Gracee's Lifestyle Journal

The Philippines is one of the most active social media communities worldwide, according to the  Digital 2023  report. With 72.5% of the population on social media, Filipinos spend an average of 3 hours and 43 minutes on these channels to keep in touch with family and friends, read news stories, and find content.  As social media continues to exert its influence on everyday lives, it becomes increasingly crucial for Filipinos to remain vigilant regarding the evolving dangers associated with its usage. Recent technological advancements, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence, have further exacerbated these risks, necessitating heightened awareness and precautionary measures. With World Social Media Day around the corner, here are three ways social media is putting individuals and organizations at risk. Social media preys on psychological weakness Hackers consistently rely on user behavior to provide the openings they need to penetrate network defenses. While some look to ex

A diverse and inclusive workplace is one that makes all employees, regardless of who they are or how they contribute to the organization, feel equally involved in and supported in all areas of the workplace. It enables equal opportunities for everyone to succeed, learn, and advance. True inclusion welcomes and supports people with all kinds of differences.  Integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the company culture can be a challenge for some organizations. FedEx prides itself in its People-first philosophy and has always recognized the value of a workforce that is as diverse as the world it serves.  DEI at work Clai Mendiola, Senior Human Resources Specialist at FedEx Express Philippines, has been in the industry for more than 16 years and has spent the last five with a disability. Clai had an unfortunate accident that impacted her ability to walk. Despite her ordeal, it was the support of her FedEx colleagues that gave Clai the strength and willpower to go back to work

PayMongo , a premier payment gateway in the Philippines, has teamed up with  Tookitaki  to combat financial crime. It has gone live with the Tookitaki’s  Anti-Money Laundering Suite  (AMLS) to monitor transactions. The move strengthens PayMongo's commitment to reducing risk and enhancing its anti-money laundering program, aligning with compliance norms set out by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Tookitaki's AMLS helps PayMongo to swiftly identify and manage suspicious transactions, ensuring that the platform remains compliant with changing regulatory requirements. This collaboration underscores PayMongo's proactive approach to adhering to anti-money laundering policies while facilitating a seamless online payment experience for its customers. Tookitaki’s innovative approach starts with the  AFC ecosystem  which  is a community of AML experts that come together from around the world to share their knowledge and experience. The community helps to uncover hidden money trails t

Takeda Healthcare Philippines places great importance on creating a diverse and inclusive organization where employees can thrive and reach their full potential. Takeda Healthcare Philippines, a leading biopharmaceutical company, has been recognized as a Great Place to Work® for the second year in a row. Based on the Trust Index survey, 100% of Takeda employees believe that the company is an excellent place to work, surpassing the average of 53% for global companies. This achievement reflects Takeda's strong commitment to creating an exceptional working environment and its dedication to excellence. In addition, 100% of employees at Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. have collectively expressed that they see management as honest and ethical in their business practices, they feel good about the ways they contribute to the community, and they are proud to be part of the company. Loreann Villanueva, Country Manager of Takeda Philippines, expressed her pride in the company's cultur

SMAC (SM Advantage Card), the biggest loyalty program of retail giant SM, has donated P5.5 million to the Hapag Movement gathered over the holidays through vigorous support from its members. The donation to the Globe-led program aims to address involuntary hunger among Filipinos affected by the pandemic and economic challenges.   Under the month-long campaign over the Christmas season, proceeds from every SMAC card sold was donated to the movement and SM Foundation programs.   Additionally, part of SMAC members’ extra points earned through purchasing select items from SM's partner establishments– SM Store, SM Beauty, SM Appliance, Kultura, Surplus, Our Home, Baby Company, Crate and Barrel, Levi's, The Body Shop, Forever21, Ecco, and Miniso–  were donated to the Hapag Movement from December 15, 2022, until January 15, 2023, making holiday shopping even more meaningful and impactful. This is very empowering as each SMAC member is able to participate in doing a Globe of Good!   SM

Gigacover is excited to announce its upcoming virtual webinar, “ Freelancing 101: Assured and Insured for the Future ,” for freelancers and individual contractors. This webinar aims to introduce the importance of income protection and how Gigacover’s products and services can help informal workers protect their income and assets. The online event will take place on June 30 at 4PM and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the gig economy and protection. “We are thrilled to host this webinar and bring together freelancers and individual contractors to discuss the importance of income protection and how technology can help them manage risk and protect their income and assets,” said Amerson Lin, Gigacover CEO and Co-Founder. “As the nature of work continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever for individuals to have access to the tools and resources they need to ensure they are both assured and insured for the future.” In partnership with Upwork Pilipinas-Freelancers, a

When pets enter our lives, they become part of our family and home. As they give us immeasurable joy and fulfillment, we ought to give them the same care, value, and commitment as we would with other members of the family. It all starts with showing them how much you love them, as they can thrive in love and a sense of belongingness the way humans can. Pets become our life partners so we need to do our part to keep them happy and healthy. Here are some ways you can create an environment and lifestyle which are beneficial to both you and your pet. Your home is their home.  Just like children, pets tend to wander curiously around the house and grasp at anything within reach. Scan your house and keep sharp or breakable objects, electrical cords, medicines, and cleaners out of your furbabies’ reach. Keep your trash cans covered, as well as other containers a little paw can reach into. Make your home comfortable for your pet as well, with just the right temperature, a space for them to slee

Palo Alto Networks , the global cybersecurity leader, recently released the Unit 42 Network Threat Trends Research Report Vol.2. The report highlights the current trends in malware while providing a detailed analysis of the most common types of malware and their distribution methods. According to the research, 66.6% of total malware is delivered through portable document format (PDF) files attached to malicious emails. PDF files are commonly used in a business environment, and victims are less likely to be wary of an expected file type, versus unexpected file types like EXEs. They could also simply be unaware that this type of file could be used for nefarious purposes. Most people are aware of warnings against clicking strange links in emails, so PDF phishing schemes could fly under their radar better than a text-based email with just a plain link. Naming conventions expected in a business context like invoice_AUG_4601582.pdf or Updated Salary Evaluation could lure unsuspecting targ

The much-awaited mid-year sale is near, and XTREME Appliances is here to give you its best deals yet! XTREME is offering significant discounts of up to 60% on their wide-range of appliances, allowing you to make substantial savings on your purchases. Whether you’re looking for a new television, air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, oven, or any other home appliance, this 6.6 Mid-year Sale is a great opportunity to get the appliances you need at a discounted price. Take advantage of these amazing deals on June 6 – June 8. Before checking out, make sure you don’t miss out on these vouchers: free shipping vouchers, coins cashback, and additional discount vouchers to maximize your savings! XTREME Appliances also added several new products on their assortment, take home these new appliances at a special introductory sale price: To know more about the complete line-up of discounts and other deals, be sure to check out XTREME Appliances’ official store on   Lazada  and  Shopee , fol

SM Supermalls received a Silver Award at the prestigious International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) MAXI Awards 2023 for its multi-mall COVID-19 vaccination efforts under the Marketing Excellence Community category. The award was conferred at the recently concluded awarding ceremony held at the Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada last May 21, 2023. “Winning another award from the ICSC reaffirms our commitment to creating fun, safe, and convenient malling experiences for our shoppers. This award recognizes the hard work of our government partners, local government units, even the healthcare workers, and of course, the Filipinos who got themselves vaccinated in our malls,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls. Aside from the Silver award, SM China was also one of the finalists for the Community Category for SM Xiamen 1864 Panda Tour Exhibition, and the Experiential Category for SM Chengdu Bamboo Wish. This is not the first time the company received recognition from the prestigious int