SCPA interprets “Pasco” by highlighting Pinoy culture

Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. (SCPA) celebrates first virtual annual christmas party with the company's very own holiday theme song "Pasco".

2020 has been a challenging time for the Filipino people. With the lockdown extending beyond the initial 6 months, multiple businesses were affected and millions displaced from their jobs. The last agenda on anyone’s minds is celebrating the holidays as we approach the pandemic’s first anniversary.  

 

And yet, Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. (SCPA) saw God’s covering upon their company from COVID-19's economic and social effects throughout the year. As a response to His goodness, the management decided to push through with their annual Christmas party through virtual means! The goal was to inspire employees to share their blessings with their families and those in greater need.

 

As their way of gratitude and in line with their first-ever virtual Christmas party, SCPA commissioned local recording artist, DJ, and producer Silverfilter to write the company’s very own holiday theme song – “Pasco”.

 

Marketing Director Lea Sio-Pacis shared a bit about the conceptualization. “When we were creating the song, our inspirations were local TV station IDs broadcast over the holidays, SCPA’s purpose of providing Filipinos with high-quality hygiene products, and our core values of Service, Christ-Centered Principles, Passion, and Accountability.   Because of the Christmas theme, it was very organic for the focus to be on our Lord Jesus Christ while also referring to SCPA’s continued service following Christ’s example.” With those ideas in mind, Silverfilter proceeded with writing and arranging. 

 

To mark this historic occasion, SCPA’s holiday theme song was the driving force behind the Christmas party’s music video competition. Each SCPA branch interpreted “Pasco” by highlighting Pinoy culture, our collective struggle, and our hope in the Lord through distinct, creative visuals.

 

We are happy to share with you one entry each from SCPA’s Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao branches!

SCPA Luzon:

https://www.facebook.com/scpainc/posts/3654316681273275

 

SCPA Visayas:

https://www.facebook.com/scpainc/posts/3654314874606789

 

SCPA Mindanao:

https://www.facebook.com/scpainc/posts/3654292647942345

 

    

 

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

 

Shopee is offering discounts up to 61% off on the best gifts that encourage your friends and family to stay fit and healthy!

The quarantine definitely can’t stop most of us from indulging in our favorite holiday treats, from the classic bibingkaand puto bumbong to the much-awaited Noche Buena feast. And we all know what comes after the holiday feasts: our #BalikAlindog resolutions! Kickstart your loved ones' fitness journeys ahead of the New Year with these tips featuring awesome deals.

 

From December 21 to 27,  Shopee is offering discounts up to 61% off on the best gifts that encourage your friends and family to stay fit and healthy!

 

Upgrade their workout wardrobe

 

The right gear can make each workout routine a whole lot easier. Trade in their well-worn sneakers for a sturdy pair of ANTA Men Running Shoes. You can also check out the Skechers Men Go Run Mojo - Pep Shape-Ups Footwear, which features a lightweight and responsive cushioning. Add to their workout shirt rotation with an option made of premium breathable cotton, such as the INSPI Tees Pluto Graphic Tshirt. 

 

Help them stay healthy and hydrated

 

All those workouts won’t be as effective without the right diet! Remind your loved ones to stay hydrated with a Klean Kanteen water bottle, which keeps contents hot up to 11 hours or iced up to 38 hours. For the health buff who’s always on the go, Superfood Grocer Organic Chia Seeds make the perfect addition to smoothies and overnight oats. If they enjoy indulging in the occasional junk food, get them to start their day with Teaconcept’s Detox Tea, which contains dandelion, burdock roots, apple blossoms, and honey leaf to help them feel energized. Lastly, the Philips Air Fryer is the kitchen appliance they need for low-fat meals packed with flavor. 

 

Enhance their workout experience

 

Cardio exercises are essential for anyone looking to get fit and stay healthy. For a high-impact yet inexpensive workout, look no further than the Lotus Activewear Cardio Speed Jump Rope, which allows for fun and effective cardio. Music and exercise also go hand-in-hand, so get them pumped to work out with wireless earphones—the Kotion Each Wireless Bluetooth Foldable Stereo Headphone and Marshall Major III Bluetooth Headphones are both awesome choices! 

 

Check out the best deals on Christmas gifts for the best people in your life here: https://shopee.ph/m/christmas-gift-guide.

 

For more deals, don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay! 

Robinsons Bank is bringing smiles in the homes of children this Christmas

In this Season of Giving, Robinsons Bank's promise of a brighter future for every Filipino took the path of donating electronic tablets to schoolchildren in various communities nationwide to help them cope with the requirements of online schooling for the coming year.  

“Many families are still struggling with the setup of remote learning, whether it is the lack of a gadget to use or difficulty in accessing the internet. We wanted to provide support to these children so they can continue with their education and achieve the brighter future they deserve,” stated. 

Mr. Sarte also added that “Our strong advocacy on financial literacy for children has led us to witness their eagerness and passion for learning. It would be disheartening to know that there are children out there who want to keep learning but have no means to. So, we pushed for this initiative to really help those children in need.” 

In lieu of RBank’s corporate giveaways, the children received sim cards along with the electronic tablets, which they can use to access the internet for their online schooling.  

Despite the challenges that this year has brought, the Bank’s passion for service remains unwavering. RBank will always be committed to fulfilling the needs of the Filipino people.  

With Robinsons Bank, the future is bright!

 

80% of Pinoys Open to Re-gifting This Season

Christmas in the Philippines has always been a special time for everyone to come together and share in the festivities of the holiday season. One of those time-honored traditions is gift giving for our families and friends. With the pandemic quarantine limiting shopping in person and the warning not to congregate in crowded places like malls and stores, Carousell (formerly OLX), one of the leading online marketplaces in the country and in Southeast Asia offers good buys and the widest choices if you are looking for quality and pre-loved items ranging from fashion, food, autos, tech, toys, and even properties -- whilst empowering consumers to spend meaningfully during this festive season and in the safety of one’s home.

In a recent research powered by the Kantar Profiles Network, it shows 80% of Filipinos are open to giving and receiving preloved gifts during the holidays. In the Philippines, top searches include  marked-off mobile devices (iPhone and Samsung), top-hit video consoles (Nintendo Switch and PS4), and lifestyle brands from luxe to high street (Louis Vuitton and Zara), laptops (Apple and Asus) and secondhand automobiles (BMW and Toyota). Times may be tough for many of us but that shouldn’t prevent us from celebrating Christmas in the way that we are accustomed to: with expressions of gratitude and sharing of love and fellowship to those around us and those who matter most in our lives. With the virus still in our midst, people have become wary of impulse buying and have turned to more economic and practical buys that focus on value for money in order to find the best deals at the most affordable prices. As Christmas Day and New Year are just around the corner, everyone’s on the lookout for a more meaningful way to celebrate and shop and avoid any unnecessary  extravagance or excess.

 

Throughout the year, Carousell initiated various campaigns to support consumers, frontliners, and business owners: #ChooseToCare Fundraising Drive, a fundraising campaign to provide assistance for medical workers who have been proactively fighting the virus, with the proceeds given to the Lung Center of the Philippines and their chosen beneficiary; “The Great Property Sale” which offered a wide variety of selection in house and lots and condominiums with thousands of fresh listings, various discounts, and promos for users to be able to find suitable homes even with the financial limitations imposed by the pandemic; Relief options for automobile dealerships through free coins and waived payment for Carousell transactions instigated to help jumpstart the automotive industry that has been badly affected by the pandemic—all a testament to the company’s goal of extending aid, relieving the financial burden, and empowering Filipinos. As the decade comes to a close, Carousell continues to encourage consumers to make mindful purchases that promote both economic and environmental sustainability. 

 

Raffy Montemayor, General Manager, Carousell Philippines shared “We understand the need for Filipinos to imbibe the spirit of gift-giving during this season. While the current situation dictates for us to be more mindful with our spending, we want to support Filipinos’ natural generosity during the holidays by giving them an online avenue to purchase thoughtful and practical gifts.”

 

Being the top classified marketplace, Carousell offers a variety of high quality, preloved products that would fit into every budget. Looking for great holiday gift ideas during the festive season does not have to be difficult for our pockets, visit Carousell at www.carousell.ph and download the app on Google Play or App Store to find the best gift that you can give to your family and friends!

Living a Life in Details in the New Normal With LG

LG Philippines recently held its first ever online event for press and media to showcase the South Korean technology brand’s updated home entertainment system. The event, which was done via Zoom, touched on how due to the pandemic and the stay-at-home orders, people at home are able to notice little details that make life worth living - family lunches, non-stop TV watching together, and so on. Among these details are how home appliances and electronics have taken center stage in providing much needed entertainment and assistance in the day-to-day, proving that they are essential in making homes better. As such, the concept of “Life in Details” was born. In the new normal, enjoyment is best experienced at home. Leading the charge in LG’s lineup for the new normal home entertainment system is the LG OLED GX TV, the brand’s best television to date. It is the perfect TV no matter what your lifestyle is.

LG OLED GX lets you live a life in details. It offers sharp picture, swift response, smooth motion, and slim design. The new LG Gallery Design TV eliminates all unnecessary elements and embraces only the essential to create a singular piece of perfection that blends with your wall. It looks like a piece of art from every angle and imbues your space with class. It provides a previously unseen level of integration with your space, you can turn your home into an art gallery when you're not watching TV. Gallery Mode gives you access to stunningly beautiful collections — famous scenery, paintings, and breathtaking photographs

It has a flush fit design so that it seamlessly integrates and blends with your interiors. Since LG OLED self-lit technology does not require backlights, this unlocks a new world of TV design: incredibly thin constructions, extremely thin bezels and ultimately a sleek product that fits seamlessly flush on your wall like a piece of art.

Not just a great TV, LG OLED GX guarantees true decorating versatility, bringing elegance and artistry to the living room and allowing home owners to follow their own decorating tastes without making compromises. Integrating seamlessly with any lifestyle, LG OLED GX enables you to create the living space you want, no matter if you prefer minimalism or bold use of color, traditional or contemporary style, or anything else. Whatever you envision for your space, LG’s modern-classic TV can help you to make it a reality.

The event’s host and the Editor-in-Chief for Tatler Homes Stephanie Zubiri, beamed at how quickly she was able to add the new OLED TV to her day-to-day activities. “LG OLED TV always finds a way to integrate itself into my life. It’s my most versatile assistant at home – I use it for Zoom meetings, webinars, and of course Netflix. The AI ThinQ technology behind my LG home appliances lets me easily and conveniently control my smart home electronics and make them work together using just my voice.”

Watch Stephanie Zubiri on YouTube and Facebook as she talks about Life in Details and how LG OLED TV is the perfect lifestyle companion at home. In case you missed it, you can also watch the full event highlights here.

LG OLED GX 65” TV is priced at P 219,990.00 and is available in LG’s official Lazada page. For a full list of LG’s retail partners, visit www.lg.com/ph/

Burt’s Bees donates 1,000 lipbalms to five hospitals

Change is hard. In a span of nine months, our lives have taken a turn. We have all been living as cautiously as possible, accepting and adapting to change. But during these trying times, there are those who have been sacrificing more than what we could imagine. 

Medical frontliners have been the unsung heroes of this whole COVID-19 pandemic. They work around the clock as they risk their own lives to care of the sick while all others are mandated to just stay at home. They have learned how to live with fear because at the end of the day, they have vowed to serve their countrymen.

 

A little help goes a long way

 

Being in a mask and PPE suit all day gives you unnecessary discomfort. The dry and stingy feeling is not something that all of us can endure. That is why it's something that we should all take into consideration. 

 

Burt's Bees Philippines, an all-natural skincare brand that promotes no animal testing, responsible sourcing and packaging in their products, is donating 1000 Burt’s Bees lipbalm to our frontliners in five hospitals around Metro Manila; The Medical City, St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Children's Hospital, and Cardinal Santos Medical Center. 

 

“We hope that by treating our frontliners with as simple as Burt’s Bees lipbalm, we can spark hope and lift them up,” Burt’s Bees International Sales and Marketing Director for Southeast Asia Paulo Lao said. “This is our own little way of sharing joy, paying gratitude and respects to all their heroic efforts in saving and protecting Filipinos.”

 

Burt’s Bees lipbalm has all-natural ingredients that maintain our lips’ moisture and prevent it from drying which is a big issue that we face today because of wearing masks for a longer period of time.

 

Today we are all divided and hidden behind our masks. Although the smiles we have gone accustomed to seeing are not present, the essence of giving back and helping one another is ingrained in Burt's Bees’ nature to care.

 

Share the Love & Spread the Cheer through Red Ribbon’s Holiday Specials!

While this year’s Christmas is like no other, the season’s message and meaning remind us that despite the year’s challenges, there have been a few important things such as love and sharing that uplifted the spirit and have helped us get through this unprecedented crisis. To continue sharing that love and paying the kindness forward are among the best ways we can meaningfully celebrate this Christmas.

Red Ribbon helps us do just that—to Share the Love & Spread the Cheer through Red Ribbon’s Holiday Specials! Watch this heartwarming video from Red Ribbon to find out more. 

Christmas simply won’t be Christmas without the Red Ribbon staples and favorites that are perfect as gifts or centerpieces to complete your celebrations with loved ones this holiday season. To make these extra delightful, Red Ribbon’s boxes and pastry packs now come in elegant Holiday-themed designs - gift-ready for this season of giving!

There’s  Black Forest Cake that comes with irresistible layers of moist and luscious chocolate fudge cake, cherry-creamy filling, covered in fluffy cream and chocolate shavings, topped with Maraschino cherries, the perfect centerpiece for your holiday feast.

There’s also Chocolate Dedication Cake with rich chocolate chiffon, fudgy chocolate icing and filling, and topped with colorful candies ideal for sharing. Each one can be personalized with your own heartfelt message to your loved ones and topped with festive Holiday Theme Toppers!

Your friends and loved ones are also sure to appreciate the Assorted Ensaimada 5-pc Pack or the Holidozen Box, both of which come with a mix of Cheesy Ensaimada and the improved Ube-Cheesy Ensaimada.

Order in advance and pick-up these wonderful Holiday Specials through Red Ribbon’s Call & Pick Up service and enjoy 5% OFF from Dec 3-31, 2020. You can also avoid the rush crowds and avail of delivery-exclusive promotions when you order through Red Ribbon’s #87777 Hotline, by chatting with RIA (m.me/redribbonbakeshop), or by ordering though the GrabFood, Foodpanda, and Lalafood apps. Delivery promotions are available from Dec 1-17, 26-29, 2020. 

So, this Christmas, to all the ones whom you hold dear, share the love and spread the cheer with Red Ribbon Holiday Specials!

PLDT continues to provide meaningful connections this Christmas with the return of Holideals – PLDT Home’s biggest holiday sale!

2020 has proven itself to be a year unlike any other. Amidst this challenging year, leading digital services provider, PLDT continues to provide meaningful connections this Christmas with the return of Holideals – PLDT Home’s biggest holiday sale! 

 

“Christmas remains to be the most important celebration for many Filipino families. Now more than ever, we need to uplift each other and bring light to others by staying connected and celebrating with our loved ones on this special season,” says Butch Jimenez, Senior Vice-President and Head Consumer Business-Home Group. “PLDT Home gives the gift of meaningful connections to its customers through a seamless digital experience at home with our exciting Holideal offers.”

 

Holideals features big discounts and exclusive offers which are perfect home upgrades in this new normal.

 

HOME HOLIDAY PRESENTS

New subscribers can enjoy waived installation and activation fees and no cash out when they sign up for any PLDT Home Fibr Plan. Plus, they get a chance to be one of the 75 winners of a Smart Home bundle which includes free 1000Mbps of internet for one month and PLDT Home devices. 

SUPER SPEED DEALS

Meanwhile, existing PLDT Home Fibr subscribers can enjoy up to 300 Mbps of internet at a discounted price. Until February 28, 2021, PLDT Home Fibr 1699 and 1899 subscribers need only to add P 99 to their monthly subscription fees to upgrade to the next higher plan for an additional 50 Mbps. Subscribers of Fibr Plans 2099, 2299, and 2399 can just add P 149 to enjoy a speed boost of up to 100 Mbps. Customers of Fibr Plans 2899, 3099, and 3299 can likewise top up P 199 to get up to 150 Mbps. And finally, subscribers of Fibr Plans 4099 and 4299 can enjoy up to 300 Mbps speeds by just adding P 249 to their monthly subscription package.

HOLIDAY BONUS DATA

For families looking for a budget-friendly internet connection, purchase a PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid device and enjoy 20GB free data (10GB more than regular offer). With this family-sized prepaid internet, families can enjoy a lag-free virtual reunion with their loved ones as its powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest mobile data network as awarded by Ookla. PLDT Home is also donating P100 to PLDT-Smart Foundation for every purchase of a PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid device. Not only do you get to enjoy a seamless internet connection, but you also get to provide a Noche Buena package to the less fortunate families. 

 

Truly, as we celebrate a more profound Christmas this year, PLDT Home Holideals makes meaningful connections happen by bringing families and their loved ones together at home, and that is really what counts the most. Holideals is available from November 15 – December 31, 2020. To learn more about the Holideal offers, visit: www.pldthome.com/whatsnew.

 

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.