The Philippine Beat

UnionBank and Lombard Odier release a 2020 study of ultra high net-worth individuals in the Asian region

Posted on February 12, 2021 by jane

The COVID-19 pandemic spared no one. It affected even ultra high net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) in the Asian region. UHNWIs are individuals who usually have investible funds of about US$ 30 million.

UNHWIs are some of the wealthiest people in the world. In this class of people, you often will find people who are major decision-makers and whose investments can have a global impact. Unlike most of us who probably invest in term deposits or mutual funds, these UNHWIs often put their money in different baskets including property, equities, bonds, private equity, collectibles (like paintings), cryptocurrencies, and precious metals.

Lombard Odier’s Vincent Magnenat and UnionBank Private Banking’s Atty. Arlene Agustin

Continue reading “UnionBank and Lombard Odier release a 2020 study of ultra high net-worth individuals in the Asian region” →

#CashBackIsReal with PayMaya!

Posted on February 1, 2021 by jane

Where can you find a store that gives you part of your purchase amount back? Definitely not in malls! Not in our neighborhood sari-sari store!

But PayMaya does! Depending on your luck, you get 1%, 10% or a full 100% PayMaya cashback on your purchases, bills payment, food orders, and other activities on PayMaya.

When I opened up my PayMaya the other day, I noticed a banner that said I could check my 2020 Cashless Lifestyle results. Curious me wanted to know exactly what my spending habit on PayMaya was. Check this out.

Wow, I did not realize I have been using PayMaya for over 4 years already!

Continue reading “#CashBackIsReal with PayMaya!” →

Join the Philippines’ first Filipino Family WellBeing Conference (FFWC)

Posted on January 31, 2021 by jane

The Filipino family has been extremely challenged during this COVID pandemic. Almost overnight, lives changed. Businesses closed down, some permanently. Many breadwinners lost their jobs or had to take a cut in pay. Children stopped schooling. And worse of all, many had to experience the loss of loved ones to the virus. It also did not help that even before the pandemic hit us, Taal Volcano erupted, causing suffering and affecting the lives of those in the surrounding areas.

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 73.5% of Filipino households had at least one member of the family experience job loss or workload reduction. This resulted in financial instability, with 85% of households experiencing financial difficulty during the pandemic.

Continue reading “Join the Philippines’ first Filipino Family WellBeing Conference (FFWC)” →

UnionBank President and CEO says that digitalization is moving them from resilience to renaissance

Posted on December 17, 2020December 17, 2020 by jane

I used to have an EON account with Unionbank and for some time, it served me well. But when it became inactive as my transactions declined, I decided to close it. Still, I continued to hear only good stuff from other friends who were either UnionBank employees or customers.

UnionBank’s vision to transform into a digital, customer-focused bank is evident. In May, it was named ‘second most helpful bank in Asia-Pacific’ in the BankQuality Consumer Survey on Retail Banks conducted in April. When the pandemic hit and it was difficult to get to my usual banks, I began to see how Unionbank’s foresight to bring banking online was truly a blessing not just for them but for all of us.

Continue reading “UnionBank President and CEO says that digitalization is moving them from resilience to renaissance” →

Take a look inside the Starbucks 2021 planners and organizers

Posted on November 10, 2020 by jane

Start collecting those stickers! The Starbucks 2021 planners and organizers are out!

You know the drill. Collect a total of 18 stickers using either the paper promo card or the e-promo card in the Starbucks Philippines Mobile app. You get one (1) sticker for any purchase of a Tall, Grande, or Venti Starbucks handcrafted beverage in-stores. Sticker collecting will be till January 4, 2021. Read the promo mechanics here.

The Starbucks planners and organizers for 2021 revolve around the theme, Carry The Merry — an invitation to celebrate life and be grateful, to chronicle one’s dreams and aspirations, and to spark hope for the future. The cover photo of each month on the planner, for example, tells a bit of history of Starbucks, including one with a photo of Starbucks Philippines’ first store at 6750 Ayala Avenue Building.

Continue reading “Take a look inside the Starbucks 2021 planners and organizers” →

It’s that Starbucks time of the year! Christmas is here with holiday coffee, food, beverages, merchandise, cards and more!

Posted on November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 by jane

This pandemic has really dampened a lot of spirits. I’m happy that Starbucks has not strayed from its tradition of introducing its Christmas collection. This is Part 1 of the Starbucks’ Christmas collection featuring their Christmas beverages, food, coffee blends, merchandise, and cards. An upcoming Part 2 will feature the Starbucks planners and organizers as well as the Starbucks 2020 Red Cup Card. All items are available beginning November 3, 2020 to January 4, 2021).

CHRISTMAS BEVERAGES

One new beverage is being introduced while welcoming two returning favorites. All three beverages are available in 3 variants: hot, iced, and blended.

Continue reading “It’s that Starbucks time of the year! Christmas is here with holiday coffee, food, beverages, merchandise, cards and more!” →

WWF continues the fight against plastic pollution by advocating an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme in the Philippines

Posted on October 26, 2020October 27, 2020 by jane

The Philippines is environmentally in danger if we do not do anything. Look at these statistics from a recent report undertaken by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), cyclos GmbH, and AMH Philippines Inc, “Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme Assessment for Plastic Packaging Waste in the Philippines”.

Filipinos consume a yearly average of 20kg of plastics
Of this number, 15.43kg/capita/year becomes waste
The country has a low plastic recycling rate (9%) due largely to insufficient recycling capacities for high-value recyclables (i.e. PET, PP, HDPE) and the high volume of low-value plastics (including sachets)
The Philippines leaks about 35% of its plastic waste into the environment

35% of all our plastics consumption leak into the environment (soil, water)

Continue reading “WWF continues the fight against plastic pollution by advocating an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme in the Philippines” →

Get to know the new Starbucks Rewards program!

Posted on July 15, 2020 by jane

Beginning July 17, Starbucks lovers will be able to enjoy the new Starbucks Rewards program that makes it easier to collect Stars and redeem rewards.

Let’s look at what’s new…

Before: You’d get a Star for every beverage or coffee bean purchase ONLY.

Now: You get a Star with every PhP 25 on ALMOST EVERYTHING you can buy at their stores using the registered card or app. So even food and merchandise purchases count! And for every 100 Stars accumulated, you can redeem FOR FREE a favorite handcrafted beverage, any pastry, or slice of cake.

Continue reading “Get to know the new Starbucks Rewards program!” →

Netflix’s new Top 10 list for the Philippines makes it easier to watch Pinoys’ popular shows

Posted on February 28, 2020 by jane

How do you decide which Netflix show to watch?

Last Christmas, at a Netflix party for media, we got into discussions with the Netflix team from Singapore. They were eager to hear feedback from Netflix viewers in the Philippines. One of the issues I brought to them was my problem looking for good Netflix shows. I told them that I went by friends’ recommendations or if I happened to see posts on Netflix’s social media accounts. While there has always been a “Popular” row, the list was culled from popular choices globally and may not necessarily reflect the tastes of Filipinos.

What do you know? Now, there is a new row showing the “Top 10 in the Philippines Today”.

Continue reading “Netflix’s new Top 10 list for the Philippines makes it easier to watch Pinoys’ popular shows” →

The SAFE STEPS Kids programme teaches kids safety measures while watching Cartoon Network

Posted on July 6, 2019 by jane

Who doesn’t know the Powerpuff Girls? As the mom of four growing kids some years back, I still remember how they were hooked on Cartoon Network and one of the shows they watched all the time was the Powerpuff Girls. Well, the Powerpuff Girls and more of their Cartoon Network buddies are back again, not just to save the world, but to SAVE OUR KIDS!!!

Partnering with Prudence Foundation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Cartoon Network will be bringing crucial safety information to our kids on their cable channel. Twelve videos, each about 50 seconds long, will feature three topics: disasters, first aid, and road safety. The Powerpuff Girls start off the series with videos on how to stay safe during disasters. Later in the year, We Bare Bears will be featured with first aid tips; and characters from The Amazing World of Gumball will tackle road safety.

Continue reading “The SAFE STEPS Kids programme teaches kids safety measures while watching Cartoon Network” →