Staying safe and healthy is everyone's top priority especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and having an insurance coverage provides an important layer of protection for many Filipinos and their families. Through a tie-up with Pioneer Insurance, PayMaya is giving its users FREE COVID-19 plus Personal Accident insurance coverage for 1-month worth P150,000 when they use their PayMaya account for safe cashless transactions from May 5 until June 30, 2021.     

During the promo period, PayMaya users with an upgraded account who spend at least P500 in single or accumulated transactions at PayMaya’s in-app shop, Pay Bills feature, pay via PayMaya QR or using their PayMaya mobile number, will get this free insurance coverage from Pioneer Insurance.     

“We encourage PayMaya users to avail of this special offer, especially during this critical time when COVID-19 cases in the country are still high. By protecting ourselves, we are also protecting our loved ones and our communities. With this new offer, Filipinos will not only get to enjoy safer and more convenient payment transactions, they also get additional peace of mind amidst the pandemic." said Paolo Azzola, Chief Operating Officer of PayMaya Philippines.     

Qualified users will receive a text notification to claim their free insurance voucher in the PayMaya app. After claiming their voucher, Pioneer Insurance will provide them with a link to their Insurance Policy via SMS.  Qualified PayMaya customers aged 18 to 60 years old can avail of this promo when they redeem and claim the voucher.   

With this offer, PayMaya makes the protection against COVID and other unforeseen incidents of its users top priority as the company continues to provide more reliable, more convenient, and safer payments through everyday cashless transaction.  

Aside from this protection reward, Filipinos can maximize PayMaya for safer cashless and contactless transactions such as sending money to loved ones, paying online, scanning to pay via PayMaya QR, paying bills, buying airtime and gaming load, and donating to causes.   

Enjoy this exclusive reward as well as safer and more convenient cashless transactions by downloading the PayMaya app using this link: https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133.

 Don’t forget to upgrade your PayMaya account and use it for everyday cashless transactions to avail of this promo. Check out https://www.paymaya.com/quick-guide/upgrade for details.     

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country including "everyday" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.  

PayMaya provides more than 35 million Filipinos with access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out, or remit through its over 250,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 39,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. 

Over the last year, managing personal and professional lives has been a struggle for many, especially WFH parents. Aside from their 9-to-5, they also manage the household chores, and juggle between playmate and tutor for their kids. Oftentimes, quality time with family is sacrificed in favor of checking off the to-do list for chores and work assignments. In order to help you keep a good balance between what you have to do and what can recharge you, here are a few tips for all working parents:

Spread out breaks throughout the day

During work hours, it’s easy to get caught up and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things to do, so much so that we sometimes go on “work streaks,” packing our schedules the entire day that we forget to take a break. Squeeze in a ten-minute break in between meetings to attend to smaller tasks, like watering the plants or feeding the pets to put your mind at ease. 

Involve your kids

Doing the household chores is more fun with some teamwork. Involving your kids with some tasks like sweeping the floor, folding their clothes or even helping out as you prepare meals, will instill in them the importance of responsibilities and allow them to learn on their own even at a young age. 

Invest in helpful appliances

Another way to make more time for yourself is to invest in appliances that do the work for you. Consider smart appliances such as a robot vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, and an all-in-one washing machine, so you can focus on other things too. It won’t just save you time, but also help maintain the household clean and organized.

Use products that work hard and in less time

If appliances are too big a commitment, try out fast-acting household products, like laundry detergent. The whole laundry process, which may need to be done multiple times in a week - from gathering and sorting, washing, drying and folding - takes quite a while, so it’s important to look for partners that can help speed this up, such as Breeze Power Machine Liquid Detergent. You no longer need to spend a while scrubbing away stains, as Breeze Power Machine removes even tough ones in just three steps. 

1.    Dip your finger into the liquid detergent.

2.    Dab the liquid onto the stain directly and load it up in your washing machine.

3.    Wash as usual to eliminate deep stains at the touch of a button.

Best used for top load machines, the Breeze Power Machine Liquid Detergent lets you power through laundry, as it has powerful ingredients such as Ultraclean Concentrate that can help remove tough stains. As you #DipDabWash tough stains away with Breeze Power Machine Liquid Detergent, you and your family can get that much-needed and much-deserved quality time together. 

Breeze Power Machine Liquid Detergent is available in all supermarkets and groceries, as well as through online channels Lazada and Shopee for Php168 SRP (1L bottle). For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/BreezePhilippines. 

Carrying a baby for nine months is a challenge many new and “veteran” mothers consider beautiful and life-changing. You’ll have to give up your comfort, favorite junk foods, and certain habits you used to do before you conceived. And while the sacrifice can be hard at first, nothing will beat the delight of having a bouncing, healthy baby.

But before your baby comes home, it is crucial to prepare their room and your home to welcome them into the new world. With these five tips, you’ll turn your home into a safe and comfortable haven for your bundle of joy:

Tidy Up

After giving birth, you’ll need to recuperate from the medication and surgery you’ve been through to deliver your baby. That means you’ll need to rest in a clean, clutter-free, and comfortable environment. Before your baby is due, it is best to tidy up your home gradually. And by slowly, we mean to exercise caution when cleaning and organizing so you won’t hurt yourself and your unborn baby. Ask help from your partner, relatives, or neighbors if you have to carry and move heavy objects.

Assess Which Rooms Need Baby Proofing

Since your baby will start walking between 9 to 15 months after birth, you might want to assess which rooms in your house or condo unit will need baby proofing. Planning helps you select which baby proofing items you’ll need to buy and how to rearrange your appliances and furniture. You’ll want to establish safe zones where your baby can move around without hurting himself/herself.

Some rooms in your home that need baby proofing include the living room, bathroom, kitchen, and dining room. For homes similar to Sentosa Calamba’s housing units, the dining area needs extra attention as there are high tables and chairs in the dining rooms. Corner and edge guards are suitable for shielding your tiny tot’s head from getting bumps due to sharp corners and hard furniture sides.

Decorate The Nursery

Decorating the nursery or your baby’s room is another exciting task. If you plan to remodel a guest room as your baby’s private quarters, choose paints made with hypoallergenic and non-toxic materials. You want your walls to be pretty but also safe for your baby to be around.

You’ll also want to choose furnishings designed for babies. These include a baby rocker, crib, a few pillows, and hypoallergenic sheets. Air purifiers and humidifiers are also suitable for cleansing the air for your baby to breathe while s/he sleeps.

Reorganize Your Fridge

Now that you’ll be pumping and storing breast milk, you’ll need to reorganize your fridge to accommodate your baby’s meals. You’ll have to make space to keep all your reserve milk as these can spoil fast if you don’t chill them for the next few days. Throw away any expired or rotten food to prevent any of your baby’s milk and food from going bad. Doing so also saves you energy and electricity since you’ll be allowing the cool air to circulate better inside the fridge.

To sum up, having a new baby means taking on new responsibilities and learning new ways to make your home safe and comfortable for the newest member of your family. Start with these four tips and welcome your baby into a warm and loving home.

SOURCES:

https://www.storefirst.com/storage-news/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-a-new-baby

https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/preparing-for-baby/9-things-to-do-to-get-your-house-in-order-before-baby-comes/

https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a27125620/nesting-baby-home-preparation/

Woolworths, the popular food retailer in Australia, partners with Robinsons Supermarket, The Marketplace and Shopwise to bring to the Philippines the Woolworths brand. The exclusive launch gives Filipino customers the opportunity to “Taste True Australia” introducing over 150 products across various grocery categories. 

“Australia is globally recognized as a reliable supplier of superior quality products so it is with confidence that we bring in world-class products from Woolworths to the Philippines. We want to share with our customers these household favorites from Australia. It has always been our thrust to continue offering new products that will excite our shoppers every time they visit our stores.  Woolworths’ values are also consistent with the Robinsons Supermarket Group’s focus on health and wellness.” said Jody Gadia, Managing Director of Robinsons Retail’s Supermarket Segment. 

Australia and the Woolworths brand are globally renowned for being a trusted supplier of safe, quality Australian products that adhere to strict, world-leading manufacturing standards. Woolworths has also embraced the trend towards healthier eating and is committed to innovation, ensuring products are produced with no artificial flavors and colors, reduced salts, sugar and fats, and more whole grains and fibers - meaning food that’s better for you. 

Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO said:  "I am very pleased that products from the Woolworths brand are now available locally.  This partnership between Woolworths and Robinsons Retail Group adds to strengthening the ties between our countries, especially as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations. I look forward to Australians and Filipinos enjoying these products as much as Woolworths’s customers do across their stores in Australia.”

 Now more than ever, people are becoming more and more conscious about what they buy and consume, supporting brands that align with their values and offer products that do more good than harm. In the same way, companies and brands have been shifting to adopt the same level of responsibility when it comes to the products they offer and the messages they send to their audiences, resulting in purposeful actions that demonstrate care not just for people but also for the planet.

Unilever, one of the leading global corporations, recognizes their role in doing just that and in recent years, has been reinforcing positive action across its brands. In the Philippines, the company’s Beauty and Personal Care Category, home to beloved brands like Cream Silk, Pond’s, Lifebuoy, Closeup and Love Beauty and Planet, to name a few, unveils its renewed purpose called Yes to Positive Beauty. This is a commitment to bring about positive change through real actions - to do more good, not just less harm, for people and the planet. 

“Our new thrust, Yes to Positive Beauty, is a movement not just for us, but for all Filipinos to champion a new era of beauty and personal care that’s inclusive, equitable and sustainable,” says Dorothy Dee-Ching, Unilever Philippines’ Vice President for Beauty and Personal Care. “As the number one beauty and personal care company in the country, we acknowledge the part we play in being a force for good, and Yes to Positive Beauty encompasses our commitment to do this through our brands.”

Four Steps to Positive Beauty

As the beginning of their commitment towards doing more good, Unilever Philippines identifies four key pillars of purpose:

1.     Yes to health and wellbeing

After a year that has heightened the importance of health and hygiene, Unilever commits to making hygiene more accessible and affordable for all Filipino families. Partnering with the Philippine Public Health Association, Unilever, through its trusted brands Lifebuoy and Closeup, launched the Hygiene 101 Campaign, a digital information drive equipping Filipinos with 101 hygiene practices to live by.

2.     Yes to equal opportunities

Pushing forward the agenda on gender equity, Unilever makes a conscientious effort to provide opportunities for Filipinos across the country. Starting in 2020, Unilever partnered with Mano Amiga and Shopee to create a grant for up to 25 microentrepreneurs to start or restart their business. The grant included not just monetary funding, but also access to training programs for skills needed to sustain their enterprise, and the Shopee marketplace to give life to their business online.

Another partnership piloted in 2020, Cream Silk has teamed up with Edukasyon.ph, the largest education technology platform in the country, to provide Filipinas with the tools they need to be ready for the next opportunity. This 2021, they launched the #ConditionedForGreater Online Academy, a series of free one-hour certificate courses aligned with skills needed to land a new job, even during a recession. 

3.     Yes to beauty inclusivity

As one of the top advertisers in the country, Unilever also recognizes how its brands can do their part in shifting beauty standards to combat discrimination and championing inclusion not just in their communications but also across all efforts. The company’s flagbearer for all kinds of beauty, Dove has continued to create safe spaces for all Filipinos to embrace their unique beauty. This year, Pond’s is shifting its products and campaigns to veer away from whitening, empowering Filipinas to love and care for their skin.

Just this April, Unilever also launched its very own online portal www.BeautyHub.ph, a content hub celebrating a progressive, inclusive and tolerant world, representing all types of shapes, sizes, orientations, ages, religions and more. Your everyday beauty expert, www.BeautyHub.PH celebrates unique experiences through features and content that’s helpful, authentic and positive.

4.     Yes to sustainability

In order to reduce their environmental impact and reinforce its commitment towards more sustainable practices, Unilever has taken key steps across its personal care brands to use less or better plastic. 

Unilever says yes to sustainability by saying no to bubble wrap and replacing it with sustainable eco-wrap for purchases from E-commerce platform Shopee. The company is taking this small step as they continue working with partners to optimize their packaging and further reduce plastic use.

Saying Yes to Positive Beauty

Inviting everyone to join them in their renewed commitment, Unilever is kicking off their Yes to Positive Beauty Sale this May 17-19, 2021 with Shopee! Apart from saying yes to exciting deals and discounts from your favorite brands, like Dove, TRESemme, Cream Silk, Pond’s, St. Ives, Love Beauty and Planet, and more, you’ll be saying yes to sustainability, as Unilever will be rolling out its sustainable eco-wrap packaging for orders with five items and above.

You’ll also be saying yes to equal opportunities and supporting small businesses through Mano Amiga, an organization that creates education and development initiatives to uplift communities in need. With the proceeds from the sale, Mano Amiga will be continuing its program granting microentrepreneurs access to the necessary funds and training courses to help them start, sustain or scale their businesses.

Shoppers can also look forward to the following special deals and freebies during the three-day sale:

●      Additional 15% off when you use the code POSITIVEBEAUTY and many more vouchers throughout the weekend

●      Flash sales, with deals as low as Php 29

●      Free stickers with every purchase

●      First 500 orders with min. spend Php 1,499 get a limited edition tote bag 

●      First 400 orders with min. spend Php 1,999 get a limited edition bucket hat 

●      A portion of the proceeds will help support small businesses in partnership with Mano Amiga. 

●      Check out the Positive Beauty Community Sale happening on May 18 featuring the small businesses we supported last year.

Join Unilever in saying Yes to Positive Beauty this May 17-19 on Shopee, and say yes to a new era of beauty. Add to cart and check out on May 17, 12-2am. 

For more information on Unilever’s Yes to Positive Beauty commitment visit https://www.beautyhub.ph/fitness-well-being/positive-beauty-and-personal-care

Check out our offers at the Unilever Beauty Official Store: https://shopee.ph/unilever_personalcare   and the Positive Beauty Sale on May 17-19: https://shopee.ph/m/unilever-super-brand-day

As more Filipinos shift to online shopping for their daily necessities, many businesses are also turning to digital platforms to widen their reach and establish a strong online presence - especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). To cater to the growing number of online sellers, Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to partner with organizations to support MSMEs who are looking for better opportunities in e-commerce.

In 2020 Unilever and Mano Amiga, a non-governmental organization that advocates for community transformation and inclusive growth through education, first partnered with Shopee for their Beauty That Cares Campaign, to offer assistance to 25 micro-entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, Mano Amiga sellers gained a strong understanding of e-commerce and learned how to maximize the digital space’s full potential. Sellers had access to monetary funding, entrepreneurship training programs, and Shopee’s e-commerce tools to help them expand their reach. Two Mano Amiga sellers share how Unilever and Shopee supported their business growth:

Janette Lagundi of JTL Trading (https://shopee.ph/alexandermoses_0503) 

For Janette Lagundi, a mother of two, it was tough when she first started her online business. Despite having no prior entrepreneurship experience, she decided to start selling cleaning products and home decor items such as Himalayan salt lamps, to get her family through the pandemic. She admitted that it was difficult for her to adjust to selling on e-commerce platforms as she was not very tech-savvy.

Through learning the ropes at Shopee, Janette saw her business thrived. “Because of Shopee, not only are my sales increasing, my store is also gaining better recognition through plenty of promotions. I learned a lot about selling online through the training programs and masterclasses. I am determined to explore more opportunities on e-commerce, and I’m glad that Shopee and Unilever helped me adjust and adapt amid the pandemic,” she said.

She added that the support from Shopee and Unilever helped her family immensely. “This business is my bread and butter and I feel more confident in growing my business because I am more competent now. Because of this opportunity, I can provide for my children.” 

Cecilia Comia of C plus D Design (https://shopee.ph/designbycplusd) 

Cecilia Comia used to run a food business and even designed her own food stalls, but due to the pandemic, she had to shut down her food business and focus on selling decal stickers and labels instead. “We started our business in 2018 with a passion for good design and we wanted people to appreciate and see how small design details can change an entire product or experience,” she said. The strategy shift, although promising, posed some obstacles. “The competition is tough online. Reaching a wider audience and achieving effective customer engagement are both constant challenges. We are still struggling when it comes to establishing our business. The prices of our competitors are tough to match,” she added.

Shopee and Unilever provided her with the much-needed support. “Unilever’s program connected us with Shopee. It gave us an edge in terms of knowledge in selling online. Unilever’s financial assistance also helped us with our cash flow and allowed us to increase our stocks and improve our equipment.” 

To support the transition and growth of MSMEs in the digital landscape, Shopee partners with Unilever once again to give MSMEs a spotlight at their Yes to Positive Beauty Sale this May 17 to 19, 2021. The campaign is part of Unilever’s renewed purpose and commitment to bring about positive change through real actions - to do more good, not just less harm, for people and the planet. 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are proud to partner with Unilever to support a cause that aims to uplift the lives of local sellers and their loved ones. Shopee believes that every Filipino entrepreneur can succeed in e-commerce as long as they have the right tools, opportunity, and platform. We will continue to collaborate with brands like Unilever to support the local communities, their livelihood, and their families.”

Dorothy Dee-Ching, Vice President for Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever Philippines, said, “Yes to Positive Beauty is a movement for all Filipinos to champion a new era of beauty and personal care that’s inclusive and sustainable. As the number one beauty and personal care company in the country, we acknowledge the part we play in being a force for good, and Yes to Positive Beauty encompasses our commitment to do this through our brands. This includes championing for equal opportunities, which we have been able to do through our continued partnership with Shopee and Mano Amiga, as well as lending a helping hand to MSMEs, especially those greatly impacted by the current crisis.”

To provide consistent support for the sellers, Shopee’s relationship managers worked closely with them to create irresistible discounts to attract more customers, and also assisted them in mapping out advertisements for their products via social media. With the sale happening in just a few days, both sellers are preparing to stock up on their inventory to meet the expected increase in demand. To support sellers like Cecilia and Janette, check out the Yes to Positive Beauty Sale this May 17 to 19, 2021. 

For more information about Unilever’s Beauty That Cares campaign, visit https://shopee.ph/m/unilever-super-brand-day. 

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