No tellers, no lines-- Enter the Ark by UnionBank

                

Consistent with its role as the technology-leader among banks in the country, UnionBank launched The ARK, the first fully digital bank branch in the Philippines.

Using digital technology to augment an actual banking experience, The ARK by UnionBank delivers on its promise of a new digital platform experience in banking.

“The ARK was established by UnionBank to address the common pain points in banking. Falling in line, getting a number before being attended to, spending a lot of time in the bank which could have been used in, otherwise, more productive endeavors. It is also meant to satisfy the diverse and changing needs of our customers,” explained UnionBank President and Chief Operations Officer (COO) Edwin R. Bautista.

Bautista explained that The Ark provides an interactional experience rather than a transactional space.  It could also be used as a 3^rd space for different communities to get together.

The ARK, as a concept branch/ “lab,”also serves as a platform for the clients to co-create an ideal banking experience by closely looking into what the clients’ needs and wants when it comes to banking.

Digital natives would find The ARK as the perfect bank branch that fits their lifestyle.
For non-digital natives, however, The ARK serves as their bridge that comfortably leads them from traditional to digital banking.

“The ARK provides a service unlike any other.  There are no lines, no numbers, hardly any forms to fill up, just highly-trained bank ambassadors ready and happy to give personalized service to each and every client. Every client here receives the proverbial VIP service,” Bautista adds.

At The ARK, a client is treated like a guest, welcomed by the bank ambassador who hands him a tablet to select his transaction.  The bank ambassador may usher the guest to the coffee area where he could enjoy his espresso while waiting for the bank ambassador to facilitate his transaction. The guest will also be able to maximize his time while at The ARK and do some work as the branch is equipped with high-speed internet.  Customized and comfortable seats are provided for The ARK guests.

UnionBank Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Justo A. Ortiz said that it should not come as a surprise for UnionBank to come up with The ARK, which is seen as the bank of the future.

“UnionBank trailblazed digital banking in the Philippines and we continue with our efforts to use technology and enhancing digital banking capabilities in order to provide the best customer experience for our clients,” Ortiz said.

UnionBank has recently been awarded as the Best Digital Bank at the Asiamoney Banking Awards 2017, held at The Ritz-Carlton in Beijing, China, last September 26, validating its position as the best digital bank in the country.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier graced the launch of The ARK and hailed UnionBank for its future-ready innovations which are at par with international banking standards.

Fonacier said that BSP believes in financial technology as both an opportunity and a challenge to the banking sector.

BSP records show that 25% of current bank clients use mobile banking technologies in their transactions and this number is predicted to grow exponentially over the years.

“Our banks need to be equipped with sound digital strategies for them to cope up with these digital innovations to better serve their clients. BSP will also be aggressively pursuing reforms to support our banks through an enabling regulatory environment,” Fonacier adds.

Casa Ibarra opens its doors for your grand celebrations

The name Ibarra’s is now associated with the best events memories in generations of Filipinos. Starting with Ibarra’s Garden in Padre Faura in the early 2000s, countless brides, debutantes and other celebrants have found an Ibarra’s location for their special occasions.

            Today, Ibarra’s Party Venues and Catering officially unveils its fifth and grandest events venue, Casa Ibarra in MOA Complex, Pasay City. The impressive Casa Ibarra stands out from other buildings in this business and commercial district for its modern Filipino design.

            Guests drive up to the porte-cochere for drop-off and enter the lobby dominated by the 11 x 3.5m Homage to Monet artwork of French-Filipino artist Olivia d’Aboville. Specially commissioned for Casa Ibarra, this artwork is made of 365 meters of handwoven silk from Palawan and Aklan. It is the artist’s largest work to date, and evokes an air of lightness and romance.

            Putting the grand in grand ballroom is Casa Ibarra’s main centerpiece, the 600-sqm. Sala de Amor on the second floor. The grand ballroom accommodates as much as 350 guests and features six majestic capiz chandeliers and lighted onyx pillars. Each chandelier is made of over 20,000 capiz shells. On one side of the room is a grand stairway where steps light up one by one as the celebrant comes down to meet guests from a landing with two facing staircases. If a bride and groom ever wanted to make an entrance ala Beauty and the Beast, this is the way to do it.

            For smaller events or parties, Casa Ibarra offers two function rooms on the ground floor, the Alegria and Hermosa rooms. Each room can fit 140 persons or can be combined to become a larger room.

            An even more intimate venue would be the porte-cochere’s balcony, offering lively views of the district, or of the moonrise. The area can fit as much as 80 guests for a small wedding set-up or for open air cocktails. It is also often used for photo shoots.

No party would be complete without glorious food and Ibarra’s has become known for offering a wide Filipino and international selection. Casa Ibarra carries Western, Mediterranean, Oriental, Spanish, and Filipino menu choices. Some of their specialties and signature dishes are Ibarra’s hickory pork spare ribs, braised beef shank and seafood paella. Ibarra’s also provides off-site catering services for parties and corporate events. Clients range all across the metro and provinces, and yes, even international clients searching for great food and service.

Ibarra’s has over 17 years of experience in the party venue and catering business. Each location is distinctive in design and architecture. Ibarra’s Garden in Manila is a classic home from the 1920’s, with a garden inspired by American Art Deco architecture. Plaza Ibarra along Timog Avenue, Quezon City is a Mediterranean-themed garden with elegant ballrooms and lighted grand staircase. Bella Ibarra in Quezon Avenue was built around a timeless and elegant theme and is suited for both small and large gatherings. Villa Ibarra in Tagaytay is a small hotel offering stunning views of Taal Lake. It has often been booked primarily for weddings.

Casa Ibarra offers a modern Filipino take in its design and concept. Wood, capiz, raffia fabric and T’nalak, a special handweave from Mindanao, accentuate a lot of the interiors. The venue exudes quiet sophistication and Filipino pride. No wonder it gained many bookings upon its soft opening. Weddings, debuts, a baptismal, corporate events and a golden wedding celebration have made Casa Ibarra very busy, very fast.

A typical Ibarra’s package starts at about P133,000 all-in. This already includes numerous amenities but all still customizable to the client’s preferences. The company believes in giving great value for money for a hassle-free and enjoyable client event.

Ibarra’s banquet sales associates are also knowledgeable about many fine details like a church schedule or the duration of a ceremony. They assist a client from the preparation stage all the way to the end of an event. Now who wouldn’t want that kind of service?

So if you’re planning a baptism, a kiddie birthday, debut, wedding, product launch, graduation or the company’s next big office party, consider Casa Ibarra as your new partner in memory- and merrymaking.

Fashionable and selfie-centric OPPO F5 6GB in Limited Edition Red is now avail in the PH

 OPPO, the leader in selfies, just made a mark in the selfie-centric Philippines with the launch of the new OPPO F5 6GB in limited edition red color. The new smartphone is set to raise the bar high with an upgraded 6GB RAM for the ultimate multi-tasking, along with bigger internal storage of 64GB. Aside from having strong technical specifications, the OPPO F5 6GB is a fashionable statement phone with the company’s flagship color red as the iconic symbol to have this season. 

Performance Beyond Concern
Carrying the latest 2.5GHz Octa-Core Processor paired with a future-ready 6GB RAM, it’s ready to take on any challenges in today’s internet-revolving world. Storage is now also bumped up to 64GB internal for more photos and videos ready to be taken with the 20MP A.I. Front Camera and 16MP Rear Camera.

Connectivity won’t be a problem as it comes with a dedicated tri-slot tray for two nano-sim cards open to all networks, and a MicroSD card of up to 256GB expandable storage. Finishing tasks will also be made easier with the F5 6GB’s 3,200mAh battery for an all-day smartphone usage.

Flagship Features 
The OPPO F5 6GB carries consumer-centric flagship features such as the 6” FHD+ 18:9 Ratio Full Screen Display for the most immersive visual experience. Security is also upgraded with Speedy Facial Unlock to quickly access your smartphone by detecting the face of the owner and unlock the phone, this is on-top of the fingerprint sensor at the back for double security.

With the latest ColorOS 3.2, the F5 features the easiest smartphone usage with intuitive controls and multi-tasking features such as the split-screen for opening two apps in one screen. Accompanied with other software features like anti-distraction features when gaming like avoiding interrupting calls, SMS, and even unnecessary notifications.

Stand Out from the Crowd
The OPPO F5 6GB is a phone that can represent yourself, stand out among the rest with its strong red color and silver chrome finishes. In a light package of 154g and a minimized 18:9 6” screen, it’s sleek and perfect to carry for anyone.
“The new OPPO F5 6GB shows that a smartphone is not just powerful, but can also be a lifestyle statement with its loud and stylish red color. We’re sure that people will adore our outstanding A.I. Beauty Technology selfies along with its upgraded RAM and storage in a standout color,” said Brand Marketing Manager Stephen Cheng.

 
Arena Of Valor x OPPO F5 6GB

In addition, the OPPO F5 6GB is also ideal for mobile gaming. With every purchase of the F5 6GB, customers are entitled to a free Joker character in Arena of Valor, the fast-growing mobile game by Garena. Customers will also get a chance to win more in-game items through lucky draws in the coming weeks.
Watch out as well for tournaments here in the Philippines. Make sure to watch Arena of Valor and tune-in to OPPO Philippines Facebook page for more details soon.

Exclusively available at OPPO concept stores nationwide, the limited edition OPPO F5 6GB will be available starting December 9, 2017 for Php21,990. It comes with a free Olike Bluetooth speaker worth Php2,990.

For more exciting updates, stay tuned on OPPO’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OPPOPH/

The Starbucks 6750 most precious collection Ayala Mug is available on December 4

The Philippines’ traditional woven design makes an unexpected debut in Starbucks 20th Anniversary collection. In celebration of two decades in the country, the coffee brand honors the market that has warmly welcomed its coffee servings, with merchandise that pays tribute to Filipino craftsmanship.

On December 1, Starbucks will release a special collection inspired by local textiles and designed with fine materials including Swarovski crystals and real white gold. The limited-edition items will be exclusively available from 2PM to 8PM, at Starbucks 6750 on Ayala Avenue, where the Seattle brand first opened its doors.

It was deep into Christmas season too, when the little coffee shop in Ayala started brewing in December 4, 1997. The aroma of handcrafted beverages wafted from within its walls, which bore the intriguing green mermaid insignia on its walls. Soon enough, the place welcomed coffee lovers who found comfort in the warm smiles of the baristas and in the respite it offered from the bustling Makati City.

The Philippines became the third market, outside of North America, where Starbucks grew its business. This month, the coffee brand relives these memories with a celebration for its 20th year, beginning with the release of a special collection and rare coffee beans that traces the growth of Starbucks.

A most precious collection from Starbucks
The holidays will shine more vividly with the bejeweled 20th Anniversary mugs and tumblers, the classic Ayala 6750 Mug, and the Starbucks Reserve and Roastery exclusive, Hacienda Alsacia.

Elaborate in its design, the anniversary mugs and tumblers show an appreciation for the Philippine woven art. The mugs feature 200 white and emerald Swarovski crystals set in traditional textile patterns, come with special-edition numbered certificate and ready-to-gift boxes stamped with the Starbucks wordmark.

The most precious item for release is the 20th Anniversary mug in full white gold. Starbucks created this rare premium item as a nod to Philippine heritage. Only 500 pieces will be produced of these collectible anniversary mugs which are adorned with 200 lovely Swarovski® crystals. The item is priced at P6,295.

Coffee lovers can also go with the 12-oz double-wall ceramic versions of the 20th anniversary mug, and take their pick between the silver and white colors. These items exude holiday festivity and celebrate the season most cherished by Filipinos with fine mugs with press-in white gold covers. Only 1,500 pieces of each mug will be available for P4,295.

The dazzling 16 fl oz opaque white acrylic tumbler will also catch the eye. It features the 20th anniversary weave pattern in silver foil and offers both functionality and understated glam for P895. Each tumbler comes with a package and a hangtag for gifting.

More anniversary items to go on shelf

Starbucks also gives a special piece of its heritage to Filipinos by introducing the Hacienda Alsacia whole bean packaged coffee. Grown from a Starbucks working coffee farm in Costa Rica, the beans are symbolic of the Starbucks continuing venture to serve the best-tasting coffee, deepen its knowledge of the industry, and include local farmers in the world’s endeavor of sustainability.

The unique blend is served only in the Starbucks Seattle Roastery and Tasting Room and will be available for a limited time in the country starting December 4.

Also to be released on December 4 is the Starbucks 6750 Ayala Mug. The first store to open in the Philippines gets its own place on the shelf, with matte black ceramic mugs designed with the gold Siren decal. The artwork that was first seen on the wall of the store is rendered anew in this 12 oz. tribute item that features special hand-painted finishes and comes in an elaborate gift package. The 6750 branch will exclusively carry the item priced at P1,295.

Celebrate Filipino heritage and craftsmanship this December with Starbucks. Visit Starbucks 6750 Ayala Avenue, Makati City to trace the beautiful coffee moments that have been blooming for 20 years and return to where it all began.

A CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND THANKSGIVING WITH AIAI AND GERALD

Love was definitely in the air during the thanksgiving cum Christmas party given by AiAi delas Alas and Gerald Sibayan for their media friends last November 30 at Le Rêve in Quezon City.

The party, hosted by veteran columnist/writer Jun Nardo, started with a sumptuous lunch followed by a magic show participated in by the couple and some members of the press. Their romantic wedding prenup video was shown during the celebration. AiAi and Gerald gave short messages before they cut their wedding cake amidst the roaring cheers from the crowd urging them to kiss. They will tie the knot this December.

AiAi shared, “Ang saya ng pakiramdam na nakasama ko ang aking mga kaibigan sa isang masayang okasyon sa aking buhay. The party was really for them. It was my way of expressing my gratitude to them. Gusto ko rin i-share ang mga blessings ko with my media friends. Nandiyan sila sa simula pa lang ng aking career, noong single pa lang ako, at kasama ko pa rin sila hanggang ngayon sa panibagong yugto ng aking buhay. I believe in love and I believe na may forever sa pag-ibig.”  

The media friends left the party in high spirits, having enjoyed the parlor game and raffle draws plus lots of give-aways.

AiAi has a new single titled Walang Pinipili featuring the rap group Ex-Battalion under GMA Records. The song is now available for downloading and streaming in iTunes and Spotify.

Unioil, DENR-EMB to provide live air quality data to millions of Filipinos

Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. (Unioil) has partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) to establish a reliable network of air quality monitoring stations in various locations nationwide.

The petroleum company has already installed numerous AirVisual monitors— ambient air monitoring instruments—mostly at Unioil service stations, to transmit live data to the internet, as part of its commitment to making relevant air quality information available to the DENR and millions of Filipinos.

DENR Undersecretary Atty. Jonas Leones (center) and Unioil president Kenneth Pundanera (2nd from left) sign an agreement that will establish air quality monitoring stations in various locations nationwide. Joining them are (from left) CAPMI chairman Dr. Michael Aragon, DENR-EMB Air Quality Management Section Chief Engr. Gerry Capulong, and CAPMI president Manny Galvez.

“This memorandum of agreement manifests our support to DENR’s mandate to protecting the environment and its key objective of preparing a national air quality status report. We believe that this is a major step towards providing cleaner air for the next generation,” said Unioil president Kenneth Pundanera, who added that the report will be used as a basis in formulating an integrated air quality improvement framework.

“We are proud to offer DENR live data from our active air quality monitoring stations. Through this agreement, we shall further expand the installations of our air quality monitoring stations in full support of the programs of the DENR,” Pundanera added.

The DENR welcomes the support of Unioil in helping address the problem of poor air quality. “This is the first time that an industry player as big as Unioil is helping the department in addressing this kind of problem. We really welcome the assistance and support of Unioil,” said DENR undersecretary Atty. Jonas Leones.

The AirVisual monitors provided by Unioil are state-of-the-art air quality monitoring instruments that use laser sensors to measure hazardous particulate matter down to 2.5 micro meters size (PM2.5). It also uses the latest technology like big data, artificial intelligence, and the internet to provide a visual image of air quality in the Philippines to millions of people through an air quality mobile app.

The partnership is expected to boost the DENR’s capability to pursue their mandate of ensuring a cleaner and safer air under the Clean Air Act of 1999.

During the ceremony, the Clean Air Philippines Movement, Inc., a strong advocate of clean air in the Philippines, also awarded Unioil as its first corporate clean air champion. This is in recognition of Unioil’s initiatives of introducing cleaner fuels, such as Euro 5, launching of the first solar powered gas station and electric vehicle charging station, and the deployment of air quality monitoring stations in the Philippines.

Unioil president Kenneth Pundanera (right) and DENR-EMB Air Quality Management Section Chief Engr. Gerry Capulong present one of the AirVisual nodes that will be installed in Unioil stations to monitor and transmit live data on air quality.


The latest effort of Unioil is part of its “Doing Our Part” campaign which encourages Filipinos to make a difference in society through the small, everyday actions and responsible decisions they make, including the decision to choose a cleaner fuel.

Making Christmas merrier for Filipino health buffs

RHEA Generics tips to stay fit and healthy during the holiday season

Christmas is fast approaching. Everyone is getting ready for the holiday feasts such as office Christmas parties, family gatherings and class reunions. With all these festivities come an abundance of food and booze, which can severely impact your diet. But to help you stay fit and healthy during the holidays without spoiling the fun, RHEA Generics, a world-class provider of generic medicines, prepared a few reminders just for you!

1.       Moderate your food consumption.

It’s not a Filipino Noche Buena unless there are at least five main dishes on the table and about 10 different kinds of sinful desserts. With this wide array of sumptuous food in front of you, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. And knowing the fact that your titas put in a lot of effort in preparing this meal, you somehow feel obligated to try everything. But don’t worry! There’s a middle ground between pleasing your tita and minding your diet. As often mentioned, take everything in moderation, especially holiday food that are laden with cholesterol and sugar. Remember that Christmas is more than just the food you eat, it’s about the company you keep, so focus on making memories instead of stuffing yourself full.



2.       Water is better.

Fizzy drinks, iced tea, gulaman, and other sugary drinks are staples in every holiday party. It is quite tempting to have a couple glasses of these sweet and refreshing drinks after having a heavy meal, but if you’re really committed to staying healthy during the holidays, stick to the good ole’ H20. With zero calories and zero sugar, water is a great way to keep hydrated this season.



3.       Find time to exercise.

For most people, their holiday calendars are jampacked of dinner invites from friends, coffee hangouts with workmates, and lots of family reunions. Now, this tip might be a little hard, but between those invites you might want to schedule at least an hour of exercise for you to flush out those holiday calories.  Get your body sweating during the holidays! Having a morning run or doing yoga at home would go a long way in helping you stay healthy and fit during the holiday season.



4.       Party hard, but rest harder.

Holiday parties often last until dawn, causing people to be deprived of precious sleep. It is crystal clear that sleep plays an integral role in your physical health. A study about the impacts of sleep deprivation on food desire in the human brain published in 2013 on Nature Communication shows that lack of sleep makes you crave for food or worse, it lures you towards food you know you shouldn’t eat. The study found out that just one night of sleep deprivation was enough to impair activity in the frontal lobe, which controls complex decision-making. With that said, fix your party schedule accordingly that you won’t be depriving yourself of some good quality sleep.


With adequate rest, sticking to your fitness routine, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can have the time of your life during these upcoming holidays without sacrificing your diet. Aside from that, you can always rely on RHEA Generics for a wide variety of world-class quality medicines that are available in Mercury Drug stores nationwide.

For more health tips, just follow RHEA Generics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RHEAGenericsPH.



Sources:

https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/why-sleep-no-1-most-important-thing-better-body

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/10/21/healthy-holidays-stay-fit/17632163/

https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/9-stayhealthy-tips-for-the-holidays/

Epson Strengthens partnership with DepEd on Gift of Brightness project

Epson Philippines formalized the company’s commitment to equip less-privileged, deserving public schools with Epson technologies under the Gift of Brightness project. In the photo are DepEd Secretary Honorable Leonor Briones, Undersecretary Tonisito Umali, Director IV for External Partnership Services Margarita Ballesteros.  Signing for Epson Philippines is Marketing Communications and PR Head Donna V. Ferro, assisted by Epson Philippines PR Specialist Mica Bayot.


The partnership between the Department of Education (DepEd) and Epson Philippines on the digital imaging company’s Gift of Brightness program for youth and education was formalized during the Memorandum of Agreement ceremonial signing for DepEd partners held recently at the L.B. Soriano Hall, SEAMEO Innotech in Quezon City.

As a company, Epson has always supported the youth and education through various projects and advocacies, one of which is the Gift of Brightness program, started in 2013.

The Gift of Brightness program aims to equip deserving, less privileged schools in the country with Epson technologies to help the students in their studies and school projects through the  donation of complete technology packages for each recipient that consist of Epson printers, projectors, scanners, label printers, document cameras and a year’s supply of inks and cartridges.

“Since we started the program, there have been 45 beneficiary-schools, 27 of which were coursed through the Department of Education for the selection process under our partnership for the past two years. We believe that by offering detailed innovation, which is at the heart of all Epson products, we can contribute to uplifting the learning experience for the students. We hope that through the Epson Gift of Brightness, we can help bring brightness and inspiration,” explains Donna V. Ferro, Head of Marketing Communications and PR, Epson Philippines. 

Secretary Briones compared the partners efforts to the help extended by the stakeholders and concluded her speech by urging private companies “to find the true meaning of Christmas among the children whom you are serving.”

Tips for hassle-free shopping this Holiday Season

Filipinos are known to be one of the happiest people.  And why not, fiestas abound and Christmas starts in September!  Don’t we just love all the reunions, parties and gift giving during this season? Here are 3 tips for a hassle-free spend at this time of the year:

1.       Do online shopping. It relieves you of having to brave the monstrous traffic and the long lines in the counter.

2.       Use a debit card. This way, you keep within your spending power and avoid queuing in an  ATM to withdraw cash.

3.       Take advantage of promos and discounts. You get more value than what you actually spent.

Here’s the great news!  With RCBC Savings Bank MyDebit Mastercard, you get to experience a hassle-free shopping. For one, you can go cashless shopping with added security because of the EMV chip. All you have to do is swipe away.

As an added bonus, a P1,000 - single receipt purchase using your MyDebit Mastercard automatically lets you earn one electronic raffle to RCBC Savings Bank’s Debit & Win Raffle Promo from now until Dec 31, 2017.  You may win a Samsung S8+ Phone or a Samsung S3 Tablet or a Go Pro Hero 5 Black.

For more information, you may visit www.rcbcsavings.com. You may also follow RCBC Savings on facebook, twitter and instagram.