Monthly Archives

March 2021

Entertainment

Destiny Rogers expressed gratitude for BLACKPINK’s Lisa for helping her go viral and releases a new version of “Tomboy.”

Destiny Rogers

Destiny Rogers, a rising singer/songwriter, has released a new version of her debut single “Tomboy,” which features New Jersey rap sensation Coi Leray.

After Lisa of K-Pop group BLACKPINK posted a choreographed mini-film entitled “Lili’s Movie” performed to “Tomboy,” which has received over 39 million views and counting since its release last month, this new version has sparked interest in the song.

Following Lisa’s post, Destiny’s single “Tomboy” peaked at #12 on the Spotify Viral 50 Global chart and is currently top 20 on the chart. Destiny connected with Lisa from BLACKPINK directly on FaceTime last night to thank her for the new wave of support for “Tomboy.”

“Tomboy” is Destiny’s signature single boasting over 44 million audio streams. Nylon raved upon its release: “Talk about a killer debut” and Ones To Watch called the single “a striking grand entrance into the music world.”

“Tomboy” was produced by Grammy-Award winning producers and songwriters, The Stereotypes (Bruno Mars “24K Magic,” Cardi B/Bruno Mars “Please Me”), and introduced Destiny to listeners and showcased her strong songwriting skills and soulful lyrics.

Destiny Rogers is currently working on new material in the studio. G-Eazy and Kiana Lede’s “A Little More” was co-written with her, and she is featured on Phora’s latest track “the art of letting go.”

About Destiny Rogers

21-year-old Destiny Rogers is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who was born and bred in Lodi, a small Northern California town. At age 6, she became obsessed with skateboarding and even thought she wanted to pursue her passion professionally. But, growing up in the church with her father who is a youth pastor and listened to AC/DC and Mexican mother who listened to Mariachi, Destiny was pulled in by the power of music. At age 9 she received her first guitar and by age 10 taught herself how to play by watching Justin Bieber covers online and thereafter realized she could sing.

After a few years of busking in Los Angeles on the weekends and facing trials and tribulations of the music industry, she was finally connected to members of Grammy-Award winning songwriter/producer team The Stereotypes (Bruno Mars, Cardi B) and eventually began working with them. She signed to their label, Beach Wave Sound in 2018.  The result is confidence in the languid R&B and hip-hop-inflected pop songs which can be heard on her Tomboy EP.

Destiny has performed at various festivals including Something in the Water, Lights On and Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw. She most recently wrapped tour with Ruel on his “Free Time Tour” with dates across North America and Europe.

 

Lifestyle

Learn how TikTok helped Angela Ken’s beautiful music reach a global audience

https://www.tiktok.com/@anqelaken/video/6896755326591307010 

Angela Rojas, who is 18 years old, is one of the most talented young talents on TikTok today. Angela Ken, as she is known online, began her TikTok journey in the same way that many other musicians do: by sharing covers and excerpts of her original compositions. Angela had always been musically inclined since she was a child. At the age of 12, she composed her first piece, a worship song. Angela, on the other hand, didn’t expect to start sharing her talents with others on TikTok when she first started using the app. According to her “Last year, I started making song covers and dances on TikTok just for fun. Until I uploaded one of my originals on TikTok last September, and I didn’t expect all the blessings that will shower upon me.”

The original song that she posted is a track called “Ako Naman Muna”, which roughly translates to This Time I Come First, an alluring and relatable tune about self-love. Though she only shared a preview of this composition on TikTok, it quickly went viral on the app. Resonating with a multitude of audiences, it was eventually shared on other social media platforms as well.

According to Angela, she was at a low point in her life when she wrote the song, and was even in tears while writing the first verse. “The story behind ‘Ako Naman Muna’ is very personal and special to me,” she shares. “I felt unproductive, uncertain and lost because I can’t do the things I used to do, I can’t meet some of the people who makes me happy, I can’t go to the places I want to go. I felt stuck, and sadness pulled me down. That was why the first verse was that deep and relatable to reality. Until one night, I posted it and I never expected it to go viral. All I wanted was to let that song go and not finish it anymore. But I saw a lot of people feel the same way [as I did], and I don’t want that. I got inspired to make the chorus full of hope and give light to those who are in darkness.”

“Ako Naman Muna” is such a powerful song, that it eventually reached the radar of ABS-CBN’s Star Music. Angela is now a Star Magic talent,recording artist under ABS-CBN MUSIC and will soon be seen in projects and shows under Dreamscape Entertainment. She is also slated to appear as one of the new-breed singers on the musical variety show, ASAP. For Angela, getting her start on TikTok is a fulfillment of a lifelong dream, as it led the way for her to join ABS-CBN. She shares, “Ever since I was a kid, one of my dreams is to become a well known singer. I love singing because it helps me express how I feel in a unique way.”

 

Similar to Angela, TikTok is brimming with hidden talents only waiting to be found. The platform functions as a virtual stage for emerging artists, enabling them to showcase their work and be heard by audiences all over the world, including outside of the platform

Follow Angela Ken and other talented musicians on TikTok! Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

 

 

Entertainment

Watch the Final Season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Only hayu has your favorite reality show available for streaming and download. All good things must come to an end, and Keeping Up With the Kardashians is no exception, with its final season now available on hayu!

It was a good run of 20 hilarious, exciting, and touching seasons where we got a glimpse of their everyday lives and we literally grew up with the family. If you missed out on previous episodes, it’s time to catch-up and grab this last chance to keep up with Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kris, Kylie, Kendall on hayu.

Taken during the virtual party to the Kardashians style

To kick off the premiere of season 20, hayu Philippines brought together select media and influencers for a nostalgic virtual party true to the Kardashian style. This online celebration highlighted how much this royal family of Reality TV has made an impact on lifestyle trends, pop culture and so much more throughout the years.

Marking the end of an epic era, The first episode titled ‘Beginnings and Endings’ which premiered last Friday, March 19 once again sparked questions like- Will we finally get a reconciliation between Kourtney and Scott? What’s next for Khloe and Tristan? Will this show shed light on Kim’s ugly crying teaser on her Instagram during the last day of filming? All these and more drama but for sure viewers can definitely expect a heck of a ride for this ultimate fam finale. So if you’re feeling quite sentimental or even just intrigued on what’s to come be sure to stay tuned and witness how the Kardashian-Jenner will bid farewell to the reality tv world. Fresh episodes are available every Friday on hayu on the same day as its U.S. premiere!

But really? Are we ready to say goodbye to Keeping Up With the Kardashians yet?

Please spread the word and join the family for their final season of KUWTK. Reminisce about the 14 years we spent together by rewatching your favorite episodes over and over since ALL SEASONS are only available on hayu! Sign up for hayu.com or download the app to get your Kardashian fix as well as unlimited access to shows! With a FREE TRIAL, subscribe to a weekly plan for just Php49 or a monthly plan for Php149. Alternatively, buy a hayu prepaid pass to save money on your weekly, monthly, or quarterly pass.

About hayu

From NBCUniversal, hayu is the first all-reality subscription video-on-demand service of its kind – now available in 27 markets globally: the UK, Ireland, Australia, the Nordics, Canada, Benelux union, across European territories and in Asia namely The Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore on a full array of devices (mobile, tablet, laptop & connected TVs) at www.hayu.com.

With over 300 shows and more than 8,000 episodes are downloadable to watch-on-the-go, including Keeping Up With the Kardashians and its spin-offs – along with The Real Housewives, Below Deck and Million Dollar Listing franchises. The majority of U.S. shows debut on the service the same day as their U.S. launch for only Php149/month with a free 1 month trial and also at Php49/week with a free 7-day trial. Alternatively, access unlimited shows with a hayu prepaid pass, with weekly, monthly and 3-month options available to purchase upfront. hayu is also available through Cignal.

 About NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a premium ad-supported streaming service. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

 

 

Lifestyle, News

BFP is with Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance as they conduct webinar for this Fire Prevention call

The cost of having your home destroyed by fire is immeasurable; fires can occur at any time and in any place, destroying your life, household appliances, and more. From January to December 2018, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported a total of 14,316 fire incidents.

This is why every March is Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines, and BFP’s campaign for this month is safety consciousness among our people every day of the year as a positive preventive approach to a problem that can be solved by more caution, vigilance, sobriety, exercise of common sense and respect for the law.” It is a campaign that focuses on exercising vigilance at home and keeping oneself knowledgeable on the best way to protect your home and family from destruction brought about by fire. “Cebuana Lhuillier has always committed to be of help to the Filipinos at all times, and our call for Fire Prevention is a reflection of that, our insurance products that aims to keep our clients protected at all times is a complementary effort to our advocacy for this month.” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

PJ Lhuillier’s insurance arm, the Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc (CLIB), has also expressed its support for BFP’s campaign through the years. It has been a staunch advocate of having Filipinos insured, posting almost a 35% contribution to the total number of insured Filipinos through microinsurance. CLIB has also worked together closely with the Insurance Commission in promoting microinsurance in the country, they have settled over more than 5,300 million claims worth over Php 500 million they have serviced over 16,500 claimants. Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’, Inc. is also the first and only ISO-certified insurance broker in the Philippines. Also launched this month in conjunction with the celebration of the Fire Prevention Month is a promo dubbed “Panalo ka sa ProtectMax” where clients of the ProtectMax product of CLIB get a chance to win Php 25,000. The promo is open to all clients who will purchase 5 ProtectMax COCs; these 5 COCs are equal to e-raffle entry. For the promo, 20 lucky raffle winners will be selected and will win Php 25,000.

“This Fire Prevention month, it is very important to drumbeat awareness on fire safety and prevention, and the importance of being protected. CLIB believes that an information and education drive is very important to ensure that everyone is well-informed against conflagration.” said Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers’ Inc., Jonathan Batangan.

For clients who are interested to keep themselves protected without having to go to Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 2,500 branches, they may purchase Home Insurance via the ProtectNow app or website, just log on to protectnow.com to see CLIB’s full range of products online.

They’ve also organized the #SunogFreeWorryFree: ProtectMax Kontra Sunog webinar, which aims to emphasize the importance of being prepared for unexpected events, especially fire, as well as the importance of having protection whenever conflagration is a hazard.

 

Lifestyle

A must have Wireless Headset Dual Earphone for Smartphone to Buy Right Now

Using the Realfit Gopods E3 Earbuds Wireless Headset

As a blogger, I find that listening to great music helps me to relax from my stressful yet enjoyable job. I’m not a big fan of air pods, but the one I’m using right now is fantastic. RealfitGopods E3 Earbuds Wireless Headset Dual Earphone for Smartphone, Realme Bluetooth Earphone, it’s a hassle-free essential because it’s wireless, so you can use it without having to worry about tangling wires. It’s also simple to transport because it’s light and comes with a small airpods portable case. The air pods come in a variety of colors that are sure to please your eyes. It has a matte finish and smooth air pods that are not only fashionable but also practical. This model also has a titanium diaphragm and a deep bass boost system. It also has a high level of sound performance, which is exactly what everyone is looking for.

It is also durable, as these airpods have lasted to me a long time in comparison to my previous airpods. It also astounds me because this pair of Realme Bluetooth Airpods had fallen to the ground but it’s still functioning well. What I like best about these airpods is that they protect me from interrupted calls and interrupted sounds. It also has a large drive unit that provides excellent sound quality and allows you to adjust the volume to your liking. Sweat ruin headphones will easily wreck the beats bose, and sweat is a corrosive little prick particularly when working out, so the airpods are also sweet proof, which is a huge advantage when it comes to airpods.

Specification: Brand – Realfit; Model – RT01; Color – White and Weight -0.1kg

It is, without a doubt, a must-have, particularly in this online setting. It’s convenient and useful, particularly for my daily errands, as it gives me easy access to my calls and music. It is very comfortable to my ears because of its ergonomics design. It’s as if I didn’t put airpods in my ears at all. These airpods also have a long battery life, which I appreciate. You can leave it on all day and not worry about it. Finally, I enjoy using it because it is simple to operate and comes with a comprehensive manual. Overall, I’m completely smitten with these airpods.

If you’re planning to purchase this Realme Bluetooth Earphone Realfit Gopods E3 Earbuds Wireless Headset Dual Earphone and to get a discount use my code 3WVPMARIA on this shopee link:  https://bit.ly/38EwTwo. So what are you waiting enjoy and experience this amazing product from Realme

 

 

Food

McDonald’s McDeliveryBack program gives surprise to delivery riders over 30,000

Delivery services have become a way of life during the lockdowns and it makes our everyday lives easier. In honoring and thanking these unsung heroes for their service that McDonald’s invited its customers to treat delivery riders to a FREE breakfast meal as a way to say thanks for braving the streets every day to keep Filipinos happily fed and safe indoors during the pandemic

Through McDonald’s McDeliverBack program, delivery riders who delivered a McDonald’s breakfast on March 16— from McDelivery, GrabFood, and foodpanda— were also treated to a breakfast from McDonald’s. With the help of thousands of Filipinos who decided to McDeliverBack, over 30,000 delivery riders nationwide received the special treat of a free Cheesy Eggdesal meal with Minute Maid!

Watch the video on McDonald’s Facebook page and see how McDonald’s and their customers gave back to the everyday heroes of the pandemic.

Next time you have your McDonald’s favorites delivered don’t forget to thank your riders! Download the McDo PH App at the App Store and Google Play or order via mcdelivery.com.ph.

Lifestyle, News

Do You Have What It Takes to Fight COVID-19? Find out with the cPassTM Test from Hi-Precision Diagnostics.

Lab worker preparing test blood for detection of antibodies and infections Corona virus.

Scientists are working to develop effective vaccines to combat COVID-19, which continues to infect and kill millions of people around the world. However, while they investigate other man-made cures, the answer may be right inside your body in the form of a neutralizing antibody. A neutralizing antibody (NAb) protects a cell from a pathogen or infectious particle by neutralizing any biological effects it may have. The particle will no longer be contagious as a result of this action. In this case, neutralizing antibodies may be the ones that keep COVID-19 from infecting you.

But how will you know that you have such neutralizing antibodies inside you?

Hi-Precision Diagnostics (HPD), the pioneer and leading medical laboratory in the country, introduces the cPassTMKit SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Test with cPassTM technology powered by GenScript. The only commercially available test that specifically detects the neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19, it is a first in the Philippines and available only in HPD.

This is a qualitative test, recommended for those who have had previous COVID-19 infection, and for those who want to check their immunity status pre and post vaccination for COVID-19, especially for:

  • Frontline workers/individuals who may have higher exposure potentiality to the virus;
  • Frontline workers/individuals who may be asymptomatic but have developed neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19;
  • Individuals who may be asymptomatic and do not have clinical indications to COVID-19;
  • Individuals who may require serology test results to demonstrate the status of a previous infection; and
  • Individuals who would like to investigate possible false negative COVID-19 results and past infection.

A positive result of this test indicates the presence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, which means that you may have been potentially exposed to COVID-19.  SARS-Cov-2 neutralizing antibodies usually develop from one to two weeks after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus, its derivatives, or vaccines, as it takes time for our immune system to generate antibodies.

Before you proceed with thecPassTM test, however, you should first take this up with your clinician. If your clinician recommends that you take this test, submit a blood sample; the cPassTM test requires 3-6 mL of blood sample via venipuncture. The test report will be sent to your clinician, who will discuss your results with you.

HPD’s cPassTM Kit SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Test is FDA EUA approved in US (also approved in Philippines). It is available at all HPD and HPD Plus branches, except Cebu.

Contact Hi-Precision Diagnostics at 8741-7777 or visit hi-precision.com.ph for more information on the cPassTM Kit SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Detection Test.

 

Entertainment

Sony Music Entertainment’s new Southeast Asian label ‘OFFMUTE’ has its newest member Clara Benin

Sony Music Entertainment today announced the launch of OFFMUTE, a new pan-regional label that will champion new and emerging Southeast Asian talent by leveraging the collective expertise of Sony Music’s Southeast Asian team.

OFFMUTE provides a platform for independent recording artists of all genres to create their own music and pursue their artistic vision. Via enhanced promotional, marketing, and artist growth, the new label will assist Southeast Asian artists in amplifying their music and building a large pan-regional fan base, leveraging Sony Music’s global expertise and resources.

According to Shridhar Subramaniam, President, Strategy and Market Development, Asia and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment, ““OFFMUTE is a first-of-its-kind label in this part of the world, embracing the eclectic appeal and rich diversity that Southeast Asia has to offer, empowering artists with the resources and expertise to find success in a diverse region,”. She added, “That offering is compelling for a new generation of artists in the region and we’re excited to help these artists fulfil their potential in the years to come.”

Ariel Fung, Executive Vice President, Sony Music Southeast Asia, expresses his support for the label’s efforts to improve its role in the global music industry, “I am so excited to see the launch of OFFMUTE which embraces different genres of artists with their unique culture and style, and with the potential of cross-border success.”

Taken during the virtual press con of Sony Music Entertainment-Southeast Asian label launch.

NEW OFFMUTE ARTISTS FROM PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA

Clara Benin, a renowned Filipino singer-songwriter, Mezzaluna, an Indonesian alt-pop sensation, and liesl-mae, a Malaysian recording star, are all new signings for OFFMUTE.

Clara Benin is a renowned Filipino singer-songwriter who is known for her captivating songs that combine unspoken ruminations with dedication and depth. YouTube streams and has played at local and international music festivals, winning several awards, including Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year for her song “I Grew Up Slowly.”

“When my team and I discussed the vision for OFFMUTE, we immediately thought Clara Benin embodied what the label was all about,” said Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Sony Music Philippines. As she speak of Benin’s skills to leave a mark with the foreign audience. Pineda tells. “And it’s great that the other markets think so too.  With a Southeast Asian team supporting her, we’re thrilled that Clara’s moving vocals and introspective songwriting will reach new audiences across the region.”

Mezzaluna, a talented and gifted singer-songwriter based in Indonesia who comes from a strong musical lineage and has quickly established herself as a standout artist with impressive achievements in her own right, is another addition to the OFFMUTE family. The 20-year-old alt-pop phenomenon marks her journey as a solo star capable of producing inspirational and strong songs with a universal scope with rich, soulful vocals and an intensely personal storytelling style. This year, she’ll release her debut single, which OFFMUTE will promote across the country.

Malaysia’s liesl-mae rounds out the record label’s diverse roster of musicians. The recording star, who has made waves in Malaysian music with her calming, almost-lullaby-like melodies, will now have her talent highlighted throughout Southeast Asia via OFFMUTE. Under the new label, she plans to release her own music and work with other artists, as well as use her newfound platform to encourage mental health education and awareness.

 

Lifestyle

A life Changing Path that leads me to Triumph

While doing my blog it excites me to share to my readers what I’ve gone through to create and start blogging. It’s really a fun field and I enjoys it a lot.

Being in the blogging industry is not easy, but it will make you happy. It is a career that I don’t even think would happen. I am happy because it molds me as a person and gives me freedom in expressing myself and reminiscing my travels as I also include it in my lifestyle blogging. And it is one of the pills that puts me away from stress. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in St. Paul College, Quezon City, because my lifelong ambition was to become a doctor, but I decided not to pursue it and began my career instead. I then moved into the advertising industry, where I worked for 30 years as an assistant advertising manager. When I retired from my office job, I decided to pursue blogging because I was interested in learning more about this field and wanted to try something different. I started blogging in 2016 but stopped because I changed my Uniform Resource Locator, fixed something on my site and for the mere reason that I went to the state and stayed there for six months. In 2018, I continued to blog, bringing my cumulative blogging experience to nearly five years.

I began blogging in order to gain more clients, and it is now a trend. As a result of my blogging, I am often invited to events, where I endorse items and receive tokens from various individuals, as well as become recognized by others and receive random gifts. Attending events allows me to enjoy my life even more especially when meeting new potential clients, but it can be difficult at times due to the fierce rivalry in blogging, which includes well-known bloggers and a slew of competitors. You will not receive any amount of money or any compensation in blogging; it’s purely taking a risk and fulfilling your field. It may be hard but soon I am hoping to be known and be an inspiration in the future for other aspiring bloggers that want to pursue this career. Overall, I loved blogging, particularly because of the numerous opportunities that came my way as a result of it. Since I work in print media, it has become much easier for me to assist my clients in publishing their ideas and to endorse their product. Before, People are still interested in print media and blogging was not a big deal. Many people still prefer to read news and stories in print rather than on the internet. However, in today’s culture, blogging has grown and become trendy. Many people have heard of it, and many have shown an interest in reading blogs. Bloggers today are now well-known, and they have gained a new level of support from the various people that read it.

All is not easy, particularly at first, and it is up to you if you will stay put or ride the wave and take the risk. In my case, I enjoy exploring new possibilities, one of which is blogging. After I retired from my job, I decided to do something I hadn’t planned on doing and went above and beyond what I usually do. However, I have fallen in love with this art and am grateful for the opportunity that blogging has provided me. It isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile. I had the opportunity to assist people in promoting their goods and publishing them on the internet.

Lifestyle, News

Balikabayanihan Program, ease the longing of the returning OFW

We were aware of the tragic tales of returning Overseas Filipino Employees long before the COVID-19 pandemic (OFWs). They also seek high-paying work abroad in order to save money and return money to their families back home. However, migration stories do not always have a happy ending, and when people are forced to return home, they need assistance.

According to the OFW returnee Marites Coronado “Dahil ang pagkakaakala ko ay ang pagiging OFW ang sagot sa lahat ng naging problemang financial namin at gusto kong maiahon ang aking pamilya at mapagtapos ang aking anak,”. Being an OFW isn’t easy at all, as for the case of another former OFW Alma Palafox. She said, “Hindi po ako sini-suwerte sa napupuntahan na bansa. Laging may masamang nangyayari po sa akin. At minsan na rin muntik na akong hindi nakabalik ng Pinas ng buhay. Kaya hindi ko po natatapos kontrata ko.”

Gerlie Austria shares a similar experience but remains grateful despite the hardships she endured abroad. “Hindi man po ako naging maswerte sa ibang bansa, pero nagpapasalamat po ako sa Panginoong Diyos at ako po ay nakauwi nang buhay.”

Myrna Peñosa Corporal recalled the gloom she felt when she decided to go back to her family. “Noong nagsabi ako sa amo ko na ibalik na ako sa agency, dinala po nila ako sa Labor. Ang unang pumasok sa isip ko at naiyak ako, ‘Paano na ang pamilya ko? Uuwi ako na walang pera at naipon’,” said Corporal.

Coronado, Palafox, Austria, and Corporal are among the OFWs who had to return home even if they haven’t achieved yet the financial goals they set for themselves.

The Balikabayanihan campaign, a program supported by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), seeks to help these OFWs whose dreams were interrupted for various reasons.

Spearheaded by NEDA-Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and Atikha — a non-government organization working with OFWs and their families to maximize the gains of working abroad — Balikabayanihan calls on the spirit of volunteerism of Filipinos to help returning OFWs.

It is a call for partnership by the Overseas Filipino organizations with government agencies, local government units, and the private sector to help OFWs by providing the needed resources — manpower and funds or mobilizing their volunteer network to serve as mentors to the OFWs.

Melanie Labera, a returning OFW whose plan to resume her work abroad was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, benefitted from the program. “Nang umuwi ako ng Pilipinas, nagkataon naman na pandemic. Gusto ko sana bumalik [abroad], pero di na ako makabalik. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa programang ito, pati sa BPI. May konting puhunan naman ako sa aking tindahan, pero konti lang. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako na nadagdagan dahil sa inyo.”

For her part, Austria, also a program beneficiary, said, “Nang makabalik po ako sa Pilipinas, isa po ako sa maswerteng napili ng Atikha na mabigyan ng tulong upang ako’y makapagsimula ulit sa aking buhay. Naging masaya po ako at nagkaroon ng pag-asa sa buhay. Ngayon po ay natupad ang isa kong pangarap na makabili ng makina.”

Financial empowerment

As one of the program supporters, BPI aims to empower repatriated OFWs by helping them manage their finances through learning webinars and by mobilizing volunteers and sponsors. BPI implements their programs through its business units BPI Foundation, BPI-Philam, and Remittance and Fund Transfers.

“This pandemic has been hard on everyone, but repatriated OFWs and their families have been particularly affected. OFWs have done so much to uplift our entire nation’s economy over the decades. It’s only right that we stand by them now and help them get back on their feet and establish a financially secure life for themselves and their families,” said Reggie Cariaso, BPI Head of Corporate Banking Strategy, Products, and Support.

“Napakaganda po ng aking karanasan dahil nagkaroon po ako ng pag-asa sa buhay at talagang ipinangako ko po sa aking sarili na pagbubutihin ko po itong tulong na ibinigay sa akin ng Atikha at BPI Pamana Padala. At ang nagustuhan ko po dito ay ang mga taong kasapi dito na maaayos ang pakikitungo at napakamapagkumbaba at napakababait upang matulungan kaming lahat,” said Coronado.

BPI Foundation holds mentoring sessions for OFWs with BPI Unibankers as volunteer mentors. For its part, BPI Philam provides free COVID-19 insurance coverage worth P200,000. BPI’s Remittance and Fund Transfers offers financial grants and monthly mentoring sessions for chosen OFWs and instills the value of saving using their BPI Pamana Padala account.

With opportunities such as the Balikabayanihan, returning OFWs are more empowered than ever to try their luck in their home country.

Palafox said, “Dito nalang po ako sa Pinas. Kahit mahirap po basta’t sama-sama kami ng mga anak ko. Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Balikabayanihan at sa BPI. Ang tanging hinahangad ko po sa aking sarili ay mapaunlad ko ang munting negosyo at magkaroon ng maraming kaalaman. “

Corporal shared another insight: “natutunan ko po sa Balikbayanihan na kailangan po tayung magtulungan para makabangon ulit sa hamon ng buhay. “