The #SMShareMovement - SM Store's Shoes Campaign helps children takes steps in achieving their dreams

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Shoes are essential in one’s journey through life. 

For less fortunate families and their children, a new pair of shoes will allow them to perform their daily chores in comfort and walk to and back to school in safety. Good shoes can also inspire them to work hard – because with a new pair of shoes, they are not only able to fulfill their daily tasks but are also taking little steps to achieve their dreams. 

A child from Mangyan Elementary School in Bulalacao Town, Oriental Mindoro walking home with her new pair of shoes from the SM Store’s Share Shoes Campaign (Photo courtesy of Caritas Philippines)

Since 2015, The SM Store Share Movement has collected over 900,000 donations composed of shoes, clothing, footwear, book and school kits, disaster kits and toys, which were given to children and families all over the country. This year’s Share Shoes Campaign was able to collect over 40,000 pairs of shoes from their generous benefactors, along with close to 2-million pesos worth of shoes donated by The SM Store, allowing them to reach more kids and inspire these children to take those important steps toward achieving their goals.

The Share Shoes campaign invited shoppers to donate their pre-loved or brand-new shoes to children in need. In partnership with Caritas Philippines and other NGOs, the shoes collected were distributed to Oriental Mindoro and other far-flung communities nationwide.

The SM Store saw how important shoes were to lives of the children. In one of their previous donation turnovers: Rich, 11 years old, took a pair of sandals for his elder sister instead. When asked why, “I still have a pair of shoes,” Rich said, “my sister needs it more.”

These are the kind of stories that inspire The SM Store Share Movement to double their efforts in reaching out to those who are in need of assistance. SM founder Henry Sy envisioned that every Filipino should have their own pair of shoes. It is a passion that blossomed to what is SM today, a company that takes every step to make this vision a reality.

According to The SM Store, this project reminded them of their humble beginnings, milestones, legacy, and promise to help communities be better. After all, The SM Store started out with shoes and they hope to be a part of people’s journeys through life through the gift of shoes.

Over the years, The SM Store has conducted its quarterly donation drive from shoes, to books, toys and hygiene kits for identified poor communities and areas impacted by calamities, through its #SMShareMovement Project.

Find out more about these quarterly donation drives and know how to contribute to upcoming projects, by liking The SM Store Facebook page and by following @TheSMStore on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Millennial money matters: Experience economy or financial stability?

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Communications research student Diego Fodulla beams proudly as he presents his most recent prized possession: his new Nintendo Switch.

The 20-year-old gaming enthusiast saved up for four months for this. Viewing gaming as a de-stressor, Fodulla thinks the purchase was worth the wait and the hefty price tag, as the console allows him to play anywhere and broadens his options as a gamer.

Since he bought it, he has played his favorite games such as Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee, Just Dance, Super Smash Bros and Overcooked.

When asked about the best part of this buy, Fodulla simply answered: “I get to play with my friends who also have Switch, and my friends also go to my place and we play.” Fodulla said that the console has given him and his friends memorable quality time, as they areable to strengthen their bond over interactive gaming.

Like most millennials, Fodulla spends on experience, placing high value in purchases that grant him real-life experiences, which in turn allow him to bond with the people he cherishes. Affirming this, Fodulla mentioned that the next thing he is saving up includes a trip to the beach trip with friends and the new Legend of Zelda game.

“I do think millennials value experiences, like travels, more than more tangible stuff like housing; with one not being any better than the other,” he said. “The millennial generation truly values the life that they were given and want to make the most of it as early as possible, which distinguishes us from the generations that came before us.”

In a study conducted by the Harris Group, 72 percent of millennials spent more on experiences rather than material things.

However, millennials also have a penchant for purchasing “experiences” through debts due to the so-called “fear of missing out,” according to the Social Enterprise Development Partnerships. Inc. Because of this peer pressure to conform, millennials rather spend than save. This has created a scenario where eight out individuals globally of 10 are without sufficient savings for emergencies such as medical expenses and car repair.

At home, roughly seven out of 10 Filipinos are still without a bank account, echoing the global trend for millennials.

Opportunity for digital savings

Despite this lamentable reality, GCash, operated by Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), sees a huge opportunity to bring financial services and wealth management products closer to millennials.

Through its GSave feature, GCash helps millennials unlock the opportunities in savings through their mobile phones.

“The power of mobile technology is endless. There’s a huge opportunity in providing access to young people through opening accounts via GSave. We’re very dedicated to our purpose of financial inclusion,” GCash Head of Financial Services Kim Seng said.

To promote savings among millennials and other generations of Filipinos, GSave allows users to open savings accounts via the GCash app where they can earn up to 10 times more interest rate, as opposed to traditional banks. It also has no initial deposit required, no maintaining balance and charges no additional fees for offering its services.

With GSave, users can also move their money seamlessly between their GCash wallets and their GSave account.

Savings for future proofing, investments

Thanks to its partnership with Malaysian bank CIMB, additional features are in store for GSave account holders. In the near future, users can deposit and withdraw funds in over 8,000 CIMB partners nationwide. Online transfers will also soon be available between CIMB accounts.

"Our approach to banking is tailored for this millennial generation. As the most connected generation that grew up with the information at the palm of their hands, they search for convenience and innovation, and we can provide that experience for them through GCash," Seng said.

Besides promoting convenience, GCash’s purpose is to encourage the younger generation to create a more secure and stress-free future by offering great advantages preceding generations did not have when they were their age.

Aside from having emergency cash, savings create capital for future investments, which can allow millennials to gain income and reach their personal financial goals along with a successful career and financial independence.

Moreover, savings grants millennials self-determination from credit. Because they have sufficient funds, they need not turn to loans or use credit to attain their financial targets. Aside from all these, GSave offers millennials a better experience as they are now afforded with the power banking in the palm of their hands. Since savings are usually spent in emergency situations, GSave grants users one less thing to worry about in case the unexpected happens. With ample savings, millennials can continue enjoying the experience economy they relish now when they grow older. They can travel abroad, enroll in classes and gain new and fulfilling experiences.

Hearing these benefits, Folluda considers opening up a GSave account through his GCash app.

“Coming from a family that did not start with a lot, I truly value financial security,” he said. “I know how it feels to take loans and cut costs for education, so I try to be as financially smart as I can.”

Giving Children the Gift of Dreaming : My Dream in a Shoebox continues its mission to bring the dreamers back

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Gifts beyond the box. Students from Dr. Artemio Natividad Elementary School show their boxes of school supplies at the MDIAS Accenture Gift Giving event in 2018. 

Children’s dreams are amazing. They are like balloons that can rise up in the sky to heights beyond the eye could see. They see adulthood as a world of possibility where they could grow up to have a profession they can’t even pronounce yet. However, dreams could just as easily be popped by a careless barb, reckless negativity, or simply by the reality that not all dreams can come true. But just because they may not all come true doesn’t mean they are not worth dreaming anymore. 

This is the challenge and reality many children living in poverty face today. How could they even begin to dream about the future when their parents couldn’t afford to send them to school or even know where their next meal is coming from? One out of 10 Filipinos six to 24 years old doesn’t go to school, often choosing to work and scrape for money to help their families. Dreams, ephemeral as they are, are easy to give up when you need to survive from day to day. 

But less-fortunate children still need to dream, perhaps more than most. “A dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it,” as bestselling author John C. Maxwell wrote. Children don’t even have to dream a big dream; it just has to be bigger than they are so they could grow into them. Dreams could help children look beyond their present circumstances and give them the push to pursue their future, to overcome beliefs that limit them to their circumstances, and to discover abilities that would enable them to triumph over challenges along the way. 

Bringing the dreamers back

Bringing the dreamers back is what drives My Dream in a Shoebox (MDIAS) initiative. MDIAS’s mission is to equip less-fortunate Filipino children with school supplies and to inspire them to dream and reach for a brighter future. This annual education campaign that started in 2009 — and with only 200 boxes — was spearheaded by the integrated marketing experience agency TeamAsia. So far, through the help of individual and corporate partners, MDIAS has collected and distributed 338,647 shoeboxes. On its 10th year, MDIAS leveled up with its educational assistance program and have given scholarships to 110 students in Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sulu, and Zambales, among others. 

This year, MDIAS continues to dream bigger and aims to support 200 more scholars and give 75,000 more shoeboxes to kids nationwide. They are also reaching out to youth organizations and the academe because MDIAS’s goal aligns with these institutions: to empower children to pursue a better future through education. Each box is not just about giving a child school supplies, but it is also planting a seed of hope and assurance that somebody believes in them. A scholarship of Php 3,000 per child provides for their uniform, school supplies, and allowance for a school year, more importantly, it is an investment in a life full of promise and potential.

MDIAS has partnered with organizations that share the same vision like Yellow Boat of Hope, Payatas Orione Foundation, Loc & Stor and National Bookstore for its many initiatives. MDIAS is open to more individuals and corporate partners to join them in giving more underprivileged children the gift of dreaming and to help in making them come true. 

For more information on making #BiggerDreams come true, log on to www.teamasia.com/shoeboxcampaign, call (+632) 847 3500, or email shoebox@teamasia.com.

Bayani Agbayani, the newest Ambassador of "Home Suite" furnitures of CLC Marketing Ventures Corp.

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Bayani Agbayani has proven himself to be one of the most enduring and bankable comedians in the local entertainment industry.

In his long time in the entertainment , he has done many  hostings different tv shows, movies, tv series, sitcoms and at present, he's one of the best wittiest SING-Vestigators in "I Can See Your Voice."

This morning, CLC Marketing Ventures Corp., the company behind Home Suite unveils its newest celebrity endorser, none other than quintessential funny man himself - Mr. Bayani Agbayani.

Just like the high-quality entertainment and fun laughter that comes in mind when the name Bayani Agbayani is mentioned, Home Suite is beyond joyful and excited to be represented by Mr. Agbayani. They chose Bayani because he personifies what their furniture stands for and also share their vision of helping the less fortunate Filipinos in need.

"We believe Bayani's reputation of providing high-quality entertainment is synonymous to Home Suite's values in terms of providing families the best in locally manufactured high-quality home furniture. Home Suite takes pride in distributing home furniture such as metal beds, dining sets, sala sets, sofa beds and home accessories in all leading department stores nationwide," sad Ching.

“Throughout his career, Bayani, through his comedy has always made us laugh, whenever you are feeling down or na-istress ka, kapag nakikita mo si Bayani, mapapangiti ka, just like our furniture provides comfort,"explained Charles Lester Ching, COO of CLC Marketing Ventures.

Agbayani's favorite Home Suite furniture, is his bed, “Kapag nakahiga na ako dun, I feel like a king.”

Agbayani said "pag uwi mo sa bahay after work, upo ka lang sa sofa or higa ka sa bed, marerelax ka agad, para kang "King.” 

Thrilling moments ahead with the start of this fascinating partnership with Home Suite and Bayani Agbayani so keep updated with Home Suite's official social media accounts to know more!

Home Suite by CLC Marketing Ventures Corp
114-116A Sauyo Road, Novaliches, Quezon City, 1116
Direct Telephone Line: +(02) 454-2515
Customer Service: +(02) 361-1127 / 546-0563
Tel.: +(02) 939-5723 / 930-0249 loc. 186
Fax: +(02) 456-1413
Email: customerservice@clcmv.com.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homesuiteph
Website: http://www.clcmv.com.ph

#YanWick

#HomeSuiteHomeNiBayani

Flex your Furbabies with these No-Fail TikTok hacks

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A viral cat video has been making the rounds in social media which featured the 1954 song “Mr. Sandman” by the Chordettes matched with a 9-split screen TikTok filter. Some users even captioned it as the “best thing on the internet today.”

Days after, it was a corgi doing the same routine and Filipino netizens can’t help but share the overwhelming cuteness of these furry creatures. No doubt the  koala version would go viral, too.

But why do Pinoys fancy pet videos and memes?

Our appreciation and love for animals is so great that the Philippines ranked 5th in dog ownership worldwide based from the statistics of Australian pet insurer, Petsecure. There is an estimated 11.6M dogs who have Pinoy pet parents. Bantay (guard) and Muning are no longer common names for dogs and cats, respectively. We now give “hooman” names to our pets and treat them as part of the family.

This extreme fascination extends to our appreciation to pet memes and videos. Adults can agree that in the midst of the hectic schedule and overwhelming workload, a cat meme is a visual stress ball.

Why not take your meme game to the next level create the next viral pet video? Here’s how: 

DOWNLOAD the TikTok app which is available for iOS and Android.

SOUND: Tap ”Discover” and search for “Mr. Sandman”. You know you have the right song if it starts with a rhythmic clapping.

FILTER: Some TikTok accounts have the 9 screen Delay filter. In the latest version though, if you weren’t able to save the Delay filter, the closest you get is the Hexa-Delay which is limited to a 6 split screen effect. Don’t worry because it will still be equally fun and entertaining.

SHOOT: Record the video in a safe space where your furry friend will likely be comfortable. Remember, this video is about having fun and bonding with your pets. No animal or human shall be harmed.

Hit the record button and enjoy! If you don’t get the timing right the first time, you can always retake. Or just leave it as it is. Pets have a way to make the challenge fails cute and adorable!

SHARE: Of course, the whole world can’t get enough of animal videos that’s already in the internet! Upload your video on TikTok and use the hashtag #MrSandmanChallenge so other users can easily track your video. Go and flex your furbabies!

About TikTok

TikTok is the world’s leading destination for short-form mobile videos. Our mission is to capture and present the world's creativity, knowledge, and moments that matter, directly from the mobile phone. TikTok enables everyone to be a creator and encourages users to share their passion and creative expression through their videos. TikTok is based in Los Angeles, with global offices in London, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, Singapore, Jakarta, Mumbai, and Moscow. In early 2018, TikTok was one of the most downloaded apps in the world. TikTok is available worldwide for  iOS and Android. Visit tiktok.com.