Invest your Christmas bonus wisely

The calendar finally turning to December brings with it a lot of things, most especially the one thing many people have been waiting all year for: the 13^th month pay and Christmas bonus. The yearly windfall often leads people to buy on things they want and need. 

But while you do deserve to treat yourself after a long year, you might also want to consider trying something different. What if, instead of spending your bonus right away, you decided to grow it and get more money in return?

This is definitely something you can do now with various investment products made available to you by banks. “Now that you have received your bonus, is actually the best time to start investing in financial instruments that will generate value for your money and are suitable to your personal risk appetite and profile,” said Raul Victor de Guzman, EastWest FVP and Head of Securities, Derivatives, and FX Distribution and Sales.  

Here are three financial products you may want to consider availing with your holiday bonuses:

1.     Time Deposit

A Time Deposit account is a good place to start, as it is one of the simplest investments you can avail yourself of with your money. It’s a deposit account with a specific maturity period, and you make money through an interest rate that is higher than a basic savings account, depending on the term and placement amount. 

EastWest is offering bonus rates if you book a Peso or US Dollar Time Deposit account via EastWest Mobile or Online.

2.     Bonds

Bonds are investment securities, like stocks, that can be bought or sold in the secondary market. Bonds are basically debts and obligations of companies or governments sold to investors. These companies and/or governments, called bond issuers, pay the investors regular coupon interest payments on the amount invested. Bonds typically pay higher interest than traditional time deposits. The minimum investment depends on the terms of the bond you choose.

Should you choose to buy bonds, banks can help you by assessing your risk profile (i.e. conservative, balanced or aggressive) and suggest bonds for your consideration that are suitable and consistent with your risk profile. EastWest has top bond picks to choose from to make investment easier. These top picks range from government securities to high grade corporate bonds which are medium- to long-term investments with a steady payout schedule.

3.     UITF

A Unit Investment Trust Fund or UITF is a pooled fund that gives you access to financial markets generally of stocks and fixed income instruments.  EastWest offers three types of UITFs to cater to the different risk profiles and investment objectives of the clients. There are different types of UITFs to choose from: 

·       Money Market Funds are for clients who have conservative risk profiles and short-term liquidity needs.  The funds aim to provide its investors liquidity and stable income derived from diversified portfolio of fixed income instruments. These funds have a portfolio duration of 1 year or less.

·       Bond funds are for clients who have moderate risk profiles and medium-term liquidity needs.  The funds aim to provide potential returns higher than traditional bank deposits by investing in diversified mixed portfolio of fixed income instruments.  These funds have a portfolio duration of more than 1 year.

·       Equity Funds are for clients who have aggressive risk profiles.  Funds are invested in equities which are highly volatile.  The funds aim to provide higher potential returns by investing in a diversified portfolio of equities. 

 

The minimum investment for EW Peso UITFs is P10,000 except for EW Peso Long-Term Bond Fund whose minimum investment in P50,000.

You may choose the UITF to invest in based on your risk appetite (which the bank can assess and help you with) and you make money from the fund’s appreciation and/or income and dividends earned by the funds. 

Equipped with this information, you can now make a good plan for your future by investing that bonus. You might not see the results right away, but you’ll be glad you did one day! Head to your nearest EastWest store or contact EastWest Bank’s SEDEX officers at 0919-0621226 / 0919-0621218.  You may also e-mail  #SEDEX-RetailSalesDivision@eastwestbanker.com to know how you can get started!

To find out more about investing and investment products EastWest has to offer, visit the EastWest website at eastwestbanker.com, and follow the official Facebook page at facebook.com/eastwestbanker. 

The biggest Popeyes restaurant in South East Asia has just opened its doors to Filipino diners!

The biggest Popeyes restaurant in South East Asia has just opened its doors to Filipino diners! 

Located at Level 1, South Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia, the newest Popeyes restaurant boasts of an impressive 200 seating capacity. With such a spacious dining area, you don’t need to worry about social distancing when grabbing your favorite Louisiana-inspired treats at this branch. 

Its strategic location – it is easily accessible from the airport, major hotels, BPOs and entertainment venues -- makes it easier for diners to enjoy Popeyes’ irresistibly tasty menu items such as the America’s Famous Fried Chicken, light, buttery, and flaky Honey Biscuits, the meaty and cheesy Popeyes Spaghetti, the crispy Cajun fries, and, of course, the must try U.S. Spicy Chicken Sandwich! To ensure the wellbeing of the customers, health measures and safety protocols are strictly implemented in the store. 

The inauguration of the new restaurant also marks Popeyes' second store opening since the country implemented strict lockdown (the first being Popeyes in Eton Centris, Quezon City). This incredible milestone makes Popeyes one of the few fast-food restaurants in the Philippines to do so, effectively helping generate jobs and supporting   the gradual reopening of the Philippine economy.

"The opening of this new store is an important milestone for us because, aside from being the biggest Popeyes branch in South East Asia, this new location will also allow us to generate employment at a time when our fellow Filipinos need it most,” said Ton Gatmaitan, the marketing director of Kuya J Group, the parent company of Popeyes Philippines.

Popeyes welcomed the opening with a week-long celebration, complete with fun games, freebies, and countless surprises to all customers. The first three customers received one-year, six-month, and three-month supplies of Popeyes Chicken, respectively; while the first 100 customers were treated to free Chicken Tenders, Cajun Fries, and Box of 3 Biscuits.

The new Popeyes branch located at Level 1, South Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.  For more information, visit www.popeyes.ph or follow @popeyesph on Facebook and Instagram.

realme’s special tribute video is inspired by a true story in today’s trying times

realme Philippines, the country’s top 1 smartphone brand, pays tribute to all hardworking delivery staff and resilient Filipino workers in a touching video that shows a father's sacrifices for his family amidst a challenging year. The special tribute video was premiered on the official Facebook page of realme Philippines yesterday. 

 

Inspired by a true story, this heartwarming tribute underscores the often overlooked yet crucial role of delivery riders in ensuring the mobility of goods and continuous income flow for business establishments in the new normal. It also brings to light the difficulties of workers who were furloughed following the onslaught of several calamities this year. 

 

“Filipinos are some of the most hardworking people around the world -- and every form of labor in these trying times must be lauded. Among these are the delivery riders who allowed many of us to receive essential goods and services at the safety of our homes. realme celebrates the valiant work of couriers from all over the country as they brave the roads daily. Saludo po kami sa inyong lahat,” shares realme Philippines VP for Marketing Austine Huang. 

 

The video’s story revolves around a man who needed to find an alternative source of income to provide for his family as he is among the many Filipinos who got retrenched from their day jobs following economic challenges in past months. 

 

This initiative from the brand is the highlight of the #realmeWithYou Christmas special campaign, an array of promos, exclusive offers, and activities from realme in time for the Christmas season. Not only to offer the best deals in digital lifestyle products, but also the best engagement for a smartphone brand this yuletide season.  

 

For more information on the said campaign and for real-time updates from the number one smartphone brand in the Philippines, fans are encouraged to follow realme Philippines’ official Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Inspiring story of the enduring Filipino spirit wins grand prize in UFC Reel Life short film competition

The first ever UFC Reel Life: Nagsasama-samang Sarap Short Film Competition, an event meant to celebrate UFC’s 50^th anniversary as well as highlight the talents of local filmmakers, has officially selected its top three winners. 

The competition focused on sharing stories about how ordinary Filipinos rise up and find hope despite the odds. Together, UFC celebrates these special moments of triumph, inspirations of courage, and resiliency for the coming year. 

The daunting task of selecting the prize-winning films from the 57 entries that came in fell upon an esteemed panel of judges. This panel included Kip Oebanda, writer and director of Liway, Bar Boys, and Nay; Noel Teehankee, a prolific cinematographer from blockbuster films including The Hows of Us, A Second Chance, and Crazy Beautiful You; Victor Kaiba Villanueva, the director behind films Patay na Si Hesus, My Paranormal Romance, and Ang Nanay ni Justin Barber; and representatives of UFC marketing. 

Directed by Crismel Gida, “Cancelled,” a hopeful story of two resilient Filipinos working their hardest to make ends meet after their livelihoods were affected by recent events, took home the P100,000 grand prize for Best Short Film. Gida also took home the P15,000 Best Director Prize as well as the P5,000 Best Cinematography award.

 

In second place, and winning P50,000, was Ken Leviste’s “How’s my Driving,” which tells the engaging narrative of a jeepney driver turned deliveryman. Meanwhile, the third place prize of P20,000 went to Marco Paulo Castro’s “Budjoy,” a light hearted story about a forgetful boy who misses his OFW mother as his family tries to make ends meet. 

 

Aside from the top winners of the competition, excellent performances both on and off screen were given special credit. Acting citations were given to outstanding performers from the competition’s entries. The Best Actor prize of P5,000 goes to none other than young talent Sean Angelo Tutanez for “Budjoy”. Meanwhile the Best Actress prize of P5,000 goes to Andrea del Mundo for “Prank” (directed by James Edward Golla), a short film that tells the story of an innocent prank between husband and wife that takes a dramatic turn.

The competition likewise gave recognition for technical skills to highlight the immense talent that filmmakers showed behind the scenes. The Best Screenplay prize of P5,000 went to Jojo Livelo and Miko Livelo for “Anana”, a comedic tale of cheesy dad jokes made real.

 

The Best Editing prize of P5,000 went to Dexter de Jesus for “Ma,”, a beautifully animated film about a young man missing the comfort of his mother’s home cooking.

 

Special awards were also given in response to the overwhelming amount of talent on display during the competition. Best Mobile Short Film was given to the filmmaker who made the best use of simple equipment such as their very own cell phone cameras. The People’s Choice Award rewards the most popular film in the competitions as determined by the number of YouTube views. Seven honorable mentions were also selected from the shortlist of 30 as their skill and quality could not go unrecognized. 

The winner of Best Mobile Short Film was Dexter de Jesus for “Ma,”. The awardee will receive a mobile filmmaking kit that includes a Kase Four Lens Kit V2, a Zhiyun Crane M2, a Kase Phone case, a Phone Cage 2990, and a Synco Shotgun Mic M1. Lexter Taganas’s “Uli” snagged the People’s Choice Award and the P15,000 prize for getting over 22,000 views. 

 

UFC also awarded a P10,000 consolation prize to each of the seven honorable mentions: “Ma,” by Dexter de Jesus; “Kambal” by Yves Publico; “Rico” by Ronald John Mendenilla-Teodosio; “Tatalon” by Don Ralph Diaz; “Bato-Bato Pik” by Alejandro “Bong” Ramos; “Uli” by Lexter Taganas; and “Anana” by Quentin Tolentino.

Prize winner or not, however, each and every entry in this contest placed the prodigious talents of local filmmakers on full display. The organizers of UFC Reel Life: Nagsasama-samang Sarap Short Film Competition take great pride in having been able to shine a spotlight on these excellent works. Congratulations go out to all the winners and to the rest of the filmmakers who showcased their abilities for the competition. 

 

All thirty short films that were shortlisted as finalists can be watched right now on YouTube.

 

Final Two Episodes Of First Season Premiere 22 December Exclusively On HBO GO And HBO

HBO’s drama series Industry has been renewed for a second season, it was announced by Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming. This series will conclude its eight-episode first season with the final two episodes airing back-to-back same time as the U.S. on Tuesday, 22 December at 11am and 12pm on HBO GO and HBO, with a same day encore at 11pm on HBO.

“Mickey and Konrad have captured an authentic, fresh angle on workplace culture from the bottom up and presented a complex look at navigating life in your early twenties – replete with thrills, failures and victories," says Orsi. “It’s exciting to see fans embrace these young graduates, and we join them in anticipation of what's in store for season two. We also send a big thanks to our partners at Bad Wolf and BBC."

From first-time creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, Industry follows a group of young graduates competing for a limited number of permanent positions at a leading international bank in London.

Starring Myha’la Herrold (“The Tattooed Heart”), Marisa Abela (“Cobra”), Harry Lawtey (“City of Tiny Lights”), David Jonsson (“Deep State”) and Nabhaan Rizwan (“Mogul Mowgli”) as “The Graduates” and Conor MacNeill (“Artemis Fowl”), Freya Mavor (“Skins”), Will Tudor (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”) and Ken Leung (HBO’s “High Maintenance”) as “Management,” Industry gives an insider's view of the blackbox of “high finance” through the eyes of an outsider, Harper Stern (Herrold), a talented young woman from upstate New York. Following a group of young grads fueled by ambition, youth, romance and drugs, the series examines issues of gender, race, class, and privilege in the workplace as these impressionable young minds begin to forge their identities within the pressure cooker environment and sensory blitz of Pierpoint & Co's trading floor, where meritocracy is promised but hierarchy is king.

Wall Street Journal noted that Industry presents “a world that’s thoroughly believable, frequently appalling and fully enthralling,” while Hollywood Reporter praised the series as “steamy escapism.” TIME called it “smart and contemporary... a ‘Working Girl’ for a new generation,” citing that “Down and Kay add to the verisimilitude with dialogue that feels both cerebral and...realistic,” and NPR crowned Harper Stern “the most fascinating character on TV right now.”

Upcoming episodes include:

Season 1, Episode 7: "Pre-Crisis Activity"

Debut date: Tuesday, 22 December at 11am on HBO GO and HBO

With Reduction in Force Day looming, the graduates do whatever it takes to secure final recommendations from their superiors and solidify vital client relationships. At a dinner party hosted by Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Sebastian, resentment and jealousy bubble to the surface, and Harper (Myha'la Herrold) divulges confidential company business.

Written by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay; Directed by Mary Nighy.

Season 1, Episode 8: "Reduction in Force" (Season finale)

Debut date: Tuesday, 22 December at 12pm on HBO GO and HBO

After a tumultuous few months at Pierpoint, the graduates take vastly different approaches as they stand before senior management to prove they're worthy of permanent positions. Following an unexpected meeting with a familiar face, Harper (Myha'la Herrold) contends with a decision that could transform the culture of Pierpoint.

Season one credits: Industry is created and executive produced by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay; Executive produced by Jane Tranter, Lachlan MacKinnon, Ryan Rasmussen, David P. Davis and by Ben Irving for BBC; Co-Executive produced by Ed Lilly; Produced by Lee Thomas. Produced for HBO / BBC by Bad Wolf. Writers include Konrad Kay, Mickey Down, Sam H. Freeman and Kate Verghese. Directors include Lena Dunham, Ed Lilly, Tinge Krishnan, Mary Nighy.

Stream or download Industry on HBO GO. Download the app at the App Store or Play Store on your device and enjoy a 7-day free trial. Access HBO GO via Cignal or at https://www.hbogoasia.com/. HBO GO can now be accessed via Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.

AXN is proud to crown Staffz as the first-ever winner of Project GO

Staffs emerged as the winner of the Project Go in last night's finale episode.

Staffz is an outsourcing solutions portal, and one that also includes advocacy. The roster of skilled workers that carry out SEO, copywriting and graphic design services for their clients are all underprivileged youths trained in these specialized skills by the core team of Staffz. This business model allows them to offer cost-effective services to small and medium enterprises around the world, while also opening more inclusive job opportunities to those who may not otherwise have them.

Project GO, the brand new reality series by GoDaddy, the company empowering everyday entrepreneurs worldwide, in collaboration with AXN, one of the leading general entertainment channels owned by KC Global Media Asia, revealed its first-ever winner in last night’s finale episode. 

Staffz, represented by 25-year-old Pearl Janine de Guzman, beat out three other teams in a final pitch to an international panel of judges, coming out on top as the winner of Project GO and the recipient of its Php 1 million cash prize.

With the guidance of Project GO Mentors who put the show’s Top 4 Contestants through rigorous bootcamps, De Guzman made a final pitch to the show’s panel of judges, which was comprised of seasoned business veterans: Lyrna Esmeralda-Hewitt, President & Co-Founder of Bona Fortuna Farms, Inc; Carlo Buenaflor, CEO of Biggs, In; James Carroll, President of GoDaddy International; and Jodi Valenta, Vice President of Global Marketing at GoDaddy

“We looked forward to hearing innovative ideas and solutions that fit actual market needs and clarity in the approach to fulfill those needs,” says Carroll. “The contestants more than delivered. We were very impressed with the creativity, skill and passion that we witnessed in their presentations.” 

The judges followed a scoring system that graded each of the Top 4 Contestants’ final pitch on a variety of stringent criteria, including originality, potential for growth and profit, and feasibility of plans. At the end of this rigorous process, Staffz emerged as the winner.

While De Guzman and her collaborators are careful to remain grounded in the reality that it is not a simple task to end poverty or change the world, they run Staffz with the optimism that they can make a genuine impact in the lives of others.

“I truly feel humbled and honored that Staffz was chosen as the winner of Project GO,” De Guzman shares. “My teammates and I are immensely grateful to our friends, our families, the Mentors, GoDaddy and AXN Asia for this opportunity. As we journey from this new beginning, we will continue to scale more businesses and bridge bigger dreams, one task at a time.”

Derek Wong, Vice President and Head of Production at KC Global Media Asia, has this to say: “AXN is proud to crown Staffz as the first-ever winner of Project GO. With their truly innovative and empathic business model, Staffz is set to turn even more dreams into reality, which resonates with what Project GO has aimed to do from the beginning.”

The full season of Project GO is available to stream for free on AXN Asia and GoDaddy Asia’s YouTube channels. For more information and exclusive content on Project GO, audiences can visit the official website at www.axn-asia.com/ProjectGO or follow AXN Asia on Facebook and Instagram.

Make your loved ones feel extra special with a new smartphone that perfectly matches their lifestyle!

Christmas is just around the corner, which means it’s time to exchange gifts, letting your loved ones feel just how much they mean to you. If it’s been quite a busy time for you these past couple of months, you may not have had the chance to check off everyone in your gift list just yet, especially the ones who mean a lot to you. To help you figure out what to give and get these delivered stat, we’ve put together a list of smartphones perfect for every kind of person in your life.

 

1. For the one who loves to binge watch til early in the morning

They’re always the first ones to finish the latest TV show to drop on Netflix, and there’s probably no series or movie they haven’t seen. And perhaps it’s time they upgrade their mobile viewing experience with the OPPO A12. The 15.79cm screen fully immerses the viewer in the visual story, while protecting their vision by filtering out harmful blue light to prevent eye strain, especially for marathons. Plus, with a 4230mAh battery, they can watch HD videos online for up to 17 hours! If you’ve got an avid gamer in your life, this gadget will also be the perfect gift for them, as its battery life gives up to 8 hours of playtime.

 

 

2. For the one who’s always on the go

We all have that one person who’s always needing to go somewhere or needing to do something, and the OPPO A53 is a perfect partner for them. Its lightweight, ultra-thin body is ergonomically designed to fit in a single hand, making it easier to pick up and bring around everywhere. The smartphone is also equipped with a 5000mAh ultrabattery paired with high-speed 18W fast charge, so they don’t need to worry about waiting for a long charging time or lugging around a heavy power bank. And with its Super Power Saving Mode, the battery can last for much longer, making it a handy gadget to have around.

 

 

3. For the one who lives in the moment and loves to capture every second

We all have that friend or family member who seems to document every moment in order to have a remembrance for every fun time, and the OPPO A92 is the perfect smartphone for them. With a 5000mAh battery to give users an all-out, all-day smartphone experience, the OPPO A92 also boasts of a 48MP AI Quad Camera, which includes an ultra-wide lens to capture everything in just one shot. It’s also got 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM to fit all the still and moving memories caught with the A92.

 

4. For the one who loves to create social media content

Your Tiktok-obsessed or vlogging-expert bestie needs a gadget that helps them keep up not only with the new viral challenges, but also the trendiest phoneography features. Look no further than the OPPO Reno4. With a 48MP quad camera and a 32MP selfie camera, the Reno4 is a content creator’s dream. Among its camera features are the AI Color Portrait, which allows the user to mute the background or highlight a specific color in both photos and videos; the Night Flare Mode, which adds a standout bokeh effect to lights in the background; and the Ultra Steady Video 3.0, which minimizes shakes and allows the user to capture smooth videos of their adventures. 

 

 

5. For the one with impeccable taste

And finally, for the sophisticated person in your life, the ones with refined taste and love to unlock new possibilities for themselves, there is the OPPO Find X2 Pro. This top-of-the-line smartphone comes in two colors and textures - black ceramic and orange vegan leather - to not only match your loved one’s personal taste, but also to make them stand out from the crowd. Water and dust resistant thanks to IP68 protection, it is also powered with 120hz refresh rate and true billion color display for a smooth viewing experience. The Find X2 Pro also serves as your second pair of eyes with its 48MP wide-angle lens, 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens and 13MP periscope telephoto lens, so you can take ultra clear and crisp shots in any perspective and under any light.

 

If one or more of these sound like someone in your life who needs a new smartphone, head on over to the nearest OPPO store, and get freebies with every purchase, perfect to stuff your loved one’s stocking a little bit more this holiday season, thanks to the OPPO Joy-Full Sale. For every purchase of Php10,000 and above, you’ll also get a free Rockspace power bank, while every purchase of the OPPO A53 gives you a free 64GB TF card. This promo runs until the end of the year, giving you enough time to complete your last-minute Christmas shopping! 

 

Make your loved ones feel extra special with a new smartphone that perfectly matches their lifestyle!

 

To know more about the latest OPPO exclusive Christmas deals and events, visit the official website or via the official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.