Club Paradise Palawan is Luxury Wedding Destination Global Winner

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Club Paradise received the prestigious Luxury Wedding Destination award from the 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards or WLHA. The coveted award was given in recognition of Club Paradise’s sustained commitment to excellence in hoteliering and its outstanding achievements in the international luxury hotel industry. 

Voted by over 300,000 international travelers and industry players across 99 categories, the World Luxury Hotel Awards provides international recognition for the luxury hotel industry. 

Club Paradise Palawan offers a one-of-a-kind wedding experience that only an award-winning resort destination can offer. 

By showcasing each hotel’s unique selling points, world-class facilities and excellent service, the awards provide winners the opportunity to inspire the confidence of guests and retain a loyal clientele in this highly competitive market. 

Club Paradise Palawan offers a one-of-a-kind wedding experience that only an award-winning resort destination can offer. 

Nestled in an exclusive, 19-hectare island resort that’s set amidst a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Club Paradise Palawan is known as a pristine tropical island getaway. Its expansive beachfront, with the sun dramatically setting behind the picturesque mountains of Coron, as well as the breathtaking sight of bats in flight, make for a picture-perfect wedding. 

Attention to details also makes Club Paradise a great wedding destination. Wedding packages, from intimate affairs to grand celebrations, also give couples the option to hold the most memorable day of their lives in paradise exactly the way they want it. No request is too big or small. Events Specialists are on hand to help make each and every dream wedding a reality – making it a truly bespoke experience. 

With the most romantic destination, picture-perfect setting, luxurious accommodations, incomparable service and meticulous attention to details, Club Paradise Palawan definitely makes for an award-winning, bespoke wedding destination like no other. 

For more details, visit https://www.clubparadisepalawan.com. 

Smart powers Plus63 Music & Arts Festival headlined by Kid Ink, Dada Life

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Catch the hit American rapper and superstar Swedish act at Cebu Business Park on Jan. 19

Smart is kick-starting another year of dominating the music scene with Plus63 Music & Arts Festival, a powerhouse event headlined by hit American rapper and producer Kid Ink and Swedish act Dada Life set at Cebu Business Park on Jan. 19, Saturday

Coinciding this year with the highly anticipated Sinulog Festival week, Plus63 Music & Arts Festival is an annual event that aims to support local talents and musicians by giving them the opportunity to perform alongside the world’s top performers. Plus63 refers to the Philippines’ country code and numerical global identifier.

Previous headliners include Swedish House Mafia’s Steve Angello in 2016, Steve Aoki in 2017 and last year, Showtek, who performed before over 10,000 fans.

House meets hip hop

This year, hip hop meets house as hit American rapper and producer Kid Ink and show-stealing Swedish act Dada Life is sharing the stage with the country’s top beatmakers Ace Ramos, MC Pao, DJ Short, Victor Jao, MC Benson, DJ Rich Rubillar, and MC Mak G.

Kid Ink is known for his chart-topping singles, multi-platinum albums, and collaborations with artists like Chris Brown, Steve Aoki, Little Mix and Fifth Harmony. His first studio album Up & Away landed on the US Billboard 200, while his second album debuted at No.3 on the Billboard 200 with hits like Show Me featuring Brown and Iz U Down featuring Tyga. Kid Ink dropped his last studio album in 2015, and has since released a mixtape and an extended play record.

On the other hand, Olle Cornéer and Stefan Engblom formed Dada Life in 2006, and rose to popularity with their humorous stage antics and happy-go-lucky approach to music. Dada Life has released three studio albums with their second Gold-selling album, The Rules of Dada, reaching the Billboard 200. They also hold a Guinness World Record for the Largest Pillow Fight ever.

World-class music powered by country’s fastest LTE

The Plus63 Music & Arts Festival is just the beginning of a yet another star-studded and jampacked year for Smart Music Live as it sets out to bring more globally renowned music acts closer to Filipino fans.

All set for the festival? Get into the groove by streaming the music and videos of Kid Ink and Dada Life using Smart’s data-packed promos powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest LTE network as recognized by UK-based firm OpenSignal and certified by Internet testing and analysis leader Ookla.

Festivalgoers can hang out at the Smart Music Live Zone, which features Instagram-worthy installations that show top YouTube content you can enjoy with Smart's Video Every Day promo. As a big treat, subscribers who can also claim free Instagram printouts at the Smart Zone using the official hashtags #SmartPlus63 and #SmartMusicLive.

Smart customers can also get updates and get a chance to win tickets by following Smart’s official accounts on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications), Twitter and Instagram (@LiveSmart).

For ticket information, check out the Plus63 Festival official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/plus63festival and official website at www.plus63festival.com.

Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen Reunite in Ang Sikreto ng Piso

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Real-life couple Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen reunite in the family-oriented comedy movie Ang Sikreto ng Piso. The story centers on the strength of familial love and explains what viewers need to know about the Philippine peso. Ang Sikreto ng Piso is inspired by real occurrences that transpired in 2006 on the smuggle of the Philippine peso coin.

Ariel and Gelli are the perfect choices to portray husband and wife in the movie. They are one of local showbiz’s most enduring marriages. The couple has been married for more than two decades. Their sons Joaquin and Julio are currently based in Toronto, Canada.

“I am happy to work with Ariel. I welcome the opportunity to play couple with him in reel life. As an actor, Ariel has matured a lot. I am proud of him! I have seen all his dramas but it is still different kapag up close ko siyang pinapanood when he acts. Our exchanges of dialogues went smoothly during the shooting since kilala namin ang isa’t isa. We gave one another pieces of advice on how to make a scene more convincing while we were doing the movie. I hope the viewers will watch and enjoy our new movie,” says Gelli.

They have been married since 1997. How do they keep the romance burning? “We have been asked this question several times. I must say respecting each other is very essential in all relationships. We work in the same industry so we learn to be supportive and understanding of each other’s work. We do not let problems drift us apart so communication is a must. Gelli and I learned about these things as we get along in our married lives. I am blessed to have Gelli by my side. We are a team,” shares Ariel. 

The movie will be shown in theaters nationwide starting January 30.

Directed by Perry Escaño, Ang Sikreto ng Piso also stars Bea Binene, Lou Veloso, Angelica Ulip, Long Mejia, Joyce Peñas Pilarsky, Nico Nicolas, Ricky Rivero, Beverly Salviejo, Wacky Kiray, Gabby Go Balauag, Paul Sy, Garry Lim, Kiel Rodriguez, Raphael Robes, Gomz Burza, Micah Musa, Kim Llono, Lao, Amberlicious, Abel Napuran, Alvin Barcelona, Ericka Barreto, EmEm Bunyi, Donna Tamayo, Roy Sotero, Morris Sevilla, and with the special participation of Ernie Garcia. Produced by JPP Dreamworld Productions and MPJ Entertainment Productions.

Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen are talents of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visitfb.com/asianartistsagency

How virtual technology changes the game for PH museums

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Ayala Museum and I AM Cardboard PH harness the power of Virtual Reality in storytelling

Virtual reality (VR) is one of the most exciting advancements of our time. It can transport people with no barriers in time or space, and make learning more fun and engaging. Thanks to VR, Filipinos can now experience and explore history through immersive storytelling tools that are optimized to what the younger generation is looking for.

In collaboration with VR content provider I AM Cardboard Philippines (IAC PH), Ayala Museum was able to launch two virtual reality dioramas that depicted significant events in Philippine history. By merging technology and history, these organizations have successfully harnessed the true power of VR – moving people by telling compelling stories.

“Virtual reality presents great opportunities to the world of museums, galleries, and archives. Using it as a tool to tell stories can really entice the younger generation to visit museums more and learn our history in an immersive way. We’ve partnered with Ayala Museum again on another virtual reality diorama, and we’re hoping for more industries, not just museums, to embrace this kind of technology,” Ibba Rasul, CEO of IAC PH shared.

Since the launch of the two dioramas, Ayala Museum has recorded a notable increase in foot traffic in their museum. More Filipinos have been attracted to go out of their homes and take on a virtual reality tour. VR, according to IAC PH, does not aim to lessen or replace real-life experiences. Its goal is to enhance and add context to the stories. VR fosters curiosity among audiences, which then inspires them to seek more information after seeing and experiencing this technology in museums.

“We are giving our Filipino museum-goers a whole new perspective as to how these important events in our history have transpired by putting them in the shoes of these remarkable figures. We want to enable them to have deeper connections with our exhibits and we have achieved that by using technology and innovation, specifically virtual reality, as a tool,” said Ms. Mariles Gustilo, Senior Director, Arts & Culture of Ayala Museum.

Being always at the forefront of innovation, Ayala Museum recognizes the importance of technology in enhancing the traditional museum experience, and how it can give a different flavor to heighten the curiosity of Filipinos in learning history and art. Ayala Museum is continuously pushing the boundaries of the role of Philippine museums by embracing and utilizing Virtual Reality in their dioramas.

“Museums are a very important part of our community. More than just being repositories of our nation’s history, arts, and sciences, we are finding innovative ways on how these stories of the past can be used to move Filipinos to actively participate in our society. We are in a constant search to balance the excitement that technology brings and the meaningful experience that museums create,” added Ms. Gustilo.

The Emergence of the Filipino Nation is the second VR content made by IAC for Ayala Museum, that comes after the successful launch of “The Future of History” in 2017 which dramatized Jose Rizal’s execution in Bagumbayan. The Future of History was recently awarded a Silver Boomerang for Visual and Audio Excellence under the Digital Craft category during the 2018 Boomerang Awards.

Essilor’s Eye Can Succeed awarded Golden World Awards

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Eye Can Succeed, an advocacy campaign dedicated to improving Filipino lives by improving sight, won its first global award, the Golden World Awards for Excellence in Public Relations – Healthcare category. Held at the Hotel Catalonia, Barcelona Plaza in Spain and attended by delegates from 60 countries worldwide, the GWA awarded Essilor’s Eye Can Succeed for successfully providing free eye care services to 10,000 Filipino senior high school students and distributing prescription glasses to those in need. Eye Can Succeed campaign was spearheaded by Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF), the philanthropic arm of Essilor. Dubbed “Oscars of PR”, the annual Golden World Awards is organized by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the leading global network for Public Relations professionals. 

It is the world’s most prestigious PR award-giving body that recognizes best in public relations practices worldwide in different categories. Receiving the gold award in behalf of Essilor Philippines were (from left to right) Essilor Spain Consumer and Categories marketing manager Hugo Velasco, PR manager Adriana Garcia, and FuentesManila president Edd Fuentes. 

FPG Insurance inks partnership with MYEG Philippines for accessible non-life insurance

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MANILA, Philippines – FPG Insurance, a major player in the non-life insurance industry and leader in motor insurance coverage, inks a partnership agreement with I-Pay MYEG Philippines, Inc., a partnership of two fin-tech companies, I-Pay and MyEG, championing online automation for government services.

(L-R) MYEG Philippines Chief Technology Officer JC Principe, MYEG Philippines President Ronald Allan Aquino, FPG Insurance Philippines President and CEO Ramon Yap Dimacali, FPG Insurance Philippines Vice President for Channels Marketing Group Michael Del Moral.

The partnership forms a gateway to bring insurance closer to the general public. With over 20,000 OTC payment channels and point-of-sale locations across the country, this secures I-Pay MYEG Philippines’ place in the market as one of the leading e-payment services provider.

“Expanding our distribution channels in the country is one of FPG Insurance’s strategic courses to empower and enable consumers towards safety and peace of mind. This partnership with MYEG Philippines will definitely provide a concrete support to contribute towards this goal,” said Ramon Yap Dimacali, FPG Insurance President and CEO.

In 2010, I-Pay has won the “Asia Pacific Best Newcomer”, and the “Asia Pacific Fastest Expanding Network” the year after. MyEG on the other hand is a publicly-listed company in Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) with over US$1.3 Billion in total market capitalization.

“We are very happy to have FPG Insurance Philippines as one of our insurance partners and to be able to provide the market with reliable insurance offerings fit according to their need,” said MYEG Philippines President Ronald Allan Aquino.

Also present during the contract signing are FPG Insurance Channels Marketing Group Vice President Michael Del Moral and MYEG Philippines Chief Technology Officer JC Principe.

MYEG Philippines has also been servicing key government clients such as the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, and Landbank of the Philippines among others.

FPG Insurance offers a comprehensive suite of insurance products from motor insurance, property insurance, to travel and personal accident coverages.

Finding a diamond in the rough: Tips in purchasing pre-owned homes

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A property seeker is always hesitant when it comes to buying second-hand homes. This is because such properties could eventually cost you a fortune in renovations if you are not cautious.  

Spare yourself from possible buyer’s remorse. PSBank, through its “Good to Know” campaign, help you spot a gem among wide choices of pre-owned houses with these tips:

Know where to look.  The best places to find pre-owned real estate properties for sale are banks and local government institutions such as the Home Development Mutual Fund or PAG-IBIG.  Check out their website and you’ll find the best property deals.  There are also property auctions that these institutions organize.  Some properties not normally listed in their websites are being auctioned here. 

Schedule a visit or inspection.  Determine the real condition of the house yourself by asking a professional inspector for help.  Check if the basic structure, floor plan and infrastructure remain sturdy and durable. Ensure that there’s electrical and plumbing system installed, rooms are well-proportioned and there are no bad cracks or serious leaks. A great buy would be one with no major fixes and you’ll be able to move in to your new home soon.

Consider the location. The location is just as important as the house itself. If it is located within a good school system, a nearby transportation, market or grocery, then finding a home priced to accommodate the necessary updates could be a good deal.

Verify documents. Check the title and latest property tax receipt. The title will not only tell you how old the property is but it will also let you know if the property had a chain of previous owners. 

Check the market value of the property.  To ensure that you will not be paying more than you should, go through the current price trends and get an estimate or seek an expert to help you evaluate the second hand property against similar properties in the area.

Buying an excellent pre-owned property or a second-hand home entails lots of patience and due diligence. However, getting it for a bargain price should be more than enough motivation and be able to convince you that what you purchased is more than what you paid for.  You really just need to know where to look.

PSBank is currently offering significant discount on its already low-priced pre-owned real estate properties for sale.

Buyers looking for quality and affordable pre-owned condominium units, houses and/or lots will enjoy 20% to 25% discount on selected properties when they purchase from December 4, 2018 to March 4, 2019.

Aside from this great deal, you are assured of “clean” pre-owned properties for sale.  This means that each property in PSBank’s list of Real Estate Properties for Sale has a registered title and a tax declaration consolidated under the Bank’s name.  Plus, all properties are free from any legal issues and are already in the possession of the Bank.

To avail of the promo, you simply need to submit a completely filled-out Offer to Buy form and Buyer’s Information Sheet to PSBank Asset Sales Department, at any nearest PSBank branch, or via the Bank’s accredited brokers.  You also have the option to make their purchase in cash or by applying for a PSBank Home Loan with Prime Rebate.

PSBank Home Loan with Prime Rebate offers low interest rates, convenient payment modes, and flexible payment terms.  Applicants will also get a credit decision within five banking days or less via SMS.  Borrowers can also save money by paying early or before the due date or by paying more than their monthly loan amortization.  PSBank Home Loan has the Prime Rebate feature allowing home loan clients to earn rebates in the form of “interest discount” on any advance or excess payments made on the loan. Over time, clients could use the rebates to lower the loan principal, shorten the loan term, or even both.

Check out the list of properties and download the forms at www.psbank.coml.ph/propertiesforsale. 

For more information on the promo, you may call the following:

• Properties located in Metro Manila, Rizal, Visayas and Mindanao: (632) 885-8208 local 8990
• Properties located in North Luzon: (632) 885-8335
• Properties located in South Luzon: (632) 885-8208 local 8016

Century Park Hotel offers a salvo of New Year offers

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Manila, Philippines – Century Park Hotel (CPH), one of the finest hotels in Manila, proudly announces its salvo of New Year offers this first quarter of 2019.

From January 20 to February 18, rooms can be availed from P5,500 net / night (Superior Room), P6,500 net / night (Deluxe) to P7,500 net / night (Jr. Suite Superior). Aside from the complimentary breakfast for two, the “New Year Salvo Promo” also includes a set lunch or dinner for two at Century Tsukiji.

If you are seeking for a gustatory adventure, Café in the Park dares you to try Century Burger, a ½ pound burger grilled to your liking! For those with hearty appetites, lunch and dinner buffet is available at P1,495net (adult) and P795net (children 6-10 years old) from 11:30AM to 2:30PM and 6:00PM to 10:00PM. Senior citizens get 50% off on buffets every Saturdays and Sundays.

For ramen enthusiasts, Century Tsukiji wants you to try its tonkotsu ramen garnished with pork belly, egg and vegetables.

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Head over to Atrium Lounge and avail of our featured drinks of the quarter: “Hi-Ho” / “High Hope!” (cocktail) and Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon (wine) at P350 per glass.

Deli Snack offers a wide array of mouthwatering pastries and delicatessen. Torta Nacciole de Chocolato, a mix of chocolate ganache, Tanduay rhum, coffee flavoring and whipped cream, is the featured cake of the month. The delectable desesert is available at P1,080 (round) and P2,570 (rectangular). Meanwhile, the Pata Hamon or pork knuckles with raisins, pistachio nuts and chestnuts is available at P1,280/kg.

“We eagerly welcome 2019 through our attractive promotions and reasonable rates. May our New Year promos bring delight to all the guests and make them feel that they are home,” said CPH General Manager Anthony Tan.

Cruise the World with Chef Anton Amoncio

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Celebrity chef Anton Amoncio embarks on an exciting adventure to start 2019. See him and fellow hosts Patty Lee, Yvonne Man, and Michele Lean as they cross the vast ocean on a cruise ship while presenting coastal destinations that will leave the viewers in awe with the new TLC show, Cruise the World.

On the first two episodes of Cruise the World, Patty and Chef Anton meet each other while on a cruise. Forging new friendship, they travel together and introduce their respective countries, Taiwan and the Philippines. Fun and adventure await them as they head to their two getaways.

The pair starts their journey on Patty’s homeland Taiwan where Chef Anton and the viewers discover something new on the island state. Chef Anton and Patty later venture to the Philippines and explore Palawan, one of the country’s famous tourist attractions where they experience local culture and cuisine.

“Traveling with strangers is something new to me. Working with Patty is super fun and cool. We had great chemistry while doing the show,” shares Chef Anton.

Chef Anton is the grand prize winner and the first Filipino to win in the Asian Food Channel’s Food Hero Asia in 2016. He is the host of Asian Food Channel and The Food Network Channel. Meanwhile, Patty is a host, actress, singer, and model from Taiwan. She is the host of the TLC travel show, Fun Taiwan First Timer, and the Taiwanese dive show, 30 Meters Underwater.

The other two TLC hosts are Yvonne Man (journalist and host of Bloomberg TV) of Hong Kong and Michele Lean (television presenter, Asia Food Channel host, and TV chef) of China. They will be featured on the third and fourth episodes of Cruise the World. 

The four-episode show will premiere on January 19, Saturday, at 7:10pm (SEA and PH) and 8:00pm (TW) as well as January 20, Sunday, at 6:00pm (India). 

Chef Anton Amoncio is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

EasyDebit: One of the Philippines’ leading fintech solutions celebrates significant growth with transaction volumes of over 1billion pesos processed since its launch in 2017

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• Growth of 466% in transaction value 2018 v 2017
• Growth of 375%  in transaction volume 2018 v 2017
• Over 100% growth in network locations across the Philippines 2018 v 2017

Manila, Philippines -  Fexco EasyDebit, one of the Philippines most innovative fintech solutions is today marking a significant period of growth having processed over 1billion pesos in transactions since its launch in 2017. The growth is further reflected in increases of cash withdrawal amounts (up 466% in 2018 v 2017) and transaction volume (up 375% in 2018 v 2017).

EasyDebit is a unique service that uses a mobile Point of Sale (or mPOS Pin Entry Device) and a mobile phone allowing customers in the Philippines to withdraw cash using their ATM card at any number of local accredited merchants including; payment and remittance centres, retailers, rural banks and cooperatives instead of having to travel to an ATM.

EasyDebit is a ‘plug and play’ solution requiring minimal installation for merchants who simply download the EasyDebit Mobile App. The solution has the capacity to reach over 100million people, many of whom are disconnected from the limited ATM infrastructure in the Philippines. Through merchant uptake and participation EasyDebit promotes financial inclusion by providing more secure access to cash withdrawal for the millions of unbanked Filipinos. Uptake of EasyDebit increased by 100% in 2018 (v2017) and the solution is now live with over 700 merchants across the country.

Speaking about the growth seen by EasyDebit this year, Ann Chan Foley, CEO at Fexco Philippines, Inc. commented, “2018 represents a significant year for the business. We have seen hugely positive growth trends across the county in terms of transaction volume, value and merchant growth demonstrating the robustness of the solution. We are excited to continue this growth in 2019 as we further expand the EasyDebit network helping to reach more unbanked and underserved Filipinos.”

About Fexco

Recognised as one of the world’s original and most established fintech organisations, Fexco employs over 2,300 people across its suite of companies headquartered in Killorglin, Co. Kerry located in the South West of Ireland.  Founded in 1981, Fexco now has operations in 29 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America.

Fexco serves some of the world’s biggest brands across multiple industries, predominantly in the payments and FX sectors, through a wide range of innovative products and services including; Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), Multi Currency Pricing (MCP), Tax Free Shopping and Retail FX. Fexco also offers bespoke Managed Business Solutions and Outsourcing services as well as a full suite of payment management solutions through its Corporate Payments business.

Since inception, Fexco has been driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. This ethos has brought the company to new regions and industries of growth, connecting customers with exciting new opportunities. Through its commitment to partnership and innovation, the company has built an international network of customers. To find out more visit www.fexco.com 

About EasyDebit

FEXCO has developed a microATM card solution for merchants which allows merchants to offer cardholders cash out and balance inquiries. The EasyDebit solution acts as an additional revenue stream for merchants who earn a fee from each transaction. The solution is safe and secure, accredited to the highest security standards - PCI DSS and EMV Level 1 & 2 compliant. To find out more visit www.easydebitasia.com

Email Marketing - Some Information on Permission

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There are a lot of email marketers who are aware that permission is important but they do not understand why this is a vital part of email marketing. Do you know that email marketers who know how to do it often get emails that are clicked and opened by their subscribers? If your company would also get high revenues, then this is a sure sign that your email marketing works. 

What about businesses who do not understand what permission is for? They have a greater chance of having emails that are not opened. They miss out on things that might possibly increase their revenue and their overall sales. 

What is Permission? 

This is the process wherein you would like to get consent from your subscribers to make sure that they agree that you will be allowed to send them email messages regarding your brand. There are times when you can only get implied permission when you already have some sort of relationship with the person that you are sending the email to. 

If not, you may allow people to subscribe with their own free will to gain permission to access your newsletter. They may do this by signing up on your website. Usually, this would be done by entering their email address in a subscribe form. 

Make the Most Out of Permission 

You have been given permission to provide newsletters to your customers. What are you supposed to do then? You need to make the most out of it. Since it will always be their choice if they would continue receiving emails from you or not, you have to make sure that they would always like to get your emails. If not, they would surely unsubscribe. 

What happens when you send people emails even if they have not given any permission? One thing that can happen is they will completely ignore the email. They will send the email to trash without checking what you have to say. The worse option is if they label your email as spam. This will make it harder for you to send emails not only to that email address but the other emails on the same list. 

The more that you understand what permission is for email marketing, the better.

Fashion trends to look forward to in 2019

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The New Year means new beginnings and new trends. Be the first to know the newest fashion trends. SM offers a 2019 fashion forecast and useful tips to help up your style game. 

Here are the top fashion trends for 2019:

Shine with bright, bold colors. Add a punch of color to your wardrobe with coral, the Pantone color of the year. Lurid blue, yellow and red are also expected to reign supreme this year, as well as muddy brown and electric green. Match the bright colors with near-neutrals like beige for maximum impact.

Bring on the ruffles…lots and lots of ’em. These fabulous frocks are expected to dominate everything from casual to formal wear this year. It is the new fashion statement for women who want to make an entrance without showing too much skin. 

Experiment with scarves. Scarves can go a long way to inject fun changes to your every day look. They are versatile enough to be worn as a headscarf or around the neck with a bow. Consider playing with different materials and investing in a silk scarf for a more luxurious feel.

Walk on the wild side with safari fashion. To pull off this 2019 trend, treat every day like you’re going on an African safari. That means sporty silhouettes, shirt dresses, shorts, and capris.

Oversized suits and boyfriend clothes are here to stay. Overhaul your office wardrobe with oversized suits and jackets. Own the room with these suits that preserve comfort and exude power. 

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

Fuller and sweeter offer at Robinsons Supermarket

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Life is sweeter and fuller at Robinsons Supermarket as it offers lower-priced sugar and rice. White sugar is priced at P50 per kilo while brown sugar is sold at P45 per kilo. This is lower than the prevailing sugar prices in Metro Manila which ranges at P60 per kilo for white sugar and P48 per kilo for brown sugar. 

Shoppers can also buy rice at only P34-P39 per kilo. These price reductions are a welcome initiative supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration as they have been encouraging retailers to provide Filipinos with more reasonable options.

“We thank the Robinsons Group for quickly offering to support the government’s Presyong Risonable Dapat program that can bring cheaper rice and sugar to all their outlets nationwide. This would make our kababayans happier as they will surely have easy access to these better-priced basic products,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

This is not the first time that the supermarket lowered the price of basic commodities. Last September, Robinsons Supermarket and URSUMCO also reduced the price of sugar. This lower price on sugar is available in all Robinsons Supermarket and Easymart stores nationwide, while the special price for rice is currently available in 88 stores throughout Luzon.

Reasonably-priced rice and sugar. “Rice and sugar are staples in one’s grocery cart. Robinsons Supermarket is proud to support DTI’s initiative to provide reasonably-priced sugar to Filipinos,” said Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Robinsons Supermarket president & CEO. Joining her are (from left): JG Summit CEO Lance Gokongwei, Pure Rice Milling and Processing Corp., president Jojo Soliman, and DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

(From left): JG Summit president and CEO Lance Gokongwei, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Inc. deputy director for Legal Affairs Cocoy Barrera, Sugar Regulatory Deputy Administrator Rolex Beltran, DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez; Robinsons Supermarket president and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe, URC Sugar and Renewables vice-president and general manager Rene Cabati, and Pure Rice Milling and Processing Corp. president Jojo Soliman. 

Xiaomi, Maybelline, and The SM Store Named The Most Popular Brands on Shopee Philippines in 2018

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Kickstart the new year at Shopee with the best brand deals at the first Payday Sale of 2019 

Building on the buzz of the new year, Shopee Philippines unveils the top categories and brands in 2018 ahead of the first Payday sale of 2019 from 10 to 18 January. Electronics, Health & Beauty, and Home & Living emerged as the top categories for 2018, with Xiaomi, Maybelline, and The SM Store topping the charts for each category.

Martin Yu, Associate Director, Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee Philippines achieved many exciting milestones in 2018, including the launch of Shopee Mall which cemented our position as a one-stop online shopping destination and delivered increased convenience for users seeking a more diverse online shopping experience. Since its launch, Shopee Mall has seen tremendous growth due to strong support from both brands and shoppers in the Philippines. In 2019, we will continue to expand our assortment on Shopee Mall to give users even better deals from leading local and international brands and retailers.”

Xiaomi emerges as best-selling electronics brand in Shopee Philippines

The electronics category recorded around 300% increase in orders in 2018, becoming one of the top 3 categories on Shopee Philippines as Filipinos shopped for tech products online more. Shopee catered to this trend by onboarding leading electronics brands on Shopee Mall and also launching Shopee Gadget Zone, a dedicated portal featuring Lowest Price Guaranteed deals on tech products from top brands including Xiaomi, Samsung, and Oppo. 

Xiaomi emerged as the top electronics brand on Shopee Philippines in 2018. Xiaomi enjoyed a strong debut on Shopee Philippines as the Redmi 5 smartphone sold out in less than a minute during the brand’s first flash sale in April. It was also one of the most sought-after brands for Filipinos, as “Xiaomi” was searched around 900,000 times on Shopee Philippines over 2018. Finally, one of its most awaited smartphones, the Pocophone F1, sold out in 16 minutes on flash sale during Shopee 11.11 Big Christmas Sale.

In addition, televisions were also popular among Shopee users in 2018, as TV brands Ace, Mass, and Avision ranked among the top 5 electronics brands on Shopee Philippines.

Consumers snap up bath and bedroom supplies as The SM Store leads Home & Living

Home & Living was also among the hottest categories in Shopee Philippines in 2018. Bath and bedroom supplies were especially popular among Filipino users; on average, over 2,000 bath and bedroom-related products were sold every day. In line with the global trend of cutting down on plastic use, around 400 stainless steel straws were sold per day on Shopee Philippines in 2018.

The SM Store, the largest department store chain in the Philippines, was the number one brand in the Home & Living category in 2018. Insulated tumblers, oil diffusers, and hard case luggage bags were the hottest products on The SM Store as the brand saw robust performance over the year, ranking among the best-selling brands during Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale.

In line with the growing popularity of online shopping among men, there was also an increase in demand for electrical appliances and power tools as TCL, Bosch, and Lotus ranked among the top 10 Home & Living brands.

Maybelline crowned the queen of Health & Beauty

Health & Beauty rounds off the top categories on Shopee Philippines in 2018 as Shopee users continued to snap up skincare products and cosmetics.

Maybelline emerged as the top beauty brand on Shopee Philippines after a fruitful Shopee 12.12 Birthday Sale, where it sold over 50,000 items on 12 December alone. Maybelline’s success was driven by several hit products launched in 2018, such as the Superstay Matte Liquid Lipstick, Hypercurl Mascara, and the Fit Me Liquid Foundation.

Filipino users were also interested in skincare and personal grooming, with P&G, Nivea, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and Garnier also named among the top Home & Living brands.

Shoppers can look forward to even better deals from their favorite brands on Shopee in 2019, starting with the first Payday Sale of the year from 10 to 18 January. Users can enjoy free shipping with a minimum spend of ₱150, up to 7 rounds of flash sales daily, and the return of the new interactive live quiz game Shopee Quiz after a strong debut during Shopee 12.12 Big Christmas Sale.

For more information, https://shopee.ph/.

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