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Even more Filipinos are appreciating the significance of saving money on the first World Savings Day following the pandemic

According to a recent survey by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Filipinos eager for a fresh start more than two years after the COVID-19 outbreak have actually improved their mindset toward saving money (BSP).

According to a poll by the United Nations Development Programme, 34% of the population lost their source of income during epidemic years. As a result, many people have completely relied on their savings account to survive the last two years, thus this is a positive

The percentage of households with savings increased slightly from 30.2 percent in Q4 2021 to 31.1 percent in the first quarter of 2022, according to the BSP’s Consumer Expectations Survey. The majority of respondents cited the need for emergency funds, health and medical expenses, retirement, education, and business capital and investment as reasons to save their money.

A big help in this increase in mindset and enthusiasm is the availability of more options to save money, aside from traditional banking institutions.

Cebuana Lhuillier makes life easier and dreams come true with Micro Savings

One of the most innovative means to save is through Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings. Launched in 2019 by Cebuana Lhuillier and its banking arm Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, this product has been in the forefront of bringing easy, accessible, reliable banking to majority of Filipinos, with close to seven million micro savings account holders today.

“Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings empowered millions of Filipinos to embark on their very own financial journeys by giving them a reliable, accessible, and efficient way to save their money, which they can easily withdraw during times of need. The quick adaptation of our kababayans to micro savings proved that the healthy mindset towards saving has always been there, as long as they are equipped with the right tools,” says Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings—which allows customers to open an account in any of over 3,000 Cebuna Lhuillier branches nationwidefor as low as only P50—was introduced as a means to address the barriers to saving, including lack of accessibility, high maintaining balance, and the need for numerous documentary requirements to open an account.

With businesses and the rest of the country slowly getting back to normal, Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings remained a go-to product for many of our kababayans ready to resume their lives and dreams following two years of uncertainty.

James Tan, 18 years old, a working student from Laguna, who easily managed to save with Micro Savings to buy his won bike.

For James Tan, an 18-year-old working student from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, saving meant enjoying the added mobility, safety, and convenience of having his own bike, a useful tool for his daily commute between work and school.

“Gusto ko kasi magka-bike kasi sapamasahe pa lang, malakinamatitipid ko papuntasa school at satrabaho. So, yungpaunti-untikongpag-iiponsaCebuana, ginamit ko yun para mabiliyungpangarapkong bike. Hindi naako nata-trapik o nale-late satrabahongayon,” he shares.

(“I want to own a bike because I can save so much on fares commuting to school and work. So that’s why I saved with Cebuana enough to buy my own bike. Now I don’t get stuck in traffic and come to work late.”)

As a working student helping to support his family, James decided to continue his savings after buying the bike to also help augment the expenses from home.

Royce Jason Velez, a 36-year old construction worker who saves using Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account to provide a better future for his family

The need to provide a better future for their family is also why Royce Jayson Velez, a 36-year-old construction worker, decided to open a Micro Savings account. Earning an average of P400 per day, Royce and his wife needed to be creative in order to stretch his salary to last until the next payday. His micro savings carried the family during difficult times, and are now being allocated for the schooling of his children.

“Sabi ko sasarili ko, ipagpapatuloy ko ang ipon ko para magamit ng mgaanak ko sapag-aaral at balangaraw, magkaroonsila ng magandangtrabaho,” Velez shares.

(“I said to myself that I would continue saving so that I can send my children to school for them have good jobs in the future.”)

A former kasambahay, CarieLabro, 38-years old, was able to put up her own sari-sari store using Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings

For CarieLabro, a 38-year-old former housekeeper, her micro savings paved the way for her micro entrepreneurship. When her kids started asking for more time to spend with her, Carie decided to take a leap of faith and resign from her post as a housekeeper so she could be more present for her growing kids.

With the PHP10,000 she initially saved in her Micro Savings account, Labroopened a small store which she now maintains as her main source of income. Like Velez, she has vigilantly kept up with her micro savings.She now saves part of her earnings in her account as an emergency fund for her and her kids.

Taking advantage of the renewed interest in saving, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank continues to push for accessibility and convenience for their breakthrough product. The two-time Asian Banking & Finance Award winner for Rural Bank of the Year has adapted an innovative approach by adapting more tech features for micro savings.

“The success of Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings encouraged us to further push the envelope in bringing convenience, accessibility, reliability, and efficient banking to our clients. The change in how people access financial services nowadays served as our push towards digitalization,” said Cebuana Lhuillier Bank President Dennis Valdes.

In addition to Cebuana Lhuillier branches, owners of micro savings accounts have access to over 21,000+ BancNet ATMs nationwide, over 350,000 UnionPay and BancNet accredited stores nationwide, and online shopping through UnionPay merchants. They also have 24/7 unlimited access to their accounts via the eCebuana app.

 

 

 

 

October 29, 2022 by
Lifestyle, News

Home Credit’s Qwarta has made shopping on Lazada more convenient, So what are you waiting for? Check out muna yan!

There has been a significant shift in the previous several years in the shopping habits of customers. Filipino shoppers are now conducting the majority of their shopping online, trying on garments virtually, adding items to virtual shopping carts, and checking out their purchases with swipes and clicks as opposed to pushing trolleys through grocery aisles and trying on clothes in actual boutiques.

Furthermore, this tendency is here to stay as more and more customers realize the convenience of being able to buy anywhere and get simple access to technology and digital tools. Home Credit Philippines, the lifestyle partner of every Filipino, is collaborating with Lazada Philippines to give Filipinos a more enjoyable and convenient shopping experience in order to stay up with this trend and the rising customer expectations.

Starting on October 19, customers of Home Credit’s Qwarta can add Qwarta credits to their Lazada wallets to make online shopping and checkout even simpler.

Credit in an app!

Qwarta is Home Credit’s virtual limit provided to its existing customers with good track record and payment history. It is an additional Php 10,000 spending limit within the Home Credit app to increase Home Credit customers’ purchasing power.

Qwarta can be used to pay bills and utilities without additional cost, shop or buy loads with discounts, purchase via QR Code, and earn rewards!

Check out now, pay later!

Been eyeing to check out something off your cart but your wallet just can’t grant that yet? Home Credit and Lazada’s partnership now allows Qwarta users to check out and use their Qwarta credits and pay the entire amount in monthly installments.

Tempted yet? Here’s more: Qwarta users are also saving on processing fees and hidden charges, plus tons of exclusive promos and discounts to avail! Most importantly, Qwarta users are assured of safe and secured processing and shopping experience with both brands adhering to stringent security measures.

Check out with Qwarta in few, easy steps

It’s just as easy as one, two, three: Qwarta users only need to grab their phones and open their My Home Credit App. Then select “Top up” from the app dashboard, choose a gift card amount, review your payment details and confirm by entering your PIN. Lastly, copy the Lazada Gift Card code and redeem it in the Lazada App — just that quick!

For Lazada users, you can also easily top up your wallet by opening the Lazada app, and accessing your Lazada wallet. Select ‘Loans’ and choose Home Credit as your top-up option and voila! You’re all set to check out those Lazada trendy and affordable finds, and get them quickly through the platform’s fast and free shipping.

And what’s good about this is that when topping up an amount on Lazada or redeeming the Lazada Gift Card code through the Home Credit app, the funds will be credited real-time!

So what are you still waiting for? Download the My Home Credit App and top off your Lazada Wallet with Qwarta credits to complete your purchase right away!

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) have properly licensed and overseen the financing firm Home Credit Philippines. Visit the Home Credit Philippines website at www.homecredit.ph to find out more about the most recent news. You may also follow the company’s official profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Customers are urged to download the Home Credit App from Google Play in order to learn more about the newest promotions and discover what has recently appeared in the market.

 

 

October 26, 2022 by
Lifestyle

The Round One Platform was formally launched in the Philippines

On Wednesday, October 12, at the Solaire Resort and Casino Manila, Round One, the nation’s first equity crowdfunding platform, was formally unveiled. After the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published its crowdfunding laws and regulations a few months earlier, conceptualization of the platform started toward the end of 2019. As a result, Round One received permission to start doing business on February 23 of this year.

Through the platform, business owners seeking funding can start annual public securities sales campaigns for up to 50 million pesos. Round One does in-depth due diligence on investors and business owners (sometimes referred to as “issuers”) on the platform. Issuers must upload investment offering materials and specify all pertinent information about their fundraising objective, including the share price and the conditions of the securities being issued, in order to maintain transparency.

On the other hand, only registered and verified investors may commit to campaigns. All monetary transactions are safekept by Round One’s partner banks and financial institutions through the duration of a campaign to ensure the proper handling of investor cash.

“Round One shall provide a good holistic solution for entrepreneurs not just as a fundraising avenue, but also in attracting experts from all sectors to mentor them to grow and improve.” said Ms. Marian Peña, Chairman and President of Eastern Securities Development Corporation (ESDC), the stock brokerage that manages and operates Round One.

IN PHOTO (L-R): Ms. Charmaine Co, Marketing Head of Round One; Mr. Brandon Leong, Business Unit Lead of Round One; Ms. Marian Peña, Chairman and President of ESDC; Commissioner Kelvin Lee of the SEC; and Mr. Willy Ocier, Director of ESDC.

Present during the launch was SEC Commissioner Kelvin Lee, who delivered the keynote address and lauded Round One for making a “bold move in a new and fast-moving industry.”

IN PHOTO (L-R): Ms. Charmaine Co; Ms. Christina Leong, VP for Research of ESDC; Mr. Brandon Leong; Ms. Marian Peña; Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Honorary Chair & Treasurer and Director of Trade Facilitation & CSR of PCCI; and Mr. Willy Ocier.

In addition, Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Honorary Chair & Treasurer and Director of Trade Facilitation & CSR, and Ms. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, the Board of Investment’s Executive Director of Industry Development Services offered messages of support. Mr. Winston Damarillo, CEO and founder of Talino Labs Ventures, spoke to issuers on his own experience of crowdfunding abroad.

Also in attendance were SEC Director Vicente Graciano P. Felizmenio, Jr. of the Markets and Securities Regulation Dept.; Ms. Alegria Limjoco, Founder and Chairperson of the Philippine Franchise Association; Atty. Marion Ivy Decena, Director of the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute; Mr. Pierangelo A. Dominguez, Head of the Quezon City Local Economic Investment Promotions Office; and various members of startup and SME enablers, private equity investors, entrepreneurs, and association and institution partners.

IN PHOTO: The Round One team with the first cohort of issuers and representatives from QBO Innovation Hub.

Among Round One’s first cohort of committed issuers are Alaga Health Inc., Burket.PH Inc., Cocotel International Inc., IOL Inc., LGUSuite Inc., Raven Global Inc., Filipay (Service Economy Applications Inc.), Tipaklong Sustainable Mobility Corp., and UNAWA. The cohort was presented during the launch through a panel discussion, where they discussed their forthcoming fundraising campaigns on the platform and engaged the audience’s questions.

“Our goal as a platform is quite simple: for Round One be an avenue for every entrepreneur, startup, and SME to access every kind of support they need on their journey,” shared Mr. Brandon Leong, Business Unit Lead of Round One. “We’re excited to officially go live so that all these issuers can finally launch their campaigns and get themselves out there.”

Round One is a division of Eastern Securities Development Corporation (ESDC), a stock brokerage with the proper registration and a longstanding participant in the Philippine Stock Exchange. The platform, which is governed by the SEC, acts as a financial middleman between startups, SMEs, and potential investors.

The goal of Round One is to enable Filipinos to make investments in one another. Visit www.roundone.ph for additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 25, 2022 by
Lifestyle

Dreams being planted in Benguet with the “Grow Trees Community”

John Dizon, Jr. of Benguet-based environmental conservation group NAMALISA plants trees in support of SM Foundation’s and Fast Retailing Foundation’s Grow Trees Community project.

John Dizon, Jr. and his family have long been responsible custodians of the protected trees in the Tuba, Benguet village. He gladly accepted the responsibility when the time came to do so in order to preserve his father’s legacy. “My father passed away in 2012. It was then that we found out that the area he is managing in collaboration with the government was part of a community-based forest management program,” said Mr. Dizon.

Following a year, Mr. Dizon, who is currently the leader of the environmental protection organization Nagawa, Manganese, Liw-Liw, Sadle Agroforestry Assoc. Inc. (NAMALISA), to continue his father’s cause, began cooperating closely with the SM Foundation for a first tree-planting initiative back in 2013.

With the impact of climate change more felt in recent years, Mr. Dizon shared the importance of planting more trees in communities to thin out air pollutants in keeping the air fresh and people healthier. The trees which his father planted also helped prevent soil erosion and landslides caused by earthquakes.

He nurtures a dream that some of his children will take after him to help protect the environment. Getting closer to that dream, one of his sons is eyeing a career in forestry, a nod to his father’s chosen field.

To further this advocacy, Mr. Dizon supports the reforestation initiative of SM Foundation, Inc., the social good arm of SM and the Fast Retailing Foundation (FR Foundation), a general incorporated foundation in Japan through the Grow Trees Community campaign.

The project aims to plant and grow forest trees such as the Benguet pine, Alnus or Calliandra and Coffee trees to also help create livelihood opportunities for the community by working closely with People’s Organizations such as NAMALISA in Tuba, Benguet.

People’s Organization NAMALISA plant trees at the launch of Grow Trees Community in Tuba, Benguet

The proponents teamed up with SM Supermalls and government partners such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency and the local government of Tuba.

Grow Trees Community was previously launched in Nasugbu, Batangas and Macabebe, Pampanga.  Across the three locations, the project aims to plant over 200,000 seedlings and propagules.

It is in support of the SM Green Movement, which aims to improve community quality of life by promoting a greener world, greener way of life, and a greener culture.

The FR Foundation prioritizes advancing research aimed at improving the world, advancing technological advancement, developing human resources, and aiding those who are socially vulnerable.

It belongs to Fast Retailing Company. Ltd., a top Japanese retailer and owner of the beloved casual wear label Uniqlo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 24, 2022 by
Lifestyle, News

Better, greener offices are constructed by SM Prime

E-com Centers at the Mall of Asia Complex

During the two years that the COVID-19 epidemic had an influence on the world, many individuals became more conscious of the necessity of sustainability in daily life. Through actions like going paperless, using less plastic, and planting more trees, environmental consciousness has gained ground. Participating in this movement for real estate developers entails making the switch to green construction and development.

This is the case with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) that is dedicated to developing cutting-edge and sustainable lifestyle communities. In accordance with comprehensive sustainability goals spanning from energy to ecology, SM Prime is future-proofing its developments to be more sensitive and adaptable to community requirements and the effects of climate change.

Over the years, SM Prime has continued to elevate its approach to building and development of community spaces.  All these green initiatives have been recognized by reputable and well-known organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which awarded Conrad Hotel Manila and SM Aura Premier the Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

“When we build, we build with the community in mind. This is why it is important to integrate sustainability in our developments and operations. We remain committed as an environmentally-conscious and responsible integrated property developer ready to serve the ever-changing needs and aspirations of our communities and stakeholders,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim.

Building green office spaces

SM’s Commercial Property Group is renowned for balancing green design features with operational and practical considerations, enabling more companies and locators to enjoy environmentally sound commercial developments.

The CPG’s flagship properties are its five E-com Centers – all future-forward buildings catering mainly to technological, business process outsourcing, and Fortune 500 companies. All five E-com Centers are located in the MOA Complex. Each building has a proportionate amount of green open spaces and communal areas where workers can socialize and decompress from work.

CPG further promotes sustainable practices with its LEED gold-certified office buildings, solidifying its foothold and commitment to building green offices and commercial developments.  These certifications are a testament to SM Prime’s dedication to reducing its contribution to global climate change—all while enhancing the quality of life within its communities.

The ThreeE-com Center boasts architectural wonders and green features that eventually earned its LEED Gold certification. These include water recycling for landscape and non-potable use. The building is fitted with glass windows that minimizes heat from entering the building, allowing tenants to use less air conditioning. This 15-storey, semi-circular twin-tower office building features function and aesthetic complemented with state-of-the-art facilities.  While it was the first office building in the Mall of Asia Complex to receive such an honor, the new FourE-com Center also recently achieved the same certification—designed with its tenants’ needs in mind, improving work-life balance and office culture accordingly.

Both designed by globally renowned firm, Arquitectonica, the Three and Four E-coms are unique amongst business centers. “We designed the E-coms to functionally meet the BPO industry’s need for large, continuous floorplates, but also sculpted them in interesting ways so as to allow views and airflows between the buildings, while also, of course, giving them interesting architectural identities. At the same time, their landscaped podium decks create attractive communal green spaces for the tenants; they are envisaged to be interconnected via landscaped skybridges in the future. The combination of all these factors, architectural design and green spaces, have made the E-coms highly attractive to multinational companies and brands,” said David Zaballero, Arquitectonica Director.

SM Mega Tower

Meanwhile, SM Prime’s tallest skyscraper located along EDSA will also join the company’s growing roster of LEED-certified green buildings. Called Mega Tower, the 50-story office building is future-ready as it provides spaces that respect both its tenants and nature itself.

Strategically located in the busy Ortigas Centre, the 50-storey LEED registered skyscraper is flexibly designed to meet the requirements of both corporate and BPO tenants. Though its design is highly sculptural, each floorplate remains efficiently planned – combining functionality and iconic identity.

“Incorporating sustainability in property development means having the whole life cycle of a building in mind. We invest a tenth of our capital expenditure to ensure that sustainability is integrated into our properties as we carefully plan our developments for our communities, the environment, and future generations ,” SM Prime’s Mr. Lim said.

The CPG’s multi-segment or mixed-use approach enhances the socio-economic potential of its buildings and developments in close cooperation with the SM Group’s other business divisions. As a result, our apartments, malls, parks, and public areas are all connected to SM’s business enterprises. Notably, they are all conveniently located near transportation hubs to ensure the mobility of commuters and pedestrians. In addition to each property’s green and safety features, this interconnection helps the corporation lessen its carbon footprint, draw in more renters and locators, and boost employee productivity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 24, 2022 by
Lifestyle, News

Merry Christmas from SM Supermalls!

A spectacular Christmas event at SM North Edsa is part of the mall’s ongoing effort to spread happiness.

Every Filipino’s Christmas will be made happier and brighter by SM Supermalls, which brings back the thrill in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience.

Your enchanted northern vacation has arrived. At the Magical Northern Holidays at the SM North Edsa on October 21, SM will continue the holiday season with a magnificent display of lights and a joyous celebration.

A 60-foot-tall Christmas tree, a multi-sensory show of Aurora trails, and cute reindeer welcome you at the festive Aurora playpark. It will be a happy celebration till January 8, 2023.

There are still other ways to enjoy the joys of the holidays if you weren’t able to attend the Christmas event at SM North Edsa. For you and your loved ones, SM Supermalls has planned thrilling and festive activities! See the information below:

More Christmas Tree lighting activities in your favorite SM mall!

Apart from SM North Edsa, other premier SM malls will light up their massive 60-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Check out the dates below so you can drop by your favorite SM mall and watch the lighting of its dazzling trees full of lights, stars, and colorful ornaments:

  • SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, The Podium – October 22
  • SM Southmall and SM Cagayan de Oro Downtown Premier – October 23
  • S Maison – October 25

Santa-approved Christmas Playpark

Witness as your favorite SM mall opens a new world of Christmas with towering centerpieces, functional spaces, and sprawling activities at the Christmas Playpark. Explore the Christmas markets and play areas, and watch out for Santa appearances, character meet and greets, and other surprises! Plus, you also get to have a multisensory experience at the playpark’s light and sound shows, festive eats and holiday treats, and a whole lot more scents and feels that will embrace you in holiday warmth and ambiance.

Sparkling lights to brighten up your holidays

Christmas won’t be festive without lights. Be in awe as you pass by hallways decked with twinkling lights, illuminated tunnels, beaming driveways, and lit parking spaces as they glow at their best.

Dining out al fresco style at the Super Spots decked with lights

SM Supermalls has also created outdoor attractions for that picture-perfect, memorable shopping, dining, and leisure activities for the whole family. At The Podium, shoppers are in for Joie De Vivre with its Holiday Night Cap on October 21-23 and 28-30 at the ADB Al Fresco, and the Food Lab on October 24-30 at the Atrium East Level 2 so everyone can discover new food specials this Christmas. You can also enjoy special treats, promos, and exclusive deals from your favorite restaurants and food merchants at the SM mall near you!

Turn Christmas AReality at SM

Don’t miss out on a phygital Christmas experience as SM incorporates the festive season with Augmented Reality. In SM Megamall, four AR filters have been made available, including Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, and Sparkle. You just need to scan the QR code at the SM mall near you and see the Christmas centerpiece and magical spots come alive!

Check out the Happiness Stations

SM installed various happiness stations where you can create lasting memories with family and friends. Spot the giant bears with lights at Bears of Joy corner, the happiness photo wall, the Christmas tree decors with your family photos, or the huge TV screen where you can watch your recently filmed Tiktok or IG video at your favorite mall.

Make your furbabies feel the happiness and love

Christmas is for the whole family including furbabies! Make them happy and feel loved by joining the Holiday Paw Play Dates and Costume PAWty. You can also flex them at the Christmas photo challenge and win amazing prizes, or shop for them at the Christmas markets. Also, SM Supermalls will be partnering again with organizations for a pet adoption drive so you can help the little ones find a home in time for the holiday.

Unlock a bigger, better, and brighter virtual Christmas Village

SM will reopen its virtual Christmas Village to bring an exciting, engaging, and rewarding holiday experience to Filipinos. Check out https://gosm.link/ChristmasVillage2022 as it goes live from October 28 to January 5 for an awesome augmented reality shopping, dining, and leisure experience. Create your own avatar, e-meet fellow shoppers and SM ambassadors, and enjoy bonding time with your family and friends while playing fun games at the immersive virtual Christmas zones made for you.

Quezon City Vice Mayor, Gian Carlo G. Sotto and President of SM Supermalls, Steven T. Tan.

Create circles of happiness by buying products for cause-oriented programs

Since it’s the season of giving, you can support cause-oriented advocacies of individuals and organizations by purchasing products that provide opportunities and livelihood to marginalized sectors. For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative.

“This Christmas, we are sending a message of happiness to every Filipino. With every activity we have for them, we hope to inspire everyone to spread sparks of happiness in their homes and communities as we celebrate this year’s holiday festivities,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls.

As SM Supermalls generate more enchanted moments and possibilities to make a difference in other people’s lives throughout this holiday season, a new light of experiences will bring happiness and goodwill to every Filipino. To keep up with the many holiday festivities, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms

 

 

 

 

October 24, 2022 by
Food, Lifestyle

McDonald’s Philippines receives the Future Enterprise Awards 2022’s Digital Resiliency Award

Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines) has won the Digital Resiliency award for the Future of Enterprise Awards (FEA) 2022 Philippines, according to a recent announcement from International Data Corporation (IDC) Philippines.

McDonald’s created a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) with concurrent workstreams to address urgent business demands and plan for the future when the pandemic struck in 2020. These cross-functional teams put into practice digital and technological solutions that improved operational effectiveness, productivity, user experience, safety, and the welfare of workers and underserved communities.

McDonald’s categorized its measures into 1) Response/Recovery, covering daily operations, and 2) Rebound/Renewal, for business continuity and sustained growth within 2021, McDonald’s pivoted from BCP to digital transformation, growing their digital maturity. By the end of the year, McDonald’s exceeded their system-wide sales target, and achieved 80% of pre-pandemic sales level across all channels.

As early as 2009, McDonald’s already embarked on its digital transformation journey with the launch of McDelivery.com.ph, followed by social media presence in 2011, and launch of the McDelivery app in 2014. In 2018, McDonald’s NXTGEN stores were opened and scaled to elevate the in-store customer experience with self-order kiosks and cashless payment. Digital solutions for delivery and drive-thru businesses continued to be updated and implemented for a seamless omni-channel experience.

As the country winner for Digital Resiliency, McDonald’s Philippines will compete against other winners in the same category for the Asia/Pacific winners which will be announced at the IDC DX Summit Asia/Pacific in Singapore on the 26th of October 2022.

The Future Enterprise Awards, now in their sixth year, continue to honor businesses for their tech-enabled resiliency as they face obstacles and upheavals in a quick-paced, more digital environment. The information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets are served best by The International Data Corporation (IDC), a leading global source of industry knowledge, advisory services, and events.

The Future Enterprise Awards by IDC use a two-stage process to choose national and regional winners. IDC’s country and regional analysts review each nomination using a common assessment framework based on IDC’s Future Enterprise taxonomy. All national winners will be eligible for the regional competition, which will be chosen by an international jury of judges made up of IDC analysts, business professionals, thought leaders, and academics.

 

 

 

October 21, 2022 by
Health and Wellness, Lifestyle

The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Series offers three strategies to keep healthy

The saying “health is wealth” has undoubtedly appeared in everyone’s lives multiple times. However corny it may sound, the message is still quite strong, especially in this day and age. It is a proven truth that adopting a healthy lifestyle has numerous long-term physiological, mental, and emotional advantages. And if the pandemic has taught anyone anything, it is that we must put our health first right away.

It can take a lot of effort to stop bad behaviors and adopt good ones. Maintaining an active lifestyle can, however, be made a little easier with a dependable smart device that is simple to use and attractive. Having a specialized daily wellness companion pays off these days. And for just this reason, Samsung’s smartest and toughest watches to date—the Galaxy Watch5 Series—will appeal to fitness aficionados and wellness enthusiasts.

With the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro’s updated and upgraded features, it’s easy and fun to start living healthy. Here are some ways the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Series makes it easy to stay healthy daily:

  1. Define health goals with its Advance BioActive Sensor

The Galaxy Watch5 Series is equipped with Samsung’s unique BioActive Sensor that monitors holistic health metrics such as body fat percentage, muscle mass, heart rate and rhythm, and blood oxygen levels. Based on the data it collects, the smartwatch acts like a personal trainer as it gives personalized tips and insights to help develop healthier habits.

Users set themselves up for success by identifying overall health goals and milestones with the smartwatch’s three powerful health sensors: Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Sensor (BIA), Electric Heart Signal, and Optical Heart Rate Sensor.

  1. Exercise regularly and track progress

There are many things that can stop a person from working out, especially in the beginning. Exhaustion and laziness can make it absolutely difficult to commit to a fitness routine and fight the urge to just lie down and rest.

With the Galaxy Watch5 Series’ Fitness Tracker, there’s always a form of exercise that fits different types of schedules and lifestyles. It can track over 90 workouts, including walking, running, elliptical, rowing, swimming, and dynamic high-movement activities. When you have a smartwatch that shows and monitors your steps, calorie intake, and routine completion, it’s easy to commit to being active, one goal at a time.

  1. Understand sleeping patterns and reset the body’s circadian rhythm

A properly-aligned circadian rhythm affects the body’s physical performance and cardiovascular activity. Having a healthy sleep-wake schedule allows people to function at their best, which consequently promotes positive mental well-being.

Luckily, the Galaxy Watch5 Series is now powered by an upgraded Sleep Tracking feature. It becomes a 24-hour health guard, helping people plan their bedtime, detect snoring, and track sleep stages. It also has eight animal sleep symbols that represent different sleep types. This helps people better understand patterns and make necessary behavioral changes.

Defining health milestones and achieving them is more satisfying with a smartwatch that literally knows every step taken towards wellness. That it carries a sophisticated design and is built with essential functional features is just a bonus.

All models of the Galaxy Watch5 Series boast a double titanium casing, a powerful Exynos W920 processor, and come with 16GB of storage. It also carries a long-lasting and fast-charging battery of up to 590mAh. Other features include compatibility with any 8.0 Android phone or higher, Wi-Fi support, and Bluetooth 5.2.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Series is now available to be everyone’s fitness companion at the following prices and colors:

What’s more, with every purchase of the Galaxy Watch5 or the Galaxy Watch5 Pro. Customers are entitled to 50% off on the latest Galaxy Buds2 Pro until October 31. Samsung is also offering discounts of up to 30% off on the Galaxy Watch5 Series when purchased with participating Samsung Galaxy products including the latest Galaxy Z Fold4 or Galaxy Z Flip4 as part of its cross-sell promotions.

To know more about the Watches That Know You Best, visit samsung.com/ph.

Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores.

In order to encourage a secure and contactless contact tracing procedure, Samsung Experience Stores also include distinctive QR health declaration codes. To ensure that everyone is socially separated, product demonstrations are conducted side by side rather than face to face while maintaining the necessary safe distance of one (1) meter.

Visit samsung.com/ph/samsung-experience-store/locations to find the closest Samsung Experience Store.

 

 

 

 

 

October 13, 2022 by
Lifestyle, Travel, Uncategorized

NEPAL DEBUTS ABOUT MIRAAYA, ITS MOST BEAUTIFUL GOLF & WELLNESS DESTINATION

This month, Nepal’s first boutique golf retreat destination for holistic wellness and spiritual development, Miraaya Wellness & Golf Retreat, will open for business under CG Hospitality. The Farm by San Benito, a renowned, multi-awarded eco-luxury holistic medical wellness resort in the Philippines, served as the inspiration for this high-end offering, which is the first of its kind in South Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. It promises to offer an ultra-luxury experience ranging from wellness treatments to wellness cuisine and mindfulness.

The best place to tee off is in the lap of nature at Miraaya, where the tranquil atmosphere and spiritual elegance rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. The Miraaya heralds the restoration of tourism and hospitality to pre-pandemic levels.

The Miraaya’s unmatched offerings include 24 opulent guest rooms – lagoon villas, club suites, and villas with views of the 9-hole golf course. The property offers a 4069 yards comprising 9 holes with 32 par Golf Course, a spa & wellness sanctuary for all indoor and outdoor spa treatments, a yoga and meditation pavilion as well as new Three restaurants – Alive!, Prana, and The 19th Hole.

This exclusive premium resort nestling in the lap of Devachuli Hills is situated less than an hour’s drive from Bharatpur Airport on the strategic Mahendra or East-West Highway that connects Nepal from East to West. Other attractions include Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha; the breathtaking Chitwan National Park also home to the legendary Meghauli Serai – a Taj Safari (a CG Hospitality property) another and overlooks the spiritually enriching Shashwat Dham. Visitors to the Miraaya can visit the melting point of modern, traditional & traditional cultures at Unnati Cultural Village, another stunning offering from CG Hospitality which blends nature, culture, and spirituality in a never-seen-before combination in the neighborhood.

In its Phase 1 opening, slated for September 2022, Miraaya will open in a reinvented avatar the flagship Miraaya Wellness Spa. The brand new restaurants will offer their diners the finest culinary experience in the region. While Alive!, a vegan restaurant will advocate locally sourced, organically grown plant-based farm-to-table cuisine;, and the 19th Hole, a poolside sports bar and restaurant serving international cuisine.

Included in the complimentary activities for all guests are the resort’s yoga, meditation, and sound healing programs. In a pioneering move unmatched in all of Nepalese hospitality, the Miraaya Spa will offer traditional Nepali massage and beauty rituals using the healing properties of local medicinal plants and herbs.

In the second phase, expected to go live in the December 2022 as a grand launch, the property will open with 10 clubrooms, 8 lagoon villas and 6 golf villas with private pools, taking the room count to 24.

In the launch’s third and final phase in 2023, Miraaya will begin its medically-supervised programs such as Holistic Detox, Beauty and Longevity, Pain Management, Weight Management, Yoga and Raw Food Retreat.Miraaya promises to be a trailblazer in Nepalese hospitality as the region’s first luxury wellness, spiritual, and golf retreat that is close to Buddhist and Hindu religion centres and reverberates with tranquil healing energy.

“Miraaya embodies CG’s goal of holistic wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and cultural consciousness with its carefully curated fare”, says Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director and CEO, CG Hospitality. 

Miraaya is the place to be for everyone from the serious golfer to the wellness fanatic traveling abroad to take in the most extraordinary experiences. And the world is getting closer to this gorgeous new holistic refuge from CG Hospitality internationally with the construction of a new, top-notch international airport at Lumbini.

Visit www.miraayawellness.com to learn more about Miraaya online.

 

 

 

 

October 10, 2022 by
Health and Wellness, Lifestyle

How to Stay Hydrated During the Ber Months in a Smart and Effective Way

We are once again in the ber months. The months of November and December herald the beginning of the Christmas season and all the enthusiasm that goes along with it, but they are also a time of irregular and severe weather, with powerful typhoons and heavy rains hitting nearly the whole country. One’s daily routine might be completely upset by these weather fluctuations, which can also lead to health problems including dry skin, diarrhea, the flu, and infections brought on by contaminated water.

Given the weather changes, the virus that is still present, and even the stress associated with the holiday season, staying well is essential to avoiding diseases throughout these wet winter months. Keeping hydrated is beneficial for maintaining good health.

It may seem a simple and easy thing to accomplish, but you’d be surprised how many of us find it hard to stay hydrated during the day. Here are several ways to make hydrating a habit.

Start your day with water

Hours of sleep deprive our body of water, and so drinking first thing in the morning starts the rehydration process right away. Drinking water in the morning also helps in cleansing the stomach and jumpstarting one’s metabolism.

Some prefer to take warm water upon waking up. Whatever your preference will do. What’s important is to start the day with water, hot, warm or cold.

Make sure to drink water throughout the day and not just during meals. Don’t wait to get thirsty to drink as that already indicates slight dehydration.

Monitor your water intake
On a daily basis, women should aim to consume 2.7 liters of fluids while men should go for 3.7 liters, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Dehydration can slow down a person’s physical and mental performance. It can eventually lead to chronic dehydration, which raises the risks of developing kidney stones, urinary tract infection, hypertension or a stroke.

As dehydration can happen whether outside or at home, one surefire way to get you to drink water more often is to always have a bottle of water next to you. If you’re heading out, carry a water tumbler with you wherever you go.

Make it a habit to track your water intake for the day. Some use large bottles that indicate volume content to measure how much they drink. The more tech-savvy ones turn to applications dedicated to tracking one’s water intake. Many of these are free online and will send you notifications throughout the day to remind you to drink.

Tracking your water intake will help you see what times of the day you are prone to drinking less and what causes this. More importantly, it helps you form the habit of drinking often, and once you’ve gotten more consistent on drinking the appropriate amount of water in a day, it will be easier to keep the habit going.

Hydrate with vegetables and fruits
Fruits and vegetables are great sources of water as well as vitamins and minerals. Adding water-rich foods to your daily meals will not only help keep you hydrated but also rid the body of toxins and make it stronger and healthier.

Some examples of water-rich fruits are watermelons, which contain 92 percent of water and is a great source of antioxidants; and cucumbers, which hold more than 90 percent of water and is rich in fiber, vitamin K and vitamin A. Oranges have 88 percent water content as well as vitamin C and potassium while apples are made up 86 percent water and are also a source of vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.

As for water-rich vegetables, lettuce, celery and cabbage are good for healthy hydration. Raw lettuce is made up mostly of water and strengthens bones, sharpens vision and helps you get better sleep. Celery, also made up mostly of water, can be beneficial when aiming for weight loss. Finally, cabbage has a water content of 92 percent and contains antioxidants that can help protect the body against certain types of cancer.

Minimize dehydration

When it’s too hot, try to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid getting dehydrated. Keep the fan or air condition on if necessary. If you have to go out, plan your activities with the weather in mind, and bring a bottle of water with you.

Wearing light and comfortable clothing when the weather is humid or warmer than usual also helps.

Trust only the safest source of water

Clean, safe and accessible water makes hydration easy, helping you and your family stay healthy and protected against illnesses such as flu, diarrhea and other diseases during rainy weather.

Waterlogic, the global leader in home and workplace hydration solutions, ensures you and your family are drinking clean and healthy water with its state-of-the-art water units that can filter out contaminants.

The Aqua SmartGuard (ASG) “cube” is a modern water filtration system that uses advanced technology to keep your drinking water free from bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus. It features a patented Firewall UVC technology that is tested and proven to remove 99.9999 percent of bacteria from the water. The Firewall also frees the water from bad tastes and smells while maintaining necessary minerals.

On the water unit’s outer shell, dispensing buttons, nozzles and tray is the BioCote, an antimicrobial additive that uses silver ion technology to keep microbial cells from growing and spreading on the dispenser’s surface. It helps decrease microbes in just 15 minutes and reduces 99.5 percent of bacteria in only 2 hours.

The Aqua SmartGuard is also a sustainable water source as it filters water right from the tap, helping reduce the use of plastic bottles. It offers four water temperatures: ambient, cold, hot and extra hot.

For an affordable fee of just Php1,490, the ASG Total Care Services is a maintenance service that includes unit installation, routine replacement of filters and UVC lamps, and even the maintenance of the entire unit, making things even simpler for people who wish to establish a healthy hydration habit. ASG recently announced a promotion that offered RCBC Bankard cardholders a free subscription as well as a 50% discount.

When customers set up their membership to be automatically charged to their credit card for 24 months, cardholders can take advantage of a free one-month subscription and a 50% discount on the installation fee. From September 5, 2022, through March 5, 2023, this promotion will be active. Visit rcbc.com to discover more about this promotion on RCBC’s website.

 

 

 

 

October 10, 2022 by