3 tips to turn newbies into supermarket pros in the new normal

Every once in a while, we’ll be pushed to do things we don’t normally do. For some of us, going to do the groceries is something that’s way outside our comfort zones. It’s true—the reality is there will be people, who are totally clueless when it comes to buying groceries. But that’s okay, it’s nothing to be ashamed about, as everyone can always learn something new and get better at it.

What’s most important when it comes to buying groceries, especially during this pandemic, is making the most out of your grocery trips. You’ll want to be in and out of the store as fast as you can like a real supermarket pro in order to avoid risks to yourself and your family. 

Here are some tips to help you be a better grocery shopper in the new normal:

1.     Write down a carefully planned grocery list

To make the most out of each grocery trip, you’ll have to step up your planning. That means estimating what you’ll need to buy and how much of it you’ll need to buy (within your budget, of course) in order to prolong the time it takes until your next grocery trip. You may have to calculate more thoroughly than usual here, but if it means being able to do more physical distancing and reducing the risk of the virus, it’ll be for the better.

2.     Go extra early or in off-peak hours to avoid crowds

Many people will be thinking the same thing and this will be harder than it sounds, but you should try to avoid times when the supermarket has more people. While stores will enforce a maximum capacity limit, you’ll still want to avoid people as much as you can. Try to go extra early so that stock doesn’t run out on you, or figure out the times when there are fewer people in the store—and of course, don’t forget your protective gear!

3.     Make a list of “plan B” items

But sometimes, no matter how careful you plan, no matter how early you go, there may be some items and products that won’t have stock. If, for example, there is no more of a certain ingredient in the store shelves, you should be ready with a quick replacement so that you don’t spend too much time in the supermarket, risking yourself further. 

Fortunately, there’s always something that works, such as your trusted kitchen and cooking partners from NutriAsia, which have been delicious staples of households for decades. In the company’s latest video, a clueless dad calls up his son to ask for his help in preparing a special meal to surprise Mom, and the resulting adventure is nothing short of adorable, thanks to the help of some handy NutriAsia products like the UFC Spaghetti Supreme Pack. You can watch the video here.

No matter how challenging situations might be, it’s definitely easy to make the most of them—and your grocery trips—with NutriAsia’s products!

Stranded OFWs and locals get help from PLDT Smart Foundation

Haira Aba, 29 years old, is the breadwinner of her family in Datu Paglas in Maguindanao. She applied for a job as a domestic helper in Qatar and travelled to Manila. But the COVID-19 pandemic came, overseas travel came to a halt, and as a result, she has been stuck in Manila for the past four months.

29-year-old Haira Aba is set to go back to her hometown in Maguindanao after her job application abroad did not push through due to the pandemic.

54-year old Dennis Sebastian is a mechanical operator and harvester in Tuguegarao – a job he has been doing for six years now. He usually travels back to his hometown in Compra, Liloy in Zamboanga Del Norte three times a year. This year, he was scheduled to return home last April 6.  But due to the pandemic, his flight was rescheduled to June 5 – and then was again cancelled.

54-year-old Dennis Sebastian shows his flight ticket back to his hometown in Compra, Liloy in Zamboanga del Norte.

Aba and Sebastian are two of the 350 returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSI's) at the Villamor Elementary School in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City. They received meals and other assistance from the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) through employee-led fundraising initiatives such as the Fairness, Integrity, Transparency and Accountability (F.I.T.A.) Video Challenge and Kapit Kapatid Program.

The PSF also partnered with the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Social Welfare and Development in the National Capital Region. 

“Our hearts are with our brothers and sisters who are struggling to be reunited with their families. We understand how important being with family is in order to cope better during this difficult time. We hope that our simple gesture brought them some joy, especially during these trying times,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos.

'The Internet saved me'

According to Aba, her situation is difficult since she is far away from her family. She said that what brought comfort during this difficult time was the help they have received from various organizations and individuals.

“Kailangan kong magtiis. Nakikipagkuwentuhan na lang ako sa mga kasama ko dito para hindi ma-bored. Malaking tulong din ang cellphone at Internet dahil na rin may YouTube,” Aba said.

(I need to endure this. I just talk to some of the people that are also stranded here so that I won’t get bored. Having my cellphone with me and having Internet also helps a lot because there’s Youtube.) 

Finding all means to survive

Unable to fly home, Sebastian stayed for several weeks at a footbridge near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. Last June 11, he was transferred to the Villamor Elementary School. In order to buy food, Sebastian said he had sold some of his personal belongings. This included his cellphone, which he sold for P300, a luggage for P500 and his shoes for P200.

According to Sebastian he lived like a nomad for weeks. “Palipat-lipat ako ng puwesto kapag sobrang init at umuulan. Sana hindi na maulit ito kasi apat na buwan na akong hindi nakakauwi. Wala na akong communication [sa aking pamilya]. Pero bago ko ibinenta ang cellphone ko, natawagan ko na sila at sinabi kong h’wag mag-alala,” Sebastian said.

(I keep changing positions and places where to stay, especially when it is extremely hot or when it rains. I hope this never happens again because it’s been four months that I haven’t been home. I don’t have any communication with my family. But before I sold my cellphone, I was able to call them and tell them not to worry.)

On June 25, Sebastian is scheduled to finally come home.

To know more about the efforts of the PLDT Group in beating the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit http://beta.pldt.com/covid19/. 

Father’s Day Treat: Under Armour gives discounts on cutting-edge men’s workout gear!

This Father’s Day, give the special men in your life the gift of becoming better and stronger with great workout gear from Under Armour! Choose from a wide variety of apparel that fits every man’s sporting needs, from the serious fitness enthusiast to the everyday active family man. 

To celebrate Father’s Day, Under Armour slashes 20% off on all men’s items, and gives an additional 10% offfor purchases over PHP 5,000.00, from June 18 to 21. Log on to the official Under Armour Viber Group or contact the nearest Under Armour store near you to place your orders. 

Check out these great gift selections from Under Armour for Father’s Day:

Men’s UA Microthread Golf Mesh Cap

With a snug fit and breathable fabric, this cap stays on comfortably without sticking to your head. The visor & front panels maintain their structure, while the mesh stretches well without absorbing sweat.  

Men’s UA Short Sleeves Locker T-Shirt

Comfortable and with a natural feel, this loose T-shirt with a fuller cut is made of quick-drying and ultra-soft UA Tech^TM fabric. With anti-odor technology, you can move around & work out and still feel fresh at the end of the day. 

Men’s UA Woven Graphic Wordmark Shorts

Made with a loose, full cut, lightweight & breathable fabric, and encased elastic waistband for a snug fit, these workout shorts give you a full range of motion while keeping comfortability in mind. 

Men’s UA Playoff Polo 2.0

The shirt’s extra-stretchy fabric moves with you, not against you, so you never feel held back on the course. Complete with anti-odor technology and UV protection, this comfortable polo keeps you fresh and protected.

Men’s UA Performance Polo 2.0

Built for high-performance users, this shirt is made with smooth, stretchable, breathable, anti-odor, and & UV protection fabric, keeping you on top of your game throughout and active day.

Men’s UA Playmaker Fixed Strap Slides

Not only does the fixed strap and added foam underneath provide added comfort, but the perforations & ergonomic footbed also provide increased ventilation and cushioning. The durable outsoles also have a strong grip. 

Men’s UA HOVR^TM Apex Training Shoes

UA HOVR^TM Apex makes every rep in your workout explosive with energy returns. With a durable layering system of support, the trainers stabilize your every forward, backward, and side-to-side burst & movement. 

Men’s UA HOVR Phantom RN Training Shoes

Amped-up feel, a sock-like fit, and flex vent panels give comfort on shorter, faster runs. Improved breathability and an anatomically shaped collar are two key features of this update to the UA HOVR Phantom collection.

***

To check out these great selections, drop by and contact any of the following Under Armour brand houses:

·      Under Armour Bonifacio High Street - 09975332157 / 09562453027

·      Under Armour SM Mall of Asia - 09178342886 / 09178753656

·      Under Armour Trinoma - 09178330193 / 09178517805

·      Under Armour Megamall - 09352271780 / 09959420849

·      Under Armour Greenbelt 3 - 09778544879 / 09655566760 / 09190821391

You may also order products from the Under Armour Viber group. Join the country’s growing community of fitness enthusiasts and get the latest announcements, promos, and product releases from Under Armour Philippines. Access the group via this link: https://bit.ly/2SjK9hJ

For more information, follow @AthletesProPH, the official distributor of the Under Armour brand in the Philippines, on Instagram & Facebook. or check out underarmour.com.ph.

Goldilocks celebrates Father's Day for the whole month of June

With the reality of the new normal settling in, Filipinos have begun to adopt new methods to survive in a country still battling a pandemic. With major forms of public transportation still not available, many have opted to use bicycles and other eco-friendly alternatives as a means to get around. 

For Cornelio M. Mejia, a Nursing Assistant and Frontliner, it meant riding a bike to work despite being physically impaired.

When asked to further describe her Father, Cornelio's daughter, Anvarin said “Papa is hardworking and responsible. He is a funny, easy-going kind of person and a very understanding one. He also loves to carry and cuddle with Ara, his granddaughter.”

“Even when he is on his duty, we always finds time to chat every day, and when he's at home, we spend time eating dinner and would often order a midnight snack together," she added.

When asked if she had a special message for her Father, Anvarin said "I thank Papa for his many sacrifices and for being an understanding father to us.”

Goldilocks, the country's number one bakeshop, sees the sacrifice that fathers like Cornelio are making every day. To honor their sacrifice, they are surprising fathers like him with a special Premium Chocolate Mousse Cake made especially for Father's Day.

Goldilocks is celebrating Father's Day for the whole month of June because our Dads deserve more than just a day of celebration for their love and care. With the desire to celebrate hardworking Frontliners like Cornello Mejia and his family, Goldilocks will be sending cakes to deserving families throughout the month.

BDO earns P44.2 Bn in 2019, P8.8 Bn in 1Q 2020

In the Bank’s Virtual Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held today, BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) President and Chief Executive Officer Nestor V. Tan reported the Bank’s full year 2019 and first quarter 2020 results at P44.2 billion and P8.8 billion, respectively, on the back of strong core income sources. 

  

Mr. Tan likewise cited adjustments to the Bank’s operations and implementation of safety measures, as well as preemptive provisioning to safeguard the balance sheet amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

The Bank supported and serviced clients’ requirements during the ECQ despite scaled down branch operations, with skeletal crews running head office units to support branches, as well as cash, loans and payment activities, among others. Enhanced health, safety and security measures have also been undertaken to ensure the well-being of BDO employees and clients.  

As a prudent measure amid the challenging environment, the Bank has set aside P20 billion in additional provisions after a comprehensive review of the loan portfolio. Mr. Tan clarifies, “This move is anticipatory in nature. We are not yet experiencing losses. The additional provisions are meant to safeguard our balance sheet and will not impair our capital which is strong enough to withstand near-term shocks.”  

Virtual ASM. BDO Unibank conducted its virtual annual stockholders’ meeting today, June 16, 2020, with its board members, led by chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson (3rd from left), observing proper social distancing and wearing protective face masks. From left are corporate secretary Edmundo L. Tan, vice chairman Jesus A. Jacinto, Jr., president and chief executive officer Nestor V. Tan, and head of corporate planning and investor relations Luis S. Reyes, Jr.

Mr. Tan also stated that the Bank’s capital position remains strong despite the additional provisions, and that BDO intends to continue with its regular quarterly dividends.  The Bank had earlier paid out P0.30 per share cash dividend on common shares for 1Q 2020 and declared the same for 2Q 2020 payable on June 29, 2020 to all stockholders of record as of June 17, 2020.

Mr. Tan extended his gratitude to BDO customers and stakeholders for their unwavering support especially in this time of COVID-19. Their invaluable trust, combined with the Bank’s solid balance sheet, strong business franchise, and diligent team effort will allow the Bank to weather the crisis and place it well-positioned once the economy bounces back.  

Your well-loved URC brands are now available on Lazada

If youre craving for your favorite snacks from Universal Robina Corporation. Its now available in Lazada. There's no need for you to visit the supermarket or grocery stores. Lazada's LazMall can deliver everything you need right at your doorstep. 

URC, one of the biggest food and beverage makers in the country, has recently opened its official store in Lazada’s LazMall.  Piattos, Nova, Cream-O cookies, Cloud 9 chocolate, Nissin Cup Noodles, Great Taste Coffee, C2 drinks, Maxx candies and other snack, candy, biscuit, chocolate, and beverage favorites can be purchased easily in just a few clicks. 

To order, simply use the Lazada mobile app or visit its website, enter the LazMall channel, search for URC products, and add them to a virtual basket. Upon checkout, customers can opt to pay cash on delivery or use credit/debit cards—allowing for convenient and safe ways to satisfy food and drink cravings, all from the comfort of their homes.

To fast-track the process, simply head to www.lazada.com.ph/shop/universal-robina/ to get your stash of your favorite snacks today. 

Learn more about URC by visiting www.urc.com.ph.

realme Philippines introduces additional AIoT devices for Filipino tech lifestyle

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent quarantines have driven everyone to adopt a more digital lifestyle. With protocols like work-from-home and distance learning being set in place, realme Philippines adds new products to its current line-up to complement the digital lifestyle of its young fans. The arrival of the realme Buds Air Neo, Powerbank 2 and Adventure Backpack follows a string of successful smartphone and AIoT product launches, allowing the squad to complete the 360° realme experience. 

In the first five months of 2020, realme Philippines has launched five smartphones, a fitness band and smart audio devices. This vigorous launch of products is a testament to the commitment of the fastest growing smartphone brand to offer a much more holistic realme experience. “Digitalization and technology are what would spell the new normal in the post-pandemic era. This is the reason why we at realme remain aggressive in making more quality and affordable devices available in the Philippines. We are glad that we can support young Filipinos in their adoption of a highly digital lifestyle,” shares realme Philippines VP for Marketing Austine Huang. 

SUPER LOW LATENCY FOR SUPERIOR AUDIO EXPERIENCE

True Wireless Sound can now be experienced by the youth without having to worry about a costly price tag. The realme Buds Air Neo offers the first Super Low Latency 119.2ms Gaming Mode in the sub-1,500 segment. The Buds Air Neo also intelligently pairs with the user’s smartphone, a feature made possible by its R1 True Wireless Chip, which also comes with dual-channel transmission technology. Gamers, video streamers and movie buffs can also enjoy a rich audio experience with the Buds Air Neo’s 13mm Bass Boost Driver, which unleashes true bass potential and brings about the dynamism and layers of the bass. The smart audio device has an assured 17hours of playback. The realme Buds Air Neo will initially be available in Pop White, but the other colorways Punk Green and Rock Red would be available in the market soon. 

Users are encouraged to download the realme Link App to optimize the overall experience for realme AIoT products. The app is available for all Android smartphones and can be downloaded through this link: https://bit.ly/2zE7nci. 

SPEEDY POWER FOR THOSE ON THE GO

A digital lifestyle of downloads, uploads and streaming can exhaust any device. To help the youth have a smooth digital experience, realme Philippines also launches the upgraded version of its power accessory, the realme Powerbank 2. The powerbank’s 10,000mAh power is enhanced by an 18W two-way Quick Charge capability. To ensure the safety of AIoT devices while charging up, the realme Powerbank 2 has a low-current charging feature that can be enabled through a double tap on the power button.  With a 13-layer Circuit Protection and high-grade safety features, the power device will not incur capacity degradation even after 500 charges. It has USB-A and Type-C charging ports. 

The realme Powerbank 2 sports a new micro stripes design. It will be available in black and yellow colors. 

STYLE, QUALITY AND CAPACITY FOR NEW ADVENTURES

As everybody prepares for adventures apropos of the new normal, realme Philippines brings the latest addition to its branded merchandise --  the realme Adventure Backpack. The backpack has a large 32L capacity storage. Users may store devices in it safely as well as it has a 4-level splash resistance treatment, a separate laptop sleeve that can hold a 17-inch notebook, and a safety buckle. It also comes with features that promote user convenience such as easy-access side pockets and zippers, a multifunctional band, an extra-padded silk handle, thick pearl cotton straps, and a trolley strap. It is made of a 650D high-density British Oxford Cotton, a high-grade combed cotton fabric, for durability. 

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The realme Buds Air Neo, Powerbank 2 and Adventure Backpack come with a regular SRP of Php 1,990, Php 1,190 and Php 1,490, respectively. 

Lazada customers will enjoy a Php 200 discount on each of the new products during a special initial offering promo on June 19, which starts at 12 midnight. On the same date, Shopee users can also avail a special discounted price of Php 1,737 and Php 961 for the realme Buds Air Neo and Powerbank 2 from 12 midnight to 8:59 a.m. and from 12 noon to 11:59 p.m.

For more information on the new set of  realme products, customers are encouraged to follow the official Facebook,Twitter and Instagram accounts of realme Philippines. 

GOT7’s Park Jin Young Joins Globe Kmmunity PH For Virtual Hangout

Despite majority of concerts getting cancelled this year, Globe continues to find ways to treat its loyal subscribers with special surprises.

GOT7’s Park Jin Young, more commonly known as Jinyoung, will be joining Globe’s Kmmunity PH Facebook group for an exclusive online meet and greet this coming June 19. 

Jinyoung is a South Korean singer, songwriter and actor who made his acting debut in the drama Dream High 2 in 2012. He also appeared in K-dramas like Legend of the Blue Sea, He is My Love and, When a Man Falls in Love.  His most recent work is the fantasy romance drama He is Psychometric where Jinyoung plays the main character. 

Jinyoung already expressed his excitement in meeting his loyal Filipino fans.

To give Filipino K-Pop fans an even sweeter chance to meet their idols for free, Globe will be hosting a virtual hangout right in the Facebook group they created for hallyu fans of all kinds.

In a video sent by the Korean pop star himself, Jinyoung greeted his fans with an excited “Mabuhay! Kamusta kayo?”. He then proceeded to invite all his Filipino fans to an exclusive e-meet to be hosted on Globe’s K-mmunity PH Facebook Group on June 19 at 7 p.m.

“Thank you Globe for giving me the chance to meet all of my fans from the Philippines,” said the star.

To top off the sweet message, Jinyoung flashed his signature finger hearts and exclaimed a sincere “Mahal ko kayo! Ingat!”.

To watch the e-meet and greet with Jinyoung, fans can stream the event via Globe’s Kmmunity PH group. For super fans who want to be part of the virtual hangout and interact with the GOT7 members, they have a chance to win a few select spots by joining Globe’s Ultimate Stan contest.

Fans who get a slot to be part of the E-Meet and Greet can expect a night full of fun activities and games as well as enjoy special performances and interviews with Jinyoung. 

Join the Kmmunity PH Facebook group now to get the newest Kpop updates and to win special prizes and exclusive invites to fun K-culture activities.

To make sure that you do not miss out on anything during the virtual hangout, you may subscribe to Globe’s Go50 which give you up to 5GB data for all sites that is valid for 3 days, combined with GoKorean10 booster for an additional 1GB for K-apps that is valid for 1 day. 

Globe at Home subscribers may subscribe to HomeWatch199 that gives them up to 6GB data for all sites and 4GB daily data allocation for video with 7 days validity.