September 12, 2014

Philippines investors look far and wide for opportunities, but stay close to home for investment and advice – Manulife Survey


·      Philippines investors favor developed economies over emerging Asia and show least home-market bias of any investors in Asia

·      Personal networks, bricks and mortar dominate approach to investing

·      Philippines investors remain most optimistic in Asia

Investors in the Philippines are among Asia's most optimistic and most outward-looking, given their willingness to invest outside the Philippines to gain returns, according to the latest Manulife Investor Sentiment Index* covering the second quarter of 2014.
Philippines investors reach across emerging Asia to mature markets
When asked which region they think is best to invest in, Philippines investors point to developed Asia, Australasia and North America over emerging markets, including emerging Asia and the Middle East and North Africa.

Fig. 1 – Philippines investors favour developed and distant markets over China and emerging Asia

Philippines investors seem less affected by home-market bias than any other investors in the survey. Given a selection of single markets, they show most enthusiasm for Canada (76 points) and Japan (73) above the Philippines itself (51), and show least for China (44), which most other Asia investors rank relatively higher.
When it comes to growth, Philippines investors are also most optimistic about Japan and Canada, with 19 percent believing that Japan’s economy will be the fastest growing in the next two years, followed by Canada, China and Australia. This contrasts markedly with the average Asia investor, 27 percent of whom expect China’s economy to grow fastest, followed by much lower expectations for Japan Australia and Canada.

Fig. 2 – Philippines investors’ views of which markets will grow fastest
contrasted markedly with investors elsewhere in Asia

"Our research suggests that Philippines investors’ preference for Japan is likely related to Japan’s first quarter GDP growth which came in at 6.7 percent on strong consumer demand ahead of the implementation of a new goods and services tax," said Aira Gaspar, CFA, Chief Investment Officer of Manulife Philippines.
“It's also interesting that Philippines investors seem so keen on Canada. We think there is a sound basis for this given that Canadian equities outperformed their developed market peers in the first quarter."
Philippines investors rely on friendly advice, ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to portfolios
Despite their international outlook, Philippines investors place their faith closer to home when it comes to making investment decisions, with 88 percent relying on or referring to family, friends or colleagues as a source of advice – the highest level in the region and well above the regional average of 58 percent. They are less dependent on industry staff, mass media or online sources of investment advice.
Philippines investors also have a very ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to portfolio composition, with 61 percent saying they own investment property (against the Asian average of 19 percent) and 75 percent owning their own home (against an Asian average of 50 percent). Cash and property together make up the bulk of their portfolios. Conversely, they have much lower ownership of stocks (15 percent versus the Asian average of 48 percent) and mutual funds (6 percent versus 23 percent) – even though their sentiment towards equities is the highest in Asia.
“Philippines investors rely largely on their own networks for their investment decisions" said Ryan Charland, CEO of Manulife Philippines. "While it is comforting to speak with family and friends for investment advice, investors would benefit from consulting investment professionals, who could help them build a sound and diversified portfolio that meets their medium to long-term financial goals.”
Philippines investors are Asia's most optimistic
In addition to their positive views about investing overseas, Philippines investors remain optimistic about investing at home with the sentiment index for domestic investment at 59, the highest in Asia. This optimism was spread across all asset classes in the survey, which all saw increases except cash. Fixed income saw the biggest increase, up 5 points to 50; followed by stocks, up 4 to 45. Mutual funds rose 1 point to 36. Property has taken the lead as the most favored asset class, with home property highest at 75, up 1 in the quarter, while investment property rose by 4 points to 74. Cash was the only asset class to see a decline, down 9 to 73, but still remains high.

”Filipino respondents were generally upbeat, despite weaker-than-expected first quarter 2014 GDP growth and uninspiring corporate earnings for the same period,” confirmed Ms. Gaspar. “We believe sentiment was boosted by a credit rating upgrade from Standard & Poor’s and an increase in government spending on much-needed infrastructure projects. The country’s resilient private consumption, rising investment cycle, recovering manufacturing industry and favorable consumer and business confidence bode well for economic activity and a positive earnings growth story. However, investors’ sentiment could turn sour if policy reforms aimed at addressing infrastructure deficiencies and fostering inclusive economic growth stall.”

For more findings and related information from the Manulife Investor Sentiment Index in Asia, please visit www.manulife-asia.com.



September 11, 2014

Globe Digital Advertising, Mobext, and IDDI bring Beacon technology in the country

Revolutionizes in-store shopping experience using mobile devices


Globe Telecom, the leading telecommunications network, joins forces with Mobext, the country's first pure-play mobile marketing agency, and In-Store Digital Display International (IDDI), a technology-based information marketing company, to bring Beacon technology in the country, which will provide a more unique in-store shopping experience using mobile devices.

"Studies show that more than 95 percent of transactions worldwide are still made in physical venues. In addition, more than half of consumers visiting stores have smartphones, and that number is growing rapidly in the Philippines," shares Bela Gupta D'Souza, Globe's Mobile Advertising Head.

"We have listened closely to the requirements of our clients and by introducing Beacons in the market, we are confident we can help brands reach target customers in their "last mile" of purchase. By delivering in-store notifications to smartphones all the way down to an aisle level, Beacons will enable retailers to establish one-to-one connections with shoppers, be it as rewards, coupons or product information. We couldn't be more thrilled to partner with Mobext and IDDI to bring this technology to the Philippines and we are already seeing a very positive response from top retailers in the country, including Globe stores nationwide," she added.

Beacons are a low-cost, battery-friendly hardware device that attach onto a wall or shelf in an aisle. Through the use of a low-energy Bluetooth wireless connection, Beacons can send messages or prompts to smartphone users who are within a 5-inch to 200 feet radius of the device. Beacons are already being used in the retail industry to push loyalty points, display ads, coupons and product information in-store, but they are also poised to transform how event organizers, enterprises, and institutions communicate with people indoors.

"This partnership will build the largest location-based marketing or "point-of-sales" mobile marketing network in the country. IDDI, with close to 1,000 screens across the country, will give Beacons extensive footprint when it comes to penetrating major retail locations", says Arthur Policarpio, CEO of Mobext Philippines.

"Globe, as the smartphone leader in the market, will give us enviable scale when it comes to acquiring our user base and we are also tapping Globe's strong retail partnerships to widen the Beacon network in the Philippines. Mobext, with its expertise in mobile technology and strategy, will provide long-term solutions for retailers and brands who want to incorporate Beacons in their marketing", he added.

"IDDI is pleased to partner with industry leaders Globe and Mobext in this pioneering beacon rollout as the our first digital-out-of-home advertising platform offering of the group. This complements the existing in-store digital display network of IDDI in over 300 stores and will definitely provide added value to our partner retail chains. This will also enable advertisers to engage with consumers thru contextually relevant content on a one-on-one basis at point-of-purchase. And of course, ultimately, consumers win not only because they receive brand content that is relevant to them but also because they have the opportunity to participate in the universal rewards program that is built-in to our beacon system" says Bingo Soriano, CEO of IDDI, Inc.

Globe Digital Advertising is exploring to offer the Beacon technology to some of the partners of IDDI. For more information on Beacon technology, please contact any of the partner representatives: Aaron Carreon of Globe at zabcarreon@globe.com.ph, Raymon Cayabyab of Mobext at mon.cayabyab@mobext.com, or Bingo Soriano of IDDI atbsoriano@iddi-group.com

Epson encourages projector customers to give feedback, share your thoughts and win

For over two decades, Epson has maintained its position as the world's No. 1 supplier of HTPS panels, the core devices at the heart of 3LCD projectors. It has led the industry by developing and providing technologies that boost power and performance.

Epson now encourages projector customers to give feedback. Owners of Epson’s 3LCD projectors have a chance to win an Epson LW-900 label printer just by giving feedback to the digital imaging leader.

Donna V. Ferro, Head of Marcom & PR of Epson Philippines explained that “for 13 consecutive years, Epson has been the No.1 projector brand in the whole world. This remarkable achievement was made possible because we listen to our customers, understand their requirements, and then create a product that exceeds their expectations.”

“It is a source of great pride for us that even here in the Philippines, Epson is now the No.1 projector brand. As a technology company that believes in continuous improvement and innovation, we are taking this opportunity to invite all Epson projector owners to give us their feedback. All our customers need to do is go to our website (www.epson.com.ph/reviewprojector), tell us what they think about their Epson projector, and provide their details for a chance to win an Epson label printer,” added Ferro.

Users of Epson projectors can go to the company’s website, give a rating for the projector they use, and share their experience with the product. Five participants will be chosen at random (“Sweepstakes”) as winners, and each winner will receive an Epson LW-900 Labelworks printer.

The Sweepstakes is open to any person who owns or uses an Epson 3LCD projector, whether at home or at work, within the Philippines. Ownership and usage of the projector shall be verified via the participant’s submission of the product serial number. Each product serial number can only be submitted once.

Epson’s 3LCD projectors boast of superior color brightness over 1-chip DLP projectors of similar range. A projector’s color brightness is usually measured in ‘lumens’. Color Light Output (or color brightness) is the measurement for Color Brightness while White Light Output is for White Brightness. Many projector manufacturers provide only one brightness number -- the white brightness measurement.

“Customers should note that a projector that has high white brightness may have low color brightness. In some cases, the color brightness of that projector could be only 1/3 of the rated specification (lumens) provided. When Color Brightness is low, colors can look dull and dark, skin tones can be reproduced poorly, and important details can be lost,” clarified Ferro.

As color is a critical component every time a projector is used – for presentations, watching movies, and gaming – it is important for customers to ask for the color light output or color lumens of the projector that they are eyeing before making the purchase.

“Epson projectors provide equal color light output and white light output. This is one of the reasons why Epson has been the projector of choice all over the world for 13 straight years,” added Ferro.

Karylle is the Status Salon's first celebrity endorser

Singer, actress, TV host Ana Karylle Tatlonghari -Yuzon is the first celebrity endorser of STATUS Hair Salon Manila. 

Busy as she can be, Karylle dabbles into almost everything – singing, hosting, acting, writing, musical theater, songwriting, even blogging and she is also an entrepreneur.

Karylle is enjoying her daily stint on ABS-CBN’s noontime show "It’s Showtime." She is also busy promoting her latest "K" album under PolyEast Records. She recently headlined Bench’s campaign for their Shapewear line, and Belo Medical Group’s Bride marketing effort.

She also started working on her online show with Yahoo and also preparing for a string of projects including an upcoming concert within the year.

Karylle was one of the performers of the 45th anniversary show of the Cultural Center of the Phillippines “Musikal,” a historic coming together of more than 200 local theater performers in the country just last weekend. She reprised her Sita role from last year’s “Rama Hari” revival.

With everything that keeps Karylle busy, the singer-actress-TV host is thankful that STATUS Salon has chosen her to be their first celebrity endorser.


“I really am grateful to STATUS that they gave me their full trust and confidence to be their first celebrity endorser,” says Karylle during the media conference held this Wednesday, September 10 at the Dulcinea. 

“It feels great that I was warmly welcomed by everyone, and I now have STATUS to take care of my hair.”

“With all my engagements, na siyempre kailangan ayusin yung buhok ko, sometimes it takes a toll on my hair, so ngayon I’m happy na kasi STATUS is there na,” she adds.

Karylle, who frequents Quezon City, San Juan, Eastwood and Ortigas areas, also notes that it is good that there is always a STATUS Salon near her always.

STATUS HAIR SALON owners Robina and Roseann Ko with Karylle

STATUS HAIR SALON started year 2011 by siblings Robina and Roseann Ko, with their unique brand, build the salon with a vision of providing services in line with the highest international standards. The salon uses Schwarzkopf products and from basic cuts to modern trends styles done by well-educated, internationally-trained staff and stylists.

“We really are happy that Karylle is already part of the STATUS Salon family,” says Robina Ko. “Karylle is so beautiful inside and out, and people look up to her because of her intelligence, good heart, and beauty kaya perfect talaga siya for STATUS,” she adds. 

Roseann Ko, the other owner of STATUS, also said that, “the launch of Karylle as our endorser also signals our foray into franchising, so it’s really a big step for all of us, and we are thankful that we have Karylle.”


Visit STATUS Hair Salon branch near you - Tomas Morato, Katipunan, Eastwood San Juan, Robinson’s Galleria plus STATUS Premiere Salon in Acropolis, Makati, and Banawe.








For more information you may visit:


Twitter: @Statushairsalon_

Instagram: Statushairsalon_

For franchising inquiries, please contact Mr. Paul Vicencio at 0915-8770219.

September 10, 2014

GSK launches Free in My Skin Movement to empower every Filipina to fully participate in life with Physiogel®

Physiogel®, the number-one most prescribed moisturizer by dermatologists, empowers every Filipina to fully participate in life with the launch of the Free In My Skin Movement.

The Free In My Skin Movement empowers every Filipina to be free from dry, sensitive skin and to confidently embrace life and achieve their dreams and aspirations. 

Yesterday, September 9, held at the Makati Shangrila Hotel, GlaxoSmithKline, makers of Physiogel®, launches the Free In My Skin Movement with TV host and entrepreneur Patti Grandidge as she leads the movement.

To be free is the right of every modern woman. The freedom to make her own decisions and pursue her dreams and passion.

But that freedom should begin from within, from loving oneself and liberating it from insecurities. Being free is being comfortable in one’s own skin. Unfortunately dry, sensitive skin may cause emotional struggles and self-doubt, making them miss out on life’s many opportunities each day.


Empowering Women

The Free In My Skin Movement embodied by model, TV host and entrepreneur Patti Grandidge, seeks to bring together and honor women who overcame their insecurities and became the best version of themselves.

Patti, one of the country’s freshest and most beautiful faces, admitted that she used to be like one of every two Filipinas who suffered from dry and sensitive skin.


“We used to travel a lot when I was younger and getting exposed to different climates took a toll on my skin, making it sensitive, itchy, red and dry. This made me quite insecure, and in the business I am in, it is always about first impressions,” she said.

Patti knew that if she wanted to be in control of her life and achieve her goals, she had to overcome her insecurities, starting with her skin.

“Unlike ordinary moisturizers I used before, Physiogel® made my skin less sensitive and dry. My skin became so much softer, smoother and definitely healthier.”

Patti said she understands how insecurities can be restraining and wants every Filipina to be free from dry, sensitive skin and to confidently reveal their true selves. Just like she did.

“It’s amazing how one simple change in my skincare has renewed my confidence,” she enthused. “One of the best feelings is when you feel confident, and have control of your life, like I can do anything! And with Physiogel®, I am Free In My skin to do just about anything.”

With Physiogel®, Patti was able to free herself from skin worries such as dryness and irritation, so she can fulfill the demands of her multi-hyphenated career of being a TV host, model, entrepreneur and loving wife all with equal zest and success.

“With Physiogel, I became free from dry and sensitive skin – to get going, to get out there and just be who I really am. So, now I truly believe in the power of having good skin. It gave me the power to feel empowered, to feel free. I became free in my skin. And this is why I have been rallying for this movement to reach out to so many women out there,” declares the Free in My Skin embodiment.


Free in My Skin Movement

The Free in My Skin Movement aims to empower women to fully embrace and participate in life by freeing them from dry and sensitive skin, because having dry and sensitive skin can serve as a hindrance for women to fully function to their best abilities. This movement also aims to honor smart, strong, sensitive women who have faced their insecurities (physically and emotionally) and are now embracing and living life to the fullest.
General Manager of GSK Consumer Healthcare, Mr. Jeoffrey Yulo
“The Free in My Skin movement is not just about creating a nurturing community of smart, strong and sensitive women, but is also as a way of honoring these women who didn’t let their dry-skin insecurities prevent them from being the best versions of themselves,” says General Manager of GSK Consumer Healthcare, Mr. Jeoffrey Yulo.

As Patti Grandidge says, “As the embodiment of this movement, I am encouraging women to join me in honoring the smart, strong and sensitive women our lives who have all been a source of inspiration. Think of three smart, strong & sensitive women you know and you are proud of and tag them on your Facebook post as how you can see mine on screen:

I honor these women who have inspired me to be #FreeInMySkin: @kpams808 @macheremachere @bebettes. Cheers to these three smart, strong & sensitive women in my life! Who are yours? #NowPayItForward #PhysiogelPH


Now all my three honorees have to do is to pay it forward by honoring three women in their lives and so forth. We want every woman in our lives to be part of this movement. And I really think this is one of the many things we can do to reach out to more women who already are and who want to be free in their skin.”

Dra. Bernadette Arcilla explains the science behind Physiogel's unique Biomimic Technology.
Locking Moisture In

Physiogel® is the only skincare product that has the patented advanced Physiogel BioMimic Technology® that works naturally with your skin to make it less sensitive and dry. Like a jigsaw puzzle, your skin's natural lipid layers form a matrix, helping to lock the moisture within. This allows Physiogel® to repair dehydrated skin, rehydrate the essential barriers and also revitalize the skin―keeping it healthy from within. Physiogel® is free from perfumes, preservatives or colorants.

For skin that is less sensitive and dry, experience the difference with Physiogel®, the most recommended moisturizer brand by dermatologists in the Philippines.

For more information, visit www.physiogel.ph/ or www.facebook.com/PhysiogelPH

About Physiogel®
Physiogel is the No.1 prescribed moisturizer by dermatologists.* Physiogel is a skin moisturizing brand that falls under the Dermo-Cosmetic Category of the Skin Care Market. It comes in cleanser, cream & lotion formats for dry, sensitive skin. Its cleanser is a mild, soap-free and hypo-allergenic cleanser.

About GSK
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information please visit www.gsk.com.


*According to the Philippine Medical Data Index (PMDI MAT 2013)

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