5 Creative Gift Hacks for the Christmas Season

Christmas is just right around the corner, and the season of readying presents, prepping feasts, planning reunions, and practising holiday traditions have already started. You might even be worrying about finding unique presents as early as now, but there’s no need to fret since we’ve got some smart hacks for you!

1. Online Shopping – easy, accessible, and hassle-free!

You don’t actually have to go out of the house to shop anymore. Just fire up your laptop or smartphone to go online, and you’ll find tons of online shopping sites just waiting for you to add items to your cart. What are you waiting for? Search for the product you want to buy, and have it delivered straight to your doorstep. It’s definitely easy and convenient! Just make sure to purchase from reliable websites, and you’re good to go!

2. Hit the malls and be one with the holiday crowd.

You can always go back to the good ‘ol mall sales. With prices dropping up to 50% off and buy-one-take-one deals popping everywhere, malls are the main go-to for holiday shoppers. If you’re willing to dive in with the crowd during this busy season, you can purchase great finds in various malls.

However, you have to be wise in managing your time when you choose to deal with the Christmas crowd. Prepare the list of items you want to buy, or names of people you want to shop for, to save your time. When visiting malls, you really have to stick to your list to avoid lavish spending.

3. Garage sales and Bazaars - a nifty way to get great steals!

A wise man once said, “One man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.” Well technically, it’s not really garbage - some items and clothes in garage sales are just barely used, and are actually still in perfectly good condition. With a little bit of cleaning and washing especially with a premium detergent’s superior cleaning formula, it can be worth way more than what you paid for.

Bazaars, on the other hand, can be handy as well. They sell a wide range of exciting things from clothes to socks, scarves, caps, shoes, accessories, and many more. There are a lot of bazaar set-ups lining up in malls once the “ber” months hit, so you’ll surely have no problem spotting one!

4. Go Treasure-hunting with Ukay-Ukay!

When it comes to hunting down unique finds, ukay-ukays or thrift shops are the most common go-to shopping spree spots for Filipinos. You can find fashionable and branded pieces here that can definitely work well as gifts! Nowadays, there are many bloggers and vloggers you can get inspiration from when it comes to styling clothes from thrift shops. You can simply watch their ukay hauls and vlogs to get an idea on where to get great finds and what pieces to match it with.

When buying from ukay-ukay stores, it’s important to make sure that the items you bought are clean and fresh before giving them away. Quality is of utmost importance, and it’s a good thing a little bit of laundry washing can go a long way. You can always use a great detergent like Ariel to wash away the stains - even those pesky invisible kulob stains! Those ukay-ukay steals should be clean, kulob-free, and in good shape.

5. Don’t have time to buy? No problem! Raid your closet.

There’s no excuse for not giving anyone a gift when you have pre-loved clothes and accessories living in your closet. Look for tops or pieces you’ve only worn once or never even used before that will be perfect for other people. This will not only let you save money, but it will also make room for new items in your closet! Say goodbye to your old clothes, and say hello to the new ones to come!

Of course, by doing this, you need to make sure that the fashion items you’re giving away smell fresh and kulob-free! You might not notice, but there can be invisible stains lingering on your clothes that cause that awful kulob smell. There’s no need to worry though, as long as you get to wash them with a detergent that can go for deep and superior cleaning. Give it a shot with Ariel, with intensive cleaning that can remove even those invisible kulob stains with just one wash.

This can definitely turn your clothes from closet stuffing to an actual gift that looks brand new! Your friends and family won’t even notice, especially when the gift is finished off with a nice packaging then — Voilà! You have yourself the perfect well-thought of gift for your friends and loved ones! 

Understanding the label: A closer look at your child’s milk

“By taking time in reading and understanding the label, it helps you make smart choices in identifying the best milk for your child. All of these nutrients are expressed through the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI) of children, based on the guidelines of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI). So, if the Protein Content in the milk indicates 30 percent, then, your child needs 70 percent more from other food sources to meet his or her daily RENI. In some cases, it’s easy to identify the right formula milk for your child if you take time to read and understand the labels. It might seem complicated at first but, it can help you make good choices for your child’s growth and development. ” ~Dr. Lotis Francisco, Food Scientist 

Milk labels provide the necessary information that would allow you to check and balance the ingredients and other nutritional facts of the milk.

Aside from a well-balanced, nutritious diet, giving your child a glass of milk has been shown to help support your child’s well-being. Aside from being a source of calcium, a glass of milk can also provide essential and important nutrients for growth and mental development.

As parents, however, it is important to take a closer look—beyond the promises—at the nutritional values, ingredients, calorie counts, and even the sugar content of your child’s milk to better understand how it factors into his or her nutrition. One way of doing so is by getting accustomed to reading the labels. 

What’s on milk labels?

Dr. Francisco said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires labels on all prepackaged food, like milk. These labels must provide a complete list of ingredients, as well as its nutrition information in readable type. Usually, these are located at the back or side of the packaging under the “Ingredients” and “Nutrition Facts” headings.

When reading the Ingredients label, you must take note that the items listed are in descending order of proportion: from most to least. This means that the first ingredient in the list is also the main component of the milk.

For instance, some formula milk, like PROMIL® Four, have non-fat milk as their first listed ingredient, and thus is their first component. Dr. Francisco noted that this component is preferred for children over 3 years old since it eliminated unnecessary fatty acids and kept the other milk components like lactose.

Other milk brands, meanwhile, use other key ingredients like hydrolyzed cornstarch that serves as an agent to retain milk’s sensory properties, and functions as a source of carbohydrates with also its sucrose content. With these ingredients, your child’s milk would look and feel like that of a regular one when consumed, and is much sweeter than the recommended.

How do you read the Nutritional Facts?

The Nutritional Facts label, on the other hand, appears in a tabulated form that declares the protein, carbohydrates (including dietary fibers and sugars), fats (including saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol), sodium, as well as the caloric content of the milk. Added Vitamin A, Iron, and Iodine, as well as other vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are also included in the tabulation.

How do you know the sugar content?

When it comes to formula milk’s sugar levels, most parents may find it confusing, especially that the Nutritional Facts label only indicates an aggregated sugar content. That is why high sugar levels do not necessarily imply poor quality.

Among the types of sugar added in formula milk include sucrose, also referred to as table sugar and starches. These are added to replace some or all of the lactose naturally found in milk. Given the case, Dr. Francisco noted that it is still better to check the type of sugar used in your child’s milk. For your child’s proper growth and mental development, PROMIL® Four is predominantly lactose with its non-fat milk as the main ingredient.

What other nutrients should you look out for?

To ensure that your child gets the essential and important nutrients for proper growth and mental development, it pays off to check if milk’s macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—are at the right level for children over 3 years old.

Based on FNRI’s Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes, your child’s milk per serving should have Protein within 6-15% of total energy, Fat within 15-30% of total energy, and Carbohydrates within 55-79% of total energy to be within the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR).

Below recommended range may stunt child’s growth and drain energy, while above may cause the risk of obesity. To support proper growth and mental development, it is preferred for these nutrients to be within range. For PROMIL® FOUR, it gives 15% total energy from its protein content, 30% total energy from fats, and 55% total energy from carbohydrates.

PROMIL® FOUR is also the only formula milk with NUTRISSENTIALS®. It contains DHA, AA, Lutein, Iodine, and Iron to help support brain and visual development. It also has Vitamin A, which supports healthy eye development; Zinc for normal growth and maintaining a healthy immune system; Niacin, which aids in metabolism; Biotin, which enhances energy for physical development; and Potassium, which promotes healthy muscles. 

For many years, PROMIL® FOUR has helped parents nurture the gift through proper care, parenting, and nutrition.

To learn more about PROMIL® Four, visit their website at www.promilnurturethegift.com.ph. 

Aurum Launches BT Collection, a Line of Stylish and Elegant Engagement and Wedding Rings

"It was a natural progression to venture into engagement rings, as we have met many potential customers who asked for this." ~Tricie Legarda

Aurum adapts to today's fashion with a mixture of simple and high-end elegant jewelry, some of which are unique investment pieces sourced from abroad. They accept made to order designs and personalized jewelry for all occasions made from plain yellow gold, white gold, and platinum jewelry as well as pieces with various sizes of diamonds, coloured stones, and south sea pearls. They also provide lifetime cleaning, repair, and appraisal services.

Last Oct. 18, Aurum launched a new product line of handcrafted engagement and wedding rings designed with elegance and style, known as BT Collection.

BT (Bridal Trousseau) Collection is the brainchild of cousins Bianca Prieto Santos and Tricie Legarda. Bianca has been designing and selling fashion jewelry for a decade, while Tricie has worked in fashion and fine jewelry retail companies for several years.

BT Collection was created to be able to offer a wide selection of quality wedding rings at reasonable prices. They take pride in knowing that their wedding rings are at par with the bigger jewelry brands, yet are offered at an extremely competitive price.

BT Collection offers simple wedding bands in traditional 14k and 18k gold metals, to diamond anniversary and eternity bands. They have an offering of classic and modern styles to suit every taste. Rings are available in the stores ready-made or custom-made to specification and size of the customer.

After almost a year after launching the wedding rings line, BT Collection is proud to add engagement rings to their product offering. 

BT Collection rings are available at 4 store locations:

• Aurum, Glorietta 4 Level 2
• Tambunting, Festival Mall
• Tambunting, Market Market Mall
• Aurum by Tambunting, Sta. Lucia Mall Cainta

BT Collection is collaborating with young local designers to create limited edition styles to add to their existing lineup.

 

Losing weight the right way

“Many people want to lose weight quickly and easily by skipping meals, or taking diet pills, artificial drinks or weight-loss supplements, or even undergoing surgery. For us, the healthiest way to lose weight is to make lifestyle changes and that is what Cohen’s Lifestyle Program offers.” ~Barbara Young, Chief Executive officer of Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre

(L-R) Alex Vergara, Linda Bolido, Lai Reyes, and Edd Fuentes

Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre Philippines continues its campaign to promote losing weight the healthy way, the right way as it celebrates its ninth anniversary.

Mr. Barbara Young, Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre Philippines CEO

Cohen clients Marian Romero, Ian Montenegro and Dr. Ianne Tangcangco shared the stories of how they were able to achieve major weight losses through the Cohen program, which also alleviated some of their health problems.

Romero’s weight dropped  from 213 lbs. to 121 lbs., which cured her bulimia eating disorder and alleviated her polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that leads to complications such as infertility. Montenegro, who once weighed 200 lbs., achieved her healthiest self at 111 lbs. She no longer suffers from sleep apnea, wherein her breathing is interrupted during sleep and she may not get enough oxygen. Dr. Tangcangco is now down to 128 lbs. from 189 lbs. and no longer suffers from hypertension or high blood pressure.   

Ms. Marian Romero 

Cohen’s Lifestyle Program is a personalized eating regimen based on each client’s unique blood test results (not blood type). It is based on scientific and medically sound research. Without need of exercise, injection, artificial food and drinks, or intake of weight-loss pills and supplements, the Cohen program delivers fast results, with clients usually losing 8 to 10 pounds a month the healthy way.

Ms. Ian Montenegro

Clients get individualized food “prescriptions” such as the precise amount of food combinations, which triggers the body’s natural ability to release fat as source of energy. The body sheds weight while vital organs expel the harmful toxins that disrupt the body’s natural physiological function and cause disease.

Dr. Mary Anne Tangcangco 

Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre also teaches lifestyle changes that have been researched to balance hormones that cause weight gain, namely insulin, serotonin and human growth hormone.

Mr. Kevin Lapena

Young stressed that there were no shortcuts to losing weight without harmful effects to health and well-being. Cohen’s Lifestyle Program was developed to help people lose weight the healthy way, the right way.

Visit www.cohenlifestyle.com.ph. Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre Philippines has branches at Medical Plaza Makati and Davao. To schedule a free information session, call (02) 828-5251 or (0917) 892-6436 for Makati and (082) 225-2250 or 0917 651-2170 for Davao.

Outstanding Achievement in Export Marketing Bringing the best Filipino brands to the world

‘To Nourish & Delight Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.’

Century Pacific Food, Inc. receives the Outstanding Achievement in Export Marketing from Agora Awards, the highest award-giving body that recognizes companies and individuals that are at the cutting edge of marketing excellence. Receiving the award is CPFI EVP and COO Greg Banzon (4^th from left) with (L-R) 39^th Agora Awards category head Marco Antonio, independent director Prof. Enrique Soriano, III, PMA president Arlene Padua, CPFI export marketing and sales department manager Sherry Lou Marzo, CPFI global brands group head Randy Cruz, 39^th Agora Awards overall chairperson Maeyeth Cayungog and PMA director Mary Faith Abaño.

Receiving the award on behalf of CPFI during the awards was EVP and COO Greg Banzon who is also an Agora awardee for Marketing Management Excellence in 2014. For several years now, Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CPFI), the company founded by visionary entrepreneur and iconoclast Ricardo Po Sr. in 1978, has been successfully bringing these brands to many markets across the globe.

From its dominant local industry position with a market share of 83% in the canned tuna market, the company gained wide acceptance for its flagship product Century Tuna in key markets in the Middle East, North America, and Europe and across Asia Pacific. Even more impressive, Century Tuna has become a leading supermarket brand in China and Vietnam and is among the top three brands in the Middle East. 

Where there is a large community of Filipinos in any country across the globe, you will almost certainly find the taste of home in every can of Century Tuna and Argentina canned meats in the shelves of top supermarkets. 

Further proof of the warm acceptance of CPFI’s brands globally is how the packaging for Century Tuna and Argentina Canned Meats are translated into multiple languages—among them Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, Swedish, Hebrew, Arabic and Chinese—plus the fact that they are carried by leading global retailers like Walmart, Safeway, Carrefour, Metro, and Giant. Today, the brands of CPFI are present in as many as 60 countries. 

For this outstanding achievement, CPFI has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Export Marketing by the Agora Awards of the Philippine Marketing Association, the highest award-giving body has been recognizing individuals and companies that are at the cutting edge of marketing excellence. Long a coveted honor and a true feather to a local marketing professional’s cap, the Agora Awards is truly the highest marketing distinction handed out in the Philippines, highlighting versatility, innovativeness, and ingenuity.

In bestowing the Outstanding Achievement in Export Marketing, the Agora Awards took due notice of CPFI’s disciplined approach of first focusing on large Filipino communities abroad as their entry point towards establishing a market base in each region. From there, they gradually expand their reach to mainstream consumers in each country, by participating in food expos and by contacting top accounts.

Moreover, this prized recognition from the Agora Awards is a testament to the dedication of the men and women of CPFI and its Global Branding Group, led by global brands group head Randy Cruz and export marketing and sales department manager Sherry Lou Marzo. 

#ChristmaSMoments at SM Supermalls

“Everything Christmas is here at SM. Shop, dine, and spend precious time and holiday reunions with the people who matter the most, and continue creating unforgettable memories with your loved ones at your one-stop winter wonderland.” ~Steven T. Tan, SM Supermalls Chief Operating Officer

Countless Christmas moments await the whole family as SM Supermalls marks the month of November with the Super World of Joy Christmas launches, inviting everyone to experience the spirit of a joyful Christmas with new and fun-filled activities happening all throughout November and December till the first week of January in all SM malls across the country.

Mallgoers can share Christmas moments at Superworld of Magic interactive mall displays and centerpieces. You can take the kids out to catch Grand Christmas Parades, fireworks spectacles, and Holiday Performances, featuring chorales, orchestras, and ballerinas! If you haven’t bought the kids their gifts yet, there is the Christmas Toy Fair from November 9 to 25.

Christmas is for sharing love and happiness with the less fortunate – for only 200 pesos, you can buy two SM Bears of Joy – one bear to keep, while the other will be donated to the mall’s chosen charity. 

Naughty or nice, we invite you to bring the kids to meet and greet Santa from November 30 to December 25. You can also send your Christmas wishes and write to #DearSMSanta for a chance to have your wish granted. For more info on #DearSMSanta and to know to more about SM’s 2018 Christmas celebrations, visit www.smsupermalls.com/christmasmoments. 

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

Shopee Kickstarts the Biggest Christmas Sale of the Year, Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

Join Shopee for an exciting evening of activities, performances and giveaways at the Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale event on October 25 at Glorietta 2!

Shopee will have its first mall event and everybody’s welcome! Pat & Pixie would love to meet all of you on October 25,2018 5:30pm at Glorietta 2.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announces the return of the biggest Christmas sale of the year, Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Starting from October 26, Shopee will kick-off the first wave with 16 themed days of promotions, leading up to the peak of the campaign on November 11. Shopee will also be giving away over 11 million Shopee Coins for the popular in-app game, Shopee Shake. 

To mark the start of Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, Shopee will be holding a Christmas event on October 25, at Glorietta 2, Activity Center from 5pm onwards. During the event, Shopee will also be announcing its special Christmas ambassador. Everyone is invited to join for an evening of fun activities, guest performances, and giveaways. A few lucky attendees will also walk away with prizes worth over ₱200,000 including two roundtrip tickets to Macau, an Avision 40" TV, and a Honor 8x.

For more information on Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale, visit https://shopee.ph/11-11.

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

About Shopee

Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It is a platform tailored for the region, providing customers with an easy, secure and fast online shopping experience through strong payment and logistical support. Shopee aims to continually enhance its platform and become the region’s e-commerce destination of choice.

Shopee has a wide selection of product categories ranging from consumer electronics to home & living, health & beauty, baby & toys, fashion and fitness equipment.

Shopee, a Sea company, was first launched in Singapore in 2015, and has since expanded its reach to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sea is a leader in digital entertainment, e-commerce and digital financial services across Greater Southeast Asia. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology, and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol SE.

SM Supermalls treats kids nationwide with the "Super AweSM" United Nations and Halloween celebrations

“SM Supermalls takes utmost pride in celebrating this awesome Kids’ Month with no less than the next generation of leaders and the future of SM, our SM kiddie shoppers. The awesome deals and fun experiences continue this October, starting off with the nationwide #SuperAweSMKidsDay followed by the annual United Nations Day and Halloween festivities. We dedicate this month to you with everything that you love to do at SM: play, shop, eat, and win!” ~Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing

After the successful nationwide #SuperAweSMKidsDay, SM Supermalls continues the #AweSMKidsMonth this October with back-to-back awesome events, namely United Nations Day and Halloween.

IT’S A SMALL WORLD AT SM MALLS. Visit www.smsupermalls.com now to check out

the United Nations Day activities at an SM mall near you! 

Aside from the annual National Costume Parade and Contest, kids and families who will celebrate #UnitedNationsDayAtSM2018 can enjoy cultural performances from UN countries through the World Music Fest, grand display of flags from different countries, and face painting of colorful flags via Wear Your Flag.

HAVE A MONSTERRIFIC TIME AT SM. SM malls nationwide have different #AweSM treats for kids of all ages this Halloween. Check out the events at an SM mall near you via www.smsupermalls.com.

Meanwhile, a fun and #MonsterrificHalloweenAtSM will delight super kids of all ages with various awesome activities including the Freaky Face makeup contest, Monster Ball Halloween costume challenge, Peak-A-Fun Fair with lots of thrilling deals, Vivo Enchanted Castle attractions in 57 malls and the much awaited #AweSM Trick or Treat.   

All parents are encouraged to capture their kids’ special moments using the #AweSMKidsMonth’s Photo App found at www.smsupermalls.com. All promo participants will get a chance to win P5,000-worth of SM shopping money!

Visit smsupermalls.com for the full list of events and activities in store for our little ones this whole month of October!

Design Center champions bamboo as PH natural design language Forest bathing-inspired setting to be mounted at Manila FAME

“We grew up with bamboo, so we can use our natural design language of bamboo and bring it to the next level, in terms of bringing innovation and using it as a form of expression of our creativity and our vision of the future. For this year’s installment of Bamboo Extreme, which is Bamboo Extreme 2.0, these are iterations of new concepts in mobility using bamboo as a material. We are proud to feature this in our bamboo setting in Manila FAME, together with the prototypes for Bamboo 360o. Our partnership with the mining sector is to help in the propagation of bamboo and using bamboo as a material on a horizontal application – it’s really finding more industries in which bamboo can be used. The partnership with the mining communities aims to close the supply-chain gap.” ~Rhea Matute, Design Center Executive Director  remarked during the exclusive media preview of Manila FAME exhibits at LRI Design Plaza

(L-R): CEO and Design Director at MEEP Inc. and Banatti Christopher Lacson, COMP Executive Director Ronald Recidoro, Design Center Executive Director Rhea Matute, PNIA Chairman and President of Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Isidro Alcantara, Jr., PNIA Chairman Emeritus and Chairman of the PNIA Committee on Sustainability Clarence Pimentel, Jr., and PNIA Executive Director Charmaine Olea-Capili

On the 68th edition of Manila FAME, the country’s premier design and lifestyle event, the Design Center of the Philippines will showcase the potential uses of bamboo through the creation of a design-forward home, lifestyle, and adventure products in its exhibits, Bamboo 360o and Bamboo Extreme 2.0.

Previewed at the LRI, the bamboo set takes its inspiration from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku or forest bathing. The bamboo canopy housed two of the bamboo-made products to be featured in Manila FAME, Bambino by Bambike Revolutions and Eco-Padyak by Milo Naval. The former is a scoot bike that was recently awarded the Good Design Award, Japan’s most prestigious and recognizable design award, and the latter is inspired by the definitively Filipino tricycle and pedicab, which won the Editor’s Choice by Locale Magazine. A new version of the Green Falcon by Banatti, an electric motorcycle with a marine-lacquered bamboo bodywork, will also be featured in the Design Center’s exhibit at Manila FAME. 

“What we are trying to achieve this time is to bring Manila FAME to the world in a whole different realm – transforming the way we execute things in a different content. We are evolving, and we are excited about that. Manila FAME is not intended to be just a few days of physical exhibitions, but it should be something that would allow us to have a touchpoint, to make it virtual. The touchpoint would be an opportunity for our MSMEs to reach out to a greater market.” ~Nora K. Terrado, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for the Trade and Promotions Group

Matute added that the agency’s partnership with the mining sector aims to instill a commitment to the circular economy, particularly in the way we create and consumer products. 

The Executive Director also said that the Design Center is looking forward to realizing the vision of the mining sector to develop agro-industrial estates in the communities they are involved in. 

“We will fortify the collaboration between our partner agencies, the Design Center of the Philippines and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association, as they reinforce the evolution of bamboo as a raw material of functional yet remarkably designed pieces.” ~Pauline Suaco-Juan, CITEM Executive Director

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Manila FAME, running from October 19-21 at the World Trade Center, faces digitalization head-strong while also promoting the signature craftsmanship of Filipino designers and the boundless creativity of the country.

Meanwhile, Executive Director Matute said that the Design Center, a sister agency of CITEM, will always help in showing the world the true potential of what Philippine creativity and design has to offer.

Also present during the exclusive media preview were National Bamboo Industry Cluster Coordinator and DTI-Region III Director Judith Angeles, PNIA Chairman and President of Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Isidro Alcantara, Jr., PNIA Chairman Emeritus and Chairman of the PNIA Committee on Sustainability Clarence Pimentel, Jr., PNIA Executive Director Charmaine Olea-Capili, and COMP Executive Director Ronald Recidoro.

Send Money and Receive Money for Free with GCash

“Sending and withdrawing money through the GCash platform is in line with Mynt’s drive for financial inclusion and enabling the unbanked. Through this, Filipinos can enjoy the services for free anywhere in the country, and ultimately show love to people who matter to them the most.” ~Anthony Thomas, Mynt’s President, and CEO

Remittances (a way of sending money) are a staple of Filipino culture, especially with lots of families depending on the money of their loved ones for sustenance. No matter where you are in the country, you’ll see remittance centers that offer these services from Metro Manila to anywhere in the Philippines, usually with a fee based on a percentage of the total amount to be sent. GCash realized that for these people, every peso counts, and that’s why they made sending and withdrawing money through the GCash ecosystem free. 

In a nation-first, the country’s leading mobile wallet provider GCash shakes up the local money remittance scene by innovating a free end-to-end remittance experience for their customers.

“Pinadalhan ako ng pera ng anak ko pambili ng gamot, dahil sa GCash walang bayad magpadala. No hidden charges, di nabawasan ang pera ko." ~Bong Yusingco, a worker located in Quezon City

GCash users can send money to other users anywhere in the Philippines for free via the GCash App, via the @gcashofficial Messenger official account, or by dialing *143# on their Globe or TM– from Luzon to Mindanao. In turn, the receiver can use their GCash Mastercard to withdraw at over 20,000 BancNet- or Mastercard-supported ATMs nationwide for FREE*, or cash-out PHP 20,000 per transaction on over 10,000 GCash Partner Outlets as well. ATM withdrawal fees from other financial service providers cost as high as PHP 20.00, while traditional remittance centers charge as high as PHP 500.00 for sending money transactions around PHP 40,000.

“Any payment has been easy since I used GCash. I can pay my bills and enjoy my shopping without bringing my wallet! It is very convenient to use the GCash App and I save time! Not only that, I can withdraw money using my GCash Mastercard without getting charged.” ~Justine Concepcion, a private employee in Taguig City

Getting a GCash account is easy. Just download the GCash App for free from the App Store or from Google Play and sign up for an account. Alternatively, you can look for @gcashofficial on Messenger and sign up.

Customers can get a GCash Mastercard by ordering online at www.gcash.com/mc-store/orders to be delivered to their location, or by going to participating Globe Stores with GCash Caravans, for as low as PHP 150.

To fund their GCash account, a user can visit over 16,000 GCash Partner Outlets nationwide, like 7-Eleven, SM Business Centers, Robinsons Business Centers, Puregold branches, and Villarica Pawnshop branches, and tell the cashier to cash-in to their GCash account. Cashing-in to a GCash account is free.

*Customers can avail free withdrawals twice a month

OLX participates in Cebu Auto Show 2018

OLX Philippines sales support lead Paula Barrun Puyat (2^nd from left) with telesales account officer Roy Finuliar (center) and corporate sales manager Maristel Lim, together with OLX Cebu Auto Show 2018 models Sophia Custodio (leftmost) and Flevany Tangayan (rightmost).

OLX, the world’s leading classifieds platform, recently joined the Cebu Auto Show, one of the biggest automotive events in the country. During the event held at the SM Seaside Sky Hall, OLX gave away prizes and freebies to participants who joined the brand’s booth activities. Conceived as one of the regional installments of the iconic Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), the 11th Cebu Auto Show gathered a total of 44 booths composed of seven vehicle brands, two motorcycle brands, and a long list of auto parts and car accessories sellers.

Kuya J unique franchise program unveiled

Winglip Chang (center), Kuya J Group Inc. president and chief executive officer, formally announced the launch of the program, Kuya J Group Inc. chairman Lowell Yu (left) and chief financial officer Francis Reyes (right)

Kuya J, the country’s fastest-growing casual dining restaurant chain, introduced recently its one-of-a-kind franchise program at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City. Kuya J’s franchise program offers potential partners in-house financial assistance to create greater opportunities for further growth and expansion. 

Santé kicks off the Annual Business Conference 2018

“We are happy to hold the Annual Business Conference with speakers who get to share their expertise and experience to people who have the same interest in the business. This event marks our commitment to building a strong foundation for our business owners so they can grow with us. Education is a lifetime process. The things we know in the past may not be applicable today. As a progressive company, we want to make it a point to continuously enhance the skill levels of our business owners. Our objective for them is to compete globally. That is why we continue to search for new trends in the industry that are applicable to our business.” ~Joey Marcelo, CEO of Santé

Santé recently held its Annual Business Conference (ABC) 2018, entitled The Big Shift: Building a Future-Proof Business on August 30 at the Bayanihan Center, Pioneer Avenue in Pasig City. It was attended by more than 500 leaders and entrepreneurs. 

One of the prominent speakers present in the event is Jayson Lo, a best-selling author and entrepreneur, who talked about culture. He shared his experience with companies and how he helps them better understand the culture they belong in. Chinkee Tan, a wealth coach, author, TV, and radio personality, also gave insights on being an influencer. The keynote speaker during ABC is an internationally-acclaimed best-selling author and world-renowned trainer in direct selling, Tom ‘Big Al’ Schreiter, who talked about leadership.

Other presenters during the conference include Randell Tiongson, finance coach, best-selling author, and column writer; Eugene Sugian, digital marketing whiz kid; Alexine Sy, radio DJ and social media influencer; and Dodong Cacanando, motivational and business leadership speaker. They delved on the topic of finance, digital marketing, personal branding, and entrepreneurial, respectively. 

“The Annual Business Conference’s purpose is to really educate and empower business owners. We want to give them more information … We impart them with knowledge, then we provide avenues for them to convert this knowledge to ability.” ~Paul Caluag, Chief Network Development Officer of Santé 

Santé’s Annual Business Conference started in 2015 and has since then been a highly anticipated event among Santé entrepreneurs. ABC is part of Santé’s Engage training series.

To know more about Santé International and their exciting natural products, visit their website at https://main.santebarley.com.

RCBC joins industry forum on the future of payment for Filipinos with ePiso

Industry experts led the discussion on how to effectively drive the nation to a cash-lite economy. The panelists included (from left) The Asian Banker international resource director Richard Hartung, RCBC first senior vice president and digital banking group head Margarita Lopez, Development Bank of the Philippines head of branch banking sector and marketing group Antonio Maramag, USAID/E-PESO Activity chief of party Mamerto Tangonan, and Total System Services vice president and regional head of Asia, Middle East & Africa Malek Mroueh.

RCBC took part in the recent The Future of Finance, Philippines 2018 conference with the theme “Strong Economy and Vital Innovation for the Philippines”. Organized by The Asian Banker, the annual forum featured discussions on the opportunities and challenges in the local banking market, how to reach the unbanked through digital technology, and how to successfully usher the country into the new era of digital banking.

A set of global speakers and panelists, including RCBC first senior vice president and head of digital banking group Margarita Lopez, presented case studies and best practices among more than 200 bankers, financial services professionals, policymakers, investors, innovators, regulators, academics, local, and international business leaders.

During the panel discussion on the Future of Payments for Filipinos, Lopez talked about the RCBC ePiso. “We want to enable easy, secure and convenient electronic payments as part of their day-to-day habits and once we do that, we then become part of their everyday lives,” noted Lopez as she underscored the bank’s mission to become part of consumers’ activities and to enable them with access to digital payments through ePiso.

Earlier this year, RCBC introduced the country’s first-of-its-kind digital currency, ePiso, that provides a more secure, affordable, and efficient way to handle cash for daily transactions. With ePiso, the bank hopes to bring a sustainable economic network that would advance financial inclusion in the country. ePiso has been successfully test-launched to residents in Brgy. Poblacion in Muntinlupa City, farming communities in Bukidnon, and merchants in Bulacan.

Margarita Lopez talks about RCBC’s continued efforts towards financial inclusion through empowering consumers and local businesses with ePiso. She shared that Filipinos can quickly adapt to digital solutions as she recounted the success of ePiso test launches where communities appreciated using the digitized currency and enjoyed cashless transactions with RCBC partner merchants in Muntinlupa City and Bulacan, and where farmers received loans and bought input supplies via ePiso in Bukidnon province. 

Get ready to scream in SM Cinema’s 1st Sine-Sindak Horror Film Festival at SM Malls in Rizal, Marikina

This coming Halloween, prepare yourselves to be horrified and get ready for your loudest scream as SM Cinema, the largest film exhibitor in the country, together with CrystalSky Multimedia, a key distributor of internationally renowned films, brings you the scariest film fest of the year, the 1^st ever Sine-Sindak Horror Film Festival!  Visit SM City Angono, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Masinag, SM City Marikina, SM City San Mateo and SM City Taytay to catch the Sine-Sindak movies featuring eight (8) international horror films that will surely send shivers down your spine.

The Hoarder (USA)

Ella (Mischa Barton) discovers her boyfriend is renting a secret storage unit, which she initially thought her partner is using as a hideout for his affair. Unfortunately, she together with her best friend Molly (Emily Atack), discover something more terrifying instead. She will also meet a group of strangers to help her face a deranged killer lurking in the darkness.

The Dead Room (USA)

Witness the terrifying ordeal of two cynical scientists (Jed Brophy and Jeffrey Thomas) and a young psychic (Laura Petersen) as they encounter a powerful spirit protecting the secrets of an old farm house.

Urban Evil (South Korea)

An award-winning movie from South Korea, Urban Evil will follow the story of a mutant boy who must face the uncanny exorcisms in his home town.

Lavender (USA)

Starring Abbie Cornish, this film follows the life of a photographer after she suffered from a severe memory loss. A concerned psychiatrist (Justin Long) tries to help her recover her lost memories and unravel the secrets of her forgotten past.

Darkness Rising (USA)

Madison (Tara Holt) together with her friends, Jake (Bryce Johnson) and Izzy (Katrina Law), visits their old house where her family was massacred. And as the lone survivor, she looks for her mysterious past but unfortunately, she also awakens the detrimental evil residing there.

Hollow One (USA)

Rachel Wade (Kate Alden) and her younger sister go to an isolated community and find their missing father after the tragic death of their mother. Instead of getting answers, Rachel must face her family’s dark history and a mysterious figure to fight for their survival.

The Lost Case (Thailand)

A Thai movie, The Lost Case follows the story of two newbies in a production company producing a popular television show called Ghost Doctor TV. They were assigned into a suicide case and as they continue investigating, the two are about to deal with the most horrifying and terrifying encounters of their lives!

Grace (Thailand)

Another movie from Thailand, Grace features a girl with the name, Grace, as she and her brother plan to kidnap Care, a famous internet idol. Grace, also a former internet idol will show the world how crazy and pathetic she is as she tortures the internet personality.

The House On Pine Street

A psychological horror about a young woman coping with an unwanted pregnancy after moving into a seemingly haunted house.

Exit Humanity

A young man struggles to survive in the aftermath of a deadly undead outbreak during the American Civil War.

As a treat to the brave moviegoers, a Sine-Sindak Horror Film Festival ticket is priced at Php 99.00. And for those who want to finish the scary ride and enjoy all the horror flicks, an unlimited all-day pass is also offered at Php 199.00 each.

Watch Sine-Sindak movies from October 24 to 30, 2018. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Uratex, Rustan’s launch new line of premium mattresses

(from left to right) Hosted by society personalities and philanthropists Kaye Tinga, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Uratex co-founder and CEO Natividad “Naty” Cheng, marketing director Cherry Tan and finance director Pinky Tan-Rosagas.

Uratex Premium Mattress, together with Rustan’s, introduced a new line of mattresses, pillows, and toppers at the lifestyle display Sleep Haven at the East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. Hosted by society personalities and philanthropists Kaye Tinga (left) and Tessa Prieto-Valdes (second, left), Sleep Haven showcased four luxurious collections: Perfect Serenity, Premium Touch, Orthocare and Senso Memory. Also featured were Uratex Premium pillows, made using the same state-of-the-art sleep-science technology as the mattresses to provide comfort and neck and back support for best sleep quality. 

For more information, visit www.uratex.com.ph.