 to Upskill, Future-Proof Digital Professionals


07 October 2024 Manila, Philippines —  The Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP), the country’s center of excellence and innovation in digital marketing, has announced its strategic partnership with the Certified Digital Marketer (CDM) designed to offer program certifications to over 2,000 expected attendees at the Digital Congress (DigiCon) 2024 on October 15-16, 2024, in Newport City, Metro Manila.

For the first time in its nine-year history, DMAP will offer certifications at DigiCon, which annually converges professionals from marketing, advertising, business, academia, media, and innovation sectors.

Attendees can earn a certification of completion through this year's focused tracks: 'From Ecommerce to Digitally Enabled Commerce' (Ecommerce), 'From IMC to Customer-Centric Campaigns' (Brand Building in AI Age), 'From Digital Transformation to Business Evolution' (Digital Transformation), 'From Data Driven to Insight Driven' (Analytics RPA and Data Science), and 'From I to AI' (Innovation Labs on AI).

Through this initiative, attendees can not only boost their knowledge but also enhance their professional credentials in the digital marketing world.

DigiCon REVOLUTION 2024 Co-chair Alan Fontanilla emphasizes the importance of upskilling for digital professionals, saying, "In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the ability to continuously upskill is a necessity rather than a competitive advantage. DigiCon 2024 offers professionals the opportunity to stay ahead of emerging trends and transform their expertise into real, measurable business impact. With a focus on practical, industry-leading certifications, this year's event ensures that attendees are equipped to lead in the digital revolution."

The country is predicted to have a PHP 5 trillion injection in the country’s annual economic value by 2030 if digital transformation is leveraged fully.

The partnership aligns with DMAP’s commitment to address the widening digital skills gap in the Philippines. Despite the country’s digitally connected population, the local workforce remains challenged by a digital skills gap. The 2023 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) ranked the Philippines 59th out of 64 countries, with particularly low scores in knowledge and talent (63rd), technology (51st), and future readiness (59th).

Founded in the Philippines in 2008, CDM empowers professionals and organizations to equip themselves for the future of work with highly-rated and expert-led dijjgital marketing training and certifications.

This initiative complements the government's ongoing efforts to address the skills gap. The Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act (Republic Act 11927) aims to enhance the competitiveness of the workforce by promoting public-private partnerships and establishing an Inter-Agency Council involving industry stakeholders.

To learn more about DMAP DigiCon REVOLUTION 2024 and to secure your slot, visit https://www.digicon.com.ph.