While most festivities today have been rather low key or even virtual, there’s nothing like a gift to make a milestone memorable. It is one way of joining in celebrations, as well as expressing love and appreciation to friends and family - a great way of nurturing relationships especially during these times. 

Rediscover the art of gifting with the new The SM Store Gift Registry App and Online Website.

Shopping for your perfect presents is now so easy:

Download THE SM STORE GIFT REGISTRY App on your mobile phone. Sign up, create or view an event for your celebration. 

Add items to your wish list from the The SM Store Gift Registry’s catalog that guests can now select from and buy online. 

Registrants can now manage and track the gifts purchased by their guests. Also, registrants can share the event and link of their wish list with their family and friends thru Facebook, Instagram and Viber. 

Convenient and secure payment options are also available in the App. Online payment options such as debit or credit cards, mobile payment services and digital wallets like GrabPay and GCash are also available.

Gift-giving is also rewarding as both registrants and guests can earn SMAC points, avail of free gift-wrapping and free delivery of gifts to the celebrants right at their doorstep. 

Canva, the visual communications platform, today launched Canva Video Suite, an end-to-end video creation product that empowers everyone to design and publish professional-quality videos. Available for free on the web, desktop, and mobile, Canva combines intuitive editing, recording, and collaboration features, thousands of customizable video templates, and an extensive media library in one easy-to-use platform. 

“Filipinos are highly-engaged online and one of the formats that they respond to the most is videos. The launch of Canva Video Suite will enable more Filipino content creators — whether they’re pros who want to up their game on video creation, teachers who are preparing new learning materials for their classes, or  entrepreneurs doing a demo of their new products —  Canva is here to make video editing easier and more fun for everyone,” said Yani Hornilla-Donato, Country Manager, Canva Philippines. 

Intuitive Video Editing and Recording for Everyone

Canva makes it simple to get started on almost any type of video for work or play, offering templates that span online platforms like TikTok Ads, YouTube Sets, workplace and business videos, plus fun templates for Halloween, New Year, and other celebrations. Anyone can easily create and customize videos with new features that include:

Scene-Based Editor: Canva simplifies video creation with a scene-based approach that feels familiar to building presentation slides, to eliminate the learning curve.

Single Layer Timeline on Desktop and Mobile: Scenes can easily be re-ordered, lengthened, or split using the timeline, to turn individual scenes into a story. Cinematic transitions enable a perfect flow between segments, and editing is optimized for mobile apps and browsers, removing the need for powerful hardware.

Multiple Audio Tracks: the video timeline now supports multiple audio tracks, whether uploaded to Canva or dragged from the media library, to enhance videos with music, sound effects, and narration. Canva Pro subscribers can access 27,000 royalty-free tracks through a partnership with Epidemic Sound, with thousands of new sound effects set to be available in November. 

Screen and Camera Recording: users can now record footage from a camera, screen, or Chrome tab, perfect for video messages and tutorials. 

Animation Combinations: Choose from an updated selection of animations to transform text, visual elements, or full pages, in a few simple actions. Animation Combinations, set to be launched in the coming weeks, will apply context-specific animations to every element in a scene at once, for the perfect balance. 

Streamlining the Video Creation Process

According to a recent study by Canva, 68% say that video is becoming more important in the workplace, and 53% of workplace teams have created video content in the past 18 months. Canva streamlines group video projects with real-time collaboration, allowing team members to add comments, assign actions, and work on the same scenes simultaneously. 

Pro and Enterprise customers can manage logos and fonts through Canva Brand Kits that help everyone create on-brand content every time. Instant Styles and Themes allow brand colors to be applied to any video template in a couple of clicks, and Magic Resize means videos can be reformatted instantly — making it easy to convert between platforms, like a YouTube Ad to a TikTok post, without starting from scratch. 

A Full End to End Visual Communications Platform

Canva Video Suite is part of the free visual communications platform that already offers thousands of templates across over 100 different design formats, from presentations to infographics, posters, social media posts, videos, flyers, business cards, letterheads, and much more, plus a media library of hundreds of thousands of assets that span graphics, photos, audio, and stock video. Canva Pro customers gain access to premium features, including a content library of over 100 million assets, over 610,000 premium templates, social media scheduling, Background Remover, Magic Resize, multiple Brand Kits, and more. 

For more information on how you can embrace the future of visual communication, visit Canva.com.

Twenty-two-year-old Josel Sisor carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He works hard as a Shopee Xpress rider, while also striving to achieve his dreams as a student-athlete. 

Though his father, a factory worker, and mother, a messenger, both work hard to provide for the family, Josel wants to lighten their financial burden by becoming more financially independent, especially during uncertain times such as these. Even before the pandemic, he busied himself with other part-time motorcycle delivery gigs to help his parents out. As the eldest in a brood of five, Josel sets an example for his siblings. 

Josel wakes up before 6:00 AM each day to pick up a batch of parcels at the nearby Shopee Xpress hub and deliver them to shoppers. At noon, he goes back home for online classes and training. Whenever he has time to spare, he delivers more batches of parcels. Josel initially found it hard to focus with such a packed routine, but eventually found his groove. “Na-aapply ko ‘yung pagiging student-athlete sa pamamagitan ng disiplina at pagbalanse ng oras,” he shares. 

He is determined to create a brighter future by graduating and becoming a table tennis coach someday. He also finds motivation from his sukis, fellow riders, and his family. He particularly dedicates his earnings and hard work to his beloved, ailing 78-year-old grandmother, who underwent back surgery last year. “Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lola ko sa lahat ng sakripisyo niya, sa pag-aalaga niya sakin simula nu’ng bata pa ako. Kahit walang-wala siya, lahat binibigay niya pa rin. Ang hiling ko lang, sana gumaling na siya,” he says. 

Aside from his grandmother’s improved health, Josel’s only wish is for a new motorcycle. His run-down motorcycle would often break down mid-delivery, and he’d end up finishing work well into the night. After hearing of Josel’s heartening story of dedication, Shopee donated not just a brand-new motor vehicle to Josel, but accessories and groceries as well. 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, says, “We are deeply humbled by Josel’s devotion to his work as a Shopee Xpress rider, but most especially to his family and dreams. To the rest of our Shopee Xpress riders, you inspire us all as well. You are indeed the true lifeblood of Shopee.”

Whether as the awesome, reliable kuya at home, the driven student-athlete at school, or the diligent Shopee Xpress rider at work, Josel inspires everyone he meets. He feels grateful for the opportunity to start securing his future and the lessons he has gained along the way from his team leads and fellow riders. 

As a Shopee Xpress rider, he finds fulfillment in learning how to stand on his own two feet. He adds, “Gusto kong sabihin sa tropang SPX na kahit araw-araw mahirap ang ginagawa, kalaban natin ang init at ulan, tuluy-tuloy lang. ‘Wag tayong susuko, balang araw tayo rin nasa taas.”

Watch Josel’s journey as a Shopee Xpress rider here. Visit Shopee Philippines on Facebook and Youtube, and Shopee Cares on Facebook. 

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

It can be said that gardening bloomed during the pandemic. The homebound discovered the joys of gardening, and became plantitos and plantitas almost overnight. And with more time in their hands, long time enthusiasts transformed their green spaces into amazing landscapes.

This is not surprising as gardening is both healthy and healing: a good source of vitamin D, a mood booster, and an enjoyable aerobic exercise.  And of course, it provides nutritious veggies and fruits for your dinner table and beautiful flowers to decorate it.

Whether you’re designing a pocket garden in your condo unit, creating an aesthetic edible garden in your backyard by mixing edibles with existing ornamental beds and borders, or growing fields of flowers, ACE Hardware has a wide selection of high quality, affordable garden supplies, tools and equipment. And ever the Helpful Place, you can now purchase these - in the comfort of your home thru ACE's hotline #11223 or ACE's official online stores at ShopSM, Shopee and Lazada.

Create the garden you've always wanted now with Ramgo seeds for fruits, herbs, flowers and vegetables. Ensure your plants' growth and nutrients with Ramgo soil conditioners that are best for seeds and seedlings as well as Ramgo fertilizers rich in nitrogen for cultivating healthy crops. Putting an eco-friendly and organic Vermicast soil conditioner in your potting mix is also a great addition. 

Shop smart in all ACE branches nationwide and avail these gardening essentials thru in-store or online. To order, dial ACE Hotline #11223 or click http://call-collect.acehardware.ph/. Or shop online at ACE Hardware official stores in ShopSM, Lazada or Shopee. You can also get rewarded each time you shop, earn points and enjoy exclusive offers with ACE Rewards Card.

Consumer behavior continues to evolve as more people shop online and embrace digital payment methods. In Southeast Asia, there is a 70% year-on-year increase in shoppers who prefer e-wallets as a mode of payment; and in the Philippines, there is 133 percent growth in consumers who opt to use e-wallets - a contributing factor on why brands and retailers continue to ramp up efforts to offer safe, rewarding, and convenient digital payment options. ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one mobile wallet, recorded a 57X uplift in the number of ShopeePay partner merchants last 9.9 Super Shopping Day compared to the 4.4 Mega Shopping Sale. Among the growing list of ShopeePay partner merchants, Gong cha, National Book Store, and Moonleaf share how ShopeePay helps drive their brand’s growth through enhanced promotional strategies.

For National Book Store, customers enjoy a safe and seamless experience with Shopeepay through its scan-to-pay features and exclusive promos. Xandra Ramos-Padilla, Managing Director at National Book Store, said, “ShopeePay has empowered our Laking National customers with a new way of shopping for books and supplies in our branches nationwide, and helped strengthen our omnichannel strategy as we adapt to challenges brought about by the pandemic.” Customers have responded positively to the availability of ShopeePay as a payment option at National Book Store outlets resulting in an uplift of transactions which more than tripled versus the previous quarter.

Gong cha also shares how partnering with ShopeePay allows them to showcase their products and reach a broader audience through regular participation in ShopeePay promos and campaigns. Gong cha Philippines, Inc., said, “ShopeePay enhanced Gong cha's publicity in digital marketing. Every month is most awaited because of the monthly sales and surprise deals; it's our way to give our customers more of the best milk tea experience from Taiwan to the world!” Through the acceptance of ShopeePay QR payments in their stores, Gong cha was able to grow their daily transactions via ShopeePay by 33X since launch.

Moonleaf also saw a 50x uplift in customers who use ShopeePay since the partnership was launched due to the exclusive discounts and promos they are able to offer. Mike Magallanes, Creative Director at Moonleaf, said, “ShopeePay has helped Moonleaf grow and establish its place in the digital market. We cannot wait for another exciting and fuss-free sale campaign, so we can also give our customers a double dose of good vibes in a cup.”

This October, even more ShopeePay merchants are participating in the 10.10 Brands Festival campaign; with the likes of BonChon, Papa John’s, Tapa King, and a slew of other brands from a wide variety of categories offering 10.10 exclusive ShopeePay ₱1 Deals.

Ruoshan Tao, Head of ShopeePay Online Philippines, said, “With ShopeePay, we aim to provide our partner merchants a safe, convenient, and secure alternative to offer to their customers. We are pushing to play a bigger role in making a cashless lifestyle much more accessible to everyone by partnering with more establishments from different industries, . We are committed to enhancing the e-wallet experience, and we will continue to push for initiatives and partnerships that make digital payments seamless for everyone.” 

Shopee 10.10 Brands Festival

This 10.10 Brands Festival, get more exclusive promos when you Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Scan to Pay with ShopeePay! Stay connected with your loved ones when you buy mobile load at up to 50% off. Make sure to pay your bills on time this 10.10 and get up to 50% cashback from Meralco, Maynilad, Globe, Smart, and over 60 partner billers. Stock up on food and essentials when you avail of ShopeePay ₱1 Deals and scan to pay at Puregold, Potato Corner, Moonleaf, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and more ShopeePay partner merchants! 

Make sure to activate and top up your ShopeePay wallet through online banking, debit card, and over-the-counter partners to enjoy a safe and rewarding cashless experience!

For more information about ShopeePay, and its perks and benefits, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay