PayMaya Archives - MyCebu.ph: Cebu News & Features

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Paying with PayMaya will take you places as the country’s pioneer and leader in digital payments once again rewards customers with a chance to experience global travel destinations in the…

Paying with PayMaya will take you places as the country’s pioneer and leader in digital payments once again rewards customers with a chance to experience global travel destinations in the PayMaya Travel Blowout, running from February 1 to May 31, 2018.

For each month from February to May, one lucky PayMaya account holder will win a 5-day trip for 2 to each of the featured destinations: Taiwan in February, South Korea in March, Japan in April, and Maldives in May.

The prize includes roundtrip airfare and accommodation for two, and P50,000 in PayMaya credits to shop, dine, and explore with the convenience of going cashless. Each trip is also complete with tours and a well-curated itinerary so winners can just pack their bags and enjoy the best of what the country has to offer.

How to join promo

There are many ways to join the promo. Account holders can do any of the following to earn one raffle entry: register a PayMaya account, purchase and activate a PayMaya physical card, have a PayMaya account upgraded, pay bills in full (minimum P300), or pay using PayMaya (minimum P1,000 single-receipt). Raffle items are cumulative until the end of the promo period.

“Gone are the days when overseas travel is only for the carded few. With PayMaya, millennials can seize travel opportunities online, expand their worldview, and dive into exciting adventures even without a credit card. Every Filipino deserves to reach their must-visit travel destination and PayMaya is here to help them take the first step,” said Paolo Azzola, PayMaya Philippines COO and Managing Director.

Ticket to best deals

“The Travel Blowout promo is our way of thanking our PayMaya customers, the #NowNation, and helping them pursue their love of travel. PayMaya is by far the fastest way to book a flight, even during a seat sale, for those who don’t have a credit card. It’s their ticket to enjoying the best deals and making the most of their lives, right here, right now.” said Raymund Villanueva, Head of PayMaya Issuing Business

PayMaya is a free and secure prepaid e-wallet that allows account holders to send and receive money, pay their bills, and shop anywhere online that accepts Visa or Mastercard payments. Account holders simply have to download the PayMaya app or activate an account via PayMaya in Messenger (@PayMayaOfficial), register, and load up in over 15,000 touch points nationwide including 7-Eleven branches, SM Business Centers, Robinsons Business Centers inside Department Stores, Touchpay Kiosks, UnionBank ATMs, Shopwise, Wellcome, 2Go, ExpressPay, Cebuana Lhuillier, and Palawan Pawnshop branches, Smart Padala centers, and Metrobank Online.

PayMaya physical card

PayMaya enables customers to book flights via seat sales, take advantage of travel promos online, book affordable accommodations via Airbnb and other providers, purchase travel essentials via Lazada and ZALORA, travel cashless via transportation apps like Uber and Grab, and tap-to-pay at toll gates in NLEX and CAVITEX.

Account holders may also opt to have a PayMaya physical card, which can be linked to their mobile wallet, so they can pay in groceries, malls, or any store that accepts card payments. Moreover, customers can instantly convert their PayMaya funds to foreign currency by withdrawing cash in ATM machines abroad. Physical cards can be ordered online at www.paymaya.com/shop.

PayMaya Philippines is the digital financial services arm of PLDT’s Voyager Innovations. To know more about PayMaya’s products and services for consumers and businesses, visit www.paymaya.com. Be the first to know PayMaya’s latest promos and announcements by following @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Press Release)

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Tech

Send PayMaya pamasko to loved ones with ‘aguinaldo’ service via Facebook Messenger

Press Release

December 22, 2017 6:10 pm December 22, 2017

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Sending “aguinaldo” or Christmas cash gifts to family and godchildren is now easier than ever as pioneering digital financial services company PayMaya today announced the launch of a “digital aguinaldo”…

“Ninongs” and “Ninangs” can no longer hide from their godchildren during this gifting season, as the usual Christmas joke goes, because all it takes to send money gifts to their “inaanak” is a simple tap on their smartphones.

“Today, just like many facets of our modern lives, sending ‘aguinaldo’ to godchildren during Christmas has now become digital,” said Paolo Azzola, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director at PayMaya Philippines. “This is yet another way we are helping our account holders #ShareTheLove this Christmas, at the same time helping build a ‘cashless’ society in the Philippines through services that are relevant to Filipino culture.”

Adapting Filipino tradition for the modern times

A time-honored tradition, giving “aguinaldo” to young family members and godchildren is one of the unique ways Filipinos are celebrating Christmas, but the usual way of doing it is by handing out paper bills—usually freshly-printed ones withdrawn from the bank that still emit a distinct smell.

But times are changing, and sending “aguinaldo” via digital means, anytime, anywhere, is now possible. To be able to do this via PayMaya in Messenger, anyone can follow these simple steps:

1. If the sender already has a PayMaya account, they only have to link their account to Messenger by chatting with @PayMayaOfficial. If not, they can sign up for an account using any mobile number from all networks using Messenger.

2. Once the account is linked to Messenger, they can upgrade their accounts to use the ‘Send Aguinaldo’ feature and load up their accounts via the more than 15,000 top-up partners that PayMaya has nationwide.

3. To send an ‘aguinaldo’, simply chat with @PayMayaOfficial in Messenger, click the “Promos & Gifts” tab, and click the “Send Aguinaldo” option.

AGUINALDO VIA CHAT. Through ‘PayMaya Pamasko,’ account holders can now send ‘aguinaldo’ to their godchildren, friends and family via the Messenger app, and even choose from a variety of holiday designs available within the app.

4. Choose which Facebook friend to send the ‘aguinaldo’ to, enter the amount of money to be sent, and swipe right or left to choose the perfect design to go along with the money gift.

5. After tapping the “Pay” button, the user will be asked to enter their Facebook password, after which the money will be sent to the recipient.

The feature is currently available to Android users and those with upgraded PayMaya accounts, which means they would have to undergo the standard know-your-customer (KYC) process that requires additional information from the account holder.

Once the person receives the money via Messenger, it automatically goes to their PayMaya account if they have already registered, or they will be given the option to create one if they don’t already have a PayMaya account set up.

Expanding digital payments services

This is a new feature that has been made available for account holders of PayMaya in Messenger released in time for Christmas. Aside from sending “aguinaldo,” they can also buy prepaid load for themselves, send prepaid load as a gift to others, or pay their bills using the Messenger app.

PayMaya has also led the charge in enabling Filipinos with new ways to pay and do financial transactions via digital means through PayMaya QR, which allows them to do in-store payments by simply scanning a QR code displayed within the merchant’s premises. And as a Christmas treat for all account holders, PayMaya is giving a 50% rebate to all PayMaya QR transactions in merchants where it is available until December 24, and a 10% rebate from December 25 to 31.

Aside from this, account holders can pay for items they buy online or subscribe to digital services by using their virtual VISA card, which is available when they download the app in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Account holders can load their PayMaya wallets in more than 15,000 top-up facilities already available nationwide such as Robinsons Department Store Business Centers, SM Business Services, TouchPay kiosks, 7-Eleven, Cebuana Lhuillier, ExpressPay branches, Palawan Pawnshops, Shopwise, Wellcome, 2Go outlets, Petron stations along NLEX, and Smart Padala centers down to sari-sari stores in grassroots communities, and Unionbank ATMs.

PayMaya Philippines, the country’s pioneer and leader in cashless payments, is the digital financial services arm of PLDT’s Voyager Innovations. To know more about its products and services, visit www.paymaya.com. (Press Release)

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Feature Tech

PayMaya revolutionizes digital payments with Paymaya in Messenger

Marlen Limpag

December 16, 2017 4:04 pm December 16, 2017

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As a long-time PayMaya user and one who has experienced its many benefits especially in travel, I’m amazed at how this digital payment solution has gone one step further with…

As a long-time PayMaya user and one who has experienced its many benefits especially in travel, I’m amazed at how this digital payment solution has gone one step further with #PayMayaInMessenger.

Although I’ve known about this update for some time, I only found time today (a few minutes ago, actually) to link my existing PayMaya and Messenger accounts.

Linking PayMaya, Messenger accounts

I clicked on this link – m.me/PayMayaOfficial – that was provided by the official PayMaya Facebook account and followed the instructions. Pardon the cliche, but it really was a walk in the park.

Less than a minute after I put in the mobile number associated with my PayMaya account, I received notification that I would already be able to buy load, pay bills, send money, and deposit cash through PayMaya in Messenger.

BUY LOAD ON CHAT. With PayMaya, you can buy cellphone load, pay bills, and send money on Facebook Messenger.

PayMaya in Messenger transactions

I had a field day trying out the many options. I bought load and sent money to my husband just for the fun of trying the transactions out.

Stoked to find out I can actually now pay my PLDT bill and Pru Life UK premiums through PayMaya in Messenger. The Visayan Electric Company, NSO, Skycable, Manulife, Cignal were in the long list of billers, too.

SEND MONEY. You can send and receive money via PayMaya in Facebook Messenger.

PayMaya Refer and Earn Promo

What’s even more exciting? There is an ongoing PayMaya Refer and Earn Promo where you get to earn P50 when someone uses your referral link to open or link a PayMaya account on Messenger. Your friend gets P50, too.

Here’s how you refer and earn:

Go to your PayMaya account in Messenger by clicking on this link: http://pymy.co/get50
Click on the promo notification or go to “Promos” in the menu and select “Refer Friends, Get P50” and share the promo message with your Messenger contacts (open to both Smart and Globe subscribers)
Get a maximum of 25 successful referrals, and earn a maximum of P1,250 worth of incentives

When you click on the link to PayMaya in Messenger, you actually have two options: link your PayMaya and Messenger accounts or open a PayMaya account in Messenger if you still don’t have one.

#PayMayaInMessenger Contest

Wait! There’s more. If share this post and tag 5 of your friends to create or link a PayMaya account on Messenger as a comment, you get a chance to be one of five people to win P1,000 each in PayMaya credits. So what are you waiting for? #PayMayaMoNow.

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Tech

Big discounts, promos await PayMaya account holders this Christmas

Press Release

December 12, 2017 12:00 pm December 12, 2017

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With lots of discounts, rebates, and freebies coming your way, it is a great time to be a PayMaya account holder this Christmas. Use your PayMaya to shop and complete…

With lots of discounts, rebates, and freebies coming your way, it is a great time to be a PayMaya account holder this Christmas. Use your PayMaya to shop and complete your holiday gift list so you can share the love to family and friends during this season of giving.

“Christmas is a season of giving and we’re happy to help our customers share the love over the holidays with PayMaya. This is our way of thanking our customers in helping us achieve a very fruitful year as the leader in digital payments in the Philippines,” said PayMaya Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director Paolo Azzola.

Spreading the Christmas cheer to all is also made easier with exclusive discounts to PayMaya account holders when they shop at Lazada and Zalora. Users can enjoy an additional 20% discount when they shop at Lazada until December 15 by using the code PYMYDEC.

Meanwhile, fashionistas looking to complete their holiday outfits can look forward to a 20% discount this month when they shop at ZALORA, simply by entering the code PAYMAYAHOLIDAY upon checkout. The discount increases to as much as 25% during Zalora’s Online Fever sale event on December 12 to 15 with the code PAYMAYAFEVER25.

These discounts are on top of the already deep discounts being offered by Lazada and Zalora this December.

Get as much as P1,250 on referrals with PayMaya in Facebok Messenger

With PayMaya, it’s easy to let your friends and loved ones know that you care about them. And with PayMaya in Facebook Messenger, both of you can feel the love as well!

Simply sign up or link your existing PayMaya account in Facebook Messenger and refer friends to sign up too and you will both get P50 in your PayMaya accounts.

To do this, all you have to do is share the promo link that you will receive from PayMaya in Messenger to up to 25 friends with Android devices to start earning the referral bonus. Subscribers of all mobile network in the Philippines may sign up until December 19 and get the bonus amount, which will be credited to their accounts in 2 to 3 business days.

“All of these privileges highlight that paying with your PayMaya is now better than simply paying with cash. Using their PayMaya accounts, shopping online and in-store, sending money to others, and purchasing load or paying bills is easier than ever. We can’t wait to share even more exciting things and experiences exclusive to PayMaya account holders that we have in store for the coming months,” shared Raymund Villanueva, Issuing Head at PayMaya.

Getting a PayMaya account is easy and instant. Just download the PayMaya app via iOS or Android and register.

A million ways to #ShareTheLove

With PayMaya, there are a million ways to share the love to your friends and family because all PayMaya app registrations, physical card activations, and purchases worth at least P1,000 from today until December 23 will earn raffle entries for PayMaya’s #MerryMillionaire promo.

Users stand a chance to win P10,000 in the weekly draw and a whopping P1 million tax-free in the grand draw, which will give them even more reasons to spread the love to others this holiday season.

And to make it even more convenient to load your account, PayMaya has further expanded its long list of loading partners to include all branches of Cebuana Lhuillier and ExpressPay, as well as the online banking platforms of RCBC and Metrobank.

This is on top of the more than 15,000 top-up facilities already available nationwide such as Robinsons Department Store Business Centers, SM Business Services, TouchPay kiosks, 7-Eleven, Palawan Pawnshops, Shopwise, Wellcome, 2Go outlets, Petron stations along NLEX, and Smart Padala centers down to sari-sari stores in grassroots communities, and Unionbank ATMs.

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Lifestyle

Voyager brings biggest online deals to Pinoys for Singles’ Day

Press Release

November 9, 2017 8:39 am November 9, 2017

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Huge discounts are ahead for Pinoy online shoppers as they pick out their Singles’ Day purchases with the help of various digital apps and platforms from Voyager Innovations and its…

Huge discounts are ahead for Pinoy online shoppers as they pick out their Singles’ Day purchases with the help of various digital apps and platforms from Voyager Innovations and its business arms, including PayMaya Philippines, FINTQnologies, Inc. (FINTQ), hatch, and Takatack Technologies.

To kick things off this November, PayMaya is giving its users an exclusive 11% rebate from all their purchases on November 11, also known as Singles’ Day. Originating from China, Singles’ Day was established as a way for Chinese to celebrate being single. It turned into one of the biggest annual e-Commerce events the world over.

PayMaya users can use their Visa cards, Smart Mastercards, and in-app virtual cards to qualify for the 11% rebate whenever they make purchases in-store or online, whether they’re in the Philippines or abroad.

Biggest online shopping discounts

Aside from the Singles’ Day rebate promo, PayMaya is also giving all its users a massive 20% discount for the entire November in three of the country’s biggest online shopping destinations – Lazada, Zalora and Takatack.

For Lazada, shoppers only have to key in the promo code PYMYNOV upon checkout to get an extra 20% discount for a minimum purchase of only P500, valid for use multiple times with a maximum discount of P400 per transaction. This will come handy during Lazada’s Online Revolution shopping event, when Filipinos stand a chance to get big discounts on their favorite items and wish lists.

For Zalora, all they have to do is key in PAYMAYAHOLIDAY when they make purchases worth at least P1,000 to get 20% off upon checkout. They can use the code multiple times for the whole month of November to help them complete their OOTDs.

Shoppers can also get a huge 30% discount across all items when they shop at Takatack, the largest online discovery platform of Voyager, from November 9 to 11. They can get a maximum discount of P2,000 for purchases, with free shipping for purchases above P2,000.

But when shoppers use their PayMaya card to shop at Takatack this November, they can get an additional 20% off (maximum P500 discount) their purchase by entering the code 11+[First four digits of their PayMaya card] (ex. 114404)! This means they can get as much as 50% discount on items for Singles’ Day weekend, from November 9-11.

To complete the experience, when they register for an account on FINTQ’s digital lending platform Lendr.com.ph, users will also automatically get a P150 discount voucher which they can also use for Lazada, as well as a promo code for an 11% discount which they can use to shop at Takatack.

Shop without data charges

To make Filipinos’ online shopping experience convenient and hassle-free, free Internet platform freenet has partnered with Lazada to give free data access to their app for Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers.

All they have to do is download the freenet app on their Android or iOS device, register with their mobile number, and click the sidebar menu to turn on the Free Access toggle to begin setup. Once done, they can proceed to the Lazada app to enjoy a worry-free shopping experience without data charges.

And to spice things up more this shopping season, freenet is rewarding shoppers with free MB credits whenever they download or access various Voyager platforms starting November 11. Simply download the PayMaya and Takatack apps or access the Lendr website under the “Missions” tab within the freenet app to get an instant 100MB credit, which they can use to purchase data packages from the freenet Shop.

“This is our way of giving back to all our customers and partners. As we see adoption to our platforms grow, we hope more Filipinos get to enjoy the digital life and more businesses also get to benefit from the opportunities presented by digital. As the whole ecosystem grows, everyone grows too,” said Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO at Voyager Innovations.

Voyager Innovations, the digital innovations arm of PLDT and Smart, has been leading the way in enabling consumers and enterprises to access the digital life with its unique and comprehensive suite of platforms in the areas of financial services, eCommerce, and marketing technologies.

Download PayMaya now:
iOS – https://goo.gl/T012hs
Android – https://goo.gl/9XYTsb

Get freenet:
iOS – http://frnt.ph/ios
Android – http://frnt.ph/android

Visit Takatack: www.takatack.com
Sign up for Lendr: www.lendr.com.ph

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Business Tech

PayMaya, Smart accelerate rollout of QR code payments nationwide

Press Release

October 23, 2017 4:20 pm October 23, 2017

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After introducing the first Quick Response (QR) code payments via app in the Philippines last May, PayMaya Philippines today announced that the scan-to-pay technology is now available across the country. Smart Stores and select merchants in key cities now allow consumers to conveniently pay by simply scanning QR codes through their PayMaya app.

Smart subscribers have a new means to transact with their accounts as Smart Stores all over the country are now equipped with PayMaya QR technology. PayMaya is also enabling merchants in communities starting with canteens in partner schools like STI and commercial establishments in cashless cities such as Muntinlupa and Malabon.

PayMaya is also tapping popular merchants in SmartSpots already enabled by WiFi connectivity in key cities such as Baguio, Cebu, and Davao.

CONVENIENT. Using QR Code to simplify payments, PayMaya is making cashless transactions even more convenient.

All kinds of merchants

In the near future, payments enabled by PayMaya will also be accepted online and in-store in popular food chains, supermarkets, and malls such as McDonald’s, Army Navy, Domino’s Pizza, and Gaisano Supermarkets, among others.

To further bring the technology to more users, Smart and PayMaya are also set to equip Smart retail partners down to the sari-sari store levels with the payment technology.

“As PayMaya continues to grow nationwide, we take a giant step for our customers by making QR code payments available to all kinds of merchants. PayMaya is the leading digital payments wallet and on the merchant side, this will reinforce our position as the top mobile payments acquirer in the country,” said Orlando B. Vea, President and CEO, PayMaya Philippines and Voyager Innovations.

“Convenient and secure cashless transactions complete the digital life experience of people and communities. Equipping our Smart Stores, partner merchants, and retailers with PayMaya’s innovative platforms is a step in making our vision a reality,” said Eric R. Alberto, Chief Revenue Officer, PLDT and Smart.

Existing technology, new use cases, right conditions

QR code technology has been in use for quite some time with many applications already in the market. However, wide adoption for payments had been previously hampered by various factors, such as lower smartphone and internet usage.

The technology has now taken off around the world, with payment providers in various countries introducing use cases for adoption. Globally, Tencent’s WeChat app is the leader with close to a billion active users, most of them residing in China. Similar to PayMaya, every time their app is downloaded, so too is a QR code reader as the feature has already been integrated.

In the Philippines, the growing smartphone and internet penetration is now being complemented by digital payments adoption, pioneered by PayMaya. It has made payments integration capability via QR codes available and is now accelerating consumer acceptance, as it further builds up and reinforces the payment ecosystem and infrastructure across the country.

DIGITAL PAYMENTS. For digital payments to work, “it is important to foster the right conditions and build the ecosystem. PayMaya is already leading the market toward this direction,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of PLDT, Smart, Voyager Innovations and PayMaya Philippines.

It takes a village to make ‘cashless’ work

“For any kind of digital payments technology to be widely adopted, it is important to foster the right conditions and build the ecosystem. PayMaya is already leading the market toward this direction. Along with the strongest network of PLDT and Smart, we are seeing digital financial inclusion in action,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman of PLDT, Smart, Voyager Innovations and PayMaya Philippines.

PayMaya Philippines is the digital financial services arm of PLDT and Smart’s Voyager Innovations. Its PayMaya wallet, accessible via mobile app and Facebook Messenger (@PayMayaOfficial) that comes with a virtual and physical Visa or MasterCard, is now the preferred prepaid payment by the millennial market.

Any mobile subscriber can download the PayMaya app from the Play Store or the App Store and load up their wallet at any of the more than 15,000 reloading stations nationwide, which include SM Business Centers, Robinsons Department Stores Business Centers, and 7-Eleven, Petron stations along NLEX and Ministop outlets with Touchpay Kiosks, UnionBank ATMs, Shopwise, Wellcome, 2Go outlets, Smart Padala centers, Palawan Pawnshop, and online banking via BDO and UnionBank.

PayMaya is also the platform of choice of local governments, enterprises, and schools for disbursements and ID plus payments cards. PayMaya-enabled ID plus payment cards are being used by Balanga City, Malabon City, Malolos City, Muntinlupa City, Catbalogan City, and Tacloban City, as well as by schools such as STI.

Financial technology platforms

PayMaya Business, the company’s system solutions provider that allows businesses to receive online and card payments is now the top mobile payments acquirer powering companies such as Cebu Pacific, Lazada, Meralco, Metro Pacific Tollways, Philippine Airlines, Smart, and Zalora, as well as numerous other merchants. Completing the cashless ecosystem is Smart Padala’s largest money-in/money-out remittance network.

Complementing PayMaya’s digital payments is the financial technology or fintech platforms of Voyager’s FINTQnologies, Inc. (FINTQ). FINTQ enables banks and financial institutions to expand the reach of their services through digital lending, banking, and micro investment platforms such as Lendr, PeraAgad, Mobile Loan Saver, and iNVSTR.

FINTQ has processed over P21 billion worth of disbursed loans since it started in 2015. The Voyager’s fintech arm now has the most extensive digital lending footprint covering 100% of 81 provinces, 90% of 145 cities and 15% of 1490 municipalities including low-income areas.

For more information about PayMaya, visit www.paymaya.com. Engage with us on social media at: facebook.com/PayMayaOfficial, twitter.com/paymayaofficial, and instagram.com/paymayaofficial. Get customer support at @PayMayaCares on Facebook.

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Feature Tech TechNotes

Online shopping? There’s an app for that!

Max Limpag

November 9, 2016 11:06 pm November 9, 2016

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(Note: This story is also published on Cebu Daily News in its InfoTech section) With the holidays and the bonuses and extra pay that come with it just weeks away,…

(Note: This story is also published on Cebu Daily News in its InfoTech section)

With the holidays and the bonuses and extra pay that come with it just weeks away, people are bracing for and eagerly awaiting Christmas shopping. Malls are starting to get packed and traffic, especially around shopping centers, has turned for the worse.

Buying online isn’t only more convenient, it often is cheaper. With online retailers not needing to spend huge amounts of money to set up physical stores, they are able to offer items at prices way below what are available in brick-and-mortar shops. As an example, I got a genuine Sony Smartwatch 3 Android Wear watch for about P4,000 less than what it was selling for in the official shop here in Cebu.

There are shops like Lazada that allow you to pay on delivery. When this is available as an option, I’d choose this. But other sites and sellers, even those offering items in Lazada, do not allow COD and require payments upfront.

Convenient way to pay online

For these sites and vendors, you will need a credit or debit card. If you don’t have one, there’s a convenient way to pay online without applying for a card: install the PayMaya app. Even if you already have a card, PayMaya still offers a more convenient way to pay.

Opening an account is easy. You just download PayMaya from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and set up your account, which is linked to your phone number. You will then have a virtual card that you can use to pay for purchases in all sites that accept Visa. You can also buy a physical PayMaya card for P150 that you can then use in stores.

PAYMENT CONVENIENCE. Whether shopping online or spending during travels, PayMaya offers a convenient solution.

Easy to load cash

Loading your card is just as convenient, you can do it in 7-11. To load cash, you just enter the phone number linked to your PayMaya account in the store’s Cliq machine, indicate the amount of money you want to load and then pay at the cashier. Other places where you can load up your PayMaya are Ministop via the Touchpay kiosk, Robinsons Department Store, BDO, Smart Money, and Smart Padala.

My wife and I have been using PayMaya for several months now and find it a more convenient way to pay for purchases and bills. Our arrangement is for her to use her PayMaya account for household expenses while I use mine for business-related spending like website hosting and other digital services.

Here’s why PayMaya works for us:

1) Easy loading of cash. With the ability to load in 7-11 stores, PayMaya makes it accessible and convenient for its users to add cash to their accounts. Except for a stretch of a few days some weeks back when 7-11 stores were often offline, our experience has been hassle-free.

2) Deals and promos. It’s cheaper to load phone credits on PayMaya. To load P500, for example, you only need to pay P477.50. It’s also easy to send the load to any account because the app is connected to your phonebook: you just choose an amount or package and then pick the phonebook contact and the load is sent to him or her.

PayMaya also offers exclusive promos like the one it is currently running with Uber: first-time Uber riders in Cebu will get P150 off in each of their first two rides if they use PayMaya and the promo code: PAYMAYACEBU.

3) App convenience. Since transactions are done on the app, it’s more convenient to manage and use. The PayMaya app, for example, provides a record of your purchases that is accessible at any time. This helps in verification and in guilt-tripping to cut down your spending.

4) Utility bills payment. Billers are starting to accept payment through PayMaya. In our case, for example, we now pay PLDT through the app and not have to line up either at its crowded office in Mactan or in an authorized payment center in any of the also-crowded malls in the metro. The company said it was looking to add more billers.

5) Travel convenience. You can save up ahead for your travel expense, load it on the card and then use it to pay when you are on your trip. When you pay using a debit card like PayMaya, you already settle the intricacies of currency conversion and know how much you will actually end up paying in Philippine pesos. (See related story: My PayMaya experience: Sticking to a budget in Hong Kong)

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Business Entrepreneurship Feature Tech

Smart Padala expands network, offers business opportunities

Marlen Limpag

October 27, 2016 11:43 pm October 27, 2016

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As it extends the reach of money remittances to far-flung areas, Smart Padala seeks to provide entrepreneurship opportunities to small store owners. Lawrence Ferrer, vice president and head of domestic…

As it extends the reach of money remittances to far-flung areas, Smart Padala seeks to provide entrepreneurship opportunities to small store owners.

Lawrence Ferrer, vice president and head of domestic business at PayMaya Philippines, called on Cebuanos to put up their own Smart Padala centers and earn extra income in the process.

“We believe that entrepreneurship is a great equalizer. Having a negosyo, no matter how simple, enables families and communities to achieve an improved quality of life,” he added.

Becoming a Smart Padala ka-partner is easy, said head of domestic remittance business Butch Conejos.

EARN EXTRA. Lawrence Ferrer, vice president and head of domestic business at PayMaya Philippines, calls on Cebuanos to put up their own Smart Padala centers and earn extra income.

Smart Padala business

“You don’t need sophisticated equipment. Even if you only have a legacy phone and Smart SIM card, you can already start a Smart Padala business,” he cited. A Smart remittance center will also require a small capitalization of between P5,00 to P10,000 and a physical store, such as a sari-sari outlet.

John Lois Inoc, who once dreamt of holding a P1,000 bill in his hand, now has a lucrative Smart Padala center and a travel agency.

On a good month, Inoc said he earns between P30,000 to P50,000 from his remittance center in Talisay City. Inoc has been running a Smart Padala Center for six years and also owns the Jicon Travel and Tours Agency.

Partners needed

The unique thing about the Philippines, said Conejos, is it’s geographically dispersed.

“Napakarami nating isla. (We are made up of several islands.) Many who work in cities have families in the provinces. A big percentage also works abroad. They all send money to their families,” he said, citing this is why remittance centers are needed.

Unlike the big names that dominate the money sending business, the Smart Padala of Paymaya Philippines is an open network and welcomes partners. Paymaya Philippines is the digital financial services unit of PLDT and Smart Communications. The requirements to becoming a Smart Padala center are simple and no processing fees are needed, according to Ferrer.

EASY TO START. Butch Conejos, Smart Padala head of domestic remittance business, says becoming a Smart Padala ka-partner is easy and does not require sophisticated equipment.

Complementary services

He added that aside from remittance revenues, Smart Padala Ka-partners can also earn from complementary services like selling telco load, loading up of PayMaya and Smart Money accounts, and facilitating bills payment.

Many successful entrepreneurs start small but think big, said Carlo Calimon, a Go Negosyo Angelpreneur and a PLDT SME Be The Boss Awardee.

“You do not need to have a large sum of starting capital. All you need to have is a keen eye to spot opportunities and the grit and determination to turn them into negosyo ideas,” added Calimon, a founder of various ventures. The Smart Padala, according to him, is one negosyo that has high potential but is easy to set up and sustain.

SMART PADALA PARTNERS. Officials of Smart Padala, PayMaya and Smart Communications. Inc. with 3 of their partners during the media event in Cebu. In the photo are: (from left) Mervin Wenke of PayMaya, Butch Conejos, Lawrence Ferrer, Smart public affairs senior manager for Vis-Min Atty. Maria Jane C. Paredes, 3 local Smart Padala partners including John Lois Inoc (3rd from right), PLDT SME Be the Boss awardee Carlo Calimon, and Nick Wilwayco.

Pamaskong Padalow

Conejos said they will soon incorporate international remittance in Smart Padala. He added that the Visayas still needs more coverage when it comes to remittance centers, and that they plan to add 1,500 to 2,000 more to the existing 15,000 Smart Padala touch points all over the country

For the Christmas season, Smart Padala introduces an early treat called Pamaskong Padalow to Filipino families and hardworking breadwinners. It allows consumers to enjoy lower remittance fees up to December 2016.

Nick Wilwayco, PR and communications head of Voyager Innovations and Paymaya, said that at first glance, the Smart Padala initiative might seem to be about solving remittances challenges especially in unserved areas. She added that it also about giving people access to the digital economy.

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Tech

Enjoy the Pokemon GO craze with freenet, PayMaya

Press Release

July 21, 2016 2:02 pm July 21, 2016

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Filipinos keenly anticipating the launch of Pokemon GO can now stay updated on the upcoming release of the game in the Philippines and fully enjoy the game when it launches…

Filipinos keenly anticipating the launch of Pokemon GO can now stay updated on the upcoming release of the game in the Philippines and fully enjoy the game when it launches with the help of freenet and PayMaya.

Now a certified worldwide phenomenon, Pokemon GO is a location-based mobile game developed by Niantic Labs in partnership with Nintendo affiliate The Pokemon Company. The mobile game allows players to catch Pokemon or “pocket monsters” as if in real life using the GPS and camera of their smartphones.

The game is currently available in Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, and select European countries. It has yet to launch in any Asian country, including Japan where the original Pokemon game originated.

Get Pokemon GO updates with freenet

Those who want to stay updated on news about the upcoming release of the game in the Philippines may now download the freenet app on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Through freenet, Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers will be able to read the latest news and social media feeds from the local Pokemon GO community for free and with no data charges.

This is part of freenet’s mission to enable communities such as those who are eager to play Pokemon GO to stay active and participate in various activities and discussions through digital means.

This follows the successful livestreaming of President Rodrigo Duterte’s inauguration and the Gilas Pilipinas FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament games through freenet, which allowed Filipinos to be digitally present in these historic events even if they are not physically able to do so.

Purchase Pokecoins with PayMaya

Once the Pokemon GO app launches in the Philippines, players will be able to fully enjoy the game through in-app purchases with the help of PayMaya, the easiest way to pay online even without a credit card.

Players only have to download the PayMaya app on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, load up their accounts with at least P60 to cover the standard app store verification fee, and link their virtual VISA card to their app store accounts to be able to make in-app purchases for Pokecoins, the in-app currency used inside the Pokemon GO game.

With the help of Pokecoins, players will be able to purchase various items that will help them easily navigate the game, such as Pokeballs to catch Pokemon with, Pokemon eggs that allow them to “hatch” Pokemon, Potions to restore the health of their Pokemon, and Incense and Lure Modules that make it easy to attract wild Pokemon to their immediate vicinity.

In-app purchases are made more convenient with PayMaya as mobile game players can easily load up at any of the over 15,000 PayMaya reloading stations nationwide that include SM Malls Business Centers, Robinsons Department Stores, Bayad Centers, 7-Eleven stores with Cliqq kiosks, TouchPay Kiosks, and Smart Padala Centers, on top of online banking via BDO.

PayMaya physical card

Aside from the mobile app, PayMaya customers can also opt to have their own PayMaya physical prepaid card which can be used in brick-and-mortar stores worldwide that accept Visa. A variant also comes with its own beep™ wallet, allowing users to ride the MRT, LRT, some city buses and other beep-powered transportation for their daily commute, so they can easily explore the city in search of wild Pokemon.

Users who upgrade their PayMaya account can use their PayMaya for peer-to-peer money transfers and ATM withdrawals.

For more information about PayMaya and how users can get their own PayMaya card, visit www.paymaya.com. To know more about the free and fun way to connect through freenet, visit www.freenet.ph. (Press Release)

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Lifestyle On the go Tech

My PayMaya experience: Sticking to a budget in Hong Kong

Marlen Limpag

July 12, 2016 11:53 pm July 12, 2016

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Luck had me traveling to Hong Kong twice this year, one for a trip long planned since last year, the other for a complimentary hotel stay that had to be…

Luck had me traveling to Hong Kong twice this year, one for a trip long planned since last year, the other for a complimentary hotel stay that had to be availed of by May.

Foreign trips cost money and I was traveling with women friends in a shopping mecca that is Hong Kong. For that second trip last June, I realized I needed to carefully watch how much I spend.

It wasn’t easy but I managed to create a budget and stick to it, thanks in large part to my PayMaya Visa app and card. The PayMaya app, which comes with a Visa card, is a prepaid digital payment solution created by PayMaya Philippines, Inc. – the digital financial unit of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc.

Even before our trip, my PayMaya Visa app solved problems over how to pay for our AirBNB accommodations. Our apartment in the heart of Mong Kok was affordable but we ran up quite a total since our stay was for five nights. It would be an imposition to charge the whole amount to any of our credit cards so we each paid for our share and I deposited the amount in my PayMaya account and used it to pay for our stay.

PayMaya purchases

In Hong Kong, using PayMaya was easy breezy. I deposited my shopping budget for this trip in my PayMaya account and used my card to keep track of purchases. The PayMaya app gave me a real-time tally complete with the total cost in Hong Kong dollars and equivalent amount in Philippine peso plus my remaining balance.

One good thing about using PayMaya was that it pegged the conversion at the prevailing exchange rate of the Hong Kong dollar against the Philippine peso for that particular period.

Almost all establishments in Hong Kong, from convenience stores like 7-Eleven and souvenir stalls even in faraway Ngong Ping Village in Hong Kong’s Lantau Island to big retail outlets in malls, accept credit cards and PayMaya as well, since it is set up like one. The only difference is you need to have money in your PayMaya account to pay for your purchases and not rack up credit.

Some shops even recognize my PayMaya Visa card for the prepaid payment facility that it is. While many required my signature on the receipt, a few like the Starbucks at the check-in area of Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 2 didn’t see the need for it.

TRAVEL WITH PAYMAYA. Using the PayMaya app and card, I was able to create a travel budget and stick to it in a recent trip with friends to Hong Kong.

Payment notifications

I started using my PayMaya in February this year and loved the convenience of topping up through the Cliq machine at 7-Eleven. I input my mobile number and load amount at the machine and out comes a slip of paper that the cashier can scan. Immediately after paying, I get notification through SMS that a particular amount has been loaded to my PayMaya account. The whole process takes from 1 to 5 minutes depending on the line at the counter.

In Cebu and the rest of the Philippines, I’m also notified by SMS every time I make a purchase of my remaining balance since my PayMaya account is tied to my mobile number.

If I had set my phone to roaming in Hong Kong, I would have gotten the same text messages. Since I didn’t, I just access this information by logging on to my PayMaya app.

As someone who belongs to a digital publishing startup that can work anywhere from co-working spaces to cafes and coffee shops, my PayMaya has also become a convenient way to track daily personal and work-related expenses.

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Tech

You can now use PayMaya with Uber; promo offers 50% on first ride until July 10

Press Release

June 22, 2016 1:46 pm June 22, 2016

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Those without credit cards can now use transport service Uber via PayMaya, the pioneering and leading digital payments app in the Philippines. PayMaya Philippines (formerly Smart eMoney, Inc.), the digital financial services unit of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), recently announced a partnership with Uber that will allow more Filipinos to experience the ride sharing service even without a credit card.

This unique partnership in Southeast Asia will enable faster, more secure, and convenient cashless transactions for Uber. Through the partnership, consumers can now link their virtual PayMaya Visa account to their Uber account via the Uber app, so they can request for an Uber ride even without a credit card. Consumers just need to download the PayMaya app from Google Play or App Store and register to get a 16-digit PayMaya virtual Visa account that can immediately be topped up and used for digital transactions.

“Today, PayMaya has once again changed the game for digital payments by pioneering a unique partnership with Uber. Filipinos who do not have credit cards will now have a chance to experience Uber and the ease of cashless transportation. We’re excited to collaborate with the world’s leading ride-sharing service and support Uber’s mission of ‘making transportation as reliable as running water, everywhere, for everyone,’” said PayMaya Philippines president and CEO Orlando Vea.

PAYMAYA-UBER PARTNERSHIP. (From left) Benjie Fernandez, Co-COO of PayMaya Philippines and COO of Voyager Innovations; Laurence Cua, General Manager of Uber Philippines; Manuel Pangilinan Chairman of PLDT, Smart, and Voyager Innovations; Orlando Vea, President and CEO of Voyager Innovations during the announcement of the PayMaya-Uber partnership.

Reliable

Uber Philippines general manager Laurence Cua said, “PayMaya and Uber share the same vision of reliable services for all. For Uber, it’s reliable transportation everywhere, for everyone. For PayMaya, it’s digital payments made available for everyone, anywhere. Together, the synergies in payment and transportation will create an unparalleled commuting experience for users founded on convenience and reliability.”

Aside from the mobile app, PayMaya customers can also opt to have their own PayMaya physical prepaid card which can be used in brick-and-mortar stores worldwide that accept Visa. A variant also comes with its own beep wallet, allowing users to ride the MRT and LRT for their daily commute. Users who upgrade their PayMaya account can use their PayMaya for peer-to-peer money transfers and ATM withdrawals.

Going cashless with PayMaya

Ever since its launch in 2014, Filipinos have found Uber to be an innovative transport alternative, even if credit card penetration remains at a low 7 percent of the population, according to the Credit Card Association of the Philippines. While Uber has been accepting cash transactions since late 2015, the partnership with PayMaya today will allow consumers to enjoy the digital convenience that both services offer.

Cashless transactions are more convenient since paying through cash causes delays for both riders and Uber drivers. It also eliminates the security risk of cash handling for Uber partner drivers. Consumers who use PayMaya have more control over their expenses compared to credit card holders. A text message of the transaction is automatically sent to the user’s mobile number upon end of trip. The latest transaction history can be viewed on the PayMaya app for easier expense tracking.

Loading up a PayMaya account is also convenient as it can be topped up at any of the over 15,000 PayMaya reloading stations nationwide that include SM Malls Business Centers, Robinsons Malls Business Centers, Bayad Centers, 7-Eleven stores with Cliqq kiosks, TouchPay Kiosks, and Smart Padala Centers, on top of online banking via BDO.

50% off on first ride

As a special promo for PayMaya users, who take their first Uber trip from June 10 to July 10, 2016 will get 50% off on their ride when they use the promo code PAYMAYAxUBER. The promo is valid for both Black Car and UberX rides (Metro Manila and Cebu only). To avail of the promo, PayMaya users just need to have at least Php300 in their account.

PayMaya is powered by Visa and regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ensure all user transactions are secure. Aside from being the first non-financial institution in Asia to be granted by Visa with an issuing and acquiring license, PayMaya Philippines also counts MasterCard as its partner giving it the unique opportunity to offer both Visa and MasterCard products.

For more information about PayMaya and how users can get their own PayMaya card, visit www.paymaya.com. Talk to us on social media: facebook.com/PayMayaOfficial, twitter.com/paymayaofficial, and instagram.com/paymaya_official. (Press release)

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Business

OWWA enables closer family connections with Smart Money MasterCard

MyCebu Partners

December 24, 2015 11:20 am December 24, 2015

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With the Smart Money MasterCard, dependents of OFWs can receive cash remittances from family abroad straight to their Smart Money account. When the account is linked to a mobile phone, the easier it is to monitor remittances; dependents can even perform various financial transactions simply via SMS.

For most families of overseas Filipino workers, the process of receiving money from abroad has not changed much. Whenever a loved one sends you money from overseas, you need to go to a facility where you can collect the cash physically. You then have to line up and go through various steps prior to the transaction itself.

PayMaya Philippines (formerly Smart eMoney, Inc.) now offers families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) a better way. Through a partnership with the government agency Overseas Workers Welfare Agency (OWWA), families can now accept remittances conveniently through the Smart Money MasterCard.

Smart Money MasterCard

Lawrence Ferrer, Vice President of PayMaya Philippines, said the partnership helps the families of OFWs in very tangible ways.

“Getting to your nearest collection facility is not free. You have to pay for gasoline if you’re driving, or a fare – and sometimes, multiple fares if the trip is long – to get there. By saving beneficiaries the cost of this journey, we essentially enable OFWs to give more of their money – money that they’ve worked long and hard for, of course – to go straight to their loved ones,” he said.

SMART MONEY MASTERCARD. (From left) Tisha Quinito, Manager, PayMaya Philippines; Josefino I. Torres, OWWA Deputy Administrator; Lawrence Ferrer, Vice President, PayMaya Philippines; and Emma Sinclair, OWWA Regional Welfare Office Director.

Helping OFWs

Emma Sinclair, OWWA Regional Welfare Office Director, said Smart Money could not have come at a better time.

“While Filipinos love the holiday season, it can still be a stressful time. The last thing we need are multiple trips to a collection facility to get remittance from your loved ones. We would like to acknowledge Smart Money and the role that they are taking to help our OFWs and their loved ones,” she said.

The families of OFWs are also excited. Rebecca Tubongbanua, who is 54 years old, has a processed food business with her husband Nestor Tubongbanua, a seaman of 35 years.

“Maganda ito dahil importante ang pinapadala sa amin, ginagamit namin sa business,” she said.

For families of OFWs like Rebecca, indeed, remittance is part of their family’s lifeline and being enabled with Smart Money can help them keep the ties even closer.

PayMaya Philippines is the pioneer and leader in mobile money and digital financial services, with over 15 years of experience innovating on products and services across market segments and catering to the financial transaction requirements of the banked and unbanked. Together with Voyager Innovations, PayMaya Philippines forms the digital innovations unit of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc.

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Lifestyle

Tips to make the most of Zalora 12.12 Online Fever Sale

MyCebu Partners

December 12, 2015 12:28 am December 12, 2015

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With discounts of up to 80% on both international and local brands, Zalora’s biggest sale dubbed the 12.12 Online Fever will make your holiday shopping easier and much more affordable. Zalora 12.12 Online Fever offers exclusive deals only today, December 12.

To make the most of the sale, here are some tips:

1. Free up your load from data charges when shopping on Zalora

We’ve all been there, one minute you’re casually browsing through the Internet and the next thing you know, you don’t have prepaid load anymore. Now, you can shop ‘til you drop and enjoy the perks of the 12.12 Online Fever worry-free with SafeZone. Fueled by Voyager Innovations, SafeZone lets you browse your favorite brand sites like Zalora, absolutely free of data charge.

Just go to www.safezone.ph, register, access Zalora.com.ph and shop away. Choose your next fashionable ensemble from over 1,000 local and international brands on Zalora. You can even shop for your holiday gifts and have it delivered right at your doorstep.

Safezone is available for Smart and Sun subscribers. Just visit the SafeZone site for more details.

2. Get exclusive discounts on your dream gadget

If you are looking to purchase the gadget of your dreams, you might want to check Takatack.com, one of the many participating e-tailers of the 12.12 Online Fever Sale. Get 20% discount on all electronic products via Takatack – from smartphones to tablets to cameras, with no required minimum purchase. All you need to do is click through the Takatack link on www.zalora.com.ph/online-fever-partners, select the gadget you want to buy, and use the voucher code ALLHERE upon check out.

Also from Voyager Innovations, Takatack is the biggest online marketplace in the country, housing more than 500,000 goods that you can easily discover from merchants including Zalora.

SHOP ONLINE EVEN WITHOUT A CREDIT CARD. With PayMaya, you can shop online in sites like Zalora even without a credit card.

3. Shop online without a credit card with PayMaya

Shopping on Zalora – and any other stores online – without a credit card is made possible with PayMaya, now the no. 1 most downloaded finance tech mobile app in Google Play.

PayMaya is your ultimate all-in-one mobile app that provides you with an instant virtual Visa card which you can use for your online transactions. You don’t need to go through long applications, just download, register and you get your own virtual Visa card – regardless of your mobile network.

Add to that the physical PayMaya Visa card that you can use in face-to-face transactions in any store that accepts Visa. If you get the PayMaya Visa Card with beep, you can use that card variant for tapping at LRT / MRT stations. You can also opt to upgrade your account so you can transfer money and buy airtime load from Smart with a discount.

To get your own PayMaya virtual Visa card right now, download the PayMaya mobile app at Google Play (Android) and App Store (iOS), register, reload at any of the 15,000 PayMaya centers and shop away. Check out www.paymaya.com for more details.

Zalora 12.12 Online Fever Bonus Tips

Takatack is giving away P50 credits to new PayMaya users. Follow the instructions above on how to download PayMaya and enjoy this little treat from Takatack!

Use PayMaya to pay for your Zalora purchases today, December 12, and you will get an additional 15% off from your total purchase! Use code “1212PAYMAYA”. Visit zlrph.com/paymaya1212 to learn more.

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