Edukasyon ba and solusyon sa kahirapan?

Lacson to reduce poverty through education

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson plans to solve the country’s serious poverty problem by providing more people the opportunity to get an education.

In his latest video, the presidential aspirant, who has battled government corruption throughout his career in public service, points out that many young people are forced to drop out of school because of the need to help their families and because being in school is  proving to be a heavy financial burden. Thus, they remain mired in poverty because without a good education their prospects are limited so they often have to settle for jobs that do not pay much.

He will launch an innovative Edukasyon Plus program if elected President that will provide free education and institute a government internship program. Each family will receive a P5,000 monthly allowance during their family members’ internship. Lacson believes that this arrangement will allow students to focus on their studies as they will not be under pressure to help their families.

“Even if education is free, young people cannot finish their studies because they have to help their families. If this vicious cycle continues, when will they be able to lift themselves from a life of poverty?” he says.

Studies show that among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines have the highest school dropout rate.

Lacson is convinced that education is the only way to give people the chance of a better future and to improve the lives of Filipinos, many, if not most, of whom still live below the poverty line. People remain mired in poverty, unable to get better-paying jobs, for lack of education, he stresses.

With Edukasyon Plus, young people can avail of free education and participate in a government internship program that will pay their families a monthly allowance. “They won’t have to choose anymore between education and work to help their families,” Lacson says. He believes the program will help many people leave behind lives of poverty.

“Edukasyon Plus is the real solution to the problem of poverty,” Lacson adds.

Lacson and his running mate, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto, are running on the slogan “Aayusin ang gobierno, aayusin ang buhay mo.” (They will fix the government and put your life in order.)

For more info on Ping Lacson, follow https://www.facebook.com/PingLacsonOfficial.

RCBC's True Digital Banking Now

 

Got a few minutes? Switch to another bank account right now

If you – or anyone you know – still puts up with out of date and inefficient banking services just because it seems too difficult to open a new account, then switch to a bank that makes it easy for you to go digital right away. No need to go to a branch for all the paperwork or do zoom interviews. RCBC Digital will help you through the process, right here, right now.

It takes just a few minutes. All you need is a secure internet connection, one valid ID, and the gadget you’re using right now to read this article. Not only will you be able to open your own RCBC Digital account, but you can also upgrade with an ATM debit card, a virtual prepaid card or ewallet, and a checkbook without needing to submit any other document.

RCBC has truly gone out of its way to make online banking accessible to everyone and, dare we say, simple and easy enough for the technologically challenged. Imagine, with a few taps or clicks on your gadget, you instantly get to save, transfer local or international funds, pay your bills, buy load, invest, convert your money to foreign currency, and all other bank transactions you can imagine.

You can even withdraw money from any RCBC ATM without your physical card – just your RCBC Digital app! If you want to deposit a check to your account, just take a photo of it and send the image through the app. For other transactions like requests for bank certificates, ATM card replacement, checkbook reorder and the like, the app has a digital concierge to help you out.

All these for zero maintaining balance! There is an ongoing promo until November 30, 2021, which involves cash gifts under the following conditions: 

●        P100 cash gift for P1,000 -P3,000 initial deposit

●        P300 cash gift for P3,001 -P5,000 initial deposit

●        P500 cash gift for P5,001 and up initial deposit

 

The best thing about RCBC’s digital banking service is that it has been recognized by various local and international bodies as one of the country’s best digital banks. That should mean it is considered to have best-in-class digital features and services.

What else is there to think about when you can do an easy, secure, and complete way to do digital banking? All it takes is a few minutes of your time with RCBC Digital.

Vibrant Glamour Skincare Essentials

Vibrant Glamour Skincare Essentials

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 Nestlé Philippines Named Among Top Workplaces in Asia at the ACES Awards 2021

 

In time for the celebration of its 110th year presence in the country, Nestlé Philippines was recently named as one of the top workplaces in Asia by the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards. This distinction is given to companies that “take on a people centric approach and demonstrate strong commitment towards employee empowerment and enrichment.”

Today, Nestlé prides itself with a highly engaged and diverse team of 5,000 individuals, unified by its shared purpose of delivering Good food, Good life all over the country. Its brands are some of the country’s leading and most trusted today, and have become staples in every Filipino household. 

As a community that comes together with a shared purpose, its people drive the strength of its brand, the quality of products, and the impact of its work. Nestlé cultivates an inclusive and collaborative environment that empowers people and teams to shape a happier, healthier future for individuals and families, for communities and for the planet. 

A force for Good in Diversity 

In its drive for diversity and inclusion, Nestlé has actively created programs that foster a workplace culture that generates equal opportunities for everyone, where people are treated with dignity and respect. Through its evolving workplace policies, Nestlé employees enjoy flexible work arrangement options and maternity protection for women as well as expanded benefits eligibility for employees in same gender and common law partnerships.

 

Its deliberate actions and strategic approach towards gender balance acceleration the past years have resulted in increased representation of women in management positions and key business critical positions. Nestlé’s global monitoring also affirms no significant pay gap exists between men and women at Nestlé.  

As a people-inspired company, respect and trust are the greatest strengths of Nestlé. The organization places high value on the unique perspectives that people bring to the team, which sharpen performance and drive the business. 

 

A force for Good in Well-being 

As an organization committed to offering good nutrition, Nestlé applies the same duty of care for the health and overall well-being of the people behind its products to nurture the best ambassadors for Good food, Good life. Through its advanced health and wellness programs, employees are supported across life stages with above-industry standard medical coverage and interventions focused on holistic health.  

Nestlé Philippines’ response to the pandemic for its employees has been remarkable. Beyond flexible work arrangements and workplace safety protocols, it increased focus on mental health and equipped people managers on mental first aid as the first line of support for employees. The company continues to encourage employees to seek mental health assistance through the Employee Assistance Program hotline.  

 

A force for Good in Talent Development 

Nestlé prides itself in attracting, retaining and developing talented people driven to be a force for Good. Through the years, the company has consistently demonstrated high employee engagement and kept attrition rates at remarkably low rates versus the industry standard.  

Through Nestlé’s presence in almost every country in the world, Nestlé Philippines continues to bring local talent to the global stage with over 37 Filipino expats leading teams in different markets across the globe. 

Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards (ACES) recognizes Nestle Philippines, Inc. (NPI) as the Top Workplace in Asia. In the photo, NPI SVP and Head of HR Mitzie Antonio, and NPI Chairman and CEO, Kais Marzouki.

As one of Nestlé’s key markets, Nestlé Philippines is an excellent training ground that provides holistic development opportunities for individuals across all career stages. It also takes pride in being local-led, with over half of its current executive committee composed of Filipinos and mostly home-grown talent from the company’s Management Trainee Program.   

 

With a proud heritage built over 110 years for the Filipino families, Nestlé celebrates the people behind its iconic brands and products and commits to nurture a culture of Good to keep its employees inspired and engaged to fulfill their purpose and help others fulfill theirs. 

UnionBank UPAY for MSME: Helping level the playing field for the country’s growing number of MSMEs

 

UnionBank UPAY for MSME: Helping level the playing field for the country’s growing number of MSMEs

 

Filipinos are now utilizing digital payments more than ever. Last month, the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that digital payments made up 20.1 percent of all transactions in 2020, more than double the figure from two years ago of 10 percent. This strong momentum is creating opportunities particularly for enterprising Filipinos who engage in e-commerce.

To help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country capitalize on this growing trend, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the region’s digital trailblazer and the country’s foremost bank for MSMEs, has launched a groundbreaking feature that will make e-payments easier and secure not only for customers but also for MSMEs—the new UPAY for MSME.

Jaypee Soliman
UnionBank Vice President and MSME Segment Head

This was unveiled at the Bank's 12th E-TalkTales media event, wherein UnionBank Vice President and MSME Segment Head Jaypee Soliman, and UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head Gerry Austria led discussions on the critical role of digitizing payments in the country's fast evolving market.

Soliman began the discussions by talking about the state of digital payments in the country, citing the significant growth in the number of Filipinos who utilize these payment solutions. This is an indication that Filipinos are now more open to the idea of becoming a cash-lite society.

“This shows how the consumers are now transacting digitally. They are ready. They are there. The number of Filipinos having e-wallets and bank accounts continue to grow. But the question is, are the MSMEs ready to accept digital payments?"

This is where UPAY comes in. UPAY is a groundbreaking digital payments solution designed to make acceptance of multiple payment options accessible to MSMEs. It offers a fully integrated, single platform payment collection complete with other features that can make inbound payments easier for entrepreneurs, including the option to generate payment links with multiple collection channels, and the option to generate InstaPay QRPH for digital and physical channels.

"UPAY for MSMEs is a payment gateway that is embedded in our MSME Business Banking App. Businesses of all sizes and types now have the power to generate payment links, request payments, send it to their customers and provide multiple payment options, all these reconciled and credited to a single UnionBank account," Soliman said.

What makes UPAY convenient for accepting payments is that customers can choose their preferred payment channel either via Unionbank Online, InstaPay, Other Digital Wallets, Credit/Debit Cards and even over-the-counter through UnionBank’s expansive network of partner channels nationwide.

Gerry Austria
UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head 

"When we conceptualized UPAY for MSMEs, we wanted to do away with all the different hassles that the merchant is experiencing to set up his payments, one of which is having to connect to a point-of-sale system, having to have different devices, having to have to download different apps," Austria said.

"Second, it's the efficiency in doing business. You don't need to be in your physical store to actually have a customer pay you. You can actually be vacationing somewhere else and someone wants to buy a product which they saw through your post on Instagram or Facebook. You can actually just create a payment link and send it to that customer, so it's very convenient for both the merchant and the customer," Austria added.

Through the new feature, UnionBank wants to level the playing field for MSMEs by making the feature accessible to them, which was previously only available to the bigger merchants as part of enterprise platforms that are too technologically demanding and expensive for smaller players.

 

For more information about the company and this article, please visit

www.unionbankph.com/msme/upay

 

 

CreativeFest brings together ad heavyweights, industry leaders to unlock creativity

Manila Luzon and other creative heavyweights headline PHL’s largest ad event

 

The largest gathering of creative professionals, marketing experts, and thought leaders from a wide variety of fields is coming together once again to celebrate the power of creativity to move the world and drive it forward at CreativeFest, to be held virtually for the second year in a row this November 24 to 26, with "Creativity Unlocked" as the theme.

The media and representatives from allied industries had a sneak peek into the event through a Media and Industry Preview held online last November 9. Details of the event were discussed during the exclusive preview, including the list of speakers and the topics they’ll tackle. The good news is that admission to it will remain free for everyone.

“The [Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies in the Philippines] believes that imagination and inventiveness should be always celebrated in whatever form or scale,” Melvin Mangada, Chairman of the 4As and Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of TBWA\ Santiago Mangada Puno said. “This year’s theme, Creativity Unlocked, is again a call of defiance—creating stories from our dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms. And despite cramped spaces, limited movement and physical interaction, we’ve proven that the creative mind knows no boundaries.”

“The theme is actually to celebrate those who have surpassed the challenging times and difficult as it is to cope with the situation, it is even more inspiring that people were able to come up with wonderful work despite the circumstances. Creativity Unlocked is not only our theme but our battle cry to continue to do inspired and fresh work even in the confines of our own homes,” Teeny Gonzales, Seven A.D. CEO and 4As Co-Trustee in-charge of Creative Services furthered.

One of the expected highlights of this year’s CreativeFest is the Keynote Address that will be delivered by one of the most famous drag queens today, a RuPaul’s Drag Race alum and soon to be host of the much-anticipated Filipino Reality Drag competition Drag Den, Manila Luzon. Luzon made a special video appearance during the media preview and she invited her fans and creative professionals to join her for CreativeFest.

“I’m so excited for you to hear my keynote and how drag has helped millions in its relentless pursuit of effective protest and people’s embrace of drag as an art form. For everyone watching, please don’t forget to register for CreativeFest happening on November 24th to November 26th,” Manila Luzon said.

Aside from Manila Luzon, many creative heavyweights are also expected to attend CreativeFest 2021 to deliver inspiring talks and take part in thought-provoking roundtable discussions.

Madonna Badger, Chief Creative Officer and Founder of Badger and Winters will deliver the Day 2 Keynote Address for the CreativeFest. Other expected speakers are Cannes Spokesperson Susie Walker; Dentsu Taiwan Executive Creative Director Alice Chou; Lego Creative Lead and Trese Creator Budjette Tan; OPM Band Ben&Ben; and many others.

“We’re very excited that the full line-up of the CreativeFest, from November 24 to 26 is huge, it’s global, and hopefully it inspires everyone to stay creative and keep creativity unlocked in our blood,” JC Valenzuela, Founder and CEO of Propel Manila and CreativeFest Chairman said.

This year will also see the return of the Kidlat Awards, one of the most prestigious recognitions in Philippine advertising. The Kidlat Awards was not held last year because of the pandemic, and as such this year’s recognition will cover the period between 2019 to 2021. The awards night will be the culminating activity of this year’s CreativeFest and will happen on November 26.

“Kidlat Awards is back!” Russel Molina, Chief Creative Officer of Seven A.D. and Committee Chairman of the Kidlat Awards said. “It signals a new chapter for us in the industry and it gives us renewed energy for the advertising industry.”

Just like last year, CreativeFest 2021 remains free for everyone. The event will also benefit Silid-Aralan, an organization that educates and empowers low-performing learners, and is committed to creating a better and more sustainable nation.

This year’s CreativeFest is brought to us by Bench, JTI, and Ginebra, in partnership with Cignal, TV5, One Sports, Provill, Google Creative Works, Grupo Agatep, Adobo Magazine, Hit Productions, and Plan B.

To register for the event for free, please visit this link https://4asphilippines.com/creativefest2021/.

To know the latest about CreativeFest and Kidlat Awards, please visit www.4asphilippines.com and like and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4asPhilippines.

11 ways Lazada took its 11.11 sale to the next level this 2021

 

11 ways Lazada took its 11.11 sale to the next level this 2021

We’re running down the numbers on how Lazada celebrated its Biggest One-Day Sale of the Year!

 

Lazada, one of the country's leading eCommerce platforms, took this year’s 11.11 to new heights, pulling off record-setting numbers — from over a billion minutes spent on the app by shoppers region-wide to more than P126 million worth of Lazada Bonus discounts collected — Lazada’s flagship 11.11 Biggest One-Day Sale continued to be among the most highly-anticipated shopping events that draw millions of shoppers together every year.

 

Curious to know more about how we all shopped this 11.11? Here are 11 facts from this year’s Biggest One-Day Sale:

 

1.       This year’s 11.11 shoppers enjoyed over 8 million of their lowest and best deals.

 

2.       With the endless promos and deals available, it’s no wonder that a total of 1 billion minutes was spent by consumers on the app across the region. That’s like binge-watching Lazada Brand Ambassadors Bea and Kath’s vlogs 22 million times!

3.       A record-breaking 800,000 sellers and brands across the region participated in this year’s Biggest One-Day Sale of the Year, of which 200,000 where MSME sellers in the Philippines. Can you imagine going through 8,000 malls with 100 stores in it, within 24 hours?

4.       Lazada Philippines’s 11.11 Super Show raked in a total of 5.3 million views across all channels — that’s like twice the entire population of Quezon City tuning in during the show! With performances from K-pop superstars SEVENTEEN, Lazada’s regional Happiness Ambassadors, together with local Brand Ambassadors Bea Alonzo, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, SB19, and other beloved Kapuso personalities, it’s no wonder!

 

5.       Love promos and discounts? Filipino shoppers collected a staggering P126 million worth of total discounts from Lazada Bonus on the app! If that doesn’t say a promonatic nation, we don’t know what does.

 

6.       Earn while you shop! Ka-Lazadas also earned a total of P308 million cashback just by shopping this 11.11. That can buy enough lechon to feed 470,000 people.

7.       Lazada Wallet transactions were up 15 times more on 11.11 compared to a normal day.

8.       Over 3 million home and living items were sold. Enough for every member of the Home Buddies Facebook Community.

 

9.       Filipino fashionistas checked out a total of 2.3 million clothing items. That’s close to 1 million TikTok OOTDs!

 

10.   In the first 11 minutes of the sale, shoppers also bought a whopping 30,000 mobile phones – this is 2.5 times higher than last year’s numbers. Pet parents also stocked up on 200,000 pet supplies, that’s enough to clothe or feed the 1,000 animals in the Manila Zoo 200 times!

 

11.   Need your 11.11 finds, stat? The fastest delivery of a 11.11 purchase was done in under 30 minutes, with romance books and desktop computers. Frozen meat products are a close runner-up with under an hour.

 

Highlighting that digital acceleration was still on the rise in the country, Lazada Philippines CEO Ray Alimurung said, “We're delighted that our flagship 11.11 shopping festival continues to deliver a best-in-class Shoppertainment experience for shoppers, who see Lazada as their one-stop destination to be entertained while having access to top deals, rewards, and great content. As more Filipinos embrace a digital economy, we are heartened to see more of our partner brands and sellers leveraging Lazada’s 11.11 as an avenue to effectively reach more new consumers in the country, and increase engagement to drive sales for their business."

Investing in Gold Made Easy

From November 15 to 20, 2021, Cebuana Lhuillier, together with Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium, and Just Jewels, holds the 2021 Gold Rush Sale.  Buyers can get 5% off on all items from Cebuana Lhuillier branches and up to 30% off on its premium line and Just Jewels, as well as on Lazada, Zalora, and Shoppee. The year’s biggest jewelry sale includes jewelries offered in all of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2,600 branches, as well as in selected Just Jewels and Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium outlets located in SM and Ayala Malls nationwide. Buyers can likewise participate online through the Cebuana FB Live Selling event or through www.cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com/.

 

Investing in Gold Made Easy

Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry and its premium line together with Just Jewels offer discounted jewelry for nationwide Gold Rush Sale

 

Gold enthusiasts and budding collectors will get the chance to purchase jewelry items at more affordable prices this November 15 to 20 as Cebuana Lhuillier, together with Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium, and Just Jewels, stages this year’s Gold Rush Sale.

 

Get five percent off on all items from Cebuana Lhuillier branches and up to 30% off on its premium line and Just Jewels, as well as on eCommerce platforms like Lazada, Zalora, and Shoppee. The sale includes jewelries offered in all of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2,600 branches, as well as in selected Just Jewels and Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium outlets located in SM and Ayala Malls nationwide. You can also buy online through Cebuana FB Live Selling and cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com. 

 

The upcoming sale is a good opportunity to start building a solid jewelry investment. With the easing of quarantine restrictions and with impeding bonuses coming this Holiday season, customers are expected to splurge on buying presents for their selves and their loved ones. While others will gravitate towards purchasing luxury items, the best kind of investment is one that does not depreciate in value, like gold jewelry.

 

“There is always a misconception that investing in jewelry is expensive and reserved only for the privileged. The truth is that there are many ways to build a collection—coming from trusted sources like jewelry shops, pawnshops, and with the advent of digital selling, even in online stores; and with a range of prices depending on your budget. Truth is, there is no better time to start investing in jewelry than today,” shares Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

 

He adds, “Through the years, the value of gold was always on an upward trend. While it’s trendy to go for the latest gadgets or high-end phones every year; it’s better to invest in jewelry which will serve its owners well especially during times of need.”

 

Over the years, gold was able to maintain its value in the market. Unlike other investments that are susceptible to inflation, gold and other precious metals perform well even when the economy is bad.

 

To know more about the latest offers or to know where to get the best deals for the Black Friday Sale, go to the Cebuana Lhuillier, Just Jewels or Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium Facebook pages.

Wilcon Depot’s unbreakable commitment to providing comfort, safety to Filipino homes

Wilcon Depot Inc. CEO and President Lorraine Belo-Cincochan

 

Wilcon Depot’s unbreakable commitment to providing comfort, safety to Filipino homes 

 

(Manila, Philippines – November 12, 2021) As industries came to a halt due to the abrupt shift to the new normal, companies strived to look for ways to advance their business operations to stay buoyant and resilient amid these extraordinary times. 

 

With reduced mobility and limited face-to-face transactions, organizations like Wilcon Depot Inc. had to redefine their business to discover how they could better serve Filipinos and effectively outmaneuver the challenges presented by the global health crisis.

 

“We have seen how the pandemic has changed people’s behaviors from the way they work, study, socialize, and even how they shop,” said Wilcon Depot Inc. CEO and President Lorraine Belo-Cincochan.

 

The new normal catalyzed unique situations to the company, putting them to the test whether to be swept away by difficulties or innovate and look for ways to pivot amid these present conditions.

 

“Even as Wilcon faces disruption and changes in the business, we continue to focus on our unbreakable commitment to fulfill our mission of serving and providing the Filipino with access to quality home improvement and building needs,” said Belo-Cincochan.

 

Leveraging the power of technology, Wilcon had embraced digital innovation, offering innovative services to deliver the needs of their customers who hope to refurbish their homes and provide comfort to their families.

 

Wilcon enabled their customers to purchase home and building needs through their new and improved e-commerce site and their Wilcon Flagship Store on LazMall. Likewise, they facilitated a Wilcon Virtual Tour service, where customers can explore its available products while in the comfort of their homes.

 

“Despite the unfavorable situation, we are relentless in thinking of ways and strategies as we continue to serve, bringing forth the introduction of our various shopping services. We endeavored to offer safe and convenient shopping avenues to our valued customers as we want them to feel comfortable yet protected while shopping,” the Wilcon head shared.

 

Wilcon has recognized the significance of keeping their business running smoothly to efficiently support Filipinos who endeavored to build secure and sturdy homes where they could be comfortable despite the current situation.

 

With the help of the right partner who shares the same vision of empowering customers’ lives amid the crisis we are facing today, Wilcon successfully beat the challenges of the pandemic while staying true to its commitment to provide for the needs of its stakeholders. 

 

PLDT Enterprise has been a reliable partner for Wilcon, which provided fast and reliable connectivity to power their online transactions, ensuring Wilcon’s vision fulfillment by facilitating their needs cost-effectively.

 

“It is an honor for PLDT Group to be the trusted partner of businesses as they navigate the uncertainties of the new normal. With the continued confidence of our partners, trusting us as their service provider in laying the foundation to a resilient business, we are more dedicated to supporting them in their initiative to improve the lives of Filipinos,” said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise and International Business Groups.

 

PLDT Enterprise’s Unbreakable Commitment campaign highlights its collaboration with different brands and organizations in the country to exhibit how fostering partnerships has helped companies thrive despite today’s circumstances—and in turn, contribute to the lives of Filipinos. 

 

The campaign also reinforces PLDT Enterprise’s unbreakable commitment to empowering the endeavors of organizations through technology.

 

The country’s largest fully integrated telecommunications provider has been a driving force to companies such as Wilcon Depot Inc. as it adopts technologies to survive the new digital world. 

 

“We need a partner who will help us grow and ease the business processes and operations during these trying times. And we are grateful to PLDT for being that partner that we can rely on to support and assist us in navigating our digital transformation journey,” said the Wilcon president. 

 

For the home and construction supplies retailer, the goal is to focus on their commitment to fulfill the mission of serving and providing Filipinos with access to quality home improvement and building needs.

 

Together with PLDT Enterprise, Wilcon Depot Inc. will continue to explore possibilities to thrive in the digital space to efficiently deliver products and services that will secure and comfort Filipino homes amid these trying times. 

 

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/qY_tk_yw1GA

 

To learn more, visit pldtenterprise.com.

 

Araneta City brings the magic of Christmas to life with Giant Christmas Tree Lighting

The City of Firsts’ Holiday tradition has been alive for 4 decades now

 

The City of Firsts has officially signaled the beginning of its holiday celebration with the lighting of its iconic Giant Christmas Tree on November 11.

Decked with dazzling lights, colorful ornaments, and glittering tinsels, the Giant Christmas Tree situated at the Times Square Food Park in Araneta City was lit up in a grand celebration attended by local government officials, senior company executives, celebrities, and patrons with the theme ‘Believe in the Magic of Christmas’.

“We made sure to light up our Giant Christmas Tree in time for 11.11, which tradition says is a special date when anything you wish for can come true. It’s also our way of welcoming the return of our guests to the City of Firsts now that quarantine restrictions are starting to loosen up a bit. Even though we’re now welcoming guests of all ages, we’re still making it a point that all of our customers are safe through the health and safety measures that we’ve put in place,” Marjorie Go, AVP for Marketing of Araneta Group, said.

This year’s event highlights a mix of virtual and online celebrity performances and performances, with strict health and safety measures implemented onsite. A pre-show was also held virtually hosted by DJ Onse, and several lucky viewers got to take home some exciting prizes from the virtual games.

  

This year’s Giant Christmas Tree Lighting event was graced by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and prominent stars like Piolo Pascual, Maymay Entrata, AC Bonifacio, and Reiven Umali (Tawag ng Tanghalan 5 Champion). Also present were Ms. Intercontinental 2021 Cinderella Obeñita, Bb. Pilipinas International 2021 Hannah Arnold, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2021 Samantha Panlilio, Bb. Pilipinas 2021 First Runner-up Gabrielle Basiano, Bb. Pilipinas 2021 Second Runner-up Meiji Cruz, and Binibining Araneta City 2021 Francesca Taruc.

The lighting of Araneta City’s Giant Christmas Tree has been a fixture of every Filipino Christmas celebration for the past four decades. And as this year’s event carves a year-long milestone in the country, the Araneta Group made sure to celebrate the Giant Christmas Tree spectacle in a big way!

As part of this year’s Christmas celebration, the Araneta Group organized the ‘40 Treats for 40’ program, wherein 40 individuals received special gifts from the company. These individuals are essential workers who worked tirelessly even at the height of the pandemic.

“Despite everything that is happening around us now, we still want all people to Believe in the Magic of Christmas. We in the Araneta Group would like to share this wonderful time with some very special people. We have chosen 40 hardworking essential workers in our community who have shown dedication to their service ever since the pandemic began," Lorna Fabian, Vice President for Leasing of Araneta City, said.

Mrs. Judy Araneta-Roxas, Vice President of the Araneta Group, also extended an early Christmas greeting to everyone who attended the event and watched it unfold online. "Christmas is a magical time. It gives us restored joy and a reason to celebrate even in these trying times. Today, as we light our Giant Christmas tree, we wish everyone to experience the special magic of the holidays.”

 

A grand fireworks display concluded the event, and signaled the opening of the iconic Giant Christmas tree to the public.

Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale enjoys a record start, with 11 million items sold within the first 5 minutes of November 11

 

Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale enjoys a record start, with 11 million items sold within the first 5 minutes of November 11

A Filipino electronics seller earned almost ₱70 million in sales during the first two hours of the sale alone

MANILA, NOVEMBER 11, 2021 - Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, is seeing tremendous excitement and support at its largest shopping festival of the year, the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. Shoppers across the region raced to Shopee to secure the best deals, with 11 million items sold in just the first five minutes of November 11. The midnight shopping rush saw visits spiking 5.5 times in the first two hours, compared to an average day.

 

Key trends in the Philippines in the first 2 hours of 11.11 Big Christmas Sale

 

●     Many waited for 11.11 to purchase everyday essentials to maximize their savings. Health & Personal Care, Home & Living, and Women's Apparel were the hottest product categories among Filipino shoppers.

 

●     Filipinos eagerly stocked up on supplies such as face masks, skin care products, and mobile accessories. As consumers looked to refresh their wardrobe for the holiday season, clothing tops were also in high demand, with almost 2,000 orders placed early into 11.11.

 

●     Many local sellers are seeing a boost to their business at the 11.11 Big Christmas Sale. An electronics seller earned almost ₱70 million in sales in the first 2 hours.

 

Discover more irresistible deals at Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale till midnight at https://shopee.ph/m/christmas-sale.

 

CEB Health Protect offers value-for-money coverage for top critical illnesses and provides insurance benefits of up to P1 million.

AXA, Cebu Pacific give free insurance to Filipinos

 

To mark their first partnership anniversary, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, together with the country’s leading airline, Cebu Pacific (CEB), extend the opportunity for CEB customers to get free insurance coverage up until December 31, 2021.

 

The special anniversary offer provides a life insurance coverage and personal accident insurance, each worth P25,000, with a coverage period of 3 months. This one-time offer is open to all CEB fliers aged 18 to 60 years old -all they need to do is sign up via https://bit.ly/CEBxAXAAnniv while slots are available.

 

Thru this partnership, every Juan now has access to an affordable critical illness plan with CEB Health Protect. This is the first of many non-travel insurance products that will be made available to address the health and financial needs of Filipinos.

 

The pandemic made many people rethink their habits, better prepare for the unexpected, and prioritize their health and wellness. “Protecting our health at all costs and preparing for accidents and emergencies have become more relevant than ever. With CEB Health Protect, we want to help every Juan protect their health and finances from unexpected situations – whether in their daily activities or while traveling. We are pleased to have found a partner in Cebu Pacific who also prioritizes safety and addresses the needs of its passengers even beyond travel,” said Rahul Hora, president and CEO of AXA Philippines.

 

“As we continue to listen to our customers, we recognize the need to prioritize every Juan’s health more so during this time. We are happy to keep offering CEB Health Protect and to be celebrating a milestone with our partner, AXA Philippines, to better equip Filipinos for unforeseen circumstances,” said Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and customer experience at Cebu Pacific.

 

CEB Health Protect offers value-for-money coverage for top three (3) critical illnesses like cancer, heart attack, and stroke. It also provides insurance benefits of up to P1 million, allowing families to receive up to 20% coverage for nine (9) minor critical conditions.

 

CEB Health Protect is a very affordable plan for every Juan who may wish to protect themselves and their loved ones. Every Juan can tailor fit the insurance coverage according to their personal needs and budget, with coverage available for as low as 18/day and flexible payment terms from monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually. 

 

Selecting and purchasing CEB Health Protect can also be safely and conveniently done online on the AXA website, similar to how Cebu Pacific customers seamlessly book and manage their Cebu Pacific flights.

 

With CEB Health Protect from AXA Philippines and Cebu Pacific, every Juan can now protect their health and be prepared for just about anything in life or while travelling.

 

For more information on AXA Philippines, visit www.axa.com.ph.