BDO and American Express support local businesses

BDO and American Express Support Local Businesses Bringing Shop Small to the Philippines for the First Time Manila, Philippines, 08 April 2021 – BDO and its partner American Express, are coming together to support local businesses; those hit hardest by the pandemic. Through this partnership, American Express is bringing its global Shop Small movement to the Philippines. 

To encourage shoppers to show their love for local businesses, BDO and American Express are launching a special Shop Small offer of 5x Rewards* for purchases made at participating Shop Small merchants using BDO-issued American Express Cards from March 15 to June 30, 2021. 

With over 1,000 merchant locations, ranging from retail shops, restaurants and specialty stores, reward points earned can be used to redeem a reward of choice from a selection of gift certificates, gadgets, appliance, air miles and more. 

“Together with BDO, we are bringing Shop Small to the Philippines to lend our support to local businesses. They are such an important part of our lives, and they have been particularly affected by the pandemic,” said Sanjiv Malhotra, Vice President and General Manager, Global Network Services, South East Asia and South Pacific, American Express. “We want to play our part to support them and we hope our Shop Small movement encourages everyone to support their local businesses.”

Started in 2010 in the United States, American Express’ Shop Small is a movement to celebrate the contributions local businesses make to their communities and the economy, and to encourage shoppers to support them. Since then, it has been introduced in countries around the world including Singapore, Australia, the UK, India and Japan. 

“Shop Small is one of the ways we can support local businesses in the country,” said Ma. Nannette R. Regala, BDO Senior Vice President and Consumer Banking Marketing Head. “With this initiative, we’re encouraging Filipino shoppers to do their share and help small and medium enterprises bounce back. Every spend can help make a difference.” 

To learn more about the Shop Small movement and view the complete list of partner merchants, visit americanexpress.com.ph/shopsmall

 

Nestlé Philippines Supports PCEx and SM Malls’ Plastic Waste Collection Initiative

In a virtual event held recently, Plastic Credit Exchange (PCEx) and SM Malls formally launched their Plastic Waste Collection Program in partnership with Nestlé Philippines. This program aims not only to educate the public on the benefits of plastic waste management but also give them a place where they can bring their plastic waste for proper collection and disposal.

Through the Plastic Waste Collection Program, everyone can contribute to a cleaner environment by dropping off their empty, clean, and dry plastics from 10 am to 5 pm at the blue container van located in participating SM malls such as SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia. The plastics are properly compacted and arranged before being collected for PCEx to transport to various recycling partners.

 

Nestlé Philippines supports the initiative in line with its goal of reducing plastic waste and preventing it from ending up in nature. 

“At Nestlé Philippines, we are leading with initiatives to tackle plastic waste. By 2025, we aim for our packaging to be recyclable or reusable. To do this, we have been working on packaging innovations, and increasing our efforts to support collection to improve sorting, recovery, and recycling. We are also helping to educate the public about the importance of proper waste management. Recognizing the complexity of the plastic waste issue, we are collaborating with partners to make a bigger impact and accelerate our journey to a waste-free future,” said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

Last year, Nestlé Philippines achieved a major environmental milestone by becoming the country’s first multinational fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company to attain plastic neutrality. Since August 2020, it has been collecting and co-processing more than the amount of plastic it uses for its packaging. This strongly supports the vision of Nestlé Philippines of preventing its packaging including plastic from ending up in landfills and oceans.

 

Communications Excellence
IABC Philippines recognized BDO Unibank during Arise: The 18th Philippine Quill Awards, which honor exemplary communication research, programs, skills, and creative work. The bank received Awards of Excellence and Merit for its effective communication campaign, media and influencer engagement, and financial advocacy videos.

BDO wins Philippine Quill Awards for effective communications

BDO Unibank’s efforts to keep its clients and the general public informed have been recognized with six Excellence and Merit awards at the recently held “Arise: The 18th Philippine Quill Awards”, which “honor exemplary communication research, programs, skills, and creative work.”

The Quill Awards was organized by the Philippine office of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a global membership association whose members represent various communications discipline including public relations, media relations, corporate communications, public affairs, government relations, community relations, to name a few.

BDO received an Excellence Award in the Social Media Programs category for engaging with TikTokers, an emerging set of online influencers, to start conversations about its BDO Remit videos on the social media platform as well as help bring joy to overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries at home.

The BDO Remit videos starring endorser Piolo Pascual were launched last year. To bring them closer to customers, the bank partnered with Star Magic’s Rise Artists Studio to have Piolo guest on its “We Rise Together” online show, and get support from its online influencer network. This strategy gave BDO an Excellence Award in the Media Relations category.

Meanwhile, the bank’s “Kabayan, Kasangga, Kasama” campaign, which created awareness for its BDO Remit videos bagged a Merit Award in the Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Communication category. The campaign culminated in one of the first virtual presscons in the Philippines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

BDO also brought home accolades in the Audio/Visual category for its advocacy videos aimed at different target audiences:

• An Excellence Award for its “Banking on the Filipino” video, which features the bank’s financial inclusion programs and inspires support from its managers and executives during its annual officers meeting;

• A Merit Award for its video for millennials, which features young influencer Angelique Manto getting advice from BDO brand ambassador Pia Wurtzbach on how she can follow in her footsteps and manage her finances better; and

• A Merit Award for its Valentine’s Day-themed financial education video, “Payo para sa Puso,” which was developed as a response to a report that shows the need for millennials to handle their money more responsibly. 

 

BDO chief investment officer Frederico Rafael "Fritz" D. Ocampo (right) talks with Rico Hizon of CNN Philippines.

Gov't must accelerate vaccine rollout to jumpstart economic recovery - BDO 

As government mulls extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the so-called NCR Plus bubble until April 18 to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the rollout of vaccines must also be accelerated to help jumpstart a laggard economy. 

According to BDO Unibank chief investment officer Frederico Rafael "Fritz" D. Ocampo, it is imperative that these two things be implemented for things to get back to normal.

"The pandemic is a public health issue, and so everybody wants to reopen the economy. Everybody wants to get back to normal. But the main issue is controlling the COVID spread and accelerating the vaccine rollout. Unless we're able to do these two top of mind and priority issues, then all of our dreams of getting back to normal will remain just a dream," he said in an interview with CNN Philippines. "What we have learned during the past year is when you have prolonged mobility restrictions, especially when you have a total lockdown of the economy, it just creates a lot of unemployed people and we tend to worsen the problem."

Ocampo also lamented the unenviable task facing the government right now amid the continuous surge of COVID-19 cases.

"It's a major challenge. The balancing act that you have to do right now is saving lives against saving jobs or saving the economy," he added. "We have to contain COVID and we have to accelerate the delivery of vaccines and start rolling them out in a more aggressive way. The sooner we do that, then the better it will be for our recovery, our reopening of the Philippine economy."

According to OCTA Research, the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to continue to surge for the next couple of weeks despite the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases' decision to place NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) under a general community quarantine bubble from March 22 to April 4.

Under the ECQ bubble, travel to and from Metro Manila and the four adjacent provinces is not allowed unless deemed as essential. These areas were also placed under a 10PM-5AM curfew. With these restrictions, the government hopes this will result to lesser increase in COVID-19 cases.

On March 29, the Philippines recorded 10,016 more COVID-19 cases, bringing the total count of newly-confirmed infections to 731,894, of which 115,495 are active cases.

To help jumpstart the economy, Ocampo opined the recovery of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) must likewise be one of the priorities.

"The proposed ARISE (Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy of the Philippines) bill is still in the backburner. The longer we prolong the pain of the MSMEs, the more people will lose their jobs. The scarring could be permanent," he said.

The ARISE Bill, passed by the House of Representatives in third and final reading last year seeks to extend support to micro, small, and medium enterprises and other sectors affected by the pandemic.

We cannot talk yet of how they (MSMEs) are rebuilding because they're still in pain. More and more companies have declared downsizing this late in the game. They need assistance and they need it now. If we assist them, they they'll hire their old workers back again. And these workers will consume, and that's what we need. We are a service-driven economy," Ocampo added.

 

Registration for the MARVEL Virtual Run Philippines is still ongoing and will end on April 29

Reinvent Your Fitness Journey and Run Towards Victory Inspired by MARVEL Super Heroes with Globe

Nowadays, almost everything can be done virtually. All you need is the internet and you’re good to go – the possibilities are almost endless even from home especially with Globe.

This year, Globe empowers its customers to reinvent their world by providing fast and reliable internet connection, world-class partnerships, and online experiences that can help them evolve into the best version of themselves while enjoying the things that they love online. In fact, Globe  has a special treat that all fitness enthusiasts and MARVEL fans out there shouldn’t miss!

Challenge yourself and reinvent your fitness routine at the first ever MARVEL Virtual Run Philippines happening until April 30, 2021! Brought to you by  Globe and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia , participants will definitely be inspired to run towards victory just like their favorite MARVEL Super Heroes - Captain America, Black Panther, The Hulk, Captain Marvel and Black Widow.

Fitness enthusiasts can try out a new and exciting way to sweat and workout while fans can become immersed in the MARVEL universe by dressing up as their favorite heroes and reinventing the way they do fitness in this virtual fun run. Joining as a family is also a great way to bond and spend quality time together especially if everyone is a MARVEL fan!

Since this is a virtual event, runners have the freedom to join the run anytime and from anywhere they like, even from their treadmills at home! They can track their distance covered through three different ways: via the Move by Liv3ly app; their fitness trackers; or manually submitting screenshots on the MARVEL Virtual Run site.

Finishers will receive an exclusive MARVEL Virtual Run t-shirt and drawstring bag, and, depending on their chosen race category, a trophy with a rotating Avengers logo! Registration for the MARVEL Virtual Run Philippines is still ongoing and will end on April 29, so hurry and visit https://www.disney.ph/virtual-marvel/virtualrun/home to join.

For Globe Prepaid subscribers, get 10% off the registration fee when you register to Go50, Go90, Go120, and Go140; and 25% off when you register to Go250 and Go400 promos from March 16 until March 31! Customers simply have to reply with <GOMARVEL> to get the 10% voucher code or <GOMVRPH> for the 25% voucher code.

Globe At Home subscribers, on the other hand, can hop on the Globe At Home app and click on the MARVEL Virtual Run Philippines takeover page to be one of the first 400 customers to get a 10% discount on selected categories. 40 free codes will also be given away to select and loyal Globe At Home Postpaid subscribers.

Channel your inner Super Hero and reinvent your fitness journey with MARVEL Virtual Run Philippines! Check out http://www.globe.com.ph/marvel-virtual-run.html for more details.

Get Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Multi-Action Cleaner at up to 28% Off Plus Additional Special Offer Vouchers at Shopee’s 4.4 Sale!

 

In the face of the ongoing pandemic, as COVID-19 remains a serious threat, keeping surfaces and surroundings properly disinfected and safe from illness-causing germs has become more important than ever.

 

Mindful of this, Lysol, driven by its “Disinfect to Protect Mission”, once again makes its line of disinfectants and multi-surface cleaners more accessible to health and value-conscious consumers via Shopee’s 4.4 sale. Through this not-to-be-missed opportunity, everyone gets the chance to avail its disinfectants and multi-action cleaners which are tested and proven effective against the COVID-19 virus, at special discounted prices.

 

Fans of the Lysol brand can enjoy up to 28% off through the following much-catch offers: Rush Hour deals from 12am to 2am, up to 24% off; up to 20% off for Rest of the Day; and buy 2 additional 4% off through Multibuy.

 

Meanwhile, take advantage of the additional discounts through these generous vouchers: P50 off for a minimum purchase of P599 with LYSO599; P100 off for a minimum purchase of P999 with LYSO999; and a special Followers Voucher for first time Lysol Facebook page followers, with P50 off no. minimum spend.

 

Lysol disinfectants and multi-action cleaners have been tested and proven effective in deactivating the virus strain which causes Covid-19 —demonstrating reduction of the infectious virus in 5 minutes, in lab tests run by Microbac Laboratories, Inc. in compliance with European EN 14476 and US EPA ASTM 1052/1053 international standards. This reinforces Lysol’s place as a trusted and must-have home essential in the time of the pandemic as it champions the “Disinfect to Protect Mission.”

 

Mark your calendars and ‘add to cart’ the Lysol disinfectants and multi-action cleaners at special discounted prices during Shopee’s 4.4 Sale! Vouchers are limited and only one voucher can be used per check out. Log on to the official Lysol Shopee page through this link.

 

Make moments at home better with Samsung’s 4-Day Easter Sale

Celebrating Easter may be a little different this year but one thing remains—this holiday gives families a chance to rest and spend quality time with each other. Speaking of quality time, make moments at home with your loved ones more meaningful with Samsung’s 4-day Easter Sale!

From April 1 to 4, Samsung offers discounts and bundled promos this Easter on select products, from Smart TVs and soundbars, to digital appliances, and even smartphones and tablets. Here are Samsung’s Easter deals you wouldn’t want to miss out on:

Grab home-theater essentials at a lower price during Samsung’s 4-Day Easter Sale. Save up to Php 17,499 when purchasing select 55- and 65-inch Samsung Crystal UHD TVs bundled with a Soundbar to complete the immersive viewing experience.

Saving up for a major home appliance purchase? Enjoy up to 37% off on select digital appliances from any Samsung-authorized online partner. Now is also the perfect time for an upgrade with special discounts on the Samsung Window-Type Inverter Air Conditioner, Top Mount No Frost Refrigerator, Top Load Fully Automatic Washing Machine, Jet Stick Vacuum Cleaner, and Air Purifier. You can also get two 34sqm Air Purifier bundle for Php 19,965 only this Easter!

Plan your purchase wisely with great deals and offers on the latest premium and innovative Galaxy devices.

Buy the new Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and get a free 45mm Galaxy Watch3 in silver worth Php 20,990. Customers who purchase the Galaxy S21+ 5G and Galaxy S21 5G will get a free 41mm Galaxy Watch3 in silver worth Php 18,990 and a Galaxy Watch Active2 worth Php 11,990, respectively. While the Galaxy Note20 Series and Galaxy S20 FE offer discounts up to Php 5,000. The Galaxy A01, Galaxy A01 Core, and Galaxy A02s are also available with a buy one, get the second unit at 50% off deal. 

Score work-from-home essentials with Galaxy Tabs. Customers can avail up to Php 5,000 discount on the Galaxy Tab S7 Series and Tab A 8.0.

Exclusive online deals in Samsung.com await customers including up to 33% off on Galaxy Buds Live or Galaxy Buds+, 30% off on 90 sqm Air Purifier, and more! Cash discounts are not valid in conjunction with other cash discounts being offered in some stores.

Easter deals have never been this big! Know more about the great deals during Samsung’s 4-Day Easter Sale by visiting Samsung.com.

Andrea Brillantes and Kyline Alcantara on New Whisper Breathable pads

Your Fave Celebs and Influencers Are Living the Presko Period Life — and We Want In

Do you ever see another girl’s feed and wonder how they’re able to pull off looking fresh, and confident as if they don’t experience discomfort during that time of the month? Even your fave K-pop female idols, big-time Hollywood actresses, and all-time hit singer-songwriters go through periods. And with their jam-packed scheds that most likely involve visits to the waxing salon, derma, fittings, and travels, have you ever wondered how they’re able to do all of these tasks and still look fresh and confident on their red days?

We asked some of the hottest trending social media stars that you’re most likely up to date with, and they spilled the tea on just how much they prep when that time of the month comes. And as it turns out, it involves a lot of planning. They’ve scheduled every second of their time up to the T whenever they’re on their periods to avoid sweaty and stuffy napkin mishaps.

And it’s not as easy as they seem to make it. But their recent discovery of the New Whisper Breathable — their new holy grail pad — helped them take a breather unlike their previous napkins. This Whisper cotton pad variant has with thousands of airflow vents that let air pass through for a light and airy feeling. And if you’re wondering how they’re able to move freely even on their period, the Whisper Breathable have new super soft wings that can help reduce thigh irritation. They even can go through their days without checking for leaks with the new and improved top-sheet with deep anti-tagos channels.

Andrea Brillantes

Andrea Brillantes shared how a sweat and stuffy napkin hinders her from moving freely on shoots or when she does physical activity. “That's why shoutout to all the girls out there dahil we now have Whisper’s NEW revolutionary pad! Nakakaexcite to share this to you all kasi the NEW Whisper Breathable has thousands of presko air vents that lets you breathe down there. Kaya no more sweaty and stuffy feeling!”

Kyline Alcantara

Kyline Alcantara gave the New Whisper Breathables pads a try and least to say that she loved the presko feeling. I get so kilig talaga every time I receive packages. But now, I’m more excited because I just got Whisper’s NEWEST Breathable Cotton Presko kit! I've been seeing it all over social media —and girls, I finally understand why you all love it!!”

And it’s not just them who’ve shared their love for the presko with Whisper experience. Thousands of Filipina girls have switched to the new Whisper Breathables and swore to never go back to their old, stuffy, sweaty napkin. From this day forward, all they want are presko days with Whisper. 

Don’t miss out and give yourself the breather your body deserves when on your period. For a presko period, try the new Whisper Breathable with thousands of airflow vents, available at all leading online stores, drugstores, and supermarkets. Share how the new Whisper Breathable lets you #HingaLangGirl by posting on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok with the hashtag. Visit the Whisper Facebook page for more updates.

Free Vouchers using GCash on Foodanda this March!

Hottest deals for your summer food trip

 Enjoy vouchers galore when you use GCash on foodpanda this March!

Good news for foodies all over the country: GCash is giving away multiple foodpanda voucher codes when you order and pay using GCash!

 

Not yet on Foodpanda? For a minimum order of P200, new users can instantly enjoy P100 off when they use the voucher code “GCASHNEW” and pay using GCash for their very first order. Meanwhile, existing subscribers can enjoy P50 off their order when they use the voucher code “50GCASH” for a minimum order of P250.

 

GCash also has free deliveries covered! Customers can simply use the code “GDAYSUNDAY” on all Sundays of March while paying via GCash to enjoy free deliveries on minimum orders of P200!

 

GCash foodpanda voucher codes

 

Code	Discount		Limit
GCASHNEW	P100 off	New users on first order	Valid once
50GCASH	P50 off	Existing users	Valid once
GDAYSUNDAY	Free delivery	Existing users	Valid once every Sunday

 

By ordering through foodpanda using GCash, customers will be able to eat good food while staying at home, while also protecting themselves from the recently rising COVID-19 cases through physical distancing.

 

“GCash is making ordering food online more fun, affordable, and most importantly, safe. With our partnership with foodpanda, GCash customers get to enjoy great food with multiple discount options, without the need for physical cash payments, and while still being able to protect themselves against COVID-19,” said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

 

GCash customers can add their GCash wallet on the foodpanda app by checking out their orders and by selecting GCash as the payment method to link their wallet before placing their order.

 

“With GCash, foodpanda customers nationwide are assured of safely and securely ordering without the need for paying cash or change, while observing social distancing protocols to protect them from the pandemic,” said Daniel Marogy, Managing Director of foodpanda Philippines.

 

Promo runs until March 31, 2021.

 

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom Inc.

 

GCash is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. For more information, kindly visit https://www.gcash.com/.

5 Tips to Help You Successfully Grow Your Online Business 

In this day and age where digital is king, businesses are not limited to just brick-and-mortar stores anymore. The internet has paved the way for entrepreneurs to showcase their products online, extending their reach to an even wider market.

The popularity of online businesses has increased during the lockdown period where most people are stuck at home and physical stores for non-essential businesses have to close temporarily (and some, for good). According to Zalora Philippines CEO Paolo Campos, 91% of Filipino internet users searched for goods and services to purchase and out of this, 76% completed the transaction. A Global Web Index survey also showed that 48% of Filipinos look forward to doing more online shopping even after the pandemic is over.

So, for those who are planning to dip their toes into an online venture as well as business owners who want to expand their services to keep up with the new normal, now is the most ideal time to take that leap.

Choose your platform

Grow your online business successfully by identifying first the platform that best fits the product or service that you offer as well as your branding, personal preference, and budget. You can choose from as simple as social media sites like Instagram and Facebook to websites and marketplace e-commerce platforms such as Lazada and Shopee.

Be visible

Making your business visible to your target market is another important thing to consider. With so many brands and names in the market today, you want to be able to stand out and attract more customers. You can do this by producing high-quality content, may it be in the form of write-ups, infographics, or videos for your page or website that will not only inform but more importantly, engage your audience. Depending on your spending capability, you can also consider investing in SEO.

Another way to add to your online presence is by taking advantage of the reach and power of social media and setting up a business page or account on popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Lastly, always provide your business’ contact information on your platforms and make sure that you answer inquiries and resolve complaints from your customers as soon as possible. Nothing beats great customer experience, after all.

Know your customer

To deliver good service, you need to know and understand the needs and preferences of your customers. What are their preferred paying methods? Is your website user-friendly? Do they prefer chatbots or customer self-service for inquiries?

Keeping them in mind every step of the way will allow you to build something that serves them, not you. This will help you create a strong relationship with your customers and in turn, the possibility of new sales through recommendations and positive reviews. 

Study and learn from competition

This is a great strategy to gauge the market you’re in ― to know what works and what doesn’t. By knowing your competitors, you’ll be able to come up with strategies to make your brand stand out from the rest, identify your flaws, and improve your own business performance.

The internet has made this process easy. You can easily do this by checking their social media pages or websites, reading customer reviews, and taking note of the key elements on their pages. For a more in-depth look, you may opt to use online tools to analyze their strategies.

Widen your business knowledge

Nowadays, entrepreneurs can come from all backgrounds and walks of life, and they are not anymore limited to just business graduates and the like. After all, knowledge can be attained in so many ways. As you go along the process of building your business, learning will always follow.

Being knowledgeable on the current trends in the industry as well as the fundamentals in retail and online marketing, data science, consumer psychology, financial management, and related topics can go a long way in the success of your venture.

 

One of the pioneer schools where you can learn these competencies is at STI College where they offer bachelors degree in Retail Technology and Consumer Science, Business Management, and an associate course in Retail Technology to hone graduates in the evolving business industry.  

These innovative and comprehensive programs will equip future entrepreneurs with specialized skills in the areas of Retail Marketing, Consumer Psychology, Information Technology, and Data Science. 

Not new to innovations in education, STI has been at the forefront of developing courses and programs that are industry and trend adept to give its students the needed knowledge and skills to succeed in the real world. It has also established partnerships with key industry players worldwide for its programs and trainings in the country.