Citi sees strong investment opportunities in 2019 amid ongoing global volatility

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Spearheading the Citigold Chinese New Year 2019 Outlook were (left to right) Citi consumer bank head of sales and distribution Therese Chan, consumer banking head Manoj Varma, CEO Aftab Ahmed and retail bank head Rene Aguirre

Citi, the country’s leading foreign bank, sees strong investment opportunities for clients despite global market volatility. At a series of 2019 outlook events, Citigold clients heard expert views on the current market environment and implications for investment strategy. 

Citi’s consumer banking head Manoj Varma welcomed Citigold clients. “Today’s event is about sharing global and local expertise so you can be aware of the many investment opportunities during this current period of global volatility,” said Varma. He added that diversification across asset classes, geographies and strategies will be essential in 2019.

According to Ramon Tejero, Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Inc. (CFSI) investment product head, the Philippine equities market has performed better than fixed income over the last 10 years despite ongoing volatility. “Equities continue to perform well compared to a continued structural trend for lower bond yields, despite a recent spike in the market,” explained Tejero. 

Tejero also said that the Philippine peso will likely remain weak given pressures on external balances. “Foreign exchange can be used to access global markets rather than be seen as a source of returns,” he suggested

Citi believes the Philippine economy will continue on its growth path despite challenges in the global economy. Citi forecasts GDP will grow 6.5% in 2019 and expects inflation to average 3.2% in 2019.

“We aim to keep Citigold clients up-to-date on the latest market and economic developments so they can be empowered to make informed investment decisions to grow and protect their wealth,” said Rene Aguirre, Citi retail bank head. “Continuous innovation has been a key focus for us, from digital solutions to new investment products. For example, our Qualified Buyer Program enables qualified clients to access a wide range of offshore investment products in various asset classes.”

As the preferred wealth management partner in Asia and in the country, Citigold helps clients grow, manage and protect their wealth, and secure their financial future with ateam of experts, unmatched research services, world-class products, global access, and exclusive privileges and rewards. For more information, visit www.citibank.com.ph.

6 Exciting Reasons to Celebrate Women’s Month at SM Supermalls : Catch celebrity sisters Alex Gonzaga and Toni Gonzaga-Soriano on the cover of SM Shopmag this March

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Catch celebrity sisters Alex Gonzaga and Toni Gonzaga-Soriano on the cover of SM Shopmag this March as SM Supermalls celebrates Women’s Month with new and delightful activities and deals in 73 malls nationwide! (Photo courtesy of SM Shopmag)

Calling women of all shapes, sizes, age, and from all walks of life! This March, celebrate everything you love and represent as SM Supermalls whips up new and exciting activities such as beauty parties, sale events, wellness deals, and a digital promo on self-love – in 73 SM malls nationwide.

“We will make every woman feel special with fun and Instagrammable experiences that promote body love, positivity, and diversity in our malls,” invites Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing.

Here’s what to expect at SM this Women’s Month:

1. Style-savvy women are sure to love the SM Women’s Wednesday Sale, the much-awaited Wednesday exclusive for every woman’s guilty pleasures – fashion, bags, accessories, make-up, and skin care products – all at up to70% off! 

2.  Ladies can expect amazing deals from The SM Store Women’s Sale with up to 50% off on selected items, plus you can enjoy a 10% rebate when you shop with your BDO ShopMore Mastercard. SMAC cardholders get an additional 10% off on ladies’ wear, shoes, bag, and accessories every Wednesday (6-8pm) of March and on International Women’s Day, March 8. 

3.  Beauty aficionados can indulge in the Women’s Special beauty spas and salon dates with the barkada and loved ones and avail of delightful deals. 

4.  Celebrate womanhood at SM’s Beauty Soiree, a beauty fair every weekend this March with special discounts and bundles on beauty products, skincare, and style products. 

5.  Be no one but yourself at the Beauty Party where all women are celebrated – happening on all weekends of March. There will be make-overs, styling sessions, and a dance party with a surprise guest DJ! 

6.  All women deserve love. Take it from psycho-neurologist and happiness doctor, Dr. Lia Bernardo, as she walks us through the 30-day #JustForToday snackable-video series, for easy tips to embrace self-love, empowerment, and authenticity. Find out more on the SM Supermalls Facebook page for a chance to win giveaways!

So ladies, don’t forget to love yourself more this Women’s Month. For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com.

‘ANAY BA? I-SOLIGNUM NA!’ Keep your homes termite-free with JDI’s Total Termite Solution

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Termites may be small in size, but these little pests can cause some big and serious damages to your home. That’s why it is important to think ahead and make sure that your precious abode is protected from the hazards of termite infestation, which could ruin its structural integrity. Worse, termites can damage not only wood but also your prized possessions like clothes, money bills, important documents, and even electrical wirings—which can even cause fire.

So to foster a happier, safer, and more secure home environment, it’s important to have regular and rigorous inspection of your homes to detect early signs of termite infestation. Prevent termite infestation in your house with Jardine Distribution, Inc.’s (JDI) Total Termite Solution. 

To protect your prized wooden furniture and other wooden structures against termites, the tried, tested, and trusted Solignum is your best ally. Aside from working against termites, the Superbrand-recognized Solignum has insecticidal and fungicidal properties that can also work against fungi and woodborers.

And while wood preservation is a common step when dealing with termites, we must remember that termites come from soil, too. You may not know it, but termites might be destroying your house from under. 

To prevent subterranean termites from entering your home, use Soilguard—an odorless water-based soil termiticide that creates a termite-lethal barrier that prevents termites from entering the structure. This easy-to-use and cost-efficient termite solution kills any termite it comes into contact with.

Stop these insidious little pests from invading your home with JDI’s Total Termite Solution—Solignum and Soilguard.

Jardine Distribution, Inc.’s line of Home Pest Solutions is available at leading supermarkets (Shopwise, Rustan’s, Wellcome) and DIY stores (Handyman, Ace, Citi, and Wilcon, among others) nationwide. For more information, go to www.jardinedistribution.com.

Wake up to a joyful morning with Jollibee’s Jolly Breakfast Day celebration

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The early birds get free delicious Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Sandwiches on March 11

 

Monday mornings can be the most difficult since it’s the start of another challenging week. But on March 11, 2019, get ready to start your week on an exciting note as Jollibee spreads more joy with Jolly Breakfast Day!

To bring more joy to customers on March 11, the country’s number one fast-food brand will be celebrating “Jolly Breakfast Day”, where free Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Sandwiches will be given to customers seeking a delicious and satisfying way to start their Monday.

From 8:00 to 9:00 AM, head to the nearest Metro Manila Jollibee Breakfast store and get a chance to get your hands on the new Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich!

“Breakfast is perhaps the most important meal of the day, and a flavor-packed, satisfying meal in the morning can spell the difference between a great day and an ordinary one,” said Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee Marketing Director for Core Category. “Jollibee’s New Breakfast Sandwiches offer breakfast favorites in a meal that’s easy to enjoy even when you’re on the way to a long, busy day at work or at school!”

The Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich brings together classic breakfast favorites in one easy-to-eat, affordable sandwich. Imagine your favorite Bacon, Egg, and Cheese sandwiched between two soft buns lathered with a butter and maple syrup spread for that extra hint of deliciousness. It’s a sandwich that truly delivers the joy needed to kickstart the day ahead. The Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich is available at P50 (solo). Jollibee also offers an Egg & Cheese Sandwich available for P39 (solo).

For more information on Jollibee’s Jolly Breakfast Day Celebration and other events, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Studios on YouTube, and follow @Jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.

The power of time: LG’s smart home technologies help empower women with greater autonomy

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For today’s generation of modern and multi-tasking Filipino women, the most valuable currency is time.

Time, as the adage goes, is gold. Time lost cannot be restored. And time saved enables women, and men alike, to do more—spend longer and better-quality time with loved ones, pursue passions and unlock new opportunities.

Time at home is especially valuable for women who share in the household tasks. Efficiency is the name of the game. After all, time at home is best spent enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

This is where LG’s smart home technologies play an invaluable role. In the daily struggle for efficient use of precious time, the electronics giant’s intuitive and smart technology takes the burden out of household tasks so that they do not take more time, and energy, than is necessary.

Take the LG’s TwinWash, powered by SmartThinQ technology, as an example. It allows users to control and monitor the washer anytime and from anywhere using the LG mobile app. It can also be linked to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa so users can remotely start or pause a load, monitor cycle status and ‘command’ the washer to perform other functions.

The InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerator is another case in point. It minimizes loss of cold air, prolongs freshness and saves energy and time, with the simple act of knocking twice. It may seem insignificant but as multi-tasking mothers, wives, sisters, and women know—one less thing to worry or think about is always a relief.

A recent study from the U.S. found that “invisible labor” at home can take a toll on the mental and emotional wellbeing of women who are expected to perform these tasks. Invisible labor refers to household responsibilities that are not physically enforced.

For instance, a working mom can count on her husband and children to take turns in doing the laundry, but she is expected to ensure that the detergent does not run out or that all the dirty clothes are included in the load. This mental burden, on top of physical tasks, work demands, parenting responsibilities and spousal obligations, can leave women feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

Thus, the availability of smart home technologies, like LG’s line of powerful, modern and user-friendly home appliances, do more than just make the job easier or faster. More importantly, these technologies empower women to take control of their time at home and enable them to focus on that which nurtures them, whether it’s family or much-needed self-care. 

Celebrating women empowerment

The annual celebration of International Women’s Day(IWD) is a global day that recognizes the “social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.”

It embraces the struggles and the evolution of women’s roles at home, in the workplace and in the community. Since the first celebration in 1911, much has been achieved but much more needs to be done, and the home has always been a crucial battleground for these milestones.

As a globally renowned brand that makes an impact on the lives of millions of women daily, LG exemplifies the fundamental purpose of smart home technology solutions—to create transformative experiences that improve the lives of its users, both women and men.