Feb 19, 2020

PayMaya Preferred: Get quick treats and sweet deals when you use PayMaya QR at Ministop


Grabbing a quick bite or buying some last-minute needed items just got more convenient and rewarding as Ministop joins the growing list of PayMaya Preferred merchants, where customers can get added treats and perks whenever they pay using PayMaya QR. 

PayMaya QR is now currently available in more than 500 branches of Ministop all over the country, allowing for the ultimate convenience not just in buying goods but in having a quick and hassle-free payment experience as well. 

Additionally, shoppers can also get a P50 cashback once a week from February 19 until April 18, 2020 whenever they scan to pay a minimum of P200 using PayMaya QR at participating Ministop branches nationwide. 

This is on top of the usual 1%, 10%, or 100% cashback they can get whenever they use PayMaya QR at thousands of partner merchants and establishments nationwide. 

“Whether it’s grabbing Ministop’s famous Uncle John’s Fried Chicken for a quick lunch or buying supplies for home, your payment experience just got more convenient and rewarding because of PayMaya QR. It’s the perfect marriage of convenience and rewards, which makes buying your items at Ministop with PayMaya even more exciting,” said Raymund Villanueva, Head of QR Ecosystems at PayMaya. 

Ministop is just the latest in a growing list of PayMaya Preferred Merchants around the country, where PayMaya is the preferred mode of payment instead of cash, as part of the “Don’t Pay Cash. PayMaya!” campaign of the country’s most rewarding mobile wallet today. 

Aside from being able to conveniently pay for Ministop purchases using their mobile phones, PayMaya users can also add money to their accounts in select branches through the Pay & Go kiosk, which will soon be enhanced to offer even more convenient add money options in the coming months. 

So hop on the cashless lifestyle and download and register for a PayMaya account now to enjoy the most rewarding mobile wallet experience at Ministop today. Dahil basta Ministop, don’t pay cash, PayMaya para may BalikBayad ka! 

To know how you can maximize your PayMaya account, visit www.PayMaya.com/deals or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

FDA Orders Retailers and Sellers to Stop the Sale of Porcelana Astringent Due to Health Risks


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has directed drug stores, department stores, supermarkets, and other establishments to stop the sale of THE ORIGINAL PORCELANA® ASTRINGENT IMPROVED FORMULA which continues to be sold commercially in Davao, CDO, Cebu and other parts of the country. 

The FDA says merchants who ignore the warning and continue to sell the product shall face regulatory actions and sanctions. In the latest FDA Advisory No. 2020-061, THE ORIGINAL PORCELANA® ASTRINGENT IMPROVED FORMULA has been found to be positive for the presence of HYDROQUINONE and TRETINOIN, ingredients that are NOT allowed to be part of a cosmetic. 

As per Administrative Order No. 13 s. 1999, the FDA says Hydroquinone and/or Tretinoin (Retinoic Acid) shall be classified as a home remedy, over-the-counter, or prescription drugs depending on the amount present. 

 Accordingly, because it failed to comply with these standards, the FDA says they are classifying THE ORIGINAL PORCELANA® ASTRINGENT IMPROVED FORMULA as an adulterated cosmetics product which poses potential hazards to the consuming public. 

Using the product may result in adverse reactions including skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock and even, organ failure. This is the second time in less than a year that THE ORIGINAL PORCELANA® ASTRINGENT IMPROVED FORMULA failed to comply with the regulations of the FDA. 

Last year, the FDA also issued an advisory against the use and sale of the THE ORIGINAL PORCELANA® ASTRINGENT after it was found that they were using Hydroquinone and Tretinoin beyond the levels allowed for a cosmetic product. 

To report any sale or distribution of THE ORIGINAL PORCELANA® ASTRINGENT IMPROVED FORMULA, the online reporting facility eReport can be accessed at www.fda.gov.ph/ereport.

Feb 7, 2020

Art Tents 2020 at Ayala Mall Centrio

February is National Arts Month and in keeping with tradition of being the home of the local arts and creative community, Ayala Centrio will again host “Art Tents” from February 7 to 12, 2020 at the Activity Center. 

Art Tents is a 5-day affair whereby Ayala Centrio turns its grounds into spaces for painters, animators, designers, poets, writers, performers and visual artists to share their work and expertise and where mall-goers indulge in various artistic experiences. 

Now on its 3rd run, the event this year will also take a major leap as it will not only showcase the unique craft of well experienced, global artists but will also aim to raise funds for a tent city. “What started as a community project has now certainly evolved into a colorful, safe and exciting avenue that everyone looks forward to and learns from every year. 

Ayala Centrio takes tremendous pride in this synergy that we have with the community,” shared Ayala Centrio Mall General Manager Hammer Roa.


During the 5 -day event, there will be booth workshops, maker’s market, film marathon, indie music, public art and live mural painting. Ayala Centrio also partnered with the Ayala Foundation in rebuilding a tent community in Kidapawan. 

In addition, eco tote bags will also be made available from February 7 to March 31, 2020. Designed by Melissa Abuga -a, a Kagay -anon visual artist and a participant of Art Tents as well, each eco tote bag will be sold for Php 180, the proceeds of which will be added to the donation to Kidapawan.

Among the exhibitors and workshop resources this year include Lei and Lyle, NAGMAC, Hands At Work, Indie CDO, CDO Film Society, Bowerbird, Anjo Bolardo, Write Script, D Vision, Oro Arts Guild, Bam Garibay, Artsada and Dan + Deva.

Dec 29, 2019

Champion kindness this holiday season when you PayMaya It Forward

With the holiday season upon us, it often means spending time to finish work deadlines before the Christmas break, racing to complete our shopping for gifts, and enjoying Christmas parties with friends and family. But it is also the perfect time to focus on gratitude and giving, to share our blessings and to pay it forward to our fellow Filipinos.

In celebration of kindness this holiday season, PayMaya launches its "PayMaya It Forward" campaign to inspire Filipinos to “pay it forward” by doing random acts of kindness towards their fellow Filipinos, in the spirit of digital and financial inclusion.

Whether it’s gifting load to your trusted helper at home, sharing a meal to the security guard in your office, buying a bag for a scholar, donating to those affected by recent natural disasters, or simply giving to those in need, one small act of goodness can definitely go a long way.


Igniting the PayMaya It Forward movement are South East Asian Games triathlon medalists Kim Kilgroe, Fernando Caseres, Kim Mangrobang, Kim Remolino, and Claire Adorna who took time to share joy through small acts of giving.


Content creators like Ramon Bautista, Patrice Averilla, David Guison, Angel Dei, Reese Tayag and many more also embraced the movement, spurring conversation through the hashtag #PayMayaItForward, sharing their own acts of kindness to include everyone in the spirit of this holiday season, and encouraging their followers to do the same.

As a way of giving back, PayMaya also designed a simple way for their PayMaya account holders to pay it forward each time they pay via PayMaya QR by matching the amount of cashback they will receive from the ongoing QR promo and donating the amount to support youth education.

From December 16-31, 2019, PayMaya users can get 1%, 10%, and 100% cashback whenever they scan-to-pay using PayMaya QR at any partner merchant. Every successful cashback means a chance to help a Filipino youth achieve his dreams through education.

The promo beneficiary for this PayMaya It Forward campaign is the Gawad Kalinga School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (GK-SEED), a learning institution that gives scholarship to young people from poor communities across the country who want to pursue a two-year Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-accredited course on social entrepreneurship. With that heart-warming double deal, there are more reasons to keep using

PayMaya and give back this season. And if you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, there’s still time to download the app via Google Play or App Store, sign up for an account, make the most of it, and give this Christmas. Remember, when you’re paying it forward this Christmas, don’t pay cash, PayMaya.

To find out more, visit paymaya.com/paymaya-it-forward or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB 23901, Series of 2019.

Dec 20, 2019

Foodpanda Jingle Deals!

MANILA, Philippines – foodpanda, the on-demand food delivery service, has announced the launch of the biggest food sale event this Christmas season, Jingle Deals. The campaign goes live for the whole month of December to celebrate Christmas season at the comfort of their homes!


Jingle Deals is the perfect way to satisfy cravings in this cold season. Available to all key cities where foodpanda caters to, all customers can enjoy massive discounts on a wide range of international cuisine restaurants, be it American (8Cuts, Mcdonalds, Taters Entertainment Snacks) or Italian (Motorino, Big Guys Pizza), or Japanese (Ooma, 102 Izakaya), or the well-loved Filipino dishes (Manam).


“The Christmas season brings crowds, long queues and traffic into shopping malls. We, at foodpanda, want our customers to enjoy the food they love while beating the traffic queue and so we are offering these discounts this Christmas season! Simply download the app and order food you love during Jingle Deals – and get good food delivered to your doorstep,” says Camille Hadjeri, International Markets Manager for foodpanda Philippines.

With more than 600 restaurant nationwide participating in Jingle Deals, customers can expect jaw-dropping offers, huge discounts and exclusive bundles in December.

 For more updates about the Jingle Deals, visit foopanda’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@foodpanda_ph) or head onto foodpanda’s website (www.foodpanda.ph).