Made It Through Mum

When having fun gets, a bit challenging, count on SM City Marilao to provide a lot of reasons to keep on playing. Recently, the mall welcomed new amusement tenants that offer thrills and excitement to shoppers, young and old. PLAYOPEDIA   The future of gaming lands at SM City Marilao with the arrival of Playopedia, the Philippines’ first VR and next-gen gaming spot. Gamer or not, everyone will have fun beyond imagination with Playopedia’s out-of-this-world features, such as the PlayoFlip, which offers immersive 360-degree rotations for the ultimate thrill. You may also step into their 9D Playospacecraft that comes with 53 simulations. Playopedia also offers PlayoQuadRide with the best graphics and sound effects, and lastly, PlayoSquad with realistic shooting games to unleash the gunslinger in you. Get ready for a futuristic performance at Playopedia, located on the second floor, close to SM Cinema at SM City Marilao. PRIZES! PRIZES!  Because having fun knows no age, anyone des...

Para sa karamihan ng mga Overseas Filipinos, darating din ang panahon na mas gugustuhin nilang mag-negosyo sa Pilipinas matapos ang maraming taong pagta-trabaho sa abroad. Bukod sa sila ang magiging boss ng sariling business, malaki rin ang potensyal na lumaki ang kanilang kita at hindi na kailangan pang mahiwalay sa kanilang pamilya. Pero maraming bagay ang dapat i-consider bago sumabak sa negosyo. Narito ang ilang tips sa mga kabayang nais magkaroon ng sariling business:  1. Mag-research nang mabuti Ano ba ang business objective mo? Bago maglaan ng panahon at kapital sa isang negosyo, mag-research muna nang mabuti sa papasuking negosyo. Sino ang iyong target customer? Matao ba sa lugar kung saan mo balak itayo ang negosyo? Patok pa ba ang produkto o serbisyong inenegosyo mo? Hanapin muna ang kasagutan sa mga ito bago umpisahan ang business.  2. Kumpletuhin ang mga requirements Alamin at lakarin ang mga kinakailangang requirements bago simulan ang negosyo. Halimbawa: barangay...

Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ recognizes Converge for unparalleled speed and consistency Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (PSE: CNVRG), the leading fiber broadband provider in the Philippines, has once again been honored as the Fastest Internet Provider in the Philippines for the first two quarters of 2024 by Ookla® Speedtest Awards™. This remarkable achievement marks the second consecutive year that Converge has outshined its competitors, showcasing its unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional digital experiences to Filipino households and businesses. Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge CEO and Co-Founder, said: “In 2023, we took up the mantle of being the Fastest Internet Service Provider in the Philippines. This responsibility continues to be placed in our hands as we, again, were declared by Ookla as giving the best speed experience to Filipinos this first half. We will not rest on our laurels, of course, and we will continue to stay ahead as we leap into the future,”  LIFE ON THE FAST L...

Get ready for an epic shopping experience at SM City Baliwag's 3-Day Sale, happening from August 30th to September 1st!  Enjoy incredible discounts of up to 70% off on a wide array of products across the mall. You may also check out the latest finds from the SM Store, SM Hypermarket, Ace Hardware, Watsons, SM Appliance Center, Surplus, Miniso, and Uniqlo. Purchases could even bring you a heap of chances to bring home a brand-new SUZUKI BURGMAN STREET SCOOTER! Just present a single or accumulated receipt of P1000 to earn one e-raffle entry.  Plan your early holiday shopping and snip hunt only at SM City Baliwag’s 3-DAY SALE. Mark August 30-September 1 all the way from 10 am-10 pm and bring home loads and loads of goodies for you and your family! For more information, follow SM City Baliwag on Facebook and Instagram.

Get ready to conquer the back-to-school season with Maya, the #1 Digital Bank App in the Philippines! This September, Maya is giving you the chance to win ₱10,000 in cash and awesome HONOR gadgets. Here’s how you can rack up those raffle entries and boost your chances of winning big:   Get your friends to sign up with your referral code or Maya @username  Every successful signup earns you a ticket to win awesome prizes. The more friends you bring on board, the better your chances of winning. It’s that simple—get your friends in on the Maya fun, and everyone can conquer this season with confidence.  Send funds via @username for school expenses or splitting costs  Whether you’re sending school allowance or splitting the bill for lunch, using your Maya @username is the easiest and coolest way to send money. Plus, it brings you one step closer to earning raffle entries for extra cash.  Grow your school allowance with Maya Savings or Personal Goals  Make th...

Distribution of relief packs through one of BDO Foundation’s partners, Caritas Manila. (Photo courtesy of Caritas Manila’s official Facebook page) BDO Foundation, the philanthropic arm of BDO Unibank, has stepped up to provide relief to over 12,000 families impacted by Typhoon Carina. The foundation, in collaboration with partners like Caritas Manila, Tanging Yaman Foundation, and local government units, distributed 12,350 relief packs across Luzon, reaching communities affected by flooding in Bulacan (Malolos, Calumpit, Bocaue, Hagonoy, Meycauayan, and Obando), Pampanga (Macabebe and Masantol), Ilocos Sur (Vigan), Rizal, and Metro Manila. BDO Foundation donated food packs containing rice, canned goods, and drinking water. “BDO Foundation hopes that through this simple act of kindness, we are able to show our solidarity to our kababayans and to help in giving them hope as they bounce back from this calamity,” shared BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito. Apart from the relief packs,...

Leading consumer finance company empowers 175 underprivileged children as part of its Alagang Home Corporate Citizenship program  Home Credit Philippines (HCPH), the country’s leading consumer finance company, has recently conducted a Muay Thai Summer Sports Clinic for children at South Signal Village in Taguig City, as part of its Alagang Home corporate citizenship program. This initiative, organized in collaboration with the Scientific Integrated Group of Martial Artists (SIGMA), demonstrates Home Credit’s commitment to community development, especially for the future of the next generation of athletes. The event empowered 175 underprivileged children in Taguig City and was spearheaded by HCPH Chief Executive Officer David Minol; HCPH Chief Risk Officer Ihor Kruchynenko, and HCPH Head for Collections' Training, Quality, Complaints, Customer Experience (TQCCE) and ESG, Portia La-ab, alongside SIGMA's Kru Yai John Derick Ignes and Coach Alex De Jesus. “Home Credit has always pr...

Say goodbye to complicated e-wallet processes and hello to seamless payments with BDO Pay.  Clients can pay their way by linking their BDO Account or Credit Card with the BDO Pay App. Through the app, they can make direct and easy payments using their account's available balance or credit card limit. BDO Pay allows users to streamline their finances by linking up their BDO Accounts, including savings and checking, and credit cards to the mobile app. This eliminates the need for 'loading up' their e-wallet account and spending for transfer fees, making online purchases faster, easier, and more secure. "Our clients open and use bank accounts and credit cards for different purposes, be it for shopping, bills payment, or even savings for the future. By allowing BDO Pay users to choose which account or credit card to link with the app and use to pay, we help them manage their spending and protect their budgets," said BDO.  BDO Pay users can also enjoy transferring mone...

In Photo (From L-R): Siddiq Bazarwala, CEO of Alpha Southeast Asia, awarded Suzette Ching, First Vice President and Head of Wealth of BDO Singapore; and Sonny Marpuri, First Vice President and Head of Accounting & HR of BDO Singapore, the Philippines’ Best Wealth Management Bank for 17th consecutive time for BDO Private Bank and the Philippines’ Best Investment Bank for 13th straight year for BDO Capital. BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) continues to dominate the Philippine banking landscape, recently securing a remarkable 13th win for "Best Bank in the Philippines" at the 18th Annual Alpha Southeast Asia Best Financial Institution Awards 2024. This consistent recognition underscores BDO's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and innovative financial solutions across its diverse product offerings. BDO also received the Best Cash Management Bank in the Philippines award for the 9th consecutive year, showcasing the Bank’s consistency in providing effective solut...

Ms. Joy Enriquez, Converge Regional Sales Manager for Northern and Central Luzon, enumerates the multitude of ways Converge ICT Solutions enables women entrepreneurs, and all SMEs in general to reach their potential.  Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. continues to underpin the growth of women entrepreneurs as it bares its programs and policies, both within the company and towards the community, that empower them.  At the recently concluded Women Entrepreneurs Summit 2024 hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry Region III, Converge Regional Sales Manager for Northern and Central Luzon Joy Enriquez spoke at length about how the company embodies the agenda of women empowerment.  “At Converge, tayong mga babae ay may lugar. Hindi kami naniniwala na lalake ang nangunguna when it comes to technology. We have fair gender policies when it comes to hiring and promotion, plus an anti-sexual harassment policy in place,” Ms. Enriquez began.  Asi...

Tech buffs, gadget experts and gaming enthusiasts unite! For the whole month of August, SM Supermalls in Sangandaan, Grand Central, and Valenzuela invite you to evolve, upgrade, and LEVEL UP your life with the latest tech innovations at this year’s SM Cyber Month 2024! SM Supermalls has some amazing activities lined up for Cyber Month! Think immersive gaming tournaments, showcases of the latest gadgets for shoppers to experience firsthand, and of course, exclusive deals and sales that await tech lovers of every age. Isn’t that exciting? Shoppers can explore a wide selection of mobile phones from leading brands like Huawei, Samsung, and Vivo, all conveniently located under one roof at SM Cyberzone in Grand Central, Sangandaan, and Valenzuela. Multi-brand retailers such as Octagon and MX Memoxpress offer a diverse range of mobile phones, laptops, and PC builds. Apple enthusiasts will find everything they need at Power Mac Center in SM City Grand Central. Gamers are also in for a treat wi...

Photo shows (From L-R): Atty. Federico Tancongco, BDO Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer; Jerome Guevarra, BDO Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President; Paul Xavier Espinosa, IFC Operations Officer on Climate and Risk Management Advisory Services and Nishantha Jayasooriya, IFC Operations Officer. BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) takes a significant step towards a greener future by partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to implement specialized training under the Alliance for Green Commercial Banks' (Alliance) pilot program. This collaboration aims to accelerate the green transition within the banking and finance industry. IFC experts conducted in-depth workshops on Green Finance for MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises), Transition Finance, and Impact Financing among BDO leaders and relationship managers. The Alliance is a global initiative convened by the IFC in partnership with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. It aims to develop a community o...

New face of BDO. BDO Unibank introduces actor and long-time client Alden Richards as its newest brand ambassador.  Alden Richards has been a BDO Unibank client for almost a decade. This year, he became the bank’s newest brand ambassador. “It feels great to be a part of the BDO family and to speak on their behalf. I have been using their services for a long time, so I can speak from my experience,” he said. Alden prefers visiting BDO branches for his transactions because he appreciates the help from the branch personnel. With BDO's nationwide network, he can always find a nearby branch and ATM. “I have seen how BDO has changed the banking industry in the Philippines. I've seen how it has improved products and services to meet our needs and goals, making our experience more efficient and rewarding,” he said, mentioning the bank's digital innovations, such as the Service Assist Machine (SAM) available at all BDO branches. The Service Assist Machine (or SAM) complements the bra...

Level up your fashion game as SM Center Pulilan brings you the most stylish brands curated for men and women. Whether you plan to revamp your wardrobe, update your collection, or prepare for an occasion, SM Center Pulilan definitely has all the specialty stores designed to reveal the trendsetter in you. FOR THE WOMAN OF STYLE Because the term “women” is often associated with style, SM Center Pulilan makes room for ForMe, a unique fashion brand that caters to all must-have items for ladies, including trendy bottoms and dresses as well as modern footwear. To complement the look, check out Bagel Girl, a concept store that offers trendy girl accessories fit for any occasion. TIMELESS STAPLES   When it comes to fashion that never gets old, one can always rely on the finest pieces from Penshoppe. Known for its evolving trends in apparel, footwear, and accessories, the brand has expanded its collection to include fragrances, gift sets, personal care products, and many more. For casual wea...

Beware of scammers taking advantage of the migration to the new BDO Online app.  BDO Unibank is cautioning the public against fraudsters who are taking advantage of the bank's transition to the new BDO Online app, by sending phishing links through emails or text messages to steal money from their online bank accounts. Scammers are sending fraudulent email messages with a clickable "start" button that leads to a fake BDO website. This ploy gathers usernames and passwords to steal money from victims' online bank accounts.  The bank emphasized that the new BDO Online app, which is set to replace the old BDO Digital Banking app, can only be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store. Fraudsters likewise often take advantage of other related legitimate scenarios in banks like system maintenance to lure victims into clicking on links “to update” their accounts which will then lead to spoofed websites. To avoid falling victim to these scams, BDO advises customers to ...

L-R Robert A. Yu, Converge Chief Finance Officer; Grace Y. Uy, Converge President and Co-Founder; Dennis Anthony H. Uy, Converge CEO and Co-Founder; Benjamin B. Azada, Converge Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer; and Jesus C. Romero, Converge Chief Operations Officer.  With net additional residential subscribers leaping by 142% yoy Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. registered remarkable growth in the first half of the year, with net income surging 23.6% year-on-year to P5.3 billion and consolidated revenues growing 12.4% to P19.5 billion on the back of strong uptake of its residential broadband and sustained double-digit growth in its enterprise business. Net additional residential subscribers of Converge more than doubled to 223,751 during the six-month period, a whopping 142% jump from 92,302 during the same period last year. This resulted in an 11.8% yoy growth in residential revenues to P16.6 billion in the first half of the yea...

Lady de Leon (middle) has leveraged on the pure fiber network of Converge to power her beauty clinic and connect her to a broader foreign clientele online.  The beauty and wellness industry welcomes a new SME player in the form of ‘Art of Beauty by Lady’ in Tarlac, which harnesses the power of pure fiber broadband to power its social media presence and client relations, aiming to strengthen its presence with both local and international clientele.   The newly-opened small business in San Sebastian, Tarlac is just in its eighth month of operations yet it already accommodates overseas bookings for international clients.  Lady de Leon has invested heavily in equipment mostly sourced from the United States, to ensure the best quality services in her clinic.  “Noong nagstart kami syempre hindi pa kilala ang Art of Beauty, konti pa lang clients at that time.  But in a span of two months, makikita mo na nag-grow yung business, kasi rumarami yung clients na dumadat...

  Jollibee, the Philippines’ most beloved fast-food chain, is thrilled to announce that the best-tasting Chickenjoy is now at its biggest! Still priced at only P82, the iconic Chickenjoy delivers the ultimate fried chicken experience by combining the classic Jollibee superior taste with large size for unbeatable value. Ito ang Chickenjoyest! The Chickenjoyest Experience: Best-Tasting na, Our Biggest Pa!  Jollibee Chickenjoy remains to be the best-tasting fried chicken, with every piece cooked to ensure it is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The classic taste and texture of Jollibee Chickenjoy has always been the top choice for fried chicken lovers, and it’s now even more irresistible with its bigger size.  “We are incredibly excited to celebrate this moment with our loyal Chickenjoyers,” said Luis Berba, Jollibee Philippines Marketing Director for Masterbrand, Chickenjoy and Beverages. “The best-tasting Chickenjoy is now at its biggest, crafted to deliver ev...

Heads up, Manila wolfies! Big Bad Wolf TriNoma Book Sale is wrapping up soon! It’s your last chance to catch the world’s biggest book sale at Ayala Malls TriNoma, open until August 15 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Run, don’t walk! Fill up your totes with crazy good reads before the Wolf leaves the city. Don’t miss the awesome deals and promos, still up for grabs! Metrobank is still offering credit cardholders a special 0% 3-month installment promo for single-receipt purchases worth at least P3,000. Plus for every purchase worth P3,000, Swedish furnishing brand IKEA is giving customers one raffle coupon for a chance to win P50,000 worth of furnishings! IKEA Family Members who are also BBW Members can avail exclusive 10% Weekday Discounts for a minimum spend of P2,000 by presenting both their BBW Membership and their IKEA Family Membership. Discount is valid for english books in the book sale. Want to add to your reading list? Check out these amazing books at budget-friendly prices, only at ...