Meet Zoi Lifestyle, the app that conveniently connects you to your go-to salons, spas, and skincare clinics

“Because of the pandemic, many Filipinos, including myself, had no choice but to book appointments to get a haircut, a facial, or other services. However, many establishments in the beauty and wellness industry are not able to respond to customer queries. This is how we conceived Zoi, which has made it far easier and much more convenient for clients to book their haircuts and other beauty and wellness needs, all by using this app. The beauty and wellness industry took a major hit since the pandemic began in the country. Salons, spas, skin clinics, and barbershops were the first establishments mandated to close and the last ones to re-open, leading owners to either forego employees, scale down operations, or even shut down permanently. Our plan is to onboard more partners to enlist their businesses in the app so that people can have access to all their beauty and wellness needs at their fingertips. Currently, we have partners from all over Metro Manila but in the future, we plan to expand to other major cities in the Philippines like Cebu and Davao as well.” ~Patrick Victoria, Founder of Zoi Lifestyle App

Meet Zoi Lifestyle, the app that conveniently connects you to your go-to salons, spas, and skincare clinics

Zoi Lifestyle App New Beauty and Wellness Booking App. Zoi is derived from the Greek word meaning “Life”. It aims to ease the access of our everyday Filipino citizens to essential lifestyle services by providing safety, security, and convenience.

The pandemic has certainly made us reliant on digital platforms more than ever. In the past year, most of us have been doing day-to-day tasks such as working or schooling, grocery shopping, and banking through convenient apps and online services.  

Although trips to our go-to salons, barbershops, spas, or wellness clinics were not prioritized as much due to safety protocols, we can all agree that practicing self-care is also necessary especially at a time when mental and physical wellness is very important. This need is what led to the development of the Zoi Lifestyle App. Zoi Lifestyle is a new online mobile application that allows users to book appointments hassle-free with their favorite go-to salons, spas, skincare clinics, and the like. 

If you’ve tried setting up appointments with salons, spas, or even skincare clinics, you probably know how frustratingly difficult it can get. Phone calls are not picked up, text messages go unanswered, direct messages on social media are seen-zoned but ignored. Thankfully, all that is a thing of the past with the Zoi Lifestyle app.

 

An online app that lets you book appointments with salons, spas, skincare clinics,, and the like, Zoi aims to do for the wellness industry what the likes of FoodPanda and Grab have done for the restaurant sector. Through its online booking service, it aims to help businesses in the beauty and wellness industry by providing them with a platform to reach clients, while at the same time allowing them to manage the flow of clients, in keeping with government rules to limit the number of people at a given time. Payments are also done through the app, which makes contactless payment possible. 

Meet Zoi Lifestyle, the app that conveniently connects you to your go-to salons, spas, and skincare clinics

Meet Zoi Lifestyle, the app that conveniently connects you to your go-to salons, spas, and skincare clinics

Meet Zoi Lifestyle, the app that conveniently connects you to your go-to salons, spas, and skincare clinics

Meet Zoi Lifestyle, the app that conveniently connects you to your go-to salons, spas, and skincare clinics

Meet Zoi Lifestyle, the app that conveniently connects you to your go-to salons, spas, and skincare clinics

For clients, Zoi offers them the conveniences of online booking and cashless transactions, while ensuring they get the services they want. Through the app, you will be notified that your booking has been accepted or rejected. Once accepted, you can visit the salon or clinic on your chosen date and time to have your service. 

Mr. Patrick Victoria, Founder & CEO of Zoi Lifestyle App

With Zoi's mobile application, anyone can now book appointments with salons, spas, and skincare clinics alike. As of today, Zoi has partnered with Cut by Encarnacion, Danna's Beauty Salon and Spa, Skinnovate Skin Care, Salon De Laurel, Royal Aesthetics, Lush, and Luxe Nail Lounge, and Dr. Claudine Ramos Dermatology. 

Through the Zoi Lifestyle App, beauty and wellness providers will have an additional platform to reach clients and increase their digital presence as they slowly return to their normal operations and adapt to the impacts of the pandemic.

Not only is it convenient for users but it also aims to help businesses in the beauty and wellness industry to recover by providing them a platform to serve and reach more customers while at the same time allowing them to manage the flow of clients, in keeping with the mandated health and safety protocols. Indeed, life can be much easier with technology on your side. Support and download Zoi through the Google Playstore.

Hospitality 2.0:Hotel Sogo’s Innovation in Post-Covid-19

“We promise to protect our staff and our guests who will visit our hotels, we are ready for new normal and this is a long-term commitment. This virus won’t stop each of us to create wonderful memories with our loved ones. Together, let us enjoy our stay in Hotel Sogo.” ~Mr. Reynaldo Malaca, Hotel Sogo CEO 

Hospitality 2.0:Hotel Sogo’s Innovation in Post-Covid-19

Truly, this CoVid-19 pandemic shook the hotel industry really hard, and turned many hotel businesses upside down, especially here in the Philippines. The world is facing an economic, health, and social crisis due to Coronavirus (CoVid-19), which is identified as an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person. 

As we all know the hotel industry is designed to operate and accept guests 24/7. But because of this pandemic, travel restrictions were put in place to control the further spread of the virus. 

In line with that, Hotel Sogo, the largest hotel chain in the Philippines, utilized this pandemic as an opportunity for innovation.  Hotel Sogo unveiled new measures to re-establish confidence in the hotel industry as they adapt to the “new normal” state. 

Innovation as its finest.

As part of their “So Clean, So Good, So Safe” campaign under its Sogo So Safe Program, concrete ways were made to increase its cleanliness standards to meet the new health and safety challenges brought on by this pandemic.

Take a look at their innovation during this post CoVid-19 giving their patrons a So Clean, So Good, So Safe stay.

Anti-Microbial Copper Films

To increase everyone’s safety, Hotel Sogo installed Microbial Copper infrequently touched surfaces of the hotel.

Hospitality 2.0:Hotel Sogo’s Innovation in Post-Covid-19

3M Filtrete™ Electrostatic Air Filters in All Rooms

Sogo started installing 3M Filtrete™ 3-in-1 Technology Aircon Filters in all rooms to augment its regular aircon filters. These are made with permanently-charged electrostatic fibers that remove Microparticle pollutants that include fine dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, bacteria, and viruses, resulting in cleaner air. 

UVC Disinfection

Hotel Sogo is also implementing ultraviolet light technology for sanitizing cash registers, keycard cases, elevator buttons, and its ceiling, room door handles, as well as in food preparation for enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes.

Hospitality 2.0:Hotel Sogo’s Innovation in Post-Covid-19

With the use of UVC-light for disinfection, you are safe to stay at any Hotel Sogo branches as UVC cleans 99.99% of harmful pathogens, bacteria, and viruses in seconds.

No-Contact Hotel Features

As we develop more changes this new normal, Hotel Sogo has innovated all its branches in having no-contact facilities like a contactless thermal detector,  automatic doors, and developed the use of SaniKey for door handles, elevators buttons, and ATMs to lessen contact points and reduce the risk of virus transmission.

Microbial testing

Hotel Sogo makes sure that cleaning is accurate and effectively sanitized which gives proven results in just minutes.

Hotel Sogo continuously vows to protect and provide excellent accommodation despite the CoVid-19 danger. 

To find out more about Hotel Sogo, visit its website at www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and Youtube.

So Clean…So Good…So Safe!

Experience another level of convenience with OPPO door-to-door service

“OPPO is always finding ways to cater to the needs of our smartphone users. Our latest Door-to-Door service is part of our commitment to give OPPO users the best after-sales service that we can offer especially during this trying time by bringing safety and convenience to their doorstep.” ~Mr. Aaron Guevarra, Assistant AfterSales Director of OPPO Philippines

OPPO is now offering door-to-door services

These days, a reliable smartphone is essential to easily connect with loved ones, binge-watch your favorite series, or play mobile games. A simple tiny crack on your screen or even a battery life slowly declining can affect your smartphone experience and cause inconvenience. When things go wrong with your OPPO phone, you want a repair service that’s hassle-free and safe especially in the time of pandemics.

OPPO Philippines is now offering a door-to-door repairs service that’s hassle-free and safe especially in the time of the pandemic. All OPPO smartphone users in National Capital Region (NCR) can avail of the free door-to-door delivery repair service to/from SM Manila, SM North, Novaliches, Alabang, Ayala Manila Bay, and Marikina Service Centers.

OPPO recognizes this emerging need, and thus, launched its Door-to-Door Service. All OPPO smartphone users in National Capital Region (NCR) can avail of the free door-to-door delivery repair service to/from:

• SM Manila
• SM North
• Novaliches
• Alabang
• Ayala Manila Bay
• Marikina Service Centers

For more details, check out OPPO’s official website or https://support.oppo.com/ph/service-center/ to check for the Metro Manila Service Center nearest you and make sure to call or message the Facebook messenger of the nearest service center to you. Once confirmed, an OPPO representative will then proceed to collect, repair, and return your gadget, assisting you throughout the whole process.

To know more about the latest updates of OPPO, visit the official website or the official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.

 

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 4 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Center in London. More than 40,000 of OPPO's employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Picture Life Together with the new OPPO Reno 5

“We are thrilled to officially introduce the new OPPO Reno5 4G and Reno5 5G in February. With the steady growth of 5G in the country and our cutting-edge camera technologies, we promise to equip young Filipinos with a Reno smartphone that can inspire them more to creatively #PictureLifeTogether with friends and family in this highly digital-driven lifestyle.” ~Raymond Xia, OPPO Philippines Marketing Director

OPPO Reno 5

Introducing a breakthrough smartphone advancement for the best smartphone videography experience.

OPPO is set to launch the much-awaited ultimate smartphone videography powerhouse, the OPPO Reno5 4G and Reno5 5G this February 2021. OPPO Reno5’s latest camera technologies will allow you to picture a life together better with your family and loved ones. 

OPPO Reno 5

A phone that adapts to your ever-changing lifestyle

In facing the new demands brought by the 5G era, and in keeping with the Reno series’ long-standing pursuit of providing a superior video and photo experience, OPPO has developed a more advanced and more comprehensive imaging system on the new Reno5 4G and Reno5 5G – the OPPO Full Dimension Fusion (FDF) Portrait Video System. Based on top-end imaging hardware, innovative image processing algorithms, and user-centric software, the OPPO FDF Portrait Video System caters to the diverse video creation needs of users in almost any situation, empowering them to capture the joy of life in every moment with easy-to-create professional-quality video content. 

OPPO Reno 5

Picture Life Together with Friends

OPPO’s consumer research has shown that the core need for consumers is the ability to capture clear videos in any situation, and in a way that expresses their own unique style. At the same time, they want this process to be simple and easy to use.

OPPO believes the best way to solve this consumer need is through the perfect integration of imaging hardware and software. The all-new OPPO Full Dimension Fusion Portrait Video System works on the basis of top-end imaging hardware in tandem with flexible, intelligent software, together with OPPO’s extensive expertise in portrait scene detection and portrait feature design. The result is a world-class portrait video experience for users on the new OPPO Reno5 4G and Reno5 5G.

OPPO Reno 5

A camera perfect for every moment

The Reno5 4G and Reno5 5G boasts the OPPO FDF Portrait Video System which guarantees clear images in any scenario, whether that be a day, night, in strong backlight, while in motion or while standing still. It also ensures the portrait subjects and the background are clearly and naturally defined.

 

OPPO’s original, industry-leading AI Highlight Video now uses new generation technology which is capable of detecting light levels in a scene, and intelligently and optimally adjusts brightness, color and clarity in videos resulting in a smooth video from frame to frame, vibrant colors, and reduces noise. This is the first time OPPO has united Ultra Night Video and Live HDR under one feature, which is available on both the front and rear cameras of both devices. 

OPPO has also included a host of features such as AI Color Portrait (except Reno5 5G), Monochrome Video, AI Mixed Portrait (only available on Reno5 4G), and more which gives users the power to create content with deeper and more creative stories. The phone’s FDF Portrait Video System also includes the Portrait Perception Engine to let users shoot in their style. 

 

Other camera features include the Scene Design Manager which analyzes different scenarios to give the user high-quality images wherever they are and Portrait Recognition which instantly recognizes the portrait subject in the image and separates them from the image background. In addition to facial recognition, it can also detect and track moving human bodies within a video and extract these portrait subjects with precision from even the most complex backgrounds so you can still be the highlight of a shot even if you’re in a busy environment. 

From beginning to end, the Reno5 4G and Reno5 5G are the new additions to OPPO’s powerful technology to simplify the complicated task of video capture, editing, and sharing off of users’ hands, leaving them with a simple-yet-professional means to record and create their own stories. 

For more information about the latest OPPO Reno5 4G, Reno5 5G, and all of OPPO’s exclusive deals, visit the official website at www.oppo.com/ph or via the official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since launching its first smartphone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology, Today, OPPO provides customers with a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series, ColorOS operating system, as well as internet services such as OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 research institutes and 4 R&D centers worldwide, and an international design center in London, OPPO’s more than 40,000 employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Top Up and Transfer for a Chance to Win ₱10,000 at the ShopeePay Cashless Festival

“With the launch of our inaugural ShopeePay Cashless Festival, Shopee encourages more consumers to adopt digital payments for a safer, more rewarding, and seamless shopping experience. Filipinos are slowly embracing a more cashless lifestyle, and Shopee is excited to be at the forefront of this evolution. We remain committed to providing easy access to a wide range of digital payment options such as ShopeePay to cater to Filipinos’ evolving needs.” ~Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines

Top Up and Transfer for a Chance to Win ₱10,000 at the ShopeePay Cashless Festival

ShopeePay users can also redeem exclusive rewards such as free shipping, coins cashback, and more this January 21-28, 2021. ShopeePay, an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services, launches its first-ever ShopeePay Cashless Festival this January 21-28, 2021. ShopeePay users can enjoy free shipping,  coins cashback, a chance to win ₱10,000, and more exclusive rewards during the promo period.

Key highlights of the ShopeePay Cashless Festival:

From January 21-28, ShopeePay users can redeem these deals and rewards when they activate and top up their e-wallet:

• Free shipping: During the promo period, users who activate their ShopeePay wallets for the first time can enjoy a free shipping voucher with no minimum spend. New free shipping vouchers with a minimum spend of ₱149 will also be released daily. 
• Coins cashback from participating shops: Shoppers can look forward to 20% coins cashback on categories such as gadgets, home and living, mom essentials, and sports and motors. 
• Bills payment coins cashback: From January 21-27, ShopeePay users get 15% cashback capped at 120 coins when they pay their bills with a minimum spend of ₱800. On January 28, they can get 20% cashback capped at 160 coins with a minimum spend of ₱800.
• Deals Near Me: ShopeePay users get to enjoy ₱1 deals, up to 50% off on e-vouchers, and up to 15% coins cashback capped at 60 coins.
• Flash deals on mobile load and data: Throughout the week, shoppers can buy ₱100 worth of load/data for only ₱90. On January 25 and 28, users should be on the lookout for flash deals such as ₱10 load/data for ₱6, ₱15 load/data for ₱9, and ₱20 load/data for ₱12.
• Grand prize worth ₱10,000: There are two ways to win ₱10,000: users simply have to either top-up at least ₱300, or transfer ₱1. All users can also get rewards in the form of Shopee coins or vouchers.
• Play & Win on Shopee Live: Score up to ₱20,000 worth of ShopeePay credits by joining Play & Win ShopeePay Edition on weekdays, every 5:00-6:30 PM.
• Tutok to Win: All successful callers on Wowowin’s Tutok to Win will receive ShopeePay credits worth ₱5,000 each, on top of the usual cash prize of ₱20,000.

For more information on the ShopeePay Cashless Festival, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support. Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.

Shopee has a wide selection of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.

Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Greater Southeast Asia. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.

About ShopeePay

ShopeePay is an integrated mobile wallet that offers users easy access to digital payment services. Launched in the Philippines in 2019, ShopeePay enables a seamless shopping experience by allowing users to make online payments on Shopee, top-up their wallets, and transfer and withdraw funds.

ShopeePay makes it easier to shop and do business. It provides users with a convenient, secure, and rewarding payment option; it empowers businesses and helps them capture new opportunities. 

ShopeePay is part of SeaMoney, the digital financial services arm of Sea Group. A leading digital payments and financial services provider in Southeast Asia, SeaMoney’s mission is to better the lives of individuals and businesses in the region with financial services through technology.

Smile Train launches special edition beep™ cards featuring Celebrity Smile Makers

“We are excited to be able to contribute to this noble cause and to be of assistance to children with cleft. During these uncertain times, they continue to need special care and assistance. We are grateful that Smile Train has chosen to partner with us and provide us this opportunity to help out and provide cards that bring a message of hope.” ~Sharon G. Fong, Chief Commercial Officer of AF Payments Inc. 

Smile Train launches special edition beep™ cards featuring Celebrity Smile Makers

Smile Train Philippines, AF Payments Inc. partner to champion kids with a cleft through limited edition Smile Train beep™ cards featuring ambassadors. To sustain its goal to provide children with cleft with the urgent support and care they need, special edition (Marian Rivera, Catriona Gray, Megan Young) Smile Train beep™ cards will be introduced and made available at various MRT, LRT, and bus stations in NCR. The joint venture between Ayala Group and First Pacific Group behind the contactless smart card, beep™. 

Smile Train’s series of special edition beep™ cards will feature celebrity goodwill ambassadors.

“Naging part kami ni Dingdong [Dantes] ng 30,000th cleft surgery celebration sa San Fernandino Hospital in 2014, at doon ako unang naging saksi sa life-changing work ng Smile Train. Inspired ako by their story so ngayon I make sure to help as much as I can and spread awareness para mas maraming tao pa ang mabigyan ng libreng operasyon at other services for children with cleft.” [Dingdong [Dantes] and I were part of the 30,000th cleft surgery celebration at San Fernandino Hospital’s in 2014, and there, I was able to witness Smile Train’s life-changing work. I was inspired by them and moved to do my part in raising awareness for Smile Train to reach more children with cleft and provide them with free operations and services.”] ~Marian Rivera-Dantes, Celebrity Goodwill Ambassador, Actress, and Model

The August launch of the first in the series of special edition Smile Train beep™ cards coincide with the birthday month of Marian Rivera-Dantes. Rivera-Dantes has been an avid supporter of the cause and has been known to mobilize her clout to further push for advocacies she espouses. The actress previously celebrated her birthday by coming up with her own fundraising efforts and donating half a million pesos to Smile Train Philippines gained through sales of limited edition shirts in partnership with one of the Filipino brands she endorses.

Other celebrities featured on the special edition Smile Train beep™ cards include Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Miss World Philippines 2013 Megan Young. Catriona and Megan have continued to support Smile Train Philippines as they raise awareness for the charity’s efforts in empowering local medical professionals to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care. A lot must be done for the 540 babies around the world born every day with a cleft, a serious health condition with potentially life-threatening complications such as difficulty in eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking.

Smile Train launches special edition beep™ cards featuring Celebrity Smile Makers

With thousands of Filipinos using them for everyday needs, especially for transportation, the charity sees this as an effective way to convey the message that help is at hand for those children in need of cleft lip and palate surgery or care. Smile Train hopes that whenever Filipino commuters encounter a child who needs help, they can simply refer to their beep™ cards to get the contact details of Smile Train.

More than 4,000 children are born with a cleft lip or palate annually in the Philippines, all of whom can greatly benefit from surgery and comprehensive cleft lip and palate care. Through its sustainable model, Smile Train has supported more than 1.5 million cleft palate surgeries in the Philippines since 1999. With the support of partners such as AFPI, Smile Train is confident that it can bring a smile to the lives of more Filipino children in the years to come.

For more information about Smile Train Philippines’ local efforts and to refer a patient in need, visit smiletrain.ph/get-help, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram, and like them on Facebook.

To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.ph. For more information about Smile Train’s work in the Philippines, please contact philippines@smiletrain.org.

About Smile Train
Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive.

 

PBB Housemates undergo COVID-19 Testing with Maxicare's LAB on Wheels

“The goal is to limit unnecessary contact and exposure. Each housemate entered the testing room one by one then they went to their respective rooms as soon as the tests were done. For maximum protection, all housemates were required to wear face masks and face shields.” ~Maxicare staff member who facilitated the testing process

Maxicare LAB on Wheels successfully conducted Antigen Testing for the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemates.

To ensure that housemates for the new season of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) are all safe from COVID-19, Maxicare LAB on Wheels successfully conducted Antigen Testing for all members of the House, as part of the show’s health protocols.

Being the first PBB season to be held under the new normal, auditions were held online, and safety measures were strictly observed before entering the house. These include medical, psychological, and COVID-19 testing.

Adhering to Maxicare’s stringent health standards, the Antigen Tests were administered by PPE-geared registered medical technologists and nurses.

PBB Housemates Chico Alicano, during the antigen testing as part of the show’s health protocols prior to the premiere of its new season.

The tests were made possible through Maxicare LAB on Wheels, Maxicare’s fully equipped mobile health vans for COVID-19 (Roche Antibody Test, Antigen Test, and RTPCR Test), and routine blood testing. Now, patients no longer have to wade through the traffic or wait in crowded rooms for hours. Maxicare would be the one who will come and visit the preferred location within Metro Manila, ensuring that the group meets the entire minimum requirement.

  

Each mobile health van has a testing capacity of up to 100 people per day. Maxicare LAB on Wheels also offers access to Telemedicine video consultation, uses an electronic medical record system, and sends the results via email.

PBB Housemates Jie-Ann Armero, during the antigen testing as part of the show’s health protocols prior to the premiere of its new season.

Just like how Maxicare took care of the PBB housemates, it aims to reach more Filipinos so they can live their best lives wherever they are.    

The entire process, from testing to releasing of results, took only around 2 hours.

Want to book Maxicare LAB on Wheels? You may contact your Maxicare Health Benefit Executive or Maxicare Business Development Manager! We’ll attend to you right away if the activity or your company qualifies. For other inquiries, you may email Maxicare at customercare@maxicare.com.ph.