Lifestyle

Enjoy a 0% installment rate, up to 30% exclusive discount from Feb 1 to Mar 31, 2024

Alongside the Grand Pay Hulugan promotion, one of the top consumer finance businesses in the nation, Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), is once again partnering with SM Appliance Center to bring you amazing savings on a wide range of electronics and home appliances.

This special offer, which is valid from February 1 to March 31, 2024, enables you to upgrade your current appliances and devices or buy the appliances and gadgets of your choice at unbeatable prices, enabling you to achieve your goals. Through this partnership, you may benefit from 0% interest rates on a range of installment payment plans as well as up to 30% off Home Credit-only prices on specific items.

A large range of household and electronic goods are featured in the promotion. Offers are valid on a new television models from Samsung, LG, TCL, Sony, and Skyworth if you’re looking to upgrade your viewing pleasure. Take advantage of this promotion on refrigerators from companies like LG, Panasonic, Condura, Samsung, and Fujidenzo.     

The promo also extends to air-conditioner units, so you can prepare for the upcoming summer season. The promo encompasses brands such as LG, Carrier, Panasonic and Samsung. For your laundry needs, you can seize the opportunity with washing machine brands like LG, Panasonic, Whirlpool, and Samsung. 

Aside from that, the offer includes cooking ranges featuring select items from La Germania, Elba, Fabriano, and Hafele. Additionally, it applies to select Samsung mobile phones, Sony and LG speakers, LG vacuum cleaners, and Whirlpool microwaves. 

The Grand Pay Hulugan promo is available at all SM Appliance Center branches equipped with Home Credit facilities. This way, you will not miss exclusive deals for your dream appliances and electronics. 

Hurry up and visit your nearest SM Appliance Center now! Take advantage of the 0% interest rate on flexible payment options and great discounts from Feb 1 to Mar 31, 2024. Get the appliances and electronics you have been wanting for your home! 

Go to www.homecredit.ph, the official website of Home Credit Philippines, to learn more about the most recent happenings. Additionally, you may follow its official profiles on  Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To find out more about the most recent promotions and to explore what’s new at  Shopping Mall Philippines, customers are also advised to download the  My Home Credit App from Google Play.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have granted Home Credit Philippines the necessary licenses and oversight.

More information on HCPH is available at www.homecredit.ph.   

Leading Global Financial Services Provider Launches New Customizable Insurance Product to Help Filipinos Become More Prepared to Reach Their Retirement Goals

A Manulife survey* indicates that while most Filipinos understand the value of saving for retirement, just thirty percent really have a strategy in place. The majority depend on bank accounts or cash savings (46%), prospective inheritances from family members (18%), state or federal subsidies (18%), or assistance from their offspring (17%).

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 2021 Financial Inclusion Survey results, which show that 37% of Filipinos claimed they have some kind of savings, but that their savings are mainly kept at home and in banks and are exclusively allocated for emergencies, further corroborate these findings.

Manulife Philippines and Manulife China Bank Life (MCBL) recently introduced FutureBoost Retirement, a customizable insurance plan that enables people to meet their retirement goals, choose when to receive their retirement funds, and protect themselves from uncertainties, in an effort to help Filipinos better prepare for their retirement future while navigating current financial realities.

“We at Manulife understand that economic challenges, like the threat of inflation and other financial worries and accountabilities, may put constraints on Filipinos’ available resources and energy to take the necessary steps to secure their future,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “While they aspire to enjoy life and spend more time with their family, they are concerned that their finances will not be enough to sustain them during their retirement years.”

Hora shared: “Our new retirement product aims to help Filipinos save smarter, live better, and retire ready. It empowers them to build a retirement fund to supplement their savings and other financial products, while offering additional protection for the future. They can better enjoy peace of mind, pursue their passions and live their best life yet, knowing that they have secured financial protection for themselves and their loved ones.”

Build a retirement fund according to your goals

Based on Manulife’s internal research**, 86% of insurance owners surveyed are worried about insufficient retirement funds.

With FutureBoost Retirement, also available to China Bank and China Bank Savings clients through MCBL, Filipinos can optimize their retirement planning through the plan’s unique automatic fund management feature. This allows them to maximize returns in the early years and minimize risks as they approach retirement age, helping them grow their money and build their wealth.

“Through our latest offering, we want to instill more confidence in our customers in reaching their financial goals by going beyond their personal savings and tapping into investment growth opportunities that come with FutureBoost. This way, they may protect their retirement fund from inflation risks, live comfortably, and achieve their aspirations,” said Neil Bowyer, President, MCBL. 

Customers may receive their retirement amount at their target retirement age, and choose when to receive their retirement fund, whether through steady payouts or a lump sum withdrawal.

FutureBoost Retirement also rewards customers with multiple bonuses for paying on time (5% of their basic premium), paying more (2% of basic premium), and being loyal (0.5% or 0.75% of account value). These bonuses will help grow customers’ retirement fund in the long term.

Retirement plan with life protection

Customers and their loved ones can feel more secure with FutureBoost Retirement’s protection riders and life insurance coverage. Customers may consider adding an enhanced critical illness rider, which pays a lump sum amount if the insured is diagnosed with a critical illness, a hospital income benefit, which provides an allowance for each day of hospital confinement to help cover medical expenses and doctor’s fees, among other options, for additional health protection, as 38% of Filipinos surveyed expressed concern about rising healthcare costs.

Visit manulife.com.ph or manulife-chinabank.com.ph to find out more about FutureBoost Retirement.

* Manulife Asia Care Survey

**Manulife’s internal customer research in 2023

By increasing its capacity and positioning itself as a top global supplier for manufacturers’ textile requirements, Gold Fortune Textiles (GFT) is leaving its mark on the regional textile market. The Philippines was formerly a significant provider of garment products as well as fabrics, and GFT, led by its 23-year-old CEO and President Enrico Sy, is well-positioned to assist the sector in returning to its previous level of success. In Taytay, Rizal, the company recently opened its flagship showroom. Here, clients may examine their merchandise in a bright, welcoming space, and polite, sales-trained employees are on hand to answer any questions they may have.

They have also increased the variety of products they offer in order to stay up with international trends in linens and clothing. Additionally, Sy has made use of social media to interact with and cultivate a clientele that prioritizes high-quality goods for their clothing brands.

Sy took over his parent’s thirty-year-old RTW company and modernized it to meet the needs of local entrepreneurs in the textile industry. These needs include better quality and variety in fabric blends and prints, a one-stop shop for accessory products, and customization services for bulk orders. As time passed, we became aware of a need and began to increase output.

After realizing that the Philippines was adopting Bangkok-style clothing, we opted to import several types of fabric rather than just cotton.”

The platform’s growing popularity is a reflection of a larger trend where digital channels are the preferred means for Filipinos to access modern financial services, including formal credit options.

The multiplely honored consumer finance firm Digido is pleased to announce that it has reached an important milestone: over a million Filipinos have benefited from its inclusive, dependable, and safe digital loan services.

With a platform that provides a quick and easy way for people without access to traditional financial institutions to get cash loans, Digido has established itself as a reliable financial partner for the underprivileged in the Philippines.

Simultaneously, Digido’s increasing renown is indicative of a wider pattern in which Filipinos prefer using digital channels to obtain contemporary financial services, such as formal credit choices.

With Digido’s First Loan For Free program, first-time borrowers can obtain a normal personal loan up to PHP 25,000 for returning customers and up to PHP 4,000 with no interest for first-time borrowers. It is available via Lazada Loans, its apps on Google Play and the iOS App Store, and its official website, digido.ph.

Digido was recognized with 13 awards in 2023, including ones from The Digital Banker’s Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards, Pan Finance and the Global Banking & Finance Review.

“We at Digido are incredibly grateful for the trust that Filipinos have given to us. We view this milestone as both an achievement and challenge, spurring us further to meaningfully contribute to the country’s digital transformation through increased access to formal credit,” said Rose Arreco, business development manager of Digido.

2023 saw Digido experience 23% growth in total loans disbursed compared to 2022. 75.4% of the loans disbursed in 2023 were from repeat borrowers, indicating considerable brand loyalty.

According to a recently published commissioned survey by Digido, personal loans will remain the most often used formal credit option in 2023 across all demographic groups and geographic locations. Eight out of ten Filipinos reported having easier access to formal loan choices last year.

“We are firm in our mission to ensure every hard-working Filipino should have access to convenient and secure financial tools. As we endeavor to celebrate more milestones in the future, we will do so by ensuring we strive for innovation and find creative means to delight even more customers,” Arreco added

Aims to introduce to over 30,000 retailers nationwide by the end of 2024

The premier organization for local barcode standards, GS1 Philippines, recently unveiled GS1 Activate, a web-based tool designed to make barcode generation and symbol creation easier for companies and transform the retail supply chain through digitalization.

GS1 Activate was introduced on January 30, 2024, during the GS1 Philippines Annual Conference and General Membership Meeting. It simplifies the process for businesses to generate barcode numbers and symbols, digitizing product data and identification and enhancing the visibility and efficiency of supply and demand chains both internationally and across sectors.

By adhering to GS1 standards and services, GS1 Activate enables businesses to achieve accurate product identification with global trade item numbers (GTINs) and seamless data sharing, enhancing customer service and operational efficiency. With GS1 Activate, businesses can easily obtain barcode numbers for their products, allowing for their global distribution. Additionally, the service provides expert guidance on printing and placing barcode symbols to ensure optimal scanning performance. By leveraging GS1 Activate to share product data, companies can expand their reach to retailers and marketplaces worldwide, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of their products on a global scale.

GS1 Philippines targets to introduce GS1 Activate to over 30,000 retailers nationwide by the end of 2024. They are currently serving over 5,000 retailers.

“In an economy where the Philippines’ e-commerce market is estimated to reach $24 billion (approx. Php 1.3 trillion) through 2025, GS1 Activate is a game-changer. This new service revolutionizes business barcode generation, reducing the time required compared to traditional product identification methods and eliminating common errors, saving costs on label reprinting and minimizing the need for extensive personnel training. By dramatically simplifying the process, GS1 Activate also enhances efficient data sharing, crucial for strengthening both local and global trade. This launch is a testament to our dedication to advancing digital integration within the Philippines’ supply chain ecosystem, reinforcing our role in the global economy,” GS1 Philippines, and Philippine Retailers Association President Bobby Claudio said.

Aligning with the annual gathering’s theme, “Unified Unlocked: Activating Integrated Digitalization,” GS1 Philippines’ conference marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the barcode system and highlighted GS1’s focus on shifting to the 2D migration of barcodes to QR codes while calling for global retail Point of Sale (POS) scanners to be capable of processing 2D barcodes by 2027.

In his remark, GS1 Philippines Chairman Atty. Pablo Gancayo shared, “We are now focused on evolving the barcode into the next level we call the 2D migration, which is expected to revolutionize further commerce. GS1 will guide the industry towards 2D migration, which it hopes to achieve and implement comprehensively by the year 2027.”

The annual gathering hosted insightful discussions, networking, and collaboration opportunities among key government figures, industry players, and GS1 members. Among those present was Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco, who emphasized GS1 standards’ pivotal role in enhancing supply chain efficiency and visibility for Philippine industries competing globally. During her talk, she discussed the government agency’s three-year food logistics action agenda aimed to revolutionize the food distribution system by addressing critical supply chain gaps and integrating ICT to enhance logistics performance. Undersecretary Pacheco expressed eagerness for collaborations with GS1 Philippines to achieve these goals.

Other government leaders and industry experts also shared their perspectives on the impact of global standards in the digital age, including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Enrile Uy; De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Environment and Design faculty member and packaging designer and consultant Prof. Ana Maria Veronica Solano; and CLASSchool Founder and Nutraways Manufacturing Corporation General Manager Love Emmanuel Agudo.

GS1 Global Office President and CEO Renaud De Barbuat, GS1 Philippines Trustee and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., and GS1 Global Office GS1 Registry Platform Global Deployment Lead Joe Horwood were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (PHILFOODEX), the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), the Philippine Consumer Centric Traders Association (PCCTA), the Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP), the Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines (CCIP), the Soap and Detergent Association of the Philippines (SDAP), and the Beverage Industry Association of the Philippines were among the notable industry groups in attendance at the conference.

FUJIFILM Philippines Inc. (FFPH) and FUJIFILM Business Innovation Philippines Corp. (FUJIFILM BI PH) have announced that they would be moving to a larger location in Cebu City due to the increased demand for their goods and services.

For the world’s leading innovators, the new office, which is ideally located at Mercedes Benz Tower, Mindanao Ave. Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, represents a major step. With this growth, Fujifilm hopes to solidify its position in the area and improve customer satisfaction by better serving the local market.

The Cebu City office will serve as a hub for after-sales support, featuring a local repair center for digital cameras and endoscopy products. Additionally, it will host a showroom showcasing advanced cameras, cutting-edge printing machines, and business software solutions, offering customers an interactive experience with Fujifilm’s latest innovations in imaging and document management technology.

Mr. Masahiro Uehara, President of FFPH, expressed confidence in the strategic move, stating, “This relocation reinforces our commitment to swiftly expand our local operations, making our products and services more accessible to the southern part of the country.”

Adding his perspective, Mr. Hideaki Kato, President of FUJIFILM BI PH, mentioned FUJIFILM BI PH has almost 60-years’ experience in the Philippines and continuously provides document process innovation for Cebu customers. He also highlighted the synergy between the two entities, stating, “We are proud to unveil this new office, bringing us closer to our customers in Cebu and emphasizing the collaboration between FUJIFILM Business Innovation Philippines and FUJIFILM Philippines.”

Fujifilm, known for its unwavering commitment to technological innovation and customer-focused solutions, uses its knowledge of the photographic industry to propel growth in the fields of materials science, healthcare, and business innovation. “Giving our world more smiles,” the company’s new group purpose, highlights its dedication to building a more promising future for society.

Go to www.fujifilm.com/ph & www.fujifilm.com/fbph for additional details.

With the state of the nation’s economy right now, protecting and growing money are two crucial factors to take into account. To be prepared for their future demands, Filipinos should increase their savings and make sure that their assets grow.

With its STEP UP 7 financial product, Allianz PNB Life (AZPNBL) is still dedicated to its goal of guaranteeing the financial future of more Filipinos by assisting them in accumulating wealth for their families and as a means of protection. The acronym for the Short-Term Endowment Plan with Uniform Payouts is STEP UP 7. It is a seven-year-maturing, single-pay, non-participating endowment life insurance plan. Stable income stream

Stable income stream

The STEP UP 7 is ideal for individuals who want to add another stable and guaranteed stream of income to boost their savings while enjoying the benefits of insurance coverage. The plan offers guaranteed protection, maturity benefits, and an additional annual payout of 3.25% for 7 years.

Since its launch in 2019, it has garnered the attention of customers becoming one of the most availed products of AZPNBL. Its popularity among customers led to the roll-out of the product’s third tranche with an allocation of 2 billion pesos.

AZPNBL opened the third tranche in May 2023 with an adjusted coupon rate to adapt to current market trends and prevailing yield rates. It garnered even faster sales due to the attractive coupon rate offered to both new and repeat customers.

Opportunity to build a legacy

Given its success, AZPNBL has decided to extend the STEP UP 7 offer starting January 15, 2024, until supplies last. This extension allows more customers to avail of this plan and take advantage of its benefits of boosting their savings.

Allianz PNB Life Chief Product Provider Officer Leo Tan, Jr. says, “I am immensely proud and excited to reintroduce our special proposition, STEP UP 7. It is tailored specifically to the unique financial needs and preferences of Filipinos and is designed to provide guaranteed savings and protection for those seeking medium to long-term financial solutions.

Our proposition includes a guaranteed payout feature that allows customers to save up over time with the additional payout every year, while providing a level of protection with insurance coverage. This ensures that Filipinos can achieve financial stability and security while they work towards their financial goals. We understand the importance of financial security for Filipinos, and we have designed the STEP UP 7 propositions with this in mind. We take into account the long-term outlook and affinity of Filipinos towards financial planning, ensuring that our proposition aligns perfectly with their needs.”

Customers of PNB get exclusive access to the STEP UP 7 product. Visit the closest PNB branch to learn more about the product through AZPNBL Life Changers.

Although conventional rings can be used by any couple to express their commitment to one another, the LGBTQIA+ community is not influenced by this since marriage equality is not yet legalized in the Philippines.

Nevertheless, a few same-sex couples in Quezon City are making a difference and are genuinely taking the next step forward by “preposing” to their partners using a Right to Care Card!

Similar to typical prenuptial videos, each couple has shared videos on social media demonstrating how they proposed to their partners using a Right to Care Card, which formally enables LGBTQIA+ partners to make decisions for their partners in the event that they are hospitalized or require medical attention. Previously, this right was only available to heterosexual married couples, if they were not their immediate family.

Rea Leen shared the preposal video of her long-term partner via Facebook post, thanking Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for giving them an opportunity like this. “For [those] outside Quezon City, I hope your city will have this too soon, and maybe in entire Philippines. Let’s spread love and enjoy!”, she shares.

Watch Rea’s Preposal here: [https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1766519250491149]

Winch, who also shared their preposal to their partner, Anne, also expressed similar sentiments while thanking the Quezon City government for this initiative. “Isa itong malaking step para sa lahat ng LGBT couples na magkaroon ng karapatang legal na maalagaan ang aming mga partners,” they said through the caption posted.

Watch Winch’s Preposal here: [https://www.tiktok.com/@kain.mars/video/7336049700245605637?_r=1&_t=8jvQBzzgjBK]

Both couples also attended the fourth iteration of Quezon City’s commitment ceremony, with over 200 LGBTQIA+ couples participating. Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated during the ceremony that this is a way to fulfill the city’s promises since it passed the Gender-Fair Ordinance a decade ago.

Fifteen couples received their Right to Care Cards during the event, marking the first time they had done so since registering a year ago. More information will be dispersed shortly, according to the Gender and Development Office in Quezon City. In the meanwhile, individuals who have not yet received their card can provide a copy of their Special Power of Attorney contracts at hospitals.

Being the first city in Asia to do so, Quezon City created a stir when it introduced the project during Pride month in 2023. Over 700 LGBTQIA+ couples had registered for the Right to Care Card as of February 2024. You can register for the card online bit.ly/RightToCareReg or at the Quezon City Gender and Development Council office.

More proposal videos:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/zTGtfAJiFdhnwUda/?mibextid=w8EBqM

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=952309522922798&id=100058742288463&mibextid=w8EBqM

https://www.tiktok.com/@mailabarleta/video/7335883669778844934?_r=1&_t=8juR4nvBk7G

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=266943226439223

For Additional reference and postings:

X: https://twitter.com/RightToCareCard/status/1759787227947901303

FB: https://www.facebook.com/RightToCareCard/posts/327409023598934

One of the best-capitalized private universal banks in the Philippines, Security Bank offers a range of services including asset management, leasing, foreign exchange, stock trading, and customized finance. The bank increased its clientele by a CAGR of 40% and increased its wealth management assets under administration by a CAGR of 44% since establishing its wealth management division in 2017. Based on these findings, Security Bank has been named Best for HNWs (high net worth) in the Philippines by Asiamoney for three years running (2023, 2022, and 2021). Security Bank has teamed up with Avaloq to advance the bank’s digitalization, streamline its front office, and lay the groundwork for long-term growth in response to the growing demand for customized wealth management services.

With the help of its new wealth management platform, Security Bank will be able to provide its wealthy and high net worth clientele with a comprehensive range of customized investment advising services and products by automating and standardizing operations. Security Bank will see increased operational efficiency as a result of high straight-through processing (STP) and service accuracy rates for payments, securities, and money processing provided by the Avaloq Core Platform’s native automation capabilities. As a result, Security Bank will have greater resources to devote to offering individualized service, developing fresh, cutting-edge products, and branching out into new markets and customer groups.

Avaloq’s intuitive RM Workplace solution will provide Security Bank’s relationship managers with a complete overview of client profiles and portfolios, ensuring more targeted communication and simpler transaction management to boost productivity and foster closer client relationships. This will also enable the bank’s relationship managers to offer tailored investment advisory services to a larger, more diverse client base. The solution can be fully customized based on the bank’s needs and is seamlessly integrated with the Avaloq Core Platform.

Arnold Bengco, Financial Markets Head at Security Bank, said: “The bank’s strategic partnership with Avaloq will strengthen our wealth management capabilities even further. We continue to innovate our financial markets products to meet the evolving needs of our clients. With this acute focus to deliver tailored solutions and distinct BetterBanking service, we’re confident our new platform will attract incremental investment AUM and help deepen customer relationships with our Bank.”

Lucose Eralil, Executive Vice President Head Enterprise Technology & Operations at Security Bank, said: “This new partnership with Avaloq reflects our commitment to digitally transforming our bank to deliver exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders and to become the most customer-centric bank in the Philippines. With Avaloq’s specialized wealth management platform and RM Workplace solution, we can further expand our wealth management business to help individuals and businesses in the region grow and preserve their wealth. I look forward to strengthening our partnership with Avaloq over the years to come.”

Pascal Wengi, Managing Director for Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa at Avaloq, said: “We are firmly committed to supporting Security Bank on its digitalization journey across the front, middle and back office. By automating end-to-end processes, from order entry to reporting, the Avaloq Core Platform will provide the operational foundation for the future growth and success of the bank’s wealth management business. At the same time, our RM Workplace solution will empower the bank’s relationship managers, helping them to build lasting relationships with their clients. We are proud to work closely with Security Bank to support the growth of the Philippines’ wealth management sector.”