Filipino travelers can now enjoy the convenience of cashless payments in more places in Japan with GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem.With GCash Global Pay’s expanded coverage, users can scan to pay everywhere in Japan, from metropolitan areas to countryside destinations, thanks to the partnership of Alipay+ with PayPay. This unlocks access to cashless payments at over three million merchants spanning shopping and leisure. Users can enjoy dining out, booking accommodations and tours, souvenir shopping, and availing services, no matter where their trip takes them—all with a digital wallet they can trust.
“As more Filipinos make Japan their top travel destination, GCash is committed to pursuing partnerships that enable them to make the most out of their experience there,” shared Paul Albano, General Manager of GCash International. “GCash users no longer need to worry about the constraints of limited payment options, knowing there’s a readily available and secure payment method they can rely on.”
Since becoming available in Japan in 2023, GCash has sought to empower more users through its affiliation with Alipay+. With the latter’s expanded partnership with Japan’s leading QR payment operator, PayPay, GCash has become part of the country’s mission to promote in-depth tourism. Today, going cashless with GCash goes beyond major city centers like Tokyo and Osaka. Smaller towns and rural charms in Japan are now included, allowing Filipino tourists to enjoy a more immersive experience in the country. The expanded coverage means access to a more diverse set of merchants, too by enabling cashless payments to local businesses like izakayas, wagashi shops, guesthouses, and anime merchandise shops.
GCash users heading to Japan can make payments by scanning PayPay QRs and enjoy a seamless and familiar QR scanning experience: Customers can scan the merchant’s PayPay QR or show the merchant the QR code generated by the “Pay abroad with Alipay+” option on the GCash app. After completing their transactions, they may also view their receipts in the local currency and Philippine pesos.
GCash users enjoy benefits such as real-time and low foreign exchange rates, and zero service fees, allowing them to maximize their travel budget. GCash adds to this experience by offering exclusive promos on the GCash app through A+ Rewards. Here, users can avail of exclusive discounts when they pay with Global Pay QR.
Just in time for the holidays, Alipay+, in collaboration with PayPay merchants, will offer an exclusive 10% discount (up to a maximum of JPY 1,000) to GCash users paying via PayPay QRs in Japan from December 20, 2024, to January 10, 2025.
“Through the partnership between Alipay+ and PayPay, we are making a crucial step forward in bridging a gap in global tourism through seamless, cashless payments,” shared Albano. “So whether this holiday season takes our users to Japan’s metropolitan cities or off-the-beaten-path tourist destinations, we at GCash look forward to them unlocking the best travel experience.”
To discover more travel promos, tap “A+ Rewards” on the GCash app and, in the upper left corner, select “Japan” as your destination. To learn more about GCash Global Pay, click here.
Overseas Filipinos will now have more convenient access to digital services as PLDT Global Corporation (PLDT Global), the international unit of PLDT Inc., launches its new Tindahan ni Bossing (TinBo) mobile app.
Available on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, overseas Filipinos can simply download the TinBo app and register to seamlessly enjoy the offers and services available on TinBo with just a few taps on their smartphones. Watch how the TinBo app brings Alagang 2.0 to overseas Filipinos here.
“The launch of the TinBo app reflects our commitment to bringing PLDT’s brand of malasakit to more overseas Filipinos. It also further strengthens TinBo’s position as a reliable and user-friendly platform that empowers Filipinos around the world and cares for their families,” said Albert V. Villa-Real, President and CEO at PLDT Global.
Just like the web platform (www.tinbo.ph), the TinBo app is a one-stop marketplace for all the digital needs of its customers that offers a wide range of services exclusive deals, and promos. They can send telco load and even prepaid cards for the pay-TV and electricity consumption of their families in the Philippines. Overseas Pinoys can also conveniently and securely pay their loved ones’ bills, including electricity, water, internet, insurance, government services, and more on the TinBo app.
TinBo app users can also acquire a Smart Virtual Number (SVN), which enables them to have secure digital identities and allows them to receive one-time passwords from Philippine banks and e-wallets, providing worry-free access to relevant financial transactions in the Philippines. The SVN also offers free calls 24/7 to the OWWA Helpline 1348 for Filipinos who need government assistance, especially in emergency cases.
Through the TinBo app, Filipinos abroad can also treat their families back home by sending food e-vouchers, or gifting them with entertainment vouchers for their favorite games, streaming services, and video-on-demand subscriptions, with exclusive discounts.
Overseas Filipinos can also complete their family’s household needs with shopping and grocery e-vouchers available on the TinBo app, which can be used on online shopping sites, major local malls and groceries, and online appliance stores.
They can also care for their families’ health by sending health and wellness e-vouchers for doctors’ consultations and pharmacy e-vouchers for medicines. Additionally, they can also access an insurance service offered especially for OFWs on the TinBo platform.
The TinBo app also features ePadala, its newest service for Filipinos abroad who are looking for a convenient and reliable way to provide financial support to their families in the Philippines. Currently available in Hong Kong, the ePadala via the TinBo app allows Filipinos to send e-vouchers securely and directly to their family member’s Philippine bank accounts and e-wallets and is available 24/7.
And lastly, TinBo app users can easily access e-government services and pay their bills and contributions to the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-Ibig, National Housing Authority (NHA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). TinBo aims to expand its offerings with even more digital products in 2025.
Aside from that, PLDT Global is also launching its Top Bossing Milyonaryo Promo this year. Open to registered Filipino TinBo users overseas, they will earn points with every transaction on the TinBo app. To join, Filipinos overseas must download the TinBo app and register for an account.
TinBo users who accumulate 1,000 points or more will be included in the Top Bossing of the Month roster and will get the chance to win e-vouchers. The TinBo user who will achieve the highest points by the end of the promo on June 12, 2025, will be the Top Bossing Milyonaryo who will take home the grand prize of ₱1 million.
The launch of the TinBo app is an initiative from PLDT Global and supports the PLDT Group’s overarching goal of elevating the quality of life for Filipinos worldwide through relevant digital experiences.
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Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has recently blocked a phishing website that tricks customers into sharing personal information. Acting on reports about a suspicious message urging customers to click a malicious link to redeem ‘Smart points’, the telco quickly sprang into action to cut access to the copycat website and prevent customers from falling prey to the scam.“Criminal syndicates have been using fake cell site devices to push scam messages directly to mobile subscribers. To make their messages believable, they spoof the sender to make it appear as if the SMS is legitimate and was sent by the mobile carrier. As a rule, Smart does not include or send clickable links either in person to person or official messages to its customers,” said Atty. Roy Ibay, VP and Head of Regulatory Affairs at Smart.
The recent modus dangles ‘Smart points’ to customers that compel them to redeem the reward before it expires. The link leads to a website that harvests customers’ personal data. Smart denies that such a promo exists. It also reminds customers that its official domain is https://smart.com.ph.
Smart also sounds the alarm on mass account hijacking on a popular instant messaging platform. Smart urges customers to verify with their contacts any suspicious link received over the third-party messaging application. Based on the telco’s investigation, these links lead to a bogus login page meant to steal users’ login credentials.
Smart has beefed up its network firewall to clamp down on unsolicited and fraudulent text messages. In 2024, the telco has prevented more than 2.3 billion malicious text messages from reaching customers. It had also blocked more than one million mobile numbers engaged in suspicious activities from its network.
Complementing these efforts is Smart’s #CyberSmart awareness campaign that shares tips on how to protect customers from text scams:
- Do not reply to unverified text messages.
- Block or delete suspicious messages with links. Never open these links.
- Scams often lure customers with too-good-to-be-true, attention-grabbing offers. These include winning the ‘grand prize’ of a raffle you don’t recall joining.
- Be wary of entities asking for personal or contact details, or any form of payment to redeem prizes or gifts.
Smart encourages customers to report suspicious messages via its HuliScam portal at https://smart.com.ph/HuliScam. Subscribers can provide details such as the sender’s mobile number or alphanumeric identifier, the message content, the date received, and the recipient's location. Fraudulent SIM numbers are promptly blocked following verification.
Subscribers may also report scams to Smart’s verified social media channels—Smart Communications on Facebook and @SMARTCares on X—or by calling hotline *888.
The Philippines’ leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc.’s (PLDT) wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has expanded its network coverage in Southern Leyte by rolling out new LTE sites in the town of Saint Bernard, boosting livelihood opportunities through connectivity and technology in the province.
Among those who would benefit from these upgrades are Saint Bernard's farmers. Southern Leyte's economy is mostly agriculture-driven, its main crops being coconut and palay.
"Technology is a game-changer for farmers in agriculture-based provinces like Southern Leyte. With reliable connectivity, farmers can access key information such as real-time weather updates, as well as learn more about modern-day farming techniques. By harnessing technology and digital tools, our farmers can make informed decisions, reduce losses, and increase their productivity, elevating the quality of life for farmers and their families, and boosting the economic growth of the province,” said Debbie M. Hu, FVP and Wireless Network Head at Smart.
Danny Balasico, president of Tambis St. Bernard Farmers Irrigators Association, expressed his delight at Smart’s network expansion in their town. “Since communication and connectivity are becoming more essential in today’s increasingly digital world, our association can benefit from this network expansion as we work toward integrating technology in our farming operations and livelihood,” he said.
Enabling them to maximize these network enhancements, PLDT and Smart also continue to deploy FarmTech packages across the country to augment the digitalization efforts of local farmers. Tambis St. Bernard Farmers Irrigators Association is the first farmer group from Southern Leyte to receive this training kit.
The FarmTech package is a tech-driven training kit designed to assist farming communities in remote areas in implementing digital literacy programs for their farmer members. The package contains a tablet, 10 smartphones, a SmartBro pocket WiFi with Smart Prepaid load cards, an outdoor projector, a portable sound system, and learning resources.
“We sincerely thank PLDT, Smart, and the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute Region 8 for choosing our association to be one of the beneficiaries of this package. With these tools and the enhanced connectivity in our area, we are more motivated to train our farmer-members on how to utilize mobile devices and applications to improve our farming practices,” said Balasico.
Smart’s continued investments in its network infrastructure and innovative products and services to help boost the livelihood of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk are aligned with the PLDT Group's commitment to help the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly UNSDG No. 1 on No Poverty, UNSDG No. 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and UNSDG No. 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
