GCash makes investing possible with P50

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Filipinos can now kickstart their investment journey for the price of a donut or a cup of milk tea, thanks to leading mobile wallet GCash, which is bringing investment to the mobile wallet.

Invest Money, a feature in the GCash app, is an online platform that allows users to invest in mutual funds straight from their smartphones for a minimum of only P50, making it the cheapest and most accessible investment vehicle in the country.

The price of entry is roughly the value of a fancy donut at Krispy Kreme or half the price of a large milk tea, a come-on for beginners in investments or those afraid to put their hard-earned money at risk.

Traditional investments, on the other hand, require a minimum capital of P5,000 to P10,000.

As of October, GCash users have opened 432,000 Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITF) accounts in the Peso Money Market Fund of GCash’s partner provider ATRAM Trust Corp., surpassing the number of retail UITF accounts in the Philippine banking system, according to Mynt, the company behind GCash.

ATRAM Trust Corp., the first stand-alone trust corporation in the Philippines, pioneered global feeder funds in the country, providing Filipinos access to offshore investments in the United States, Europe, Asia and other emerging markets. The firm manages 13 UITFs.

“The figures indicate that more Filipinos are now trying to grow their money through Invest Money because the usual barriers for investing have been eliminated—the cost has been cut and the complex details of the investment process have also been removed,” said JF Darre, Chief Data Officer and Head of Financial Services at Mynt.

Aside from not requiring a large amount of money, GCash also does not ask interested investors to go to a bank to open an account or submit documents such as tax returns and payslips. All it takes to become an investor is to download the GCash app, register and answer a few questions for verification with just a few taps on the mobile phone.

With the Invest Money feature, users can also monitor closely the performance of their investments and redeem them whenever and wherever they want.

To make investing through the mobile wallet app more rewarding and convenient, GCash said it was working to add more mutual fund options, such as Bond Fund and Equity Fund.

“We are also working on adding more functionality to the app and creating a better user experience to make investing a more enjoyable habit for Filipinos,” Darre said. 

Canva Reaches US$3.2B Valuation, Launches Enterprise and Affiliate Program

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Design platform Canva recently announced its new valuation of US$3.2 billion, raising an additional US$85 million dollars from high-profile investors Mary Meeker'sBond, General Catalyst, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blackbird and Sequoia China. At the back of this announcement, the company also introduced two new ventures: Canva for Enterprise and Canva Pro Affiliate Program.

Canva aims to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere with its user-friendly design tools and thousands of templates to choose from.

Founded by Chief Executive Officer Melanie Perkins, Chief Operating Officer Cliff Obrecht and Chief Product Officer Cameron Adams in 2013, Canva has grown to over 20 million users across 190 countries, publishing over 1.8 million designs.

“In a world that is increasingly visual, Canva solves real challenges faced by product and marketing teams across every industry. We continue to be impressed by this team and their ability to expand their product lines to meet demand and we’re delighted to invest once again,” shared Kyle Doherty, Managing Director of General Catalyst.

Early last year, the startup reached unicorn status, making it one of the fastest growing and most promising female-led tech companies in the world.

Democratizing design for Filipino enterprises

Fueled by its mission to empower the world to design, Canva expands its services to cater to the needs of large Filipino businesses with the introduction of Canva for Enterprise.

“The Philippines is fast becoming a thriving hub for businesses and we, Filipinos, love to collaborate. However, as a franchisee or a company that works with teams from different offices and geographies, collaborating and centralizing processes may be a challenge - resulting in marketing materials being off-brand.

“With Canva for Enterprise, we are enabling local businesses to ensure brand consistency throughout their teams,” said Yani Hornilla-Donato, country manager of Canva Philippines.

With Canva for Enterprise, large organizations can ensure all designs created are onbrand, by facilitating collaboration with teams via a digital asset management platform, integrated workflow tools, and brand control features. 

Donato adds, “With brand control, unlimited storage, and thousands of templates, we hope to empower every business in the Philippines with a simple, easy and efficient design platform.”

Canva for Enterprise is designed with integrated and customizable design tools which make it easier for businesses to create brand assets and collaborate online.

Earn while creating with Canva Pro

While Canva for Enterprise is custom-built for large teams, Canva Pro is designed to boost productivity and empower small business owners, content creators and marketers with its time-saving design features. Whether you’re a team of one or an online business owner who has just started, Canva Pro will empower you to take your business to the next level.

With the launch of the new Canva Pro Affiliate Program, Filipinos can also earn additional income with a commission of up to US$36.50 (around PHP1,800) for each Canva Pro subscriber referred. 

“From business cards and social media posts, to presentations and flyers, we’re hoping that the affiliate program will help us spread the word about the power that Canva Pro can have for small businesses,” added Donato. “We hope that with Canva’s continued growth and expanded services, we are able to provide meaningful design solutions to every Filipino entrepreneur.”

For more information on Canva, visit https://www.canva.com/.

ABOUT CANVA

Launched in 2013, Canva is an intuitive online design and publishing platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere. Featuring a simple drag-and-drop user interface and a vast library of templates ranging from presentations, social media posts, posters, invitations to resumes, a huge collection of stock photography, illustrations and fonts, anyone can take an idea and create something beautiful. Canva is available on web, iOS and Android.

Marites Allen Launched 2020 Feng Shui Books, Almanac and Planner

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Feng Shui Queen of the Philippines, Marites Allen gives forecasts on love, health, wealth, and career in the coming Year of the Metal Rat.

Last October 9, during the press conference of the 15th Marites Allen Philippine Feng Shui Convention, which is set on November 24 at Novotel Manila Araneta City, Feng Shui Queen Marites Allen shared a peek into the Year of the Metal Rat. 

The New Year 2020, the Year of the Metal Rat will be a year of new beginnings! New opportunities, love, and money. 2020 is going to be successful!

The Rat is the first sign from the 12 animals cycle of the Chinese Zodiac, and for this reason, this time period is considered a year of new beginnings and renewals. 

Chinese New Year in 2020, the Year of the Metal Rat, is coming up fast and what better way to start anew and gear up for a great year than with Marites Allen’s 2020 horoscope books, Feng Shui Almanac and Planner. 

2020 Horoscope Books

The personal horoscope books provide helpful indications in many aspects of the life of each animal sign in the Chinese zodiac, including wealth, career, romance, and health for each month. It also has valuable suggestions to help prepare for the Chinese New Year and tips on what enhancers to place in specific sectors of the home and recommended fashion wear and accessories to attract positive energies through out the year. 

Feng Shui Almanac

The must-have desktop reference to go through the Year of the Metal Rat is the fully illustrated Feng Shui Almanac. Packed with practical application tips and frequently used tables and charts, it also features auspicious dates and times for scheduling important events and tasks. It has a monthly guide to the shifting Flying Stars or the lucky and unlucky sectors of the home and office to guide the reader on which areas to enhance or cure to optimize good luck or keep negative energies at bay. 

Feng Shui Planner

The Feng Shui planner is an indispensable guide designed to help the user succeed and prosper in the Year of the Metal Rat. It contains useful information such as lucky and unlucky days, favorable and unfavorable activities for each day allowing one to schedule important activities accordingly, plus many fengshui tips and suggestions to attract auspicious energies into your daily life.

Launched by the feng shui queen, Marites Allen, at the press conference for the 15th Marites Allen Philippine Feng Shui Convention held at Novotel Manila Araneta City last October 9, the new and highly anticipated books and planner will be available at the convention on November 24. To secure sure copies of the books and planner, you can pre-order them at the following Frigga branches: Megamall (8470-7661); Mall of Asia (0922-4241219); North EDSA (8442-0113); Seaside City Cebu (032-3432062/0907-8198993); or shop online at www.frigga.com.ph.

Want to know more of what’s in store for you for the Year of the Metal Rat? Want to get first dibs on the in-demand books and planner for 2020? Secure your seats now for the 15th Marites Allen Philippine Feng Shui Convention happening on November 24, 2019 at the ballrooms of Novotel Manila Araneta City. 

Get your tickets at Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-marites-allen-philippine-feng-shui-convention-tickets-71031468033), call the following numbers: 0920-9509390 / 8188858/ 7360512 / 4707661 or email maritesallenevents@gmail.com.

Loc&Stor 24/7 releases “The Secret” and “One Night Only”—two short films on family love, heartache, and new beginnings

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Loc&Stor 24/7 has released two compelling branded short films directed by award-winning director Chris Cahilig, featuring stories of family love, loss, heartache, and new beginnings. 

Moving on from the passing of someone we love is never easy—not when there is so much to miss and look back to. But “The Secret” shows a way to help ease the heartache . . . through the memories our loved ones left behind. 

In this moving short film, Loc&Stor 24/7 shares the story of a family still aching from the loss of the father and head of the household. The teenage children, mystified about their mother’s late hours coming home, start worrying about her whereabouts. Suspecting the worst, they fear that she has ‘moved on’ so soon after their father’s death. 

As they conspire to follow her one night, they discover their mother’s ‘secret’—her nightly ‘dates’ with their father at a Loc&Stor 24/7 storage unit that contains the family’s treasured possessions. Scenes from the past move them to tears, but this time, both mom and kids agree that they can always go somewhere to keep their love for their father alive.

“The Secret” teaches us that while we need to move on from personal loss, there will always be our cherished memories to comfort us—and Loc&Stor 24/7 to keep those memories safe. 

Starring in the film is Fe Sagulimba as the mother, Sean See as the son and Thalia Padilla as the daughter.

On the other hand, “One Night Only” is a light and quirky story of millennial love that gets nearly nipped in the bud. A girl and boy have fun on a blind date, a potential coupling sparked by the strong attraction between them. However, the girl’s messy home turns off the young man, leaving the girl to wonder what she could have done wrong. Her best friend gently admonishes her about decluttering her place and helps bring her stuff to a Loc&Stor 24/7 storage unit. In the end, the girl “frees up” her home for “The One”.

Crafted to appeal to the young generation, “One Night Only” suggests that while first impressions make or break a relationship, two people can find new beginnings when given a chance. 

The film, which went viral and received positive feedback in social media, stars Jourdanne Castillo, Wayne Avellano, and Hannah Lee. 

Written by Yuji Gonzales, the short films feature Jay Castillo as the assistant director; Patrick Ferrer as the director of photography; Lorraine Intes as the production manager; and Jed Medrano as line producer.

The crew also features Henry Ramirez as offline editor and Kenneth Amparo as online editor. Credits likewise go to Richard Gonzales for scoring; Kat Salinas for sound design; and Kenneth Amparo for colorgrading. 

In “The Secret” and “One Night Only,” Loc&Stor 24/7 is highlighted as a world-class self-storage facility that offers secure and professionally managed storage units for rent. 

Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, most Loc&Stor 24/7 branches are equipped with seven sizes of storage units to accommodate different needs. The smallest unit can contain up to eight balikbayan boxes, while jumbo-size units are capable of storing contents of a 20ft container or up to 180 balikbayan boxes. 

For corporate or business-store owners, most Loc&Stor 24/7 facilities feature an elevated loading dock that can fit up to two 40 ft. shipping containers. Companies that store inventory can easily upsize or downsize a unit as their needs change.

With priority on safety and security, only owners and authorized representatives can access stored possessions using PIN codes that arm and disarm the unit alarms. All locks are electronically logged in, as well, so the system will notify owners via e-mail if units have been opened.

Located in guarded, gated, and flood-free compounds, Loc&Stor 24/7 facilities are equipped with high-definition CCTV cameras with night vision, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems. 

For added convenience of its storers, parking space is available inside the compound of facilities. 

Locations include Loc&Stor 24/7 Taguig C5/SLEX, JP Rizal Makati, Urban Makati, and Pasig. North Edsa and Sucat will soon be home to Loc&Stor 24/7 facilities.

Short films “One Night Only” and “The Secret” can be accessed at https://www.locnstor247.com/blog/videos/.

For inquiries on rental fees and other vital information, visit our website at www.locnstor247.com, or connect through social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You may also contact one of Loc&Stor’s facilities to know more—Pasig at 8570-2561; Urban Makati at 8810-9556; JP Rizal Makati at 7902-1898; or Taguig at 8693-9071. 

BDO reaps numerous honors at the 2019 Asian Banking and Finance Awards

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BDO Unibank, Inc., its subsidiaries BDO Capital & Investment Corp. and BDO Nomura Securities, and corporate social responsibility arm (CSR) BDO Foundation were among over a hundred awardees from 37 countries honored at the Asian Banking and Finance’s 2019 Wholesale Banking Awards, Retail Banking Awards and Corporate and Investment Banking Awards held in Singapore.

BDO bagged the Philippine Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year at the Wholesale Banking Awards, which recognizes the most outstanding practices and innovative strategies in Asia's wholesale banking sector. This is the 5th time that BDO won in the Cash Management Category and its second consecutive win. Other categories in the Wholesale Banking Awards include Trade Finance, Project\, Finance, Technology & Operations, and Foreign Exchange.

Banking and Finance Excellence. Representing BDO during the award ceremonies on July 18 were BernhardG. Tsai (left), first vice president and chief operating officer of BDO Securities Corporation and Edwin G. Reyes, executive vice president and head of transaction banking group of BDO Unibank, Inc.

In winning the Cash Management Category, BDO was lauded for its wide branch and ATM network, which to date total over 1,100 and 4,000, respectively. Through this vast network, the Bank is able to provide innovative end-to-end financial solutions to corporate clients.

In the Retail Banking Awards, BDO Nomura won for the first time the Online Securities Platform of the Year (Philippines). BDO Nomura, a subsidiary of the Bank, provides investors in-depth market research, quick execution time and competitive rates. Its platform offers ease of use through simple and paperless online application and fund transfers through its customer’s BDO Deposit Accounts. As a bonus, BDO Rewards Points will be earned for all transactions made. These Rewards Points can be redeemed for products available in SM affiliated stores.

Now on its 14th year, the Retail Banking Awards honors outstanding banks that have introduced groundbreaking products and services that successfully adapted with the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Still in Retail Banking, BDO’s CSR arm BDO Foundation won the CSR of the Year - Gold Award for the third consecutive year. BDO Foundation bagged the award for partnering with the Department of Education and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in bringing financial education to public schools, particularly in the K-12 curriculum, teaching and non-teaching personnel. Last year, it was recognized for its efforts to empower people with disabilities (PWDs) through the development of a community for disabled individuals. 

Meanwhile, in the Corporate and Investment Banking Awards, BDO Capital won Corporate and Investment Bank of the Year (Philippines), its second consecutive win, for being a “one-stop investment house covering extensive aspects of deals from origination, structuring, and execution funding through its affiliates, secondary market trading, and insurance services.”