Xiaomi shared the Christmas spirit with its loyal fans at the opening of the BGC flagship store and the studded Xiaomi Pop 2022 holiday concert

The holidays are here and Xiaomi has made sure to ring in the festivities with a bang! From a star-studded Xiaomi Pop 2022 holiday concert, a cozy community Christmas party, and a smorgasbord of products at discounted prices at the grand opening of the Xiaomi flagship store at Bonifacio High Street in BGC.

As the main highlight of the festivities, the Xiaomi Pop 2022 Concert did not disappoint. Fans were treated to an evening of performances by some of the hottest names in the music industry. P-pop boy band BGYO kicked off the main show with their hit singles, and they also picked a lucky fan to dance on stage with them. Next up, Singer and actor Darren Espanto serenaded fans with his version of popular Christmas songs.

Closing the night was multi-awarded singer Moira Dela Torre, who gave a beautiful and emotional performance of her ballads. She also shared a special moment with fans as she took a selfie using her Xiaomi phone.

The atmosphere was electric with enthusiasm as the audience sang along to their beloved tunes. Fans cheered on as Xiaomi devices were given away as prizes during the fun games, making for an unforgettable night.

Prizes galore

The BHS Amphitheater was packed with over 300 Xiaomi fans who gathered for the community Christmas party. It was an afternoon of fun and laughter, with plenty of games, Xiaomi prizes, and special performances from both the Xiaomi team and the fans themselves.  

New flagship store

The opening of the new flagship store located at B3, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig City, was made even more special with the presence of Xiaomi Country Manager Kenny Cheong, who led the ribbon-cutting ceremony together with Blue Lite Gadgets Inc. executive Leandro Poblete. Also present was Xiaomi brand ambassador and TV star Gabbi Garcia. Guests were treated to an exclusive in-store tour of the new Xiaomi concept store, giving them a first-hand look at the latest products from the global tech brand.

The opening of the new store saw shoppers take advantage of the discounts and freebies offered by Xiaomi. Depending on the purchase, customers received a variety of bonuses, such as a RoboVac, Vacuum Flask, umbrella, ceramic mugs, and more. Those who bought any of the top-of-the-line phones like the Redmi Note 11S, or 10 Pro were rewarded with an even bigger selection of freebies.

To learn more about Xiaomi’s new store at Bonifacio High Street and the company’s ongoing holiday promos, please visit the company’s official page.

The Common Challenges of a Filipino Retailer

 

A recent study by the World Remit found that Filipinos spend 100% of their salary on gifts for family and friends during the holiday season — creating sales opportunities for retailers recovering from the pandemic or starting new ventures. As consumers increasingly become more comfortable going to shopping malls, shop owners need to use strategic in-store and online promotions to effectively cut through the noise and catch customer attention. 

 

RELEX Solutions, a global leader in supply chain and retail planning, breaks down retailers’ most common promotions questions and shares a few tips to generate sales during the holiday season. 

Question #1: How can I test the effectiveness of my promotion? 

 

Filipinos enjoy indulging during the holidays, but the Philippines is a very price-sensitive market when it comes to consumer goods., This makes it crucial to identify proper price points for products sold. In fact, recent research from IPSOS shows that Filipinos are even more concerned about rising commodity prices than the effects of the pandemic. These concerns put pressure on local retailers to continue to run promotions and keep their prices low to attract more customers and increase sales. 

 

But how does one test the effectiveness of these promotions? 

 

A good place to start is running an A/B test.  Retailers can set up experiments across select stores and timeframes to collect data that will be used in analyzing the potential sales impact. Another more challenging solution involves building detailed models that compare baseline and promotional demand for each item and store. Brands can then observe alternative scenarios and measure the effects of running or not running a specific promotion. In turn, consumers can decide on purchases based on their budget, which translates to sales for brands. Regardless of the approach, what remains crucial is the ability to calibrate terms as needed. 

 

Question #2: How can I convert first-time customers into loyal customers? 

 

Consumers are exposed to endless promotions as the holiday shopping season comes into full swing. Alongside competitor brands, promos within the same brand also divide a customer’s attention. This results in low sales uplift that is often barely enough to compensate for the price reductions, eventually leading to a loss. 

 

Retailers must ensure their omnichannel promotions complement each other to hit maximum profitability with minimal strain on resources — all while delivering the best experience for customers. Data analysis from past promotions can also be studied to understand which practices should already be stopped or started. This includes assessments on price, tactics, and other features that could generate the best results. 

 

Question 3: How do I know if I’m running too many promotions?

 

Only data can tell. When products with weak promo potential are advertised too often, it can threaten profits and margins. Insights from previous promotions help, but there are also several factors that could make manual analysis tricky. Such factors include sales comparisons across the different seasons of the year, as well as the frequencies of discounts given during the pandemic. 

 

Retailers need to keep a rapid pace to contend with their competitors, so running complex, cumbersome manual experiments can be a waste of valuable time and resources.  This is why digitization has played a crucial role in trying to optimize sales and promotions for retailers.

 

“Promotions, as tough as they are, play a considerable role in increasing sales and store traffic,” shared Kristie Davison, Vice President of Sales for APAC at RELEX Solutions. “That’s why retailers need to embrace promotions despite the competition and market challenges. While the strategies listed above will help, integrating a dedicated promotions tool will unlock even more potential and provide a wealth of insight and analysis to position relevance and engage customers seamlessly.”

 

JobStreet by SEEK empowers companies to seek better candidates in 2023

Leading online job portal JobStreet by SEEK empowers companies to seek better candidates in 2023 as it provides free job posting credits to hirers paired with smart features and tools this holiday season. 

To jumpstart a productive new year, hirers are entitled to 30-day free job posting credits as they register on JobStreet, allowing them to access more than 14 million jobseekers in the Philippines and to fully utilize the features of the platform including AI matching capability, market insights, holistic hirer solutions, and more. 

The initiative is the company’s effort to assist employers in finding the right candidates while transitioning to post-pandemic setup and experiencing an economic downturn. 

“Making hiring decisions and recruiting the right people have been a struggle for enterprises as they transition to the new normal. Things have changed since the pandemic and fresh talents have also entered the job market industry. We are looking to empower hirers to seek better, end the year with great hires and start the year with quality candidates in their companies,” shared JobStreet Philippines Marketing Head Kim Viray. 

As a dedicated business partner, JobStreet has made candidate hunting and hiring more efficient, especially for hirers trying out the platform for the first time. JobStreet’s Talent Search feature allows hirers to filter through the candidates from the platform for any specific job position in the company. 

With this tool, hirers can type in key titles or job position titles to narrow down their candidates and for more specific needs, they can add skills and essential keywords that would filter and recommend candidates that fit the role. On top of this, Talent Search is a feature for proactive and precise talent sourcing as filters can also be set up to sort profiles and resumes further and can be bookmarked for later review. 

Aside from exploring a more convenient way of seeking better talents, hirers can also enjoy JobStreet’s newest job posting package model, which follows a consumable budget-based model. Providing flexibility in the new normal, the new model allows employers to strategize job postings to their needs and advantage with better results.

To seek talents and find out more about JobStreet, visit https://bit.ly/3OVPxnz. 

realme 10 achieves sold-out records on both Shopee and Lazada during the 12.12 Mega Pamasko sale!

realme, the PH’s no. 1 smartphone brand for seven straight quarters (based on IDC sell-in reports for Q3 2022), has once again achieved another e-commerce milestone last 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale on both Shopee and Lazada with the sell-out of the crowd favorite, realme 10. This, together with its equally successful offline selling, the realme 10 is now the fastest-selling number series model for 2022! 

realme tops the mobile brand category on both e-commerce platforms

Aside from the realme 10 milestone, this 12.12 campaign, realme also clinched the top spot on Shopee’s mobiles (by units sold) category alongside ranking amongst the top 5 for the tablet and wearables section. Additionally, the realme 10, realme C30s, and the realme C25Y made it to the top 5 product ranking on the platform. As for Lazada, realme ranked no. 3 for the overall mobiles category, with the realme C35 and realme 10 as part of the Top 10 best-selling smartphones during 12.12. At the same time, the realme Buds T100 continues to be a popular choice for many as it was considered to be the no. 2 best-selling earphones in the overall Audio category.

realmeWithYou Yellow Mystery Box Surprise Promo starts this Dec 15!

The realme Squads are in for a treat with the Yellow Mystery Box Surprise. The mechanics are simple, for every single receipt purchase of realme devices worth P4,000 and up, you can get a chance to WIN EXCITING PRIZES! Promo is valid until December 25 only, so hurry up and visit the nearest realme concept store to you. 

ICYMI: RMC Regional Wars concluded with team Euphoria hailed as champions!

Last November 25, the much-awaited grand finals for the first-ever RMC Regional Wars concluded with Team Euphoria declared as the champions! During the finals as well, esports fans witnessed an epic showmatch between the  MPL Season 9 and MSC 2022 Champions: RSG Philippines and the up and rising Minana Esports. The RMC Regional Wars is the brand’s effort to reach aspiring amateur gamers outside of the Metro all with the intention to provide the same opportunities to young gamers nationwide. The RMC Regional Wars touch-based on seven (7) key cities namely Baguio, Ilocos Norte, Cebu, Davao, Gensan, Palawan and Metro Manila. 

realme ends the year with back-to-back awards

Last but not least, realme would like to extend their gratitude to the realme Squad who have been with the brand through thick and thin. Because of their support, realme was awarded the “Global Company of the Year for Technology” by the Asia Leaders Awards 2022 and the “Best Mobile and Tablets Devices” during the Lazada Awards 2022. Aside from these, realme also received the “Best Value Laptop for the realme Book” and “Best Affordable Flagship Phone for the realme GT Neo 3” from the Unbox Creator Network. 

For latest news and updates about the brand, follow the official realme Philippines Facebook page at http://facebook.com/realmePhilippines and/or visit the official realme PH website at https://www.realme.com/ph/.

Watsons recognizes the growing trend of Filipinos looking for healthy food options with the launch of Watsons Healthy Food

More and more Filipinos are realizing that you are what you eat and beauty and wellness also come from within. Many of them are embracing healthier and more sustainable lifestyles by going for organic and plant-based food and engaging in physical activities.

A report from Food Industry Asia (FIA) has showed that majority of Filipinos (81%) believe following a healthy and balanced diet is their own responsibility but they also want more support from industry. This means Filipino consumers want food companies to change their product formulations and recipes to help consumers make healthier food choices.

As the country’s leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer, Watsons recognizes the growing trend of Filipinos looking for healthy food options and with this comes the launch of Watsons Healthy Food, a selection of natural and organic food and beverages that will help consumers reach their goal to be the better and healthier versions of themselves.

The selection includes brews and teas from Ginga, which creates healthy drinks as part of its advocacy of promoting a healthy lifestyle. Ginga’s blended tea and brew, which include ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and butterfly pea, uses only pure and natural ingredients as part its commitment to uphold a healthy lifestyle.

Skinny mamas Apple Cider Vinegar is 100% organic and has many health benefits, including boosting the metabolism. 

Healthy Tropics is a homegrown food and beverage company that showcases what the islands of the Philippines has to offer via delicacies, snacks, and beverages. Each of Healthy Tropics’ products has natural herbs, tropical fruits, and vegetables. Must tries from the brand are the Mangosteen Apple Iced Tea, Philippine Soursop Moringa Juice, Mango Moringa Juice, and Philippine Mangosteen Coffee.

JA Lees Farms Mushroom Chicharon, which comes from a small farm in Indang, Cavite, is also exported to the United States, Canada, and Singapore. The products are vegan and don’t contain any MSG or preservatives. The “chicharon” is crunchy, delicious, and healthy.

Emco, a brand of healthy food from Czech Republic, eschews the use of additives and preservatives in its Musli, Crunchy Granola, Oat Flakes, and Quinoa. 

Gourmet Farms is a homegrown brand that first introduced organic farming in the Philippines. Its offerings include coffee, herbal teas, salad dressing, dips, and bottled drinks. Gourmet Farms promotes wellness.

Watsons Healthy Food will be available in selected Watsons stores in Luzon and Visayas, including Ayala Feliz, SM City Davao, SM City Cebu Annex, SM Aura, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, The Block at SM City North Edsa, Market! Market!, Eastwood Mall, Baguio Mall, Gateway Mall, The Podium, Greenbelt, Ayala Malls Vertis North, High Street Plaza BGC, SM Mall of Asia, Uptown Mall BGC, Ayala Malls Capitol Central Bacolod, Pampanga Annex 2, SM Megamall, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Clark Mall, UP Town Center, and Forbeswood Parklane. 

Visit the Healthy Food section at any of these Watsons branches and begin your health and wellness journey!

Relive the nostalgia of the ‘90s with Eraserheads’ Ang Huling El Bimbo reunion concert!

 

There is no Filipino group that captured the sound of the ‘90s quite like the Eraserheads. From the poignant “Huling El Bimbo” to the lively “Pare Ko” and so much more, their songs defined a generation and have become an indelible part of Pinoy pop culture. 

 

This December 22, relive the nostalgia of the ‘90s with Eraserheads’ Ang Huling El Bimbo reunion concert, presented by PLDT, at the SMDC Concert Grounds, Pasay City. Catch vocalist Ely Buendia, drummer Raymund Marasigan, bassist Buddy Zabala, and guitarist Marcus Adoro in a one-night concert that is truly a homage to new and old fans.

 

An epic musical journey

 

The reunion concert is not only a celebration of the legacy of the band, but also the culmination of each member’s musical journey.

 

The band has come a long way in three decades. Eraserheads formed in the members’ college days at the University of the Philippines Diliman back in 1989 after vocalist Ely Buendia posted an ad for an audition, and only Marasigan, Zabala, and Adoro showed up. They would go on to enjoy a strong career that spanned the 1990s, leaving a lasting impact on Filipino culture that is still felt to this day. 

 

After breaking up in 2002 following Buendia’s departure, each member pursued their separate musical journeys. Today, Buendia fronts the band Apartel, Marasigan leads popular OPM band Sandwich, Zabala works as a producer and composer, and Adoro performs with his band Markus Highway.

 

The members had been performing in reunion concerts since 2008, with their last complete reunion at the launch event for PLDT’s rebranding in 2016.

 

“The journey has been long, and the past 30 years have been full of many detours for each of us. All the stuff that we learned over the decades on our own, we’re bringing it on December 22,” said Zabala.

 

The band will also be joined in the concert by THE AMP (Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino) ORCHESTRA helmed by maestro Mel Villena.

 

“Most of our songs are super layered, with lots of guitars. Of course, being true blue music fans, we also dabbled in orchestral arrangements,” according to Buendia, also mentioning that the setup complements their layered sound. “I think this is the first time that we’re able to play our songs as we intended.”

 

“The orchestra, somebody mentioned it in the first meeting, we thought it was funny but I think [Hi Definition Radio, Inc. CEO] Francis [Lumen] was serious,” said Marasigan. “We didn’t know he was serious about the orchestra until the first day we rehearsed with them, so we weren’t sure if we were gonna make it. It’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be dangerous.”

 

Beyond the orchestra and the band, the concert will also feature a special hologram performance from the late Filipino rap legend Francis Magalona. “Francis M. was supposed to perform with them [in the 2009 reunion], and three days before he sadly passed away. But on December 22, you will see him perform with the band through hologram technology,” said Lumen.

 

The band is also very thankful for the overwhelming support from the fans. “It's not every day that a lot of people enjoy the music that the band makes. It makes it more special. We've been together for 30-odd years and our fans have grown with us, and have passed on our music to a new generation,” Zabala added.

 

Experience ‘90s nostalgia with PLDT Home

 

Enjoy this awesome one-night concert reunion with PLDT Home. Subscribers can chill while enjoying the entire concert at the PLDT lounge and get exclusive PLDT concert merch and other premium items! There are also activities for concert-goers to enjoy, including games where you can win exclusive prizes.

 

Subscribers can also watch an exclusive PLDT Pre-Concert Show and enjoy amazing performances at the PLDT Home Lounge before the concert gates open. Catch singer Kevin Montillano, dance group Upeepz, P-pop group YAMA, and the Divine Divas live before watching the epic concert reunion.

 

Visit PLDT Home’s Facebook page to find out more and don’t miss the chance to relive the ‘90s nostalgia at the Ang Huling El Bimbo reunion concert.

ARTBOX, Singapore’s largest lifestyle event, returns even bigger, better and cooler

ARTBOX, Singapore’s largest lifestyle event, is back after a three-year hiatus - bigger, better and literally cooler than before - with an all new line-up of at least 300 vendors from Southeast Asia providing retail and F&B experiences, and art installations by local artists at the Singapore Expo. Organised by Invade, the upcoming edition of ARTBOX will be held indoors for the first time since its inception in 2017, providing visitors with air-conditioned comfort while they soak in the festivities of the night market experience, even in the daytime, thanks to cleverly designed spaces and lighting installations in the 9,822 sqm space (equivalent to 1⅓ of a football field).

Next year’s ARTBOX is also co-organised with SGAG, one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing digital content producers for Millennials and Gen Zs.  Visitors will be entertained throughout with local humour and activities provided by the funniest and cheekiest bunch from the SGAG team. Visitors who have been following SGAG online can now experience them in-person for the first time in an offline setting with wacky activities such as the National Shake Leg Championship, SGAG’s first ever fan meet-and-greet and roving mini games throughout the event.

Over two weekends in February and March 2023, visitors can also expect a showcase of gourmet creations from F&B entrepreneurs and brands from Southeast Asia, unique shopping experience featuring crafts and innovative products from local and global brands, and immersive structures and interactive experiences curated in collaboration with the region's best artists all under one roof.

 

“True to next year’s theme of Vision, we would like our visitors to manifest their wildest visions in our refined night market experience – to create brand new memories, take part in unique experiences, and to enable them to connect with the world once again,” said Kent Teo, Founder and CEO of Invade. “We are also co-organising the event with SGAG to inject their dose of cheeky humour to the festival and at the same time provide an interactive offline space to the local and regional creator economy.”

 

“We are excited to be co-organising ARTBOX with Invade for the first time and welcome visitors back to everyone’s favourite festival with SGAG’s brand of cheekiness that’s guaranteed to crack Singaporeans up,” said Adrian Ang (Xiao Ming), Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of SGAG. “Expect hilariously difficult obstacle courses, entertaining challenges, roaming activities and fan meet-and-greets throughout the whole event. We are going to pull out all the stops to bring the unconventional to a conventional space like the Singapore Expo.”

 

ARTBOX will be held on 24 to 26 February and 3 to 5 March 2023, from 12pm to 11pm at Hall 6 of Singapore Expo. Tickets to the event cost $5 per person per entry with early-bird pricing of $4.50 per person, available till 31 December 2022. Visitors looking at attending all six days can opt for a Season Pass at $30 per person with priority entry. More information can be found at https://www.artbox.sg/. 

Maximize working, playing and learning with Nokia T10 and T21

Work and school hustles and bustles can be a challenge as the majority of Filipinos return to physical interactions and activities in the post-pandemic era. Free time spent with the family should also be often spent, to maintain life balance. HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, expands its tablet portfolio in the Philippines with new reliable, family-friendly tablets that are built to last and that fans can keep for longer. Maximize working, playing and learning with Nokia T10 and T21.   

 

Engineered to last longer through a combination of signature durability, frequent security updates and guaranteed Android software upgrades, with Android 12 right out of the box, Nokia T10 delivers winning longevity in a compact design, making it the ideal choice for families, whether at home or on the move.  

Designed with a tough aluminum body that features a 60 percent recycled plastic cover for the antenna for optimal connectivity, Nokia T21 puts durability first without compromising on style. It comes with leading software and security promises and loaded with fan-requested features – HD video streaming, voice calling, and SMS & IMS.

 

Sancho Chak, General Manager, Pan Asia, HMD Global:

“We bring to our Filipino fans this holiday season the gift of longevity and durability. The compact and versatile Nokia T10, and sustainable and functional Nokia T21 are tablets that can help them adapt to this generation’s ever-evolving lifestyle and needs. Making sure that whether you need to focus on your job and school-work or relax with your loved ones at home, there is a Nokia tablet that you can rely on for longer.” 

 

Choose the power of portability with Nokia T10

●    Love it: Wallet-friendly price point, travel-friendly form factor and family-friendly features

●    Trust it: Shop and bank online with peace of mind thanks to three-years of monthly security updates, twice as many as the competition

●    Keep it: Built to last longer thanks to signature build quality ensured by industry-leading durability tests

 

The new Nokia T10 features a bright 8” HD display and stereo speakers with OZO playback, making for clear sound and a detailed picture no matter where it is used. Whether that’s taking video calls from home or streaming favourite TV shows together on the move, Nokia T10 is a great portable companion.  

 

It comes with a second screen feature to make Nokia T10 an expansion of the users’ PC display, providing a convenient way to maximize productivity when an important task needs finishing. It comes with Google Entertainment Space – a one-stop home for content where subscription services are consolidated. There is no more hopping between apps to find something to stream, read or play with Nokia T10 so users can do more of what they love.

 

Nokia T10 stays up to date and secure for longer thanks to three versions of Android and three years of monthly security updates. Face unlock also adds a layer of personalized security to Nokia T10, making personal data accessible with just a glance. Mask Mode means users can also unlock Nokia T10 while wearing a face covering.

 

Its solid, durable unibody polymer design made with a nano-textured finish helps hide the appearance of scratches, so the tablet looks new for longer. Hand it down to younger family members when it’s time for a new device and it will still look fresh. A smooth, matt ceramic pearl coating shifts in colour depending on lighting conditions, making for a premium look at an affordable price point.

 

Go for the tough and built to last champion: The Nokia T21

●      Love it: Family-friendly, built to last longer with a tough aluminum body that features a 60 percent recycled plastic cover for the antenna 

●      Trust it: Protection for the entire family through industry-leading promises with three years of monthly security updates

●      Keep it: Two years of software upgrades with the latest software innovations, and two-year warranty² is there for added peace of mind

Designed with a tough aluminum body and 60 percent recycled plastic and two years of Android upgrades will ensure Nokia T21 lasts and feels new on the inside and out, for years to come. In case the unexpected happens, Nokia T21 has two years of warranty, making it a big value package.

 

Its battery has enough power to see users through up to 15 hours of web browsing, bingeing a whole TV series and up to a whopping 7 hours of conference calls. Years later, it will still feel fresh as the battery remains healthy 60 percent longer than average. Eventually, when Nokia T21 does need plugging in, 18W fast charging will ensure fans are quickly back in action.

 

The Nokia T21’s new and improved 2K display ensures crisp and detailed viewing. For creative minds and artistic bunch, sketching out ideas, jotting down notes or drawing one’s next masterpiece with an active pen has never been this effortless. Enjoy much-loved shows with HD streaming across Netflix and immerse in a deeper, stronger and louder sound that adapts to the surroundings with OZO Playback Audio.

 

Thanks to HD video and voice calling, friends and family can enjoy the user’s presence in full glory, and work calls will always look and sound professional. Plus, switching between the office and home is as convenient as ever thanks to the portable size. And voice calling means users can stay connected even when their phone is not nearby. For peace of mind when shopping online or when browsing the web, Nokia T21 also comes with three years of monthly security updates, twice as many as the competition.

 

 

Both tablets are ideal for the whole family as these feature Google Kids Space that offers endless content to educate and nurture young minds. Plus, Google Entertainment Space is a one-stop shop which consolidates must-see shows and movies from multiple streaming platforms in one place – no more hopping between apps when winding down before bed.

 

Pricing and availability

●      The Nokia T10 (WiFi / LTE with Voice calling) is now available in Ocean Blue colour variant and 4/64GB configuration at Php 9,690 

●      Arriving soon, the Nokia T21 (WiFi/ LTE) in 4/128GB configuration and in Charcoal Gray colour variant is available for Php 14,490

 

Fans can purchase these new tablets in all Nokia mobile physical stores and kiosks nationwide and online at Shopee, Lazada, Mxmemoexpress.com, Zalora and all authorised resellers. 

 

The Nokia T10 and T21 are participating devices in the Nokia mobile Christmas Raffle Promo. Visit the raffle link https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_ph/christmas-raffle for more information. Terms and Conditions apply.