The holiday season is always the best way to send good vibes and cheer, and Power Mac Center has just the thing to make it even better.

Enjoy big discounts on Apple devices and accessories and get some limited-edition mystery bags chock-full of premium items at the Power Mac Center!

“Gifts of tech are always a hit during the holiday season, so we make it a point to add a little something for the giver — be it a discount or bundled items. With the holiday theme ‘Gifts and Giggles,’ we showcase how generosity and thoughtfulness are always received with joy,” said Joey Alvarez, PMC Director for Marketing and Product Management.

Here’s a rundown on what Power Mac Center is offering for this holiday season:

Score exclusive discounts with your credit cards

Get huge discounts on your purchases and on flexible payment terms! From Dec. 13 to 31, 2024, BPI, Metrobank, and UnionBank credit cardholders can get up to P6,000 off on select Apple devices and accessory bundles when paid through 24-month installments.

BPI, Metrobank, and UnionBank credit cardholders also get an instant discount equivalent to one (1) month of the participating device’s amortization when paid through 24-month installments.

This offer is available at Power Mac Center and The Loop stores nationwide.

Blind unbox a ‘Bag of Wonders’

Ever wanted to have that “Bag of Wonders” from your childhood? Well, this one’s the adult version.

Power Mac Center offers a mystery bag called the “Bag of Wonders,” containing a curated assortment of premium accessories for just P1,500. This offer is exclusively available at the Greenbelt 3, Power Plant Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA – Annex, Robinsons Magnolia, and TriNoma branches until supplies last! Keep in mind that only one "Bag of Wonders" can be availed per customer.

Shop for others, get rewarded yourself

Customers are qualified to earn entries to the “Miles and Milestones: The 30th Anniversary Raffle!” Get a chance to win a brand-new BYD ATTO 3 Dynamic Electric Vehicle, business class trips to Osaka or San Francisco via Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles, the latest Apple devices, and more!

Interested in joining? Simply sign up for membership to 1 Infinite, PMC’s lifestyle rewards program for Apple enthusiasts, in-store or online. Then, make a single-receipt purchase of at least P30,000 by Dec. 31, 2024.

For more holiday surprises and offers, don’t forget to tune in to Power Mac Center’s official Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), and TikTok accounts, as well as The Loop PH Facebook and The Loop PH Instagram.

Having commuting blues? Don’t prefer riding motorcycles? Fret not, because motorcycle taxi and delivery service Angkas has launched its new four-wheel service, Angcars.

Now in its beta phase, Angcars offers passengers an option to book a car ride. Currently, the feature is only available in selected areas, including Makati City, Bonifacio Global City, Mandaluyong City, and Pasig City.

Booking Angcars is easy. There’s no need to install another app, too!

To book, all you need to do is open the Angkas app, pin a location within the said areas, and click on the “service type” tab. In this tab, you should be able to see three options: Passenger, which will let you book a motorcycle; Padala, their package delivery service; and finally, Angcars, where you can book a car.

As of this writing, only four-seater cars are available via Angcars. However, the company is eyeing to launch rides with six-seater vehicles as well, which will be called “Angcars Plus,” Angkas Founder Angeline Tham told reporters during the Management Association of the Philippines 22nd International CEO Conference last Sept. 10.

For those who are outside the Metro, worry not, because Angcars will also be rolled out in more areas soon!

Try out the new Angcars via Angkas, available for download on Google Play, App Store, and AppGallery. For updates, follow Angkas on Facebook.

The pandemic triggered a frenzy for online shopping, especially during the lockdown days. But even with the non-existent lockdown restrictions today, it seems that online shopping is not showing any signs of slowing down. Even though we can buy just about anything in physical stores, nothing beats the convenience the Internet gives us when it comes to shopping.

Leading the pack among e-commerce platforms in the Philippines are Shopee and Lazada. And if having our parcels delivered directly to our doorsteps wasn’t convenient enough, these two apps provide even more convenience by lightening the burden on our wallets through their buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) features.

Although they have similar policies, Shopee’s SPayLater and Lazada’s LazPayLater differ in many ways. If you’re stuck with choosing which BNPL offer suits your online shopping needs the best, below is a guide to help you compare the two and choose.

Application and Requirements

Both SPayLater and LazPayLater are available for Shopee and Lazada users aged 21 to 45 years old. Applying for them is fairly easy. You only need a one-time PIN (OTP) from your registered mobile number, a clear photo of a valid government ID, a selfie for face verification, and a filled-out form with the necessary details. Just make sure the ID you’ll be submitting has a date of birth for faster approval.

Approvals for both SPayLater and LazPayLater both take a few seconds to up to 24 hours. However, while there is very little chance, your application may be rejected if you provided inaccurate information, did not meet the requirements, or have a bad credit history, among other reasons.

Verdict: Tie, both have around the same requirements and turnaround time for approvals

Credit Limit, Interest Rates, and Processing Fees

Those who are just starting a LazPayLater account can get a credit limit of up to P15,000. This is calculated based on the personal information you input and Lazada’s comprehensive evaluation of your profile. This limit increases the more you use and repay your LazPaylater bills.

SPayLater’s credit limit, on the other hand, ranges from P1,500 to P50,000, calculated depending on your spending behavior and payment history. This will also go up as you use the funds and repay them. Shopee also grants temporary credit limit increases, which you will be notified of as long as you turn on accepting notifications from the app.

In terms of interest rate, SPayLater gives from 1% to 5% of the total checkout amount, plus a processing fee of 0% to 2%, which is calculated depending on the selected installment plan.

Meanwhile, LazPayLater’s interest fees, according to CIMB Bank, also range from 1% to 5%, depending on the total checkout amount and installment plan. The main difference is that no processing fee is needed for LazPayLater payments.

If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot products that are under these apps’ 0% interest programs, too!

Verdict: Tie — while SPay Later may offer a much higher initial credit limit, LazPayLater has no processing fee.

Installment Plans and Due Dates

For both SPayLater and LazPayLater, you can choose installment plans from one to 12 months. The longer the plan you choose, the higher the interest fee.

These two BNPL options differ in due dates and statement cycles. For Lazada, the billing begins every first day of the month, ends on the 30th or 31st day, and runs from the moment you checkout an item via LazPayLater. Monthly statements are given on the first day of the next month, with a due date on the 16th day following the statement.

SPayLater is more flexible with due dates on every fifth or 15th day of the month. Only when your parcel arrives and you click the “Receive” button will the bill for the item you purchased be added to your payment due.

The due date for SPayLater orders completed from the current month’s fifth day to the succeeding month’s fourth day will be on the latter’s 15th day. Meanwhile, the due date for orders completed from the current month’s 25th day to the succeeding month’s 24th day will be on the fifth day after the billing cycle.

Verdict: SPayLater

Late Payment Fees

It is always recommended for Lazada and Shopee users to pay their BNPL bills on the required due date. But in case you fail to pay on time, SPayLater will add a 2.5% to 5% late payment fee to your bill.

On the other hand, LazPayLater has more tolerance for late payments with a two-day grace period. Failure to pay during the grace period will result in an overdue fee, which is calculated depending on your payment terms and loan amount.

Verdict: LazPayLater

Depending on what you need or what you’re more comfortable using, LazPayLater and SPayLater both have their pros and cons. Just a friendly reminder, though: never let your SPayLater and LazPayLater perks ruin your financial priorities. Remember, using these BNPL features still means you’re incurring debt, so shop wisely!

We’ve all been there: opting for commuting or riding motorcycle taxis instead because other options break the bank. Good thing, one more option is coming to save us and our pockets (hopefully)!

The US-based company inDrive has just recently received clearance from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) – which may mean lower ride fares soon.

The transportation company is attracting more drivers to join their platform by initially charging them zero commission. According to their Facebook post, their services will be available in Metro Manila, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Ilo-Ilo, and Cagayan de Oro.

In the same post, they also gave us a quick overview of what to expect when booking with them: safe rides and a sleek app! Apart from that, they also claim to give everyone a joyful ride and the true “sarap ng byahe” experience. Right now, they only have the four-seater option. But, don’t worry, six-seater taxis will be available soon!

Follow their Facebook for more updates.

In recent years, the Philippines has witnessed a remarkable transformation, becoming fertile ground for innovation and technological advancement. With a dynamic startup ecosystem, strategic government policies, and a young, digitally adept workforce, the Philippines is positioning itself as a key tech hub in Asia.

However, this rapid growth does not come without challenges. While the tech industry in the Philippines has numerous untapped potentials, it still faces many challenges, such as infrastructure limitations, regulatory challenges, and the lack of enhanced education and training programs for tech practitioners, among others.

Ushering in a new era of tech in the Philippines with its intelligent business solutions, one of Japan’s leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, Sansan, Inc., has set up a new hub in Cebu City in late 2023, Sansan Global Development Center Inc. (SGDC). Since then, the company has been delivering these solutions to their global clients, while developing the skills of local talents in the Philippines.

In an exclusive interview, The Beat Asia talked to Jay Pegarido, Director and Country Manager at SGDC, to find out what the future holds for the Philippines’ tech space and how the company is helping elevate this burgeoning industry.

Hi Jay! Can you give us a brief background on Sansan Global Development Center, Inc.? What does the business entail?

Sansan Global Development Center, Inc. was established in Cebu, Philippines in 2023 to strengthen Sansan, Inc.’s global product development.

Sansan is a leading Japanese SaaS company, specializing in cloud-based solutions aimed at digital transformation (DX) of analog processes such as managing business contacts, invoicing, and managing contracts. SGDC focuses primarily on developing and enhancing Sansan’s products and mainly on the Bill One invoice management solution, tailoring it for markets outside of Japan.

By leveraging local talent and collaborating closely with our counterparts in Japan, we ensure our solutions meet the diverse needs of global clients. We’re also increasingly putting the development and ownership processes in the hands of the expanding Filipino development team.

As Sansan PH's Director and Country Manager, what are your major responsibilities in the company?

As the Director and Country Manager of SGDC, my primary responsibilities include overseeing the operations and strategic direction of our Cebu office at a time in which we’re undergoing rapid expansion. This entails managing product development, ensuring the quality and efficiency of our solutions, and fostering a collaborative work environment.

I also focus on expanding our team by hiring top local talent and providing them with the necessary training and support to contribute effectively to our global projects. This goes beyond recruiting people with skills and extends to finding personalities who will proactively assert themselves and take on the company’s mission and values as their own.

Metro Manila has been a vibrant hub for business and tech development. Why did Sansan choose to establish its PH global development center in Cebu instead?

Cebu was chosen because of its strong educational infrastructure and large pool of talented IT graduates, with the city offering a conducive environment for business operations while being less congested than Metro Manila. Additionally, Cebu has a vibrant tech ecosystem, making it an ideal location for our development center.

This strategic decision allows us to tap into the local talent pool while benefiting from a more relaxed yet professional environment conducive to innovation and productivity. Here in Cebu, we’re really able to build a family-like atmosphere as we build our technological capacities.

Over the past few years, I’ve seen Cebu rapidly becoming a top choice for startup and tech companies entering the Philippines from abroad. It provides a cost-effective lifestyle, less traffic, and a more leisurely pace compared to the hectic atmosphere of Manila.

Despite its relaxed ambiance, Cebu offers a wide range of opportunities in the tech industry, making it a perfect destination for expanding businesses and professionals alike.

Since Sansan's arrival in the Philippines, what significant milestones has the company made in the tech industry?

Since establishing SGDC in Cebu, we have considerably expanded our team and taken on creative challenges, product development, and ownership. And we’re really just starting to pick up speed. We reached our target of hiring 50 software developers, and we’re aiming to scale up to 100 and beyond.

Our team has been pivotal in developing and customizing Bill One for Sansan’s overseas markets, as well as its mainstay Japanese product, ensuring high standards of product quality and innovation. This growth not only reflects our commitment to contributing to the Philippines' tech industry and fostering local talent, [but] it [also] demonstrates our ability to create a welcoming and challenging environment for all our members.

What technological needs of the Philippines does Sansan aim to address?

Sansan aims to address the need for fast, accurate, and secure digitization of business documents, which is crucial for many companies in the Philippines still reliant on paper-based processes. And, beyond that, we’re pursuing ways to activate the digitized data for greater business outcomes. For now, though, we are only a developer hub and are not selling our solutions in the Philippine market, as in Japan, Singapore, and elsewhere.

Bill One helps businesses transition to paperless accounting workflows, enhancing productivity and accuracy in invoice management. This analog-to-digital character is present in all of Sansan’s solutions, which rely on proprietary technology that reshapes how people work.

Sansan’s advanced contact management solutions, which are the product of well over a decade of development, aim to expand sales opportunities and operational efficiency across various sectors and borders.

Japan, Sansan's home country, is known for its high level of technological advances. With your experience working in both countries, what are the major differences that you can pinpoint between Japan's tech space and that of the Philippines?

Japan's tech space is characterized by advanced technological infrastructure and a strong emphasis on precision, innovation, and continual refinement.

In contrast, the Philippines, while rapidly developing, often faces challenges related to infrastructure and the transition from traditional to digital processes. In my time in Japan, it was also very clear to me that Japan grapples with that same transition; it’s just in a position to deal with it more rapidly owing to the more developed economy.

Comparative to Japan, the Philippines boasts a younger workforce, which brings a dynamic and adaptable [energy] that may be more eager to embrace new technologies.

The key difference lies in the stage of technological adoption and the maturity of the tech ecosystem, with Japan being more advanced but the Philippines showing significant growth potential and enthusiasm for tech innovation.

Spearheading hundreds of developers, what potential are you seeing in the Philippines' pool of tech talents? How is the company working to develop these talents?

The Philippines has a vast and promising pool of tech talents with strong foundational skills in various programming languages and a keen interest in emerging technologies.

At Sansan, we are committed to nurturing this talent through continuous training, mentorship, and exposure to real-world projects. We provide a supportive environment where developers can take ownership of their ideas and contribute to global product development, ensuring they grow both professionally and personally. We also provide a home, of sorts, thanks to Sansan’s progressive attitude toward innovation and personnel development.

We heard that you're working on a new initiative to contribute to the environment, called "Scan for Trees." Can you tell us more about it?

The "Scan for Trees" initiative is part of Sansan’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, whereby trees are planted in direct proportion to the amount of paper documents, such as business cards or invoices, that are digitized using our solutions.

This initiative not only helps in reducing paper usage but also contributes to reforestation efforts, supporting ecological balance and environmental conservation. We plan to expand this initiative to the Philippines, further embedding our commitment to environmental stewardship in our business operations.

How do you see the future of tech in the Philippines?

The future of tech in the Philippines is highly promising, driven by a young, skilled workforce and increasing investments in tech education and infrastructure. The country is becoming a significant player in the global tech landscape, with growing opportunities in areas such as AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation.

As the industry evolves, we expect the Philippines to continue attracting international tech firms and fostering a vibrant, innovative tech ecosystem. At Sansan, we’ve put ourselves in a strong position to be a very attractive, competitive, and rewarding workplace that capitalizes on this movement.

Any more groundbreaking projects or initiatives we should watch out for from Sansan?

Sansan is continually innovating to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Besides enhancing our existing solutions, like Bill One and our contact management systems, we are exploring new areas, such as deeper generative AI integration, to provide more robust and intelligent business solutions.

We are also focused on expanding our environmental initiatives and looking for ways to leverage technology to make a positive social impact.

Stay tuned for more exciting developments from Sansan as we continue to drive innovation in the tech industry.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To know more about Sansan Global Development Center, Inc., visit its website, Facebook, or LinkedIn pages.

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Elevator Pitch profiles here.

Get ready for a faster Internet connection (finally) as TP-Link brings the Wi-Fi 7 experience to the Philippines as announced by the networking solutions company.

While Wi-Fi 6 was designed in response to the world's rising number of devices, Wi-Fi 7 aims to provide astonishing speeds for all devices while increasing efficiency. According to their website, the Wi-Fi 7 operates on all three bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz) and can accelerate up to 46 Gbps, which is 4.8x faster than the previous devices.

The new router also has 100x lower latency and 5x network capacity, allowing more users to stream and surf smoother, download faster, and enjoy a lag-free digital experience.

Aside from the speed and new features introduced, the device has new security features and enhancements to increase network protection against emerging threats, so you can surf and do wireless activities confidently.

For more information about the Wi-Fi 7, read here. Follow TP-Link Philippines on Facebook for future updates!

Gone are the days when cash is the only option to pay. Nowadays, you can leave the house with little to no cash, as long as you have your e-wallets and cards with you. Financial technology (fintech) company GCash (under Mynt) recently announced that they are expanding their services to 16 countries – making it convenient for many Filipinos residing and traveling overseas.

According to GCash International General Manager Paul Albano, the app is now up and running in 13 countries, including the United States (US), Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Italy, Japan, Germany, Spain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Soon, the leading e-wallet will be available in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Singapore as well.

Although many people can use the e-wallet abroad now to transact with select merchants through global partners like Alipay and Visa, the new update will be allowing international SIM cards from any of the countries mentioned above to instantly create and open an account, cash in, and send money to other users worldwide with just a few taps.

Follow GCash on Facebook for more updates.