GCash, the country’s no.1 mobile wallet app, reminded users to exercise more caution and vigilance as various online scams continue to proliferate.

Customers must watch out for “Account Takeover” wherein log-in details are compromised due to phishing scams. Scammers often use fake social media accounts and pretend to be a GCash agent offering to solve their tickets or concerns with their GCash wallets, but the ultimate goal is to steal money from the victims.

Swindling is another modus which happens when a scammer tricks a user into buying a service or product and paying for it using GCash but will not deliver the item that has been paid for. 

Another frequent cause of unauthorized charges is when GCash users allow other people, sometimes family members, access to their accounts. Oftentimes, a friend or family member would use their account to purchase or subscribe to a service without the owner’s knowledge.

In light of these scams, GCash has several reminders to help ensure users can protect their accounts from fraudsters:

To avoid account takeovers, users should never give out any information about their accounts like MPINs and One-time Pins (OTP) and only transact with official channels like the GCash Help Center (help.gcash.com) or the GCash hotline: 2882. It’s also important for users to make sure they verify transactions within the GCash app to avoid giving important information to fake websites.

• To avoid being swindled online, be sure to research and read reseller reviews on the product you’re buying and who you’re buying it from.
• To avoid unauthorized charges and risks, GCash is reminding users to never share account details with other people and to always check before they tap ads or when downloading from applications they do not trust.
• GCash also urges its users to stop the practice of lending or selling their accounts to receive potentially illicit remittances from others. This is commonly called "money mule" scams. Account owners that are caught doing this illegal act can be prosecuted under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2021.

Aside from warning its users against various scams, the leading e-wallet is also working in tandem with the National Bureau Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), and PNP – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to uncover online scams and apprehend perpetrators. So far, there have been a total of 17 arrested and imprisoned fraudsters.

Likewise, GCash maintains topnotch security systems and has tightened its user verification and onboarding process. From January 2021 to March 2022, the mobile wallet app has blacklisted 14,752 wallets due to “Account Takeover”, 4,609 wallets for swindling, and 923,164 for identity fraud.

“At GCash, we remain relentless in our pursuit against online scamming. We will continue to work closely with various authorities to fight scammers and  protect our legitimate users. We are constantly upgrading our security systems, as well as educating our customers so that they can use the GCash app without worries,” said Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO.

With its #GCheckMuna campaign, GCash also empowers users to be more vigilant in the face of scams. The company also just recently introduced the beta version of Gigi the chatbot to immediately help customers with their various scamming concerns/incidents. GCash users may also visit the Help Center at help.gcash.com to report a phishing scam anytime. Fake pages will then be taken down within 24 hours.

In addition, users can activate biometrics login such as face recognition and digital fingerprint to ensure that only they can access their GCash account. To do this, they just need to enable biometrics on the settings of their device and proceed to their GCash profile. After tapping “Biometrics Log-in,” a six-digit authentication code will be sent to the device. After submitting the code, the face recognition and fingerprint can now be used to log in on the GCash app.

Committed to keeping its platform secure, GCash also implements Customer Protect Program, which is designed to help detect and prevent fraudulent activities. It also ensures users will not be held liable for unauthorized transactions made on their accounts.

To know more, visit www.gcash.com. If you need assistance or would like to report a scam, visit help.gcash.com.

About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Financial App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, customers can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1,400k partner billers; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 5M partner merchants and social sellers; cash-in and cash-out at 232k partner agent network; and get access to savings, credit, insurance and invest money all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.).

GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) and by the IDC in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 60 million Filipinos in the country today.

Skechers, The Comfort Technology Company, is continuing its expansion in the Philippines with the opening of its largest store in the country at Ayala Center Cebu.

Following the recent opening of five (5) locations in Metro Manila and one (1) in North Luzon, the new Skechers store in the queen city of the south, Cebu City, is in the heart of the region’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination, and sets the global lifestyle brand up to deliver stylish and innovative footwear and apparel to more Filipinos in the Visayas.

Skechers Ayala Center Cebu Kids and Accessories

"We are delighted to continue our expansion in the country with the opening of our largest store in the Philippines here at Ayala Center Cebu in Cebu City,” shared Skechers Philippines country manager Sue Pasustento. “With its prime location and an extensive offering of Skechers footwear, apparel and accessories, this store will be a showpiece for the brand and allow more Cebuanos to directly experience the comfort, style and innovation that defines Skechers around the world.”

Skechers Ayala Center Cebu, biggest in the Philippines

Located on the 1st Floor of Ayala Center Cebu in Cebu City, the latest Skechers store in the Philippines features a mid-century modern style inspired design, opening the interior space to bring in the outdoors. The 3,400-square-foot store will offer a wide range of Skechers footwear, apparel and accessories including fashion product, lifestyle looks and Skechers Performance shoes for sport enthusiasts, including Skechers GO WALK, one of the brand’s best-selling categories.

Skechers ArchFit Models and designs Cebu

Skechers’ offering is enhanced with the company’s signature comfort innovations—including its patented Skechers Arch Fit Technology™, Skechers Max Cushioning Technology™, Skechers Hyper Burst Technology™, Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam®, Skechers Relaxed Fit Technology™ and Skechers Stretch Fit Technology™.

Skechers Slippers and accessories

Skechers' wide selection of versatile and functional apparel, which include hoodies, jackets, sportswear and shirts, as well as socks, backpacks and hats, allows consumers to dress head-to-toe in active lifestyle looks. 

Established in 1992, Skechers’ reputation for style, innovation, quality, and comfort have helped the brand expand worldwide. In 2021, the company transitioned its operations in the Philippines, becoming a directly owned operations and expanding its capital investment in the country. Skechers now has five stores in Metro Manila and seven total retail destinations across the Philippines.

Skechers Go Run and Go Walk models and designs

About Skechers USA Philippines, Inc. and Skechers USA, Inc.

Skechers USA Philippines, Inc. is operated by Skechers USA, Inc. (NYSE:SKX), The Comfort Technology Company based in Southern California. Skechers designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company’s collections are available in over 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through digital stores and 4,308 Company- and third-party-owned physical retail stores. The Company manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

The Noble Cebu, the newest addition to the hospitality sector in Cebu City, is opening its doors to guests as the hotel sector here continues to enjoy increasing occupancy rates.

The Noble Cebu is owned by the Grand Group of Companies and is its first SERVICED RESIDENCES venture in Cebu City. It held its soft opening on June 12, 2022.

One of the bedrooms of Noble Cebu.

“The Noble brand is part of our expansion plan for our Grand Regal Hotel and Resorts portfolio,” says Ryan Bernard Go, president of Grand Land Inc.

Mr. Go explained that NOBLE is the company’s limited-service lifestyle brand.

“This is a new generation of affordable luxury with a focus to the local lifestyle experience,” he said. “We have seen the growth of Airbnb in our projects with travelers blending business, leisure and seeking the local experience in their place of stay.”

Present during the press conference, from left Ryan Bernard Go - President, Grand Land Inc.; John Cole - Chairman, Quantum Makati Residences & Resorts; Henji Carmona - President, Quantum Makati Residences & Resorts;  and Arturo Lacang - General Manager, Noble

According to Mr. Go, they saw the opportunity in this kind of market so the company decided to develop the Noble brand.

Having a management company operate the hotel also addressed the need for their real estate buyers who are looking for someone to manage their units to gain their potential, he added.

The Grand Group has tapped the Quantum Makati Residences and Resorts to manage the Noble Cebu. The management company is a leading serviced apartment (condominium hotel) management company established in 2000 that provides high quality services to its managed Philippine properties. It has been managing service apartments in Makati and other areas in the Philippines.

Industry stakeholders have projected that tourist arrivals are now in an upswing as the government has slowly eased restrictions.

Owned by the Grand Group of Companies, the 38-floor hotel and service residences has 100 rooms, with two room categories - the Standard Deluxe Room and the One Bedroom Deluxe Room. The Noble Cebu has set its soft opening on June 12, 2022.

The 22-sq.m. Standard Deluxe Room has two single beds with cable TV, refrigerator and has free Wi-fi Internet connection. It is priced at P2,750 net per night, including free breakfast.

The executives behind Noble Cebu, led by Grand Land Inc. president Ryan Bernard Go (4th from left) and Quantum Makati Residences & Hotels chairman John Cole (3rd from left).

On the other hand, the One Bedroom Deluxe Room has a spacious 32 sq.m. area with a living room, dining area and kitchenette. It also has a cable TV, a refrigerator and free Wi-fi Internet connection. The room rate is at P3,700 per night and also with free breakfast.

The serviced residences amenities include a swimming pool, fitness gym, a themed garden and kids playroom and outside playground, as well as four high speed elevators. For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel has a fitness center and also offers a jogging path.

Its Restaurant/Roofdeck Resto Bar will be available in October this year.

In addition, it has function areas, a function room that could accommodate 80 to 100 persons and a meeting room for up to 20 persons.

The Noble Cebu is strategically located just five minutes away from the Cebu IT Park and is near the Cebu business district. It would take between 25 minutes to 45 minutes travel to and from the airport, depending on the traffic condition.

The City of Talisay is the gateway to the Southern cities and towns of Cebu. It sits just next to Cebu City and can be access primarily via the South Road Properties (SRP) and South Road via Natalio Bacalso. Thus, an important stop for any tourism activities going to the heritage and tourist cities and towns of Cebu south. One of the urban feature that will greet you upon entering central Talisay is Starmall, the home of  the first Coffee Project in Cebu.
They have a collection of coffee that a coffee lover dreams of sipping: they have Vietnamese Latte, Coffee Indochine, Came Americano to name some and cold brews too.

In celebration of its 65th year milestone, World Vision Philippines shared over six decades’ worth of providing better future for vulnerable children through a virtual media launch held last May 30, 2022. The event featured an impactful campaign launch for “Childhood Rescue” with Bianca Umali as the campaign’s lead celebrity ambassador.

World Vision’s “Childhood Rescue” aims to focus on the most dangerous places where children and their communities have been greatly affected by armed conflicts such as Marawi.

Bianca Umali, a World Vision Ambassador, recalls her experience in Marawi and the significance of her support for World Vision's advocacies

The Marawi siege in 2017 has caused thousands of young Filipinos to live amidst armed conflict, political unrest, and ongoing instability even until today. It has displaced at least 350,000 people, including at least 200,000 children, according to the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DREAMB).

In these places, children are extremely vulnerable to violence, poverty, and abuse. The Childhood Rescue Campaign advances World Vision’s purpose— protecting the lives, welfare, and rights of children, especially those who are living in the most dangerous places. 

(From Top Left) World Vision Advocacy and Campaign Specialist Caroline Veronilla, World Vision Resource Development Director Jun Godornes, World Vision Field Operations Manager in Mindanao Beth Delgado and  World Vision Operations Director Ajab Macapagat

As part of national initiative Task Force Bangon Marawi, World Vision’s Childhood Rescue campaign responds to these urgent and arising challenges with effective interventions, and crisis recovery programs to address the needs of internally displaced families and children since 2017.

World Vision hopes to increase support and raise more donations for its ongoing child welfare projects, “Bangon Marawi” and “Child Protection”. Both programs aim to cover a total of 10 barangays with 6,559 children as target beneficiaries this 2022.

Jun Godornes, Resource Development Director of World Vision, said during the official media launch, “Given the challenging situation of dangerous areas in the Philippines that may take a very long time to resolve, there is a constant threat that a Filipino child's life can change for the worst in an instant. Despite this situation, World Vision is doing its best to ensure that these children don’t miss out on having a joyful childhood and a hope for a peaceful future. We invite everyone to support our Childhood Rescue campaign. Let’s help these vulnerable children living in Philippines' fragile locations. Together, let's bring hope, joy and justice to all children."

Aside from the Childhood Rescue program launch, World Vision also unveiled its new campaign, and future projects in time for its 65th Anniversary celebration. With the mission to bring “Hope, Joy and Justice for All Children”, World Vision aims to reach the most vulnerable children and transform their lives.

World Vision representatives and media attendees show their support for the Filipino children and World Vision’s Childhood Rescue Campaign with a symbolic photo op

Kapuso star and actress Bianca Umali shared her experiences as a World Vision ambassador and expressed her support for the Childhood Rescue campaign through a video message shown during the media launch.

“World Vision has given me the opportunity to become an ‘ate’ to these vulnerable children. Every small effort in helping them goes a long way,” Bianca shared as she recalls her trip to Marawi with World Vision. “Every child deserves to have a childhood. Let us all come together for these children because I believe that they are the future.”

With a total of 47,302 individuals including 16,875 children assisted by the organization’s efforts, World Vision remains committed to serving more affected families and assisting in rebuilding communities to help provide a safe place for children.

For more information and how you can support World Vision’s Childhood Rescue please visit www.worldvision.org.ph