Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Digital financial services leader PayMaya recently paid it forward to the frontlines of the National Center for Mental Health. The company distributed 100 Christmas food baskets to the NCMH Crisis Hotline responders and the Emergency Room and Psychiatric Acute Unit staff.
PayMaya pays it forward to the National Center for Mental Health by giving out 100 Christmas food baskets to NCMH Crisis Hotline responders and ER and Psychiatric Acute Unit staff.
“Promoting mental health is important, especially among our young people during this pandemic. We are paying it forward to our mental health frontliners who have been helping fight this silent battle. We admire them for bravely dedicating their time and effort to help those suffering from mental health issues,” said Nick Wilwayco, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at PayMaya.
According to NCMH, the average volume of monthly calls they received during the pandemic nearly quadrupled versus pre-pandemic numbers. PayMaya’s gift to NCMH is part of PayMaya’s initiative under the MVP Group’s Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko campaign, which aims to keep the Christmas spirit alive amid the pandemic.
Early this year, NCMH was also a beneficiary of the PayMaya It Forward Flash Donation Drive for COVID-19 frontliners.
Cebu Pacific reminders on relief cargo and air travel this peak Holiday season
Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Cebu Pacific (CEB) is now focusing on transporting relief goods to provinces devastated by Super Typhoon Odette (Rai), as it works toward stabilizing its operations in the aftermath of the cyclone.
CEB has started transporting relief goods on the night of December 18 to Cebu and has been mounting humanitarian flights to bring home stranded individuals from provinces that were greatly affected by the typhoon which lashed the Visayas-Mindanao areas last week.
Cebu Pacific issues reminders on relief cargo and air travel this peak Holiday season
“We have been getting numerous requests to ship relief goods to areas hit by Odette. We are doing our best to accommodate all requests to help the provinces and communities which need supplies,” said Michael Ivan Shau, Cebu Pacific Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
To inform the public on the kind of relief goods that are safe to carry by air and how to properly pack these, here are some guidelines.
The following items are NOT ALLOWED due to safety and logistical concerns:
Genset – Its content is considered a Dangerous Good. Even if the Genset is empty, CEB is unable to accept it due to safety provisions and concerns about possible traces of oil and gas. If no traces of fume, the item may be accepted in general cargo.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) – not allowed
Power Banks – not allowed in check-in and cargo
Live Animals, Seafood, Fruits, and Vegetables – CEB does not encourage shipping during this period due to logistical constraints to and from the destination.
The following items are ALLOWED, on the conditions indicated below:
Rubbing Alcohol (isopropyl or ethyl) – Flammable liquid so the airline cannot accept those if not from Cebu Pacific certified shippers or forwarders.
Solar Panel – May contain hidden dangerous goods (radionucleotides or chemicals). These cannot be accepted if not from Cebu Pacific certified shippers or forwarders
Drinking-Water – Jugs of 6L or 5 gallons or 1 gallon should be in boxes so the staff can stack them properly and safely in the cargo space. Bottled water should be packed in boxes too.
Rice – sacks of rice should be in boxes or jack wrapped prior to delivery at the cargo warehouse
Clothing – clothes should be packed in boxes
General Grocery Items– should be packed in boxes
Frozen Meat – Frozen pork and pork products are prohibited by Cebu province. Frozen beef, chicken and beef products are allowed but subject to BOQ requirements.
Medicines/Vitamin Supplements – Over-the-counter medicines, prescription medicines and vitamins carried by passengers are allowed. If intended for cargo, please coordinate with Cargo Sales for documentation requirements.
For other concerns regarding the shipment of relief items and other goods intended for cargo, you may contact cargocare@cebupacificair.com.
As air travel continues to pick up this week, Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Cebgo appeal for the understanding and patience of passengers as safety remains our priority. Here are the reminders:
Do not proceed to the Airport without a confirmed booking – As the situation remains fluid, passengers are advised to only go to the Airport if your flight is confirmed.
Allot ample time for security inspection, check-in, bag drop, and other pre-departure requirements
Passengers with flights during this peak travel period are encouraged to be at the airport at least three (3) hours before departure for domestic flights, and four (4) hours for international flights.
Ensure travel requirements are complete before proceeding to the Airport
Always check if your destination requires certain documents prior to entry. Visit the CEB website for the most updated information.
Check-in online – whether on the CEB mobile app or website
Online check-in is available from seven (7) days up to one (1) hour before the scheduled time of departure for domestic flights, while international fliers may check-in up to four (4) hours before their scheduled departure.
Guests flying out of select domestic destinations (Manila, Davao, General Santos, Bohol, Iloilo, and Zamboanga) are encouraged to self-tag their check-in luggage prior to proceeding to counters for bag drop.
Bring only one hand-carry item on board
Hand carry must not exceed 7kg in weight and with a dimension of up to 56cm x 36cm x 23cm. This dimension includes most wheeled cabin bags and backpacks which fit in the overhead bins.
Adult passengers traveling with infants may carry on ONE additional bag containing baby food and necessities, aside from their allowed hand-carry baggage.
Assistive or medical items such as walking canes, foldable walkers; as well as items purchased inside the airport (airside) are ON TOP OF the hand-carry baggage allowance for each passenger.
If needed, conveniently purchase additional baggage allowance through CEB’s “Manage Booking” portal.
Wear face masks at all times
Guests without masks may be denied entry. Face shields are optional.
Input own contact details on booking
Guests are advised to update contact details on their bookings to ensure pre-flight reminders, flight changes, and the like are received in a timely manner.
All check-in counters close one (1) hour before the scheduled time of flights to ensure there is ample time for all necessary pre-flight procedures. Boarding commences 45 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Fly safely and travel responsibly with CEB for #MoreSmilesAhead.
Suki buyer Maricris Lorenzo, passionate seller Biboy Bautista, and hardworking rider Jggigs Elmido share Kwentong Shopee stories of how they managed to get through a challenging year
Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – As we persevered despite another year of the pandemic, there is no denying that the “new normal” has significantly changed the way we shopped. In the past couple of years, we eagerly embraced the world of online shopping, which left a big impact not just on our shopping carts, but also on our hearts.
Kwentong Shopee Christmas Edition
For plenty of ordinary Filipinos such as Maricris Lorenzo, Biboy Bautista, and Jggigs Elmido, Shopee has completely transformed their lives. They each come from different walks of life and carry their unique Kwentong Shopee, but they all have one thing in common—hope. Here are three stories of how Shopee has helped shoppers, riders, and sellers rise above difficulties:
Suki buyer and wais mommy Maricris Lorenzo
After working as an OFW in Singapore for 10 years, Maricris Lorenzo and her husband decided to settle down and start their own family back in the Philippines. However, as the couple welcomed the birth of their first child and tried to navigate their way as new parents, they found themselves facing new challenges due to the pandemic.
Thanks to Maricris’ knack for resourcefulness, however, they continue to take good care of their child. Raising a baby can also be financially draining, but as a self-proclaimed wais misis, Maricris finds ways to get the best deals and value for her money. She admits that almost all of their basic essentials and baby needs are from Shopee. She was such a frequent shopper, she even went on to forge a strong friendship with her suki Shopee Xpress rider.
The rider offered their help when Maricris and her family contracted COVID-19 this past year. “Kung wala si Shopee, hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng mga items during those critical times of the pandemic especially nung nag-quarantine kami,” she said.
After getting sick, Maricris wisely utilized her finances and used Shopee’s cashback rewards to save on bills, which were beginning to pile up. Maricris also used ShopeePay so she can save money, maximize exclusive perks, and, since her family’s safety is a top priority, go cashless.
As she looks back on her experience, Maricris expresses her gratitude to Shopee for helping her find ways to save on her family’s expenses and find a lifelong friend during a crisis. “Salamat kay Shopee kasi nakakatipid ako. Salamat kay Shopee kasi nakaka-meet kami ng riders na parte na rin ng buhay namin.”
Passionate and resourceful pet store owner Biboy Bautista
E-commerce platforms provided opportunities for entrepreneurs to digitize, expand, and explore other businesses amidst the pandemic. After Biboy Bautista’s previous printing business shut down due to the pandemic, he opened Barkboi, a pet store that started as a humble dog food business in a small garage. He then took his business online, which grew to become a full-blown pet store with five branches in Las Piñas. Biboy calls it a stroke of luck since he didn’t expect his love for animals to turn into a booming business, especially during the pandemic.
However, the success didn’t come without challenges, the biggest of which happened during the second wave of the coronavirus last August. Biboy had to temporarily close shop after he and the majority of his employees contracted the virus. As a business owner, Biboy was aware of the responsibilities he had towards his employees, which included people who lost jobs due to the pandemic and undergraduate students who needed income to further their education. To make sure he could still support his employees, Biboy decided to focus on selling on Shopee while the rest of the team recovered.
After setting up his dream business from scratch and growing it exponentially within a year, Biboy believes that just giving up is not an option. As long as their Shopee store continues to flourish, Biboy says that’s all the strength they need to bounce back from the hurdles Barkboi has encountered. He tells his employees, “Basta Shopee natin maayos, sigurado tayo buhay tayo. Hangga’t may benta may pag-asa!”
Hardworking and dedicated Shopee Xpress rider Jgiggs Elmido
A Shopee Xpress rider faces many struggles—adjusting to routes and managing deliveries, to name a few—but they’re no match for Jggigs Elmido. As a father, husband, and student, he had to make ends meet in order to provide for his young family, give them the best future, and finish his studies.
After taking a break from school to take care of his newborn baby, Jgiggs worked as a Shopee Xpress Rider. Through his job as a rider, Jgiggs was able to reach milestones he had set for himself, such as buying his own phone and motorcycle, building his own home, paying for his studies, and supporting his family.
In just one day, Jggigs would attend class, spend time with his family, and deliver orders until the evening. He admits that raising a young family, being a rider, and pursuing a degree at the same time was stressful, but he proves to be one tough cookie that can’t be deterred. While achieving dreams is never easy, for Jgiggs, a determination is key. “Lahat naman mahirap. Pero kung may gusto kang makamit, gagawan mo ng paraan.”
Jgiggs feels immensely grateful for the opportunity to become a good provider for his family. His flexible working hours as a rider allowed him to earn income to support his family, spend quality time with them, and finish his degree.
With his strong fighting spirit, Jggigs was able to graduate and proudly stand as the provider for his family. He concludes, “Ang laki ng utang na loob ko kay Shopee.”
Shopee has empowered its buyers, sellers, and riders to find a silver lining even in the toughest of challenges and say, “Salamat, Shopee!” What’s your Kwentong Shopee?
Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – realme, the fastest-growing smartphone brand unveiled the appearance of its new product – realme GT 2 SERIES. Co-designed with Naoto Fukusawa, inspired by paper, realme GT 2 Pro comes the world-first smartphone with a bio-based polymer design.
realme GT 2 Series
This time around realme design studio has once again teamed up with Naoto Fukasawa to bring forth Paper Tech Master design for a sustainable product design with “The Future in Paper” as the core design inspiration, which is the perfect combination of Art and Respect, Love and Reverence of the Great Environment.
Starting from realme 1, “Power Meets Style” has been there in realme’s blood and acted as realme’s founding product philosophy. Therefore when it comes to product, Performance & Design are considered as two pillars of realme’s product. It is the priority that realme products follow to provide the leap forward experience to global users.
GT 2 SERIES with the Sustainable Paper Tech Master Design
As the most premium flagship ever by realme, realme GT 2 Pro comes with the special Paper Tech Master Design. Paper is premium, neat, and light. Naoto Fukasawa uses the element of the paper texture on realme GT 2 SERIES, bringing the Beauty of the paper to the mobile.
GT 2 SERIES Smartphone
realme believes materials can break design boundaries in all directions. Distinctive product design is essential for all realme products, but the environment will not be sacrificed in its name. This is where realme thinks style and sustainability doesn’t need to be mutually exclusive. realme believes in the harmony between the environment and technology.
realme GT 2 SERIES will be launched soon. Stay tuned.
