Redefining Customer Experience at SM Supermalls in the East

The East of Metro Manila is also being hard hit by the pandemic crisis. Coping has been hard for all especially to our usual shopping habits.

As we slowly and carefully tread into the “new normal”, SM Supermalls in the East has prepared its malls with the minimum health measures as set by the national government. SM Center Angono, SM Cherry Antipolo, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo and SM City Taytay are now open to serve customers in this quarantine period.
Shoppers may now go the malls to buy their essentials, pay bills, transact in banks, have their gadgets repaired or take-out food from open restaurants provided that everyone should follow health protocols like thermal scanning, wearing of face masks, presenting of home quarantine passes upon entry and observing physical distancing. Common high-touch areas are sanitized round-the-clock like hallways, ATMs, hand rails, grocery carts, etc. Elevator capacities are reduced to 50%, imposing one-way traffic in hallways, motorcycle parking are spaced one slot apart and deployment of Safety Protocol Officers to enforce social distancing are just few of the numerous measures imposed in each SM mall.

Uniqlo, SM Marikina

If leaving home is not in the options, SM Malls can bring shopping right at the fingertips. Shoppers can join the Take Out and Deliver Community on Viber and scroll on the shops of choice. Facebook pages of each SM Mall are daily updated with announcements about which shops are open on each day.

Goldilocks, SM San Mateo

Retail affiliates such as SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Savemore, Uniqlo, Ace Hardware, Watsons, The SM Store, Pet Express, Miniso, Surplus Shop and SM Appliance are now open to serve customers. Select affiliates still offer call and deliver or pick-up for customers who choose to stay home while shopping.

Miniso, SM Cherry

Food tenants who are open also comply with social distancing and sanitation measures for the safety of customers. Open food tenants include KFC, Starbucks and Marisons in SM City Masinag; Ramen Kuroda, Samgyeopsal House and Goldilocks in SM City San Mateo; Marty’s Food Snack, Monster Wings and Gerry’s Grill in SM Cherry Antipolo. Breadtalk, Calle Reyes, Tokyo Tokyo are now open in SM City Marikina.

Macao,  SM East Ortigas

More food tenants are also opening for take-out and delivery in the other side of the East including Bonchon, Soya Bar and Gong Cha in SM Center Angono. SM City Taytay branch of Classic Savory, Pancake House and Max’s Restaurant are now open. Lastly, Café Mary Grace, Shakey’s and Macao Imperial Tea are also open in SM City East Ortigas.

Ushering a new era of customer experience, SM Malls in the East will continue to provide safe and efficient solutions for the benefit of shoppers.

Jollibee Foods Corporation and PayMaya pioneer conversational commerce with ‘cashless’ ordering chatbot

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) along with all of its food and restaurant brands in the country has begun piloting an interactive mobile ordering system via chatbot, with a seamless payment experience powered by PayMaya.

Customers in select areas can now use their credit, debit, or prepaid cards  as well as their PayMaya e-wallet accounts to pay for their favorite food items and meals via the Facebook Messenger channels of  Jollibee, Burger King, Chowking, Mang Inasal, and Red Ribbon -- which are all currently running on beta version.  This will soon be available in the Facebook messenger of Greenwich as well.

All they need to do is type “#order” and send this to the Facebook chatbot of their favorite JFC restaurant, select the meal they’d like to order, pay by selecting their preferred cashless payment option, and wait for their food to be delivered in their homes.

As an added treat, customers can get up to 100% cashback when they pay using their PayMaya registered mobile number upon ordering via chatbot with a minimum spend of P500.

“As we implement more stringent safety measures in this 'new normal', the availability of PayMaya’s cashless payments solutions helps ensure that both our customers and frontliner workers are protected, while at the same time giving them a more joyful experience when they order their favorite food from any of our brands," said Jollibee Global Brand CMO, JFC Philippines Country Business Group and concurrent Jollibee PH Marketing Head Francis Flores.

Offering cashless payment options via the Facebook chatbot is just the next step in the partnership between PayMaya and JFC.  In 2019, this partnership also helped pave the way for the launch of digital payments through self-ordering kiosks in Jollibee, Burger King and Chowking stores via the One by PayMaya Point-Of-Sale Device, and now has expanded its cashless payment option in 300 Jollibee stores.

“Over the past months we've seen an acceleration in the evolution of 'conversational commerce', with businesses and entrepreneurs harnessing their networks through chat apps to continue selling their products. During this time, businesses like JFC's brands need to be present where their customers are, and today most of the customers are online–so offering a wide variety of digital payment options ensures a safe and seamless ability for them to meet their business and customer needs," PayMaya President Shailesh Baidwan said.

Soon, JFC will also be rolling out PayMaya’s Digital Invoice solution when ordering online via its various brand's delivery websites or through their respective hotlines, allowing customers to receive an invoice with a payment link via SMS or email so that they can also pay using any card or using their PayMaya account.

Aside from enabling the cashless payments acceptance of various JFC brands, PayMaya has also partnered with Jollibee Group Foundation to allow them to receive donations from anywhere around the world via the #OneAgainstCOVID19 campaign website (pymy.co/jollibee) or through the Pay Bills function of the PayMaya app.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cuts across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing the payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya is enabling national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.

Through its PayMaya app and wallet, it is providing millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner agents nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services.

To know more about PayMaya's products and services for businesses and merchants, visit http://enterprise.paymaya.com. 

A mother’s sacrifice: Heroic tales of love and care from mom frontliners

One trait that best defines moms is their being selfless -- always ready to make sacrifices for her family and her kids. This is particularly seen during these difficult times where mothers, particularly those in the frontlines, have stepped up to be the first line of defense of both their household and the community. 

Honoring their heart for service, Lactum 3+6+ released a campaign tribute that pays gratitude to real-life moms who are at the frontlines, sharing their healing care to their fellow countrymen. Each of these women have their own motivations that keep them strong amid the crisis, but what they share in common is that they are true models of panalo parenting in these hard times.

Duty calls

Healthcare and medical workers like mommies Milinda Albario, Patricia Vasay, and Tessa Eusebio have an important role to fulfill in this health crisis. They are among the first responders in the hospitals and emergency rooms, tending to people confined with symptoms of COVID-19.  

“When the COVID-19 outbreak hit the country, my ward was converted to an isolation ward receiving patients with the symptoms. As a nurse, I was assigned to closely administer the patients and was encouraged not to go home to avoid spreading the disease to our family,” says Milinda Albario. “I was very scared and worried, and I was always thinking about my children at home.” 

Meanwhile, Patricia Vasay was appointed to the pediatric care ward in their emergency room. “During the first few weeks of the quarantine, I felt proud to be at the pediatric care. But as time went on, I felt frustrated because a lot of my co-workers were getting sick too and I was scared for myself and my son.” 

Mommy Patricia Vasay, 33, Pediatrician

“We feel scared because you never really know if you’re going to get the virus while at work,” adds Eusebio. “But one thing that motivates me as a doctor is love for my family and my countrymen. I believe that it is a blessing to be able to do what you love most and be of service to others.”

Mommy Tessa Eusebio, 30, Physician

Keeping up with family in the pandemic 

Being at the frontlines has lessened the amount of time spent by these moms with their precious kids at home. However, uniforms and duties aside, these strong women recognize that motherhood still comes first and that the safety of their children is their priority. 

Policewoman Fatima Lanuza reflects on what being a mother means to her, sharing, “Being a mother has given me a sense of direction and purpose in life. It also taught me to be selfless and consider that every decision I make will affect my children’s future.” 

Mommy Fatima Lanuza, 33, Policewoman

Currently, she is assigned at the Minalabac Municipal Police Station and is in charge of ensuring that people stay at home during the quarantine. She expresses gratitude for her kids for being her source of energy at the frontlines, “My little ones have been refueling me with their love and appreciation. They would send videos of them clapping as a way to thank frontliners. Just seeing them happy and safe at home makes me feel energized.” 

Motherhood has also changed the outlook of volunteer worker and mom of 3, Chexcy Lorayna, who shares that her kids helped her become a better person. Despite the risks of working in the pandemic, she never fails to give her children some valuable lessons, “I always remind my kids that when we are serving other people, we are also serving God. I help them understand that other people need my help and seeing them behave and try to understand our situation gives me courage and comfort.”

Looking ahead to the future 

“There are so many things that I miss about my kids, especially their hugs and kisses. But what I miss the most is time spent with them,” expresses Lorayna. “I believe that love is synonymous with time and I cannot wait to shower them with my affection and attention soon.”  

Mommy Chexcy Lorayna, 36, Volunteer

When things go back to normal, these moms want nothing more than to be by their children’s side. Whether it’s play dates, movie nights, or weekend trips, they are looking forward to new bonding moments and enjoying fun activities with their kids again. 

And as these selfless moms continue to be strong and caring for their family and the country, they only have one request for the Filipinos. Lanuza says, “We appeal to everyone to pray for us, the frontliners, the nation, and our families. This pandemic will soon be over. Please do not leave your homes, so we may live for the future.”

To help Filipino families affected by the pandemic, a P50 donation will be made for every Lactum 3+6+ purchased online. For the list of online partners, visit Lactum 3+6+ official Facebook page. Watch these moms in Lactum 3+’s touching Mother’s Day video on Facebook

(https://www.facebook.com/LactumPhilippines/videos/265270744855878/) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQDstC8BO90). Per DOH-FDA-CFRR Permit No. 0584 s. 2020.

CALL AND COLLECT WITH ACE HARDWARE

Truly the helpful place, ACE Hardware continues to provide solutions to everything you need for your home repair projects with its Call & Collect service.

Your home improvement work will be a lot easier with high performance cordless drills / drivers in compact and lightweight designs; while ACE Exclusive hand tools are great for minor repairs like fixing a leaking tap, or repairing broken electrical sockets.

Give your home a fresh new look with lead-free and odorless ACE Paints and painting supplies. Prevent your home from rust and corrosion by spraying ACE Rust Stop paints direct to metal surfaces.

Replacing your lights with LED bulbs is also another way to update your home. Choose from ACE Hardwares wide array of energy saving light bulbs and fixtures as well as durable and high quality extension cords.

How to shop with ACE Hardwares Call & Collect service?  Just call or text participating ACE stores, wait for order confirmation and arrange preferred delivery service. Then your items will be delivered it to you immediately.

This service is now currently available in selected ACE Hardware branches located in SM Malls nationwide. In Metro Manila areas, you can Call & Collect at ACE stores at the SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM City Fairview, SM Center Pasig, SM Sucat, SM Marikina, SM Novaliches and SM Muntinlupa. Selected ACE Hardware Call & Collect stores in North and South Luzon areas as well as in Visayas and Mindanao are also included.

You can also shop online for ACE products at www.acehardware.ph, ShopSM, Lazada or Shopee. For more details, you may also want to like our official Facebook page at facebook.com/acehardwarephilippines or follow our official Instagram account, @acehardware_ph.

Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray Joins Online Speech Therapy Sessions for Cleft Patients

The world’s leading cleft organization, Smile Train Philippines recently held a virtual speech therapy session with its Global Ambassador, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, in an effort to reach and continue educating more patients with a cleft lip and/or palate amid the enhanced community quarantine.

Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray joins the organization’s online Speech Therapy session to reach and educate more patients with cleft lip and palate amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Smile Train recently launched virtual speech therapy sessions with its volunteer Ms. Veronica Yu CSP-PASP, a Speech Language Pathologist and a faculty member of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences. She led the discussion on the effects of cleft disability on speech and the impact of feeding difficulties on the physical well-being of children. Ms. Yu also demonstrated her patients’ progress on proper pronunciation, which they were able to accomplish during the separate one-on-one online therapy sessions.

Smile Train Volunteer Ms. Veronica Yu, CSP-PASP, a Speech Language Pathologist, faculty member of the University of Sto. Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences, explored topics about the effects of cleft on speech and its impacts on the physical well-being of children.

The session also allowed viewers to ask questions about their family members experiencing difficulties with their conditions. Numerous viewers had inquiries about how many speech therapy sessions are required and what other procedures patients need to undergo if they have cleft lip and/or palate.

In her welcome message, Smile Train Global Ambassador Catriona Gray acknowledged the efforts of the organization to continue providing free comprehensive cleft care including speech therapy, while free surgeries and physical therapy sessions are on hold. She plans to support Smile Train’s upcoming initiatives during the ECQ.

“I was able to work closely with Smile Train for the first time during my reign as Miss Universe and it inspired me to help the organization change the lives of many people around the world. Now as the newest global ambassador, I am committed to supporting its patients in the Philippines during this pandemic through the organization’s online speech therapy classes,” said Gray.

With the support and collaboration of its donors, partners, and ambassadors around the world, Smile Train is able to transform the lives of patients with cleft and help improve their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. Even during the ECQ, Smile Train continues to find sustainable solutions such as social media to help their beneficiaries.

“Smile Train has always been committed to exploring various avenues and utilizing technology to reach more patients and communities in the Philippines, especially during this ECQ. With the support of Catriona, we hope to reach more patients and families so that we can continue to provide them with the care that they need, even during a pandemic,” said Smile Train South East Asia Director Kimmy Flaviano.

Smile Train plans to hold more sessions in the coming weeks to address concerns of patients or parents about receiving cleft treatment during this time and talking about staying positive and productive during the ECQ.


For more information about Smile Train’s global efforts and to donate, please visit smiletrain.org. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

INDOOR SUMMER FUN AT TOY KINGDOM

With more kids staying home this summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a break, rest and spend some quality time with the whole family.  Stay at home and let Toy Kingdom bring the fun into your doorstep with their wide variety of amazing toy finds now available for purchase at Lazada.

Little chefs will love the Kid’s Dough Cooking Set, Ice Cream Set and Motion Air Sand Deluxe Cookie Maker. Ryan’s World Treasure Chest, on the other hand, will surely thrill the little pirates.

Keep your kids’ minds creative and inspired with games from Cogo in city and farm themes. Board games like Uno, Monopoly, and Pictionary Air are great for family bonding and fun; while table games like Air Spring’s pinball shoot and air soccer will keep kids active and sporty.

Tech-savyy kids, on the other hand, can also enjoy an ultimate home entertainment experience with Toy Kingdom’s PS4 mega pack and various home video games.

Experience an enjoyable summer fun at home with these toys from Toy Kingdom. Check out these amazing finds and more available at https://www.lazada.com.ph/ and wait for your items to be delivered right into your doorsteps. Also, don’t forget to stay home to help in the fight against COVID-19.

For more updates visit www.toykingdom.ph and follow ToyKingdomPH at Facebook and Instagram.

Five Mother’s Day gifts you can easily get online even while you're staying at home

Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend, and while we're all on stay-at-home quarantine mode, it’s still more than possible to make your mom feel special on the day of the year that’s just for her!

With many businesses now opening online stores with delivery and cashless payments options, finding a good gift for your mom should be a breeze. Here are some hassle-free gift ideas:

1.     For the movie junkie mom
If your mom loves movies, why not give her access to all her favorite films and series with a Netflix subscription? You can even set up a movie night for the entire family complete with your go-to snacks.

Subscribing to Netflix with your PayMaya virtual or physical card is easy. Buying snacks online at supermarkets like Landers and Super8 is also convenient, now that you can pay by simply keying in the mobile number linked to your PayMaya account. You can even score up to 100% Balik Bayad for your purchases!

2.     For the mom who’s the senti type
If you’re feeling a little crafty, you can also create a scrapbook for your mom. Compile photos of your favorite moments together as well as little memorabilia like theme park tickets, and use materials that are readily available at home. Include heartfelt letters from the entire family and get ready for some happy tears from your senti mom.

If you don’t have art materials available, you can easily order them via National Bookstore at Lazada and pay with your PayMaya account.

3. For the foodie mom
What better way to spend a Mother’s Day than with the people she loves most? Plan a nice and warm Sunday meal with the whole family at home, and take the pressure off her hands by having her favorite food delivered. What’s even better is you can order food online at a PayMaya partner restaurant like McDonald's, Goldilocks, Army Navy, Shakey's, Red Ribbon, Chowking, Burger King, Domino's Pizza, Sariwon Korean Barbecue, Soban K-Town Grill, and Sibyullee Unlimited Korean BBQ, and pay using your phone number for up to 100% Balik Bayad!

4.     For the mom who’s practical
One great way to show your love for your mom who keeps the house together is by helping out with the household expenses. Take care of groceries by ordering online, and settle her bills for her, all with the help of your PayMaya. You can even get P100 Balik Bayad when you pay a PLDT bill worth at least P1,000 this month, as well as P50 Balik Bayad for Smart and Sun postpaid bills.

5.     For the extroverted mom
Does your mom miss all her friends and relatives? How about setting up one big video call with the whole family to greet her and her fellow moms a happy Mother’s Day? You can make sure you stay connected by buying data packages for your and the rest of her friends at discounted rates through the PayMaya app!

This Mother's Day, let PayMaya’s help you show just how much you love your mom at the safety and comfort of your own home.

If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, it’s easy to sign up in time for Mother’s Day! Just download the PayMaya app for Android or iOS, register your own account, you can use my code "ez6mr7"
and start shopping with the fastest, safest, most rewarding, and hassle-free way to pay for anything both online and in-stores!

Better yet, teach your mom how to set up her own PayMaya account by checking out paymaya.com/quick-guide.

For more details on the awesome PayMaya promos you can enjoy, check out paymaya.com/deals. Don’t forget to follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more news and updates!

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cuts across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing the payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya is enabling national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.

Through its PayMaya app and wallet, it is providing millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined.