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!

The City of Marikina Goes Cashless with PayMaya

Looks like it will be easier to pay taxes and government dues as the city of Marikina just started to roll out contactless payment in the city as they have started ties with PayMaya. This means residents of the city and those transacting with their offices can now pay for things right in the comforts of their home or anywhere as long as they are connected to the internet and use the PayMaya app. The Marikina online portal accepts credit, debit or prepaid cards and the PayMaya Wallet which can be loaded by cashing on from bank accounts or any PayMaya partners. PayMaya collaborated with the Development Bank of the Philippines and this has been welcomed by the city Mayor himself.


Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro says "With this initiative done by PayMaya and DBP, we empower our constituents with a safer way to pay for taxes. They can now also pay other fees online while in the comforts of their home. They don't have to physically go to the city hall during the pandemic. This will allow us to continue delivering critical services to our community and the public."

PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando Vea says "Enabling the public to have digital payments is the way to go and we thank the city of Marikina for leading the way for cashless solutions in local governments. We are ready to have more people access digital financial services during this time."

There are over 60 national agencies and local government units that have had cashless solutions powered by PayMaya including budget disbursements so they get money for projects safer and faster. Aside from that, other agencies like the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Bureau of Customs (BoC), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and cities like Manila, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Pasig, Caloocan, and Valenzuela have already adapted PayMaya payment channels. It's easy and cashless so it's also safe for everyone.

You can also pay for groceries, medicine and tons of other things using the app. You also get the chance to earn cash back in each transaction as they regularly have promos that would get you perks when you pay through QR, transfer funds, pay bills using the app. Now don't say I didn't tell you about it, go download the PayMaya app today!

Smart Launches World's First Pay With Load Service for App Store andiTunes!

It's here and it's the biggest announcement yet this 2015. It's something we're all excited about because it's the first time a telco would do it in the Philippines. Actually, let me correct myself, it's the first in the world to ever do this, to integrate things to have "internet for all". Smart wants to bring the Internet to Filipinos even more. It's in their  DNA to provide online payment solutions especially for those who don't have credit cards.

No need to maintain an account, you use the full power of your apple decices and pay with your prepaid load or postpaid accounts. See? It's that easy! This is called "Pay with Mobile" and doing it is easy!

Step 1 Text the word REG to 4949, you'll receive your confirmation together with account details. 

Step 2: Enter the details of your account on the APPLE ID MENU. Your Philippine address, card number and security code.

Step 3: Then go ahead and purchase your games, apps and in app add ons and you'll use the details you indicated earlier.

Since it's convenient, you get charged like 15% on top of your purchase. That consists of 12% VAT and other fees by the government. Itunes will also be providing after sales support if you encounter any problems with it. The roll out will be on February 16 and full availability will commence on February 18. Now there's no more reason to be taken advantage by Android users when playing Clash of Clans. See what I mean? :) 

Every purchase, you'll get a notification. So if your kids fiddle around with your ipad or iPhone, you'll know it. There's also an option to opt off by texting OFF to 4949.

It's EASY, CONVENIENT and DIRECT to use the biggest innovation yet by the biggest network, that's SMART!

For more information about their services:

Smart Communications

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http://smart.com.ph/

Better Audio and Home Cinema Systems From Philips

We started with a feast for the eyes that afternoon and yes I did really enjoy that part. What we were here for though is a similar thing.. a taste of the Philips brand of exquisite visual and sound quality. Have you heard of the Philips Golden Ears Academy?

Mr. Jason Chang, General Manager for WOOX in Asia Pacific says that they are proud to introduce these new Audio and Video devices to the Philippine market. WOOX is a Philips owned subsidiary that focuses on audio and video products. Now that they are bringing these gorgeous pieces of hardware in the country, ordinary users and audiophiles will surely enjoy their well researched and developed new line of UHD LED TV's, Wireless Speakers, Soundbar Speakers, Blu-ray Home Theaters and Surround on demand speakers.

Ivan Lui the Regional Product Manager (APMEA) for TP Vision introduced and discussed to us the Ultra High Definition TV's and how the new Ambilight feature enlarges the TV viewing experience by 10 percent. If you can also see above, the TV actually seems like it's floating no? This is because they've got experts from Europe designing these all for them. Aside from that, they've won countless awards for innovation and design in various bodies like CES, Reddot etc.!

Right here is Thomas Peeters, the Sound and Acoustics Architect from WOOX Innovations Hong Kong. He's involved in sound engineering, project management and the development of new product concepts. He also took part on Philips Research and the European Space Agency. His undeniable expertise in music and audio engineering has brought him to the offices of Philips to take charge in the development of headphone sound, acoustics and comfort. That afternoon, he delved much on the process of certifications done in the Philips Golden Ears Academy. The program was designed and developed for sound engineers in Philips. We were shown several exercises to actually depict every track whether it's bright, dark and show the minute differences of every frequency. It was a little mind blowing to see what they had to go through in order to achieve the perfect sound quality that only Philips can introduce. Taking these exams would make them connoisseurs of sound and will make them certified in four levels of difficulty namely Basic, Bronze, Silver, Golden Ears. I think there's even a Platinum one but the frequency change was too minute to even hear from where I was so I'm sure everyone's going to have a hard time passing that. If you want to see it for yourself, take the exam at https://www.goldenears.philips.com/en/signup.html

The unit on top just below the TV is the new Philips 5.1 3D Bli-ray Home Theater. The sound quality and all in one feature shows a sleek, masculine but convenient look in every angle. The things they do to research and develop that perfect standard for sound is even impressive. 

The brilliant picture quality also encompasses devices because it evenly stretched the streamed phone display in this Ultra HD TV. The multi core ultra pixel HD engine gave us great depth and clarity.

The sound bars were really interesting. Don't let the small and sleek lines fool you because as far as sound goes, it packs a wallop. You can even remove the two side speakers and put them around you. The surround in demand thingy is something unusual for me though because I didn't even think about putting one at home. It made total sense though. The Fidelio line especially, it was sound perfection. You can also check out the Philips Soundbar HTL6140 which we experienced that afternoon.

I was also amazed on their capability to have these things networked. They've got proprietary frequency connections on their devices that makes setup an ease. All you need to do is plug it into power and have wireless connectivity on them do the work. It's also got the audio really good even if it's in that format. I know some people who don't actually believe you can get wireless sound this good.

We also saw their brand new Philips M1X DJ Sound System. It's like a party in a box. They have launched this late last year as they partnered with World #1 DJ Arvin Van Buuren. You can mix, play and share everything in one device. You can attach your Apple Device on the lightning cable and get the party started anytime, anywhere. Pair it up with heart thumping HIFI systems like the NTRX500 or NTRX700 and you can turn this all into a freakin concert! Play the tunes and it'll mix it up for you without any effort. Press the button and it can even highlight the best part on your chorus. 

Unbelievable that they can do this without any professional DJ in place. Other than that, take your DJ dreams into reality by getting the A5-PRO professional DJ headphones that's distortion free even at high volumes. Isn't that a dream? Check their channels below for pricing and more information.

For more information about their brand:

Philips Sound Philippines

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http://www.philips.com.ph

Samsung Launches World's First Curved UHD TV

I couldn't believe it. Samsung, the world's largest mobile phone and entertainment systems manufacturer just made shock and awe a byword on their products a few days ago as they launched the new Samsung Curve UHD TV. This is a year for entertainment as Chung Lyong Lee the President and Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation puts it. They will also come out of different TV's that will match every Filipinos want and need. In a bullish country such as ours, our taste becomes a little different every year and with the growth of this country comes the search for the best electronic device our purchasing power can afford. Impressed isn't really a word I'd like to use because that is too small for the things I saw that afternoon. They envision a full pledged Samsung home where the family would enjoy and use each and every product that they have released. See for yourself!

From crisp, "almost in the stadium" like sound quality, to sharp images that you can screenshot, record, zoom and save on the smart TV, to control anywhere by just a flick of a button, you can't match these new smart TV's by Samsung.

When we want it, we have to have it. Online content like any video on Youtube can be seen on these smart TV's which is exceptionally even better if you have HD content. Aside from that, there are various apps available that you an use if you plan to play and use it as display. If you love stuff from the Google Play store, this would probably be the best choice if you want a different feel if you've got a Samsung Phone. Bigger displays are always welcome right?