Apps

4 ways you can use TikTok to help during the COVID-19 crisis

You don’t need to dance sexily to help

Published

March 25, 2020

MJ Jucutan

As the coronavirus pandemic hits a fever pitch, the amount of TikTok users has been ballooning. A lot of people are currently stuck at home due to a quarantine and forced self-isolation, leading people to download the short-form video app to ease their boredom.

TikTok may be known for goofy and humorous videos but just like any other social media platform, it has other sides catering to different niches and personalities. From cooking, photography, and journaling, to sexy dance challenges, thirst traps, viral memes, and cringe-worthy videos bordering between silly and insanity.

And just like any social media platform, TikTok is also contributing to the fight against coronavirus, in its own, unique, entertaining way. If you spend a lot of time watching and/or uploading on TikTok, maybe it’s high time you participate in TikTok’s efforts seeing how you have a lot of time to do so.

Arm yourself with information

When somebody asks you about your ‘contribution’ in your government and your country’s fight against the coronavirus, you can always slap the taxes you pay, and the criticism and flaws you point out so the system can improve. But if you find it difficult to answer, you can respond with how you’re armed with information — which came from verified and trusted sources.

If you’re unsure where to access accurate and timely information, TikTok created a special page within the app for all things coronavirus — advisories, preventive measures, and Mythbusters debunking fallacies to fight misinformation. Yes, even as a TikTok user, you should be able to discern what is news and what is misinformation.

Don’t forget to wash your hands properly

If Mimiyuuuh can remind us to ‘drink your water’, you can be your own influencer and remind others to wash their hands properly. TikTok creators are using the platform to promote handwashing while singing their favorite songs for 20 seconds.

@tjmusicmonterde ##HandWashChallenge ##handwashtunes ♬ original sound – TJ Monterde

In Vietnam, the Ghen Cô Vy (English Version) was released to inspire hand sanitation. Through its groovy choreography, people have become cautious of the coronavirus. If you want to be an influencer, you can join TikTok’s #HandwashTunes challenge so you can encourage people to wash their hands properly. Remember, an influencer influences.

Spread love and happiness

This challenging time encourages us to spread positive messages of love and hope, not toxic positivity. Our social media feeds are always bombarded with news and the reality we live in.

If you find yourself scrolling on TikTok more often, take part in the #LoveInTheTimeOfCorona challenge instead of just dancing sexily. If you’re musically-inclined, you can bring some hope and compassion in your videos by using a new collaborative song entitled “Forever Beautiful: All for One Version”. The song features Eric Chou, Ben&Ben, and 13 artists across Asia.

@kuyaching ##loveinthetimeofcorona Good deeds should be done with intention, not for attention.@Swerab Smith @Keanne Go ##chingsters ##teamramen ##laughingjackz ♬ Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi

Keep your distance, but stay connected

If you’re reading this and you have a mobile phone, access to the internet, and you’re inside a house where you can sleep safe and sound, then congratulations! You’re blessed and you’re privileged enough compared to people who need to step outside for work so they can put food on their plates.

Use this privilege to stay at home because that will be your major contribution (if someone ever asks you again). Use this time at home to catch up with friends and family via social media, in case you’ve been ignoring them for weeks now. You can also try to improve yourself. Perhaps, you can learn a new language, a new recipe, develop new hobbies, and maybe do a home workout.

Whatever it is, don’t forget to share good vibes and entertain people, especially those who can’t handle self-isolation well. Maybe it’s also a good time for you to create more TikTok videos (which you can save as a draft for future purposes).

Let’s remember that we can maintain our distance to keep others safe while maintaining connections through social media platforms. Until then, stay safe!

As general rules, the CDC or The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed these to help with preventing the spread of COVID-19:

Stay home when sick
Cover coughs and sneezes
Frequently wash hands with soap and water
Clean frequently touched surfaces

Related Topics:coronavirus Covid-19 TikTok

Apps

GCash rolls out in-app OTPs via push notifications to fight scams

SMS-based codes will be phased out by June 22

Published

June 6, 2026

GadgetMatch

GCash is completely changing how users secure their accounts by rolling out in-app OTPs by June 22.

This fully replaces traditional SMS-based authentication as part of heightened cybersecurity measures against phishing scams and financial fraud.

With this security upgrade, users will no longer receive their OTPs via text messages. Instead, the codes will be sent through secure push notifications directly inside the GCash app.

This provides a much safer verification experiences. The migration to internal authentication is a direct response to a directive from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to phase out SMS-based OTPs by June 2026.

Furthermore, the shift aligns with the country’s Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), which mandates stricter safeguards to curb digital fraud.

For years, cybercriminals have targeted SMS-based verification codes through various spoofing and phishing tactics to gain unauthorized access to accounts.

By routing OTP requests directly through the user’s authenticated GCash app, the platform ensures that only the rightful account owner can receive and use the unique codes.

Beyond security, the switch brings some much-needed convenience. The instant, one-tap authentication removes the annoying hurdle of switching between apps, copying codes, or waiting for delayed text messages to arrive in areas with poor cellular signal.

To get in-app OTPs on the GCash app, simply turn on Push Notifications on your iOS or Android device.

Apps

The No-Nonsense guide to mid-year shopping

Let AI do the heavy lifting for you this Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale

Published

June 5, 2026

MJ Jucutan

The mid-year sale season is here, but the days of mindless impulse buying are over.

Shoppers are shifting toward intentional, value-driven decisions, focusing on quality, authenticity, and actual utility over flashy, low-quality gimmicks.

From 8:00 PM on June 5 until 11:59 PM on June 8, 2026, the Lazada 6.6 Super WOW Sale is dropping major discounts. But the real win is using the platform’s tools to maximize your budget.

Lock in the baseline discounts

Before diving into specific items, map out how to stack the core offers.

You can stretch your money by hunting down LazFlash Deals for up to 90% off, collecting up to PhP 3,000 in stackable vouchers, and ensuring every order qualifies for the free shipping offers available throughout the event.

True value comes from combining these three layers of savings on things you already need.

Jisulife: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Filter for authentic value

Shopping smart means avoiding the trap of “too good to be true” counterfeits that end up in the trash.

Data shows a massive consumer shift toward trusted quality, with LazMall growth vastly outperforming standard listings during major sales.

To ensure your money goes toward genuine products with real warranties, restrict your browsing to official, brand-certified stores.

If you are upgrading your tech, parenting gear, or wardrobe, look to trusted names anchoring the sale like UGREEN, JisuLife, ANTA, Maserati Watches, Momcozy, and O.TWO.O.

UGREEN: One of the participating, trusted brands you can get from LazMall

Outsmart the noise with built-in tech

Don’t waste hours scrolling through endless listings or guessing which product is better.

The smartest way to navigate a massive mid-year event is to let the platform’s built-in features cut through choice paralysis.

Tools like AI Lazzie and AI Picks allow you to instantly compare similar items, analyze prices, and get personalized recommendations based on actual data rather than generic marketing hype.

Smart Shopper Tip: True value is a mix of the right price, verified authenticity, and a seamless return policy. Use this sale period to stock up on everyday essentials and high-quality upgrades rather than panic-buying items you’ll regret later.

Apps

Meta adds subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Published

May 28, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Is your wallet buckling from the weight of so many subscription services? Well, Meta has a trio of new subscriptions for you to sink your hard-earned cash towards. If you have a few dollars, here’s Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.

All three subscriptions are designed to add new features which can enhance the experience for those who practically live on these apps. Among the three, Instagram Plus is the meatiest. It offers users the ability to view other people’s Stories without showing up as a viewer, create more tailored audiences outside of Close Friends, and extend the duration of a Story beyond 24 hours, among others.

View this post on Instagram

Since it shares similarities with Instagram, Facebook Plus offers much of the same features. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers more customization options including new themes, ringtones, and stickers.

If that’s not enough, Meta has also released a new subscription system for Meta AI. Though the basic use of the AI is still free, the new Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium plans offer more capacity and performance for power users. The company is also testing new creator-focused plans, Meta One Essential and Meta One Advanced.

Of course, the new AI-based plans are more focused on those who actually use the AI software. Meanwhile, the three app plans are more for regular users. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will cost US$ 3.99 per month. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost US$ 2.99 per month.