Monday, October 23, 2023
TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES | October 23, 2023 - The holiday season is a joyful time, but it can also be filled with stress, especially when thinking of gift ideas for your loved ones and doing your holiday shopping. The pressure to find the perfect gifts, navigate crowded stores, and manage your budget can turn the season into a headache.
With some planning, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday shopping experience, discover exciting gift ideas, and even consider convenient payment options to make the most of your budget. These five Wais Tips shared by Home Credit, the country’s leading consumer finance company, can help you breeze through the process of buying presents and avoid the hassle of the holiday rush!
Make a list.
Santa is not the only one who benefits from making a list! Create a detailed shopping list that includes the names of the people you want to give gifts to, your gift ideas for each of them, and the shops where you can find those items. Having a list will keep you organized, help you stay on track, and reduce the likelihood of forgetting anyone or anything.
Set a budget.
Before you start shopping, establish a clear and realistic budget for your holiday spending. Check your list and allocate a specific amount for each person. Sticking to your budget will help you avoid overspending and refrain from experiencing financial strain during the holiday season.
Start early.
The early bird gets the stress-free shopping experience! Don't wait until the last minute to start your holiday gift shopping, and purchase gifts well in advance of the holidays. Starting early allows you to take advantage of sales and discounts, avoid the holiday rush, and ensures that you have plenty of time to find the perfect gifts without feeling rushed or pressured.
Explore installment deals.
One of the best-kept secrets of hassle-free holiday shopping is taking advantage of installment deals. Home Credit is your go-to destination for this. They offer an extensive range of 0% interest rate installment deals on a variety of products.
Home Credit also makes it easier for you to check amazing holiday sales through its official website or My Home Credit App. You can also check Shoppingmall.ph, an online shopping platform for all authentic smartphones, laptops, gadgets, and home appliances. This platform helps you find the best deals in stores near you, making it much easier to apply for zero-percent interest rate installment plans and get pre-approved in minutes. You can also chat with a live Sales Agent for more information.
By choosing installment plans, you can spread the cost of your purchases over manageable periods, keeping your finances in check during the holiday season.
Home Credit also has your back beyond gift shopping. If unexpected bills or the need for extra holiday funds arise, Home Credit offers Qwarta and Cash Loan* to help you navigate the financial challenges seamlessly. With these alternative payment options, you can enjoy the holiday season while having the financial freedom to purchase what you need and experience what you want at your own pace.
Stay tuned for more deals and discounts!
This holiday season, make a commitment to stress-free shopping by following these expert tips. Watch out, as well, for Home Credit’s biggest and grandest holiday offerings yet. Stay tuned for more 0% interest rate installment deals and other flexible loan offerings for a wide range of products, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, home appliances, furniture and more!
To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.
Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
*Available to select qualified users
Content creators and celebrities often share their daily dose of comical skits, life hacks, and shopping ‘budols.’ But aside from spreading entertainment, some of them also took immediate action to help protect netizens’ hard-earned money from being stolen through fun and educational videos.
Top social media stars partnered with leading finance super app GCash to help spread awareness on e-wallet phishing scams, one of the most rampant cybercrimes in the country.
Joshua Garcia and the different e-wallet phishing scams
GCash endorser Joshua Garcia takes the helm in spreading awareness in social media, sharing how e-wallet phishing scams could come in the form of 1) fake portals in non-PAGCOR accredited gambling sites, 2) fraudsters who claim to be from GCash saying your account is on hold, and 3) fake rewards.
Spotting the red flags with Saab Magalona, Chinkee Tan and Ayn Bernos
Red flags are warning signs that may indicate unhealthy relationships, but they also extend to every day, seemingly-harmless messages that might end up as scams. Through witty yet educational skits and reminders, singer-podcaster Saab Magalona, financial guru Chinkee Tan, and writer-entrepreneur Ayn Bernos, also shared three red flags that could help users spot each of the e-wallet phishing scams.
Winning big through online games might seem like a good life hack to earn additional money, but TV host Kaladkaren shares why non-PAGCOR sites are literally ‘budol’ – where you can end up losing money instead of earning more. Meanwhile, it seems that filmmaker-podcaster Direk Tonet Jadaone already knows that a lot of Filipinos remain ‘marupok’ and oblivious to red flags when it comes to relationships. However, she reminds everyone in her video: “Alam kong mahilig kang ma-fall, pero wag sa scam.”
Davao Conyo and the oversharer’s worst nightmare
Oversharing, including your personal information such as Mobile Personal Identification Number (MPIN) and One-Time Password (OTP), can lead to dire consequences. Davao Conyo, known for making related comedic skits, shares in his video every self-confessed oversharer’s greatest fear.
Pipay on why ‘TMI’ is never a good thing
Everyone has that one ‘bida-bida’ friend. Social media personality Pipay recreates this scenario as a third wheel, ultimately reminding netizens why sharing too much information is never a good thing, especially when it’s your personal information at stake.
AC Soriano and staying secure under pressure
Dubbed the ‘multi-dogshow superstar’ for impersonating celebrities, AC stages a ‘fast talk’ segment to remind us not to share our sensitive information such as MPIN and OTP even when put under pressure.
Spot Red Flags, Don’t Overshare
As different content creators showed, it is important to be constantly aware of phishing scams as cybercriminals have been increasingly creative to remain unsuspicious. Here are some tips to keep in mind:Think before clicking a link. Review the sender and the content of a suspicious message even before responding or clicking on the link. If you are being offered rewards or prizes, backtrack if you have indeed joined a program or raffle and verify with the company through another channel. Remember that GCash will never send links via SMS, email and messaging apps, so never click on links claiming to be from GCash.
Only transact through your GCash app. GCash will never ask you to activate your account through a phone call or through messaging applications. All transactions are only done through the official GCash app, including resolving concerns related to your account. If a notice feels rushed, it’s most likely a phishing scam! Check your account through the GCash app first to confirm if it is indeed on hold and don’t share your MPIN and OTP to anyone – even those who claim to be from GCash.
Carefully read the text messages that come with an OTP. If you receive an OTP through text message, make it a habit to read the entire message and make sure that it matches the request you made. If you did not make the request or if it is different from what you want to do, do not enter your OTP on any site or send it to anyone, to make sure you are not unknowingly linking your account to another device.
Never share your OTP and MPIN. Never provide your personal information if you did not initiate a request. As a rule, don’t provide sensitive information, such as your OTP and MPIN, even to your family, friends and other people claiming to be representatives of banks, companies, service providers, and government agencies. Remember that GCash will never ask for these details from you.
As trusted e-wallet apps like GCash work to ensure that the tools we use for our everyday financial transactions are fortified with security measures, it is also essential that e-wallet users play their part in keeping their personal information safe and out of reach by cybercriminals. As all of the content creators remind netizens, whatever the circumstance, never share your MPIN and OTP!
If you encounter any phishing scams or suspicious activities targeting your GCash account, report them immediately. You can do this by visiting the Official GCash Help Center or messaging Gigi on the website, and simply typing, “I want to report a scam.”
Top social media stars partnered with leading finance super app GCash to help spread awareness on e-wallet phishing scams, one of the most rampant cybercrimes in the country.
Joshua Garcia and the different e-wallet phishing scams
GCash endorser Joshua Garcia takes the helm in spreading awareness in social media, sharing how e-wallet phishing scams could come in the form of 1) fake portals in non-PAGCOR accredited gambling sites, 2) fraudsters who claim to be from GCash saying your account is on hold, and 3) fake rewards.
Spotting the red flags with Saab Magalona, Chinkee Tan and Ayn Bernos
Red flags are warning signs that may indicate unhealthy relationships, but they also extend to every day, seemingly-harmless messages that might end up as scams. Through witty yet educational skits and reminders, singer-podcaster Saab Magalona, financial guru Chinkee Tan, and writer-entrepreneur Ayn Bernos, also shared three red flags that could help users spot each of the e-wallet phishing scams.
Kaladkaren and Direk Tonet and the wrong kinds of ‘karupukan’ and ‘budol’
Winning big through online games might seem like a good life hack to earn additional money, but TV host Kaladkaren shares why non-PAGCOR sites are literally ‘budol’ – where you can end up losing money instead of earning more. Meanwhile, it seems that filmmaker-podcaster Direk Tonet Jadaone already knows that a lot of Filipinos remain ‘marupok’ and oblivious to red flags when it comes to relationships. However, she reminds everyone in her video: “Alam kong mahilig kang ma-fall, pero wag sa scam.”
Davao Conyo and the oversharer’s worst nightmare
Oversharing, including your personal information such as Mobile Personal Identification Number (MPIN) and One-Time Password (OTP), can lead to dire consequences. Davao Conyo, known for making related comedic skits, shares in his video every self-confessed oversharer’s greatest fear.
Pipay on why ‘TMI’ is never a good thing
Everyone has that one ‘bida-bida’ friend. Social media personality Pipay recreates this scenario as a third wheel, ultimately reminding netizens why sharing too much information is never a good thing, especially when it’s your personal information at stake.
AC Soriano and staying secure under pressure
Dubbed the ‘multi-dogshow superstar’ for impersonating celebrities, AC stages a ‘fast talk’ segment to remind us not to share our sensitive information such as MPIN and OTP even when put under pressure.
Spot Red Flags, Don’t Overshare
As different content creators showed, it is important to be constantly aware of phishing scams as cybercriminals have been increasingly creative to remain unsuspicious. Here are some tips to keep in mind:Think before clicking a link. Review the sender and the content of a suspicious message even before responding or clicking on the link. If you are being offered rewards or prizes, backtrack if you have indeed joined a program or raffle and verify with the company through another channel. Remember that GCash will never send links via SMS, email and messaging apps, so never click on links claiming to be from GCash.
Only transact through your GCash app. GCash will never ask you to activate your account through a phone call or through messaging applications. All transactions are only done through the official GCash app, including resolving concerns related to your account. If a notice feels rushed, it’s most likely a phishing scam! Check your account through the GCash app first to confirm if it is indeed on hold and don’t share your MPIN and OTP to anyone – even those who claim to be from GCash.
Carefully read the text messages that come with an OTP. If you receive an OTP through text message, make it a habit to read the entire message and make sure that it matches the request you made. If you did not make the request or if it is different from what you want to do, do not enter your OTP on any site or send it to anyone, to make sure you are not unknowingly linking your account to another device.
Never share your OTP and MPIN. Never provide your personal information if you did not initiate a request. As a rule, don’t provide sensitive information, such as your OTP and MPIN, even to your family, friends and other people claiming to be representatives of banks, companies, service providers, and government agencies. Remember that GCash will never ask for these details from you.
As trusted e-wallet apps like GCash work to ensure that the tools we use for our everyday financial transactions are fortified with security measures, it is also essential that e-wallet users play their part in keeping their personal information safe and out of reach by cybercriminals. As all of the content creators remind netizens, whatever the circumstance, never share your MPIN and OTP!
If you encounter any phishing scams or suspicious activities targeting your GCash account, report them immediately. You can do this by visiting the Official GCash Help Center or messaging Gigi on the website, and simply typing, “I want to report a scam.”
It’s another world record for the Philippines!
As it celebrates its 55th anniversary, Uratex Philippines continues to help enrich the lives and create meaningful moments for Filipinos. The leading foam company in the country, which offers mattresses and pillows, is a Filipino success story of uplifting comfort with quality and innovation to every Filipino household.
To commemorate this milestone, Uratex reinforces its corporate social responsibility by giving back once again to the communities. Together with the brand’s celebrity endorsers and a select group of social media influencers, Uratex will donate 2,355 mattresses to charity organizations.
Some of the charities that will receive our donations are orphanages and homes for the elderly which provide sanctuary for individuals who have been abandoned by their families. Among the specific beneficiaries are House of Somang (House for the Elderly), Saint Rita Orphanage, Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children’s Home, and Bethany House Sto. Niño Orphanage. These organizations play a vital role in offering care and support to those who need them most.
This unique opportunity allows Uratex to further reach the communities that it serves and makes a positive impact on the lives of its partners and customers.
The external partners of Uratex have helped in choosing the charities in need of mattresses, including shelters or homes for the aged, women, children and adults with special needs and community hospitals from across the region. Uratex prioritizes underfunded charities or those who do not have sufficient financial resources to carry out their missions effectively.
Moreover, Uratex is mindful of its role in protecting the environment.
Uratex is actively supporting different sustainability programs such as tree planting, mangrove planting, and green initiatives towards use of solar panels and electric vehicles. It has recently launched Trill Seave, a product collection with fabrics that are made from upcycled marine plastics. Through this, Uratex aims to help address plastic pollution that damages our ecosystems and threatens the health of several marine species.
World-Class Company Sets a World Record
The 2,355 mattresses, the top-selling Classic Uratex Single (36 x 75), were used in an extraordinary event set to become an iconic undertaking. On October 22 at the SMX Convention Center, the world-class Filipino company set the Guinness World Record for the largest Human Mattress Domino.
Uratex Philippines is your trusted leader in mattresses, foams, and sleep products that is consistently recognized by Reader’s Digest with 14 Consecutive Platinum Awards in the Mattress Category.
Through the years, Uratex is guided by the vision of its founder, Mr. Robert Cheng: “We will not stop until we provide every Filipino with a comfortable and affordable mattress to rest on.”
As such, Uratex wants to share its mission far and wide as they made the official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest human mattress domino in celebration of its 55th Anniversary by using a total of 2,355 mattresses.
The initial two numbers, 2 and 3, are derived from the year 2023, while the final two, 5 and 5, were selected to commemorate Uratex’s 55th anniversary in 2023.
The largest human mattress dominoes was previously recorded in Brazil, consisting of 2,019 people. It was achieved by Globo Comunicação e Participações S.A. and Ortobom at Riocentro, in Rio de Janeiro, on August 6, 2019. The attempt lasted 11 minutes and 13 seconds. After which, all the 2,019 mattresses were donated to charities.
The participants were selected from a list of volunteers, which included both Uratex employees and charity representatives. All volunteers who met the height and age criteria specified by Guinness (at least 4’11” in height, aged 16 and above) and were in good physical condition were welcomed to be part of the event.
“Teamwork is what made us last for 55 years, and by collectively striving to set a world record for the largest human mattress dominoes, each individual plays a crucial role in achieving this feat,” Eddie Gallor, Executive Vice President for Automotive. “And because Uratex is dedicated to giving back to various charitable causes. Surpassing a Guinness World Record serves as a meaningful avenue towards making this philanthropic endeavor a reality.”
Icons For an Iconic Brand
The record-setting event was witnessed by Uratex owners and executives led by Mrs. Naty Cheng, the CEO and president; William Lee, executive vice president for furniture and beddings; Eddie Gallor, executive vice president for automotive; Peachy Medina, managing director; and Stephen Cheng-Lee – Sleep Business Unit director.
“As the leading foam manufacturing company in the country, one of the core missions and vision of Uratex is to serve the Filipino community and by beating the record, we bring honor to the Philippines on a global scale,” William Lee, Executive Vice President for Automotive, proudly declares. “Moreover, since it is the Filipino people who support Uratex, we want to give back by making them a part of this historic event.”
Fresh from the local and global triumph of her latest film, A Very Good Girl, Kapamilya actress Kathryn Bernardo was in attendance. The box-office queen is the blockbuster ambassadress for the Uratex Classic Line.
“Kathryn is a highly influential and marketable celebrity in the Philippines, particularly among the younger generations (Gens Y and Z). She is well loved by Filipino households and commands a significant presence in the broader mass market, making her the perfect fit to endorse Uratex’s classic foam products,” shares Stephen Cheng-Lee, Sleep Business Unit director.
“Aside from that, we are proud to only get brand ambassadors who are actual Uratex users and Kathryn has been a Uratex user since she was very young. This is also the reason why ‘It’s always been U, Uratex’ is our campaign slogan for our brand ambassadors this year.”
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| The SM Foundation, led by AVP for Livelihood and Outreach Programs Cristie Angeles (2nd row, center), together with the SM Center Pulilan team, partner government agencies, LGU officials, and service providers, launched the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Sustainable Agriculture Program to benefit 25 farmers in Pulilan. |
Anchored in its commitment to help farmers attain food sufficiency, sustainable livelihood, entrepreneurial development, and market linkages, SM Foundation, in partnership with the local government units of Marilao, Baliwag, Pulilan, and San Jose Del Monte, the Department of Agriculture (DA), DSWD, TESDA, DOST, DTI, DOT, D’ Planners Training Center Inc., as well as SM Supermalls, recently launched the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Sustainable Agriculture Program in Bulacan.
With its vision to bring back hope by directly working with farmers, SM Foundation’s KSK will benefit a total of 100 beneficiaries from selected barangays in Marilao, Baliwag, Pulilan, and San Jose Del Monte. The trainees will undergo 14-week coaching conducted hand in hand by assigned trainers, government agencies, and SM Supermalls. The training will focus on several facets of farming, including land preparation, seedling, fertilizer concoction, sustainability workshops and forums, financial literacy and bookkeeping, pricing and costing, as well as product development.
While Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan training in Baliwag, Pulilan, and San Jose Del Monte will focus mainly on rural farming, trainees in Marilao will undergo urban farming, a technique designed to maximize the limited space for food production and sustainability. It targets providing low-income urban communities with essential skills in high-value crop farming by transforming underutilized urban spaces into productive gardens.
During the KSK launch in Barangay Sulivan in Baliwag City, Ms. Elenita Hernandez of the Agriculture Office stressed that the extensive phases of implementation and the inter-agency mentorship value chain of the KSK project will widely benefit farmers. “Napakaganda pong oportunidad ng proyektong ito para sa ating mga farmers upang mas lalong yumabong ang kanilang kaalaman, hindi lamang sa pagtatanim, kundi maging sa ibang aspeto tulad ng marketing, at iba pa,” shares Hernandez.
This year’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Sustainable Agriculture Program in Bulacan will run until January 2024. From 2007 to 2022, the SM Foundation’s KSK was able to train 28,550 farmers, of whom 917 are from Bulacan. Overall, a total of 916 municipalities and cities around the country benefited from the said project.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
During a Midnight Launch Party packed with music, drag show performance and lots of fun activities, MAP Group has unveiled the all-New iPhone 15 series at their first Digimap store in the Philippines.
MAP Group will offer iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus with a gorgeous new design and a powerful 48MP Main camera with a new 2x Telephoto option, A16 Bionic chip, and USB-C; and iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple’s lightest Pro models ever, with a strong and lightweight titanium design, powerful camera upgrades including a more advanced 48MP Main camera system, A17 Pro, and USB-C, at their first ‘Digimap’ store in the Philippines. Customers will be able to purchase the iPhone 15 lineup from the new Digimap concept store starting 20th October 2023.
For additional pricing and availability details, please visit www.digimap.ph.
Friday, October 20, 2023
Bejewel with your sparkling outfits and diamond eye looks because the storm is coming. SM Cinema is set to bring an immersive, breathtaking, and the ultimate cinematic experience to the Filo Swifties with the much-awaited film Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. Witness the Music Industry herself make more marks in the history of music with her record- breaking concert, now on a film and is set to break even more records in the box office with Miss Americana’s fans all excited to sing their hearts out.
We know too well that a week is not enough.
Mark your calendars now because SM Cinema made sure that you won’t miss Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. The film will be showing simultaneously worldwide in four schedules: October 13-15, October 19-22, October 26-29, and November 2-5. So get your Swiftie friends and prepare your friendship bracelets ahead!
Experience the concert with a wide-eyed gaze.
Immerse yourself and experience the once in a lifetime phenomenon on the biggest screen possible. Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour is also available at SM Cinema IMAX where you can enjoy the clearest view with its state-of-the art Laser Projector, paired with IMAX Precision Sound as she sing all her 44 songs for 2 hours and 48 minutes. Even the younger Swifties can enjoy because everyone’s invited!Long live the moment!
Host an exclusive watch party for your family and friends and make this memorable experience hold on to you forever! Let all the kingdom lights shine as you sing and groove to her best hits from all her ten albums. Reserve and Book a cinema today and invite all your friends for the best concert film experience ever at SM Cinema.
Life has no guarantees and can be quite unpredictable. But while certainty may seem ideal, the highs and lows of life do make it exciting and fulfilling.
Celebrities Donny Pangilinan, Matteo Guidicelli, Sarah Geronimo, and Piolo Pascual know this all too well, being a part of an industry known for its volatility.
For Donny, who, among the four, is the latest to join showbiz, uncertainty comes in the form of roles he has never done before. Meanwhile, being a young married couple in a new chapter of their lives, for Matteo and Sarah, it’s all about planning their life together. As for Piolo, venturing into new investments can be a risky move.
However, they all have one thing in common that gives them the confidence to welcome adventures and live life to the fullest. They have a guaranteed partner in Sun Life, the No. 1 life insurance company in the Philippines.
As Sun Life clients, Donny, Matteo, Sarah, and Piolo can pursue their dreams no matter how uncertain life may feel. This is the essence of Sun Life’s latest campaign dubbed “Guaranteed Partner for Life.”
“Sun Life has always been a dependable partner when it comes to supporting our clients, including our very own brand ambassadors, with their evolving needs and priorities over the years,” Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong said.
“This can be seen throughout our 128-year history, where we have demonstrated our commitment and stood beside Filipinos amid world wars, economic crises, and more recently, a pandemic. They can count on us to be their guaranteed lifetime partner in their journey to a financially secure and brighter future.”
The campaign videos featuring Donny, Matteo, Sarah, and Piolo are available on Sun Life’s socials, @SunLifePH on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Exciting campaign updates and activities will also be announced there.
“With this campaign, we want to send a message that Sun Life is the best choice for Filipinos who want to take charge of their future and get closer to their goals,” Gonzalez-Chong said. “It would be a privilege to serve and guide them in their journey.”
For more information on the campaign, visit www.sunlife.co/guaranteed-partner-for-life. Those who are interested in taking the next step in their financial journey may get in touch with a Sun Life financial advisor through www.sunlife.co/TalkToAnAdvisor.
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