Friday, July 30, 2021

Ben&Ben reunite with Moira on the confessional ballad “Pasalubong”

“It isn’t so common anymore today to say what you mean. So I love that after a whole song of poetry, we end with the simplest but scariest lines to say…. Gusto Kita. For Pasalubong, we built it from the original song and added elements to it while in the car on our way to the Ben&Ben house.” ~Moira

After working together last year for the heartwarming ballad “Paalam,” which has reached more than 40 million streams on all combined music platforms, Ben&Ben and Moira are reuniting again for a song that captures the intensity of deep longing and persistent desire.

Their second collaborative single “Pasalubong” is a romantic confessional that drips with unapologetic sentimentality:  a song that is defenseless in its yearning and honesty, hoping that one’s profession of love will be received and reciprocated. 

Written and produced by the band and Moira, with arrangement from Ben&Ben’s very own percussionist Andrew De Pano, the folk-pop tune encapsulates the beauty in sparseness, and the magic in turning an outpour of emotion into a generation-defining anthem.

According to Ben&Ben, the song was inspired by the double meaning behind the title, which is a term that is commonly used to refer to a gift, and a word that could also mean to meet. 

“The track is a play on both these meanings.”

Moira adds that the song’s impact radiates on a universal level, simply because it shows bravery and honesty despite the odds. 

Andrew reveals that he was tasked to oversee the production side of the material, relying heavily on the weight of the word as basis for the arrangement and the overall vibe. 

“A big immediate difference from the usual Ben&Ben sound is the way the guitars sound, and the absence of most of our usual elements in the beginning. There was a major effort to really embody and project emotions of waiting and uncertainty and longing, and the ‘bass drum’ sound that is present throughout the song is meant to symbolize those times we get so caught up deep in thought that we end up hearing our own heartbeat.”

For their part, multi-awarded singer-songwriter duo Moira and Jason Marvin Hernandez helped finish the lyrics and added lines that give the material its enduring pop appeal. 

Together, both Ben&Ben and Moira interpreted the heart-wrenching nature of the material with precision and character. They made the song both timely and timeless, with every flow punctuated by unwavering vulnerability, and every word cutting deep and beautifully. 

“With Moira and Paolo’s evocative vocal performance and the band’s emotional execution of Andrew’s arrangement, Pasalubong is a song that will certainly bring up all kinds of feelings, and hopefully will give people comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone in their frustration and longing,”

In terms of delivery, Moira is very particular with the tone being conversational, as if telling a friend about her day or sharing the story to a lover. She also commends Andrew for being hands on in the studio, guiding her in every step of the way.

“He has this crazy way of making something complicated, seem so simple. There’s this pitch where we used the 7th note for the last chorus which I thought was genius— that was all Andrew.”

Pasalubong” is the third single off Ben&Ben upcoming sophomore full-length album to be released next month. The song is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch out for the music video premiere on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel this July 30, 2021 at 6:00pm, Friday.

Safety First: Former crew members share how safety has always been a top priority at McDonald’s

“Safety has always been at the core of our operating culture and will always be. Our M Safe program is a testament to this - quality, service, value, and cleanliness have been integral parts of McDonald’s since day one and who can better talk about this than our former crew members who have turned into loyal customers. We continue to stay true to our commitment on safety – first for our people and for all customers across all channels. As we all continue to navigate through these challenging times, the public can count on us in making sure their McDonald’s experience is always safe. We encourage customers to share feedback too via msafe@ph.mcd.com.~Kenneth S. Yang, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Philippines


McDonald's recently released an M Safe video, where former store employees of the company talked about how being safe at McDonald’s makes them feel good. In this video, we get to learn about Henric, a former crew at McDo Robinsons Novaliches who shared how working at McDonald’s has taught him the value of safety early on. Years after and an own business later, he recalls and proudly shares how serious the company is on safety. We also get to learn about former crew members Arden and Khaycie who also highlighted how safety has always been ingrained at McDonald’s. As their work now as an accounting associate and a sales agent required them to be in the field, they looked back at how safety is the first lesson being taught to new employees, highlighting the global stringent guidelines and procedures.

Safety in every way
Customers are assured of safety in all ways. Apart from its Safety Seal-certified stores and its bid to support employees on vaccination, McDonald’s continues to innovate and provide customers with other safe choices where they can enjoy their food. 

Responding to consumer preferences, McDonald’s introduced Bike & Dine, Ride Thru, and Outdoor Dining so any customer can enjoy their favorites conveniently and safely.

Whether, dine-in, delivery or ride thru, customers are assured that their food is safely prepared through its stringent global food quality standards and strict safe and healthy protocols.









McDonald’s Philippines master franchise holder, Dr. George T. Yang, opened the first McDonald’s store in Morayta, Manila in 1981. Since then, McDonald’s in the Philippines has been a strong and relevant player in the country’s quick service restaurant industry, having grown a store network of over 655 across the country. McDonald’s Philippines continues to aspire to  make a difference in communities where it operates through its charity of Choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines.

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Mekeni honors micropreneurs this National MSME Week

“Our MSMEs faced tremendous challenges at the onset of the pandemic. The quarantine measures brought compounding struggles to even the most dedicated and passionate micropreneurs. But while many succumbed to these difficulties, many were able to find a way to keep going through the help of the government and the private sector. It has always been our priority to help aspiring micropreneurs in developing their businesses as well as their skills. We are with them every step of the way—from helping them put up their business with the capital that they have to walking them through the tools that they need to grow their ventures. Seeing them grow and succeed keeps us going and persevering to better serve them. Micropreneurs play a crucial role in the country’s efforts to recover from the crisis brought by this pandemic. And as we honor the significant contributions of our very own micropreneurs, we at Mekeni would like to assure them of our unwavering support and commitment to serve them even better with products and services that will continue uplifting their lives and their communities.~Prudencio Garcia, Vice President of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) and the President of Mekeni Food Corporation


Continues to support aspiring business owners with Home2Home program. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) play a huge role in the stability and recovery of the economy. They are the drivers; the movers and shakers; and the lifeblood of many countries, particularly developing ones.

Here in the Philippines, MSMEs are considered the backbone of the economy. In 2018, they account for 99.5% of all enterprises and employed 63.2% of the labor force. MSMEs were also responsible for the 35.7% value-added growth to PH’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019.

However, MSMEs continue to be in a vulnerable position due to external factors including changes in the business environment, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Prudencio Garcia, Vice President of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) and the President of Mekeni Food Corporation, noted that MSMEs have shown resiliency amid all the difficulties that the COVID-19 crisis brought.

The Garcia clan’s Pampanga-based food manufacturing company, Mekeni Food Corporation, is known as a staunch supporter of MSMEs. In the wake of the crisis, Mekeni tapped external distributors to expand its reach and provide income for starting entrepreneurs through its Mekeni Home2Home (H2H) Partners Program.

Launched in April 2020, the Mekeni H2H Program helped more Filipinos kickstart their small businesses with Mekeni products that they can sell at home and even online. The reseller’s program entails low investment costs and is customizable based on the micropreneur’s capital. For as low as P1,500 worth of products, many micropreneurs were allowed to get back on their feet and uplift the lives of their loved ones. 

Through the H2H Program, Mekeni was able to help nearly 150 micropreneurs from Luzon.

Interested resellers and future entrepreneurs can be part of the Mekeni Home2Home Program by sending a message through Mekeni’s official Facebook page.

GradPhilippines names BDO as a top graduate employer

“BDO considers its people as its most valuable assets. It employs over 38,000 professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise in various fields. Thanks to its workforce, the bank is able to find ways for its clients every day. We continuously innovate our recruitment strategies to invite the country’s most talented professionals to join our organization and in the process, help enrich their careers. We take pride in how many of our employees have been with us for decades, some since they graduated from college. We are grateful for our employees’ continued loyalty and contribution to BDO’s success.” ~Evelyn Salagubang, BDO Senior Vice President and Head of Human Resources Group


The Top 100 Graduate Employers List ranks companies based on their web search popularity and average review scores on top job sites. Every graduates huts for a job rightaway, BDO Unibank emerged as one of the country’s leading graduate employers. The bank was named the Top Graduate Employer in the Banking and Financial Services Sector and ranked at #5 in GradPhilippines’ Top 100 Graduate Employers List in the Philippines.

Leading Graduate Employer. BDO is Top Graduate Employer in the Banking and Financial Services Sector and ranks at #5 in GradPhilippines’ Top 100 Graduate Employers List in the Philippines.

GradPhilippines undertakes a comprehensive methodology to arrive at its sector and overall rankings, which includes a review and consolidation of data from search engines, page views, and employee reviews.

According to GradPhilippines, over 600 Filipino companies were nominated before arriving at the final list. Criteria include posting career opportunities for fresh graduates on employment sites; posting job or internship openings on any Prosple site in 2020; and having more than five searches on GradPhilippines.com.

Start your career with BDO. Amid the pandemic, BDO harnesses the strength of digital channels to source new talents to join its organization. Currently, it’s looking for Online Account Officers who will pave the way for a truly digital service experience for its clients. The bank encourages anyone with a background in customer service, including former cabin crews, hoteliers, and other customer-facing professionals, to send a CV with photo to tallada.airish@bdo.com.ph

GradPhilippines is part of the Prosple group, which provides graduates around the world with the job-hunting tools and resources to help them get the best possible start in their career. Prosple has more than 180 career and study websites throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Southeast Asia region.

For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph.











About BDO Unibank, Inc.
BDO is a full-service universal bank that provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services. These services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, retail cash cards, and credit card services.  

BDO has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,400 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,400 ATMs nationwide.  It also has 18 overseas remittance and representative offices (including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore) in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits, and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of December 31, 2020. 

Mega Global's plans of turning Mega Bigay Sustansya (MBS) into a legacy project

“When we first launched this nutrition program two years ago, we saw how transformative it was for the beneficiaries, who not only saw an improvement in their weight, but also in their health and well-being. Inspired by their transformation, Mega Global decided to expand this program and make it sustainable by also educating the community on the importance of having good food and having good nutrition for the whole family.” ~Marvin Tiu Lim, Chief Growth and Development Officer

Now on its third year, Mega Global Corporation, continuing malasakit and reaching more Filipino families one meal at a time - Mega Global’s Mega Bigay Sustansya Program runs for third year in partnership with Reach Out Philippines (ROFP), once again kicks off its Mega Bigay Sustansya (MBS) project that aims to improve the nutrition of children nationwide and provide them with materials that teach sustainable solutions for their health. Good health is the greatest gift that Filipinos can ever receive. With malnutrition affecting many children, it is crucial for the community to work together  to help these children, who will eventually become the future of the country.

With the pandemic affecting the livelihood of everyone, especially the less fortunate, poverty remains to be the number one cause of malnutrition in the Philippines. With the imposition of lockdowns came the aggravation of the number of children who are involuntarily hungry, and this problem continues to persist.

As the country strives to recover from the pandemic, Mega Global Corporation, the manufacturer of the country’s number one canned sardines, Mega Sardines, endeavors to reinforce its culture of malasakit, and create a positive impact in the lives of those children in need through a program focused not only on feeding the malnourished, but also arm them with the knowledge to continue eating healthful meals.


Recognizing its role in helping build the nation, Mega Global Corporation together with the Mega Tiu Lim Foundation will once again hold the Mega Bigay Sustansya program for the third straight year. A health and nutrition program that’s deep rooted from the company’s core value of malasakit. With its determination to improve the health sector of the country, Mega Bigay Sustansya aims to reinforce the importance of nutrition to every Filipino family nationwide and extend a helping hand to those in need. 

As it expands the program, Mega Global will be working in partnership with th Reach Out Feed Philippines, who will spearhead the preparation of the meals daily, deliver these house to house to each beneficiary and provide a nutritional assessment of all recipes used in the program, and will also analyze and evaluate the results of the program. 


The program aims to support 870 children from various barangays across six  provinces through a 60-day nutrition program. These include Batangas, Navotas, Valenzuela, Samar, Surigao del Sur, and  Zamboanga. Beneficiaries are children aged 4-12 years old, who will receive two nutritious meals daily for 60 days. The daily meals will include at least one sardines meal, made using Mega Global’s vitamin- and nutrient-packed high quality sardines. 

At the beginning and end of the program, the weight, height, and mid-arm circumference of the children will be taken to gauge their progress. To encourage parents to support the nutrition program for their children, Mega Global will provide incentives to select participants who fit the program’s criteria - biggest gainer, most improved, etc.  


To further ensure that the progress made is sustained, Mega Global will also be developing leave-behind materials containing affordable nutritious recipes made from ingredients that are easily accessible to the families. This will empower parents and the community with knowledge on how to prepare nutritious meals for the health and well-being of their children and loved ones.



In all that it does, Mega Global Corporation gives life to its core value of malasakit. From products to people to the greater community, every decision made by the brand is anchored onto the belief of malasakit for all. This once again comes alive in Mega Bigay Sustansya, which is envisioned to uplift the lives of impoverished children and allow them to achieve their potentials.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Good Vibes Tayo DITO: Get exciting premium items from Viber when you purchase your DITO sim with a friend!

"At DITO, our goal is to empower Filipinos through stronger connectivity with our fast, reliable, and value-for-money data services. By partnering with Viber Philippines, we are hoping to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience of the country's most preferred messaging app to more subscribers all over the country." ~Jasper Evangelista, DITO's Brand & Marketing Director


DITO Newest telecommunications player has teamed up with Viber, one of the most popular messaging apps in the country, for Good Vibes Tayo DITO - an exclusive promo from July 23 to August 31, 2021,where consumers can avail of exciting Viber Premium items when they purchase their DITO SIM cards in pairs

The Good Vibes Tayo DITO promo is just one of the many programs DITO and Viber have in store for Filipino subscribers. Now, Viber users can enjoy connecting with their family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones non-stop using DITO's reliable and affordable data promo offers.


"Viber is looking forward to expanding its calling and messaging services to more Filipinos all  over the country with this exciting partnership with DITO, a new and dynamic telecom company. We are focused on our shared goal of providing services and programs that enable   people   to   keep   stronger,   more   secure  and   seamless   personal   and professional connections that impact their daily lives." ~David Tse, Senior Director, Asia Pacific at Rakuten Viber

The   Good   Vibes   Tayo   DITO   promo   will   be   available   in   select   DITO   stores   and partner stores. To join the promo, customers must purchase two (2) DITO SIM cards from   participating   DITO   stores,   activate   the   SIM   cards,   and   register   their   DITO numbers using the Viber app. Once registration Is complete, the pair will be entitled to join a lucky  draw  and win  exclusive Viber premium items such  as plush  toys, notebooks, tumblers, and other exciting prizes!


Check out the official social media pages and websites of DITO (www.dito.ph)  and Rakuten Viber (https://www.viber.com/en/) for the full list of participating stores and more details on the promo mechanics.

Get Ready To Flaunt Your Emotions in Portrait For the Arrival of Reno6 Series on August 6

 Technologies and 5G connectivity Reno6 Z 5G and Reno65G  will beautifully unleash #EveryEmotionInPortrait.


Packed with the AI Portrait Camera Technologies and 5G connectivity Reno6 Z 5G and Reno6 5G  will beautifully unleash #EveryEmotionInPortrait.

Get ready to capture your every emotion, as leading global smart device brand OPPO officially announces the livestream launch schedule of the much-awaited Reno6 Z 5G and Reno6 5G under the latest Reno6 Series. The launch will go live via its official Facebook and Youtube pages on August 6, 2021 at 7PM.

  • Amp Up Your Emotions with Reno6 Series Launch
Every  emotion will be portrait-ready with the much-awaited Reno6   Series launch  in the Philippines, special surprises and star-studded performances await fans and viewers.

It will surely be a celebration, as for the first time again in many years, much-loved celebrities Nadine Lustre and James Reid will be leading the Philippine launch of the latest OPPO Reno6 series. There will also be performances from Careless Music Manila artists’ Massiah and Jolianne, and the A-Team during the livestream event to add more excitement as we welcome the official arrival of the Reno6 Z 5G and Reno6 5G in the Philippines.

Special treats don’t end there, as OPPO will be giving away special prizes and freebies during the livestream launch. Prizes include Mobile Legends: Bang Bang premium items and currencies, Lyka  Gems, OPPO Enco  Air, OPPO Enco Buds, OPPO Band, and brand new OPPO Reno6 Z 5G smartphones. So make sure to tune in and participate in the activities while using   the   official   launch hashtags   #OPPOReno6   and   #EveryEmotionInPortrait.   Giveaway mechanics will be announced during the program.

  • OPPO Reno6 Series: an AI Portrait Expert and a 5G Powerhouse
Under the Reno6 Series, OPPO is now set to introduce the latest gizmo powerhouse Reno6 Z5G   and Reno6 5G. The latest smartphones are packed with promising AI Portrait camera features like Bokeh Flare Portrait, AI Portrait Beautification Video, AI Highlight Video, AI Palette to name a few.

On the design front, OPPO used its proprietary design technology, Reno Glow, to achieve the stunning appearance through layers of film that adds richness and diversity of colorful reflective effects of blue and green tones that change with different angles. Its finish is glossy but with a matte feel allowing for a fingerprint-proof back case. Reno6 series come in two attractive colors: Aurora and Stellar Black.

To know more about OPPO’s latest Reno6 Series, visit the OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines.



Monday, July 26, 2021

Sanofi's "Power to Love Yourself Completely" in celebration of International Self-Care Day!

“We need to realize that self care in itself is the goal. Not just for others, but just for yourself.” ~Jill Ong-Lim, Group Brand Manager of Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
Janeena Chan, Jill Lim, Group Brand Manager of Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, Mommy Mish of MommaNManila and Lynn Pinugo, Co-Founder of SheTalksAsia.

In celebration of International Self Care Day, Sanofi Philippines held an Instagram Live event called Power to Love Yourself Completely to discuss topics related to self care. Sanofi invited MommaNManila founder Michelle Aventajado and She Talks Asia Co-Founder and CEO Lynn Pinugo to talk about self care, with topics such as how to teach kids about self care, and how working millennials can take care of themselves while working from home. 

In line with the Global Self-Care Federation’s theme, #SelfCarePromise, the event also invited everyone to share their self care promises online, empowering the viewers to take the step towards taking care of themselves even in the smallest ways.

Promoting a holistic approach to health is a big part of Sanofi’s Panata, and encouraging others to practice self care is a part of this. 

“Your reality is shaped within your mind, so as long as you know that you can get back up again, you’ll be okay.” ~Janeena Chan 
“Self soothing are those emergency routines that we do when we’re feeling bad, while self care are the things that you do so you build emotional agility. For self care, it’s the things you do so you don’t gas out, it’s more for the long term.” ~Lynn Pinugo
“Self care can be so many things. For me, it’s waking up early enough and having quiet time for myself, reading my bible and drinking coffee. For me, it’s to rest when I’m tired, stop when I’m overwhelmed, pause and reflect. And when my kids see me doing that, I’m setting an example.” ~Michelle Aventajado 

The event was attended by over 100 participants who shared their own self care promises via the comments section. 

Sanofi Philippines encourages everyone to make their own self care promises via selfcarepromise.org and share them on Instagram, tagging @sanofi.ph, with the hashtags #SelfCarePromise, #ISCD21, and #HealthierPhilippines.



BDO and American Express Introduce the BDO American Express® Virtual Card for Online Shopping

“With the BDO American Express Virtual Card, we are offering our Cardmembers a product that addresses their reservations about online credit card payments and gives them the assurance they can shop online confidently.” ~Nannette R. Regala, BDO Senior Vice President and Consumer Banking Marketing Head


The concept of online shopping has increased in the recent years, and it is an integral part of the global economy. As more consumers shop online for everything, from food delivery to groceries and entertainment, they expect more flexibility, convenience, and greater control on their online spending. Recognizing these emerging needs, American Express and BDO are launching the BDO American Express Virtual Card.

Linked to the Cardmember’s primary Card, the Virtual Card comes with its own credit card number and offers adjustable credit limit, which gives greater control over online spending and offers an additional layer of account information security. At the same time, Cardmembers will continue to enjoy the same benefits on their primary card when they use the new Virtual Card to shop online.

Leveraging the exponential growth of ecommerce, the BDO American Express Virtual Card is a timely addition to the diverse range of card products offered by BDO and American Express.

“Backed by American Express advanced fraud protection methods, our cards are secure. That said, we understand some customers feel more comfortable using a separate credit card number for their online transactions. We are always looking to expand and improve our products and services to support the evolving payment needs of our customers – and the Virtual Card does just that.” ~Mr. Sanjiv Malhotra, Vice President and General Manager, Global Network Services, South East Asia and South Pacific, American Express

BDO American Express Cardmembers may apply for a Virtual Card, FREE of charge. With the BDO American Express Virtual Card, Cardmembers can take advantage of the following features:
  • Feel more secure while shopping online 
  • Set a credit limit according to online purchasing needs
  • Easily track online transactions
  • Earn Rewards Points for every transaction with the same spend-to-point value as the primary credit card

For more information, please visit bdo.com.ph. To learn more about the BDO American Express Virtual Card, visit americanexpress.com.ph, and connect with us, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.












About BDO
BDO is a full-service universal bank that provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services. These services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, retail cash cards, and credit card services. 

BDO has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,400 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,400 ATMs nationwide. It also has 18 overseas remittance and representative offices (including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore) in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

In the credit card industry, BDO issues the most brands in the country, including corporate and co-branded cards.

The bank likewise dominates the merchant acquiring business in the Philippines with BDO Point-of-Sale terminals being the only one capable of accepting seven (7) credit card brands and all locally-issued ATM/Debit cards. 

BDO’s digital solutions portfolio include BDO Digital Banking and BDO Pay. BDO Digital Banking, is a multi-channel set-up that enables clients to perform banking transactions from home or on the go. Meanwhile, BDO Pay is a mobile wallet facility that allows clients to pay straight from their BDO Savings and Checking Accounts, Debit Card, or Credit Card.

Contact:
BDO Unibank Inc.
Liza M. Montajes
Consumer Banking Group – Marketing Services & Operations Head
Tel: (02) 8667-1679
Email: montajes.liza@bdo.com.ph


About AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.  Learn more at americanexpress.com.

Contact:
American Express
Michele Batchelor
Head, Corporate Affairs and Communications, Southeast Asia
Tel: +65 6864 9050 
Email: Michele.S.Batchelor@aexp.com 

Friday, July 23, 2021

Lumina Homes starts 9th anniversary celebration with Shopee 8.8 Mega Flash Sale



Lumina Homes, the fastest-growing affordable housing brand under Vista Land, marks another milestone in the country’s online market as it generously gives away a house-and-lot unit on Shopee’s 9.9 Super Shopping Day. Being the first house and lot developer to launch a Shopee PH online store, as part of the early celebration of Lumina Homes’ 9th year anniversary this August, from July 21 to August 8, avail yourself of 10% discount on Shopee for selected Lumina home models! These include 2-storey house-and-lot packages which can either be loft-type, townhouse, or single-firewall units.


Lumina Homes Shopee PH online store, has consistently teamed up with Shopee in making home reservation discounts as well as giving away a brand new house and lot as a raffle prize on Shopee9.9 Super Shopping Day.

Shopee lets you choose a Lumina home model and reserve it with e-vouchers or digital vouchers equivalent to reservation fees. An e-voucher is assigned to a particular Lumina home model, which can be used to reserve that home model in the Lumina Homes project of your choice.

For instance, if you purchase a P4,500* Angelique Townhouse e-voucher, you may only use it to reserve one Angelique Townhouse unit in any Lumina Homes project nationwide that features the home model.


To own your Lumina house and lot, all you have to do is follow these simple steps:
  1. Follow Lumina Homes on Shopee Mall at www.shopee.ph/luminahomesofficial
  2. Browse through the available or featured home reservation e-vouchers
  3. Read the product description or 'Chat Seller' to inquire about the different Lumina Homes project locations where you can use the e-voucher.
  4. Click "Add to Cart" or "Buy Now" and pay for the e-voucher through credit card, GCash, or Shopee Pay.
  5. Once paid, a Lumina Representative will contact you to set an online appointment for a marketing briefing and completion of documents.


Lumina has 50 projects in key cities and municipalities nationwide, including:
  • Rizal
  • Bulacan
  • Pampanga
  • Bataan
  • Zambales
  • Nueva Ecija
  • Tarlac
  • Pangasinan
  • La Union
  • Cagayan
  • Isabela
  • Cavite
  • Batangas
  • Laguna
  • Quezon
  • Camarines Norte
  • Albay
  • Sorsogon
  • Iloilo
  • Capiz
  • Cebu
  • Negros Occidental
  • Agusan del Norte
  • Zamboanga del Sur
  • Bukidnon
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Davao del Norte
  • Davao del Sur
  • South Cotabato

Furthermore, Lumina Homes offers an affordable condominium, Prima Tanza in Cavite, which is now available in Shopee with a 10% discount on the reservation fee (now P9,000).


Watch out for more exciting promos and surprises to celebrate Lumina Homes’ 9th anniversary!

For virtual tours and inquiries about your future Lumina home, visit www.lumina.com.ph.

Visit Lumina Homes Shopee Mall store at www.shopee.ph/luminahomesofficial for virtual tours and inquiries about your future Lumina home, and check out the best-selling home models which you can purchase.

Why do accounts become dormant and how to avoid it

 
Why do accounts become dormant and how to avoid

A dormant savings account is one with a low balance that has had no deposits in a while. You should always know where all your money is.  This way, you’ll never risk dormancy by forgetting about an account.  An account can’t go dormant if it’s getting transactions regularly. BANK clients are reminded that accounts without any activity for a long time can become dormant.   

A bank account is considered dormant when there is no financial activity -- deposit or withdrawal -- for a period of two years for a savings account and one year for a checking account. 

Dormant accounts are subject to dormancy fee, under the regulations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Charges will be collected by banks if an account has no activity for five years and falls below the minimum monthly average daily balance (MADB). 

To prevent the account from being dormant and keep it active, clients are advised to regularly make deposits or withdrawals even in small amounts. 

Meanwhile, BDO Unibank said clients can still reactivate dormant accounts -- even if left with a small amount – by just visiting their branch of account and depositing any amount even as low as Php1. 

For additional information, clients may visit www.bdo.com.ph

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Maxicare provides COVID-19 testing for Bb Pilipinas 2021 Beauties

“We are honored to partner with Binibining Pilipinas to help ensure the safety of the candidates and the production crew of the most prestigious beauty competition in the country. Through Lab On Wheels, Maxicare was able to provide convenient, fast, reliable, and most importantly, safe testing for the candidates. We are happy to extend our services to this pageant which definitely provides Filipinos with a much-needed spark of hope and beauty amidst these challenging times.” ~Archie Rillo, Maxicare Chief Marketing Officer
Maxicare Lab on Wheels successfully conducted RT-PCR testing for  Bb. Pilipinas 2021 candidates, guests, production staff and crew.

Thanks to Maxicare’s Lab on Wheels, the Binibining Pilipinas candidates were able to avail of the gold standard in Covid-19 testing safely and conveniently. To ensure a safe and COVID-19-free coronation night for this year’s Binibining Pilipinas, the leading HMO in the Philippines, Maxicare, along with its mobile clinic, Lab on Wheels, came to the Araneta Coliseum to conduct RT-PCR testing for the 34 Bb. Pilipinas candidates, as well as the event staff, guests, and crew. 

Maxicare’s Lab on Wheels is a mobile clinic that provides members with easier access to reliable health services, offering COVID-19 testing, routine blood testing, plus Telemedicine video consultations with Maxicare doctors, among others. 

Maxicare provides COVID-19 testing for Bb Pilipinas 2021 Beauties

Maxicare continuously innovates to deliver convenient and quality healthcare to Filipinos to constantly ensure their health, wellbeing, and peace of mind. With Maxicare’s Lab on Wheels, companies, groups, and teams planning gatherings within Metro Manila or Cebu can easily get the safe and convenient care they need. 

If you'd like to book Maxicare’s Lab on Wheels for your company, contact your Maxicare Health Benefit Executive or Maxicare Business Development Manager today.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021 goes digital with diverse and inclusive programming

“In an ideal situation, we would have wanted to have live shows and concerts so that fans of Filipino Music will get to have that real-life concert experience once again. But of course, there are a lot of considerations that we have to make. Our priority is to mount this festival safely and responsibly for everyone. For the time being, the social media platforms are a suitable alternative to allow artists to perform without the health risks brought about by the pandemic.” ~Noel Cabangon, OPM Icon and OPM Board Member 
Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

The upcoming series of virtual events continues its commitment to holding multiple shows with diverse and inclusive music programming. Going digital for the second time, LMP will feature performances from top and emerging OPM acts, as well as talks and workshops aimed at championing homegrown music in a time that needs it.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) marks its second digital edition this year with a commitment to promoting awareness and appreciation of OPM artists from all over the world through multiple social media platforms.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

The weeklong celebration promises a wide variety of music programs that not only cater to a specific format, but also encompasses concerts and gigs, open mic challenges, exclusive premieres, workshops, and a lecture series.
 
The series of virtual events will run from July 23 to August 1, and will be streamed live via Facebook and KUMU.

Aside from a diverse set of homegrown talents performing online, LMP also partners with key and emerging stakeholders in the music industry such as:
  • AmiananPop
  • MinPop
  • Kadasig & Artist Ko
  • Soupstar Music
  • Warner Music Philippines

To ensure that artists with different backgrounds, and from different regions, are given equal opportunities to perform and engage with the community. 

“We wanted there to be a balance between independent artists and mainstream/signed artists from all over the country and to try to cover as many styles and genres as possible. OPM already has a large roster of artists and we wanted to be able to feature as many as we can from the organization. We took into consideration their music and styles as well as the platforms that they are active in for the artists performing the LMP DigiGigs.” ~Christian Bautista 

Aside from the music shows and online concerts featuring the roster of PhilPop’s past champions and finalists, LMP is partnering with PETA for a special online showcase featuring the songs from Rak Of Aegis, as well as songwriting and learning opportunities that are spearheaded by the institution’s other partners, FILSCAP and PhilPop.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Even as the music industry is struggling to get back to its former glory and a lot of plans are derailed by the pandemic, LMP refuses to back down in its efforts to persevere and push through with mounting an online celebration that champions Filipino musicians not just from Metro Manila, but also from other parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and the rest of the globe.

“Desire to just challenge the situation that we are in. We wanted to highlight how Filipino Music is here to stay and will continue to be a part of our lives and a sense of hope despite the challenges in these trying times. The creation and support of Filipino music should never stop because our songs are able to reflect the story and the culture of the Filipino people.” ~Gab Cabangon, LMP Project Manager 

OPM Icon and OPM Board Member Noel Cabangon maintains that nothing can stop this important milestone in the history of Philippine music from happening. 

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021

Organized and produced by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), LMP has been around since 2014, and has established itself as the premiere annual music festival of Filipino music. 

This year’s edition will be headlined by some of the biggest and most promising artists in local music such as:
  • Noel Cabangon
  • Christian Bautista
  • Sandwich
  • 6cyclemind
  • Gracenote
  • Bayang Barrios
  • Cookie Chua
  • PhilPop Grand Champions Reon and Chud Festejo
  • Miss Ramonne
  • Artists from Warner Music Philippines like Ferdinand Aragon and Y ARA
  • and many many more!

This event is also supported by private companies such as Max’s Restaurant, KUMU and KUMUSIKA, The Medical City and Shopee among others.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Paolo Avelino and Charlie Dizon reunite on the music video of Zack Tabudlo’s “Hindi Ko Kaya”

“It was such an honor working with another legend. Direk Dan Villegas which is the director of Binibini and also her boyfriend, works with the same production team so the similarity of the environment is there.” ~Zack Tabudlo

Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) best actress Charlie Dizon and 4th EDDYS best actor Paolo Avelino reunite with acclaimed filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone on the music video of Zack Tabudlo’s “Hindi Ko Kaya.”

Poised to be another smash in the vein of “Binibini” music video, which has amassed more than 20 million views on YouTube and was directed by Jadaone’s partner Dan Villegas, “Hindi Ko Kaya.” follows the tradition of Zack Tabudlo’s songs being hailed as modern-day anthems that reflect this generation’s collective sentiments through visual and emotional terms.

The two have worked with Jadaone on the breakout drama, Fan Girl, which premiered in Japan at the 33rd Tokyo International Film Festival last year, and swept the awards of last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival 2020, including Best Picture and Best Director, and acting nods for both of its leads.

As experts in helming coming-of-age narratives that feature realistic portrayal of romantic relationships, Jadaone and her team Project 8, deliver a contemplative material that speaks as much to the mind as to the heart. The end result is a lovely but melancholic piece of work that not only complements the song’s lyrical foundations, but also arrives as a stand-alone achievement in filmmaking, partly because of its captivating storytelling and heartfelt sentimentality.



About Zack Tabudlo
Zack Tabudlo is an alternative-pop RnB artist from Manila Philippines, signed under Island Records Philippines. He hit the ground running when he began his music career, becoming a finalist for reality talent show Talentadong Pinoy at the age of 10 but he is very well known as a contestant under Team Bamboo in The Voice Kids Season 1.
 
Among his influences are contemporary pop chart-toppers Charlie Puth, Harry Styles, and Island Records label-mate Shawn Mendes. But with all these influences, Zack approaches the genre of pop with his own distinct approach. His artistry can be characterized as a tasteful blend of R&B, soft rock, funk and vocally driven pop.
 
With a slew of catchy singles under his belt, all leading up to what’s looking to be a promising full-length in the future, the young musician is gaining momentum. His hustle may have been riding below the radar, but one can expect 2021 to be Zack’s year. To date, Zack’s latest single ‘Binibini’ has topped both the Spotify and YouTube trending charts for more than a month, and also breaking through Spotify Global Viral, several Spotify viral charts in Asia-Pacific countries including Canada and New Zealand - making Binibini one of the biggest songs of 2021 so far. His other track ‘Nangangamba,’ which was released in 2020, also peaked at No.1 on both Spotify Global Viral 50 and Philippines Viral 50

Follow Zack Tabudlo: https://zacktabudlo.lnk.to/FollowZack

Follow MCA Music: Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  YouTube


BDO to job seekers: “Beware of recruitment scams!”



If you experience something that doesn’t feel quite right, if something feels “phishy,” it probably is. It has come to BDO Unibank’s attention that scammers are posing as recruiters of the Bank and tricking applicants into paying for their pre-employment medical tests. The Bank however, underscores that it will never ask its candidates to pay for any part of its application process.

The recruitment modus starts by enticing victims with a job posting on a social media page that looks like BDO’s official page. Victims are asked to send their CV to an email address that does not end with @bdo.com.ph, which is the bank’s legitimate email domain.

Next, victims are asked to submit pre-employment documents, such as a certificate of employment, transcript of records, and government account numbers. They are also asked to sign off on job acceptance forms, which include a health waiver that requires payment for a medical insurance policy. Victims are urged to deposit money before a specific date.

Instead of emailing, scammers may also call victims and ask for payment to start pre-employment processing.


Outsmart fake recruiters

BDO shares tips to spot recruitment scams:
  • BDO will never ask candidates to pay to be interviewed, take aptitude tests, or undergo medical tests. The bank’s application process is conducted for free by BDO’s Human Resources for qualified applicants.
  • Official BDO email addresses all end with @bdo.com.ph. Email addresses that do not end with said domain are created and used by scammers. An example of a legitimate BDO email address is recruitment@bdo.com.ph
  • BDO only posts job openings on the BDO Careers page of its website as well as its official social media pages. Never trust career opportunities on other websites or social media pages besides the following:
             o BDO Careers: www.bdo.com.ph/careers
             o Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BDOUnibank
             o LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bdo-unibank/
     
SCAM ALERT! Be smarter than a scammer. BDO will never ask applicants to pay for any part of the job application process.