• Exclusive appearances by popular Kpop idols, WJSN and Weki Meki on Shopee Live at 8PM (GMT +8) on June 10 and 15 respectively. Users can enjoy first-hand access to the groups with exciting performances, interviews, games, and more in each stream.
• Daily Kpop themed challenges for fans to show off their knowledge, recreate iconic Kpop looks, and more. The best fans stand to win attractive prizes such as vouchers and signed merchandise from their favorite idols.

Don’t forget to check out the official Facebook pages of SM Malls in Bulacan for more updates on convenient shopping and redefined customer experience - SM City San Jose del Monte https:www.facebook.com/SMCitySanJoseDelMonte, SM City Marilao https://www.facebook.com/SMCityMarilao, and SM City Baliwag https://www.facebook.com/smbaliwag.

It remains unclear when the world will find a cure against the coronavirus, but what appears to be clear these days is the new-found respect for frontline Overseas Filipino workers who are bravely helping other countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This Migrant Workers’ Day, it’s not enough to honor Overseas Filipino healthcare workers by calling them noble frontliners. They are modern-day heroes. Take the case of Jessica Lamela, a Filipino caregiver who is currently in Israel. Other than being a caregiver, she is also looking for ways to help other Filipinos who lost their jobs due to the global health crisis. 

“Because I am a nurse by profession, I am called to serve during this pandemic. But I am also helping other Filipinos in times of need. Daming workers na nawalan ng work. Ayaw na kasi ng employer nila na may magdadala ng virus. I help them because member ako ng Filipino organization, called NAFILCO, by giving them support and food in times like this,” Lamela said. 

According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), the number of Overseas Filipinos who worked abroad was estimated at 10.2 million. But on May 6, the COVID-19 National Task Force informed the Filipino public that close to 70,000 OFs are to be brought home due to the global economic effects of the pandemic. These heroes are hurting, to say the least. 

“Since 2009 po, wala akong uwian, nung una for two years. Dati po akong construction worker and now sa factory naman ako nagta-trabaho. At dahil po sa COVID-19, wala na kami ng overtime. Kaya nagbebenta-benta na rin po ako ng ulam dito,” said Dennis Pascual Maala, an OF in South Korea. 

For his part, Cesar Cosep, who is working as a Project Manager of a railway system in Jeddah, was fortunate enough to keep his job, but other OFs in Jeddahwere not as lucky as him. 

“May mga tao sa Jeddah na nagka-cut sa salary nila. Nag-stop yung project nila because of the lockdown. Their company was forced to shut down,” Cosep said. But the Filipino community in other countries remain solid and strong for their families back home. They continue to work for them, while contributing to the country’s slowing economy by keeping remittances coming. 

Remittance Cushion 

Although economists expect the country’s remittances will suffer due to the pandemic, OFs like Lamela, Maala, and Cosep still continue to send money from abroad through the remittance tie-ups of BPI with online remittance services. 

“Kahit anong oras po at gusto kong magpadala sa mommy ko or sa mga kapatid ko or sa tita ko, through mobile banking, nakakapagpadala ako. May BPI Representative na pumunta sa Korea to introduce the ‘Pamana Padala’ offering, oramismo natatanggap,”explained Maala. 



Cosep agrees. “I’ve been using online remittance because I don’t have the time to fall in line and go to the physical branch. This is to be safe also. I send money to my family for their necessity. Ang important is they have food, medicine, and face masks this time,” he said. 


Valuable contribution

BPI continues to initiate opportunities to drive digital services for the benefit of OFs and their families back home. This is also the Bank’s way to show recognition for their valuable contributions to the country.

“Even in the face of this global pandemic, and even when our OFs are far from home, they can still take a hands-on approach to providing for their families in the Philippines. They can still manage their accounts online and take full control of their finances, despite the threat of an economic downturn,” said Aileen Lamasuta, head of BPI Retail Segments. 

“But as we recognize the fact that there may be challenges in remittances due to COVID-19, BPI is still committed to strengthen our offerings for our brave OFs. We have a strong network of remittance partners worldwide and a remittance solution, BPI Pamana Padala, to give OFs peace of mind while away from their loved ones. These will allow them to sustain the support they are sending their families back home,” explained Reggie Cariaso, Head of BPI Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.

Lamela, the caregiver, attests to this. “BPI played a big help for us at this time, because very safe and secure ang transaction and alam kong makakarating sa family ko ‘yung remittance. Big help ang digital services nila.”

Through digital banking, BPI continues to provide easy access to relevant financial services for the modern-day heroes—the OFs who remain selfless even in the face of a global pandemic. And every year, on June 7, the Philippines marks "Migrants Workers' Day" to celebrate the signing of Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act of 1995. 

While he doesn’t regard himself as a hero, Cosep has an apt description of one. “A hero is a person who does something out of his way and does brave things. But during these trying times, sila yung mga taong they go out of their houses for the people in need, I consider them as heroes. You don’t have to kill to become a hero. Gone were the days when we define heroes as someone who dies for the country,” he said.

“Sila ‘yung may takot sa Diyos. Iniisip ‘yung makabubuti para sa nakararami,” Maala added. 


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 The Covid-19 quarantine regulations and social distancing has put a lot of pressure and stress on numerous child-caring organizations about the food and basic supplies they require to operate. Amidst this pandemic, the Grundfos Foundation responded to the needs of eight SOS Children’s Villages around the Philippines by donating food, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment that will last these orphaned children and childcare frontline workers for a month.



SOS Children’s’ Villages is home to 957 children and 145 childcare frontline workers, who are located across Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila; Calbayog City, Samar; Cebu City, Cebu; Davao City, Davao del Sur; Lipa City, Batangas; Tacloban City, Leyte; Zarraga, Iloilo and Mariveles, Bataan. Commenting on the grant, Kim Nøhr Skibsted, Executive Director, Grundfos Foundation, said “The Covid-19 pandemic is taking a toll on the most vulnerable communities. With our grant, we hope to ease the pressure that SOS Children’s Villages are facing and support the children and childcare workers for at least a month. The Foundation will be working closely with the Grundfos Philippines team and SOS Children’s Villages to distribute these supplies in a timely manner.” Jonathan Breton, General Manager of Grundfos Philippines along with a few employees and representatives from the respective SOS Children’s Village were involved in the distribution of these provisions and equipment, all while ensuring social distancing guidelines. Commenting on the visiting to the SOS Children’s Village in Manila, Jonathan Brenton said, “It is a proud moment for us at Grundfos Philippines, knowing that our Foundation cares about the welfare of our local communities. It is also heartening, to see that our support will help the more than thousand children and their caretakers through these tough times.”

“Because of the Covid-19 lockdown, we have been struggling to get food and supplies for our children and childcare staff. This donation from Grundfos Foundation is a welcome relief from the shortages we are experiencing and will help us adjust to the new normal,” says, Ma. Angeles Guanzon-Lapeña,
President, SOS Children’s Villages. The Grundfos Foundation is also funding various initiatives across the world to fight the spread of Covid- 19 and help local communities on ground during this pandemic.