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Saturday, October 31, 2020

Here’s how we can create an HIV-free world in the next normal



Inevitably, there are numerous issues of importance that have taken a backseat because of the ongoing pandemic. One of them is HIV, which has not only been a cause for concern for those in the LGBTQIA+ community, but the entire human race as well. And while the DOH recently announced that HIV cases have gone down by an astounding 68% in the 2nd quarter of 2020, they also note that it is no cause for celebration. 

Whether the number of cases has truly gone down or is simply unreported due to lockdowns across the country, the fact remains that there are still new cases daily. In fact, before the pandemic, DOH statistics revealed that the country averaged 35 cases on a daily basis.

While we have movements and events like Pride Month that promote HIV-awareness alongside gender equality, bringing awareness to this cause, even while on lockdown, should not stop. 

There are actually some ways to raise the alarm and bring the issue of HIV to the fore. Here are a few:

Accept

A good first step—especially for those who are still on the fence and have reservations on the matter—would be to acknowledge and accept that people are free to identify themselves as they wish and that there is no one way to express one’s self and one’s love—not to mention that HIV exists. With this first step, individuals will have a much easier time trying to understand and empathize with each other and possibly help each other overcome challenges such as HIV, gender inequality, and other similar issues.

Educate

One of the many benefits of this fast-paced, digital world we live in today is that seemingly-unlimited information is readily available within our fingertips. This is key because part of creating an HIV-free world also entails learning more about it, the groups of people who usually contract it, and ways in which the virus can be eradicated. 

Advocate 

With a clear understanding on HIV, creating a world without it would mean spreading the word, engaging in discourse, and spreading your knowledge to uninformed people. In advocating, one can also learn more through likeminded people looking to express themselves as well.

Heed 

Lastly, in order to disseminate information and knowledge further while building a sense of community, it would be good to take action and support calls and campaigns such as Durex’s “No One Way Love All Ways” Campaign that supports and promotes all ways of living and expressing.

“A big challenge in the fight against HIV has always been the lack of acknowledgement and proper education on the matter.” Said Dr. Rica Cruz, Licensed Psychologist, Sex Therapist and Educator. “While our current situation presents difficulties as physical events cannot be staged, the opportunity to use available technologies such as social media and online webinars can also be utilized to our advantage. These are excellent tools for spreading the word to a wider audience from the comforts of our home while still being safe in more ways than one.”

Universal Robina Corporation (URC) are now available in Shopee

Piattos, C2, Nissin Cups, Cream-O, and other products of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) are now available in Shopee

 

URC Shopee Mall has a wide variety of treats from Filipino favorite snacks Presto, Magic Crackers, Chippy and Mr. Chips, to chocolatey treats like Cloud 9, Swiss Miss, Hello!, and the morning partner Great Taste Coffee.



Visit the Universal Robina page on Shopee and start adding these tasty snacks, beverages and treats to your Shopee cart. Also 

Smart Signature partners with 808 Studio for a week of virtual dance fitness parties

Manila’s first boutique dance fitness studio, 808 Studio, has teamed up with Smart Signature for the first-ever 808 Land, a week of virtual dance fitness parties with exclusive DJ mixes on Oct. 26 to 31.  

  

Happening via Zoom, 808 Land features a 45-minute power-packed dance fitness class every day led by 808 instructors. Each class has a different dance party theme and exclusive mixes by 808’s resident DJs that will surely get you busting your move whether you are a pro dancer or a beginner - absolutely no dance experience necessary!  

 

Smart Signature's partnership with 808 Studio is just one of the ways the brand enables customers to live an elevated lifestyle through its generous plans, curated experiences, and exclusive lifestyle treats that appeal to the many different passions of subscribers, such as fitness, art, music, films, and more. 




 

Get a chance to win passes and premium items

 

For the event, participants can look forward to adrenaline-charged playlists inspired by today’s hottest artists, including BTS, Beyonce, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift, as well as different genres, like Disco, Hip Hop, and EDM.   

 

As an exclusive perk, Smart Signature subscribers can get a chance to win 2 passes to the BTS 808 Land x #SmartSignature class. Simply Check out Smart Signature’s Instagram post at @livesmart and comment what drives you to #MakeYourMark, tag your fellow goal-slayer to share your prize with, and share the post to your stories.

 

Subscribers can also join 808 Land by creating an account and purchasing class credits at www.808studio.ph. Throughout the week-long event, participants also get a chance to take home exclusive premium items and prizes from Smart Signature. 

 

Subscribers can stream the virtual dance fitness parties seamlessly with Smart Signature, which simplifies the postpaid experience with a prioritized, worry-free, and elevated lifestyle so customers can make their mark. 

 

Smart Signature is powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest mobile data network, according to international third-party mobile analytics firms, including Ookla and Opensignal.    

 

808 Land is part of Smart GigaFest, a season of thanksgiving for subscribers through awesome activities and exclusive perks. Subscribers can also expect more special experiences and treats throughout the year as the Smart Signature continues to team up with lifestyle partners that enable goal slayers to achieve more in their career or passion.

  

Learn more about the Smart Signature Plan that suits your lifestyle at www.smart.com.ph/Postpaid/signature.

Save money when you work remotely using Lark

Now that a larger number of employees are working remotely, one common topic of discussion is how money-saving this work arrangement can actually be for individuals. But what about businesses? Do organizations stand to save money from hiring remote workers and switching to virtual offices as well? The short answer is yes. Here are three reasons why.

 

1. Save on manpower fees

In a virtual office setting, there is greater flexibility when hiring remote employees on a full-time, part-time, or per-project basis. Because of this, employers have the freedom to hire remote workers that are a better fit for the tasks at hand, helping to ensure higher quality results with minimal supervision needed. 

 

With agile, flexible working hours, overtime costs are also reduced. Along with this, employee performance is boosted, too, as remote workers are able to work in an optimal environment, during their peak productivity hours. This way, teams spend less time getting more work done. 

 

 

2. Reduced overhead expenses

A smaller office means lower rental fees. An office that is entirely virtual eliminates real estate costs significantly. Expenses for utilities, such as electricity, water, and communications are minimized as well. Remote work also entails little expense on equipment and maintenance on the part of a business owner. In this aspect alone, it's easy to see how much a company can save by going digital.

 

3. Lower IT costs

Setting up a dependable IT infrastructure at work takes a huge chunk out of a company's budget. When working remotely, costly hardware and software are replaced with internet-based office solutions and cloud-based storage. The right software for virtual team collaboration can help business owners significantly slash expenses. This is where Lark comes in. 

 

 

Your complete software solution

  

Lark is a all-in-one collaborative app that is absolutely free for remote teams. With Lark, your office is wherever you are, and all the tools you need are ready to use anytime you need them. 

 

Communication is quick and easy with Lark Chat. For virtual face-to-face conversations with a single employee or the entire team, there's Lark Video Conferencing, which allows unlimited video call minutes for up to 100 participants. Whether your team is local or spread out across different continents, scheduling meetings, events, and tasks is a breeze through Lark Calendar with its smart, multi-time zone feature.  



Collaborate seamlessly and in real-time, as if your team is physically together, over Lark Docs and Sheets. When something needs immediate attention, team members can tag one another within a document, and the tagged person will receive a notification through chat. Everything you need for work is stored in the cloud on Lark, ensuring 24/7 access from anywhere, using any device. 

 

Work without worrying about the privacy and safety of your team and data, thanks to Lark's enhanced security. The app uses an AWS certification that complies with the strictest rules regarding cloud computing, so your focus can remain on completing tasks and achieving your goals. 

 

Keep your overhead low, and your team's productivity high when you choose Lark for your business. To learn more, visit www.larksuite.com

 

Lark is available on Mac, PC, iOS, and Android. Click here to start using Lark today.

 

Friday, October 30, 2020

Kids are in for a #SharktacularHalloween treat this year with Ayala Malls, Pinkfong & Baby Shark

 

“Families are all invited to join the fun by taking part in these fin-tastic online activities that kids and parents alike are sure to enjoy,” shares Tin Yabao, Ayala Malls Consumer Marketing Head.

 


Sharktacular Halloween Virtual Mall Show with Pinkfong & Baby Shark

Catch the Sharktacular Halloween exclusive Facebook Live Watch Party on October 31, 2020 at 4:00PM. 

 

To get one admission pass to the virtual event, customers must present a P500 single purchase receipt from Ayala Malls including purchases made at the Sharktacular Halloween Fair, and through A.N.A. (Ayala Malls Neighborhood Assistant). Receipts must be dated October 23-30, 2020 to qualify. 

 

The first customers to present two P500 single purchase receipts or one P1,000 single receipt will receive a free Halloween sCARE kit loot bag. For single receipts worth P1,500 and above, customers may redeem a maximum of two Halloween sCARE kit loot bags.

 

Admission passes and sCARE kit loot bags may be redeemed from October 23-30, 2020 at the Market! Market! Activity Center. Each pass is valid for one Facebook account belonging to a child’s parent or guardian. Upon registration the parent or guardian will be added to a private Facebook Group where the Virtual Mall Show will be streamed. 

 

For safety and convenience, customers have the option to avail of the A.N.A. personal shopper service. A.N.A. will take care of your purchases, as well as registration and redemption of your child’s admission pass and loot bag, and deliver these to your home. You may also opt to pick-up at the mall’s DriveBuy curbside station. 

 

 

Ayala Malls #SharktacularChallenge Promo

Get a chance to win a Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi Modem with free 10GB data, and official Baby Shark Merchandise when you join the Ayala Malls #SharktacularChallenge Promo from October 21-31, 2020.

 

Dress in your best Halloween costume, and do the Baby Shark Hand Wash Challenge using the Instagram filter available at the @pinkfong.official Instagram account. To qualify, you must also follow @iloveayalamalls and mall’s account on Instagram.

 

Post your Hand Wash Challenge video as an Instagram Story, with the hashtags #SharktacularChallenge and #GlobeHalloweenAtHome. Remember to tag @iloveayalamalls and mall’s account on Instagram and include the name and age of your child in your post. 

 

30 kids with the best costumes and best dance entries will be selected as winners, and will be featured on the Ayala Malls Facebook Page. Winners will be announced on November 6, 2020 on the Ayala Malls Facebook Page. 

 


Sharktacular Halloween Fair

Buy all your Halloween needs at the Sharktacular Halloween Fair from October 23 to November 1, 2020. Score awesome Pinkfong & Baby Shark merchandise, as well as costumes, decor, and treats for the perfect DIY Halloween party at home. 

 


 

Halloween Creeps & Crafts Livestream Workshops

Join the free Halloween Creeps & Crafts Livestream Workshops with Googly Gooeys & Riley on the Ayala Malls Facebook Page. Learn how to draw and color your favorite Pinkfong & Baby Shark characters at the drawing session on October 24 at 5:00PM, and enjoy working on creepy Halloween crafts on October 25 at 5:00PM.

 

 


Ayala Malls Pasyal TV Live Shopping: Mom & Babies Edition

Enjoy great deals on mom and baby essentials at Ayala Malls Pasyal TV Live Shopping Mom & Babies Edition on www.shop.pasyal.com.ph from October 31 to November 7, 2020.

 

For complete mechanics and other updates, like and follow Facebook.com/ayalamalls and @iloveayalamalls on Instagram or visit http://www.ayalamalls.com.ph/.

 

Dress up in a nice Halloween costume and enjoy awesome deals with PayMaya

Even though we can't celebrate Halloween with fun costume parties with our friends, we can still enjoy the spookiest holiday at home with the help of digital tools like PayMaya. 

 

From dressing up in an IG-worthy Halloween costume to munching on treats from your go-to restaurants.


Here are some awesome ways PayMaya can help you spend a fun holiday at home:




Dress up in a nice Halloween costume (or fabulous loungewear) and enjoy awesome deals with PayMaya. Get a 15% discount when you pay with your PayMaya virtual or physical card at Zalora using the code PYMY2020. You can also order clothes from The SM Store via Call To Deliver and #ScanToPay for your purchase to get up to 100% Balik Bayad, an additional P100 Balik Bayad when you spend a cumulative amount of P2,500 until October 31, plus a chance to win a motorcycle at SM’s raffle!


Pay with your mobile number when ordering online at establishments like Army Navy, Burger King, Domino's, Boozy, and so much more to get up to 100% Balik Bayad. You will also get an extra P100 Balik Bayad when you accumulate a total of P2,000 for your transactions until October 31.


Shop for gaming pins at your PayMaya app for a spooky game night with your barkada. When you buy at least P300 worth of gaming pins using PayMaya, you can get a 5% Balik Bayad (with a maximum of P100), and every P300 spent will get you one raffle entry for a chance to win a year’s worth of gaming pins.


Do a virtual Trick or Treat with your loved ones and gift them with digital vouchers to their favorite restaurants or even prepaid load found in the PayMaya app. Sending prepaid load to your friends gets you 5% Balik Bayad, and extra P100 Balik Bayad when you spend an accumulated total of P600 on Smart and TNT prepaid load until November 17. 


We hope these tips will help make your holiday more fun, even while staying indoors. We sent a small token amount to your PayMaya account to help you make the most out of this spooky holiday with your loved ones at home. From all of us at PayMaya, Happy Halloween!

Shopee users can tune in to GMA’s Wowowin for a chance to win ₱1 million in cash daily until November 11

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches Shopee Milyonaryo as part of its 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Shopee Milyonaryo is an interactive lucky draw contest on GMA’s Wowowin, where Shopee users stand a chance to win up to 1,000,000 in cash every weekday until November 11.

 

Users can participate by logging on to the Shopee app and claiming the raffle code[1]. The winners will be announced every weekday during GMA’s Wowowin. During the show, the winners will pick one out of six boxes, wherein one of the boxes has ₱1,000,000 in cash.



Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Christmas is a much-anticipated occasion for all Filipinos. Shopee wants to engage more of its users this holiday by bringing back the season’s joy and excitement with Shopee Milyonaryo. We will continue to stay committed to providing our Filipino users with more initiatives that are engaging, uplifting, and rewarding.”




 

Key highlights of Shopee’s 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale 

Until December 12, shoppers can expect big deals and discounts from leading brands. 

 

      Kris Aquino as Shopee’s new Brand Ambassador: Users can look forward to seeing Kris Aquino on TV commercials, TV shows, and Shopee Live.

      11.11 Big Christmas TV Special: Viewers can win up to ₱11,000,000 worth of prizes on GMA’s Wowowin on November 11, 5:00 PM.

      Christmas deals and promotions: Shopee users can enjoy free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend, up to 20% coins cashback, and ₱1 deals on selected items such as mobile cases and accessories, home and kitchen items, and nail care products.

      Exclusive deals from leading brands: Users can anticipate up to 70% off on leading brands such as Pampers, Nestle, Vivo, Globe, Havaianas, Unilever Beauty, Abbott, Garnier, realme, and Enfagrow. 

More details about Shopee Milyonaryo are available on https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-milyonaryo.

 

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

 

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



[1] Terms and Conditions Apply

Isang pagpupugay sa mga guro mula sa BDO Network Bank

Mayroon talagang mga propesyon na maituturing na hindi lang basta hanapbuhay, kundi isang bokasyon lalo na kung halos araw-araw ay kakikitaan ito ng hindi matatawarang pagkalinga sa kapakanan ng iba.

 

Ilan sa ganitong trabaho ay ang pagiging nurse, doktor, kawani ng pamahalaan, at iba pa. Pero sa lahat nang nabanggit, iba rin talaga ang taas ng pagtingin ng lipunan sa mga guro.

 

Mula sa mga obrebo hanggang mga pangulo, mula siyentipiko hanggang bilyonaryo, walang makakapagsabi na may narating sila sa buhay nang walang tulong, maliit man o malaki, at malasakit mula sa kanilang mga guro.



Malaki ang utang na loob natin sa mga guro. Kaya naman talagang nakakagaan ng loob kapag nakakarinig tayo ng kwento ng mga titser na umaasenso dahil na rin sa determinasyon, lakas ng loob, pagsisikap, at pagiging wais.

 

Isang halimbawa dito si Veronica Delima, PhD. Isa syang guro na sa loob ng maraming taon ay lubos na namahagi ng kaalaman sa kanyang mga estudyante. Ang mga leksyon na itinuturo nya ay hindi lamang tungkol sa asignatura, kundi pati na rin mga aral sa buhay, tulad ng pagpupursigi, tiyaga, tiwala sa sarili, at tamang paggamit ng pera.

 

Si teacher Veronica at ang kanyang asawa ay hindi nanggaling sa mayamang pamilya. Ikinasal sila noong 1991 nang walang ipon o kapital para makapagpundar ng anumang ari-arian. Ang asawa ni Veronica ay nagtatrabaho noon bilang pedicab driver at wala man lang siyang sariling pedicab.  Ang ginagamit pa niya sa pasada ay luma na at parating nasisira.

 

Si Veronica naman ay nagtuturo noon sa isang pribadong paaralan. Kahit pagsamahin ang kinikita nila, mistulang isang kahig-isang tuka ang kanilang pamumuhay. Madalas silang nagkakautang sa 5/6 kung saan sinisingil sila ng 20 porsyentong interes.

 

Araw-araw silang nagbabayad ng utang. Paunti-unti man ito, tila wala namang katapusan. Gayunpaman, patuloy nilang naitaguyod sa ganitong paraan ang isa’t-isa at ang kanilang apat na anak.

 

Sa pagnanais na magkaroon ng mas malaking kita, nag-apply si Veronica sa isang public school. Natanggap naman siya at salamat sa mas malaking sweldo, nakaipon si Veronica ng sapat na pera upang magpagawa ng maliit na bahay-kubo. Maliit man ang tahanan mas mabuti na rin dahil pag-aari na nila ito.

 

Ayon kay Veronica, nagsimula ang pag-angat ng kabuhayan nila nang matuto siyang mag-ipon ng pera at kumuha ng loans para gamitin sa mas matalinong paraan. Aniya, hindi masama mangutang basta ang loans ay gagamitin para sa mga mahalagang bagay tulad ng edukasyon at sa pagtatayo at pagpapalawak ng negosyo. Lahat nang yan ay babalik bilang dagdag-kabuhayan.

 

Naglakas-loob si Veronica na kumuha ng maliit na bank loan mula sa BDO Network Bank (kilala pa noon bilang One Network Bank).  Ginamit niya ang pinakauna niyang loan para bumili ng bagong pedicab para sa kanyang mister. 

 

“Yung bagong pedicab ay naging inspirasyon para sa mister ko para magsumikap sa kanyang trabaho. Iba ang dignidad na dulot ng pagkakaroon ng sariling pedicab, lalo pa't di na kailangang mag-boundary ng pampasada,” sabi ni Veronica.

 

Matapos mabayaran ang kanyang loan para sa unang pedicab, nag-reloan muli at bumili pa ng isa si Veronica para sa kanyang kapatid na lalaki. Unti-unti, natuto pa lalo si Veronica sa tamang paggamit ng loan. Dahil good borrower, naging maganda ang record niya sa bangko at mas madali nang maaprubahan ang mga susunod niyang loans.Nagpapasalamat rin si Veronica dahil maliit lang ang sinisingil na interes ng BDONB. “Mas mababa talaga ang interes ng BDONB loans kumpara sa ibang banko,” aniya.

 

Ginamit ni Veronica ang mga loans na ito para suportahan ang kanyang nanay at mga kapatid.  Natulungan pa niya ang isang kapatid na mabawi ang naisanlang sakahan nito.

 

Sa mga sumunod na taon, unti-unti nakabili ng lupa at ari-arian si Veronica at naipasok sa kolehiyo ang tatlong anak. Ang bunsong anak niya ay kasalukuyang nasa Grade 8.

 

Siya mismo ay natulungan ng loans para matustusan ang pag-aaral niya sa graduate school hanggang sa makamit niya ang kanyang Ph.D.  Salamat sa natamong doctorate degree, naging karapat-dapat si Veronica para sa promotion at mas mataas na sahod mula sa kaniyang public school.

 

Ang payo niya sa mga gurong tulad niya ay ang magpatuloy sa pagsisikap para makamit ang mas magandang buhay. Ani pa nito, dapat ay huwag mawalan ng pag-asa at laging kumilos para sa ikabubuti ng sarili at mga mahal sa buhay. 

 

Giit niya hindi hadlang sa pag-abot ng mga pangarap ang kawalan ng kapital. Kailangan lang maging madiskarte sa pagkuha ng loan at sa paggamit nito. Halimbawa, gamitin ang loans para magtayo ng maliit na negosyo at para sa iba pang pagkakakitaan. Sa ganitong paraan, madadagdagan ang income na pumapasok kada buwan.

 

 

Para kay Veronica, ang BDONB ang naging ka-partner at kaagapay niya para magtagumpay sa buhay. “Dalawampung taon na akong natulungan ng BDONB (na nuon ay kilala bilang ONB). Dahil sa mga loan na nakuha, napabuti ko ang aking sarili, nakatulong sa aking pamilya at iba pang tao. Hindi man ako maituturing na mayaman, sumasaludo ako sa BDONB, dahil sa pagtulong nitong mapaunlad at mas maging maayos ang aming pamumuhay.”

 

Makikitang si Veronica ay huwaran sa ibang guro, ina, at asawa. Kahanga-hanga rin na ang mga nakamit niyang mga pagpapala ay ibinahagi pa niya sa pamilya, kamag-anak, at iba pang nangangailangan.

 

Tulong na hatid ng BDONB 

 

Sa loob ng maraming taon, patuloy ang BDONB sa pagtulong sa mga gurong tulad ni Veronica para makamit ang mga mithiin sa buhay. Kaya naman espesyal at makahulugan ang National Teachers Month para sa bangko.

 

Isang inspirasyon si Veronica at hatid nya ang magandang aral para sa iba. Ipinakita niya na hindi masama magkaroon ng loan. May mga paghihiram ng pera na nakakatulong at mayroon ring nakakasama -- depende na lamang kung paano natin ginagamit ang mga ito.

 

Ang mga ‘bad debts’ ay yung ginagastos lang natin para sa mga bagay na walang return of investment o ROI. Halimbawa, kung ang inutang ay naubos lang sa bisyo, nagiging masama ang resulta.

 

“Ang mga loans na nakakatulong ay yung ginagamit natin para tustusan ang mga bagay na maaring pagkakitaan at magbalik sa atin ng dagdag na kabuhayan. Makikita natin sa kwento ng buhay ni Veronica na ang makabuluhang paggamit ng loans ang siyang tumulong sa kanya para magtagumpay sa buhay,” sabi ni J. Antonio Itchon, presidente ng BDONB. 

 

Maaaring makipag-ugnayan at magtanong ang mga teachers tungkol sa BDONB sa bagong official BDONB Facebook Page nito sa https://www.facebook.com/BDONetworkBankPH/ para sila rin ay matulungang makamit ang mas magandang buhay.

 

The Jollibee Champ is finally back!

The Jollibee Champ is finally back! After being phased out from the menu in January this year, the classic Champ, made with 100% pure beef, 1/3 lb langhap-sarap patty, with cheese, lettuce and tomato, makes a grand return with two new exciting variants that are sure to satisfy what loyal fans have been waiting for.




 

The new Bacon Champ makes everyone’s favorite Champ even better with two strips of bacon. Meanwhile, the new Amazing Aloha Champ turns the classic Champ into a sweet-savory burger with honey mustard dressing and two juicy pineapple rings.


 

“We’re very happy to bring back a product that has received so much clamor from its loyal fans. The return of the Jollibee Champ is a result of the passionate clamor for everyone’s favorite langhap-sarap BIG burger made even better with two new variants to satisfy more cravings for different flavors,” says Cathleen Capati, Jollibee AVP for Bestsellers category.

 

The Jollibee Champ burgers will land on select 324 Jollibee stores across the country starting October 30, 2020. The classic Champ is available solo starting at Php150, while the Bacon Champ and Amazing Aloha Champ are at Php185 and Php199, respectively.

 

Have your favorite Jollibee Champ burger safely delivered to you via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, foodpanda, and LalaFood! Also available in Drive-Thru and Take Out counters at select Jollibee stores. For a list of stores, you may visit www.facebook.com/notes/jollibee/champ-stores/3387883211259780/.

 

For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Studios on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.

 

Cebuana Lhuillier lists 5 simple and practical steps to achieve financial freedom

Talking about financial freedom during this pandemic may seem counterintuitive. Many people have lost their jobs and more are just trying to survive on a daily basis. But as the most successful businessmen would say, it is precisely during crises when golden opportunities arise that can turn one’s fortune around.

 

Financial freedom may appear to be a lofty goal reserved only for the well-off but it is actually an achievable dream even for those who may be swimming in debt right now or living in a hand-to-mouth existence. 


Here are five simple and practical steps to empower you to take control of your finances and let go of money worries:




 

1.     Reflect

 

This is your starting point. Take stock of where you are right now – your sources of income, owned assets, monthly expenses, outstanding debt, and many others that impact on your financial situation.

 

Then make a realistic target of where you want to go. It can be wiping out your debt or building your dream house or sending your son to a prestigious university. Seal it with your desired deadline.

 

2.     Reduce

 

It may be disheartening to see your expenses and debt payments to be much more than your income sources and assets. But no matter how deep in the red you might be, there’s always a way to go back to black.

 

The simplest but may not always be the easiest way is to cut expenses. It can be from just cooking at home than having food delivery or bringing down electricity charges by turning off your airconditioners or electric fans during cold, rainy nights.

 

Next is reducing debt. Most people will advise you to pay off those with the highest interest rates first. But to help build up your confidence, it may be helpful to settle the low amounts first so that you’re encouraged to push ahead when you see these small victories.

 

As a final measure, you can let go of unnecessary stuff and turn them into cash. It can be things that are just gathering dust at home like old books or hardly used clothes and shoes.

 

3.     Add

 

Having a 9 to 5 job may not be enough for you to achieve your goals within your set timeframe. Thus, you need to look for additional sources of income. During this pandemic, business opportunities are boundless from re-selling anything to home-cooked food deliveries or growing and selling succulents for your neighborhood plantitos and plantitas. The work from home set-up can also open doors for you to take side jobs that match your knowledge and skills set.

 

4.     Invest

 

The point to all these is for you to live a happy life, right? So, go ahead and invest in things that make you happy whether they’re experiences or material stuff. We use the word invest here, and not splurge, because these “investments” should bring you some kind of a return. They should uplift you and not bury you deeper into debt and desperation.

 

5.     Save

 

The last but definitely not the least important step to financial freedom is to save. Save for rainy days. Save for emergencies, like this pandemic. Save for your dreams. Save for your retirement.


And saving has been made easier by Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank with its Micro Savings Product that allows anyone to open a savings account with just one valid ID and P50 initial deposit through its 2,500 branches nationwide.

 

In the spirit of World Savings Day on October 31, Cebuana Lhuillier invites everyone – especially the millions of unbanked Filipinos - to take this journey with them towards financial freedom.

 

ReDISHcover Flavor: Chef Ylyt & Marky Show How to Elevate Leftovers—Win an LG French Door Refrigerator and NeoChef Microwave!

Turn yesterday’s leftovers into today’s delights and win LG Kitchen Appliances! LG brings something fresh to the table with  ReDISHcover You...