PayMaya: Digital payments help unite Filipinos in battle against COVID-19

Just a week after its #OneAgainstCOVID19 initiative launched, PayMaya has already helped raised more than P7.8 million in donations from Filipinos all over the world through its digital payments channels, with donations growing rapidly by the day.

This feat was accomplished as companies and non-profit organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross, UNICEF, Caritas Manila, OXFAM Pilipinas, the UP PGH Foundation and other groups work together to mobilize much needed relief and resources to help combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

With many financial touch points such as banks and payment centers in limited operations and as cash handling is discouraged to prevent the spread of the virus, digital financial services like PayMaya indeed offer the fastest, safest and easiest way for people to contribute to various response and relief efforts addressing COVID-19. 

“The response we have gotten just a week after launch has been tremendous, which only highlights not just the magnanimity but also the creativity of Filipinos in responding to this crisis, aided by technology. We will continue to support consumers, businesses, communities, government agencies, and humanitarian organizations in this united effort during this pandemic by providing the most convenient and inclusive means of sending monetary support,” said Orlando Vea, Founder and CEO of PayMaya. 

With the most extensive network of humanitarian and non-profit partner organizations and various causes supported, the #OneAgainstCOVID19 initiative has quickly become a one-stop-shop for those who are looking to support medical personnel, frontliners, and disadvantaged communities who are caught in the crossfires of the battle against the disease. This is because aside from enabling donations via the PayMaya app, even overseas Filipinos and other card holders are able to contribute to #OneAgainstCOVID19 efforts via PayMaya's end-to-end platforms.  

To date, people with credit, debit, and prepaid cards, as well as PayMaya accounts, can donate via the website (http://donate.paymaya.com) or the PayMaya app to the following organizations: Philippine Red Cross, UNICEF, PGH Medical Foundation, Caritas Manila, OXFAM Pilipinas, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, Ronald McDonald House of Charities Phlippines, YesPinoy Foundation, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, Rock Ed Philippines, UTownPen Foundation, #nowheretogobutUP Foundation, and the #UniTENTweStandPH initiative of actress Angel Locsin. 

Online concerts, game streaming

As the enhanced community quarantine persists across the island of Luzon and some provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao, many individuals and groups have turned to showcasing their talents and skills to help encourage people to donate to various funds for COVID-19 response and relief efforts through the #OneAgainstCOVID19 project. 

National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, for instance, has kickstarted “Bayanihan Musikahan” in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), which features a nightly online concert highlighting the best of OPM via Facebook, YouTube, and other streaming channels. Donations to urban poor communities are accepted through PayMaya's #OneAgainstCOVID19 channels. 

Technology and gaming bloggers like Gian Viterbo, meanwhile, have dedicated their online game streaming time–particularly to feature new games such as Nintendo’s Animal Crossing–to help promote donations via #OneAgainstCOVID19 to their viewers. 

Unity while in isolation 

With the enhanced community quarantine still scheduled to last a few more weeks, the need for funds and resources will continue to rise as the whole country attempts to "flatten the curve" of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its socio-economic effects, especially to the most vulnerable segments of our communities. 

As part of precautionary measures against the disease, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has encourage the use of digital payments in transactions since paper bills have been found to be potential carriers of the virus. 

To this end, PayMaya has encouraged users to send money, pay their bills, or do bank transfers through the app instead of stepping out of the house to perform these transactions. Users can also send money to anyone in the country using their PayMaya account by doing a Send Money transaction to a Smart Padala by PayMaya center. 

While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to self-isolate in their homes, digital financial initiatives such as #OneAgainstCOVID19 show that Filipinos can quickly stand united with the help of technology. 

To donate to the #OneAgainstPayMaya campaign, visit http://donate.paymaya.com or go to the Pay Bills section of the PayMaya app.

JOLLIBEE OPERATIONS AMID COVID-19 ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE

Jollibee is temporarily closing some of the stores in Luzon as a result of the government's Enhanced Community Quarantine".

But worry no more, because for some that is still operational via take-out, drive-thru and delivery services for you to enjoy your Jollibee favorites. Though delivery orders may take longer waiting time, so they are seeking for your understanding and patience.

Jollibee made sure that you will not only enjoy your delicious meal but also, underwent it intensified sanitation upon handling and preparation. Social distancing is observed keenly to and from customers.

For online orders you may visit JollibeeDelivery.com or call #8-7000.

BDJ POWER PLANNER, PHILIPPINE WACOAL ENCOURAGE FILIPINOS TO SAY "I AM POSSIBLE"

Every new year, we welcome its coming on a positive note, with hopes of ushering in blessings, positivity and light. But this year seems to have proven itself quite different already, where the first few days and weeks of 2020 were marred with disheartening news of the eruption of Taal Volcano, forest fires, this deadly Novel Corona Virus (nCov or COVID 19) affecting millions of people around the globe and in the Philippines, and now a possible financial crisis looming over all of us.

It seems easy, doesn’t it, to get lost in the overwhelming problems that seem so outside anyone’s control. It can make us feel hopeless, helpless and small--making it hard, or worse, impossible for anyone to dream. This inspired the team at Viviamo! Inc.,, the creators of Belle de Jour (BDJ) Power Planner, to launch the “I am Possible” campaign, an online docuseries designed to inspire Filipinos to see the beauty in possibilities. Through a variety of stories featuring successful women and their path to breaking barriers and discovering the possibilities within their power, it aims to empower fellow Filipinos to dream as well.

“Last year, BDJ learned about the study conducted by The Dream Project PH that shows ‘7 out of 10 Filipinos don’t have a dream.’ Discouraging words from others ranked the most common reason behind the phenomenon, followed by the lack of self-esteem, lack of passion, lack of opportunity, and lastly poverty. In response to that, we launched the first Freedom To Dream summit to help spark positive dream conversations. It has now become our mission to show stories of possibilities and hardships that bore success. We want to show Filipinos that it's possible,” says Viviamo! Inc. president and founder Darlyn Ty-Nilo.

“So with all that’s happening in the world right now, these conversations on ‘I am Possible’ are even more important. Of course, there are challenges beyond our control, but we have control of the possibilities that we explore and spend time on. We want to be able to help open minds and hearts that can maybe lead to open our hands to opportunities to make things happen,” she adds.

BDJ will release this first docuseries in collaboration with fellow women brand and champion of women empowerment Philippine Wacoal this month. Together, they will feature social entrepreneur and Wacoal Women of the World Zarah Juan’s story in finding her life’s purpose, pursuing passion and making an impact in the world through fashion.

 “This is going to be one of the many DreamPowerment docuseries we’ll release this year for the I Am Possible campaign,” adds Ms Ty-Nilo.

“Apart from the Freedom to Dream summit last year, I Am Possible campaign is a continuing effort of our company to encourage Filipinos to explore possibilities in the pursuit of their dreams, and acknowledge the power they have to make their dreams happen.”

To know more about BDJ’s I Am Possible campaign and to see the full docuseries, tune in to their social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and Youtube)--@bdjbuzz.