PLDT Home Biz provides more than the fastest and reliable internet connection for homepreneurs

Amid economic difficulties brought about by the pandemic-induced lockdowns, more Filipinos are now looking for ways to earn from home either through selling or re-selling anything from face masks to food packs and succulent plants or peddling their skills online such as graphic design or teaching a new language.

 

The key to making this new breed of homepreneurs successful is connecting them to digital platforms so that they can reach their target customers and provide safe ways to transact business online.

 

PLDT Home Biz, PLDT Home’s newest program for micro entrepreneurs operating at home, provides more than the fastest and reliable internet connection by equipping subscribers with the right partner e-commerce tools that are vital in the operating business in the new normal.

“We have packaged our PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso plans with partner e-commerce solutions that provide a complete digital ecosystem for our subscribers from creating your very own on-line store, accepting secure on-line payments, expanding your reach with high traffic marketplaces and lastly providing delivery in the comfort of your home,” said Patrick Tang, PLDT Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Biz. 

 

Total E-commerce Ecosystem

For a secure and hassle-free cashless payment system, PLDT Home Biz subscribers can accept digital payments through QR, bank transfer, and e-wallets, as well as credit and debit cards in partnership with digital financial services leader PayMaya, which is changing the game from high-risk cash-on-delivery to safer and more convenient contactless options for consumers.

 

“With many Filipino entrepreneurs launching their business from their homes and going online, PayMaya helps them get paid with a wide array of cashless payment options--whether it's via e-Wallets or through credit/debit cards. We are there to take care of their payment needs so that they can focus on growing their business and running it smoothly and efficiently," noted Raymund Villanueva, PayMaya Head of Business for QR Ecosystems.

 

PLDT Home Biz has also partnered with UnionBank GlobalLinker, allowing MSMEs to create their own online store-fronts for their business, and be connected to over 300,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) through GlobalLinker’s network. 

 

“With our diverse network and leading edge platform, we’ll be able to connect our MSMEs with potential suppliers and customers, provide them opportunities to learn from other entrepreneurs through the various webinars, provide them with business solutions to help their businesses growth further, and more,” said Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank GlobalLinker Vice President for SME Segment. 

 

PLDT Home Biz subscribers are also linked to the popular Sulit.ph online marketplace, enabling them to reach out to even more customers. “The community lockdowns have drastically changed the buying behavior of consumers. Everybody is now buying and selling online, from the tech-savvy millennials to elders who are using the internet for the first time,” Sulit.ph CEO Jay Adevoso pointed out.

 

"We also aim to enable safe and reliable on-demand delivery - and avoid physical meet-ups between sellers and their customers; through GrabExpress. PLDT Home Biz subscribers will also be part of the GrabExpress Madiskarteng Boss Club where they get exclusive Grab perks and discounts that they can use to grow their businesses online," said Jacq Lim, Head of GrabExpress Philippines.

 

Virtual trade expos and events

Through its partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso subscribers can have access to the government agency’s virtual trade shows and caravans that can open up more opportunities and wider networks for aspiring MSMEs.

 

Some of the exciting expos that MSMEs should watch out for are the BUYanihan Resellers’ Expo 2020 Rise up and resell! Happening on December 5 to 7, 2020 from 10am onwards, the PLDT Smart Sustainability Fair that runs from November 23 to December 31, 2020, and the DTI Regional Operations Group and One Town, One OTOP Virtual Trade Expo Series of bazaars until 2021 powered by PLDT Home Biz. Joining these Virtual Trade Expos is FREE, MSMEs just need to register and log in to virtualtradeexpoph.com.

 

“We bring in these partnerships to give our micro entrepreneurs the best chance of success for their home business. We believe that our MSMEs are a powerful economic force in our country’s recovery from this crisis,” Tang said.

 

PLDT Home Biz KaAsenso plans start with the Asenso Plan 1888 with speeds of up to 20Mbps or the Asenso Plan 2199 with speeds of up to 40Mbps. All plans come with free installation and activation.

 

Learn more about PLDT Home Biz and how you can grow your business online by visiting www.pldthome.com/biz. 

 

Samsung brings entertainment outdoors with the first ever weather-proof TV and Soundbar The Terrace line

When people think of “home entertainment,” they usually think of the living room, where electronic gadgets are safe from the elements. With the release of their new The Terrace line, Samsung breaks barriers to bring entertainment outdoors with the first ever weather-proof TV and Soundbar. 

 

As a global leader in TV innovation, creating an optimal entertainment space outdoors has always been a goal for Samsung. While a standard television could get the job done, The Terrace’s IP55 water-resistance build takes it a step further to give you peace of mind, especially with the unpredictable rainy season in the Philippines. 

 

Despite its weather-proof design, The Terrace doesn’t sacrifice and scrimp on its quality either. Equipped with wide viewing angle capabilities further improved with an anti-glare screen, not to mention, Samsung’s signature QLED technology and Ultra Bright Picture Quality, The Terrace negates all the possible nuisances of outdoor lighting, ensuring a delightful viewing experience. In addition, The Terrace is a Smart TV, which can connect to the internet for your video streaming needs, and comes with pre-installed entertainment apps, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. 

 

Completing the outdoor home entertainment experience, The Terrace Soundbar provides optimized audio for each content, thanks to its Adaptive Sound feature. Plus, the WideSound Coverage feature provides surround-sound capability and can fill up any open space with its 210W powerful sound.

Experience a different kind of entertainment outdoors with The Terrace. Avail the 65” The Terrace TV and The Terrace Soundbar (Model QA65LST7T and HW-LST70T/XP) for a special bundled price of PHP 266,999. The 75” The Terrace TV bundled with The Terrace Soundbar (Model: QA75LST7T and HW-LST70T/XP) is priced at PHP 335,999. For every purchase of The Terrace TV, buyers also get a free wall-mount (Model WMN4277TT/XY). 

 

For more information about Samsung The Terrace TV and Soundbar, visit www.samsung.com/ph.

 

Alfamart offers a variety of amazing “Christmasaya deals” throughout the month

Despite 2020 being a particularly challenging year, Filipinos still remain connected to the celebration of the country’s favorite season, Christmas. Even in the face of countless adjustments and new protocols, there is no stopping the ​Pinoy​ Christmas spirit.

To help Filipinos prepare for their celebrations, Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines, will be offering a variety of amazing “Christmasaya deals” throughout the month.

“This is the first ‘new normal’ Christmas that we will have,” said Alfamart Philippines COO Harvey Ong. “It’s safe to say that many will have a harder time to line up and buy what they need for their small Christmas salu-salo and, specifically, their Noche Buena meal. We therefore made sure that their nearby neighborhood Alfamart stores are fully stocked with everything they need for a simple celebration,” he explained.

Among the first items featured in these amazing deals are sanitation items such as disinfectants, air-fresheners, sanitary wipes, and many others. Also included in the Christmasaya deals are staples for Noche Buena, such as meats, cheeses, fruit cocktails, and beverages.

“Needless to say, Alfamart stores will be implementing strict compliance to government-mandated sanitation and social distancing protocols.” Ong added,” Through these protocols and our Christmasaya deals, we hope to provide the communities we serve with safe and happy Christmas celebrations,” he concluded.

For more updates on what deals are available in Alfamart stores, please visit their official Facebook page at ​https://www.facebook.com/Alfamart-PH-110690137312658​.

Cant get enough of Lechon Kawali? Get it at Las Islas Gourmet!

Las Islas Gourmet recently launches ready-to-eat-meals Adobong Lechon Kawali, Afritadang Lechon Kawali and Bicol Express na Lechon Kawali. 

Las Islas Gourmet has added to its offering of favorite local dishes as it aims to bring bottled Filipino goodness to every dining table.

The added batch that will surely warm the heart and satisfy every palate. These add to the existing menu of Binagoongang Lechon Kawali, Spicy Binagoongang Lechon Kawali and Kapampangan Sisig.

 

Las Islas, derived from the country’s first name, was launched last month with a goal of providing tasty Filipino food in every table, minus the time-consuming process of preparing it.

 

Conveniently packed in 200-gram bottles, Las Islas Gourmet comes in handy especially during this time of work from home, community quarantine and online learning.  Las Islas provides families and working professionals with readily available food anytime, even during a busy day or amid unusual times as such as the present. Las Islas products can also be stored in cupboards for later consumption.

 

This newest online food venture decided to launch during this time to help several families who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also recognized the hard work of the front liners who have been putting their lives at stake for seven months now.

 

They have provided rice meals to front liners working at the Antipolo City Health Office, Antipolo City Medical Hospital, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Provincial Hospital Annex and Mandaluyong City Medical Center.

 

Moreover, part of the proceeds for November shall go to the relief operations for the victims of typhoon Ulysses.

 

For those interested to taste Bottled Filipino Goodness, Las Islas Gourmet can be reached through 0961.700.6182, Facebook/Instagram (@lasislasgourmet) and e-mail: lasislasgourmet@gmail.com.

 

Here are the three easy must-dos to effectively manage and ensure a safer kitchen for the holidays

The pandemic may have cancelled a lot of celebrations this 2020, but Christmas isn’t going to be one of them! 

Holiday prep is going to be a lot different this year, but you can keep family traditions alive and just as bright with some extra preparation. And since dining out may not be the best way to go, there’s a new battleground this season - the kitchen. 

With the COVID-19 anxieties adding to the expected mayhem of the holiday rush, here are three easy must-dos to effectively manage and ensure a safer kitchen for the holidays.

1.     Think ahead and pre-order if possible

If you’re getting tired of waiting in line because of limited capacities in the supermarket, imagine what this would be like come Christmas time. With a still uncertain turnout of the pandemic, the limited mobility would most likely extend until the holidays. 

Impromptu supermarket runs will be more difficult, and online groceries don’t have huge inventories of items so things will likely go out-of-stock. Perhaps it’s high time to plan your menu for Noche Buena, the ingredients to purchase and their shelf lives for storage. This will not just help you avoid inconveniences in the future, but also gives you more time to prepare for other stuff on the holidays. A lot of specialty stores have already opened slots for Holiday pre-orders, too, so if you’re eyeing that lechon for your Christmas feast, make sure you get your name on that list!

 

2.     Step up the cleaning game

Since you’ll be handling food meant for everyone, the kitchen should be the cleanest part of the house. You’ll be touching everything from kitchenware, to wet ingredients, to family members, and back. With the worries of possible virus transmission, you’ll need to level up the sanitation in your kitchen.  

When it comes to cleanliness, more is more: more napkins to control moisture that may attract food contaminants; more sanitizers/ hand soaps in various corners of the house for people entering and exiting the kitchen; and disinfectants to clean surfaces where you will be cooking and serving your meals. It pays to upgrade cleaning practice to further ensure safety in your household!

 

 

3.     Invest in smart, safe, and reliable kitchen equipment

Before you even get to the food, make sure you have the right equipment.

There are a lot of next generation cookware for cutting, peeling, and cooking food that might help you work faster. Invest in them! These tools will help save a lot of time and energy for other important things like bonding with the family and buying presents for Christmas.

More importantly, invest in safer kitchen essentials like in the LPG you will use in cooking. It’s almost trivial to double check the brands of your fuel source, but verifying your LPG is crucial in protecting the safety of your family and your properties. Choose only verified LPG brands like Solane to ensure that the fuel you’ll use is clean, safe, and adequate for any kind of celebration. Verified Solane tanks are thoroughly inspected from refilling to installation which also guarantees that your household will not be exposed to potential gas leaks that may lead to mishaps like fire 

accidents, gas poisoning, and explosions.

Despite the many challenges of living through a pandemic, the holiday this year doesn’t have to be sadder, only safer! By doing these steps, you’re sure to not only make the most out of your holidays but also preserve the safety and well-being of you and your family amidst and beyond the celebrations. 

To know more about verified Solane products and services, visit www.solane.com.ph.  To locate a Solane store near you, visit https://tinyurl.com/SolaneStoresNationwide or call (02) 8887-5555 for Metro Manila or send a private message to Solane FB at www.facebook.com/solane.ph. 

Philippine Basketball Association partners with Lysol to ensure health safety protection during bubble games

Filipinos have long been fervent basketball fans. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s premier professional league, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) have had to indefinitely suspend live games in stadiums with the usual roaring, adoring fans.

 

Taking inspiration from the NBA bubble in Disney World - Florida, which saw the resumption of basketball games in an empty, fan-less arena, coupled with proper testing of players and staff, the league decided to follow suit and continue the halted 2020 Philippine Cup. 

With strong COVID-19 testing and protocols in place, the whole PBA delegation is being billeted in dedicated accommodations in Smart Clark Giga City, Pampanga, with the Angeles University Foundation Gym (AUF Gym) as the specific court venue for games and practices.

 

To further ramp up appropriate health safety protection during the bubble conference, Lysol recently formed a partnership with the PBA, the first professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest existing one in the world.

“We are extremely proud of this partnership with the Philippine Basketball Association,” said Gonzalo Balcazar, RB General Manager for South East Asia, Hygiene. “Knowing how local basketball fans have been raring to see their favorite teams in action again, Lysol is excited to help ensure the safe resumption of the games as we advocate proper disinfection practices before, during and after the matches. With this partnership, we get to impart the critical importance of proper hygiene habits and everyday disinfection.”

Stemming from Lysol’s relentless pursuit of a cleaner world where everyone is free from illness-causing germs, this partnership allows for the staging of exciting basketball matches between the country’s best players in a safer and more secure manner, letting ardent basketball fans root for their favorite teams once again, from the comfort of their homes or wherever they may be, thus rekindling Filipinos’ love and passion for basketball.

 

With Lysol brand supporting the PBA bubble conference, from the careful planning stages where the protection of everyone involved to the extensive venue disinfection with Lysol products, this partnership truly espouses  a high  standard of disinfection and safety throughout the duration of the bubble conference—delighting fans while creating a more secure playing environment.

 

Dencio's launches classic Pinoy favorites with Dencio’s Christmas Bilaos!

December is upon us, and that means it’s the season to dine and enjoy the company of your family or barkada. While this year’s celebrations might look quite different as we celebrate indoors and take safety precautions, why not let Dencio’s make your stay-at-home feast more delightful and memorable?

 

Christmas gatherings are best enjoyed over big servings of delicious and generous meals, kaya ipa-deliver nathis Christmas ang iba’t-ibang sarap ng classic Pinoy favorites with Dencio’s Christmas Bilaos!

 

Enjoy tasty Filipino holiday staples in a bilao, perfect for feasting. Lahat ng iyong paborito, nandito: from sweet Pinoy Spaghetti, savory Palabok, signature Pancit Sisig, bestselling Pinaputok na Pancit, to the all-new Pancit Dencio’s. Get into the festive spirit and choose from three bilao sizes that’s fit for the company, starting at only P390.

 

“As we celebrate the holiday season during this time, we at Dencio’s want to continue delivering a fun and authentic Filipino dining experience for every family or barkada, even while at home,” shared Dencio’s Marketing Manager Jong Dela Cruz. “We hope that our Christmas bilaos will give our diners another reason to strengthen bonds over great Pinoy food by Dencio’s.”

 

Place an order now through Dencio’s online delivery website or call a Dencio’s store near you. Christmas Bilaos are also available for dine-in, take-out, and Curbside® pick-up, and on GrabFood, FoodPanda, and LalaFood. For more information, visit facebook.com/denciosph/.

PLDT Home’s latest video tackles digital opportunities for home-based businesses

Homebased businesses are booming as a movement, led mostly by resourceful mothers who are taking opportunities to earn extra income while they take care of their families. 

 

As more people stay at home to keep safe, ordering online has become the norm. Having an online presence helps move goods to more people and a growing community of online sellers enjoy the ease of transactions through many digital platforms that are already available. All it takes is a strong connection via a reliable provider such as PLDT Home and a willingness to work hard at building a business from home. 

 

The power of connections

Two inventive, yet practical or madiskarte moms who are harnessing the power of strong connections are Vanna Reyes, an entrepreneur and online influencer who also helps other businesses boost their sales, and Vania Edralin, a talent manager who launched her baking business during the community quarantine.  Both are moms who are balancing home life and their side hustles that are supported by the strong connections provided by PLDT at Home.   

Vanna Reyes, Home-based entrepreneur

“The pandemic has had a big impact on mommies,” Vanna notes. Aside from the fact that they now have to contend with their children’s online classes on top of managing the household, there is also an uncertainty over the future as many households are affected by loss of income. This is why Vanna supports many moms in the community that she joins, not only by highlighting the products that she likes but also through giving moral support. 

 

Vanna describes herself as an “accidental seller”, with her business starting out as a way to help entrepreneur friends. “I just promote things that I personally use, and moms who watch my videos start asking where they can buy the product as well,” she says. 

Among the items Vanna sold were face masks, salt lamps, designer bags, and even children’s toys. “My story with the children’s toys is a funny one. A friend with a physical store in Divisoria told me that their stocks weren’t moving. To help out, I started posting their items online and they made huge sales even out of season. My friend who was so old-school has now started to migrate their business on selling platforms after realizing the importance of having an online presence.”  

For her part, Vania was doing baking as a hobby before the pandemic hit. “My sister was the one who was really into baking, using our mom’s recipe for cinnamon buns. I tweaked that recipe to make smaller Cinnabites, and gave it away to family and friends, until I realized that there was no one doing the same thing. I offered it on an online selling group and it really took off,” she shares. From an initial capital of P10,000 that went to bulk procurement of ingredients, she was able to recover her investment within two months from baking only three times a week. 

 

Online advantages

There are many opportunities to earn from a side hustle even through the pandemic, both Vanna and Vania attest. “There may be other sellers out there, offering the same thing or something similar to what you have, but there are also so many customers out there,” Vanna encourages. “The main differentiation would be how you reach your market. Some moms will have live selling programs, some will offer their products on different platforms. What is important is that you find your niche.”

  

Mommy Vania turned her passion into a profit-making business as she now sells home-baked mini cinnamon buns through her own shop, Cinnabites.

 

Vania, who tried selling clothes at a bazaar notes the difference. “You don’t need to spend so much on a space, and there is no need to transport all your goods to a certain location. It is easier to do business online. You can even target your audience by choosing a location for your ads or by simply joining a neighborhood group.” She likewise encourages budding homepreneurs to learn new skills such as taking videos or editing photos, and making ad layouts that would attract more customers. 

 

To support all these transactions, one should have a stable internet connection such as PLDT Home. Both moms say this is crucial and enables businesses to provide good customer service, responding to queries and making transactions easy for customers, and having reliable payment and delivery options. “If you don’t answer inquiries right away, that would mean loss of business,” Vanna advises.  

 

It all boils down to “sipag at tiyaga” (diligence and perseverance), both moms say. There many side hustles that are available to home-based moms, from creating your own products, to drop shipping or being a reseller. “Diskarte ng mga Pinoy, walang katulad (there’s nothing like the resourcefulness and strategy of Pinoys),” Vanna says. Vania agrees and adds, “If you’re a mom, you’ll do anything and everything for your family. That is the driving force of madiskarte moms, love for their family.”

 

With a reliable and powerful internet connection at home, homepreneurs can take their business goals to the next level. Know more about how you can rediscover opportunities in home business, watch this video from PLDT Home. 

#TeamGalaxy ambassador Hideo Muraoka ensures that his health and productivity are prioritized even at home

#TeamGalaxy ambassador Hideo Muraoka ensures that his health and productivity are prioritized even at home. Through the “Limitless Life” series, he shares how he keeps in shape, while still managing to stay productive. Here are some of his habits:

1. Start the day with a simple workout routine. Hideo believes that anyone can start a fitness journey with simple, beginner-friendly exercises. He suggests starting the day with easy and effective workout moves: from burpees, lunges, push-ups, squats to cool down exercises such as stretching and focus breathing. He keeps track of his progress using the Real-Time Analysis feature on the Galaxy Watch3, synced via the Samsung Health App on his Galaxy Note20 Ultra to get insights on his workout. This helps him improve his form, boost his performance, and reduce injuries.

 

2. Improve one’s mood while working out by listening to music. Workouts are best enjoyed with music, according to Hideo. With the Galaxy Buds Live’s Spotify integration, it’s easier for him to connect his workout or yoga playlist to his Galaxy Watch3. He easily switches between songs on the smartwatch by browsing through the Spotify app using the digital rotating bezel. Combined with the Galaxy Buds Live’s superior sound quality, he feels more motivated and pumped to workout. Meanwhile, its ergonomic and tipless design also means the earbuds won’t fall off, no matter how vigorous his workout is. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Ensure to squeeze in a quick workout even on the busiest day. When there’s so much to do at work, finding time to do quick workouts strengthens the body, physically and mentally. Hideo recommends high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises for at least 30 minutes a day. Besides providing real-time analysis on workouts using the Galaxy Watch3, the smartwatch also measures oxygen uptake and oxygen level with its Maximal Oxygen (VO2 max) readings and Blood Oxygen Monitoring which assess the body’s condition after a quick intense workout. 
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 Limitless Life Series EPISODE 2: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGZx8JjgSHk/

 

4. Meditate through yoga. As a yogi, Hideo shares that simple yoga routines can easily give the body its much-needed stretch for proper blood circulation. Yoga and meditation also require full focus. That’s why he recommends using the Galaxy Buds Live’s Active Noise Cancellation while listening to yoga playlists to reduce unwanted noise so anyone can focus on meditating without distractions.  

 

 

5. Accomplish tasks seamlessly with the Galaxy ecosystem. Hideo also makes sure to stay on top of his tasks, even when he is away from his smartphone. Samsung’s seamless connectivity with the Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Buds Live, and Galaxy Note20 Ultra allow Hideo to manage all his tasks for the day. By simply connecting his smartphone with both devices via Bluetooth, he can easily send automatic reply options and view photos right from the wrist. He can also receive calls from his smartwatch and answer them on his Galaxy Buds Live.

 

6. Recover by getting a good night’s sleep. After a long busy day, getting good quality sleep is valuable, according to Hideo, and says that “sleep is medicine” because this is where muscle repair happens. He finds help with his sleep using the Galaxy Watch3’s Sleep Score and Insights that analyzes and provides insights into his sleeping patterns. 
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Dedicated to all medical frontliners!

Samsung Philippines understands the limitation of the current situation that hampered almost everyone’s fitness goals, especially medical frontliners. This is why Hideo and Samsung have dedicated the last episode of the ‘Limitless Life’ series to them as a reminder that they also need to take care of themselves while they take care of others. 

 

Limitless Life Series EPISODE 3: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIIj6kIgQr-/

 

With the Galaxy Watch3 and Galaxy Buds Live’s cutting-edge health and productivity features, there are no limits when it comes to maintaining one’s lifestyle and daily routines.

 

Watch Hideo’s Limitless Life episodes on his Instagram page.

 

To know more about the Samsung Galaxy Watch3 and Buds Live, visit samsung.com/ph.