UnionBank Launches UPAY

 

Union Bank of the Philippines just recently held its 12th E-Media TalkTales to talk about how UnionBank SME Business Banking can help MSMEs start their business through UPAY, an all in one fully digital payment acceptance hub.

James Ileto the Head of Corporate Media for Unionbank says "We're in the golden age of E-Commerce in the Philippines and a lot of businesses have registered their businesses online. The enterprising nature of Filipinos is seen to continue in the next few months. It's growth, and higher demand for digital payments happens as economic recovery trails in the country. Unionbank is empowering Filipino entrepreneurs which is why we're launching an MSME solution today."


Jaypee Soliman the VP for Customer Segment Management Head for Unionbank says "More than a million of MSME's have registered in the recent year, it's an area of huge opportunities especially because of factors that have forced us to transform digitally. The MSME segment is vast, but customer interaction should be common. Digital channels should be taken advantage to reach more clients. 34.5 percent now have bank accounts and digital payments to stay connected with customers. Shopee, Lazada, social media platforms, even Viber are putting up seller platforms. Storefronts should have digital payments. The need to digitize payment collection should be easy to understand, properly be accounted for. We at Unionbank went straight to customers, businesses don't need fancy solutions, but relevant ones. It's not about the business alone, but the community. It's about customer experience, who is there to help them? Platforms for MSME's have been in Unionbank that are specially designed for MSME entrepreneurs. From opening bank accounts, business loans, local and international bank transfers, bill payments, mobile check payments and more. This is UPAY for MSME's. It's got fully digital entrollment and instant activation, showcases multi channel collection capabilities, usability in multiple types of transactions, low cost entry."

Gerry Austria the Merchant Acquiring Payment Gateway Head for Unionbank says "The numbers are promising especially to our existing MSME clients. Clients have access to the app, in a month or two, they will be more aware and getting UPAY for MSME's out there. This app will level the playingfield than bigger merchants. Previously only bigger corporations have access to it, we're making it easier. Around 1 Million businesses is our target, ambitious, but perhaps more. When we designed UPAY we wanted to do away with the hassles to set up payments. We made it accessible, not much forms, just download the app. You don't need to be in the actual store for someone to pay you, you just create payment links and send it to the customer. Convenient to all parties."

This is convenient and knowing that it's all digital is reassuring. I can't wait to try it out myself soon!

Convergence in Policies and Health with the MY AIA Platform

AIA just recently held a digitalization media round table to discuss more of their efforts in bringing solutions to provide relevant ones to customers. In it, they launched the new My AIA platform which can be accessed via app and their website. Total Health Solutions will be your partner in your wellness journey. It galvanizes everything so you have access to data, transactions in policies, it's everything together. All in, always.


Leo Tan their Chief Marketing Officer for AIA Philippines says "We are in better position as far as global solutions is concerned in the technology space. We introduced our coffee closing process, and we're introducing our progress in digital and analytics. We are serious in our digital transformation, we're a step ahead in our evolving needs. The My AIA platform. It's a game changer for us in helping Filipinos live healthier, longer lives."

Noel Mendoza the Chief Technology Officer for AIA Philippines says "My mobile phone was a real life saver during the pandemic. Multiple sites, people, it was hard to do that when everything was digital. We bring all services together, we want to do it at scale so you don't have to. We make full leverage of our full data platform. You our customers take the wheel, get services based on your wants and needs. Everything will be on the cloud, we will be a digital insurer, customers at the center, use data and have people and structure that enable us to serve you further."

AIA Philippines Chief Operation Officer Gigi Lopez says "BPI AIA developed several digital platforms, we use technology to better serve our customers. We are ready for life's un-expectancy, when the untoward thing happens. Despite our plans, we need medical attention, this is where our total health solution comes in. We designed My AIA PH to give our customers what they need, one place to access all our services together. Accesible in our pocket, in a laptop, to access healthcare, protection, wellness, you need to go to one place for it. Policy servicing, health and wellness, and more features coming soon! We mean it when we put our customers in our heart to make sure you live healthier lives."


My AIA app can be installed together with the Vitality app. In the future, they'll be putting it in one ecosystem so you have access to tele-consultation, medicine delivery, lab requests, symptoms checker, covid testing, breast cancer screening too. You can add a shortcut on your mobile because the site is responsive, no need to update it. My AIA can get you the most about your policies, you can access it from any device wherever you want. 

 

It's personalized for Filipinos to live healthier, better lives.

Making His Mark: Kevin Hermogenes

The Philippines has no shortage in talented singers- I know, we're kinda feared in some contests outside the country. I can't blame them, I think we've got something in the water that ain't found anywhere else in the world.  

Meet Kevin Hermogenes, an international champ by any standards, but like ordinary joes, he too struggled with his confidence, appearance, a lot of things that troubled him before he started his singing career. Singing felt like torture for him because every time he had to come up the stage, he becomes instantly nervous. It was much debilitating, but was glad he got the help from people who matter most, his family. Albeit his mom is his biggest critic, he knew then that it was done to improve himself, like teaching the ropes before he would muster enough strength to perform.

He says "Mom may have been a stage mom but she inspires me a lot. I saw her being so good in everything she does and in hindsight, she's become a huge inspiration. I initially joined choirs and sang in music clubs as a hobby. Back then, people noticed how I sang and felt it was a gift. I started singing for friends, family, then events. That's when I started to love it, and I dreamed of being a professional singer later on!"

The Journey to WCOPA

There's an annual audition for World Championships of Performing Arts. In the Philippines, auditions have been carried out in very intimate spaces. He was in the midst of greats including THE Jed Madela who was part of the panel. He got a slip after the performance and he didn't open it up til he went out of the room. It bared a congratulatory message that he got it. 

He says "When I was in college, I also started to perform in corporate shows and seminars. It was the time I got to know more about the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) so I auditioned. I was in the crossroads of my career and I felt a huge responsibility representing the country for the same tilt." This was WCOPA back in 2016 which was held in the US (Long Beach, California). That resulted in him getting Bronze medals for Gospel, RnB/Jazz and Contemporary categories. He also participated in the WCOPA Virtual 2020 wherein he earned a silver medal and landed in the semi-finals. That got him through a lot of opportunities work wise. 

He then joined IDOL Philippines and Tawag ng Tanghalan on popular noontime show "It's Showtime!". He got to win twice in the preliminaries and bared how he was extremely grateful about the experience of singing in that show where a lot of his talent was showcased albeit singing unfamiliar titles in the show. It was a moment where he felt he's singing to explore and make his talent grow. He wants to do it with no limits, to be a person that can sing all genres and not be contented with just being good. He's hungry for more!

Today, he's gotten past all his insecurities and performs while communicating the message of songs with his heart. He's just starting, but with what he's done so far is so inspiring! I can't wait to see when he doesn't even have to introduce himself before he does go up the stage and sing!

FRESH TIME with BT21 Out Now!

I'm quite sure you've seen it on my YouTube channel, IG and Tiktok. With your love for BT21, I'm sure you've enjoyed what came out today. Our friends from FRESH Philippines made skincare fun with these special limited edition BT21 products they fondly call FRESH TIME with BT21. They have partnered with LINE FRIENDS and have come out with really awesome skincare goods that's not only effective, but feels and smells great!

This was done for you UNIVERSTAR BT21 lovers, but of course, there's more because they are also going to give you new cute collectibles that has those lovable UNIVERSTAR BT21 characters you adore.

This is the Soothing Gel Lotion in JEJU ALOE ICE and TOMATO GLASS SKIN variant

You need your skin to be moisturized and FRESH Philippines has got you covered with these two varieties of Soothing Gel Lotions. One is Jeju Aloe ice that's got TheraCool Complex, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica that moisturizes, reduces inflammation,and has anti oxidant properties. The other one is Tomato Glass Skin which has the ability to retain water keeping your skin supple via the Hyaluronic Acid and Arbutin to take out sun spots.

It's also available in mini versions like this 120ml sachet that's easy to carry around the pocket and more affordable. I prefer this Watermelon Youthful Bliss among the variants because it has Therafirm Complex that fights signs of aging. Best of all, this smells sweet like real watermelon too! (My personal favorite)

They also have these 70% Ethyl Alcohol Solution in different scents. They call it ALCOSPRAY and is available in Cosmic Wonder (Purple) 100mL, Interstellar (Green) 100mL, Starburst (Red) 100mL, Supernova (Orange) 100mL, Interstellar (Apple Green) 500mL, Supernova (Blue) 500mL.

FRESH with BT21 70% Ethyl Alcohol Solution Alcosprays makes sure surfaces and your hands remain 99.9% germ free. It also has bacteria killing properties, but has aloe vera so skin remains soft while using it.

They also have a smaller version with a clamp on it which you can use for traveling. You can simply clip it on your bag and go.

For serious collectors, there are photo cards that you can get (there are 7 different kinds) for every Php 499 purchase. 

 

I highly recommend the Soothing Gel Lotions. They smell like real fruits!

 

FRESH Philippines will also have selected products on 50% OFF so this is the best time to get them all. Remember, this only happens from November 15-21 and is available in FRESH.PH and Watsons.com.ph. You can also check out FRESH Philippines social channels for information about their upcoming releases. They've had us on the edge of our seats about a rumored Mask Case and Tote Bag to add to their BT21 merch. That's amazing news!