RCBC Bankard launches new Platinum card with JCB

Tweet

Manila, Philippines and Tokyo, Japan March. 22, 2018 –: JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., announced the launch and issuance this month of a new Platinum card in the Philippines issued by Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), one of the top Universal Banks in the Philippines, through its Card Servicing entity, RCBC Bankard Services Corporation (RCBC Bankard). 

JCB Cards are currently issued in 23 countries and territories with over 100 million cardmembers around the globe. RCBC Bankard started issuing Classic and Gold JCB Cards in the market in 1997. The launch of this latest product in the Platinum card market marks a milestone in the long-standing partnership between RCBC Bankard and JCB. 

The RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card is packed with prestige and privileges, providing its cardholders with world-class benefits, including free Airport Lounge Service, discounted car rental services worldwide, 24/7 Concierge Desk, and access to JCB Plaza Lounges located in major cities. In addition, they can also benefit from a generous rewards program with non-expiring rewards points, cash rebates, or airmiles. Cardholders also get to double their rewards even faster when they use their RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card in Japan. 

JCB provides various services to cardmembers which the new RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum cardholders can avail of. In the Philippines, JCB has many privilege merchants for dining, hotel, wellness, and e-commerce. 

“We would like to provide our premium clients with more options. The launch of the RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card will definitely appeal to accomplished individuals who frequently travel abroad for both business and pleasure. Noting the increase in Filipinos visiting Japan and the issuance of multiple Visa entry, we anticipate that our premium cardholders will be going to Japan more often. Hence, we doubled the points/airmiles that they can earn using the RCBC Bankard JCB Platinum card for spending made in Japan. The partnership with JCB enhances the privileges even more since they offer worldwide benefits to the JCB cardbase which our cardholders can take advantage of” states Simon Calasanz, President and CEO of RCBC Bankard. 

For his part, Senior Vice President of JCBI Yuichiro Kadowaki, has expressed, “We are pleased that RCBC Bankard, an expanding credit company showing the strongest growth in the Philippines, has launched this new Platinum card. Our partnership has been strong for more than 20 years, and we are now stepping up to the next stage with the new product. Both of us are keen to provide a good product and services to customers of RCBC who are interested in Japanese culture and those who travel to Japan. Filipino tourists going to Japan exceeded 400,000 in 2017 and there will be more in 2018. We provide lounge services at 28 airports in Japan and 29 airport lounges in other countries, mainly in Asia. Other than this, Platinum JCB Cardmembers get exclusive access to　Universal Studios Japan JCB Lounge. We hope RCBC Bankard customers will enjoy our services.”

ABOUT RCBC BANKARD:

RCBC Bankard Services Corporation (RBSC) is the Card Servicing entity of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), one of the Philippines largest private universal banks. RCBC and RCBC Bankard Services Corporation are members of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC). RCBC Bankard provides unique and world-class cashless transactions, versatile add-on services, and an innovative rewards program to its cardholders. For more information on RCBC Bankard, visit http://www.rcbcbankard.com/ .

ABOUT JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and card member base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide.

For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/   -  http://ph.jcb/ -- http://ph.jcb/

Health Talks: New observational, non-interventional clinical study-a giant leap for taking care of peripheral neuropathy sufferers

Tweet

Clinical study shows benefits on symptoms of peripheral neuropathy 

Manila, Philippines, March 2018 - Merck, a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials hosted NENOIN Symposium, a new clinical study shows benefits on symptoms of peripheral neuropathy with Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon last March 21, 2018 held at Marco Polo Hotel, Ortigas, Manila.

Peripheral neuropathy sufferers treated with a combination of three neurotropic B vitamins have experienced improvement on all neuropathy symptoms observed in the study independently from the cause of their neuropathy.

NERVES 

The nervous system allows us to perceive, comprehend, and respond to the world around us. It coordinates voluntary actions like walking and involuntary actions like breathing and swallowing, Nerves, the components of the nervous tissue, enable impulses sensation and motion between the brain, spinal cord and other parts of the body.

Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon and host Gelli Victor 

SENSORY PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY 

Peripheral Neuropathy is a disorder affecting nerves, impairing them in their function of transmitting information and potentially affecting millions of people worldwide. Peripheral Neuropathy can cause various body discomforts, such as tingling, increased or decreased sensitivity to vibration, hot or cold, numbness, muscle weakness and even burning pain. Peripheral Neuropathy can cause "typical symptoms" which appear more often and "atypical symptoms, which are less frequent and can be overlooked or misinterpreted.

Example of symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy: 

PARESTHESIA, NUMBNESS, BURNING PAIN, 

SHARP PAIN

 Dr. Rizaldy Pinzon

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can seem innocuous but have an impact of the patients' well-being and their quality of life. Early detection and treatment are crucial as well as effective treatment options, which relieve patients from their symptoms without having to suffer from significant side effects.

OBSERVATIONAL, NON-INTERVENTIONAL CLINICAL STUDY CONFIRMS THE BENEFITS OF A UNIQUE TREATMENT FOR ALL

A new clinical study (Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, lan 2018) has brought a major step forward for nerve health: it has demonstrated that an effective treatment helps relieve all neuropathy symptoms (observed in the study), regardless of the cause of peripheral neuropathy. 

Whether the patients were suffering from numbness, pain or paraesthesia (usually painless sensation like tingling or itching, often felt in the arms and feet, they experienced relief on all these symptoms. It was also observed that the longer they used the treatment, the more relief the patients felt from these symptoms. 

Finally it is also very reassuring to see that the treatment has shown a good tolerance profile over the whole duration (3 months).

Neurobion

Neurobion is a B complex vitamin supplement that containing vitamin B1, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12

Neurobion contribute to nerve health and help provide relief for people who suffer from: -peripheral nerve problems -anyone at risk of vitamin B deficiency ( eg over-55 years old, vegetarians, diabetics and pre-diabetics and others.) 

Neurobion helps to enhance and prolong quality of life when people start experiencing the signs of an impaired nervous system – numbness, tingling or even a sensation of pins and needles can be some of the first external signs. The risk for this condition can increased with age.

Neurobion is highly recommended by Doctors because the effectiveness of the Neurobion is clinically proven to help nerve fibers work well and to relieve the symptoms of damage to the nervous system (neuropathy).

Maura De Leon: Queen of Philippine Stevia

Tweet

Mrs. Maura De Leon had all the reasons to opt for a more laidback, fashionable, and more propitious business, having tried and excelled in several businesses before, the farmer in her compelled her to venture into probably one of the most rare, yet very healthy agricultural plant — Stevia.

Back in the 90s, De Leon Was doing well in her garments business in Bulacan, although her business suffered several challenges, she managed to grow her business amid stiff competition in the province.

Humble beginnings

For about three years, she thought of a perfect business that will not only be significant but something that can be beneficial to many Filipinos. During that time she was in coffee business already, determined to unravel the myth that had been nagging her for years, when one of her staffs suggested they should revolutionize the coffee business in the country or might as well shift to another venture since all coffee shops in the country offer the same products but differ only in presentation and marketing strategies.

Then in one of her consultations, a friend who is a doctor told her about this miracle plant that originated in Paraguay commonly known as Stevia. The leaves of this South American shrub have been used for centuries by native people in Paraguay and Brazil to sweeten their yerba mate and other stimulant beverages. The stevia plant belongs to the Compositae (sunflower family of plants).

After hearing about it, she was fascinated and fell in love with the idea that she immediately asked her team to do their research, sending an agriculturist to Baguio, La Union, Bicol and Davao and found out that not one farmer in the country is growing Stevia for commercial purposes here in the country.

Soon enough, after doing a series of soil analysis, she purchased a small piece of land where she can grow the said plant. Her daughter who was studying in Europe was also instrumental for the purchase of stevia seeds.

But everything is not like a fairytale story for De Leon and her stevia. “The business was very challenging for us, there were times that I tried to just let go of everything and pursue another business,” she said.

Planting Stevia in itself was a big challenge for her and everybody in the team. For the first three years, everything was a testing period since they are not really familiar with the plant unlike those South Americans.

Literally, she did the farming herself and it looked like what she was doing was getting nowhere.

  

When she was at the thick of her hardships, her father approached her and asked if she really, sincerely devoted to her resolve and she gave him a terse reply and a convincing nod. Then her father said something she cannot forget that made here to push even more and conquer the odds.

“He told me, anak, ituloy mo, tulungan mo mga magsasaka. (While pointing at a painting hanging on the wall) Tignan mo yung kalabaw, mataba pa kaysa farmer,” recounts De Leon. In that instance, she realized that she cannot give up anymore, not only she has spent and sacrificed a lot but a lot of people are looking up to her to deliver.

In the fifth year since she got into that commitment, she was able to produce the first finished product out of stevia.

The wonders of Stevia (Sweet & Fit)

For years, those with diabetes have been suffering to scrim on their sugar intake so as to not aggravate their conditions. Now that De Leon through its company – Glorious Industrial & Development Corp. (GIDC) has perfected the process of extracting the sweet essence of stevia and manufactured it as the healthiest sweetener — Sweet & Fit Stevia, people who have health concerns regarding sweets can again enjoy their sweet tooth.

Everyone now can binge on the delights you crave without the worry of risking your health. Sweet & Fit Stevia is a low-calorie sugar, which to most is a wonder sweetener, and recognized as the best and safest  all-natural sugar. It is 30 times sweeter than sugar and with no effect on blood sugar and little aftertaste.

It is now the most trusted, safest and effective calorie-free sugar fix from an all-natural alternative to artificial sweeteners. Once limited to the health-food market, the plant-derived sweetener is now widely available in the country and rapidly replacing artificial sweeteners in consumer products. 

Stevia, the source of Sweet & Fit Stevia, has a taste that is unique and has been described as very sweet with a slight licorice, almost bitter aftertaste. Generally, high quality stevia contains very little of this bitterness. The sweetness of Stevia is much different than the sweetness of other natural sweeteners, sugar, or artificial sweeteners, but it is delicious. For some people the taste may require some “getting used to,” but most people quickly develop a taste for it.

“Stevia is a natural, non-caloric, sweet-tasting plant used around the world for its pleasant taste, as well as for its increasingly researched potential for inhibiting fat http://www.bewellbuzz.com/general/importance-absorption , absorption and lowering blood pressure. Stevia is about 300 times sweeter than sugar in its natural state, and much more so when processed. Its medicinal uses include regulating blood sugar, preventing hypertension, treatment of skin disorders, and prevention of tooth decay,” according to http://www.bewellbuzz.com.

  

Sweet & Fit, 1^st Stevia sweetener in the Philippines

Sweet & Fit Stevia is a product that comes from the essence of stevia and GIDC guarantees that it has preserved and maintained the healthy properties of this plant. “Sweet & Fit Stevia has all the health benefits of stevia. Sweet & Fit Stevia is best for those who are diabetics, watching their weight or people who just want to be healthy. We don’t need to go to other countries just to have stevia, we already have it here through Sweet & Fit Stevia,” De Leon quipped.

GIDC is proud to be the first producer of Stevia sweetener in the Philippines with the introduction of Sweet & Fit in the market in 2009. Sweet & Fit’s presence in the Philippines also speaks of De Leon’s resolve to empower famers and bring innovations and diversity to the local selection of crops available to farmers. 

Armed with the chant GROW LOCAL, GO GLOBAL, GIDC also encourages local farmers to engage in harvesting high-quality produce, which are beneficial to Filipinos, as well as to the rest of the world. 

Reaching out to bigger market

Since GIDC continues to find ways to improve the quality of its products and serve more customers who share their passion for health and wellness, the company is also open to toll packing and manufacturing. 

For De Leon, she could easily get the biggest slice of the pie since she is the pioneer in producing stevia sweetener, but due to her desire to make this healthy sweetener available to all, her company has been accepting toll packing and manufacturing.

“Everyone deserves to be healthy and it is just right to have access to healthy products, this is the reason we welcome other companies and business establishments all over the country should they want to manufacture foods and beverages sweetened by Sweet & Fit Stevia,” De Leon added.

Since GIDC opened its toll packing and manufacturing of stevia sweetener, the awareness of the people about stevia has also grown and slowly, more consumers are shifting from table sugar to this Sweet & Fit Stevia.

“We are proud to have partnered with different hotels, coffee shops, multinational companies and medium-scale entrepreneurs in making stevia a healthy alternative for sugar. Our goal is to entice food and beverage manufacturing companies, hotels, coffee shops to use Sweet & Fit Stevia,” she stressed.

GIDC is looking at a brighter future but De Leon is happy that she can tell her father that they have succeeded and the farmers, at least in their employ, are in good hands.

For more information log on to visit ww.sweetandfitstevia.com or call 3600 900.

Sweet &  Fit Stevia and other Glorious Blends products are available at Mercury Drug stores, Watsons, SM Supermarket and all leading supermarkets nationwide.

Vivo introduces perfectly-priced new flagship V9 smartphone

Tweet

Global smartphone brand Vivo has revealed that its new and powerful flagship smartphone, the V9, will be retailed at Php17,990 in Pearl Black and Gold.   

The announcement was made by Vivo Junior Brand Manager Christian Jocson during Vivo's summer-inspired launch at the City of Dreams Manila on March 22. 

The Vivo V9 is packed with features that makes it a powerful and reliable smartphone for only Php17,990.

What are the perks that a Vivo V9 user will enjoy? 

The Vivo V9 features a FullView^TM Display and 90% screen-to-body ratio with its 6.3-inch display and side bezels of 1.75mm. It delivers AI-powered photos with its 24-megapixel selfie camera and 16MP+5MP dual rear camera. The V9 is a sleek and stylish smartphone that can take the “perfect shot” and provide the “perfect view.”

Vivo's newest flagship smartphone is also equipped with the latest Android 8.1 OS and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, and 64 ROM.

All these and more at a price point of Php17,990. The Vivo V9 will be available for pre-order starting March 26 until April 5, 2018. 

About Vivo

A global smartphone brand focused on introducing perfect sound quality and ultimate photography with cutting-edge technology, Vivo develops innovative and stylish products for young people. We now have over two hundred million users and are one of the preferred brands of young people around the world. As an Official Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, Vivo believes in the importance of encouraging young people to embrace self-expression and an energetic lifestyle. 

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph or check out their Facebook

(https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/), and

Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts. 

Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival 2018 is now set to fly high

Tweet

Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival - the most awaited and considered as the biggest hot-air balloon festival, in terms of spectators’ attendance, in Southeast Asia is now fully set to fly high and color the early gray sky of Pradera Verde, Barangay Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga.

Tourists will expect around 30 beautiful balloons coming from 20 countries around the world that will be feature at the festival this year.

Aside from the fascinating hot air balloons, festival-goers will also expect countless number of activities including night glow, ultra-light flying, motor exhibition, car show, as well as off-road and rally cross.

Spectators will surely be excited to taste the famous cuisines and see the art crafts of Kapampangans as food and souvenir bazaar will be put up, as well as carnival rides to make the event more unforgettable.

Philippines’ some favorite love teams McCoy and Elisse, Maymay and Edward will also be expected at the event for their performances.

Famous musical artists and bands such as DJ Kyoto, Autotelic, December Ave, Ben & Ben, Ex Batallion, Silent Sanctuary, Michael Pangilinan, Moira Dela Torre, Up Dharma Down, Bamboo, and Sarah Geronimo will surely hype the experience of the local and international tourists.

LIBMF 2018 is an annual flagship program of the Municipality of Lubao and was being organized by the Lubao International Balloon Festival, Inc. (LIBF) and Forthinker, Inc., in cooperation with the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTO) and with the support from Provincial Government of Pampanga.

Tickets are sold for P300 each for general admission, valid only for any one day, and are also available online at www.smtickets.com, at all SM ticket outlets, or at the event gates.

For further inquiries, you may contact Forthinker, Inc. from Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 6pm, via landline (02) 942 0768 or mobile 0929 559 1719.

You may also visit their official website at lubaoibmf.com or official Facebook page at Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival (https://www.facebook.com/LubaoIBMF/).